In His Power (Beyond Darkness, #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Portia sneaked a peak at the back seat just to make sure she was ok. She wasn’t, how could she be. Her daughter was somewhere in this big wide world, and she had no idea what to do about it.
    The car finally stopped outside London’s house. She gazed at the bottle green door. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t go inside and not expect to see Paige. Her parents turned to her and waited. Malcolm looked at his wife, but she kept her gaze on London.
    ‘Sweetie, we can get some clothes for you and you can come back to ours if you can’t do this.’
    London was silent, but shook her head. She wanted to ask for a little more time, but the words still refused to pass her lips.
    ‘Okay, whenever you’re ready, sweetheart.’
    Ten minutes later, London pulled on the latch to the car and opened the door. She stepped out slowly. Her head felt a little light, but she took bold steps towards the front door. Portia followed behind. London put her head to the door and shut her eyes. She didn’t want to go in, but she knew she had to.
    ‘Sweetie, you don’t have to do this.’
    London shut her eyes; her head still against the door and bit her lip. Her throat felt restricted by the grief, and at one point she thought she might faint. But after a few moments, London felt strong enough to step inside. She fumbled for the keys in her bag. She let out a sigh, and then opened the door. She stood frozen in the door way like a stranger. Her eyes wandered down the passage, towards the kitchen. She thought she could hear Paige’s voice coming from the kitchen, but she knew it was all in her head.
    She stepped into the house, and headed for the kitchen. The plates lay in the sink still unwashed from the morning of the incident. She stood in the middle of the room and stared at the empty bowl Paige, had used to eat that morning. Her heart broke into tiny little pieces, her body heated all over and within seconds she fell to the floor.
    ‘Oh honey.’ Portia was too late to help her. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She joined her on the kitchen floor and took her into her arms.
    She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream, she wanted to do anything than the silence that had arrested her body. But nothing came. They stayed in that position until Malcolm entered the house to find out what was going on.
    ‘Just give me a minute, honey.’ Portia stood up and took Malcolm by the arm, and led him to the living-room, so they could talk privately. ‘I think I will stay with her. Why don’t you go on home, come back later this evening for tea. Also bring me a change of clothes,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to push her to do anything she isn’t ready for.’
    ‘Yes, of course.’ He took Portia into his arms. ‘I just wish I could do more to help.’
    ‘You are love, you’re here with us. Your presence is what we need’
    ‘I love you.’ He kissed her forehead.
    She walked him to the door, shut the door behind him, and headed back for the kitchen. But when she got there, London was gone.
    ‘London?’ she panicked. ‘London?’
    London had gone upstairs while her parents spoke. She slowly opened the door to Paige’s room. It hit her as she looked at the tiny bed and the small clothes scattered across the floor. She’d always told Paige to pick up after herself, but it hadn’t stuck. How insignificant that was at that moment. She didn’t care about that, all she wanted was her baby back in her arms.
    She gazed at the little light blue cardigan Paige had begged for while they’d been out shopping one afternoon. London dropped to her knees and picked up the soft fabric. She lifted it up and admired it, and then brought it close to her nose. She breathed in the soft scent that was once Paige. She shut her eyes and tried to imagine Paige in her arms.
    ‘Oh honey.’ Portia stood by the door.
    London’s shoulders shook, and soon her whole body followed suit. The tears fell, but there was no sound. Portia was quick to take her into her arms again.