CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Morag sighed, she knew why Laura discharged herself against doctor's orders. She walked away from the desk and called Laura's mobile, but there was no answer. Morag called her apartment and Laura answered.

" Hello?"

" Laura…what do you think you're doing?" Morag blasted her.

" I know you're angry-"

" You've just been in a car crash and your body hasn't healed! I want you to get back down to the hospital-"

" I can't do that…I only have three days left with my son and then, knowing Sam, I might not see him again."

" I'm just worried about you,"

" I know that but I'm fine. Really." Laura wasn't convincing Morag.

Morag argued with her for a few more minutes than agreed to give her some space.

Laura replaced the receiver and joined her son on the couch. Her body still felt as though she been run over by a truck. She'd taken three painkillers and they were taking a long to time to work. Jacob had made her a cup of tea and a sandwich but she wasn't hungry.

" So, what movie are we watching?" she asked sleepily as she settled against the pillows and rested her legs on Jacob's knees.

He held up a movie, Cheaper By the Dozen. She never heard of it before and smiled anyway. Maybe a good laugh was what she needed.

They didn't even get five minutes into it when Laura fell asleep.

Jacob stopped the movie when it finished and got off the couch without disturbing his mother. She had slept right through the movie. It was nearly eight pm. He grabbed a blanket from the hallway closet and covered her with it. He left the lamp on beside the couch before he got ready for bed himself.

He was almost dozing off when it came to him-the plan that will save him. It was so perfect, he wondered why he didn't think of it before.

He jumped out of bed and ran into the living room and shook his mother awake.

" Mum!" he said, " Wake up!"

" Hmm? What?" she opened her eyes and peered at him, " What's wrong Jacob? What time is it?"

" Nothing's wrong and never mind what time it is. I just had the best idea."

" About what?" she yawned and buried deeper underneath the blanket, " Can't it wait until morning? I thought you'd at least let me sleep right through-"

" It's about Friday, I've come up with a way to get out of it!"

Laura blinked at her son, feeling a bit more alert, " How? How are you going to get out of it? You are going-whether we like or not."

" I won't if we're not here."

Laura stared at him, " What do you mean?"

" We can leave this place and go somewhere where he'll never find us! Maybe to Western Australia. He'll never find us there. But we'd have to leave ASAP."

" Jacob-"

" I don't mind leaving this place Mum. To tell you the truth, it sucks. Everyone knows everyone's business…we're city people."

" I have friends here now." She protested, thinking of Morag. How could she leave her now when she was so close?

" There are emails and phone calls. C'mon Mum, it's a great idea." Jacob waited expectantly for her answer.

" I don't know…can't I sleep on it?"

" Mum, you need to make up your mind now. We don't have much time left."

" I'm sorry Jacob, but I have unfinished business here. I need to think about it Jacob."

Morag woke in the middle of the night and went downstairs. She was having a terrible night sleeping, images of Laura kept plaguing her mind. She made herself a good, stiff drink and went to sit on the couch.

Why didn't you tell her when you had the chance? Morag asked herself. She glanced at the clock and saw it was not as late as she thought-only ten pm. She grabbed her mobile and sent someone a text. She knew it was late and quite possible Laura was asleep but if she never did it now, then she'll never will.

Laura got dressed quietly. She had just received a text from Morag which had woken her up. Morag wanted to meet her somewhere because she had something urgent to tell her and it could not wait. She threw on her denim jacket and left the apartment and headed down to the pier.

Morag nearly changed her mind and almost left when she saw Laura walking across the pier, wearing jeans and a denim jacket.

" Good evening Morag," Laura greeted her.

" Thanks for meeting me." Morag said.

" It's quite late…what was so urgent?" Laura asked her.

" There's something I need to tell you. I was going to tell you at the hospital but Jacob was there and it didn't really seem the right time."

Laura nodded. Morag looked nervous but determined.

Morag took her hands in hers and confessed.

" Morag…" Laura wasn't sure what to say, so instead she kissed her full on the mouth. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the other woman's waist and surrendered herself to Morag.