Page 48 of On the Edge

Charlie was standing at the end of the hallway.

Ryan glared at him.‘Go back to your room.’

‘Leave Mum alone,’ he said again, louder now.‘Don’t hurt her!’

Ryan’s nostrils flared.He tossed Sophie aside and lunged at Charlie.Sharp pain spasmed across her jaw as her face hit the corner of the coffee table.She grabbed Ryan’s foot to stop him from reaching Charlie, who swerved out of reach as Ryan lost his balance and fell.

‘Fuck!’Ryan bellowed, as Charlie ran back down the hall.

Sophie lay on the floor, her face pressed against the plush carpet, hardly daring to breathe.The front door slammed.She didn’t dare to move until she heard Ryan’s car reverse down the driveway.

Chapter 28

Wednesday morning passed quickly, a steady, satisfying hum of patients in and out, but when Nel checked her schedule at eleven o’clock, a chill ran down her spine.

Ryan Warner.

She took a deep breath, then went out to the waiting room.Sure enough, there he was.He sat leaning forward, legs wide, elbows resting on his knees, staring at a spot on the floor, his large frame too big for the chair.

‘Ryan Warner?’she said.His eyes snapped up.‘This way.’

He followed her into the consult room.She sat down and gestured for him to do the same.

‘I’ll stand.’

‘Suit yourself.’Her pulse quickened but she shrugged, trying to appear unaffected by his menacing energy.

There was silence.

She leaned back in her chair.‘How can I help?’

Ryan snorted.‘How can youhelp?We don’t need yourhelp.’

‘Okay then.Is that all?’

He pointed a stubby finger at her.‘You keep out of my business and you stay away from my wife.Don’t go filling her head with stupid ideas.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, but your wife is free to do as she pleases.And so am I.’

He glared at her, jaw pulsating.

‘What are you afraid of, Ryan?’Her voice was steady despite her pounding heart.

He leaned down so his face was just inches from hers.‘Fuck.Off.’

She stared back, willing herself not to look away until he turned and walked out the door.

She sat paralysed, trembling, her mind racing.What was he talking about?What stupid ideas?The only thing she could think of was offering Sophie work.She must have told him.Nel shuddered, imagining how that conversation must have gone.Had she put Sophie in more danger?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart, as her phone vibrated with a message.Poppy.

I need to talk to you.Can I come see you at the clinic tomorrow

Nel tapped a reply, telling her to come anytime, but a knot formed in her stomach.It couldn’t be another contraception conversation, could it?But if it wasn’t that, then whatwasit?

Chapter 29

When Nel arrived at the clinic the following morning, Poppy was sitting at the front door waiting for her.