28. Roar
28
ROAR
We return to the hotel, and relief washes over me, though I still feel like I’m quaking in my boots. My new sisters—and I’ll never get tired of saying that—rush over. The look on Ginny’s face says it all. “Are you okay?”
Sadie rests a comforting hand on my shoulder. This surprises me, after all, my appearance came as a bit of a shock to her this morning. “What happened at the station?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before recounting the experience. “It was scary.”
“We gave our statements,” Aydin explains, his voice calm and reassuring. “They arrested Heath.”
“What will happen to him?”
“Likely they will put him on the next plane out of here.”
My parents are both on their phones, engrossed in tense conversations. But the moment they spot me, they rush over and pull me into a tight hug.
“What were you doing with that man, Saffy?” My mother whispers urgently. “Don’t you know about him?”
“Know what?”
Her arms tighten around me, her grip firm and protective. “He’s trouble. Trouble with a capital ‘T’.”
“I know he is.”
Ginny reaches out and gently takes our mother’s hand. “Give her a moment to catch her breath, Mum.”
Did my sister just call her Mum?
More progress.
I try to smile, but it falters halfway. “I’m really sorry for ruining Christmas for everyone.”
“What’s Christmas without a good old-fashioned row?” Nate says, proudly showing off his blackening eye like it’s a medal. “Besides, me and the boys were more than happy to put him in his place.”
The Boys!
Nate, Deniz, Aydin, and even Kaan are all grinning like they’ve just won a prize fight.
I manage a small laugh, feeling the tension in my chest loosen just a bit. “My heroes.”
The idea that I’m even in a room with all these people seems like a dream but the fact that they were prepared to go to war for me when they’ve only just met me is overwhelming and I burst into tears. “Thank you.”
Ginny envelops me in a tight hug. “We’ve got you.”
Despite his quiet demeanour my father can be quite terrifying when he wants to be and the scowl on his face right now is possibly scarier than the police station. “I think you and I need to have a little chat about what you’ve gotten yourself involved in, young lady.”
“I should have said something when I found out.” My mother sighs, a deep, weary sound that seems to carry the weight of a thousand regrets. “I’m sorry I didn’t.”
“I don’t understand. How… how did you know?”
“You’re probably aware that I’m acquainted with Heath's mother, Cathryn. Well, she mentioned to me a few weeks ago that her son was apparently dating our daughter.” She looks at me, her expression a blend of reassurance and concern. “At first, I was pleased to see that you seemed to have found someone of good standing. The Richards are quite influential.”
I can’t help but snort. Even in the midst of chaos, she’s keeping up appearances.
“But, during a recent luncheon, I overheard a rather disturbing conversation between Cathryn and her son. He wasn’t invited, it was a lunch to raise money for the village school, but he arrived and dragged Cathryn out to the foyer. The way he spoke to her was completely unacceptable, and he became quite aggressive. I found myself deeply concerned for Cathryn's well-being.” Her eyebrows raise as if to emphasise the gravity of the situation. “I approached them under the pretence of a friendly hello and introduced myself to her son. In a polite manner, I suggested that he should perhaps leave as a luncheon is not the place for personal matters.”
I can just imagine my mother’s fierce yet composed approach to the situation. Valentina Werrington doesn’t back down when it comes to matters of social etiquette.
“But he didn’t take kindly to that at all. He told me he was a ‘friend’ of yours,” she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “I immediately understood what he was insinuating and made it clear to him that he was not to see you any longer.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this, mother?”
“Darling, you often remind me to mind my own business when it comes to matters of the heart, and with our impending trip to Europe, I thought it might be best to let the matter rest.” Concern is etched onto her features. “After he left, I talked with Cathryn. She told me more about her son. He had been hospitalised for some time, however he was released when, and I’m repeating Cathryn’s turn of phrase, ‘he got his anger under control’. That boy has serious mental health issues, Saffy. And he’s dangerous. There are stories.”
The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill over. “I know he’s dangerous, Mother. I’ve experienced it firsthand.”
My mother’s eyes widen in shock, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. “Oh!”
“And... Daddy, he said something—something about Jacinta.”
“Jacinta Rosenthal?”
I nod, my stomach churning. “Yes. I think... I think he might have killed her.”
“What?” My mother’s voice cracks. “What are you saying?”
“He called me Jacinta,” I whisper, wiping at the tears on my cheeks. “And then he said he ‘taught her’ and that she deserved what happened to her.”
My mother looks over at my father, her face pale with fear. “Albert, what are we going to do about this?”
His jaw tight as he processes what I’ve just said. “We’ll have to contact the authorities in London.”
“I don’t want to go back.” I wipe my face again, struggling to regain some composure. “I spoke to Ginny today, Mother.”
My mother’s gaze turns toward my sister. “Ginny?”
My sister gives a determined look to my mother, “Saffy told me everything that’s been happening with Heath. And I had suggested that she stay at our place in Bodrum for a while. She can work at the restaurant for Aydin.”
Now my cousin Olive joins us. “And we’re right next door, Zietta . Our property is fully enclosed. No one can get in or out without us knowing.”
“I didn’t realise how dangerous this man was when I made the offer, but now that I do, I promise you—we’ll keep her safe.”
My mother’s distress is written all over her face. “She can’t stay here!”
“Why not, Mother?” I turn to my father, my eyes pleading for support. “Daddy, I can’t go back to London now. Please, can I stay?”
He hesitates, clearly torn. “The police will want to speak with you.”
“I’ll talk to them,” I say quickly, “but going back right now... it makes me sick. I just can’t do it.”
Aydin steps in, offering reassurance. “I can assure you both that Saffy’s safety will be our top priority.”
My father considers it for a moment and nods. “For the short term, this might be a solution. I’ll speak with our lawyer to get a restraining order put in place but if what you say is true, I think Heath will be in gaol for some time.”
I hug my father tightly. “Thank you, daddy.”
I know this isn’t over.
I know he’s never going to give up.
I know he will find me.
But next time I’ll be ready.