Chapter 37

Planning Next Steps

2400 – Hereford, UK

She never closed her eyes from the time the call with Elvis ended. The downstairs clock chime echoed throughout the stillness announcing the midnight hour and another sleepless night. Georgie shifted her legs, it did nothing to diminish her restlessness. Admittedly she was worried, but chiding Elvis only made her feel worse. Sometimes he needs a slap of perspective she told herself. Her other self said he needed understanding. Deep down she knew he would not be stupid enough to harm Gwain, despite a hidden desire to do so. Any attempt to keep that man away from Laura would appease Elvis, but Debbie will have to decide how to create that distance. From what Elvis had relayed, it seemed Debbie was already contemplating a divorce.

Georgie swung herself to the side of the bed, mobile in hand. She stared down at the bright screen. Quickly her thumbs began a text.

Xxxxx

0020 - London, UK

Lying in bed with hands clasped tightly beneath his head Elvis replayed the entire conversation with Georgie over and over in his head. Did she really think he would compromise his life or family over Reginald Gwain? He bristled thinking about the man, obnoxious, condescending.

He needed to force the bastard to the back of his mind. Compartmentalize Gwain as far away as possible so he could focus on Laura.

Grinding his head into his hands, to regroup as it were, his mobile pinged. Reaching a long arm out to the nightstand Elvis brought the phone to his face, squinting at the intrusive glare. His heart lurched when he discovered it was a text from Georgie: "I'm sorry. What can I do to help?"

He smiled. His thumb glided to speed dial. Lifting the phone to his ear he sat up.

Xxxxx

0600

Olivia stopped mid step not expecting Elvis to be in the kitchen. His back was to her but it appeared he was drinking a cup of coffee. The heady aroma was such an inviting scent in the morning. He sensed her presence and turned.

"Good morning Olivia," he said.

"You are up early," she said, stepping forward, ringing her hands. She had expected to find Debbie, not Elvis.

"Not for me"

"No, I suppose not," she said navigating her way past him to the counter. "Drink coffee do you?"

"Nah, not usually, but I reckoned it was quicker to just pop a K cup. I am heading back to Hereford tomorrow so I need to get crackin before I depart."

Olivia took a mug from the cupboard. "You will be leaving then."

"Yes."

She watched him take a sip. The way he casually brought the cup to his mouth. For someone who had time constraints he seemed rather calm.

"Have you given any thought about Laura?" she said.

Elvis eyed her from the rim. "She is all I 'ave thought about."

The way he regarded Olivia made her carefully consider her next statement. "Debra said they may discharge the child today."

Elvis rinsed his cup in the sink and said, "Yeah, I'm aware."

"Debra will be filing for a restraining order this morning," she said.

"A lot of good a piece of paper will do after the stunt he pulled last night."

Olivia grasped the front of her top mirroring the tightness she felt in her chest. "I doubt he will be foolish enough to repeat his actions," she said.

"Don't bet on 'at."

"What do you mean? He will not want to tarnish his reputation."

Elvis laughed. "Reputation? A bit late for him to give a toss about 'at."

"I knew you would not understand," Olivia said watching her coffee trickle from the machine.

"What's to understand? He spent a night in jail. I'm sure 'at didn't go unnoticed."

"Not among his circle."

"Well, they already know wha' he's about. They won't give a shit."

Both turned when they heard Debbie's footsteps at the doorway.

"Good morning dear. Ah, you look lovely. Here, a nice hot coffee for you. Let me fix you breakfast." Olivia said.

"No thank you mother. The coffee will be sufficient."

Elvis looked Debbie over. She was dressed in an expensive suit and despite a hellish night, she had managed to create a finished appearance.

"You should eat something," Olivia insisted. "Toast and jam perhaps."

"Nothing mother."

"You should eat something," Elvis said.

"Father is picking me up at half past seven. I will be meeting my lawyer and filing against Reginald this morning."

"All the more reason to 'ave something under your belt. Gonna be a long day." Elvis said.

Debbie smiled at his choice of words. So different than Reginald. Olivia ignored her daughter's wishes and busied herself preparing a light, quick meal.

Xxxxxx

1030 –

Conversations overlapped amidst the movement of personnel and visitors in the hospital cafeteria. Elvis had no where else to go. Laura had been taken away for testing and he walked the halls until he became bored. Debbie was expected to complete her legal matters by eleven and come to the hospital. By then opinions would be available as to Laura's condition. Elvis tapped his fingers on the sides of his beverage cup. All of this waiting gave him a whole new meaning to taking a hard look at life. It would be over a month before Laura would end her school year, if she were even able to attend. Debbie told him she dreaded leaving the hospital last night because Laura had cried out in her sleep. If it were not necessary for her to deal with legal matters today, she would never have left her.

Laura was bright this morning and seemed normal to Elvis, but he knew all too well what PTSD can do. Eddie flashed before his eyes, followed by Reginald. The beverage cup did not stand a chance as Elvis' fingers began to close in on the empty container, until someone sat down across from him. Elvis felt the shadow of the presence and looked up. To his surprise it was Jamie Cole.

"I brought you a refill," Cole said sliding a cup toward Elvis. "Looks like you could use one."

Elvis smirked good-naturedly. "Thanks."

Inwardly Elvis shuddered. Was there a reason Cole sought him out in the cafeteria? Did they discover something ominous on Larua's tests? Jamie read the questions on Elvis' face and had a few his own and said, "Relax mate. I'm still waiting for the radiologist's input on the repeat scans."

Elvis' face became neutral. "And if they're ok…..?"

"I think Laura can go home today. Would be better for her to be in a familiar environment."

"She seemed like herself this morning," Elvis said hoping the doctor agreed with his assessment.

Cole's expression was bland, then he nodded. "On the surface her responses are appropriate, and you are saying her demeanor is similar to baseline?"

Elvis considered the question. It felt like there was a hidden message in Cole's angle.

"Yeah. But Deb said she was having night terrors."

"PTSD. Correct."

"I expect 'at. It's definitely something we will 'ave to deal with," Elvis said.

"Exactly. Which brings me to the WE in all of this," Cole said taking a sip from his cup.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning social services will be asking the very same question Elvis. The institution needs to know what type of home environment Laura will be returning to."

Fair enough question Elvis thought. Truthfully, he wrestled with the whole issue himself. He and Georgie spent a better part of the night talking about it.

"If Laura is able to go home and carry on, go to school and 'at, then she will be with her mother and grandmother," Elvis said.

Cole's brow shot up.

"I 'ave to return to Hereford tomorrow," Elvis said.

"So, you don't live in London?"

"Nah. I am still serving. As is my wife, Georgie." There. Elvis finally laid his cards on the table.

"You live in Hereford?"

"Yes. My daughter and I 'ave a long-distance relationship," Elvis said leaning back comfortably in his chair, almost daring Cole to say something about Georgie. He noticed the gold band on Jamie Cole's finger. Obviously, water was well over the dam.