Chapter 68: Cora - The Foster Child

As Jacob aims his gun my fear is once again replaced by rage. How bloody dare he do this to us? Even if it’s true what he said about Elliot, we’re all innocent. How dare he wheedle his way into my daughter’s life and turn our Christmas into this nightmare.

I have to think quickly. There are three of us and surely we can overpower him before he pulls the trigger. There’s some garden tools hanging on the wall to the left of me, a spade, a fork and a rake. If I can grab one of them I might be able to knock him out with it. First though, I have to distract him. And then I have to pray that I can move fast enough.

‘The police are on their way. I phoned them before we came in here,’ I tell him. ‘They’ll be bursting in any minute.’

He scowls. ‘You’re a liar. I took all your phones.’

‘I have a work phone too. I keep it in my drawer upstairs. I phoned them from that.’

‘Mum does have another phone, Jacob…’ Lori says, and I can see the doubt on his face, a slight hesitation. ‘She did phone the police and they’ll be here any minute.’

He turns to her. ‘If you’re lying…’

This is my one and only chance. I spring to my feet, grab the spade off the wall and swing it at Jacob as hard as I can. It hits him on the side of his face and he crashes onto the floor, hitting his head and dropping the gun, which skids across the floor, landing beside Elliot’s car.

I bend down and put my fingers on Jacob’s neck, feeling for his pulse. It’s strong. Only knocked out then. ‘Find some rope, we need to tie him up!’ I shout. ‘And Lori, go and knock on a neighbour’s door for help!’

Lori gets up and goes to run but Jacob’s hand sneaks out and grabs her ankle, pulling her down. He scrambles to his knees and pulls her to him, his arm around her neck. ‘One move from you two and I’ll kill her!’

I can see he means it.

‘Please let her go. Don’t hurt her,’ I beg.

‘Kick that gun over to me,’ he orders.

I wonder if I dare pick it up and aim it at him but he’s holding Lori like a shield and if I miss…

Then I see a shadow in the connecting doorway to the kitchen. I can’t see the face but I recognise his height and build. It’s Scott. I have no idea what he’s doing here but I’m glad he is. He puts his finger to his lips and walks slowly towards Jacob, who has his back to Scott.

I daren’t look at Violet to see if she has spotted him. I have to play for time and give Scott a chance to reach Jacob.

‘Look, Jacob, you don’t have to do this. We haven’t done anything to you. Just leave us alone and get out of here while you can before the police get here,’ I tell him.

Scott edges closer and I can see that he has a wrench in his hands.

Jacob tightens his arm around Lori’s neck and the colour drains from her face. ‘Kick that fucking gun over to me!’

Scott is right behind him now and pounces, bringing the wrench down on Jacob’s head. Jacob releases his hold on Lori and crashes to the floor, blood oozing everywhere. I grab the gun and hand it to Scott.

‘Thank God you arrived. He would have killed us,’ I sob. ‘I think he’s killed Elliot.’

Scott puts his arms around me. ‘Elliot is safe. He’s injured but alive. Jacob knocked him unconscious, tied him up and put him in the boot of his car. Fortunately I spotted him and have taken him to our house. Gabby’s with him and has called an ambulance. I’ve been keeping an eye on the place,’ he adds. ‘The police are on the way.’

‘Why? How did you know about all this?’ I stammer.

Then we hear footsteps and some policemen run in. ‘Police! Don’t move! Put your hands in the air!’