Page 139 of Silent Scream

Kim looked down at the fragile hand she was holding. Her vision blurred for a second but she coughed it away.

‘I’m fine, Lucy, and that is thanks to your dad.’ Kim thought of those few seconds he’d bought her by grabbing Victor’s ankles. ‘He pretty much saved my life.’

Pride shone from the expressive eyes.

‘Now, I have to go. Is there anyone I can get to look after you?’

Lucy began to blink as the front door opened. A female voice sounded from the hallway.

‘Well, I don’t know what kind of circus is going on over there but ...’ A rotund woman in her late fifties paused in the doorway and crossed her arms. ‘And who might you be?’

‘Detective Inspector Stone.’

‘Hmmm ... lovely.’

She stood in front of Kim so she could get a good view of Lucy. ‘You okay, Luce?’

Lucy must have signalled yes so the woman stood aside, but her eyes were fixed on Kim.

‘Where’s William?’

‘He has to go to the hospital,’ Kim answered quickly.

‘What the devil have you done to him?’ she asked, sternly. ‘Is he okay?’

‘He’s fine but he’ll probably be at the hospital for most of the night.’

‘Well, it’s a good job I came round to check then, isn’t it? Right, I’ll go and get the kettle on and then we’ll have us a nice takeaway, Luce. I’ll order pizza, your favourite.’

The woman took off into the kitchen but her presence could still be heard.

‘I don’t know what on earth you people think you’re doing over there; police, ambulances, machines, tents. I thought it was all done with but no, you had to start it all up again tonight ...’

Kim hid her smile until she looked at Lucy, who rolled her eyes. The laughter exploded from her mouth.

‘I need to go, Lucy, okay?’

Two blinks.

‘Is there anything you need?’

Two blinks.

Kim assessed the situation. The booming voice could still be heard from the kitchen.

Kim got it and placed a hand to her right ear.

Two blinks.

Kim stood and reached for the iPod on the window sill. She placed the earphones into Lucy’s ears and the controller on the arm of the chair near to Lucy’s right hand.

‘Got it?’

Two blinks and a cheeky glint. Kim couldn’t help chuckling.

She pointed to the door. ‘I have to ... ’

Two blinks.