Wednesday's Child (16 page)

Vince turned his cold hard eyes on him. “What do you do?”

“I teach English.”

“You ever taught abroad?” Terry asked.

Liam paused with the fork partway to his mouth. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just trying to figure out if we ever crossed paths before.” Terry studied him. “Or maybe you just have one of those familiar faces.”

“I taught English in a French school for a couple of years, but that was a while ago.”

Terry immediately switched to French. “
Alors, vous parlez français
?”

“
Naturellement, parfaitement.”
Liam was grateful he was fluent in several languages.

“
On dit que c’est la langue la plus romantique au monde
.”

Liam laughed. “
Mae nhwn dweud hefyd mae Cymraeg yw iaith y nefoedd
.”

Jacqui glanced up from her meal. “I’m sorry, that sounds like double Dutch to me.”

“It’s Welsh. I said, they also say that Welsh is the language of heaven.”

“Guess I better learn Welsh then.” She laughed. “When did you become multi-lingual?”

“One of the schools I worked in.” Liam didn’t want to give too much away. He had this pressing feeling that he needed to keep quiet about his involvement in Endarra, especially in light of what Vince had just said.

Vince sneered at him. “You get around.”

Liam felt the need to keep quiet grow. He had to change the subject. “So tell me about your corporation.”

The conversation moved on, and Liam held Jacqui’s hand under the table as he listened to Vince speak while they ate the fine haute French cuisine that well deserved its four stars. Jacqui had told him most of what Vince was saying, so there was nothing new here. His disquiet increased, a heaviness settling over him.

Lord, is this feeling from you? Something isn’t right here, and I have this overwhelming desire to leave before he connects me with Endarra
. He looked at Jacqui and then at his watch.

Jacqui nodded and put her fork down as she finished. “The meal was wonderful. I’m sorry to have to cut this short, Vince, but I’m expecting a phone call at ten.”

Vince’s face darkened. “They can always ring back.”

“My friend’s ringing from Australia. We worked together some years ago and kept in touch when she emigrated. We have to take the time difference into consideration.” She bent down and picked up her bag. Sophie was going to call sometime this week and she always called at ten. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll be in touch about the job.”

Vince reached over and grabbed her arm. “I’ll take you home. We can finish talking on the way.”

Jacqui shook her head. “Liam will take me.”

Vince shook his head. “I insist.”

Liam looked at him. “Thank you for the offer, but I have it covered. I just need to go and wash my hands, hon.”

Jacqui smiled. “I’ll wait here.”

Liam shook his head slightly.

“I’ll be fine.”

He stood and headed to the men’s room, aware of both Terry and Patrick following him, while Patrick’s companion remained covertly on alert beside Jacqui. Patrick moved into a stall and shut the door as Liam turned on the hot tap and held his hands underneath it. Terry crossed the room to stand behind him.

Liam looked up. “Do you want something?”

“I want to give you a word of advice. Don’t stand in Vince’s way.”

Liam let the water run over his hands not bothering to look at the man. “That sounds like a threat.”

“Nothing of the sort. Just a word to the wise. Vince and your girlfriend have a past he’d like to, shall we say, rekindle. This job is just the start. Vince would like you to back off and leave the decision for the lady.”

Liam turned off the taps and swung around. “You can tell Mr. Devlin that I have no intentions of stopping Jacqui from doing anything. I’m her boyfriend, not her lord and master or her keeper. If she wants to stay here, that’s fine. If she wants to go to Africa, then that’s fine too.” He pulled down a paper towel and started drying his hands.

“Does your wife know you’re carrying on with another woman?”

“I don’t have a wife.” Liam told him sharply, wondering how he knew. With no wedding ring there was no outward sign, and they certainly hadn’t discussed the topic over dinner.

Terry nodded. “My condolences.”

Liam jerked his head. “I should go. Jacqui will be wondering where I—”

The breath was knocked from his lungs in a gush as a fist connected with his stomach. Another blow caught the right side of his face, sending him crashing to the floor. Several kicks to his stomach and side doubled him over. He gasped in pain, holding his hands up to protect himself.

The toilet flushed and the stall door unlocked. A rough hand jerked Liam to his feet as Patrick’s voice echoed in the small room. “Is everything all right.”

Terry nodded. “This gentleman slipped. I was just helping him up.”

Liam pulled in a deep breath and winced. “I’m fine. I should go.” He took an unsteady step to the door, clutching his stomach with one hand. Patrick moved to the sink, blocking Terry’s exit. Once in the corridor, Liam straightened and headed back to Jacqui. He wasn’t going to breathe a word of this to her, or let on he was hurt. He knew now he had to get her away from this place and fast. He reached the table, just as Vince was escorting Jacqui towards the door.

Vince scowled at him. “I thought you’d gone without her. I was going to drive her home so she didn’t miss this
very important phone call
.”

Liam hissed in a deep breath and offered Jacqui his hand. “Well I’m here now. Let’s go.”

Jacqui took his hand. “Sure. Goodbye, Vince. Sorry to cut it short, but I’ll let you know my final decision in the next day or so.”

Liam escorted Jacqui outside. “I won’t have you home in time for ten. You know that, right?”

“That’s fine. I don’t know if Sophie will call tonight or not, but Someone told me to get out of there.”

“Yeah, me, too. In more ways than one.”

“Are you all right?”

“Shh, in here.” He pulled her into the shadows as Vince left the restaurant alone. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he pulled out his phone. The same feeling he had all evening came over him again. They were in danger here.

He speed dialed Patrick. “Patrick, it’s me. Get out of there. Don’t argue, bro. Please, just do it.”

“Leaving now.”

“We have to go.” Liam held Jacqui’s hand tightly as he pulled her towards the car park, walking as fast as he could, determined to get her to safety. He glanced back to see Patrick and his female companion leave, and relief flooded him. They crossed the bridge over the river, leading to the car park.

A massive explosion rocked the earth. Flames lit up the night sky. The shockwave reverberated around the quiet town center, flooding the area with a wave of light and heat.

Jacqui screamed.

Liam pushed her to the ground, shielding her body with his as the heat from the flames engulfed him.
Not again, God…not again…

14

As the blast wave passed, Jacqui gazed into the dark eyes a few centimeters above hers. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she wondered for a brief moment if she were dead. She drew in a shuddering breath, her ears ringing. Liam’s body lay prone over hers, his face creased in pain. He rolled off her. Jacqui lay there shaking.
What just happened? How did Liam get hurt?

“Jacqui, are you all right?” She could see his lips moving, but his voice was so quiet she could barely hear him.

“Was...was…that an explosion?” Jacqui could hear the tremble in her voice. “Did the restaurant…? Those people…”

He pulled her up and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

“Are you all right?” he repeated.

“Yeah, I think so.”

She tightened her grip on his hand as they gazed at the scene across the river. Flame and smoke engulfed the restaurant, billowing out from it in an inferno. She could feel the heat burning her face from where she stood.

Running footsteps crossed over to them, causing both of them to turn around. “Liam, are you both all right?” A tall, dark-haired man came up behind them.

“We’re fine, Patrick.”

“Good. I’ve called it in. The fire department is on its way. Go home.”

“Did everyone get out?”

“I don’t know. I pulled the fire alarm in the foyer after you called.” Patrick’s expression was tight. “Go home.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah, just go home.”

“Liam, what’s going on?”

“This is my brother, Patrick. Patrick, this is Jacqui.”

“Brother? You were here?” Her mind was still dazed, and Liam had to support most of her weight.

Patrick held out a hand, and she shook it as he spoke. “Nice to meet you. Sorry I can’t stop and chat. Liam, take her home, and I’ll come take statements in the morning, all right?”

“Sure, bro. Night.”

Jacqui leaned into Liam as he wrapped his arm around her tightly. The wail of sirens filled the air as emergency crews from across the town began to respond. She walked quietly with him up the stairs to where he had parked the car. She got in and leaned against the window as Liam drove. She was shaking and couldn’t stop.
Thank You, Lord,
flowed through her mind over and over in what was almost a litany. If she hadn’t had that feeling, if something hadn’t told her to leave, she’d be dead right now. They both would be. She had more questions than answers. Was this Patrick a cop? What was he doing there? Was it a coincidence or something more?

Liam pulled up outside his house. “Come on,” he said helping her from the car.

She looked at the house and then at him. “This isn’t my place.”

“I know. I don’t think you should be home alone tonight. You can stay at mine.”

“Liam, I’m fine, just a little shaken.”

“Just humor me, love, please?”

“Just for a while.” She let him lead her inside, and she watched as he deadlocked the door. His movements were small and deliberate, and he held himself stiffly. “Are you all right?”

Liam headed down the hallway to the kitchen. “I’m fine.”

Not believing him for a second, Jacqui put her bag by the door and followed him. She leaned against the worktop.

“I fancy some cocoa. Would you like some?”

“Cocoa? Liam, we almost died back there, and you’re going to stand there and make cocoa as if nothing happened.”

He glanced at her, and her heart dropped at the bottled up emotion in his face and eyes. She moved to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’ve got you.”

His body stiffened and was that a gasp of pain he gave? Before she could ask him, his lips found hers, and Jacqui found herself drowning in the need she felt for him. She returned the kiss, needing the comfort he offered as much as he seemed to need hers. She pulled away after a few moments, breathless.

“Please, stay,” he said. “I’d feel better if you stayed here tonight.”

“You have a spare room I assume?”

“No, I’ll change the sheets on the bed, and you can have my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Now do you want cocoa?”

“Cocoa would be wonderful. Thank you.” She looked at him long and hard. “You’re hurt. Was it the explosion?”

“No.” He winced as he lifted the milk from the fridge.

“OK, mister, shirt off and let me see.” She turned to pick up the first aid kit from the shelf over the kitchen counter. She could hear clothes rustle behind her and when she turned, Liam stood shirtless before her. His lean, muscled torso was covered with red marks. Was that a boot mark? Her eyes focused on the long jagged scar on his shoulder. She wondered how he’d got it, but wasn’t going to ask. Now wasn’t the time or place.

She couldn’t help the gasp. “Liam…”

He shrugged. “It’ll be pretty in the morning.”

“Sit.” She grabbed the roll of kitchen towel and rinsed several sheets under the cold tap. “Hold that over your eye.” She rinsed another and started doing what she could to the bruises forming on his chest. “What happened?”

“Terry warned me off,” he said wryly. “If Pi hadn’t been there, I’d be toast.” He gasped in pain. “Literally.”

“I’m sorry. I’m being as gentle as I can.”

“I know.”

“Do you have any witch hazel or arnica cream?”

“Both are in the bathroom cabinet.”

Jacqui went to find them and then finished patching him up. His skin was smooth under her hands as she applied the cream. She shook her head, trying to ignore the feelings coursing through her. Her nerve endings were on fire by the time she finished. “You can put your shirt on now.” She washed her hands. By the time she turned around Liam was dressed.

“Thank you. Now, where were we?” Liam said as he tugged his shirt down.

“Cocoa.”

“Ah, yes. Cocoa and maybe I’ll tell you a story about the leprechauns while we drink it.”

****

Lying in Liam’s bed an hour later, Jacqui stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling trying to make sense of everything. He’d lent her a pair of pajamas. The shirt reached her knees and fortunately the trousers had a drawstring waist otherwise they’d never stay on. Her dress would never recover. The soot and smell of smoke might come out if she had it dry cleaned, but the tears in it would never be hidden, even with the best invisible mending she could do.

She took a deep breath, taking in the lingering scent of the aftershave. Liam must have put it on before taking her to dinner. That seemed like a life time ago. So much had happened since then. Once Liam had left her and Vince alone at the table, Vince had changed. He’d gone from polite business man to full on creep and, although the threat of physical violence hadn’t been spoken aloud, it was there just under the surface.

Liam had reappeared in just the nick of time, as the only way to avoid leaving with Vince would have been to have screamed and made a scene.
Terry warned me off.
She heard Liam’s words in her mind again. What did he mean? Was Vince so determined to get her back that he’d remove Liam by force? Was there a connection to this blast and the one in Endarra?