Chapter 71
Seventy-One
‘Okay, sweetie, time to get out of the car,’ Kim said as she turned off the engine.
‘O-okay,’ Ava said as Kim got out. She moved to the back of the car and took the suitcase from the boot.
‘Why… why are we here?’ the girl asked.
‘It’ll all be okay. I promise,’ Kim said, reaching for her hand as they approached the door.
Ava nodded up at her with tears in her eyes.
Kim took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
The door opened, and Daniel Reynolds stood before her.
He looked down at his daughter, and the light came back into his eyes.
‘Daddy,’ Ava sobbed, throwing herself into her father’s arms.
‘Sweetheart, are you okay?’ he asked, gathering her into his arms. He squeezed her tightly, kissing the top of her head. ‘But how… I mean… I don’t…’
‘Take her to Scotland. Pack as much as you can in an hour and get on the road. Get her away from here.’
‘But won’t I be—’
‘We’ll send you the details of her birth father. He’s prepared to sign over his parental rights to you. Start proceedings, get a good lawyer and get it done. You can’t risk this happening again.’
‘But won’t you be in trouble?’
‘Let me worry about that. Just do as I say. Take what you need and get gone. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. Switch off your phone until you get there and then just let me know you’re both safe.’
‘My sister lives—’
‘I don’t want to know. I need plausible deniability. I need to be telling the truth when I say I don’t know where you are.’
‘I don’t know what to say. How can I ever thank you?’
‘By giving her the life she deserves and ensuring no one can ever take her away again.’
Daniel reached across and clasped her hand. ‘Thank you.’
‘One hour,’ she said, turning away.
Now it was time to face the music.