Chapter 4

Hope

Saturday

The sun streamed through the window and the birds chirped their morning songs. Chelsea sat up and stretched languidly. She gazed out the window and the colourful spacious back garden greeted her with its assortment of annuals and perennials along with the numerous hedges edging the yard. Pottering around in the garden with Sarah and Charlotte would be just the therapy she needed today. Filled with sudden enthusiasm, Chelsea went down the hall to shower.

The smell of waffles and pancakes intoxicated her as she descended the stairs. As she followed her nose, she heard her mum singing along with the radio blasting from the bench and smiled.

She spotted Hayden first, slouching on a stool at the breakfast counter, scoffing down a pile of pancakes. Charlotte sat in her pyjamas next to him, drinking coffee, and attempting to wake up.

Her pa and dad were sitting at the table discussing issues from the newspaper and not agreeing. Sarah swung her hips in time to the music, which accompanied her humming and singing as she flipped pancakes at the stove. Chelsea grinned at the welcoming scene.

“Well this is a sight for sore eyes,” Chelsea said as she entered the kitchen.

She was greeted by her family in various fashions.

Chelsea slid onto the stool beside Charlotte. When her stomach growled she discovered she was as hungry as her brother appeared to be and devoured her awaiting breakfast.

“Thanks, Mum, that was great.”

“You’re welcome, dear. Why don’t you head out to the garden while I clean up in here?”

“What are you up to today, Charlotte?” asked Chelsea turning to her not quite awake sister.

“Give me another half an hour and I’ll help you.”

“Good, we can catch up some more. What about you, Hads?”

“What?” he said glancing up from - was that more pancakes? “Um, I have to do some study otherwise I can’t go to the movies tonight with Josh,” he mumbled looking at Sarah with distaste.

“Don’t look at me like that, Hayden. The rules were the same for the girls.”

“You bet they were,” Charlotte grumbled.

“I’d better get started, then. It looks like you two have been a bit neglectful of the garden lately.”

Chelsea’s mind drifted back to Wes again as she attacked the garden and pulled out stubborn weeds. She remembered him doting on her as she completed the very same tasks. He’d fetched her drinks, wiped her sweaty brow and lovingly made and brought her lunch. She thought they’d been so happy together.

They’d spent the afternoon hours chatting in relaxed comfort until she’d finally, after almost three years, asked about his family. He’d never spoken of any living relatives and she’d thought, now they were engaged, she ought to know this much about him. When the subject was broached he’d become very touchy so she hadn’t asked again.

Wes had always been awestruck by the Summerville’s wealth and rightly so, she supposed. She wondered whether this had anything to do with his family. She’d received a privileged life but never took anything for granted and understood how fortunate she was. Chelsea, Charlotte and Hayden never went without or wanted for anything. Her entire family had and still worked hard. Her parents and her grandparents before them were dedicated to providing the best possible upbringing they could for their children. Chelsea was well aware of how daunting it could be to some.

Many people over the years resented or were jealous of her birthright and while at school the taunts were prevalent. Chelsea was often hurt by the derision, nonetheless it made her more determined to go out on her own and rely less on her parents. Despite the fact that her parents owned the house where Chelsea and Elle lived, she insisted on paying her half of the rent. She knew them to be proud of her independence and her need to pay her own way, although they didn’t want or need her to.

When Charlotte and Sarah joined her, Chelsea shook away the painful memories and settled into the tasks ahead. The women spent the remainder of the fine, warm day catching up and Chelsea began to feel lighter in her heart. Being around her family always lifted her spirits. As usual, Charlotte did more talking than weeding and Chelsea was warmed by the familiarity of her perpetual entertainment.

That night, exhausted after a day in the garden and full after a nice dinner with numerous debates, the girls settled in the large sitting room, with a bottle of wine and their favourite movies.

Hayden completed his studies as promised and had gone to the movies. Harold and Bradley had settled in the study for the evening. It was just as it had always been. Chelsea thought perhaps the last of her scars were finally beginning to heal.

* * *

Lucas

Saturday

Lucas couldn’t sleep again, afraid of what the night would bring. His mind swirled with images of their lifeless bodies. The familiarity of the case was troubling him and sleepless nights were doing little to help.

He considered blocking out the images which were refusing to leave him alone with a sexy brunette. Lucas wondered whether getting up and going out to pick up any random girl to occupy his mind and fill his bed would help. He couldn’t remember the last girl he’d brought home to his near-empty apartment when he thought a roll in the hay might relieve some stress.

He finally decided against the idea as another girl with a name he wouldn’t remember or would never see again would be a pointless waste of energy. Besides they usually wanted to experience the re-run and he was not in the mood to deal with any strings or scorned women. He couldn’t be bothered to be polite as he refused a second round. He was too tired to be nice.

Did he crave someone to share his life and burdens with, or was he just lonely? With haste he shook off the whimsical notions. He didn’t get involved. Being too close to anyone, and then losing them, hurt way too much.

Wandering around his barren apartment like a lost child, Lucas considered a walk to the corner shop, falling back on the old habit. Cigarettes brought the burn to his lungs, brought the physical pain which masked the emotional one, even if was only for a few minutes. Lucas decided against this too. He’d kicked that habit and wanted to leave it behind, so he tried the next best thing.

First, he did push-ups till his chest burned and the sweat stung his eyes. Turning over he did crunches until the pain washed over him and all he could think and feel was the ache. Chin-ups and more push-ups followed until his body protested and sweat drenched his skin. It didn’t help. Nothing seemed to stem the hollowness in his chest, the empty feeling as though something was missing. He was used to feeling numb and for years had stumbled through his life without feeling.

An icy shower prolonged the ache in his muscles but didn’t alleviate the empty hole in his soul. Did he really want to be alone? His thoughts drifted back to the possibility of letting someone into his life, so he stuck his head under the cold water and buried his longing.

Fatigued, Lucas fell into bed, attempting to clear his mind and obtain some much needed rest. But he knew it would simply bring the demons.

* * *