Incineration (Heart of Stone) (24 page)

I knew she wouldn’t understand how I felt. Me and Mason were
over, he had caused the death of my baby and I would never forgive him for that

“What happened to Dane?” I asked and she remained silent and
I snorted “I take it he’s been ‘taken care of’?” I shook my head as she nodded and
confirmed my thoughts “See, now he should be in prison, suffering for what he
did but…but now he’s where I wanna fucking be…at peace” I spat, the anger, fury
and hatred surfacing “AVA!” Courtney gasped “Oh fuck off Courtney!” I yelled
and she reared back but then her hand shot out and she slapped my face “Don’t
you dare take it out on me. I am your best friend not your bloody enemy Ava.
And say anything like that again and I swear to god…”she didn’t finish and I
scoffed “You’ll what Courtney? Finish me off? It would save me the job” I
whispered and her face paled. She stood, picked up her bag and left, slamming
the door behind her.

I rested my head against the pillow and sighed. My life had
changed so much in the last couple of months; from George leaving to making the
biggest mistake of my life…meeting Mason.

Spotting my phone on the bedside cabinet I sat up and
dialled George. He answered after the third ring “Hey princess” he chirped and
my resolve melted as I heard his comforting voice and I couldn’t speak “Ava?”
he persisted “G…George” I rasped “Ava? What’s wrong princess?” he asked slowly
“George” I whispered “Ava, talk to me” he barked sternly “What’s wrong?” my
heart choked at his worry about me “I…I need you George” I murmured “Ava tell
me sweetheart” he urged and I sighed “My baby…my baby’s dead George” I choked
out but there were still no tears “
Shit!”
he growled “I’m on my way
princess. I’ll be there as soon as I can, okay?” he asked and I didn’t answer
straight away “Ava, put Mason on sweetheart” he ordered softly and I snorted
down the phone. I could hear George’s hesitation “Where’s Mason Princess?” he
asked slowly and I shrugged, unaware that he couldn’t see me “Not here. I don’t
want him here” I hissed and George paused again “Did he hurt you sweetheart?”
the tone in his question held so much menace I was actually frightened of what
he would do to Mason “No, his best friend did. He…he…” I swallowed
“Dane…he…murdered my baby” I said coldly and I heard Georges sharp inhalation
“Fuck Ava” he breathed “Listen sweetheart, I’ve just managed to secure a flight
for 11 O’clock online so I’ll be with you as soon as I can, okay?” he reassured
and I nodded “Is Courtney with you?” I gulped guiltily “Erm no, she got mad at
me and left” I told him quietly “Oh princess, what did you do?” he asked softly
“I…I said some horrible things to her” I whispered and he sighed “She’ll be
back” he paused “Ava; I have another call coming through. I’ll be with you as
soon as I can. I love you princess” he breathed “I love you too George” I
whispered back as I ended the call, slid down the bed and placed my hands on my
empty stomach “I’m so sorry” I whispered to nobody “I’m sorry”.

I awoke some time I the night, it was dark but there was
light coming through the glass in the door. I spotted someone curled up in the
chair, covered with a blanket. I slipped my legs out of bed and headed towards
the bathroom, a desperate need to pee.

“Ava” Courtneys’ voice croaked out and I turned to her
“Courtney?” she stretched and flipped on a floor lamp next to her. She looked
at me, assessing my mood and then cocked her head “I’m so sorry Courtney” I
said sadly. She rose and walked over to me “Already forgotten babe” she smiled
“wee?” she asked and I nodded and headed for the bathroom “I’ll grab you a
drink” she said and walked through the door.

I entered the bathroom and gasped at my reflection in the
mirror. My lip was stitched; no wonder it felt sore, there was a huge purple
bruise on my right cheekbone and a blue smaller one on my left one but it was
my eyes that captivated me, they were cold and empty, a hollow soul looking
back. I sighed and sat on the toilet, ordering myself not to look at the bloody
pad in my knickers; the leftovers of my baby.

Courtney returned with a coffee when I was situated back in
bed, handing it to me and perching herself back in the chair “What time is it?”
I asked between gulps, the coffee already stimulating my brain “About 4.40 I
think” she rubbed her eyes and rolled her neck “You get off Courtney, I’m fine”
I told her but she shook her head “Nah, I’m good” she said. “Has he gone?” I
asked hesitantly, she regarded me then nodded once “Yeah” was all she said, and
I sensed her discomfort with bringing the subject up again.

The door opened and George stood in the doorway, he looked
old and haggard; his face was full of concern but his eyes were full of love.
He scanned the room then his eyes found mine, he tipped his head and took a
deep breath when he studied my features; his eyes grew dark, his taut lips pulled
tight and he had a curl to his lips that made him seem extremely sinister. A
small growl left his throat and I was suddenly aware of why people had been
afraid of this man, the hatred and need for revenge was etched deeply into his
face.

He turned to Courtney and I saw her rear back into her seat
at the sight of him, his power and fury engulfed the room “Where is Dane?” he
asked so quietly I nearly didn’t catch what he’d asked her. She swallowed and
shook her head “It’s sorted” she rasped out and then dropped her eyes,
frightened of what she could see in his. He narrowed his eyes and then took a
deep breath, clearing his mind and turned to me.

He walked across the room slowly, his gaze penetrating me
and the sight of this man, a man who loved me so completely, so limitlessly and
so openly broke me. A sob escaped my throat and he sped up, swiftly moving
across the floor until I was wrapped in his comforting arms. My sobs grew
stronger until I was screaming and weeping at the same time. He held me tight,
stroking my hair and rocking me as I bawled and broke.

Courtney slipped from the room quietly as George continued
to soothe me, his gentle hushes in my ear calming me and as I quietened and
opened my eyes I saw Mason stood in the doorway, silently watching us. I
scrambled back at the sight of him “GET OUT!!!” I yelled and he closed his eyes
as though in pain. George stood suddenly and narrowed his eyes on Mason “She
asked you to leave” he said with a chill to his voice. I couldn’t ascertain
Mason’s expression but he nodded and turned, leaving me alone with an angry
George.

“What did he do Ava?” he asked, a terrifying quietness in
his voice that begged no arguments and I told him about getting pregnant, Dane
and Mason’s interference, right up where I had woken up in hospital. He sat
silently listening, never interfering or breaking in and when I got to the part
where Dane had chased me through the house, Georges face had darkened and I
noticed his fists clenched tightly.

We sat in silence for a moment when I had finished retelling
him everything and then he turned to me “Princess…I don’t blame Mason for what
he did” my eyes widened and my blood started to boil. What was wrong with these
people? “He did what any man in love would have done. Dane earned Masons wrath
for what he said and did in that supermarket, I would have done the same” he
said bluntly “he loves you Ava and when we are in love, well, we do things
without thinking” he explained but I shook my head “No George, you’re wrong!” I
demanded and he took my hand “Ava, you are just looking for someone to blame
sweetheart. It’s quite normal” I snatched my hand back “No George. I told him
not to interfere, but he never bloody listens. I have to do what he tells me,
but he never fucking listens to me. If he had just left it then…” I couldn’t
finish the sentence, not wanting to say it out loud. George simply nodded “I’m
not going to argue with you Ava, you are hurting and grieving but I won’t let
you blame Mason for this. It was his baby too, his baby has died too Princess”
he said sadly and I looked away, refusing to let George see how his words hurt
me. I had expected Georges support and understanding but apparently I wasn’t
going to get it.

The doctor had given me the all clear after a few checks, he
declared me fit to go home and George huddled me into his hire car and drove us
back to the cottage.

We entered and he double checked everything after I told him
what had been happening, and if anything had come out of this nightmare, it was
that it had all ended. The obvious fact that it was Dane behind all the
stalking and the poisoning would now be over.

George went out for breakfast take-away and Brian and Brenda
visited, my heart breaking again as Brenda swept me into her arms and held me
tight. Brian was lovely and sat, holding my hand tightly as Brenda blabbered on
about nothing in particular and I was grateful for her diversion, knowing and
understanding what and why she was doing it.

They left after a couple of hours and around lunch time
there was a knock at the door as I was curled into the sofa under a blanket,
watching sitcom re-runs. George went to answer it and I heard hushed voices in
the hallway but didn’t get up, presuming George would lead them into the room I
carried on with my diversion of television.

After about 20 minutes the episode ended and I stretched,
wondering where George had got to, I swung my legs around and sat up. Mason was
sat in the armchair watching me. I gasped and jumped backwards “What the hell are
you doing here?” I snapped and he chewed on his bottom lip “George let me in so
we could talk” he said quietly “Well, how long have you been sat there?” I
asked gobsmacked. He shrugged “About 15 minutes” he stated and leaned forward,
resting his elbows on his knees and regarding me intently “Go home Mason. I
don’t want you here” I hissed but he continued to gaze at me “We need to talk
Ava” he said quietly and I snorted “What? You mean you’ve come to apologise for
killing my baby?” I glared and the hurt behind his eyes penetrated my soul but
not enough to forgive him “Ava…I…” he tried and I turned my lip up at him
“Don’t bother Mason, I’m not prepared to listen. Just go” I snarled and curled
back into the settee and ignored him.

After an hour he was still sat in the damn chair and I was
thirsty so rising from the sofa, I disappeared into the kitchen to put the
kettle on. I returned to the sofa with a coffee and a packet of biscuits and
continued to ignore him, laughing loudly at the sitcom.

After about another 30 minutes I saw Mason stand and I
smiled to myself, happy that I was making him leave but he walked over to the
television and turned it off, turning to me “Ava” he said but I reached for the
remote and flicked the telly back on. He inhaled sharply and went back over to
it and pulled the plug from the wall. I took a deep breath, the fury starting
to rise up but he turned back to me and crouched down in front of me “Baby…” he
started but didn’t finish as I punched him hard in the face “Fuck off Mason” I
spat as his head slammed to the side. He gritted his teeth and grasped my fist
“Will you fucking talk to me” he grated, trying to rein in his temper but I
sat, glaring at him “I hate you” I hissed and spat in his face. “Jesus Christ
Ava!” he growled and stood back swiftly, wiping his face with the back of his
hand.

George came in and walked over to me, standing in front of
me glaring “Ava, I know you’re hurting but I swear to god, do that again and
you will have me to answer to” he snapped and I bit my lip, not wanting to feel
Georges wrath I turned my head and stared through the window, ignoring them
both. Mason rubbed his temples and turned to George “Forget it George, she’s
not willing to listen” he shrugged, picked up his car keys from the table and
left, slamming the door behind him.

My lips turned up in a sly smile “Well that worked. He’ll
probably go and fuck Rebecca now” I laughed and Georges hand shot out and
slapped me, straight across the cheek. My hand shot up to my face and I stared
at him, absolutely stunned.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes “I’m sorry
Princess, I shouldn’t have done that but nothing is getting through to you” he
apologised and I stood up, the pain inside outweighing the pain in my cheek.

Tears threatened my eyes, George had never raised his hand
to me before and the overwhelming hurt from it broke me. I walked into the
hallway, slipped on my pumps and slammed the door behind me.

I walked for what seemed like hours, aimlessly wandering not
caring where I was going or ending up.

 I sat on the bench in the local park, staring at the
children playing happily on the swings, wondering if my child would have liked
the park, would they have squealed when I pushed them high or screamed on the
roundabout, would it have had Masons’ eyes and brown hair or my copper curls.

It had started to rain and I relished in its refreshment,
tilting my head back and closing my eyes as the heavens opened and the
torrential storm battered at my face and body, the rain drops mingling with my
tears as I sobbed and sobbed, my knees held tight to my body as I howled. 

I was suddenly walking again, my legs leading my body as
they carried me onwards in a haze; the rain still beating my poor body, my
aching and broken body and they didn’t stop until I found myself on Masons
doorstep, pounding on his front door.

It flung open and Mason’s relieved face stared at me. He
looked like shit.  

“Ava, where the hell have you been? George is going out of
his mind” he cried and I raised my head, penetrating his eyes as he struggled
for breath at the sight of me. “Jesus Ava” he wheezed and reaching out, he
picked me up and took me in, kicked the door shut and carried me over to the
sofa, gently placing me on it as I just silently continued to look at him, my
eyes never leaving his.

He crouched in front of me “Ava” he breathed as I tilted my
head, regarding him intensely. My hands reached out and pushed him so he fell
backwards onto his backside, his face full of shock. I stood up as he scrambled
to his feet and I pushed him again but he stood firm “Come on Ava” he was
breathing heavy, his eyes boring into mine “Come on” he repeated and I pushed
him full force and when he stood firm I punched him, swinging my fist into his
chin. He still stood silent for a moment then “Hit me Baby” he growled between
a breath and I stood still, looking at him through narrowed eyes “I SAID
FUCKING HIT ME!!!” he yelled and I punched him again, his head moved slightly
but he grit his teeth and stood there goading me “Not bad, what else you got?”
he probed, raising his eyebrows at me. I pulled back and slammed it into his
cheek full force and this time his head snapped sideways and his stance wobbled.
He pierced me with his stare again “Better Ava” he snarled.