‘Ben was my son. I had him. He was given to me. I saved him! You took my son away from me. I would have been happy, just me and him, but no, you had to come along, take him and fill his head with ridiculous ideas. Well, you are welcome to him now. I’m done with the pair of you. I have what I need. What I was destined for all along. And I will take, him. Daniel.’ Annie pointed the gun at the baby. ‘Baby Daniel, I will take him.’

‘No, Annie. No!’ I screamed and walked closer to Annie. Her eyes were wide and wild.

Annie pointed the gun. ‘Stop. Or I’ll shoot you both now!’ I stopped. Annie took a deep breath. ‘Now. I’m going to go. Be good children and stay here. It won’t be long. Don’t try and follow me.’ Annie started walking backwards, around the corner until she reached the edge of the first step. I followed her slowly. ‘I mean it. One move to these steps and I’ll shoot you.’

I stood at the bottom of the steps and watched Annie walk up them backwards until she reached the top. Then suddenly, I found a surge of energy. Even though I had given birth just a few hours ago, even though I was bleeding, my abdomen still contracting, I put one hand against the wall then launched myself and leapt across as many steps as I could to reach the top just as Annie’s legs were disappearing. All the while I could hear Annie screaming her threats and the baby, who had been quiet for a while, started wailing again, innately aware of the dangers. Annie tried to slam the door shut. My fingers became trapped under the heavy wood and I cried out, but before I knew what was happening, I had managed to push the door, the strength of both of my arms against Annie’s one arm, meant I was out, crouched down on the floor inside the kitchen, staring up at her. I pulled myself from my knees to standing.

‘Give. Him. To. Me!’ I was fighting for breath, I could barely stand, my insides felt as though they were being ripped from within me, but I could see my son, my son who had been safe inside my body just a few hours ago, now in the arms of this crazy woman.

‘Annie. Give. Me. My. Son!’ I could see Annie was edging back from me. ‘Annie.’ My voice was louder, the hysteria palpable. I took a step forward ready to snatch him straight from her arms when I saw Annie’s left hand rising high into the air, holding the gun.

69

ANNIE

She had some strength, I’ll give her that, but even with one hand holding onto the baby I had been able to knock her back down again with the weight of the gun. She had slumped to the floor like a rag doll and I used my feet to kick her back down the steps.