Page 43 of The Midnight Bakery
‘So, it’s still back at the bakery?’
She nodded.
‘Well then, we need to take a look. Find out what he wants and then work out what to do. Together.Ibelieve you, Frankie, and you’re not alone now, not any more.’
Relief flooded through her; relief, and something else too which brought heat flooding back into her cheeks. Before she could reply, however, he grinned.
‘Would you like something to eat? I’m starving and I’ve a slab of fruit cake if you’d like some? Shop-bought, I’m afraid, so not a patch on yours.’
‘No thanks,’ she said. It was an automatic reply, born out of years of being careful about what she ate. ‘You see! I can’t even decide whether I want cake or not. What I meant to say was, yes please, I’d love some cake.’ She tutted, cross with herself.
William grinned. ‘With cheese?’
‘Cheese?’
‘Wensleydale…it’s a surprisingly good combination.’
She stared at him, amused. ‘Okay, that’s completely weird, but cheese it is.’
23
Frankie
Hello Frances,
You’ll think I’ve been stalking you, hunting you down because for some reason you’ve got it in your head that I’m out to hurt you. But please believe me when I say that nothing is further from the truth.
I have obviously found out where you’re staying but only because there are things we need to resolve. You’ve made it very clear how you feel about our relationship and I’ll admit that made me more upset than I’ve ever been. I really thought we were good together. But I’m also not stupid and I can see that you have made your mind up – using your maiden name again is proof enough of that. However much I want you back, I know I also have to be realistic and see that it’s time for me to move on with my life.
That’s all I’m asking for, Frances, just a chance to put things right going forward, to be practical and make arrangements so that we can both begin again, properly. I love you so very much, and I hope you know I’ve only everwanted what was best for you. It breaks my heart to say it, but I can see now that we’re probably better off apart.
You know my number. Get in touch, and we can have a chat, that’s all, just a chat about where we go from here.
Much love,
Robert
William’s brows drew together, his lips working as he reread the letter for a second time.
‘It could be worse,’ he said. ‘Sorry, I know that’s not helpful, but at least he’s not threatening you.’
Frankie shook her head. ‘He’d never do that, not when there’s a chance that someone else could hear him or see what he’d written. That’s not the way he works. He’s always soreasonable…But what he’s written here is a pack of lies, William. His very first sentence gives away what he’s really done. Hehasstalked me, hunted me down. He draws attention to the very thing he’s guilty of and then refutes it, makes it sound crazy, like it’s something which could only have come from the mind of someone unhinged. Don’t you see that?’
She stared at him in exasperation, but to her surprise, he nodded.
‘I don’t know Robert,’ he said. ‘But you do. You’ve lived with his behaviour for years, so if you say that’s what he’s doing then I accept what you say.’
‘He’s looking for a way in – just a chat – it sounds so casual, but that’s how he works. If I meet him, he’ll be charm itself – friendly, complimentary – he’ll make me believe that I’m in control, and then he’ll slowly take it away.’
‘Except that now you know what he’s like, you won’t fall into that trap again.’
‘But what if I do, William? I’m scared. It happened before. I fell victim to his behaviour for well over twenty years. Whichever part of me allowed that to happen is still within me.’
‘And so is the part which worked out what was happening and fought back.’ He studied her face. ‘Plus, correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t the weapons he used on you dependent on one thing – your desire to please him? Not because you were weak,’ he added quickly, ‘but because you loved him. That’s no longer the case, surely?’
Frankie shook her head several times. ‘I hate him,’ she said. ‘I hate him for what he’s done to me. For taking half my life and making it his.’
‘Then you’ll be fine,’ replied William. And suddenly, for the first time in a long time, Frankie felt she might be.
