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  “Thanks, Mai.”

  Now he had to figure out how else to help Alyse. Would it be creepy if he hung out at the emergency department in case she arrived for those painkillers? Yeah, that was leaning into stalker territory and he didn’t want to scare her.

  He dialled her number again and a man’s gruff voice demanded, “What?”

  Mark. His heart pounded. What name had Alyse put his number under? “This is John from Beatrice’s Beekeeping Supplies. I’m ringing to confirm an order with, ah…” he paused as if he was checking paperwork. “Alyse Wilson.”

  “She’s not available.”

  Why not? What had Mark done? Keeping his tone light he said, “Could you ask her to call me back?”

  “Yeah.” Mark hung up.

  Mai stared at him. “Beatrice’s Beekeeping Supplies?”

  “It’s the name Alyse saved my number under. Mark answered the phone.”

  “Kim, I know you care for her, but you’ve got to be careful.” The worry in her voice tempered his annoyance.

  “I will be.” He finished making the rolls and his phone rang. Alyse.

  He hesitated. What if it was Mark calling back, checking the number? He cleared his throat. “Beatrice’s Beekeeping Supplies, John speaking.”

  A grunt and then the dial tone.

  He breathed out and went into Alyse’s contact details and changed them so they read John, Beatrice’s Beekeeping Supplies.

  “Kim?” Mai asked.

  “Mark called me back.”

  “Crap. I don’t like this at all.”

  Neither did he. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” But he’d leave before she kept on about it. “I’ll catch you later.” He kissed her cheek and walked out.

  Maybe Mark was slightly smarter than Kim had given him credit for.

  Chapter 8

  “Alyse!”

  She flinched at Mark’s yell and whirled around, heart pounding. He strode into her work room, taking up all the space with his large frame. So much for being at his mother’s all day. Just as well she’d left further snooping until she had a response from the accountant. She swallowed. “Mark. I wasn’t expecting you back so soon.”

  “Mum wants me to take you to the doctor.”

  Right. Well it was nice someone in the Patton family cared. Her phone rang and Mark took it from the table and answered.

  She’d held out her hand.

  “She’s not available.” Mark hung up.

  “Who was that?” She only received business calls on her phone.

  “Beatrice’s Beekeeping Supplies,” he said. “I don’t remember ordering from them.”

  She gaped. Kim. Thank God he’d remembered what she’d put as his contact name. “It’s a new place,” she said. “They contacted me and I told them I’d trial some of their stuff.”

  Mark grunted.

  Alyse reached for her phone, her heart pounding. “Can I have it back now?”

  He didn’t answer, just pressed a couple of buttons and held it to his ear. He was calling Kim back. She held her breath, waiting for the explosion. She was so screwed.

  Instead, Mark grunted again and hung up, scowling as if insulted. He tossed the phone at her. “You should ring them back.”

  She nodded. “I will, but I don’t want to hold you up. Shall we go to the doctor now?”

  Mark’s phone rang and after a moment of conversation he hung up. “Something’s come up. You’ll have to take yourself.” Without waiting for her response, he walked out.

  That was close. Too close. She waited until his car started before she moved, her legs jelly at the near miss. What if Mark made her put the call on speaker next time? She had to create a code with Kim in case.

  She hugged herself, trying to calm her rapid heartbeat. Her work room was too small, too confining. She hated how Mark could sneak up on her, trap her in there. Who was she kidding? She was trapped anywhere she went.

  Alyse left the shed as Mark drove out of the property and then called Kim back. His perky ‘Beatrice’s Beekeeping Supplies,’ made her smile. “I can’t believe you remembered what I put you in as.”

  Kim sighed. “I nearly didn’t. He rang back didn’t he?”

  “Yeah. Listen if I ever call and say, ‘It’s Alyse Wilson here’ it means he’s listening in.”

  “Got it.” A pause. “Aly, is all this necessary? Can’t you kick him out? I’ll protect you.”

  If only it was that simple. “Please trust me.” Could she even ask that of him? “I mean, I know we don’t really know each other anymore, but—”

  “I trust you.”

  At the faith in his words she stopped, closed her eyes, acknowledging the almost overwhelming relief flooding through her. “Thank you.”

  “The reason I was calling was I spoke to Adam. He wants to know whether you’ll talk to the police.”

  She frowned. “What about?”

  “Mark. Not just about the abuse, but about whatever illegal stuff he’s doing.”

  Her muscles clenched. She should have known Kim would go straight to the police. “I don’t know details, it’s safer that way.” She stopped outside her garden gate. Better not go inside while she spoke to Kim. Here no one could sneak up and listen in.

  “Is he embezzling from you? Is that why you need a new accountant?”

  Kim wouldn’t let this go. If she told him more, would he be more or less inclined to leave her be?

  “Aly, talk to me. You used to confide in me at the markets. Remember when you told me you’d let Tina cheat off you so she passed her test? I never told a soul.”

  This was far more important. She stared at Mark’s hideous man cave, a blight on her property. She had to start trusting sometime. “Promise me you won’t tell a soul.”

  He cleared his throat. “What about Adam?”

  “Not even Adam, not yet.”

  She bit her lip. Maybe she was a fool to trust Kim. People changed a lot in three years. Just look at her.

  “All right, Aly.”

  She walked away from the house, needing distance as if her parents could overhear her confession. “Mark’s been laundering money through my accounts,” she said. “I don’t know where the money’s coming from but a couple of years ago when I tried to throw him out, he told me the apiary was tied up in all of his businesses.”

  Kim swore and she continued.

  “He said he would go to the police, blame it all on me and I’d go to jail.”

  “So that’s why you didn’t leave.” Kim’s understanding soothed her.

  It had been more than that. Mark had broken her ribs and told her she would never be free of him, he’d chase her down if she ran. The following week he told her all the places she’d been, and who she’d talked to, to prove he could get to her wherever she was. She’d been terrified. “Yeah. But I can’t keep living like this, Kim. Better I go to jail for something I didn’t do, then live here with him.”

  “Let me talk to Adam. Even if some evidence points to you, they might be able to promise you immunity for turning Mark in.”

  It was too much to hope for. But even though she’d been planning to go to the police, she wasn’t ready yet. “Wait until the accountant emails me back,” she said. “I want to know how bad it is first.” Her skin prickled. It was all happening too fast.

  “What if I put it to Adam hypothetically?”

  She’d had enough of being pushed around. “No, Kim. You promised.” A movement by her beehives made her look up, her heart racing. Zamira and Jeremy’s dog, Fetch walked towards her. She sighed. “I’ve got to go. Zamira’s here.”

  “Call me as soon as you hear from the accountant,” Kim ordered.

  She stiffened. She wouldn’t be ordered around by him. Instead of answering, she hung up.

  Her body ached, so she waited for Zamira to come to her.

  “Morning!” Zamira chirped. “I thought I’d stop by and see how you were. I heard you were hurt.”

  Alyse sighed. She wasn’t
hiding anymore. “Yes.”

  Zamira’s expression was sympathetic and she gently hugged Alyse. “What can I do for you?”

  All of a sudden it was all too much. Too many people wanting to help, too much pain, too much stress wondering about where Mark was and if he’d be back soon. She didn’t want this lovely woman bearing the brunt of Mark’s wrath.

  She stepped away, tears welling in her eyes. “You can go. You can get as far away from me as possible. It’s not safe for you.”

  Zamira hesitated. “But you need help.”

  Alyse shook her head, her vision blurred. “No. Not from you. You don’t even know me.”

  The woman reached out and touched Alyse’s arm. “I’d like to get to know you.”

  “Why?” Alyse cried. “Why would you care about some messed up woman who allows herself to be beaten by the man who’s supposed to love her?”

  The compassion in Zamira’s eyes made Alyse’s heart clench. “Because you need help. Besides,” she smiled, “we’re neighbours, and I’d like to make some friends.”

  Sobs wrenched Alyse’s chest, sending pain through her body. It was too much. She’d been alone for too long.

  “Please let me help you.”

  She shook her head. “Mark will hurt you.”

  Zamira scowled. “I’m tougher than I look and I’m not alone. Jeremy supports me and his friends support him. They’ll help you too.”

  Why would no one understand how dangerous Mark was? Or maybe she feared him because she’d been fearing him for years. Perhaps his reach wasn’t as far as she believed. How she wanted to latch onto Zamira and hold on.

  Zamira stepped closer, wrapped her arm around Alyse’s shoulders. “You’re not alone anymore.”

  The softly spoken words broke Alyse, and she turned into Zamira’s arms and sobbed.

  ***

  Physical pain stabbed Alyse every time she sobbed. She fought to stop, swallowing hard, breathing slowly and shallowly. Zamira rubbed her back and the comforting touch made Alyse sob harder. She stepped away, held up a hand for Zamira to give her a minute. As she regained control, embarrassment flooded her. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and sniffed. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Zamira moved closer. “You look like you’re in pain. Have you seen a doctor?”

  “I was going today.”

  “Let me take you. Jeremy’s at home and I can use his ute.”

  She was tempted. It would be far easier if she didn’t have to drive herself. “Shouldn’t you both be at work?”

  Zamira smiled. “I don’t start until next week, so Jeremy cleared his schedule to help me settle in.”

  Guilt hit her. Zamira probably didn’t even know her way around town. She should be spending time with her partner, not trying to help someone as pathetic as Alyse. “I’ll be fine. I can drive myself.”

  “Don’t be silly. You’re in no state. I’ll take Fetch home and then pick you up.”

  Fetch had finished exploring the overgrown garden and sat by Zamira’s feet.

  If Zamira left, it would give Alyse time to go. That way running into Mark or any of his friends in town wouldn’t be an issue. No way was he at his mother’s. The phone call had to have been business related. She nodded at Zamira and walked with her towards the main drive.

  Zamira frowned. “On second thoughts, I might get Jeremy to bring the ute over. It will be quicker. You need decent painkillers.” She phoned Jeremy.

  Alyse’s shoulders slumped. Arguing was exhausting. If Zamira wanted to help, she’d let her this once. And if they went straight to the doctor, hopefully no one would see them together.

  When Zamira hung up, Alyse said, “I’ll get my keys.”

  She didn’t ask Zamira into the house. Didn’t want anyone to see the masculine hell-hole it had become. She retrieved her keys and bag and by the time she returned, Jeremy was driving into her property. He waved as he got out. “Hey, Alyse. How’s things?”

  “Fine.”

  Fetch trotted to his owner and Jeremy ruffled his head. As Alyse moved towards the ute, he asked, “You still got your van?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Might be better if you take that,” he said. “A friend cracked his ribs a few years ago and he said getting into cars was far harder than into something bigger like a van or four-wheel drive.”

  Good idea. She’d had to use Mark’s ute yesterday because he refused to be seen in something with the apiary advertising on the side. She glanced at Zamira. “You OK driving a van?”

  She nodded.

  Jeremy walked them to the shed. “Need me to come with you?” He towered over her, boxing her in against the van. She recoiled. He was as big as Mark. “No.” She forced a smile. “Thanks for the offer.” She handed Zamira the keys and slipped past him to the passenger seat. He was right. Getting in was a lot easier.

  As Zamira drove, Alyse asked, “How did you and Jeremy meet?”

  Zamira pursed her lips. “How much do you know about what happened at Henk’s?”

  “Only that he was arrested for something to do with migrants.”

  She nodded. “My cousin was one of those migrants,” she said. “After the dormitory burned down, she called me and I came to Blackbridge to find her. I went to Jeremy’s place by mistake and then I kept bumping into him. He agreed to help me find my cousin and prove what Henk was doing was illegal.”

  “You must have made an impression on him.”

  Zamira blushed. “The feeling was mutual. I was so comfortable with him and I couldn’t help falling in love.”

  Comfortable. It wasn’t a word she associated with being in love, but it made sense. Why would you want to spend a lifetime with someone who made you nervous, or where you couldn’t be yourself? She’d always been comfortable with Kim.

  Zamira parked at the hospital. “Is Fleur back from her honeymoon yet?”

  “I don’t know.” She wasn’t up to date with the current news in town. But she should be at Mark’s doctor not here.

  Screw Mark. The doctor would send her to the hospital for x-rays anyway, so she was saving herself a trip. They walked into the emergency room. “What can I help you with?” the triage nurse, Tim asked.

  “I’m worried my ribs are broken.”

  “All right, let me get some details and I’ll take you through.” Tim recorded Alyse’s information and then took Alyse and Zamira out the back to an examination cubicle. A child lay on one of the other beds in the room, a sling on his arm. The child’s mother sat next to the bed.

  Poor cherub.

  Tim closed the curtain to give them some privacy and then asked, “What happened?”

  Alyse’s throat closed over. Now she was here, it was difficult to form the words. Would the hospital report it? Zamira squeezed her hand.

  She’d come this far.

  “My partner was jealous on Saturday night. He punched me multiple times and when I fell on the ground, he kicked me.” She pulled up her jacket to show the purpling bruises on her stomach and chest.

  Tim hissed out a breath. “Let me get the doctor.” He left the cubicle and Zamira sat next to her. “Do you have much work over the next few weeks?”

  “I need to make new equipment and investigate the spring hive sites, make sure there are no issues there.”

  “What kind of issues?”

  Her shoulders relaxed. Talking about her bees was better than anticipating the doctor’s reaction. “Ants are the worst. Sometimes they take over an area, so I need to switch sites. Then I check none of the plants have grown so high that they’ll affect the hives.”

  “How often do you move them?”

  “A few times a year. They need to be near where the plants are flowering. The bees only travel about five kilometres from the hive.”

  Tim arrived back with the doctor. She gently prodded the area and Alyse grimaced at the pain.

  “I’ll get you some pain meds, but first we need to do an x-ray,” the doctor said. “I can get you a
wheelchair, but it might be easier for you to walk.”

  “I can walk.”

  “Tim will take you through.”

  Alyse followed Tim into the x-ray room where they met the radiographer. When the scans were done, they returned to the cubicle.

  “I’ll get the doctor.” Tim walked away.

  “Do you want to get a coffee after this?” Zamira asked.

  Alyse’s phone rang. Mark. It was as if he had a sixth sense for when she was disobeying him. Did he know where she was? She swallowed and then answered.

  “Why haven’t you been to the doctor yet?” he demanded. “I told him you’d be right there. He’s waiting for you.”

  Relief filled her. He didn’t know. “Sorry,” she said. “I got distracted. I’ll call and tell him I won’t be long.” But she couldn’t get coffee with Zamira. It would be too dangerous for them both.

  “Do that. He’s doing you a favour.” Mark hung up.

  She returned her phone to her pocket.

  “Mark?” Zamira guessed.

  “Yeah. He told me to go to the family doctor to get pain medication. Can you take me there when we’re done?”

  “Why?”

  Alyse lowered her voice. “Mark won’t like that I came here.” She gestured to her stomach. “It’s not worth angering him.”

  Realisation crossed Zamira’s face. “Of course.”

  The doctor returned.

  “There’s some nasty bruising, but your ribs aren’t cracked, and there are no internal injuries,” she said. “I’ll give you some pills for the pain, but there’s nothing else I can do. Do you need a doctor’s certificate for work?”

  “I work for myself.” She took the prescription the doctor handed her.

  “I understand your partner did this to you,” the doctor said.

  Alyse nodded.

  “You should report it to the police.” She handed Alyse some brochures for domestic violence help centres. “Do you want me to call them?”

  “No.” Not yet.

  The doctor looked like she wanted to say more, but then sighed. “You’re free to go.”

  Alyse followed Zamira back to the van.

  “Where to next?” Zamira asked.

  “The doctor’s surgery on the main street. You can probably find parking at the bakery. Do you know where that is?”