Page 60

CHAPTER41

As Freddy pounds on Kat’s door, he realises his knuckles hurt from hitting Chris. He switches to his right hand.

Bang, bang, bang.

‘Kat?’

Bang, bang, bang.

‘Let me in. I mean it about breaking the door down.’

Silence. And then a croaky, shaky: ‘GO AWAY, YOU STALKER!’

They’re possibly the sweetest words Freddy ever heard. Thank God. If she can shout at him, she must be okay.

‘Darling, can you let me in? I think you need someone with you.’

‘I’M FINE!’

‘No, you’re not. Your cane is lying on your front doorstep.’

There’s a pause. ‘I must have dropped it.’

‘Don’t be stupid. Why would you do that? Did you fall? Look, could you just let me in?’

‘I can’t Freddy.’ It sounds like Kat might be crying. ‘I’m really okay. I just need to sleep, that’s all.’

Freddy eyes up the front door. If Kat had trouble getting into the house, he’s guessing she didn’t lock the door behind her. He tries the door, and it swings open.

Bingo.

‘Kat? If you’re naked, cover yourself up. I’m coming in.’

‘NO!’ Kat’s voice is guttural and frightened, and for a moment Freddy thinks he might be doing something intrusive as well as illegal by stepping into her hallway.

‘I just need to know you’re alright.’ Freddy closes the door behind him. ‘I’ll make you a cup of tea and then I’ll go –’ He stops dead when he sees Kat on the living room sofa. She’s under three hot water bottles, her body contorted at the weirdest angle, looking like a trapped animal. She’s still in her Ascot dress, legs bound uncomfortably in the stiff fabric. It’s a horrible sight on so many levels. Seeing such a strong person alone, afraid, in pain and so clearly desperate for help but not able to ask. It’s doing something very unpleasant to Freddy’s insides.

‘I don’t want you here.’ Kat clenches her jaw, clearly holding back tears. ‘Stop looking at me like that.’

‘Like what?’ Freddy goes to kneel by Kat’s side. ‘With total relief? I thought the taxi driver might have kidnapped you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. Who would kidnap me? I’d be more trouble than I was worth.’

Freddy laughs. ‘Nice to see you still have your sense of humour, even when you’re clearly in so much pain.’

‘This is nothing. I’ve gone blind before.’ Kat examines Freddy’s face. ‘What happened to you? You’re covered in scratches.’

‘Nothing you need to worry about.’

Her eyes fall to the bloodied knuckles on his left hand. ‘Have you been fighting, Freddy Stark?’

‘I wouldn’t exactly call it fighting. I got hit by a baguette.’

‘By who?’

‘No one important.’

‘Are you drunk?’