Caroline stripped off her wet clothes and dressed in Kate's spare dressing gown. She helped Kate dry and placed a warm towel around her, showering her with kisses and words of love and reassurance. Kate laughed at Caroline's wet clothes on the floor. "I'm sorry Caroline. I couldn't help myself."
Caroline looked at her beautiful face. "Have you got anything that will fit me? Lawrence has rang and left a message on my phone. I'd like to pop home to see him whilst you get some rest."
Kate smiled. "I'm sure I can find something which will fit you in the wardrobe."
Caroline took Kate into her bedroom and closed the bedroom curtains. She took the phone from the bedroom much to Kate's protest. She diverted Kate's phone to her own mobile and pulled on the cream cotton trousers, white t-shirt and blue loose cotton shirt Kate had found for her. She had to breathe in to fasten the trousers. Kate smiled at Caroline. "You look really nice in my clothes."
Caroline laughed. "They're a little too small I think."
Caroline put her wet clothes into the now empty bath. She'd sort them later when she had more time. Back in the car and on the way to her house she called the house hoping Lawrence would answer. The answer machine clicked in and she ended the call without leaving a message.
She rang her mother's mobile and again only received an answer machine. She left a message explaining that she was on her way home. She then tried Lawrence's mobile but again only received his answer machine. She grew worried and confused that no-one was answering. She rang Gillian's number. Thank fully Gillian answered straight away. "Hi. Caroline, how are you doing? How are Kate and Helena?"
Caroline quickly updated Gillian on the events of the last few hours. Concerned she explained her own experience. "Caroline. I'm sorry. I'm sure she'll be fine. Our Raff had a similar thing."
Caroline concerned for Lawrence as well as Helena interrupted Gillian. "Gillian. Have you heard from my mum recently?"
"They're all on their way here t' farm. They're probably in a mobile dead spot. Don't worry. I invited them over to cook 'em a meal. Robbie is here and Raff and the baby. I thought it would help Lawrence being w' Raff whilst you w' looking after Kate."
Caroline smiled with relief. "Gillian. Thank you. You're an angel. I'm worried about Lawrence. He's been more upset than I realised lately. John isn't making any time for him and he feels like we don't love him." Caroline began to cry.
"Hey. Don't beat y'self up. He's at funny age. He'll be okay. I'll have a chat w' him. You know, you're always welcome to come over t' farm. I realise you'll probably stay w' Kate and Helena in the hospital but if you need a break. You're welcome here."
Caroline stopped crying. "Thanks Gillian. I'm so grateful. Can you ask Lawrence to ring me when he gets there? I'd just like to talk with him."
"Of course. You take care."
Caroline arrived at the house a short time later. It felt strange knowing the house was empty and she was on her own. It felt too big to her. It was then that the realisation came and her feelings changing. It was right to sell it and move on. She needed to move on to a new place. One that was hers and Kate's. She smiled at the change in her feelings. She quickly went upstairs and put a bag of clothes together. She made herself a sandwich from the left overs in the fridge. She needed to do a shop because the fridge was practically empty. She didn't know when she would get the chance and thought about putting a list together but changed her mind. She would talk with her mother to arrange things.
Her mobile rang, it was Lawrence. "Hi mum. How are you doing?"
"Hello Lawrence. I'm okay. How are you doing?" She felt so guilty listening to his voice after the promise she had made.
"I'm okay mum. I miss you. How is Kate and Helena?"
"I miss you too. Helena is in hospital. She is poorly but the doctor is positive she'll be okay. Kate is at her house asleep."
"Mum. Can you come over to the farm? I know you're busy but when you get a bit of time. Please?"
Caroline became concerned. "Lawrence. I'll try. Is everything alright? You're worrying me."
"He said not to tell you but I don't like him."
"Who said this Lawrence?"
Lawrence was whispering not wanting to let anyone else on the farm hear his conversation. "That man who came to the house. Greg."
"Lawrence. When was this?"
"He rang me on my mobile. Did Kate give him my mobile number mum? I don't like him. He gives me the creeps."
Caroline's head started running wild now. "Lawrence. Can you put Gillian on the phone please?"
"Yeah. Love you mum."
"I love you too Lawrence." Caroline's heart was racing to catch up with the thoughts in her head. What was he doing ringing Lawrence? Why was he doing this? This was a form of stalking and she felt extremely uneasy.
Gillian came on the phone and Caroline explained the issue with Greg and Lawrence's comments. Gillian suggested Robbie could help and she should talk with him. Caroline said she would speak to him later but that she was sure he was safe with her at the farm. Gillian promised to talk with Robbie.
Caroline took a seat on the sofa in the dining room to rest her body. Her mind was racing with all kinds of thoughts about what Greg was up to. Why now, why her, why Lawrence? It was 30 minutes later when her phone rang and she realised she had fallen asleep. She shook herself and saw that it was her mother calling her.
"Mum, hi". Caroline moved her hair out of her eyes.
"Are you alright love? I can tell by your voice. Something's the matter."
Caroline sighed heavily. She explained to her mum about Greg giving her the full details and her concerns. There was a long silence which caused Caroline to feel uneasy. Her mother was rarely lost for words. There weren't many times where her mother didn't feel the need to fill a gap in the conversation.
"Well. Who is he? I mean do you know who he really is? Do you know anything about him? Where does he live? What does he do?"
Caroline couldn't answer her mother and this time she left the silence.
"I think you need to have a serious talk with Robbie. You need to speak to the police about him. Caroline, are you listening to me?"
Caroline held her head in her hands and cried to herself. It was the hurt and fear she felt for Helena, the worry she felt for Kate's pain and the fact her son was now frightened by this man. She regained her composure not wanting to seem weak. She was the strong one. The one who everyone else looked to when things went wrong. "I will mum. I promise I'll speak to the police about him. But I need to chat with Kate first."
"Okay love. Send Kate my love and I'll ring you later. Bye love."
Caroline got up and went to pour herself a drink of orange from the fridge when there was a knock at the door. "Bloody John. That's all I need." She took her glass of orange with her to the door. She opened the door and she gasped at the site and just managed to safe the glass from falling from her hand.