Chapter 34

Unraveling a Situation

1700 – London, UK

Laura's cat, Newton, was crouched beneath a high-back cushioned chair watching everything Olivia Simms was doing. The woman caught sight of him in her peripheral vision as she poured herself a vodka on the rocks. The ice tinkled when she raised the glass to her lips. It struck her then, how easily life can unravel. Her granddaughter was lying in a hospital bed. The same granddaughter who gleefully called her nan and chased Olivia's White Persian cat around the house. That was of course until the estranged father gifted her with Newton. But that was not quite true, was it? She took a thoughtful, second sip. Elvis was not estranged, he was engaged. He supported the child monetarily and always kept her as an integral part of his life. Even after he wed Georgie Lane. She agitated the glass, swirling the ice around and her eyes drifted back to the cat.

He was still watching her, could he read her mind? Olivia never accepted the arrangement her daughter so willingly had. She despised the fact that the cocky army captain rejected Debbie in favor of another woman. But she could never deny his sense of commitment. The parents disagreed on certain aspects of Laura's upbringing, but for the most part, things worked out rather well. Far better than with Reginald. He certainly had the looks and class the Simms felt were appropriate for their daughter. Unfortunately, appearances can be deceiving.

Olivia walked around the opulent lounge eying every piece of décor and furniture. Most of the pieces belonged to Debbie before her marriage, and the deed was in her name as well. Olivia smugly took another sip. She turned to address Newton, still crouched beneath the chair.

"I assure you. He will have none of this." She said crisply enunciating each word.

Xxxxx

1730 –

Evening light had settled in once the sun set. The car park outside Laura's window was now peppered with streetlamps. Elvis found himself counting the number of cars as a diversion to the uncomfortable silence in the room. For the two plus hours he had spent at Laura's bedside she never once woke up. He rubbed the back of his neck to relieve the tension building up in what felt like every inch of his body. Did Jamie Cole really know what he was talking about?

Elvis chuckled to himself. The last time he saw Cole, the doctor was standing on a curb shocked to see Georgie driving away with her former lover in tow. She seemed comfortable with her ex-fiance being involved in Laura's care and Elvis had no basis to contradict his medical judgement. He shuffled his feet. From the conversation earlier it sounded like Debbie had taken decisive action against Reginald. Something made her pull the pin on a grenade and Elvis was certain it had everything to do with Laura.

"Daddy….?"

Her soft voice startled him. "I'm 'ere," he said, moving to sit on the edge of the bed.

Her eyes were sleepy and she rubbed at them. "Where, where's mummy?"

"She went home to rest. She'll be back. Your Nan Olivia is with her."

"Nan is here?"

"Yeah, she arrived this afternoon."

Sweeping the dimly lit room with her gaze she said, "is it night time?"

"Evening. Time for dinner soon."

"Dinner?"

"Yeah. How do ya feel angel?" Elvis said, resting his hand on her leg.

"My head hurts daddy. Like a brick hit me."

He hated the pain in her voice. He should have broken Eddie's hands. "How many fingers?" he said waving two in front of her.

She stared at the movement. Was her response too slow?

"Two."

"That's right." He had to be sure. "How about now?"

She stared again. "That's your whole hand daddy."

He chuckled. "Roger 'at."

Any possible negative Georgie had mentioned became an obsession for him. At least she is seeing objects clearly, he thought.

The door swung open and they both watched a nurse enter carrying a tray of food saying, "Dinner time Miss Laura."

Elvis helped the child sit up comfortably in bed.

"It smells good," Laura said touching the edge of the tray. "Look daddy, I have a pudding cup."

Elvis let his anxiety drain away and eagerly lifted the lid from the warm plate. He knew she would have difficulty at first, not being used to the cast on her arm.

Xxxxx

1930 –

The hot shower helped to relax the tight muscles in his body and in so doing, reminded him of the aches and pains that go along with thwarting a hijacking. The stitches on his upper arm were pulling and Elvis twisted around to take a gander at them. The wound looked OK by his estimation, nothing worth consulting Georgie about. The guest room was definitely a step up from the hospital sofa. At first, he was reluctant to accept Debbie's offer, but when he learned she threw Reginald out he had a feeling there would be repercussions.

He pulled a clean T-shirt from his pack and pulled it down over his muscled chest. It felt good to be clean. Checking his watch, he decided it would be a good time to check in with Georgie. Plopping back against the bed shams he thumbed her number, sinking further into the soft pillows. He grinned when he heard her answer.

"I've been waiting for your call," she said dryly.

"Have ya then?"

"Yeah. I've forgotten what ya look like Elvis."

He laughed. Georgie never ceased to tickle him, and he missed her.

"Can't say the same babe. You are unforgettable." After a beat he added. "I miss ya."

"Missing doesn't even cover how I feel. How's Laura?"

He ached for Georgie. "She seems OK. Headaches, ya know, a little fuzzy like she got her bell rung. But honestly George, better than I expected."

"Nothing else show up on testing?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"That all sounds really good. She's eating, moving around?"

"Yeah. Not trying to jump out of bed just yet."

"Are ya with her now?"

"Negative. Debbie is at the hospital."

"Where are you?"

"I am at Deb's. Olivia is here."

"She made the offer then?"

"Yeah. It actually works out for both of us."

"Really? How so?"

Elvis sat up. He thought he heard glass shatter.

"I get a room. She gets protection."

"Protection? What's going on there Elvis?"

He stepped across the carpeted floor to the door.

"She had a row with Reg and binned him."

"Seriously? What happened?"

"Haven't any details, but he ain't 'ere."

"Can't say I'm surprised. He is such a prick."

Elvis opened the door and stuck his head out in time to hear a commotion downstairs.

"No argument from me there. Hold a second babe."

He moved into the hall and when nearing the staircase, heard Olivia say, "what are you doing here?"

The response sent him down the steps.

"I might ask the same of you," Reginald said stepping over the broken window glass on the floor.

"Get out!" Olivia shouted.

"I live here!"

"Not tonight ya don't pal," Elvis said slowly descending toward them.

Reginald Gwain stumbled backward, from shock or intoxication, it was difficult to distinguish, but he managed to say, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"I was invited. Which is more than can be said about you," Elvis said. He lifted the phone to his ear and said to Georgie, "I got a situation 'ere. Give me five."