Chapter 36

Stoking Embers

2200 – Hereford, UK

Quiet. Silent. Lonely. All of these feelings, one by one, swept over Georgie whilst she stared at the ceiling. The warmth and companionship from her husband sorely lacking. He should be next to her in the bed. Elvis was due to return home to Hereford tomorrow. The army had graciously permitted his absence to escort Laura back to London, but now, that grace period was over. She rolled her head towards his pillow, yearning to be wrapped in his arms.

Weighing heavy on her mind was the separation and distance Elvis had from Laura. She knew he would be obsessed with making things right for the child. That is, unless he ends up in prison over Reginald. Animosity between the two men burned slowly ever since Elvis discovered another man would be involved in Laura's life. At first it seemed Gwain was putting forth his best effort to incorporate Laura into his relationship with Debbie. But it always felt off, and Elvis was keen to any discrepancies. Although Elvis had controlled his primal desire to punish Reginald for what happened to Laura, Georgie knew if the opportunity presented, he would take it. What she heard over the phone tonight struck a chord of worry and it kept escalating the longer she waited to hear from him.

Buzzing vibrations from the phone beside her leg sent Georgie bolt upright. Barely touching the screen to sweep the call alive she said, "Where have you been?"

Her tone was anxious, admonishing and elated. Elvis smiled, in spite of feeling a bit remorseful that he had kept her in suspense.

"Georgie, all is well in the world," he said.

"Spare me the cliché Elvis. What the fuck happened?!"

"Well…for starters, Reg is not dead, if 'at's wha' you're worried about."

Her face fell into her hand. Cheeky bastard!

"You didn't touch him then?"

"Nah, bad timing."

"Meaning?"

"I didn't get the chance. Police hauled his arse out. Deb showed up and accused him of abusing her. He was pissed, they thought he was a threat, so out he went."

"Elvis, let Debbie and the authorities deal with Reginald. Your objective is your family and Laura's well-being."

"Babe, you are forgettin 'at Rrrrrrrginald influenced my daughter, in such a fuckin way, 'at she ran away from home!"

Georgie took a deep breath. "Laura ran away to help you. She was worried about you!"

"And….no one would listen to her! Look, I talked to her. I talked to Deb. I know wha' happened. He is an abusive son of a bitch and he ain't getting away with it!"

"You…..need to stand down and come home!"

Elvis' head fell back, was he actually arguing with Georgie about this?

"I can't let it go," he said.

"You can't stay in London either. You are expected home tomorrow, yeah."

She waited for a response, a come-back, anything. But he was silent. She looked at the phone. The call was still active.

"About tomorrow," he said.

Her gut knew what he was going to say next, but she hoped she was wrong.

"I requested an extension on my leave."

Georgie threw her legs off the bed and stood straight as an arrow. "You what?!"

"I ain't comin tomorrow."

"Thornton granted ya the extension did he?"

"One day. Just one more day." Her huff annoyed him. "I have to make sure things are a bit more settled before I leave. Laura is still in hospital."

Georgie sat, pinching the bridge of her nose. He was right. There was far too much drama going on for him to comfortably walk away.

"No, no, you're right. I'm sorry," she said.

"Nothin to be sorry about George. I know what's goin on inside your head."

"Really?! Then you know why I am so fucking worried!"

"Georgieeee, I ain't gonna kill him."

"Yeah, well, that's reassuring."

He chuckled. She heard it but failed to share his humor.

"If you put even a scratch on Gwain, he will take you to court, and we do not need that!"

"No scratches, but I did put a small dent in him tonight."

"Fuck sake Elvis…"

"Was self-defense! I promise!

"Says you…."

"Wait a second. It was self-defense. If you think I would let 'at twat take a swing at me….."

"Elvis…."

"Olivia was there. She witnessed the contact."

"Fine. Ok, you defended yourself. Just make sure next time you are not on the offensive!"

"Who's side are you on?"

"Yours! I know you Elvis. You are capable of just about anything."

Silence.

She could feel the heat of his anger coming through the phone.

"Please! Consider what I am saying to you," she said. "Perhaps you should come home, distance yourself from Debbie and Reginald's problems and work out a plan for Laura."

"You do realize 'at Laura is in the middle of those problems?"

Georgie fell backward across the bed. "Yes, I do realize that. But a devastating fire does not need another person stoking it, namely, you."