Chapter 14: Kane Takes Action

Luckily Jess heard the thump as Emma collapsed and immediately hurried to the bathroom to see what had happened. The young girl was rushed to hospital in Yabbie Creek where her stomach was pumped and she was placed on a drip. The next morning, news of her suicide attempt spread quickly around the bay. Susan and Benny stayed at the hospital while Jess waited at home and broke the news to Lucy when she awoke. As expected, the young girl was deeply upset by what had happened to her sister.

During the day, many people came to the house to ask after Emma. Shelley, Hayley, Leah, Allee and even Dani and Josh stopped by. Jess told them what she knew, that Emma had not yet fully awoken but her condition was now stable, although she would be in hospital for a few more days. Allee and Leah asked what hospital she was in and Jess told them, happy that Emma had people who cared about her.

After lunch, which Kirsty and Jade were having with Lucy in an attempt to cheer her up a little, there was a knock on the door. When Jess opened it, she found Kane standing on the doorstep.

"I heard what happened to Emma," he said quickly. "Is she…?"

"You've got a lot of nerve coming here," Jess told him sharply. "She only did this because she was so upset after finding out what you had done."

"I'm sorry," the boy shook his head. "I just want a chance to talk to her, to explain. She is going to be all right, isn't she?"

"She is," Jess said quietly. "But she has already said that she doesn't want to talk to you, so just stay away from her. You've already done enough damage here."

Before Kane could reply, she slammed the door shut, leaving him standing on the doorstep. He stood there for several minutes, before turning and slowly walking away.

*~*~*~*~*

When Benny came home later that afternoon, he brought the news that Emma had woken although she was still very weak and would have to stay in hospital for another day or so. Lucy was very pleased and allowed Kirsty and Jade to talk her into going out to the beach for an hour or so. While they were gone, Jess put Jordan down for a nap and made Benny a cup of tea while she told him about Kane's visit. Her boyfriend agreed that she had done the right thing.

"She doesn't want to see him," he said, shaking his head. "And even if she did, he is never coming near any of our family again. He's just a loser!"

That evening, it was Jess's turn to visit Emma while Benny stayed at home and made dinner for the little ones. After exchanging a few words with Susan, she went into Emma's room. The young girl looked pale and tired but she managed a weak smile. However, she wasn't really up to talking. When Jess mentioned Kane, Emma turned her head away.

"I don't want to talk about him," she said quietly. "I don't want to even think about him. I was in love with him, Jess. And he turned out to be no better than that man who attacked me…I was so stupid."

"You're not stupid." Jess sat beside her and squeezed her hand. "Emma, I've been thinking. This must have brought back very unpleasant memories. Your mum and I had an idea and we wanted to know what you thought."

"What do you think about counselling?" Susan asked, from where she was sitting in the corner. "I know you said that you weren't ready the last time that it was suggested, but the doctor believes that we should consider it again now."

"I suppose so," Emma rubbed her eyes. "But I can't see Shelley. Not with her being a friend or yours, mum. If Flynn will do it, then I'll give it a try. But I want…I want to go to sleep now."

"That's fine, darling." Susan gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'll go to the Drop-In centre first thing tomorrow morning. You get some rest now and try not to worry about anything."

*~*~*~*

Although Susan stayed at the hospital overnight, she left to go to the Drop-In centre as soon as Benny arrived. Shelly wasn't there just yet, but Flynn was and so Susan asked to speak directly to him. She was shown to a small room and Flynn came in just a minute later.

"Hello Susan," he said pleasantly. "How is Emma?"

"She finally came around last night," Susan told him. "They think that she'll be strong enough to come home tomorrow."

"That is very good news," Flynn smiled. "Sally and I have been worried. So anyway, might I assume that your visit has to do with Emma?"

"Actually it does," the older woman nodded. "The doctor at the hospital has recommended that Emma receives counselling. She was offered it when she was raped, about two years ago, but she said that she wasn't ready and ever since she has said that she doesn't need it. However, now she has agreed to give it a try and I was wondering…"

"If I'll see her." Flynn finished. "Well, if she's willing to give it a try, then I'd be happy to. Maybe we could try one session and see how it goes from there. Do you want to make an appointment for her now?"

"How about Friday afternoon?" Susan suggested. "That's three days and it'll give Emma time to get her feelings settled a bit."

"Friday afternoon will be fine," Flynn told her as they both stood up. "Give Emma our love. Many of the Bay's residents are thinking of her."

"I'll tell her," Susan promised. "Thank you Flynn."

"My pleasure," he said as she left the room.

When Shelley came in, about fifteen minutes later, Flynn told her about Susan's visit and that he had agreed to try counselling Emma and see how she got on. Susan was very pleased to hear that the young girl was on the mend.

"Everything that she went through," she said sadly. "Couldn't have happened to a nicer girl. Emma, Dani…they don't deserve this. Men like Kane should be locked away where they can't hurt anyone else. Still, I'm pleased that she feels that she is ready for counselling. That's a big step."

Flynn was about to answer but then he heard someone calling him and left the room, while Shelly began to sort through some leaflets after shutting the window. It had been open throughout their whole conversation, but neither of them thought anything of it. They certainly didn't imagine that anyone would even be around so early, let alone be listening in on their conversation. But someone was listening in and they had overheard every word.

After reading through some files, Flynn went to kitchen to make him and Shelley a cup of coffee. While the kettle was boiling, he noticed that the rubbish bin was overflowing. Pulling out the bag and tying it into a knot, Flynn opened the kitchen door and dropped it outside. He was just about to turn around and go back inside when he heard someone whisper his name. When he looked around, he noticed Kane Philips emerging from the bushes.

"What do you want?" the older man asked. "If Shelley sees you here…"

"I just needed to talk to you," Kane said, keeping his voice low. "Please Flynn."

"Come into the kitchen," Flynn said after a slight pause. "I think I can spare five minutes."

"Thank you," the young boy followed him into the kitchen, taking care to keep beside the open door in case Shelley came in. "You can probably guess what I want to talk to you about."

"Emma." Flynn stated quietly and Kane nodded.

"I feel so bad about all this, Flynn," he said quietly. "I should have told her what I had done, but I didn't know how. She told me that she doesn't want to see me again and her family will do everything in their power to keep me away from her, but…but I need to see her just once more. I want to try and explain…"

"Maybe you should just stay away for a while," Flynn advised. "It seems like you've done enough damage here and it isn't going to do anything to make you more popular."

"I know that," the boy shook his head and clenched his fists. "But I can't go, I can't give up on her. I…I love her."

"Like you loved Kirsty?"

"I didn't love Kirsty." Kane told him. "I thought I did, back then, but what I feel for her is nothing compared to what I feel for Emma. When I was with Emma I felt so contented, so happy…it was like we belonged together. And so I can't give up. Please Flynn, can't you talk to her and her family for me?"

"It's not really my business," Flynn shook his head. "And in any case, I doubt that it would do any good. Especially trying to talk to her brother, he really seems to have it in for you."

"I know," Kane glanced down at the floor. "I'm sorry but I…I overheard you and Shelley talking earlier about Emma accepting counselling. Couldn't I…couldn't I come to one of her sessions? Just once to see if she'll talk to me. If she really doesn't want to, then I promise that I'll leave her alone. But I have to try, even just the once."

"I'm not sure…" Flynn began and suddenly heard the sound of footsteps coming towards the kitchen. "All right," he said quickly. "I'll talk to Emma and her family and try to persuade them that it might be a good idea for you and her to meet up just once. But I can't promise anything, all I can do is try."

"Thanks Flynn," Kane darted out of the door and briefly glanced back at the man over his shoulder. "I appreciate it, I really do."

Flynn watched him disappear and shook his head, before turning back to making the coffee, just as Shelley entered the kitchen. She started to talk to him, but he couldn't pay much attention. In his mind, he was trying to figure out the best way to approach the subject of Kane with Emma and her family…