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Back Stalker Save as PDF
Chapters (66)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. 6
  9. 7
  10. 8
  11. 9
  12. 10
  13. 11
  14. 12
  15. 13
  16. 14
  17. 15
  18. 16
  19. 17
  20. 18
  21. 19
  22. 20
  23. 21
  24. 22
  25. 23
  26. 24
  27. 25
  28. 26
  29. 27
  30. 28
  31. 29
  32. 30
  33. 31
  34. 32
  35. 33
  36. 34
  37. 35
  38. 36
  39. 37
  40. 38
  41. 39
  42. 40
  43. 41
  44. 42
  45. 43
  46. 44
  47. 45
  48. 46
  49. 47
  50. 48
  51. 49
  52. 50
  53. 51
  54. 52
  55. 53
  56. 54
  57. 55
  58. 56
  59. 57
  60. 58
  61. 59
  62. EPILOGUE
  63. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  64. MORE FROM GEMMA ROGERS
  65. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  66. ABOUT BOLDWOOD BOOKS

‘That’s good. How about keeping a diary or journal? I think it would be beneficial to have a creative outlet. Music, writing, painting, these enable you to focus your energy in a positive way and allow the expression of anger without harming yourself or others.’

‘I could try, I used to draw a lot when I was younger.’

Maybe Ben was right. At the end of my session, I was lighter and couldn’t wait to tell him the news. I had another appointment with Dr Almara in two weeks and she hoped I may be able to talk more about the event. Talking about trauma was the first step in helping to heal, she said.

I floated home, feeling positive, until I passed the park and saw my sign had been removed. Did this mean my case had been closed? It seemed like it’d been ages since I heard from Detective Emmerson. Had they just given up? Become reliant on him striking again, hoping he’d leave something behind? I couldn’t wait for that.

As I put my key in the front door, I heard noises in the hallway. I shoved it open, locking eyes with Ben, who was coming out of his room. I smiled, wanting to tell him where I’d been; how I was taking my first steps in the healing process. His eyes widened and then he looked away.

‘Hi Ben,’ I said, suddenly unsure of myself. Then I saw what he was holding in his hand. He was pulling along a suitcase.

21

TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER 2017

‘Where are you going?’ My voice was more of a whimper and I hated myself for it. I sounded weak and needy.

‘I’ve got a training course at work. It’s to renew my SIA card. It’s a security thing, a licence. It’s only five days in Manchester. I’ll be back on Sunday,’ Ben grimaced.

‘Okay. When you get back can we talk?’ I sighed inwardly, grateful he wasn’t leaving for good.

‘Sure.’ He walked past me, dragging his case, head bowed.

‘I’ll miss you. It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages. Not properly.’

He whipped around, irritation flashing across his face. I took a step back, my body reacting on instinct.

‘My head is all over the place, Eve. I don’t know what you want from me?’ His annoyance dissipated, features softened.

‘I’m sorry. I went to see the shrink today,’ I blurted, as if that was going to make it all better.

‘That’s great, Eve, it’ll do you good. We’ll talk when I get back. I’ve got to go, I’ve got a train to catch.’

‘Okay.’ I watched Ben walk past me and out of the door, heard the key turn in the lock before crumpling in a heap on the floor.