A Family Affair - Next of Kin Read Online Free PDF Page B

car, and they were away, heading towards the shopping strip that Miranda had recommended. It didn’t take long, and Robert found a temporary parking spot close to the furniture shop.
    “I’ll help you out, Ellen,” he said, jumping out of the driver’s seat smartly.
    “Thanks, Robert,” Ellen said.
    He lifted the stroller out of the car, and Ellen readied Angus for the expedition.
    “Give me a call when you’re ready to go, and I’ll bring the car back here.”
    “Thanks, Robert. But I’d be happy to catch a cab back.”
    “You wouldn’t dare,” he threatened light-heartedly. “I’ll be here. Just call me a few minutes before you’re ready. I don’t want you waiting on the street by yourself.”
    Ellen nodded. The men were all so protective of her. It was nice to be cared about, but the level of precaution seemed higher than necessary. She didn’t want to upset him though. “Okay, Robert. Thank you. I’ll do that.”
    The security guard approached, but stayed a few metres away, trying not to look conspicuous.
    “Let’s go, Angus,” Ellen said. They set off, enjoying both the sunshine and bustle of the shopping precinct. Angus was stirring, but still drowsy after the drive. If he stayed awake, he would enjoy the change of scenery.
    It didn’t take long before Ellen was inside the shop, and found the largest wall display of cushions she had ever seen. She removed her sunglasses and put them in her bag, and as her hat was annoying, put that away too. Before long, she found a couple of different styles she liked, and took a picture of each one with her phone camera to show Miranda at a later date.
    Because Ellen was preoccupied by her selections, she didn’t notice the woman in the store who was watching her every move.
    “Ellen,” the other woman said tentatively.
    Ellen swung around, dropping the cushion she was holding in the process. She hadn’t been expecting to be recognised in this environment, and jumped in response to her name being said aloud. It was Nikki Lucas, and she was moving in her direction purposefully.
    Before Ellen could react, the security guard lunged, putting his body in front of her and the stroller. His action protected them from Nikki’s advance. He had moved faster than Ellen thought possible.
    “Step back,” he ordered Nikki, loudly and authoritatively.
    “It’s only me... Nikki,” Nikki said puzzled, trying to peek at Ellen around the security guard’s body.
    “It’s okay,” Ellen said quietly to the security guard, trying to put him at ease.
    “This woman is on our list,” he said firmly, not budging an inch.
    Ellen guessed that Tom must have supplied pictures of Nikki and Kane to the security firm. She hadn’t known that. “She won’t hurt me.” Ellen looked around at the other nearby shoppers who were now watching with interest. “And you’re creating a scene.”
    “Are you sure, ma’am?”
    “Yes. You can relax. Tom is just being over-protective.”
    The security guard reluctantly stepped away, then immediately started dialling a number on his phone.
    The scene had created quite a commotion, but people quickly realised the action was over and resumed their own shopping.
    “You’ve got a bodyguard now?” Nikki asked, raising an eyebrow. She stepped closer, moving tentatively to embrace Ellen while keeping one eye on the security guard.
    Ellen let Nikki hug her, but there was no shared warmth in the action. Nikki had caused Tom’s family so much pain, and her actions would not be forgiven easily. Although Nikki was not a physical threat, the conversation would be a short one, as she was not welcome in Ellen and Tom’s life.
    “How are you, Ellen?” Nikki asked, stepping back.
    “Good, Nikki,” Ellen replied, not wanting to engage in more than perfunctory politeness.
    “Are you studying yet, Elle? I know you wanted to go back to school, but I suppose... motherhood has probably swamped everything else in your life?”
    Ellen was surprised