A/N: Thank you for the reviews!
"Mrs. Kingsley."
Hellen turned at the sound of her name and smiled at the young man. "Oh, hello, Michael. What is it?" she asked, feeling as she always did when the young man was around her. Aroused, she supposed was what the feeling was…at least it felt the same as what she felt when she read her book.
"I have something to show you. I found them earlier today and thought you might like them."
Hellen followed the young man out into the wooded area on their property and stumbled on a slippery patch of grass. "I should have put on my wellies."
Michael caught her and held her hand as she made it the rest of the way down. "There. Do you want me to go back and get them?"
"No. It's fine. What is it you wanted me to see?"
"There," he pointed and handed her a pair of binoculars.
Looking where he pointed, Hellen smiled when she saw a tiny head pop up out of the nest. "Babies."
"Yes. I'm not sure where the mother is, but we should be fine for now."
Hellen continued to watch, feeling her eyes water as she thought back to when her own children were babies, of how protective she'd been of them. Handing the binoculars back to Michael, she turned away and wiped at her cheeks.
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me," she sniffed again. "I think I'm just feeling lonely. My husband and I are fighting, my son and his girlfriend are at odds over their baby. He doesn't believe there is a baby and she keeps saying…" Hellen shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said again. "I shouldn't be bothering you with these things."
Caressing her back, Michael stepped closer. "It's alright. I think it just shows you're a good mother."
Hellen scoffed. "Not much of one anymore. My kids are grown. You haven't met him, but you saw the young man that was here the other day…that was my son."
"You can't possibly be old enough to have a son that age."
Hellen turned to smile at him only to find herself staring at his lips. Before she knew what was happening she was kissing him and sliding a hand up around his neck to pull him close. Finally coming to her senses, she pulled back and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I don't know what came over me. I have to go."
"No, it's alright." Michael pulled her back and kissed her, holding her close.
Hellen gave into the kiss for a few moments then pulled away. "No. I can't. I'm sorry," she breathed then rushed off. Dear god, what had she been thinking?
Vera opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Hellen had taken her to the day she'd kissed Michael. She should have finally had a face, but all she'd seen was the blur of the morning sun half blinding her through the trees.
Reaching out, she fumbled around until her hand landed on her mobile. "Aiden," she said after she'd heard his gruff voice answer. "Sleeping on the job?" she chuckled when he growled a no, that it was bloody cold and he'd not talked to anyone in hours. "Go home. I might possibly have another clue, but I need you awake." She ended the call when he started to argue and sent him a text. I said go home. I expect you to be at work, on time, and wide awake. Waiting a few seconds, she sent another text. I heard that. She was sure Aiden had been grumbling, and was positive that her last text got an eye roll, but he should know by now…she could see and hear everything.
Putting her mobile back on the night table, Vera settled back down against her pillows. "So Hellen, are you going to show me the lad's face?"
"Mrs. Kingsley."
Hellen froze then calmed herself and turned to look at the young man. "Yes?"
"Don't be sorry for what happened. You're a bonnie woman."
Hellen felt dirty with the way Michael was looking at her and had to stifle a shudder. "Don't, please. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you like that. I'm married. I can't."
"So you're nothing but a tease."
Hellen blinked in surprise at the way Michael's tone changed and felt herself backing up until the table was between her and the young man she'd once thought so nice. "Please go. My husband will be home soon."
"You're all the same. You tease and taunt and make a man want you then you turn coy and use your marriage as an excuse."
"Go or I'll call nine-nine-nine." Hellen felt her heart race at the look Michael gave her before turning and walking out the door. Holding her breath until she heard his truck start and race down the drive, she felt her knees go out from under her and collapsed on the floor.
"Hellen, Love, it's Anne."
Hellen heard her mother-in-law's voice filter into the kitchen, but she couldn't move and only managed to look up and gasp Anne's name when the woman came into the room. "Anne."
Anne's eyes grew wide as she dropped her purse and rushed to Hellen. "Hellen!"
"Oh Anne, what have I done?" she breathed as she let the older woman help her up and push her into a chair. Not having the strength to hold herself upright, she felt herself falling forward only to be stopped by Anne pulling her close and wrapping her arms around her.
"My god, Love, you're trembling. What's happened?"
"I've done something. Oh god, please don't tell Martin."
"Hellen, how I can tell him when I don't know?" Anne asked as she cupped Hellen's face and lifted it so she was looking at her. "Calm down now and tell me what's happened."
Hellen took a few deep breaths, her gaze never leaving Anne's, the older woman's kind eyes having a calming affect. "The young man that's been working here…"
"Yes?" Anne nudged when it seemed like Hellen wasn't going to continue.
"You know Martin and I…well, you know how things are."
"Yes, I do. I thought the therapist was helping."
Hellen shook her head. "We've been arguing and I…" tears filled her eyes and spilled over. "Oh god, Anne. I kissed the P and C man earlier today."
"And that's why you're so upset?" Anne smiled. "It was just a kiss, Love. Nothing to be this upset over."
"No," she gasped. "He turned on me because I wouldn't do more. He left just a few minutes before you got here. It was like he was a different man. I had to threaten to call nine-nine-nine before he would leave."
"You have to tell Martin, Hellen."
"I can't." Hellen cried. "Oh please, Anne. Please don't say anything to anyone. I'm sure Michael won't be back, that he was just angry I'd led him on."
"I don't like this, Hellen."
"Please," she begged as she fisted her hands in Anne's sweater.
Pulling her daughter-in-law back against her, Anne wrapped an arm around her and cradled her head. "I promise, but you have to promise to tell Martin if anything else happens."
Coming out of the memory, Vera reached up and wiped at her cheeks. Anne knew about Hellen's kiss and the initial confrontation with Michael. While she still didn't have a face to go with the false name, she did have a few questions to ask Anne. The main one being…why hadn't she told them about what happened with Michael that day?