Chapter 70: Elliot - The Foster Child

I can hear the murmur of voices but I can’t place who they belong to. I’ve woken a few times and heard them, heard people moving about and realised that I was in hospital. I survived Jacob’s blow then.

But did Cora, Lori and Violet survive too?

I tried so hard to fight him off but he was quicker, stronger. And armed.

‘Ah, good, you’re awake, Mr Brookes. How are you feeling?’

‘My head hurts and my chest is sore but I’m okay.’ I try to ease myself up on my elbow and pain spears into me, making me lie back down again.

‘Relax. You had a severe blow to your head and have been concussed. You’re lucky that Mr Reynolds realised something was going on and came round to check.’ He pauses. ‘Do you remember what happened?’

‘Yes. Jacob broke into our house and tried to kill me. Is Cora okay? And Lori and Violet? He didn’t hurt them?’

‘They’re all safe. They’ve all taken it in turns to sit with you. Mrs Hamilton has just gone for a coffee. She’ll be back in a few minutes.’

Relief floods through me that Cora is safe. And Lori and Violet. I would never have forgiven myself if they’d died because of something I did in the past. Then I realise what she said. ‘Scott Reynolds was there?’

‘Yes, your partner will explain it all to you.’

The door opens and Cora walks in holding a takeaway cup of coffee. She looks pale and there are bags under her eyes as if she hasn’t slept for days. Which she probably hasn’t.

‘Elliot! You’re awake.’ Her face lights up and she quickens her pace, putting the coffee cup down before sitting down beside me.

She doesn’t kiss me, I notice, my heart sinking. Not even a peck on the forehead.

‘How do you feel?’ she asks.

‘A bit sore, but I’m okay. Did that maniac hurt you? The police said that Scott’s been watching the house and caught him.’

‘He arrived just in time. He saved us all.’ Cora glares at me. ‘I can’t believe you kept all this from me. You keeping quiet put us all in danger. Jacob went out with Lori to get to you. And Rocky paid Caleb to do all that other stuff. You should have gone to the police as soon as you received the first card. And you definitely should have told me.’ She is angry, and she has every right to be. There are dark shadows under her eyes and she looks fragile. Small wonder, she’s been through hell.

‘I’m so sorry. I know I should have told you but it was a long time ago. I was a kid. I paid the price and turned my life around but I was scared how you’d react if you knew the truth.’

I can’t get my head around it. Jacob is the son of Colin, the man Rocky crashed into. And he’s been after revenge ever since his dad died and he found the newspaper cuttings about it. And Scott was a policeman in the area back then. No wonder he kept staring at me.

It all seems so insane.

‘I had a right to know, Elliot. My safety, Lori’s and Violet’s were all at stake.’

She’s right. I should have never let it get that far. I should have come clean, hoped that she would understand. ‘I’m sorry. I thought I could sort it. I didn’t want to worry you.’

‘You didn’t want to tell me what you’d done more like. Because of that you put us all at risk. Jacob had a gun! If it wasn’t for Scott we would probably all be dead.’ I can hear the tremor in her voice, this has been such a terrifying experience for her.

‘I’m really sorry. I regret it so much.’

‘I know you do but that doesn’t change the fact that you hid everything from me.’ She pushes her hand through her hair, bites her lip. ‘How did Jacob get in past your security cameras?’

‘He came from the woods and crept in through the side door of the garage, then the connecting door into the house.’ I reach for her hand. ‘I really am sorry, Cora. Can you forgive me?’

She pulls her hand away. ‘I don’t know. You’re not the man I thought you were. You kept so much from me, put our lives in danger. You lied to me too. You told me that you reported it to the police when our wreath was stolen and returned to us all chopped up. But you didn’t. It’s all too much. I’m not sure I can get past this.’

‘Please, Cora. I love you so much. You mean the world to me.’

The nurse comes in. ‘You need to rest now, Elliot.’

Cora stands up and picks up her cup. ‘I’ll come back and see you later.’

Then she’s gone. Still without kissing me.

Are we finished?

I don’t blame her if she doesn’t want anything more to do with me but I didn’t mean any of it to happen. And I did my best to put it all right. When I’m stronger I’ll explain it all to her and hope she’ll understand. My eyes are weary. I can’t keep them open. I’ll sleep for a little while and try to explain when Cora comes to visit again.

She will understand, won’t she? I don’t think I could bear it if I lost her. She’s brought such a lot of happiness to my life. But I’ve brought nothing but trouble to hers.