Josh heaved two heavy suitcases into his plush red sports car. He needed to get out of town. He had only wanted to teach Kane a lesson, not Kirsty. Josh took a deep breath. Why was he panicking? He couldn't be sure anything had even happened yet. He collapsed onto the grass, checking his phone for voicemail messages. There were none. All was well. He got into his car, checked his hair in the mirror and was about to drive off when he saw a car approach him. Two policemen got out. He was blocked.
Josh let his tinted windows down. "Yes?"
"Are you Josh West?"
"I am indeed."
"Could you please step out of the vehicle?"
"Not before you tell me what this is about."
The policeman frowned. "Josh West, I am arresting you on the suspicion of the attempted murder of Kane Phillips and Kirsty Sutherland. You do not have to say anything in your defence, but anything you do say may be given in evidence…"
"What?" exclaimed Josh. "I didn't do it."
"We have reasonable evidence from Dani Sutherland, and your fingerprints were found inside the bonnet of the car, owned by Kane Phillips."
Josh hung his head low in shame. He'd ruined his life; in the short time it'd taken him to cut the break cables. What would people think of him now?
***
Kirsty could now manage getting out of her hospital bed, and visiting the nearby bathroom. At least now she wouldn't have to cry in public. She felt empty inside. The baby who changed her past, present and future was dead; that was all she could think about, all day and all night. Her primary source of happiness was gone. Kirsty didn't even know if her baby was male or female.
Kane finally plucked up the courage to visit Kirsty. He'd been discharged the previous day, and after the long walk home, he'd found out that Josh had been arrested for sabotaging the brakes on his car. Although he had a credible source of blame, he couldn't help still feeling like it was his entire fault. He had to explain to Kirsty; make her see that he loved her and would die without her. He approached her ward, seeing her bed surrounded by flowers and cards. It brought back memories of the boat accident, where he'd had no visitors except Kirsty. How the tables had turned.
"Kane!" Kirsty stumbled out of bed, almost tripping over. They hugged. "Are you here to take me home?"
"I thought you wouldn't want to see me anymore after the crash."
"I know it wasn't your fault Kane. You'd never do anything to hurt me." They both sat down on the bed.
"So how do you feel?"
"Hollow. Empty." Kirsty fought back tears. "I don't know what to live for anymore, Kane. That baby was keeping me alive, it needed me."
"I need you too. We're going to need each other even more now."
Kirsty nodded. "They said I could come home soon. They've offered me counselling but I think I might go to Flynn."
"That's a good idea." Flynn was a nice guy, thought Kane, even though he sometimes said things he didn't want to hear.
Footsteps approached the bed. It was the nurse with some visitors. Family visitors.
"Kirsty, " said Jade, trying not to wince at Kane. She was here to offer support.
Dani tensed. "How are you doing?"
"Fine, " said Kirsty.
"Dad's just coming."
There was an awkward silence. Kane got up.
"I'm just going to get some food. Want anything?"
Kirsty shook her head. As soon as Kane left, Jade let rip.
"So he's back again? After what he did?"
"It wasn't his fault Jade, Josh sabotaged the car."
"Yeah, but if Kane could control his driving, then perhaps you'd still be…"
"Be what? Jade? Say it. You could never accept it when I was pregnant. None of you could."
"That's not true Kirsty, " said Dani.
"Tell me that you wanted me to have the baby. Tell me that you were 100% happy about it."
"I, I can't."
"Well you got what you wanted then."
Rhys appeared with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Kirsty, how are you feeling?"
"Oh, don't act like you're so sad as well. You never wanted me to have a baby."
"Kirsty, I wouldn't wish this on anyone, " he said emotionally. "I love you Kirst, no matter what."
Kane took this moment to come back. Rhys stared at him for a moment, then turned to his daughter. "I'd like it if you came home to us, when you get discharged."
"I can't. My life is with Kane now. We need to deal with this together."
"Well, " said Rhys, "When you are ready, there is always a place at home with us. Your family." They left soon after, growing tired of the silence. Kirsty knew that she shouldn't be angry with them, but she had to take it out on someone. She felt like lashing out, hitting whatever she could; breaking things and causing destruction, just like Josh. It wasn't fair. In her frustration, she burst into tears, and sobbed into Kane's chest.
"Kane, I think we need counselling. I don't want to feel like this anymore."