It was late before her thoughts focused on that one certainty.

45

Sleep came in short bursts that left Jodie more tired by the morning. She finally went downstairs at seven, made coffee, switched on the TV, and watched an old movie with so little interest that she didn’t notice when one finished and the next started.

Now and then, she’d get up for a coffee refill and once, feeling guilty, she made a slice of toast and nibbled on that.

She waited four days before she sent Flynn a text to say the results were positive. There’d been no word from him since he’d left and she had no idea where he was staying. And she still missed him with an ache that was double-edged… one for her son, one for her lover. She switched off her phone after she sent the text, she didn’t want the distraction of wondering if he’d reply or not.

Over the four days, the certainty that she needed to do something with Victor to protect all of them had grown. Ideas and plans flitted through her head but most were quickly discounted. Only one promised a final solution but it was radical and she dismissed it, then came back to it… again and again… as being her only choice. She was racked with doubts that she could follow through with such a drastic plan. But it always came down to necessity. Victor had left her no way out. For her second chance to be a success, she had to deal with him.

But to make her plan work, without repercussions, she needed help. It was Friday, the perfect day. She picked up her mobile and pressed a key, hoping that Rivka would answer.

‘Jodie, this is a surprise.’

From the tone of Rivka’s voice, it wasn’t a nice one. ‘I’m sorry, I wouldn’t have rung but I need your help. Can we meet?’

There was a lengthy silence before Rivka answered. ‘You can come around here if you like, Tasha is away at a conference until tomorrow.’

‘Perfect. I’ll be there in an hour or so.’ Jodie hung up before Rivka could change her mind.

Less than an hour later Jodie stood outside the apartment block in Bexleyheath. She had spent the journey going over what she wanted to ask her friend. It was risky but she was counting on her. She pressed the doorbell, waiting for the buzzer to release the front door and took the lift to the fifth floor.

‘Hi,’ Rivka said from the open doorway of her apartment. There was no warmth in her expression, no welcoming smile.

‘It’s important or I wouldn’t have bothered you,’ Jodie said and followed Rivka into the apartment. ‘You and Tasha doing okay?’

‘We’re fine.’ Rivka waved Jodie to a seat in the open-plan lounge. ‘Coffee?’