The Island Angel Page 6

  “Well, after that, I did some more work on the stables.” Jessica smiled and turned back to the screen.

  “You can use the spare bedroom,” Anna added after a moment. “It has its own bathroom, but it’s the colder end of the house.”

  “It’ll be great, Anna. Thanks so much for letting me stay.”

  “Do you think you can look after the animals during the week? I’ve taken a job at a coffee shop in the town.”

  “I’m not sure how long I need to stay. But of course, I can while I’m here.”

  “Okay.” Anna had expected this response, and it was why she wanted the website updated. She needed someone who would be around for longer. “Abbie boards at school, so she’s not around weekdays, otherwise, I’d get her to help more.”

  Jessica nodded. “She told me a bit about that. It must be hard for you.”

  “It is. Things didn’t quite work out the way I wanted them to.” She sighed and turned to see Jessica looking back at her with concern. “I’ll take Abbie to school first thing in the morning as the tides are that way round at the moment. So you’ll need to start then and feed Daisy and Kermit.”

  “Sure. Do you have any other animals?”

  “Just the chickens. Kermit doesn’t need much looking after.”

  Jessica twisted the laptop towards Anna. “Is this okay?”

  Anna placed a hand on the top of Jessica’s shoulder and leaned over. The addition she’d attempted to the website was now perfectly formatted. Better than that, Jessica had improved the layout. “Wow, that was quick! It looks great.”

  “Okay to publish it?” Jessica turned towards her.

  “Yes, please.” Anna only then realised Jessica’s body trembled slightly, where her fingers had drifted to touch the bare skin of her neck. She blushed and moved away.

  “Okay it’s done, but it might—”

  Anna grabbed Jessica’s wrist, where it rested on the table “What the hell is it with you and bleeding?” The bandage on Jessica’s hand was dark with dried blood, which was also crusted at the base of her thumb and over her wrist.

  “I fell and knocked it,” Jessica stammered, seemingly shocked by Anna’s reaction.

  Anna yanked Jessica out of the chair and over to the sink. She knew she was overreacting, but it was so hard to control her fear. As she cleaned the wound again, she took deep breaths. “I’ll take you to the clinic in the morning. You need stitches.”

  “I’m sorry I upset you,” Jessica said.

  Anna sighed. “No. It’s me. John used to say I’m messed up. And I superimpose.”

  “Superimpose what?”

  “My past onto the present—”

  “That doesn’t sound right. You’re not messed up. And the past is always in the present. Even here, you see it when you look out the window. It founds and informs us.”

  Anna smiled while binding Jessica’s hand. When it was done, she absentmindedly brushed the top of Jessica’s fingers. She has artist’s hands. The thought, and dealing with the wound, helped her fear to subside. And, if she admitted it, being close to Jessica was rather comforting. Perhaps that’s why I’m too—I don’t know, familiar with her. I’ve just been alone for too long. Screw John. No, it was a mistake to have ever screwed him at all. It wasn’t any fun anyway. Why’s she looking at me? I must look a mess… God, those eyes… Who the hell has different coloured eyes?

  Anna glanced up when Jessica’s fingers closed around hers.

  “You all right?” Jessica asked.

  “Fine,” Anna said, louder than she intended. She bit her lip and squinted at Jessica. “Okay. I’m okay. Let me show you your room.”

  AT DINNER, JESSICA watched with curiosity as Anna struggled to carve slices off the roast with a paring knife. By the pained expression on her face, she wasn’t comfortable with the task.

  “Let me,” Jessica offered. She expected Anna to refuse and was surprised when she handed over the blade.

  “Thanks,” Anna mouthed and sat.

  “You don’t have any proper knives?” Jessica asked.

  When Anna didn’t answer, Abbie piped up. “Mum hates them.”

  “Abbie,” Anna snapped.

  “What? You don’t like them. You have nightmares—”

  “That’s enough. I don’t want to talk about this!”

  There was a moment of silence as Jessica served the sliced beef.

  “Well, you do,” Abbie muttered, before tucking into her meal.

  Jessica glanced between the two of them. It was clear a secret had been shared Anna had meant to stay hidden.

  Chapter Six

  ON MONDAY, JESSICA was driven to a clinic on the mainland. Somehow, they had managed to survive. Anna’s driving was scary. She couldn’t keep the car in its lane and had sped along as if she was in a go-kart that only had a stop and go-very-fast button.

  At the clinic, Jessica had her wound cleaned and sutured. She received a prescription for antibiotics, but she knew she couldn’t go to a pharmacy without any money, so it remained hidden in the pocket of her jeans.

  For the rest of the week, Jessica took care of the animals and worked on the roof of the stable. She had managed to remove all the tiles and stacked them, ready for refitting. Repairing the roof was the least she could do for Anna. The work allowed her to think about her life; where she was on its journey and how empty it felt. A judicial prison sentence didn’t scare her as much as perpetual solitude.

  Behind the stable block was a polytunnel half filled with straw bales. It held the sun’s heat, and Jessica sat under its canopy while considering how to carry out the next stage of the build. Kermit had teleported out of nowhere; Jessica was convinced he was actually an alien with advanced tech. His oddly shaped head and domical eyes supported the theory.

  Kermit butted her knees. She’d discovered the way to avoid having her clothes eaten was to feed him carrots. At first, this would satisfy him, and he would wander off. However, the goat now had a new behavioural problem. Kermit would frequently ram into her whenever he wanted another carrot.

  To escape him, Jessica ducked out of the tunnel and climbed her ladder, which was positioned inside the end stall. At the roof’s apex, she considered how to raise the new rafters to replace the rotten ones she’d removed. It was a two-person job, and she didn’t want to bother Anna, who came home exhausted, made dinner, and went to bed. Jessica felt guilty about not cooking, but Anna always insisted she do it, saying it was part of their arrangement.

  Jessica hauled herself up and sat on the peak of the gable while enjoying a view of the whole island. Clouds raced overhead, and the sun appeared and disappeared at a moment’s notice. The wind caused her hair to whip around her cheeks. She took a black hairband off her wrist and used it to bind a ponytail.

  Something nudged her feet, and instinctively her hand darted out to grip the roof’s ridge.

  Kermit was balancing on the ladder; all four of his hooves on a rung.

  “What the hell? Get down!”

  Kermit did the opposite, leaping from his spot to the roof’s cap. He wandered along its length, turned, and came back again. He butted Jessica in the shoulder so she almost fell twenty feet to the ground. “Get down, you nutcase frog goat!”

  Descending the ladder a few steps, she tried to grab onto the goat’s collar, unsure how the animal would negotiate the drop. But, when she tried, Kermit backed away. “Stupid animal!”

  She glanced around, seeing a tractor and farmer in the field opposite. “Anna’s going to kill me,” she cursed. She navigated the final rungs and raced over to where she’d seen the tractor.

  “Hey!” Jessica panted. “Can you help me? My goat’s stuck on the roof.”

  The portly, weatherworn farmer looked at her. His lips transformed into a smile of amusement.

  “Just there.” Jessica pointed. Against the clay tiles, Kermit could be seen standing as if he was a goat-shaped weathervane.

  “He’s climbed higher things than that. I wouldn’
t worry.”

  “You know him?”

  “Everyone does here. Kermit thinks he owns the place.”

  “So he’ll get down by himself?”

  “He’s a goat.” The farmer laughed loudly. “He climbs everything and eats anything, especially tourists. Shouldn’t be here really. On the island, I mean, but he’s Abbie’s goat and a bit of a legend. He’ll get down.”

  “I see… Thanks.”

  Jessica turned to leave when the farmer asked a question. “You’re visiting? Since Saturday?”

  “Yes,” she said, concerned how he knew when she arrived on Lindisfarne.

  “Mrs Meyer doesn’t get many visitors. Suspect she needs a bit of help around the place. But I suppose it must be Miss by now.”

  Shit. Jessica had forgotten what small communities were like in England—busybodies who never got their facts first-hand.

  “Can you help me with something else?” she asked, wanting to redirect the conversation, but also noticing the young man who had jumped down from the cab of the tractor.

  The older farmer laughed. “That depends what it is.”

  “Just some heavy lifting. It won’t take more than a few minutes.”

  “Of course, dear, my lad can help. And by the way, I’m Iain Foster.” He didn’t offer his hand and instead turned to his right and shouted, “David,” without realising his son was standing to his left.

  THAT EVENING, JESSICA was pleased with her progress. The crossbeams had been fitted with David’s help. They had also managed to tack on the under-sheathing and made a start on the laths the tiles would rest on. It was only Wednesday, and she hoped the roof would be finished by the end of the week.

  Anna seemed stressed at dinner, so Jessica said little. She wanted to know a lot more about her but felt she couldn’t get into a deep conversation. It would lead to questions as to why she was on the run and, right now, she had to stall for time while waiting for news from Chris. If she were lucky, he’d find something to prove she couldn’t have been the saboteur.

  “Are you going to show me what you’ve been doing in the stables?” Anna asked.

  “Can I show you in a few days? It’ll be done by then.”

  “Oh, I see, it’s a secret.” Anna stood close by as Jessica loaded the last of the plates into the dishwasher.

  “I just want it to be done before I show you.”

  “You’re a perfectionist.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Look, you’ve spaced all the glasses out evenly, even reorganising what’s already in it. I’ve never seen anyone pay such attention to a dishwasher.”

  Jessica laughed. “Well, I guess I might be one. I never really understood why it’s a sin to be a perfectionist.”

  “It shouldn’t be. It’s just the way the world works. People who cut corners win. They get crap results, but they win. And, mostly, people only think about themselves and winning. They don’t realise we all end up in the same place.” Anna’s tone was harsh, and a scowl spoiled her delicate features.

  “What same place?” Jessica was curious where she was going with this.

  “Dead. We end up dead.” Anna combed her fingers through her hair and sighed. “Sorry. I’m grumpy today.”

  Jessica touched her shoulder. “It’s fine. Even grumpy, you’re pretty amazing.”

  “Oh.” Through a squint, Anna blinked. She tucked a strand of hair around her ear and said nothing. Clearly, she was uncomfortable with the comment.

  Annoyed with herself, Jessica was about to apologise when Anna spoke.

  “Do you want to go for a walk?”

  “Sure, that would be nice.” This was the first time Anna had asked her to go anywhere.

  “I’m not sure I’ll be good company. But here, put this on.” Anna handed Jessica a lilac puffer jacket while she slipped on a burgundy all-weather coat. “We’ll walk up to the castle and back.”

  The sun hovered above the hills of the mainland, casting shadows along the prominent features of the island. The wind was unusually still as they walked in silence, strolling through the empty lanes of the village. The soles of their shoes echoed between the dry-stone walls and old-worldly buildings.

  Their shoulders brushed a few times, despite Jessica’s attempts to keep a small separation between them. She didn’t think Anna purposefully bumped into her, but it seemed every time she stopped concentrating on her stride, they were shoulder to shoulder.

  “It’s very quiet here. Kind of spooky. I’m used to London,” Jessica said.

  “Is that where you lived?”

  Jessica grimaced. She’d said one thing, and they were already digging into her personal situation. This wasn’t Anna’s fault—Jessica’s circumstances would be difficult to avoid touching on.

  Anna didn’t press her for an answer. “I don’t think of it as spooky,” Anna said. “I grew up on a farm in the States. Well, before my father became ill. There were few houses around us but not many.”

  “You had horses there?”

  “Yes. We had a few on the farm and would take them to shows with my mother and sister. But really, my sister was the horse nut. I just tagged along.”

  “Do you still have family in the States?”

  “Just my mum.”

  “What about in England?”

  “I have a friend in London and my ex-husband lives there. But I guess I shouldn’t list him.” Anna flicked a hand towards a gap in a stone wall. “Let’s go through here.”

  A minute later, they stood in the shadows of a ruined priory. Only shells of walls, towers, and windows remained. A dark green carpet of short-cropped grass covered the ground.

  Jessica tried to read the knee-high plaque telling of its history, but Anna had disappeared, and she wanted to catch up. What she did read was a reminder from her school days—the priory was said to be the birthplace of Christianity in Britain, some fifteen centuries ago.

  Searching for Anna amongst the ruins, Jessica stuttered to a stop when she saw her. Anna stood in an elongated trapezoid of light where a glassless window permitted the sunlight to make landfall. Her hair glowed, giving the illusion of a halo.

  Approaching, Jessica moved into Anna’s dais. “You look like an angel standing in the sunlight,” Jessica said, her emotional brain dumping out the words before she’d a chance to filter them.

  Anna flashed an unguarded smile that melted Jessica’s heart and sent her pulse racing. “Just trying to keep warm. But that’s a nice thing to say… Let’s carry on.”

  They continued along the coast beyond Lindisfarne Priory, not quite reaching the path up to the castle.

  “Time to go back. I’m cold,” Anna said and then surprised Jessica by taking her arm. “Do you know how long you will stay?”

  “I’m not sure really. But I hope my problems will be sorted in a week or two.”

  “You can stay as long as you need. It’s nice to have grown-up company. And not be walking alone with everyone ignoring me.”

  Jessica understood this. In London, with so many people around, it gave the impression you weren’t alone. But, in reality, you might as well not exist. The lyrics of a song she had written fifteen years ago popped in her head.

  To walk with such purpose, so secure in your fortress,

  My open arms are useless, as you won’t take notice.

  No one notices,

  I’m somebody else.

  I’m somebody else.

  Alone in a darkening, my lifeblood dwells.

  My faint hope expelled, above an electric rail to farewell,

  Not even a farewell,

  I’m somebody else.

  I’m somebody else.

  It hadn’t been a happy time for her and Jessica was thankful she’d decided to leap on the tube train when it rattled into Baker Street station, instead of jumping just before it.

  Anna’s melodic voice drew her back to the present. “I keep thinking about getting a dog, so I have someone to walk with. I guess you’ll do for
now.” Anna glanced her way and squeezed her arm. It was a subtle gesture that seemed to say, I know where you’ve been.

  “So, I’m a dog now?” Jessica smirked.

  “It’s better than being a zombie.”

  “True. Being your dog would have amazing fringe benefits.”

  “Well, you’re not sleeping on my bed, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “Oddly, that was my first thought.”

  Anna bumped shoulders with Jessica. “Are you flirting with me?”

  “Maybe a little bit.” It amazed her how easily their conversation flowed when they did talk. It encouraged Jessica to drop her guard and be playful. The strange thing about Anna was she didn’t seem straight. In fact, the opposite. Jessica had met straight women who experimented and broke hearts. Anna was just being herself. Maybe she’s bi? Jessica stomped on the thought. What the hell am I thinking? I’m wanted by the police!

  “What type of dog would you get?” Jessica asked, manoeuvring to safer ground.

  “I’m not sure, but I need to get another pony first.”

  “If you bought a really big dog you could use it as a pony.”

  “Now there’s an idea.” Anna laughed.

  “And if you let Abbie name it, it would end up being called Rex the pony.”

  “More likely, Felix the pony.” Anna chuckled.

  “Oh, I see.” Jessica smiled. “Felix, the huge dog with a cat’s name who is being used as a pony.”

  “Exactly!” Anna howled. “You know, you’re the first person I’ve met in England who understands our sense of humour.”

  “It’s not hard to understand warped.”

  “Hey.” Anna nudged her with an elbow. “Careful, or you’ll be sleeping in the stables. But I like your dog pony idea. So, I still might feed you.”

  “I’d be okay with that.” Jessica smiled.

  In the twilight, Jessica explored Anna’s profile. Her immensely kissable ruby lips, pale skin, and perfect jawline. She was stunning.

  Behind long lashes, blue irises flashed her way, and, at that moment, Jessica meant what she’d said last.