An Impossible Dilemma: A Psychological Thriller Novel by Netta Newbound Read Free Book Online Page A

bright-eyed, my baby.” I bent to kiss Emily’s cheek before patting Frank on the shoulder. "Where's Jon?" I asked, glancing around the room.
    "Already gone,” Frank said.
    "Aw, he didn't say goodbye, the bugger. He knows I hate it when he does that." I poured myself a glass of orange juice before sitting down opposite Emily.
    "They were in a hurry. I made him and Alex some sandwiches to take. They said some walls are down on the other side of the farm or something. And they've got to dig out an awful pit,” Steph said.
    I'd just taken a swig of juice and almost spurted it out over the table. I began to cough and laugh, wiping my mouth on my sleeve.
    It was lovely to see Frank also laughing. His pot belly bounced with every deep, chocolate coated chuckle and his laughter made me laugh even harder. Emily also joined in.
    Stephanie stared at us as though we'd gone mad.
    "What? What did I say?" she said, looking at each of us in turn.
    Her confused expression made me laugh even harder.
    "An offal pit you mean—not an awful pit—although your name is probably more fitting," I managed to say eventually.
    "Oh, I wondered what they meant,” she said and laughed with us.
    I ate a full English breakfast, the first meal I'd enjoyed since this nightmare began.
    Afterwards, I left them all playing cards while I went into the office. Business at the clinic had been slowly picking up again, but the appointments were mainly the ones already booked in. So we diverted the calls to the house.
    I searched the Internet and found a couple of contacts regarding stem cell research. I dialled the main number, but there was no answer, so I sent an email instead.
    Then I got onto some household chores I'd been putting off for ages. I stripped the bedclothes and opened the bedroom window. Taking a breath of fresh air, I admired the way the sunshine made the landscape appear more lush and green.
    When the phone rang, I raced down the stairs to answer it, praying for a response to my email.
    "Hello."
    "I speka wid step."
    "What? Oh, hold on, please," I said, sighing deeply. “Steph—phone,” I yelled.
    After loading the washing machine, I began sorting through the massive pile of ironing that had been stuffed into the laundry cupboard. The phone rang, and I charged down the hallway once again.
    "Hello?"
    "Mrs Lyons—am—can—ad." The signal was poor and I couldn’t recognise the voice or understand what he was trying to say.
    "I'm sorry, who is this? I didn't hear a word you said."
    "Accident. I've called an ambulance, but he's bad."
    "What's happened? Who is this?"
    "This is Alex. It’s Jonathan. He's hurt. Badly."
    The phone went dead in my ear.

 
     
    Chapter 6
    My legs felt as though they’d been hollowed out and concrete poured into each void. Every step was harder than the last. I eventually made it down the hallway, through the front door, across the path, through the gate and into the field.
    "Victoria?"
    I ignored Stephanie’s calls and continued walking.
    "Victoria—what the hell are you doing?"
    Stephanie appeared beside me and grabbed my arm.
    I shrugged her off. No words would form.
    "Where are your shoes? Are you all right? VIC!" she shouted.
    I stopped and glanced down at my bare feet, shaking my head I turned to face her, numb with shock. Palpitations in my chest were making me breathless. The sunshine I'd admired just a couple of moments ago now blinded me as I stared at Stephanie. Still no words would form at all.
    The sound of sirens rang out from the road at the back of the farm, and the situation suddenly seemed to register with Stephanie.
    "Who was on the phone, Vic?"
    Stephanie’s high-pitched voice sounded urgent, making my head snap in her direction.
    I stared at her.
    "Who was it? Was it Jonathan?" Her eyes bored into my face.
    I shook my head.
    "Was it Alex?"
    I hesitated before nodding numbly.
    "Oh, my God. Right, Victoria—we're going back inside and I'll go to see what's happening, Okay? Okay, Vic?"
    I