Chapter Fifty Two

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

Rescue

There was a tapping on Bryony’s bedroom window. She awoke slowly, groggy and disoriented. The thoughts of her father, Eddie, and her sweet unborn baby slammed into her, and she wearily realized this was life. It wasn’t going to get much better. She had been programmed to flee for the promise and hope of a better world, when perhaps the best thing to do would be turn over and close her eyes so she wouldn’t see the face of death when it overtook her.

Then more tapping.

Bryony slipped out of bed, opened the window, and peered out onto the street. There stood Teddy Baker, half hidden behind the rough dry brush in the yard.

Why, it was her girlhood fantasy come true. How very bizarre.

“Teddy, what are you doing here?”

Teddy smiled at her. “Nobody calls me Teddy anymore. I’ve gone by Ted for the last ten years.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“No, don’t apologize, Bryony. I like it. It reminds me . . . of a time long ago, and I realize now that is a good thing t