Chapter
14
Nikki switched off her mobile and ran towards the door. “Finish
off for me, Denny and then lock up.” She fumbled in her pocket for a bunch of
keys and tossed them towards an astounded Denny.
She drove like a maniac to Helen’s, only just keeping within the
speed limit. Taking the steps two at a time, she hammered on the front door.
She took an involuntary step backwards when the door was opened by a uniformed
policeman. “Where’s Helen…Miss Stewart?” she demanded. “I’m Nikki Wade.” She
smiled bitterly as she saw the flicker of recognition cross his face when he
heard her name. Would she ever be allowed to forget?
“She’s in the living room, Miss Wade,” he told her politely.
She brushed past him. All that mattered now was being with Helen.
She went into the living room, her eyes seeking and finding Helen and she sank
slowly to her knees in front of her and took her hands gently. Helen sobbed her
name and leaned her head against Nikki’s shoulder. Nikki stroked her hair and
soothed her softly until she became calmer then, still holding her hands, moved
to sit on the settee beside her. She looked from one to the other at the grim
faces assembled in front of her, the policeman who had opened the door to her,
a young policewoman, Angus Stewart. “What the hell happened?” she demanded.
“Miss Stewart was in the shopping mall with her son and someone
barged into her and knocked her down,” the policewoman informed her. “She was
dazed and by the time she managed to collect herself, she realised her son was
missing.”
“You mean, he just wandered off?”
“No, he was strapped into a pushchair which was also taken,” the
policewoman told her patiently.
“Didn’t anyone see anything? Was it done deliberately?”
“Apparently quite a crowd had gathered to assist her but no one
saw anything unusual. We’re waiting for someone to bring the security video
from the shopping mall. There may be something on it which may assist us with
our enquiries.” The policewoman looked at Helen. “Do you feel up to answering a
few questions, Miss Stewart?”
Helen’s grip tightened on Nikki’s hands then she nodded.
“What about Nicholas’s father?” the policewoman asked. “Do you
think he might have had anything to do with his abduction?”
Helen looked sharply at Nikki and kept her eyes on her as she
spoke. “No, he won’t have had anything to do with it.” Nikki’s face remained
expressionless.
“If you could let us have his address then we can eliminate him
from our enquiries,” the policewoman persisted.
Helen rubbed her temple. This was the one question she had been
dreading and she had to tell Nikki the truth now before it all came out, if
there was ever going to be any hope for them. “Look, I really need to use the
bathroom. Nikki, please come with me.”
Nikki looked at her in surprise but followed her into the bathroom
where Helen locked the door behind them.
“Nikki, I need to talk to you,” Helen said nervously. “I owe you
an explanation.”
“What you talking about?” Nikki asked suspiciously.
“I’m talking about Nicky’s father.” She looked down at the floor
unable to bring herself to look into Nikki’s eyes. “The night I got pregnant I
was so drunk I can’t even remember his name let alone what he looks like.
Nikki, I’m not making excuses but after we’d argued that last time, I thought
you didn’t want me anymore and I had a one-night stand. I’ve never told you
before because I didn’t want you to hate me.”
Nikki put her finger beneath Helen’s chin and tilted her head back
until their eyes met. “I could never hate you, Helen, surely you know that by
now. You should have told me, I would have understood.”
“No, Nikki, you wouldn’t,” Helen said gently. “I know how you
reacted when you thought I was seeing Dominic. Imagine how you would have felt
knowing I really had betrayed you and our love. That night I made the biggest
mistake of my life and I lost you because of it.”
“But you have a beautiful son,” Nikki said softly. Helen looked at
her in surprise as she continued speaking. “You’re right though, Helen. If you
had told me when I was in Larkhall I wouldn’t have been able to stand it. I was
always so paranoid about what you were doing when you weren’t with me.”
Helen reached up and touched her cheek. “Never in a million years
would I deliberately hurt you, Nikki. Will you ever be able to forgive me?”
Nikki smiled and placed her hands on Helen’s waist. “There’s
nothing to forgive. Think about it Helen. Your mistake gave you your son, the
biggest mistake of my life took a man’s life!”
“Oh, Nikki,” Helen murmured tearfully. “I am so sorry for all the
hurt I’ve caused you.”
“Hey, come on, don’t be like that.” Nikki slid her arms around her
and drew her close. “Don’t cry, darlin’. Let’s get Nicky back and then we can
talk about us.”
“But what if they don’t get him back,” Helen sobbed. “You hear
about things like this happening and they don’t find them. I couldn’t bear to
lose my baby.”
Nikki drew back and took hold of Helen’s shoulders. “You’re not to
talk like that,” she said sternly. “They will find him.” She clutched Helen to
her and closed her eyes as tears threatened to overwhelm her.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Nikki.”
Nikki drew back and looked down at her lovingly. “I know you don’t
care for me the same way I care for you but I’ll always be here for you,
Helen.”
“Nikki, you’re wrong. I…” Helen began but her father’s voice
interrupted her.
“Helen, “ Angus Stewart called through the door. “The police are
here with the video.”
“We’re coming, Mr Stewart,” Nikki called back. She gave Helen an
encouraging smile and unlocked the bathroom door. Keeping a protective arm
around her, she led her into the living room and sat her down on the settee. As
she tried to move away, Helen clutched at her arm. Nikki smiled at her and sat
down beside her.
“This is the security video from inside the shopping mall,” the
police officer explained. “I’ll fast forward it to just before the time you say
Nicholas was abducted.” He started the video playing and they watched in
silence until a woman came into view pushing a buggy.
“That’s Nicky’s buggy,” Helen exclaimed.
The officer paused the tape. “Are you sure, Miss Stewart?”
Helen nodded.
Nikki’s blood ran cold. Surely it couldn’t be? It had been over
three years but it looked like her. She frowned. Why would she want to take
Helen’s son? “Could you play it again, please?” she asked quickly. “From where
the woman just comes into view.”
“Do you recognise her, Miss Wade?”
“It sounds bloody crazy but it looks like one of the PO’s from
Larkhall Prison…Di Barker!” she replied incredulously.
“Can I ask how you know this woman?” The police officer studied
her intently.
“Why don’t you ask your mate over there?” Nikki exclaimed
bitterly, nodding at the officer who had let her in. “He clocked me as soon as
he heard my name.”
“Oh, my God! Nikki, you’re right, it is Di Barker,” Helen said
horrified.
The police officer frowned. “Is there any reason why this Di
Barker should hold a grudge against you, Miss Stewart?”
“I used to be a Wing-Governor at Larkhall Prison,” Helen said
softly. ”Di blamed me for a colleague’s death and at his funeral threatened to
make me pay for it.” She felt Nikki stiffen beside her and longed to turn into
the comfort of her arms.
“Does she still work at Larkhall, Miss Stewart?”
“Look, who’s the copper here,” Nikki demanded angrily. “Why don’t
you get on your bloody radio and find out?”
Helen touched Nikki’s arm warningly. “Sorry,” Nikki muttered
apologetically.
“That’s alright, Miss Wade,” the police officer replied
tolerantly. “I know how upsetting this must be for all of you. If you’ll excuse
me.” He got up and left the room and Nikki looked at Helen and gripped her hand
comfortingly.
The police officer came back a short time later and sat down
opposite Helen. “Miss Barker does still work at Larkhall but her invalid mother
died a couple of weeks ago so she’s on sick leave. We’ve sent a car round to
her house.”
They sat in silence as the minutes ticked by. Mary Stewart came
into the room looking as distraught as her daughter and Angus put protective
arms around his wife and held her close. A sob escaped Helen’s lips and she
turned and buried her head in Nikki’s shoulder as fresh tears ran unchecked
down her cheeks. “It’s going to be OK, baby.” Nikki soothed her, gently
caressing her hair.
The police car drew to a halt outside Di Barker’s semi-detached
house. “You take the front and I’ll go round the back, Josie, just in case,”
Sergeant Bob Smith told the WPC beside him.
Josie Clarke gave her colleague enough time to reach the back door
before ringing the doorbell. She waited for what seemed an age then the door
was opened by a woman with dark curly hair and large vacant eyes. Josie flashed
her warrant card and what she hoped was her most winning smile. “Miss Barker?
I’m WPC Clarke may I come in, please.”
“It’s not really convenient now,” Di explained, then started to
close the door.
Josie put her foot against it. “This won’t take long, Miss Barker.
If you could just spare me a few minutes.”
“Let her come in, please, Miss Barker,” Bob Smith said gently as
he appeared through the kitchen doorway. “In here, Josie.”
Di looked from one to the other and reluctantly let Josie into the
house. Josie took Di’s arm and led her into the kitchen where a small boy was
sitting at the table eating a sandwich. “This is my son,” Di gabbled. “He’s
just having his tea then I’m going to take him to see his father.”
Bob crouched down beside the child. “Hello, son,” he said gently.
“What’s your name then?”
“Nicholas Angus Stewart,” came the proud reply and Bob and Josie
looked at each other triumphantly.
“No!” Di exclaimed frantically. “You can’t take him. He’s all I
have left of Dominic!”
The young policewoman came into the room, a broad smile on her
face, and touched Helen’s arm gently. “Miss Stewart, they’ve found your son.
He’s safe.”
Helen began laughing and crying all at the same time and hugged
Nikki to her. “Where is he?” she demanded.
“They found him at Miss Barker’s house. They’re just letting a
doctor check him over and then they’re bringing him home.”
Helen paced around the room, starting at every sound, every car
door slam. The doorbell rang and a smiling Bob and Josie entered each of them
holding onto one of Nicholas’s tiny hands. They watched with pleasure as he ran
forward into his mother’s waiting arms.
“Mummy, I had a ride in a police car,” he told Helen proudly.
Helen clung onto him raining kisses on his face until he grimaced and began
wiping them away. She looked up at Bob and Josie. “Thank you for bringing him
back to me.”
They smiled at her, acknowledging her thanks then turned and left
the room. Nikki followed them out into the hallway. “Did you find out why she
took him?” Bob looked at her, his eyes questioning her involvement. “I’m Nikki
Wade, I’m a friend of Helen’s…Miss Stewart’s.”
“Miss Barker seemed to be under the impression Nicholas’s father
was someone called Dominic. She said the child was all she had left to remember
him by. She mentioned you, Miss Wade. Said she’d seen the two of you together
and this Dominic had been killed because of you and Miss Stewart.”
Nikki shook her head bitterly. “If you check up, sergeant, you’ll
find there’s a bloody psycho called Dockley doing a life stretch for the murder
of Dominic McAllister.”
“Sorry, Miss,” Bob apologised. “Just telling you what I know.”
“Yeah, thanks, anyway.” She watched him go then turned to go back
in to Helen. Angus Stewart was standing in the hallway a look of hatred
directed at Nikki.
“What’s going on?” Anna demanded anxiously as she dashed into the
house. “Why are all these police cars here?”
Nikki took her gently by the shoulder. “There’s nothing to worry
about, Anna. Nicholas was abducted but they’ve got him back. He’s safe.”
“What happened? Who took him? Has he been hurt?” Anna fired
questions at her.
“He’s fine, Anna, I promise you. Someone Helen used to work with
at Larkhall held a grudge against her and tried to get back at her,” Nikki
explained.
“No, Miss Wade! My grandson was taken because of Helen’s
association with you,” Angus Stewart retorted angrily.
“Do you think I haven’t beaten myself up about that, Mr Stewart?”
Nikki replied dismally. “If I could have done anything to prevent it, I would
have. Do you honestly think I would let any harm come to either of them?”
“Nevertheless it did. Helen doesn’t need you in her life, Miss
Wade,” he said coldly. “She has her family. Why don’t you just leave her
alone?” He glared at her and then went back into the living room.
“He’s right,” she said softly to Anna. “Helen would be better off
without me. Ever since I’ve known her I’ve caused her nothing but trouble.
Maybe I should go away.”
Anna grabbed hold of her arm. “Take no notice of him, Nikki. He’s
only saying these things because he’s upset but it isn’t what Helen wants. She
loves you.”
Nikki shook her head. “No, Anna, she doesn’t and your father’s
right. I hurt everyone I come in contact with! First my family disown me, then
the copper, McAllister, Claire, all dead because of me!” she exclaimed
bitterly. “Helen lost her career because of me and if it hadn’t been for me,
Nicky wouldn’t have been taken. I love Helen too much to hurt her anymore.”
“Don’t you think walking out on her will hurt her?” Anna exclaimed
bitterly. She loved her sister and she knew how happy Nikki made her. “Nikki,
please, don’t do this to her,” she begged.
“I have to Anna. I’m sorry.” She turned and opened the front door.
“So, what do I tell Helen?” Anna demanded.
Nikki swallowed hard, tears almost blinding her as she spoke over
her shoulder. “Just tell her…tell her…’Shit happens!’ She’ll know what I mean.”
Then she was gone.
Helen was sitting on the settee stroking her sleeping son’s hair.
She looked up as Anna entered the living room. “Where’s Nikki?”
Anna looked accusingly at her father before replying. “Do you want
to tell her, Dad, or shall I?”
“Tell me what?” Helen demanded.
“Dad had a go at Nikki and told her to leave you alone,” Anna told
her. “She’s gone, Helen.”
“No! You had no right to send her away!” Helen exclaimed and ran
out into the hallway. “Where is she?”
“Helen, she’s gone,” Anna repeated coming up behind her. “She says
it’s her fault everything has gone wrong for you.”
Helen looked round her wildly. “Did she leave me a message or say
where she was going?”
Anna frowned as she gave her Nikki’s message. “She said to tell you…’Shit
happens!’ and you would know what she meant.”
Helen’s head jerked up at her words. “Yes, I know what she means
and I won’t let it happen again! I won’t! I’ve got to find her. I love her too
much to lose her again.”
Anna took hold of her arms. “Then you’ve got to tell her that,
Helen. She thinks you don’t love her.”
“I’ll tell her and this time I’ll make her believe me.” She hugged
Anna to her then went back into the living room.
“I won’t let you take my grandson after that woman,” Angus told
her angrily.
“You won’t let me!” Helen said incredulously trying to keep her
voice low so she didn’t wake Nicholas. “May I remind you, he’s my son and we
both love Nikki, so get used to that fact, Dad, if you want to see your
grandson again!”
“Helen, don’t say that,” her mother pleaded.
“I won’t stop you seeing him, Mum, but next to my son, Nikki is
the most important person in the world to me.” She took her mother’s hands,
silently pleading with her to understand. “Mum, I’m in love with her, I have
been for years, ever since we met at Larkhall. She’s the reason I couldn’t
marry Sean.”
“Do what you have to do, Helen,” her mother said kindly. “We’ll
stand by you.” She glared at her husband, daring him to contradict her.
It was late when Helen pulled up outside Barbara’s bungalow. She
knew if Nikki had gone anywhere it would be to Barbara’s and she was right
because Nikki’s car was in the driveway. She hadn’t dared ring Barbara to warn
her of her impending visit or Nikki might have bolted again. She lifted her son
and the bag she had hurriedly packed out of the car and rang the doorbell with
mounting trepidation.
“I’ll get it,” she heard Nikki call out to Barbara. Helen’s heart
sank at the frosty look on Nikki’s face when she opened the door. “Oh, Helen,
why did you have to come?” she said harshly.
“Hiya, Nikki. I’ve brought my bike.” Helen blessed her son for his
timely intervention.
Nikki’s face softened as she looked down at the small boy. “Come
on in then, Tiger. We’ll play with it in the morning. Barbara’s in the kitchen,
Helen, go on through. Here let me take that.” She took the bag from Helen,
taking care not to let their fingers touch, and dumped it on the bed in
Barbara’s other spare room.
“I hope you don’t mind us just dropping in, Barbara,” Helen said
apologetically.
“Helen, it’s always lovely to see you,” Barbara said sincerely as
she hugged her. “Nikki’s been telling me about this young man.” She ruffled
Nicholas’s hair. “I’m glad he’s safe.”
“Yeah, me too,” Helen agreed wearily. “But I couldn’t have got
through it without Nikki.” She looked at the tall woman and smiled. Nikki’s
stomach did a somersault as she met Helen’s eyes. She turned away abruptly and
straddled one of the kitchen chairs.
“Why don’t you make us a drink, Nikki, and I’ll put Nicholas to
bed?” Barbara suggested.
“I want Nikki to take me,” Nicholas said stubbornly.
“Why don’t you let your old Auntie Barbara take you?” the older
woman tried to coax him.
“No, Nikki!” His lips set in a firm line.
“Sorry…” Helen began but Nikki brushed her apologies aside. “It’s
OK. Come on, Tiger.”
“He really loves Nikki, doesn’t he?” Barbara commented to Helen
when they were alone.
Helen smiled sadly. “He’s not the only one.”
Barbara looked at her sympathetically. “Are things no better between
the two of you?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Barbara,” she replied dismally. “I thought they
were. I even told her about Nicky’s father earlier. I couldn’t believe how well
she took it then my Dad had to open his big mouth and drove her off.” She
sighed audibly. “I do know that if she hadn’t been there with me today, I
couldn’t have coped.”
“She’s loved you for so long, Helen, I can’t believe she’d just
walk away from you again,” Barbara said incredulously.
“You know what Nikki’s like, she has to take the guilt of the
world onto her own shoulders. She blames herself for everything that has gone
wrong in our lives. She’s so bloody unforgiving, she can’t even forgive
herself!” Helen exclaimed angrily.
“Maybe you should just take the bull by the horns and tell her
once and for all how you feel,” Barbara suggested. “Look, when she comes back,
I’ll go to bed and leave the two of you alone.”
“Thanks, Barbara.” Helen smiled at her affectionately. “You’ve
been a really good friend to the both of us.”
Barbara touched her hand gently. “As far as I’m concerned, you
three are the only family I’ve got and Nicholas is probably the closest I’m
going to get to a grandson.”
Nikki stuck her head around the kitchen door. “He’s almost asleep,
Helen. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you both in the morning. ‘Night.”
Helen looked at Barbara and shrugged resignedly. “Oh, well, as
Scarlett said, tomorrow is another day.”
“Nikki! Nikki!”
She woke with a start as Nicholas shook her shoulder. “What’s
wrong?” she asked sleepily.
“Mummy’s asleep. I want to get into bed with you.”
She smiled grimly and drew back the duvet. “Come on then. Get in.”
She was just dropping off to sleep again when he planted a wet kiss on her
cheek. “’Night, Nikki.” She resisted an urge to laugh hysterically. It was
going to be a long night. “’Night, kid,” she said softly and wrapped her arms
around him.