Becoming Maddie (The Casterhouse series Book 1) (42 page)

Maddie would be carrying a similar weight. She would be pleased that her life was finally free of the monster that had ruled it for so long but that happiness had come at the expensive of a life.

Taking another drag Chris realised that this time the weight of Charles Wallace’s death was not too great. He had read Maddie Wallace’s medical record. He had seen the pictures that had been taken of each beating that led up to the final one, the one that lost Maddie her child, the one that made Maddie do her best to break free.

Yeah, Wallace made his bed and now he was laid in the morgue.

Shaking his head he tried to let the guilt go.

Chris put his cigarette out in the ashtray that was resting on the banister. Taking one more breath of fresh air he walked back into the office to get his stuff and head home.

What he had to focus on tonight was that Maddie Smith was safe and she would never be in danger from her past ever again. Detective Chris Miller had helped in that.

Tonight he hoped he slept deep and that his dreams weren’t full of the faces of people that he knew were no longer alive. Running his hand over his face again, Chris knew that was a wasted hope.

Epilogue

1 year later…

Maddie stood looking around, her hands paused opening the box in front of her and took in what she was seeing.

Her and Jean’s shop.

“Craft Time”.

Although they had been open for months it still hadn’t sunk in that people were coming into her shop buying things. That every day she got to come to work in a place she loved, a place that she wanted to do well. Every night they counted the money that they had taken and when she saw the final figures she
still
couldn’t take in that people were paying for things
she
was selling.

That wasn’t her favourite bit though. No, that bit was when a customer came and asked her questions about something or they asked for tips. She really loved being able to share her knowledge and love for crafts that Jean had given to her. So much so, Maddie had had the idea of setting up a ‘tips’ book. It sat to the right of the counter. It had started as a small thing that she thought would be fun and become a huge thing in itself. Both her and Jean added to it often and flicked through the pages to get to the tips the customers were asking about. Then one day Jean said,

“Wouldn’t it be good if people added to the tip book too? I don’t know everything and sometimes they have great little things that they have learnt along the way or their parents had showed them.”

She had been totally right. So that night at home, with Aiden watching and smiling, Maddie made a sign that asked customers to leave tips too. The next day it went up, and before they knew what was what, it had become a huge book that was bursting at the seams with tips and handy hints. Every time Maddie looked in it there was something new that she wanted to try.

Maddie and Jean loved that book.

She loved the store more though. Every nook and cranny was full. Every space had a different thing, from baskets that were over flowing with wool to shelves that were weighed down with paper and cutters. When they had been stocking the store there were so many different craft things that Maddie hadn’t known where they were going to put it all. Then an idea hit, why not have a section that was the ‘craft of the month’ section?

So that was where she was now. It was the first time she was changing it. Maddie had packed up the stamps and ink pads. Having decided which ones she would keep out in another section and which ones she would keep through the back. Now she was doing the fun bit. Taking out the next craft items and setting up the section in a way that was fun and exciting.

Before she took out the glass cutter she looked across at the till just to check that Jean wasn’t swamped with customers. The older woman was pointing over at her smiling and saying something to younger woman. The customer turned to look at her and smiled to before nodding at Jean and walking over to Maddie.

The woman had beautiful straight back hair that she had up in a pony tail that swung with every step. She had on a black skirt and black tights with awesome pixie-like boots. Her top was a burgundy, and skin tight and it was cut low but not too low. Around her neck was several silver chains that jingled slightly as she walked.

Maddie could see that her eyes where a stunning sea green as the woman got closer. Smiling up her Maddie waited for her to speak.

“Hi.” The woman said in husky, almost smoky, voice. “My name is Tabby and I am here to apply for the post you have available.”

“Oh that’s great.” Maddie said trying to get to her feet.

Tabby held out a hand for her to use to help her get to her feet again.

“Sorry.” Maddie mumbled a little embarrassed. “I am not quite used to having a ‘belly’ yet.”

As she spoke Maddie ran her hand down over the bump that was getting bigger every day. It was not so big that she found it in the way, at least not yet, instead it was cute but did make standing up from the ground a little trickier.

Telling Aiden had been right up there with one of the best moments in her life. Of course it had been sort of the plan. Maddie got her coil removed and had talked about it. The first two months had been hard when she didn’t get pregnant. Then finally it happened.

Everyday Maddie was grateful that she and Aiden had been able to convince in such a short time. It was like Aiden had said,

“Hold on tight to the good things and be thankful for them every day.”

Maddie was.

Aiden had come home to find a gift wrapped box on the breakfast bar, while Maddie hid in the bedroom waiting from him. After a couple of minutes, when he hadn’t come through, Maddie snuck into the living room to see if he was okay. Her man stood holding the silver baby rattle that she bought that afternoon and had wrapped for him, in his hand. Aiden’s eyes were glued to it. Slowly he had turned to Maddie with tears in his eyes.

“You’re having my baby?” He had asked his voice husky with unshed tears.

Maddie had not been able to hold them back herself and had let them roll down her face. Nodding at him she put a hand on her belly where the little life they had made together was growing. Aiden had moved across the room and put one arm around her the other on top of her hand.

That night they had laid in bed in each other’s arms, Marvin taking up most of the bed, and talked about the exciting future ahead of them. They had even talked about getting another flat but had decided that they would think about that after the baby was born. It may not be the smartest move but both herself and Aiden found themselves seriously attached to their flat.

“You know what you are having?” Taby asked bringing Maddie back to the present.

“No. Well my husband does but I don’t want to know.” Maddie replied smiling. “Anyways enough about me tell me about you.”

Tabby smiled bigger but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. There looked like there might be a story there but Maddie wasn’t going to pry.

“I have been here for a few weeks.” Tabby started. “I have been looking for somewhere I can work while I am here. I have been walking around the shops and caught the flowers hanging outside your shop and knew I had to check it out in here. When the woman at the counter said you were looking I knew this was the place I wanted to work. Doesn’t hurt that I love this stuff.”

Jean had worked hard at the hanging basket. They were her pride and joy. Maddie may be ‘crafty’ but she didn’t have a green finger, neither did Aiden. Saying that though they had both loved the flowers that Jean had picked for their wedding day. Small, cute and smelled amazing. They had been on every table in the small room they had rented from the hotel she used to work in.

Remembering the day she had stood next to Aiden, in front of their family and friends, and vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, brought a huge smile to Maddie’s face.

“The hanging baskets are all Jean’s hard work, the woman at the counter, we own the shop together.” Maddie explained. “I have no green fingers at all.”

Tabby laughed with a seriously husky tone that Maddie found she was almost jealous of.

“Well they are great but they were only what brought me in. What kept me here was everything else.” Tabby said making Maddie blush a little. “Especially that amazing book. I wish I had brought a note book in to jot down some of the stuff in there.”

Walking towards the back of the store she waved Tabby to follow her. If she was going to ask her questions Maddie wanted to do it somewhere she wasn’t going to be overheard. Opening the door to the stairs that led to the stock room she went down and turned over a couple of boxes for them to sit on.

“Sorry I would take you to the office but it’s behind the counter and I will get caught by customers.” Maddie explained giving a half smile. “Plus I will have to look at the paper work I hate doing and am leaving till tomorrow.”

Again Tabby laughed but Maddie was taking in the look of awe she had on her face as she looked round the messy but organised stock room. There was things bursting out of boxes and a table that was covered in some half finished projects. She loved that Tabby looked like she was in heaven as she took everything in because it was heaven to Maddie too.

As Maddie let her look around the sound of someone running down the stairs caught their attention. Both of them turned to look at the door as a white husky walked in. His tongue was hanging out and his blue eyes went to Maddie straight away as if to check she was okay. His eyes ran over her before he trotted across, licked her hand, sat between her legs and looked at Tabby. His tongue was hanging out and his body was totally relaxed.

It had taken Maddie and Aiden a long time to get him to relax when strangers were around Maddie. After she had been taken and hurt the dog had become super protective around her. They got him to be calmer for a while but then she had fallen pregnant and things had gotten worse again. Aiden had made it his mission to make the husky be better around strangers when Maddie was there. Now he was protective but in a way that was less threating to others but he was always ready if the situation arouse. 

Another added benefit was the bond that was created between man and canine. Maddie had finally managed to create a happy home for the husky, herself too. Now they were making their little family bigger.

Maddie wasn’t a hundred percent certain when it happened but she had finally managed to get a life that she had only read about in books.

“Wow.” Tabby exclaimed. “I love huskies! When I grew up I always wanted a dog but my mum loved cats so the house was always full of them. Mind you I like cats too but having a dog was my secret wish.”

Smiling and nodding in understanding, Maddie had felt exactly the same once upon a time. She realised how much she liked the other woman. It probably wasn’t the best plan to hire on a feeling but Tabby would have the probation period to prove her worth.

“Okay this is the plan Tabby.” Maddie started standing and gesturing for the woman to follow her again. “I want you to come in a do a couple of shifts with us, paid. It gives Jean and I a chance to see how it works but it also gives you a chance to see how we work and if you want to join us. We are a family here and we give that to you as an employ but also to our customers too. This means hiring the right people is important to us. Do you understand?”

Tabby had a huge smile on her face as she followed Maddie up the stairs.

“Yeah I understand, it’s one of the things that makes this place so awesome.” Tabby breathed.

Maddie could feel herself blushing again. The woman was right though. It was what made ‘Craft Time’ so special. As they got to the counter Maddie saw that the queue was gone and used the quiet moment to introduce Jean and Tabby.

“If you leave us a contact number and address so I can pop you on the system.” Maddie said handing Tabby paper and pen.  “I will be the one showing you how to do everything and where to find the things you are needing. How about you come in at 9 tomorrow.”

Tabby, who had been writing down the information that she had been asked for, paused at the time she was asked to come in, then carried on writing again.

“That’s fine.” Tabby muttered. “Do you know what time I will finish?”

Frowning at the pause, Maddie wondered what was going on there. She couldn’t ask though because it was none of her business. If Tabby started working at the store and it didn’t affect her work then there was no need for her to know either. It would be up to Tabby to share if she wanted.

“5 o’clock.” Maddie said. “We started wrapping things up in the store round about half 4 so that we can get out at 5. That okay?”

As Tabby nodded the bell above the door opened and Marvin gave a bark of welcome. Without turning to look Maddie knew who was there and had a ready grin on her face as she turned to watch her husband walk in the shop.

As he reached her Aiden wrapped his arms round her waist and kissed her hello. It wasn’t a small kiss but instead one that made sure she knew that he had missed her. Maddie returned it so that he knew she had missed him.

Aiden pulled back and ran his hand over her growing belly.

“Hey.” Aiden whispered.

“Hey.” Maddie breathed back still trying to recover from the kiss.

It had been a year without any drama. For the first few weeks it had been hard to fully relax plus she was dealing with a lot of mixed emotions due to Charles passing. When they had gotten a call asking if they were going to his funeral Aiden had gotten so angry that he had to ask Sarah to come and sit in with Maddie while he went out for a run with Marvin.

That was her husband, her Aiden. Always doing things to make sure that she never had to be scared by anger ever again. That wasn’t to say that he didn’t share the emotions or talk things through (they did) instead it meant that he talked to her when he was calmer and able to shelter her from any anger. Aiden always protected her.

Jessica had reached out with a letter that had been addressed to Maddie. At first she had been shocked that it was for her and not Aiden. Inside it she apologised for everything that had happened that day in the flat and the park. It also explained that she had a lot of work to do on herself and stuff she needed to work through before she would be able to reach out to her brother. Maddie understood that and wrote a letter back. Somehow they started to write to each other every week. It was a strange kind of pen pal rellationship, but it was a beginning. Maddie just wasn’t sure yet of what or where it went from here.