It's My Life (Filming Rhiannon. Book 1) (39 page)

“Shush,” he says as he rubs my back.

“Did Grace know about Pippa?” he asks me.

“Grace and my parents are the only people who knew.” I sob, I kept her hidden from the world, and now it’s too late to undo any of that.

“Okay, well I am going to ring her. She should be here too.” he tells me as he climbs of the bed. I leave him too it, I can’t stop him ringing Grace, and that’s the last thing I want to do. Grace will know how to help me, I hope.

He comes back in the room a few minutes later.

“Baby, I didn’t tell Grace. I couldn’t do it. I just told her she needs to come here as soon as possible, so she is getting a taxi now.” he tells me, as he scoops me into his arms. I don’t put up a fight, I need him, and I’m thankful he is still here.

In no time at all, Grace arrives. “Don’t you need to get that.” I grumble to him through my sore throat.

“No, Liam will get it, he knows she’s coming.” he informs me. I place my head back on his chest, and a few moments later, Grace and Liam arrive at the bedroom door.

“Oh my gosh, Rhi what’s happened?” Grace asks as she runs over to me.

I go to talk but the lump in my throat won’t allow me, so I put pleading eyes in Kalebs direction.

“You want me to do it?” he asks me. I nod my head, still unable to speak.

“For fuck sake guys come on, you’re not getting married because if you are you wouldn’t look so glum. What’s happened? Who’s died?” she asks trying to turn it into a joke to lighten the room.

“Pippa,” is the one-word answer Kaleb gives her, and instantly Grace turns white.

“Rhi? How does Kaleb know about Pippa, and why is he saying such a sick joke?” she asks in shock. She doesn’t believe it either.

“Grace, would I bring you here to lie to you?” he says with annoyance in his voice.

“Look towards your best friend, and tell me if I have just fed you a sick joke.” he tells her.

“Oh my gosh,” is all Grace says before she is sat on Kalebs bed, trying to pry me out of his arms. I willing fall into her arms where we both cry.

“Rhi, what’s happened?” she asks me.

“I don’t know,” I sob into my best friend.

“Kaleb, don’t take this the wrong way, but how did you know about Pippa? Did you know before this?” she asks over my shoulder so she can see Kaleb.

“I found out this morning while we were on the beach. It turns out this Len guy has found Rhiannon, and he wants Pippa.” He explains to her.

“He didn’t do this did he?” Grace asks Kaleb.

“We don’t know yet Grace. We only just found our ourselves.”

“Rhi, how long has Len known where you are?” Grace asks me.

“A few months,” I whisper.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she is directing anger at me now.

“Because I wasn’t going to let you storm in there. He is dangerous Grace, and he could easily hurt you.”

“I don’t care. Is this the first time he has approached you?” Kaleb asks joining the conversation

“In a way,” I admit.

“What do you mean in a way?” Kaleb demands.

“The guy in the night club, he said something about Len saying hello, and I have been getting random notes through my door on a Sunday threatening me.” I tell him as I keep my eyes on the bed.

“You don’t think he did this do you?” I ask Kaleb hoping he has answers.

He pulls me out of Graces embrace, and pulls me into his own. “Baby, I don’t know, but we will get answers, and I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about him. I could have protected you Rhi,” he says hurt.

“I didn’t want you to know Kaleb, I didn’t want you to hate me.” I admit.

“Baby, I don’t hate you, you had no control over your past, and if you carry on being stupid you will have no control of your future. I am getting you your own close protection officer, and you can argue till you’re blue in the face, but he will follow you everywhere okay. This creature has ruined your life, and I won’t let him continue. I will protect you, so please don’t argue with me on this. We don’t know what he is capable off, he has hurt you once, once this gets out, he might try again.” he says sadly.

“Can you protect her though?” Grace asks.

“With my security men Grace, no one will be able to get close to her. It’s what they are trained to do, so yes I can protect her.” He aims his anger at Grace.

“Does that mean no more girly nights?” she asks with a little laugh.

“No, I would never stop her, they would just have to be here, where my men can stand outside and assure her safety.”

“Why didn’t you pick this one up years ago Rhi? He’s a good one.” Grace tells me.

“So about Pippa, what’s going to happen now?” I forgot the reason why Grace was here, and now it’s all come rushing back.

“We are waiting to hear what happens now Grace. Rhi wants to help with funeral planning, and she wants to see Pippa.” he informs her.

“Is that a good idea? I mean going to see her?” Grace sounds shocked at my request.

“I don’t know Grace, I have never dealt with this before, I am going to see what would be best for her, and what won’t be. I will get Liam to speak to someone who specializes in this, and see what we can do.”

“Okay, let me know what happens though, and thank you for taking care of her.” she thanks Kaleb.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way Grace, I love her.” he whispers, as he lays me down on the bed.

“I know, I can see, and she loves you, she’s just heartbroken at the minute. Don’t give up on her.” she begs him.

“Grace, even if she didn’t love me, I wouldn’t give up on her.” he says as he covers me with a blanket, kisses my forehead, and goes to leave.

“Just join me out here, we should leave her to sleep.” he tells Grace.

She doesn’t put up an argument. She walks over to the bed, places a light kiss on my head and follows Kaleb out of the room. Leaving me and my thoughts alone.

I know Kaleb will be here to support me and Grace, but I just want Pippa back.

My baby taken from us. What do I do now? I can’t do this with the thought of my baby not here no more. I know I wasn’t her mum that she knew, but I knew and loved her, that’s why I gave her up for a better life, for her. Now I just want her back. My baby.

I cry till I have nothing left, and I fall in to a restless sleep, dreaming of the day my baby came in to the world.

Firstly, I would just like to say a massive thank you to all my fans who have supported me throughout this crazy ride. It’s manic, but so much fun. I don't know where I would be without your support. You mean the world to me, and I love you all.

I would also like to say thank you to my friends and family. You continue to put up with hours of no conversation, with just the tapping of my keyboard as company. You listen to me rant when the characters are misbehaving, and you listen to me cheer when they are making my work easy.

I don't know where the characters are going to take me when I first step into the story; I just go with what they tell me to do. I never know what trouble they will get me into.
I can sit with the family around for hours researching, and just writing with the ear phones in, and you just leave me to it.
My mam, you are always telling me to pull my laptop out and get writing. I don't think I would of managed some times without your encouragement - thank you.
A massive thank you to Cassandra P Lewis. You organised the very first book signing I attended, and it was a weekend I will never forget. The amount of fun we had was amazing.
You made it possible for me to meet some amazing and very talented authors. I will always be thankful to you for introducing me to the book signing world. #SCS will live within me forever.
Another massive thank you to JB McGee for yet again another amazing book cover. Your designs continue to blow me away, here is to many more in the future.
To Angel Steel from Angels Formatting, thank you for playing around with my book, and formatting it for me.
No matter how many times I try to get the hang of formatting, it still always beats me.
Finally, another thank you to everyone who has made this journey, what it has become. None of it would be possible without you.
I appreciate the support, and I will continue doing so.

Much love, TL Messruther.