It was suddenly apparent to me that she was lying. Her words sounded sour, somehow, filled with deception. Why would she lie to me about something like that? I shook myself. It didn't matter. I just needed her to look after Alex.

"I know, I know, but for me, could you take her away with you? Take her to the coast, maybe somewhere in Europe?"

"Europe? I haven't got that kind of money and you

d.a.m.n well know it, Niall Petersen."

"I'll pay for it," I volunteered.

"Well, I'm very pleased that you can afford to spend weekends swanning off to Europe, but we have other priorities in this house." Her voice had taken on its familiar sarcastic tinge. I couldn't afford to get tangled in this well-rehea.r.s.ed debate right now.

"I can afford it if it means Alex doesn't get kidnapped," I stated coldly.

"What do you mean, kidnapped?"

"I mean taken away from you, and me. Hurt. Harmed."

"You're not serious?" She sounded frightened now. "What kind of trouble have you dragged us into, Niall? "

"I don't know. I'm just trying to be very careful with the people I care about and I care about the two of you." I think some of the emotion in my voice travelled down the phone line because it went very quiet. "Are you still there?"

"Yes. I'm here." There was a further pause. "Where can we go?" All of a sudden she was taking me seriously.

"I don't know, and don't tell me. It's better I don't know." Echoes of my conversation with Blackbird came back to me. "Use the internet, book one of those lastminute city breaks somewhere, go today. "

"I can't just drop everything, Niall."

I knew she could. "Yes you can," I insisted.

"You really are serious, aren't you? My G.o.d."

"Yes I am."

"What do I tell Alex?"

"Tell her it's a surprise trip."

"Not about that, about you?"

"Tell her I love her." My voice broke at the end of the sentence and I had to stop and breathe for a moment. "Niall? Niall, for G.o.d's sake, what have you fallen into?"

"I don't know and I don't want either of you involved. Take your mobile with you and I'll call you in a few days." A thought occurred to me. "When I call, I'll ask about the dog, understand? "

"We don't have a dog."

"I know. If I don't ask about the dog, don't say anything. Especially, don't say where you are or what you're doing. In fact, just hang up. And if you see me, make sure it's me, understand?"

"What do you mean, make sure it's you?"

"I mean these people, they can make themselves look like other people." I was sounding a bit strange now, even to myself. "Look, just get me to remember something only we would know, to make sure I am who you think I am."

"Who I think you are?" She was starting to sound sceptical again.

"Just do it for me, OK?"

"Niall? What are you going to do?"

A little part of me was glad she still cared enough to worry what happened to me.

"I'll be all right. I'll have it sorted out in a few days. I'll call you on the mobile when the coast is clear. OK? "

"OK.".

"And if I don't call, don't come looking for me. Understand?"

"If you don't call me, I'm going to the police."

There was an edge of determination to her voice that made me feel momentarily proud of her. "OK. You do that." Maybe it would do some good.

"Niall...?" Everything that remained between us, despite all the harsh words and hurtful silences, hung in the pause after that word.

"I know, Kath. You take care of each other."

"Bye."

"Bye."

The connection closed, leaving me standing alone and apart.

I walked back across the paving to the table where Blackbird waited. She looked up as I approached. "All settled?"

"Yes. She's going to take her away for the weekend."

"That would probably be for the best, Rabbit. Are you ready?"

"What for?"

"A little walk, and then perhaps an introduction or two. It is about time you met some of your new brethren." She stood up, tucking the chair neatly back under the table and leaving the paper cups at one side where they could easily be collected.

"Is this the person you said could help me?"

"Perhaps. They will at least be able to offer you guidance. Whether you act on that guidance is up to you. "

"Another one of your choices?"