‘Happy now?’she enquired, handing the cigarette back to her date.
‘Delirious,’ he replied, gazing affectionately at her, as his hand came to rest on her hip, his thumb running gently over the silky sheen of her nightshirt.‘You?’
Surprised by the question, Helen hesitated before answering.It was not something she had ever had time to ponder before, her hectic work-life affording her no time for introspection.But now, freed from her obligations, the possibilities seemed boundless.She could smoke drugs, she could spend long evenings making love in expensive hotel rooms, she could be happy.She could even fall for someone, a luxury she’d never afforded herself.
‘I’m doing pretty good,’ Helen responded, shrugging casually.‘Nothing special, but good enough …’
It was a blatant tease and Christopher responded immediately, a frown creasing his features, as he stubbed the joint out into an empty glass.
‘And what would it take to make you truly happy, Helen Grace?’he asked, as his hand slid up her side, brushing against her breast.
Helen said nothing, as his thumb strayed to her nipple.A shiver of pleasure rippled through her and she leaned into him, her lips seeking out his, enjoying his hot, smoky breath.She could sense his desire, his lust enveloping them both and, without warning, he reared up, flipping Helen onto her back.Now it was his turn to bear down on her, kissing her fiercely, but Helen had been expecting this move and used his downward momentum to her advantage, rolling hard to the left to divert him ontohisback.Surprised, Christopher tried to protest, but he knew it was hopeless, that he was beaten.Helen wanted him, another wave of pleasure pulsing through her as she descended upon her lover, but it had to be on her terms.Her world was changing, her life in flux, but she still liked to be in control.
Some habits die hard.
Chapter 3
She sprinted down the darkened street as if her life depended upon it.
Bursting out of the shabby alleyway moments earlier, Selima had been horrified to find that the quiet residential street was deserted, not a soul around at this late hour.For a moment, she was flummoxed – she’d been so sure she’d find salvation here – but there was no time for delay, with her pursuers so close behind.Instinctively she darted left down the street, tearing along the pavement.Selima was young, fit and desperate – surely this combination would propel her to freedom, away from the awful nightmare that had consumed her for the past two years?Yet the remorseless footsteps behind reminded her that danger was close at hand, that her tormentors would not give up until they had her in their clutches once more.
Adrenaline coursing through her, Selima upped her speed, straining every sinew to put some distance between herself and her pursuers.Up ahead, she could see traffic lights, a crossroads, cars speeding by.It was a hundred feet away, maybe a little more, but it would take her less than a minute to reach it.Once there, she could throw herself in front of a car, risking all to get someone’s attention.It would be desperate, dangerous, but presumably her captors would think twice before attackingher in front of dozens of witnesses?Surely she could rely on the good hearts of the passing motorists?True, she’d received no kindness, no generosity since she set foot in this blighted country, but the ordinary people of Southampton were surely as decent and caring as anyone else?For her sake, she hoped so.
From nowhere, a hand snatched at her trailing arm.Yelping in fear, Selima realized that Naz was nearly on top of her, his breathless curses echoing in her ear.Terrified, she darted to her right, leaving the pavement and slipping between two cars into the road.Surprised by this move, Naz hesitated, earning Selima precious breathing space as she tore towards the crossroads ahead.She was now only fifty yards away and if she could maintain her speed, she was sure she’d get there first.
To her immense relief, a vehicle now swung into the road ahead, dazzling her with its headlights.It was coming directly towards her and she waved her hands wildly above her head, desperately trying to attract the driver’s attention.
‘Help me!Pleasestop…’
Her voice was shrill and cracked, but it seemed to have an effect, the vehicle screeching to a halt just in front of her.Relieved, Selima slowed down, thanking the heavens for her good fortune.But as the headlights flicked off and the shape of the vehicle became clear, Selima’s hopes turned to ashes.It wasn’t a passing car, or even a police vehicle.It was the white van.Naz’s partner in crime had cut off her escape route.Even now, he was climbing out of the cab, as his ally closed in from behind.
‘Min xilas bike, Xudan…’
Selima whispered the prayer to herself as she scanned the street for any means of escape.And to her surprise her desperate plea appeared to be answered, the terrified fugitive spotting a cut-through directly to her right, leading away from the street.Selima didn’t hesitate, peeling off to the right, even as Nazlunged at her once more.This time his fingers gained purchase, grasping the soft fabric of her top, but wrenching her arm free, Selima sprinted on, seeking the sanctuary of the alleyway.
She stumbled, bouncing off the walls in her desperation to escape.She could hear two sets of footsteps behind her now and laboured to stay ahead of their rage.The alleyway was littered with rubbish, but hurdling the detritus, she made it to the end, spilling out into the night air once more.A new vista opened up in front of her, but it was scarcely more appealing.In her desperation to escape, Selima had left the city streets behind, only to run straight into a shopping parade.During the daytime, this place would have been bustling, but at this late hour, the shops were closed, the metal security grilles down.She was trapped.Moreover, she was alone.
Or was she?As she pushed deeper into the lonely precinct, she spotted something up ahead.Something that made her heart soar.It was a light.No, more than that – it was a shop!As Selima broke into a sprint, her eyes fixed on the kebab sign glowing in the darkness, beckoning late-night revellers.She wasn’t sure if it was still open, or if she’d be welcome there, but Selima sensed that if she could just make it to the sanctuary of this late-night eatery, she would be safe.
Swallowing her fear, Selima raced towards the light.
Chapter 4
Helen looked out over the city, entranced by the twinkling lights below.The hotel had been Christopher’s choice and she approved.The Mayflower was a new boutique hotel on the fringes of Watts Park, whose penthouse suites commanded magnificent views over Southampton.The vista was particularly beguiling at night when the cityscape came alive, a mass of sparkling whites, yellows and reds.Helen could have stood for hours watching the cars, the late-night revellers, wondering where they were going, who they were with, what pleasures awaited them.
Tugging the fluffy bathrobe around her, Helen couldn’t deny that shewascontent.Happiness had always been a relative concept for her.It wasn’t something she’d had much experience of, nor was it something she expected.But despite the questions about her future that continued to trouble her and the guilt she felt about abandoning Charlie and her colleagues at Southampton Central, she couldn’t deny that therewereelements of her new life that she enjoyed.The time to be herself, to explore new things, to make a stab at having a proper, functioning relationship.Her liaison with Christopher was still in its early days, but the dating app algorithm that had paired them seemed to know its stuff.They were of similar age, had a background inlaw enforcement and both enjoyed the occasional retreat from the world, usually in an upmarket hotel.Helen knew her funds wouldn’t last forever, that at some point she would have to think about future employment, but for now at least she was content to savour the moment.
Pressing her head to the glass, Helen allowed her gaze to wander over Southampton, seeking out new diversions.Christopher was in the shower, meaning she had a moment’s solitude to savour.Smiling, her eyes moved back and forth, like a prison search light, seeking signs of life.
Then she spotted something that immediately set her nerves on edge.Maybe a hundred feet below, in a gloomy shopping parade, a young woman was sprinting at full pelt, casting frequent looks behind her.Instinctively, Helen pressed closer to the glass.What on earth was this woman doing in that deserted spot so late at night?And who was she running away from?
Moments later, Helen had her answer, two burly figures coming into view, racing after the fleeing woman.Helen’s body tensed, a host of unwelcome questions pulsing through her mind.Why were they chasing her?And what did they intend to do if they caught her?Helen found herself whispering encouragement to the fugitive, urging the young woman to stay ahead of her pursuers and now, to her enormous relief, she saw the woman reach a kebab takeaway, the only establishment still open.Helen watched intently as the woman disappeared inside.Her luck was out, however, her two pursuers following her in, before dragging her out onto the concourse.As she fought to free herself from their clutches, a man appeared in the shop doorway, wearing a chef’s apron over a bright pink t-shirt, but he made no move to intervene, remaining frozen to the spot.
Helen’s heart was hammering in her chest.Surely the takeaway owner would get involved?Or at least call the police?But to herhorror, he did nothing, watching on impassively as the two thugs threw the poor woman to the ground.Immediately, their victim scrambled to her knees, clasping her hands together, imploring them for mercy.But they were clearly not the forgiving type, Helen gasping as one of them pulled what looked like a bicycle chain from his jacket pocket.Was Helen imagining she heard a cry, the woman shrieking out in fear and desperation?Either way, her terror did not save her, the man bringing the chain down on her with all his might.
Helen was already on the move, sprinting towards the door as Christopher emerged from the bathroom, towelling his hair.
‘Hey!Where’s the fire?’he cried, as she surged past him.
