CHAPTER 7 (Bayswater then Devon)

Later, Sarah quietly let herself in through the side door to the communal hall that led to Tim's flat. She felt tired after the events of the day, needing to wind down, wondering if she could talk for a while with her children, Nicky and Timmy, on the phone.

Used to knowing their every movement, it was strange to be detached from them and it felt uncomfortable. She also longed for a shower to put the events of the day well behind her. At least Sam and she had parted friends with the promise that she would come over and see him on the next Monday.

She'd promised to cook him dinner and he'd offered her a taster session in PROLOG programming. He'd made a humorous play on the word 'taster' and she had smiled dutifully.

She remembered how affectionate he had been as they had parted. Could it be that he was genuinely smitten with her? If so, her task would perhaps be easier. If she had lost David at least she had enough admirers to know she was still attractive even if it was to older middle aged men with dubious business practices.

As she had walked back down the street outside his flat, she glanced again at the her special arch and silently thanked it for the memories it held that had helped her through those crucial moments of simulated passion that afternoon.

The passageway to Tim's flat smelt of wax and polished wood. It took her back to childhood memories of the smell of school classrooms in the morning. Wearily she inserted the key Tim had given her into the lock, opened the door and walked into a scene of total devastation.

The hallway to the flat had been ransacked. Coats from the hall wardrobe were on the floor. Drawers had been pulled out and their contents spilt over the floor. The beautiful hall mirror that Sarah had admired so much the day before with its fine gilt edging was broken diagonally across the centre.

Wearily, she deposited her coat and handbag in a side room. Its light was on but it seemed to have fared better against the onslaught than the hallway.

The door at the end of the hall was closed and from inside suddenly came the sound of breaking glass and raised voices.

"You're completely mad. You've got the wrong place. I've no idea what you're talking about". It was Tim's voice.

Her heart sank and the heavy crash of a body against a cabinet and Tim's grunt of pain confirmed her worst suspicions.