before, it’s not far from the river. I need to get her away from water in her current state, so I tell her to go there, wait for me, and to order whatever she wants.
‘I’m leaving the office now, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Don’t go anywhere else. Please stay there and wait for me,’ I repeat, worried she’ll go AWOL.
It’s quicker to get into Worcester city centre by foot rather than drive and have to find somewhere to park, so I basically run to the cafe. But as I get near the square my phone rings. It’s Alex.
‘Hannah, are you in the square, near the cathedral?’
‘Yes… I’m just going to—’
‘She’s nearby. I’ve just checked and Helen’s around that area. Obviously I can’t see exactly, but it shows the two of you aren’t far from each other.’
I gasp. ‘Oh God, no.’ I’m desperate to get to Chloe, if I’m late she might not hang around. I was so concerned about her, I’d almost forgotten about Helen, but I doubt she’s forgotten about me. My eyes scan the area, I suddenly feel very exposed.
‘She can’t do anything though, can she? It’s broad daylight and busy—’
‘Who knows? If she’s nearby you’ve got to protect yourself!’
‘You’re scaring me, Alex.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘I’m sure she won’t do anything so drastic, but she is potentially dangerous and you mustn’t, whatever you do, engage with her.’
‘I have no intention of doing that,’ I say. I’m really on edge now, my head whipping around to see if she’s behind me. To the side, a boy on a bike rides past too close and I let out a little yelp.
‘Is it her?’ Alex demands.
‘No, no, I’m fine – sorry.’
‘God, Hannah, you scared me,’ he says, then pauses and asks, ‘Where are you going?’
‘To the coffee bar in the square, I’m meeting Chloe.’
‘Well, you know where Helen works, so just make sure you’re not anywhere near there.’
‘Okay… I’ll have to go.’
‘I’m watching, Hannah. I’ll keep an eye on where you both are.’
‘Okay… but, Alex, she won’t know what I look like anyway.’
There’s a moment where he hesitates to say anything, then obviously decides to be honest. ‘I showed her photos of you, when we met for lunch. I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh, Alex.’ I sigh wearily.
‘I know. Stupid of me, but when I showed her your photo I thought she’d be pleased, I never expected… this.’
‘Look, I have to go Alex,’ I say, not sure what to worry about most, Chloe or Helen.
‘Okay, but be aware she’s still around there somewhere. I’ll keep checking.’
‘Okay, thanks, bye.’
I continue to walk cautiously, but quickly, along the high street. I’m scared of Helen, but equally scared of Chloe doing a runner, so I just keep moving, checking every face that passes me, until the inevitable happens. Alex told me Helen was nearby, and just as I’m passing Yo! Sushi, she’s walking in the opposite direction – towards me.
I see her face close up, I know it’s her, I’ve seen the scribbled-out photo at Alex’s and the clear, professional one on the solicitor’s website. Yes, it’s definitely her, and for a nanosecond our eyes meet. I contain a horrified gasp and keep walking, as does she. But my instinct is to turn around and check she’s not behind me, and as I do, I see her standing in the middle of the high street facing me, staring at me. I turn back and start to walk quickly, my heart now in my mouth, I’m screaming inside, and as I check over my shoulder, she’s now walking towards me, very fast.
I hear her calling my name, she’s shouting, ‘Hannah, are you Hannah?’ her voice louder as she gets closer. There’s nothing for it, I have to run, so I make a dash for it and hide in a doorway waiting, trembling. I realise within seconds how stupid this is, if she finds me here there’s no escape. I have literally placed myself against a wall, out of view from everyone.
I stand there for at least five minutes, which is a very long time when you have no idea if any moment the person who wants to hurt you might appear. I can’t breathe, but even now, I’m aware that Chloe will be waiting and I can’t let her down again. So I gather myself together and, still breathless, make the short walk to the coffee shop, constantly checking over my shoulder. When I get inside, she’s sitting there, forlorn, in a hoodie and