All Fall Down

Chapter 9

Ryan's POV

'Was it just a fling or is there really truth behind the accusations made by Alice Thomas?'

"Oh for fuck sakes" Leroy slammed yet another newspaper down on the table "Even the more decent papers are at it now"

"There's no such thing as decent press Leroy, you know that" Abi looks up from her laptop and smiles "Did you know that Ryan and I have been having serious marital problems for months and that we've even been to see a counsellor?"

"What...that's ridiculous" I stood up and peered over her shoulder.

"And then this one look, she says you have been having a relationship on and off for years" I raise my eyebrows "In fact you even asked her to leave her husband at one point"

I continue to read down the page and suddenly I feel sick "Our relationship dates right back to 2008 when Ryan and I first slept together" Leroy's voice made me jump a little.

"You okay honey?" Abi asked and I nodded "I'm going for a run, I won't be long"

×-×-×

The grass pounding under my feet felt therapeutic to me some how, after reading all the crap into he papers I needed some space to clear my head. I stayed out of my usual running spots and stuck to the grounds of our house. Having 60 acres to play with never felt so amazing. I stopped near the paddocks and took my cell phone out of my pocket "Hello" I spoke cautiously as I didn't recognise the number.

"Hello Mr Tedder it's Detective Lawler" the voice replied.

"Oh hi" I tried to catch my breath so I could at least speak "What's up?"

"I was going to call the house, but wasn't sure if Mrs Tedder was..." he explained.

"No its okay you did the right thing calling me, is this about Sarah Hendley?" I ask and the line goes quiet.

"Erm yes...we have found her" He speaks slowly.

"That's great..." I hesitate when I realise he hasn't finished speaking.

"She was hanging from a tree, the rope was around her neck...she's dead..."

"Shit" Was the only word I could say, I knew how desperately Abi wanted to see her come to justice "Okay thanks for letting us know, I appreciate it"

×-×-×

I'm surprised to find Freya sat at the table when I get back "Where's your Mom?"

"In your room with Lillia watching Cinderella I think?" Freya was doing some school work.

"Again?" I laugh and Freya nods.

"Yep, fourth time today I think" Freya laughed "I don't know how she does it"

"Who your Mom or Lil?" I reply and Freya's smile grows.

"Hey Ryan things are gonna be okay between you and mom aren't they? I've seen the papers and twitter and..." during everything that's been going on I suddenly feel guilty, we have neglected Freya a little in all of this.

"Yeah course" I sit down beside Freya "We're gonna be fine"

I was just about to get up when I heard a scream coming from our bedroom "RYAN"

"FUCK ABI" I run as fast as I can toward our bedroom, Leroy arrives the same time as me, Abi is sat in bed doubled up.

"It hurts" Abi's cries. I remove the covers and that's when I see the blood "No, no, no" Abi's cries. She grabs my shirt tightly as I pick her up and carry her downstairs and outside to the car.