Page 147 of The Altar Girls

‘That’s clutching at straws,’ he said.

‘If you have a better idea, tell me.’

‘You’re a pain in the arse when you want to be.’

She didn’t reply.

89

The sight that greeted Sinead as she pushed in the door to the sitting room made her gasp. She dropped her handbag. Though she wanted to rush straight in, she dared not move.

‘I’ve worked this job for ten years,’ Julian Bradley said, his voice pitched higher than normal. ‘Ten years of banging my head against the walls of justice. And do you know what it brings me? A fucking headache. That’s all I get for breaking my balls trying to save children.’

His pale blue eyes appeared demonic. As he spoke, his face flushed a bright red and his hair hung damp on his shoulders. His tie was tightly knotted beneath his collar. He was in his shirtsleeves, with dark patches staining the underarms. She could smell his sweat.

‘Mr Bradley? Julian?’ She didn’t know what to call him. ‘What’s going on?’

‘If you were at home, none of this would have happened. You’re the same as all the others. You put yourself first without a care or a thought for your children.’

She wasn’t able to correct him; to tell him Annie was her one and only child. Her eyes widened at the sight of her daughter curled up tight and small on an armchair, hands over her face, crying softly. Her trembling body belied any sense of control the child might have over herself. Should she rush over to comfort her, or stand where she was and talk him out of whatever he intended?

Quickly she ascertained that he could be a real danger to her and her daughter. She had to think of a way to get them out of this. And where was Carol? Had he harmed her? Dear God! Calm, I must be calm, she warned herself, even though she wanted to scream.

She tried to sound nonchalant. ‘I’d love a cup of tea. I’d say you’d love one too, Julian.’

‘Tea? You think tea can sort out this mess? You’re more delusional than I imagined.’

Delusional? Not me, arsehole, she thought. ‘I’ve spent the night in hospital. I crashed my car on the ice. Drove into a bridge. All I want to do is to hug my child and rest.’

She needed to sit down. Spots floated over her vision and she feared she’d keel over. No, she couldn’t do that. She had to gain control of this situation. He didn’t appear to have a weapon, but he was tall and seemed a lot stronger than she was at the moment.

Snorting, he smashed his fists against his thighs. ‘You think a hug will undo the damage you’ve caused her? Tea and a hug? You’re for the birds, woman.’

‘Hugs work for me and Annie. I’m sure you’d like to sit down. I’ll ask Carol to put on the kettle.’ She didn’t know where her friend was and she had no intention of leaving the room. She had to get him out of here before he did something deadly. ‘Maybe you can ask her for me.’

‘Carol isn’t here.’

‘Where is she?’ God, she hoped he hadn’t caused her friend any harm.

‘I sent her home. She looked wrecked. Told her you asked me to watch Annie for you.’

And Carol bought that? Sinead didn’t think so. She’d have phoned her. So where was she? And how was she going to get Annie out of this safely? A wave of nausea crashed against the walls of her stomach and she used every ounce of willpower to keep from throwing up. She knew her fear was manifesting itself physically.

‘Can I go sit with Annie?’

He looked over at the child, indecision flashing in his eyes. ‘I… I suppose so. Don’t try anything funny.’

Funny was the furthest thing from her mind. She rushed over and swept the ten-year-old off the chair, hugging her as tightly as she was able. Then she withdrew a little and put her finger under Annie’s chin, looking into her tear-stained, terrified face and tracing the freckles on her nose with a shaky finger.

‘Are you hurt, sweetie?’ she whispered.

Annie shook her head. ‘I’m scared. Just scared.’

‘I’m here now,’ Sinead said into the child’s hair. ‘Everything will be fine.’

‘Sit down, and no scheming,’ Julian said. ‘I need to figure this out.’

Sinead swirled round, still clutching Annie. ‘Figure what out? I’m home now and there’s no reason for you to be here. You need to leave.’ How was she talking like this to him? He was most likely the bastard who’d murdered Willow and Naomi. Things were clicking into place for her. His insistence that she report on his information; the story of Ruth’s abuse of Naomi. It had all been a ruse to deflect from his own murderous deeds.