Helen Phifer - The Girls In The Woods

Jo looked at him. Her cheeks had flushed red and she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. She had fancied him so much when he’d first moved here, fresh out of medical school. In fact, half of the women in the village had fancied him, but he’d turned them all down and had chosen to go out with her for six glorious months – until Heath had come along and blown her away with his charm. What a complete fool she’d been, giving up Paul for Heath. Christ, she still fancied him – but he was the one who had said it would be far too unprofessional of him to have a serious relationship with his patient. He’d let Heath steal her away from under his nose… and now look where she was. What would she give to turn back time and start all over again? Her soul probably; where was the devil when you wanted to make a deal? Shrugging her arm away from him she walked away without looking back, not wanting him to see her cheeks, which were burning, and her eyes, which were full of tears desperate to be shed. She didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for her; it was her sorry mess and one day she would sort it out – but today wasn’t that day.

She walked out of the doctor’s room with her head down, not looking where she was going. Annie, who was also leaving, was talking on her phone to Will, telling him about her appointment and wasn’t paying attention either. They both reached the main doors at the same time, bumping straight into each other. Jo, who was tiny, lifted off her feet and landed on the floor. Mortified, Annie bent down, reaching out her hand to help her up. Jo began to laugh.

‘I’m so sorry. Are you okay?’

‘I’m sorry, it was my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine. I keep forgetting about the size of my stomach. This bump is made of strong stuff and so am I. It’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it? Do you mind me asking – are you a local or a visitor?’

Jo took hold of Annie’s hand and she pulled her to her feet.

As they walked outside into the warm summer sun, Jo nodded.

‘I’m local. I live in a cottage on the edge of the woods. Have done for the last twenty years, since I got married. How about you?’

‘Ah, you almost qualify as being a true local. I’ve only lived here just under a year. We live at Apple Tree Cottage which borders the woods, but it must be on the opposite side to you. I’ve never really got to know anyone in the village because I was always working – well, until I found out I was pregnant that was. Now I’m on doctor’s orders not to get stressed, so I’m not at work at the moment.’

She held out her hand and Jo grasped it; her touch was so light it tickled. Annie smiled at her.

‘You know I’ve been fantasising about a slice of that monstrous cake in the coffee shop window. Do you have time for a coffee and cake? My treat. It’s the least I can do to make up for almost flattening you into the floor. It’s been so long since I sat in a café, I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like.’

She watched as the woman looked down at her watch, biting her lip. Then she looked at her properly, for the first time making eye contact.

‘Me either. You know what, I would love to – but I can’t stop for too long. I have to get back.’

Annie didn’t ask who, or why the rush. She got the sense that the woman was taking a huge risk by making a decision of her own. They walked the short distance to the café and Annie pointed to a table outside.

‘Would you mind if we went inside, out of the way?’

‘No, of course not. I’d get too hot anyway.’

They went inside where it was cool and much darker. Annie let Jo pick the table, wondering if she would pick the one at the back in a dark corner, and she did. Annie didn’t feel like gloating; she really felt for her. They were like kindred spirits, as if there was some unseen connection between them. Annie smiled. Where was this bullshit coming from? She’d turned into a right soppy wreck since she’d got pregnant. They sat down, chatting about the weather, the village fete that was being held in two weeks’ time, and the baby.

‘I always wanted children, really wanted children, but my first husband never did and to be honest I’m glad we didn’t now. It wasn’t a very good relationship. This one was a bit of a surprise but my second husband was delighted when he found out. Do you have any?’

The woman laughed but it was a short laugh.

‘No, Annie, we don’t and I suppose it’s a blessing in disguise. I wouldn’t want to bring a baby into my life.’

She stopped talking and bowed her head, furious with herself for almost letting slip about what a shitty life she led.

Annie changed the subject, feeling embarrassed for her – yet at the same time wanting to hug her and tell her it was okay, her secret was safe with her. But they barely knew each other and Annie hadn’t even told her best friend, Jake, about the abusive relationship she was in at the time, so there was no way that Jo was about to confide in her when they’d only just met. They finished their cake and sipped their coffee; Jo looked at her watch.

‘Oh gosh, is that the time? I really need to get going, but thank you, Annie. It’s been great talking to a neighbour even if we do live a couple of miles in the opposite direction from each other.’

Jo began to dig around in her pocket and Annie pulled out a ten pound note.

‘I told you, this is my treat. I’m so relieved to have some adult, female conversation it’s the least I can do. You can buy them next time.’

She winked at her and Jo laughed, turning to leave. Annie let her go. She was tired now she’d sat down and that huge slice of cake was weighing her down. Now all she had to do was walk home, or should that be drag herself home. She couldn’t stop thinking about Jo and wondered if her husband was a big man like Mike had been – they weren’t always. She’d arrested men before who were short and weedy but had fists like bars of steel. Annie knew she should keep out of it, that this was nothing to do with her. But she liked Jo and wanted to help in any way that she could.

Chapter 7

Jo hurried home; she’d been far too long and he would be furious with her, but it had been worth it. Annie seemed lovely; it was so nice to speak to another woman. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been out for coffee, it felt so civilised and made her realise exactly how crap her life was when going out for a coffee felt like a huge adventure. As she opened her front door she kept her fingers crossed that he wasn’t waiting for her. She was in such a great mood for the first time in months. It would be just like him to be waiting behind the front door to spoil it all. It was almost too good to be true – he was nowhere to be seen and she felt her shoulders relax as she let out a long sigh of relief. Closing the door as quietly as possible she kicked off her shoes and walked into the kitchen to put the kettle on. As she leant over the sink to fill the kettle she saw flashes of bright yellow moving around in the woods behind the cottage. The cold tap began to squirt water all down her top as the kettle overflowed. She jumped back away from the window, grabbing a tea towel to dry herself. Her heart was racing. What were the police doing in the woods? She had no idea why she felt so nervous but she did. In all the years she’d lived in the village she could count the number of times she’d seen a police officer on one hand – and now there were at least six of them at the back of her house. Her first thoughts were that he’d done something really bad, but then she scolded herself. He only did the bad stuff to her, didn’t he? He was a perfect gentleman to everyone else, especially his clients. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise what he thought was his perfect life – why would he? But still she felt uneasy.