A Proposal to Remember

Having arranged the details, she wrapped up warmly, slipped out of the hospital and walked towards the shops.

The streets were crowded with Christmas shoppers loaded with bags and she fought her way into a small boutique that sold unusual knitwear and chose a chunky ribbed jumper for her brother.

Then she remembered Carlo. If he was spending Christmas with her then she’d need to buy him something.

Thinking back to their conversation, she smiled.

She knew exactly what to buy him and she knew just the shop.

She was hovering by the till, waiting to pay, when she glanced up and noticed a man buying chestnuts across the road.

It was the same man that she’d seen that morning.

Frowning slightly, Zan paid for the jumper, trying to convince herself that it was perfectly possible to bump into the same person twice in one morning. He probably worked locally.

She was just jumpy after the attack the night before.

Still feeling edgy, she left the shop and went back to the hospital, telling herself that there was nothing to worry about.

Kim grabbed her as soon as she arrived back in the clinic.

‘Someone called for you but they didn’t leave their name. It was a woman and she sounded frantic.’

Zan dumped her parcels and frowned. Who would have called her?

Her eyes widened as a thought struck her. ‘Kelly?’

‘Possibly.’ Kim gave a sigh. ‘I did ask her, but she hung up at that point.’

‘Oh, help.’ Zan glanced round the packed clinic and bit her lip. ‘Do you think…?’

‘Maybe. You’d better check it out,’ Kim said immediately. ‘I’ll call the agency and see if I can get some extra help here. If you need anything, call us. Not that she’s likely to let anyone help but you.’

Without waiting to argue, Zan sprinted off and found the bag she used for community visits. She checked the contents, added some extra equipment and then made her way to the door.

For a brief moment she contemplated telling Carlo where she was going and then she thought better of it.

He was busy in the clinic and she didn’t want to interrupt him.

* * *

Carlo had just finished seeing a patient when his mobile rang.

It was Matt.

Carlo listened in silence and then closed his eyes briefly, his broad shoulders suddenly tense. ‘She’s gone into the flat?’

He listened to Matt’s response and then let out a long breath. ‘Hang around outside. I’ll be there in ten minutes.’

He made two more phone calls and then snapped the phone shut and went to find Kim, who was placating a woman who’d been waiting for two hours.

‘We have a problem.’ He took her to one side and glanced around to check that no one was within earshot. ‘Zan’s with Kelly and I think she needs help.’

Kim’s eyes widened. ‘She’s called you?’

‘I…er…yes.’

No. His bodyguard had been following her. And he’d heard a woman screaming from inside the flat.