Page 23 of Elusive Embrace

As we lay there, tangled together and catching our breath, I can't help but feel happy and sad all at once.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“No. Thank you,” I reply and press my lips to the top of her head.

“Matt. You’re right. Going straight into another relationship would be mad, a safety blanket.” I nod even if the words hurt. “But please don’t give up on me. Give me time but don’t give up,” she pleads with big eyes filled with tears.

“Never.”

Chapter 10

Natalie

Being back at workfeels weird. My face has healed a lot over the past two weeks but there is still some bruising left. I know that there are rumours spreading through the village about Al’s arrest—and most of them are correct—but nobody at work has said anything directly to me about him or about the bruising. I’m sure I have Sheila to thank for that.

“Nat do you have a moment?” Tommy’s voice calls out from behind me. I frown. It’s unusual for Tommy to seek me out. He’ll always say hello or stop for a chat if we cross paths in the hotel but I report directly into Marisa the Operations Manager, and Tommy never undermines his managers.

“Sure,” I reply, wiping the dirt from my knees as I get up.

“I won’t take up a lot of your time,” he grins when he reaches me. This is a man who gets better looking as he gets older. I know plenty of the younger staff—male and female—who fancy the pants of him. Unluckily for them he’s happily married and nothing and no one will get between him and Ella.

“That’s okay. I’m almost done.” I point at the pile of nettles I’ve pulled from the ground.

“Good. Listen,” he rubs his neck, “Sheila mentioned that you’re looking for a flat. You may have heard that Ella and I recently moved to a cottage nearby.” I nod. Tommy and Ella lived in a flat on the top floor of the hotel but after yet another fire alarm that forced them to evacuate the hotel with their baby they decided to move out. At the last Heads of meeting Sheila presented the plans for the flat which is being converted into a fancy suite.

“Well, that means my small flat on the top floor is empty and if you want to stay there temporarily you can. We’re not starting the construction work until next summer so there’s no rush. And there is someone around twenty-four hours. The entrance is monitored by CCTV and alarmed during the night.” Sheila must have told him what happened.

He gives me a kind smile and I feel tears fill my eyes. I’ve looked at a number of flats over the last few days but the thought of living alone and the fear of Al finding me has stopped me from signing a tenancy agreement. Instead poor Matt has to sleep on the uncomfortable camp bed.

Al has been cautioned that if he violates the non-molestation order there will be serious consequences for his court case and his bail may be reconsidered. Matt called a solicitor friend from Birmingham who put us in touch with a colleague in Carlisle, who’s supporting me with the case.

At the initial hearing the Crown Prosecution Service pushed for an indictable offence which was granted so now we’re waiting for a trial date at the Crown Court. My solicitor thinks it will probably happen early next year. That is a long time with Al being free to go after me.

“Tommy, I don’t know what to say—”

“No need. Just think about it and let Sheila know if you want it.” I would hug him if it wasn’t highly inappropriate. Staying in the flat certainly would eradicate the fear of Al getting to me. There are way too many people around during the day and Seb, the night manager, and his team would keep an eye on me. Tommy would make sure of that.

“Thank you!” I whisper. Tommy gives me an encouraging smile and heads back to the hotel.

I fish my new phone from my pocket and type a message to Matt:

Me

I have amazing news! Get ready to celebrate.

This is turning into a good day.

The mist hangs low in the air as I drive along the dark lane towards Matt’s house. My mind is still swirling from today’s therapy session, my third one. My GP managed to find me an emergency spot with a therapist and Jackie’s been a lifesaver, helping me navigate through this mess. She was delighted when I told her about the new flat. She’s been encouraging me to move out of Matt’s place, not because she thinks Matt is bad for me but because she wants me to take the time to heal. Just like Matt does.

The thing is, as long as we live together, the temptation to fall back into a relationship is almost too much. We’ve been good though and nothing’s happened since that night at Halloween, but he’s making it tougher and tougher. With his kindness, his caring manner, that cheeky smile—he’s just so… Matt.

I pull up outside his house and grab the small paper bag from the passenger seat. I bought some éclairs from Cherry Pie bakery to celebrate. The more I thought about the flat this afternoon, the clearer it became that this move could be the answer to my problems—at least for now.

As I fiddle with my keys when I get to the door a voice slices through the mist, chilling me to the bone. “Nice evening, isn’t it?”

It’s my nightmare coming to life. I fumble with my keys, desperately trying to fit the right one into the lock. My hands are shaking so badly I keep missing.

“You could at least have the decency to face me after you got me arrested,” Al hisses, his voice dripping with venom.

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