Mission (Aftermath #1)

3. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Katie

P hoebe’s perched on a kitchen chair, swinging her legs under the table. She’s humming to herself between bites of cereal, a tune she probably picked up at school. Her cheeks are still flushed from recapping yesterday’s excitement. She loved her birthday party.

“Can I have more juice, Mummy?” she asks, holding up her empty cup.

“Of course, Love.” I take the carton from the counter and pour her another small glass. “Not too much though. You’ve already had two.”

“Okay.” She takes a sip, then looks up at me, her big, serious eyes locking onto mine. Dark eyes that look so much like Will’s and nothing like my pale blue ones. “Why didn’t Daddy call me?”

The question hits like a punch to the stomach. I freeze for a moment, the juice carton in mid-air, before I set it down on the table. She’s been so cheerful this morning, and I’d been hoping—stupidly, perhaps—that she wouldn’t still think about it. But of course, she did. Phoebe doesn’t forget anything .

I sit down beside her, trying to keep my expression calm, casual. “Well, sweetheart, sometimes Daddy gets called to places where there isn’t any internet or phone signal. You know how his job is.”

I’ve explained to Phoebe that Will’s job involves a lot of travelling, which is why he can’t always be there when she wants to see him. But she still keeps asking all the time. What I haven’t told her is the reality of his work. As a security risk specialist, he’s often sent to war zones and other dangerous places, where he faces serious risks to protect the corporate clients or NGOs that rely on him. I don’t want to worry her with those details; she’s too young to understand the implications of it. For her it's simple, all she really wants is to have her dad around.

Phoebe frowns, poking at the last of her cereal with her spoon. “But he promised he’d call. He always calls on my birthday.”

I force a smile. “I’m sure he wanted to. He’s probably just somewhere far away, helping people. Daddy’s very good at that, isn’t he?”

She nods slowly, but her bottom lip juts out just a little. “I miss him.”

“I know, Love,” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “He misses you too.”

The truth is, I don’t know if that’s why Will didn’t call. I tell myself the same thing I just told Phoebe—he’s somewhere without signal, or his work kept him too busy. But a nagging voice in the back of my mind won’t let it go.

Last night, after Phoebe fell asleep clutching the little snow globe he sent her, I tried calling him. Just to... check. But the call didn’t even ring—it was cut off immediately. It’s not the first time that’s happened, and I know it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. Still, the hollow sound of that dead line kept me awake half the night.

I shake my head, pushing the thought away. Will’s been doing this for years. He’s careful. He knows what he’s doing. Doesn’t mean I don’t worry, though. It’s not like I ever stopped worrying, even after the divorce.

Phoebe pushes her bowl toward me, done with breakfast. “Can we go to the park today?” she asks, her face already brightening at the thought.

“Maybe,” I say, standing to clear the table. “If the rain holds off. Why don’t you go get dressed, and we’ll see?”

She hops off her chair, her little pig tails flying as she scurries to her room. I stand at the sink, rinsing dishes, trying to focus on the sound of water running instead of the uneasy knot in my stomach.

I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. Will’s been in places ten times more dangerous than Tajikistan, and he always comes back in one piece. But something about last night feels... different. I think about how he always tries, no matter what, to call Phoebe on her birthday. Even if it’s just for a few minutes. He wouldn’t break that promise unless he had no choice.

I dry my hands, staring out the window at the grey sky. I should let it go. Worrying won’t change anything. But my mind drifts back to him anyway—his voice, his laugh, the way he used to look at me like I was the only thing that mattered. I told myself I stopped loving him when I signed the divorce papers, but sometimes, in moments like this, I’m not so sure.

I pull myself together as Phoebe’s voice echoes from the hallway. “Mummy, can you help me with my zip? ”

“Coming!” I call back, grabbing a tea towel to dry the last dish. Whatever’s going on with Will, I’ll deal with it later. Right now, Phoebe needs me. And that’s all that matters. For now.

The sun is warm on my face as I sit on the park bench, watching Phoebe pump her little legs on the swings. Her hair glows in the sunlight, turning the dark shade a little lighter. Her laughter rings out over the playground.

“Mummy, look how high I’m going!” she calls out with a big grin on her face.

“You’re flying, sweetheart!” I laugh out loud.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, startling me. I pull it out, frowning at the name on the screen: Aaron. Will’s business partner. I swipe to answer, my heart already thudding.

“Aaron?” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “What’s going on?”

There’s a pause, and I can hear him breathe, like he’s bracing himself. “Katie,” he says finally, his tone careful. “I need to tell you something, but first—you need to know that Will is alive. Do you understand? He’s alive.”

The bench feels like it tilts beneath me. “What happened?” I manage, my voice tight.

“There was an accident,” Aaron says. “A landslide. The truck he was in got swept off the road. He’s seriously injured, but stable. They’re arranging a medevac now with the insurance company. He’ll be back in London tonight. ”

The words hit like a sledgehammer. My stomach twists, and my grip on the phone tightens. “How bad?” I ask, barely recognising my own voice. “How serious are his injuries?”

“I don’t have all the details yet,” Aaron replies. “They said he took a bad hit to his back and pelvis. He’s stable, but that’s all I know. We’ll have a clearer picture once he’s here.”

I close my eyes, the world spinning despite the peacefulness of the sunny park around me. Relief and fear crash over me in waves. He’s alive, but the thought of him lying somewhere, hurt and alone—it’s unbearable.

“Okay,” I say shakily, trying to keep my composure. “Thank you for letting me know.”

Aaron pauses again before speaking, his voice softer now. “Katie, you’re still listed as his emergency contact. That’s why I am calling you. GHHI is coordinating with me and the insurance company.”

My chest tightens at those words, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s been four years and he still has me has his emergency contact. He trusts me to be his safety net.

I glance at Phoebe, who’s still soaring high on the swings, her laughter bubbling over the playground.

“I want to see him in the hospital. Let me know where they take him,” I demand.

“Sure,” Aaron says. “I’ll call you as soon as I know when he’s landing. Just... be ready.”

I nod, though he can’t see me, and we hang up. The phone feels heavy in my hand as I stare out at the bright, perfect day. No matter how warm the sun is, it can’t touch the cold fear in me