Leila wasted no time in making herself an appointment at the clinic. She got the hospital and made the phone call in the car as Brax drove her back to her Studio. "I need to make an appointment for as soon as possible please" Leila said down her phone, Brax frowned as he heard Leila speak.
"I have a cancellation for tomorrow morning if that's any good?" the lady on the other end of the phone asked softly.
"Yes that's great what time?" Leila said, she could see Brax's disapproving look.
"10 o'clock, can I take your name please" the woman said.
"Er…Yeh its Rebecca Jenkins" Leila said the first name that popped into her head.
"Ok Miss Jenkins that's all booked for you, tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, is that ok?"
"Yes that's fine thank you" Leila hung up the phone and turned to Brax "What's your problem" she was a little angry.
Brax pulled up in a lay-by "I can't believe you could make an appointment as easily as that, anyone would think you were booking a hair appointment not an abortion" Brax tried to stay calm but was finding it difficult. Leila threw him a glare before opening the car door and getting out "I don't need this" she spat. Brax got out of the car and followed her down the abandoned back lane.
"Leila wait" he yelled, Leila spun round.
"It's fine I'll call a cab" she yelled, Leila was so angry with Brax for making such a harsh comment.
"Leila I'm sorry, its just I thought we could at least talk about this, it is my baby too" Brax said slowly.
Leila's eyes widened "Yeh, and it will be your funeral if Geoffrey finds out, did you not understand what I told you at the hospital. Geoffrey had a vasectomy; he'll know what I have been up too"
"There's got to be another way maybe we could work something out" Brax was trying to talk Leila out of it. Leila just laughed sarcastically.
"Oh Yeh and what would you suggest I have the baby, stay living with Geoffrey and you visit at weekends. Or I could leave him and we could raise this baby together" Leila exclaimed.
"It's not a crazy idea" Brax nodded, Leila rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry have you met my husband, he's not exactly going to let us play happy families, besides I have no intention of leaving him" Brax looked at Leila with a confused look on his face.
"Look Brax I'm sorry ok, it's not easy for me either. But I'm not about to leave a man who I love and who worships me, for a guy I had sex with a few times. You're good baby but not that good" Leila turned to walk away but Brax grabbed her arm.
"So I don't get a say in this?" Brax said finally, Leila shook her head "No, it's my body, my baby and my decision" Leila replied.
Brax headed back to the car and sped off past Leila, he couldn't believe she was doing this to him. Although what Leila said made a lot of sense, Brax couldn't get past the fact that she was going to get rid of his baby as easily as that.
-x-
Leila finally got a lift back to the dance Studio from a cab driver. She picked up her car and headed home; she hadn't spoken to Geoffrey and was pretty sure he would be very worried about her by now.
As she walked into the kitchen she was surprised to see Victoria and Geoffrey sat waiting for her "Oh my goodness Leila where have you been" Geoffrey stood up and gave his wife a hug. "Victoria told me what had happened so I went to the hospital and they said you had already left"
Leila nodded weakly "Yeah I went back to the dance studio to fetch the car" Leila smiled as she pulled away.
"I'm so sorry Leila, I should never have left you" Victoria had now stepped forward to give Leila a hug.
Leila pulled away gently "Hey its fine" she smiled before continuing "Did you still need me tomorrow?" Victoria just smiled.
"Yes please if that's still ok" Victoria replied, she wasn't sure Leila would still want to help her after what happened with her mum earlier.
"Of course its ok, now you go and get some sleep, we've got an early start in the morning" Leila smiled before grabbing herself a glass from the cupboard and pouring herself a glass of wine.
Leila knew that going to the Dance competition in the city with Victoria would give her the perfect cover up for her early morning appointment.
Leila jumped a little as she felt two arms slip round her waist. She turned and looked at Geoffrey "I can't believe you're leaving me for two nights" Geoffrey pretended to sulk.
Leila leant forward and kissed him on the cheek before whispering seductively into his ear "I'd better make it up to you now then" she giggled as she took his hand and led him towards the bedroom.
-x-
It was midday when Leila finally arrived at the dance competition. Victoria was due to dance at 3pm. Leila grabbed her handbag off the passenger seat and headed inside. She felt a little tender from the procedure. As she walked inside the building she headed straight to reception. "Hiya I'm looking for Victoria King" Leila smiled at the woman sat the other side of the counter. She looked a little star-struck at Leila's arrival.
"Oh my gosh, you're Leila king" the woman exclaimed. Leila smiled and nodded.
Leila was somewhat famous in the world of dance. She was still known as the best dancer and had won a lot of dancing competitions in her time.
"Yes, err…has my step daughter arrived yet?" Leila reminded the woman of her question.
"Oh yes I'm sorry she is up the stairs first dressing room on the left" the woman said as she pointed up the stairs.
"Thank you" Leila made her way up the stairs slowly. She could still feel the soreness.
As Leila walked into the dressing room she was greeted by a lot of excited girls all giggling and showing off their dance costumes. When Leila walked further into the dressing room she saw Victoria sat by herself.
"Hey sweetie, are you ok?" Leila said softly as she put her handbag down and sat beside Victoria.
"What if I screw up?" Victoria said nervously.
"Victoria, I have watched you dance. You dance so beautifully believe me honey you will not mess up" Leila assured her. She looked behind her and saw Elizabeth making her way towards the pair. Leila stood up; as she did she felt a pulling pain in her stomach Leila put her hand on where the pain was coming from.
"Are you ok?" Victoria asked, she was worried about her step mum. Leila just nodded
"Yes I'm fine. It's just lady problems" she whispered as she left Victoria and her mum to it.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Leila decided to go and watch some of the other dancers. She had to admit they were extremely good dancers, although they all lacked the same thing. Smoothness and passion, as the girls danced Leila noticed how every move was thought about, and had been practiced. It was almost regimented; none of the dancers seemed to move freely and passionately.
As Leila watched she was shocked to hear a worried voice behind her "Mrs King, Victoria is very upset and is asking for you" Leila turned quickly and headed in the direction of the dressing room she had left Victoria and her mum in. Elizabeth was sat with her arm round Victoria.
As Leila got closer it was then she realised what Victoria was upset about. Victoria's dance costume had been vandalised, she was stunned.
"What happened?" Leila asked as she took the dress out of Victoria's hand.
"We went to get some water and when we came back I found this thrown on the floor and my shoes are missing" Victoria sobbed. Leila couldn't believe someone could do this. Although she did have a rough idea who it could have been. This sort of thing used to happen to her on a regular basis when she was in dance competitions with Grace Jacobs.
That's when Leila remembered "Wait here" she said quickly as she rushed out to her car. She reached into the boot and pulled out a black gym bag. She locked the car and took the bag inside.
Victoria was stunned as she watched Leila open the bag and pull out a pair of pink ballerina shoes and a black costume "We are the same size right?" Leila smiled as she handed Victoria the items.
"Oh my god thank you" Victoria grinned; she couldn't believe her step-mother was making such an amazing gesture. Elizabeth was also moved by Leila's gesture.
"Thank you" Elizabeth said softly. Leila just smiled and turned back to Victoria.
"Now go get ready you are going to be late" Leila said hurrying Victoria along.
Before Leila left she was shocked to be stopped in her tracks by Elizabeth "Can we talk, there's something you need to know" Elizabeth whispered. Leila nodded and followed her into the corridor.
"Don't let him be your everything, you deserve more than that. I can see that now" Elizabeth said softly.
"What? Have you been drinking?" Leila exclaimed.
"No, but I do know something about how your first husband died" Leila couldn't believe what Elizabeth was saying.
"He was killed in Afghanistan" Leila spat.
"Yes I know he was, but doesn't it strike you as strange that Jimmy was the only one in his whole regiment who died that day. No-one else was even hurt" Elizabeth explained her comment. Leila frowned
"Just think about it, he's not what you think he is" Elizabeth said finally before going back into the dressing room. Leila was stunned; she had no idea where this revelation had come from.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was late when the competition finished and all that was left to do was to go back the following day for the results. Leila was extremely proud of how well Victoria danced, but she was still extremely angry at the actions of Grace Jacobs. She also couldn't shake what Elizabeth had said, what did she mean he isn't who I think he is? Leila thought to herself.
As Leila walked though the foyer of the hotel she was infuriated to see the girls from earlier sat with Grace Jacobs. They were talking about Victoria. Leila stormed over to the women.
"I hope you are very proud of yourselves" She spat furiously.
"I don't know what you are talking about" Grace replied smugly.
"Really, well next time you try and sabotage some ones dance career, you might want to change your technique. I have lost count how many times you tried to ruin my chances in the competition by ruining my clothes" Leila's rant has caused a few girls to look confused. They obviously didn't realise their dance coach had done this before.
"Good luck for tomorrow girls, I hope you get the results you wanted. And I hope you can live with the fact you had to cheat to get that result" Leila said as she turned and walked away.
As she got closer to her hotel room she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. It almost brought her to her knees, Leila quickly hurried inside her room and closed the door behind her, she sat on the floor and held her stomach. The pain was excruciating, she needed someone to help her. There was only one person she could call now.
Leila took out the phone and dialled their number. After she hung up she wasn't sure they would come or not. All she could do now was hope.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After what seemed like forever Leila was shocked to hear a gentle knocking on the door. She waited for a few moments before answering. "Leila it's me" the voice said.
"It's open" Leila called out. She was still on the floor holding her stomach. Her white trousers were now blood stained.
As the door opened Brax rushed inside. "I'm so sorry please help me" Leila cried. Brax quickly rushed to her side and helped her up onto the bed. Brax put his arm around the woman, although he was angry with her, as soon as he walked into that room he realised she needed him.
Please review with your thought on this chapter.
Spoilers-
Brax and Leila do some research into how Jimmy died.
Leila and Brax are caught in a compromising position but who by?
Who arrives in the bay to help Leila and Brax uncover Geoffrey's secret?