His mum was helping the kids pack when the shrill ring of the landline interrupted his stakeout. A call on the landline signalled trouble. An unknown caller.

Leaving his post at the window he answered. His instinct was right. It was trouble, the voice causing his stomach to try and escape his body.

Teri.

‘Are the kids there?’ she asked, a little frantic.

‘Yeah,’ he answered. If she wanted to speak to them he would refuse. He’d claim that they had already gone to bed.

‘I’m comin’ to get them,’ she blurted out.

‘No you aren’t,’ said Chandler, louder than he wanted.

As ever, Teri took this as a challenge and raised her voice in return. ‘I’m coming and taking them to the city where they’ll be safe.’

Safe. He realized what must have happened. She had been talking to Mitch who had pumped her full of fear, possibly out of genuine concern but more likely as leverage in the coming custody battle. The perfect opportunity to prove that she was ready and able to look after the kids in a time of crisis. To assume the role of their protector. Chandler wasn’t prepared to let that happen.

‘No, Teri, it’s too dangerous.’

‘I know. I know what’s happening there.’

Chandler stabbed his sword at the chink in her armour. ‘And how’s that?’

‘How’s what?’

‘How do you know what’s going on here?’

‘I—’

There was silence from the other end. Chandler decided to swing the sword again.

‘Teri, I know about you and Mitch,’ he said, before lowering his voice so as not to be overheard. ‘About you wanting to take my kids.’

‘That’s—’ stumbled Teri before going on the offensive. ‘This is the stubbornness I wanna get the kids away from.’

Chandler let the slight pass. ‘I’m going to fight you, Teri. All the way.’

‘Go right ahead,’ she replied. ‘Mitch knows people.’

‘And they know Mitch,’ said Chandler.

From the background his mum announced that the kids were ready to leave.

‘I’m going now,’ said Chandler.

‘Let me—’

He cut her off, and hung up. He left the phone off the hook in case she decided to call back.

Chandler hustled the kids and his parents out of the house to the car. Ignoring the kids’ suggestions of who should sit where, he shoved them inside. Putting Jasper in last, he looked behind the car. Something or someone was skulking in the distance. Chandler was sure of it. And sure of who it was. Gabriel. He looked back at his family. His muscles twitched to leave them and go after Gabriel but he would have to leave them exposed.