So, this is it then. The end of the journey! I can't say thankyou enough to everyone who's stuck with it, especially those who've taken the time to leave a review. Without further ado …
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Chapter 18
"Kylie, wait. Will you just hear me out before you do anything rash? Please?"
Alex stretched a hand out towards her and then withdrew it slowly, holding her breath. She could see the young woman's hand shaking, and then slowly she lowered the gun to her shoulder again, her body language revealing her utter hopelessness.
"OK. But it won't do any good …"
Alex breathed out slowly, trying to get her fractured thoughts into some kind of cohesive order. You can do this. You know you can.
"Look, I know things seem pretty bleak at the moment and I understand how lonely and isolated you must feel, but you're not. You've got me now."
Kylie blinked at her in surprise.
"You? But why should you care, especially after what I've done …"
Alex leaned forwards, holding the other woman's gaze without flinching.
"Lots of reasons. Firstly, I don't have anyone else to share this unique experience with except you."
She crossed her fingers behind her back, metaphorically speaking. Surely it was worth a small lie to save someone's life?
"Have you any idea what a relief it's been to know that I'm not alone, that there's someone I can talk to who won't think I'm completely insane? I really don't know how you've coped with so little support, to be honest. I can't imagine what it's been like for you."
She noticed the gun had slipped down to rest on Kylie's thigh again, and took it as a good sign.
"Secondly, I understand why you acted the way you did back in 2007. He treated you appallingly, and believe me I can empathise with the need for revenge. I've got an ex-husband, after all."
The ghost of a smile flitted over Kylie's face and Alex paused for a second, wondering where that had come from. Somewhere in the distant recesses of her memory, she presumed. Time to worry about it later.
"I can also understand what's happened here, with Gene. He's a very … charismatic man, I should know."
The younger woman looked away, chewing her lip. Her voice wobbled as she tried to fight back the tears again.
"I've been so … stupid. He just … reminded me of Bryan … only he didn't take advantage of me, I took advantage of him. And now he'll … n … never forgive me …"
She was weeping copiously now, the tears rolling unchecked down her cheeks. Alex wanted to reach for her hand, but she knew it was too soon.
"Kylie, listen to me. I promise he will forgive you, once I explain what happened to you – not the fact that it happened in 2007 though, obviously. And more than that, I reckon I can persuade him to drop the charges as long as you agree to get some treatment."
Jesus, Alex. You're going to owe him big style for that one. The thought of being at Gene's beck and call for weeks on end really shouldn't be such a turn on, she thought, as a shiver of anticipation ran through her. She went on.
"And I promise I'll be with you every step of the way, OK?"
The younger woman actually let go of the gun for a second while she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and Alex began to hope.
"You'd do that f …for me? I d … don't understand …"
Alex smiled reassuringly at her.
"I would. Because that's the third thing, you see. Sitting opposite me I see a bright, attractive young woman with a lot of potential who just has a few self esteem issues and a difficult past to overcome."
"Really?"
Her face lit up and Alex's heart went out to her.
"Really. And believe me, there will be a good man waiting for you out there somewhere. I haven't grabbed the only one."
She got a watery smile in return.
"I think he's very lucky to have you."
Alex grinned.
"So do I, and believe me, I intend to keep reminding him of the fact. Some man will be very lucky to have you one day, too. You just need to start believing it, OK?"
Kylie nodded, looking as though she might start crying again.
"Th … thankyou, Alex. Do you really think the Guv will drop the charges?"
"I do." Christ, I hope so. "Now. Can we forget all this nonsense about shooting yourself?"
She watched Kylie's face, hardly daring to breathe, but the younger woman thought for a long moment and then nodded, meeting Alex's eyes.
"I trust you. And I'd like a chance to try and make things right."
Slowly she held out the gun and Alex leant forwards, tentatively taking it with one hand while squeezing Kylie's fingers reassuringly with the other.
"I won't let you down, Kylie. You have my word …"
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Alex left the room with the weapon in her hand, a song in her heart and a huge grin on her face. I did it. I saved somebody's life. She felt completely elated, victorious, on top of the world. And then she remembered the promises she'd made and her stomach clenched in trepidation.
Sam was hovering by the front door, and she held out the gun triumphantly. He gave her a huge grin, squeezing her shoulder enthusiastically.
"Bloody knew you could do it. Well done, Alex."
As he went off to take care of Kylie, Alex sauntered over to Gene, her hands thrust in her pockets. He was leaning against the wall, legs crossed at the ankle, smoking and trying to look nonchalant, but Alex saw the look of relief that flitted across his face. He raised an enquiring eyebrow, dropping his cigarette butt and stubbing it out with his toe.
"Alright?"
Alex smiled up at him.
"Fine, thanks."
He pursed his lips, crossing his arms, studying her intently.
"She comin' quietly now, is she?"
She nodded in affirmation, spinning round as two uniformed officers led Kylie out of the house and accompanied her down the drive to a squad car. The younger woman gave Alex a wobbly smile as she passed and Alex raised a hand in farewell, mouthing "I'll see you soon, OK?" Gene looked from one to the other and narrowed his eyes.
"So. Just how did you achieve this impressive result then, Bols?"
Alex shuffled her feet and looked at the ground. The moment of truth had arrived.
"Well … I told her she wasn't on her own and I'd support her through the next few months. I mean, obviously she'll need some intensive counselling …"
She was aware of Gene's eyes on her but she didn't meet his gaze, swaying back on her heels and taking a keen interest in next door's garden.
"And?"
Clearly he smelled a rat. Time to turn on the charm, Alex. Reaching out, she began to draw tiny circles on his chest with her index finger, feeling him shiver at her touch.
"Hmmm. There was one other thing …"
"Uh huh?"
"Bearing in mind I had to think on my feet … and a young woman's life was at stake …"
She felt the rumble in his chest as he spoke in a low growl.
"Out with it, woman. Me stomach thinks me throat's been cut."
She moved in closer.
"I … um … told her you'd be prepared to drop the charges if she got some treatment …"
He tensed, drawing himself up to his full height.
"Yer said WHAT?"
His eyes were blazing, his jaw was clenched and a vein throbbed at his temple. She quailed slightly under his angry glare, her heart rate increasing as she leaned in to kiss the exposed 'V' of his chest in an attempt to pacify him.
"Well, it's not as if any great harm was done, is it? And she's had a tough time, she deserves another chance."
He held her out at arms length again, his fingers digging into her flesh.
"What the f …? No 'arm done? She's only had me cuffed to a bed fer the last twenty-four hours …"
She fluttered her eyelashes seductively at him.
"Well you can hardly hold that against her. The same thought's crossed my mind several times."
He opened his mouth to retort and then shut it again, and then she watched as his mind clicked into gear and a wicked glint appeared in his eye. He paused, brows furrowed, lips set in a pout, as though considering the matter.
"Let's just say I do decide ter go along with this insanity, how will yer ever make it up ter me, Lady Bols?"
Sensing victory, she wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered to him, her voice husky.
"I'll be your sex slave forever. Anything you want …"
He groaned, nipping her ear, his breath warm against her neck.
"Done. And believe me yer will be, well and truly, as soon as I've had somethin' ter eat." He looked around for Sam, who was keeping a discreet distance. "Tyler, where's me car keys? I need a fry up, and I need it now."
Sam scrabbled around for the keys but as he was handing them over, Alex reached for them first.
"I'll take those. You've been drugged, Guv, it wouldn't be safe."
She headed off down the driveway with Gene in hot pursuit.
"Oy! You are not driving my car, woman. Give me those keys."
"I'll have you know I'm a very good driver, Mr Hunt. Now just sit back and enjoy the ride."
"Hand 'em over before I do somethin' I might regret. Nobody but me drives that bloody Cortina."
"Oh, really? So how do you think it got here today, then? By magic?"
She grinned smugly, and he glowered at her as they both stood by the driver's door.
"You didn't …"
"No, Sam did, actually. Now stop moaning and get in the passenger side or I'll go back on my promise …"
Sam watched them from a distance with a wry grin on his face, shaking his head in mock despair. He gave it six months. Until the second Mrs Hunt officially got to wear the trousers, that was …
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I hope you've enjoyed reading this one as much as I've enjoyed writing it. And I'm really not sure I can leave it there, I think I'd like to know what happened afterwards. Epilogue, anyone? Let me know if you'd like a bit more!