Page 40 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘I had no choice but to do that. It was the only way —’ Jen stopped mid-sentence, suddenly remembering Sam’s presence.
Jen and Kate turned to look at Sam, who’d risen to leave. His face was dark with anger. ‘The only way you could leave him? Jesus, Jen, you should have picked up the phone. I’d have been there, as would any of your brothers, or sisters for that matter.’
Jen blushed, embarrassed that she’d revealed so much in front of him. ‘It wasn’t that simple.’
‘Doesn’t sound like it. But you’re shot of him now?’
It didn’t look as if he was going anywhere until he’d had his answer.
She nodded, and he relaxed. ‘At least I hope so.’
His lips thinned. ‘I see.’ He raked his fingers through his hair and turned to face Kate. ‘Look, I’ll go around the house and make a few notes on the most urgent repairs and then we can talk. How about I come and see you again in a few days? I’ve got something on tomorrow, and then I can get some costings in.’
Kate rose to her feet. ‘Thank you, Sam. I’d appreciate that.’
‘Right, I’ll get on with it.’
As soon as Sam left the room, Jen groaned and put her head in her hands.
Kate patted Jen’s hair. ‘Sam’s a good man, and a strong one,’ said Kate, turning to Jen. ‘And he’s still in love with you.’
Jen shook her head. ‘No —’
‘Yes, he is, so be kind to him. He took it hard when you left.’
Jen blinked, her eyes wide. This was news to her. ‘But —’
Before she could finish her sentence, a high-pitched scream rang out, and Jen rushed inside the house.
‘Liam?’ she called out.
Liam came charging down the stairs, clutching something in his hand, still crying out for her. He slammed into her arms while she was in the hall.
‘What is it, Liam?’ She brushed back the hair from his face and bobbed down to his level. ‘Liam, tell me, what’s happened?’
But the shrieking continued.
‘I think I happened,’ said Sam from the top of the stairs.
She held Liam while he burst into loud sobs. She looked up to Sam. ‘You happened?’
‘Yes, I didn’t realise. I’m sorry. I went into the attic bedroom because I wanted to see if the broken guttering had created a leak. I didn’t realise he was there, or else I’d have knocked. I’m sorry.’
‘It’s OK. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t do anything.’
She leaned her cheek against the top of Liam’s head and held him tight. It was the only thing that ever made him stop when he started on one of these hysterical outbursts. The only thing that would ever reassure him he was safe from his father. In the shadowy bedroom, Liam must have mistaken Sam for Alistair, although they looked nothing alike.
‘I’ll go,’ said Sam as Liam continued to cry. He came down the stairs and opened the front door. ‘I’ll see you later.’
Jen nodded before turning back to Liam, as the front door closed behind Sam.
‘What can I do?’ asked Kate.
‘Nothing. It just takes time. I’d hoped he wouldn’t be like this here, but…’
Kate patted Jen’s arm. ‘And he won’t be. As you say, he needs time. And we have a lot of that. You hold him and comfort him while I make us some lunch.’
Jen did exactly that, curled up on the window seat with Liam as Kate switched on some soothing classical music and moved calmly around the kitchen. Slowly, the order and routine that surrounded Liam seemed to penetrate whatever chaos was going on in his mind, and his crying eased. But still she continued to hold him, wondering if they’d ever be free of the legacy of fear her husband had inflicted on them both.
