Home Truths: The Van Helsen Series, #2

By L Tait

If you're searching for the truth...

Kris Van Helsen and his fiancee, Hazel Woodford, after overcoming a dangerous situation involving people from his past, are forced to relive their nightmare as their presence is requested at an inquiry in Kris's native country, to give evidence, their version of events. While Kris finds himself facing up to some uncomfortable home truths, Hazel finds herself face to face with her arch enemy...and their intense hatred of each other ends in tragedy...

(This is the second book in the Van Helsen Series, and is approximately 38,090 words in length).

• Language: English
• Publisher: L Tait
• Release date: Nov 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519976550

Book preview

Home Truths

The Van Helsen Series, Volume 2

L Tait

Published by L Tait, 2015.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

HOME TRUTHS

First edition. November 16, 2015.

Copyright © 2015 L Tait.

ISBN: 978-1519976550

Written by L Tait.

Also by L Tait

The Van Helsen Series

Frenemies

Home Truths

The Reunion

Loose Cannon

Satan's Game

Artistic Differences

Keeping Secrets

Identity Crisis

Undecided...

Standalone

If Only!

School Daze!

Random Quest

I'm Not As Green As I'm Cabbage Looking!

The Work Experience

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By L Tait

Home Truths (The Van Helsen Series, #2)

And so, if you would be so kind as to cast your mind back a few short months, the life of yours truly, Hazel Woodford, schoolgirl extraordinaire, had gone from being pretty much the usual, common or garden , run of the mill, to something that you would only expect to see in an action movie at the local cinema.  It was so unbelievable that you’d think I was starring in a Hollywood box office smash, but, in this case, believing that everything that had happened back in April, well, actually happened, wouldn’t be such a bad thing, because, it was true.

And it was all because of one man.

Kris Van Helsen.

(If you’re just joining me now, I would strongly advise, at this stage, that you read the first part of the story, Frenemies, to get a little bit of background information).

You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but, this man, with his aquamarine eyes, blond hair, like a lion’s mane, and well toned muscular figure, had a past more complicated than a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing, and, to complicate things even more, I’d fallen in love with him, and was three months pregnant with his child.

But, despite his ex best friend, and his vicious ex wife, who, between them, had recently tried to settle past scores, by endangering my life, and that of our unborn child, I loved him, and couldn’t bear to be parted from him.

At this particular moment in time, a bright, sunny morning in early July, Kris and I were both in his jeep, waiting to get on the car ferry, which would take us back over to Oban, and then back home.  We’d spent some time in a cottage in the Highlands, which had served a purpose as a holiday, and some much needed privacy for us initially, as Kris was also something of a celebrity back in his home country, but, as a result, we’d unexpectedly run into some trouble, which had solved Kris’s current assignment with the police force, but events had taken a strange turn because, Kris’s younger sister, Anoushka, had intervened, saving me from a potentially dangerous situation, which would have resulted in certain death, and, as part of police protocol, an inquiry would be held in Norway, Kris’s home country, in the city of Bergen, in the not too distant future.

But, we’d also been advised that, as well as testifying at the inquiry, there could also be a separate court case, where Anoushka herself could face charges of a criminal nature.

So, this was why we were heading for home. I’d wanted to stay longer, but I was outvoted by both Kris and my Mum, who, on account of my ‘condition’, insisted that I should be home, where they could keep an eye on me.  I kind of resented this decision, but I also respected it.

I had to!

After Kris had safely locked up the jeep on the car deck of the ferry, we strolled along to the boat deck to watch the ferry pulling out of the harbour.

Kris had a very pensive look on his face, and he’d been uncharacteristically quiet the whole time we’d been on the road before catching the ferry.

I commented on it.

‘Penny for your thoughts, Kris?’ I inquired, gently.

‘Hmm, what? Sorry?’ he replied, sounding like he’d only just heard me.

‘You’re very quiet.  What’s on your mind? You can tell me.’

‘Can I? Tell you what, Hazel.?’

‘What’s been bothering you for the past few hours.’ I guessed.

‘Okay, Haze, you got me!’ he said at length, running a hand haphazardly through his hair, the way he always did when he had something difficult to say, or get off his chest.

‘The thing is, Hazel...’

‘Yes?’

‘I, um, haven’t been completely honest with you.’

‘Meaning?’ I prompted.

‘Meaning, darling, the whole gun thing we’ve got a problem with.’

‘Oh, I see.’ I said, not really seeing at all.  What was he talking about?

‘You remember, Hazel, when I told Anoushka that I put her on my gun licence back at the bureau so that she could own a gun too, purely for her own protection, of course.’

‘Yes, go on.’ I replied, wondering where all this was leading to.

‘Well...’ Kris went on, ‘That explanation wasn’t strictly true.’

‘So, what is it then? The truth, Kris.’ I added, when I noted his blank look.

‘Okay, Hazel.  The truth of the matter is , I sort of unofficially managed to acquire a gun for Anoushka, and didn’t do it through proper police channels.  I, ah, actually went into the armoury at headquarters and borrowed a gun for her as I was concerned that she’d be a target.  To protect her from Cassandra.’

‘Cassandra!’ I exclaimed.

‘Ja.  Cassandra swore that she’d get her revenge on my family after I divorced her.  I wasn’t taking any chances.  Giving Anoushka a gun was all my idea, and, judging by the company Cassandra had been keeping, it proved to be a good one.’

‘So...what’s the problem?’ I asked.

‘What’s the problem.  What’s the problem?’ yelled Kris.  ‘Hazel, how could there not be a problem? I got Anoushka a gun by totally illegal means, taking advantage of my position in the department, and soon, there’s going to be an inquiry.  I figured it would all come out sooner or later, so I thought it would be better if...’

He stopped abruptly, as I grabbed his arm, in a bid to make him come down.  An elderly couple standing nearby was looking over at us with something close to  curious expressions on their faces, listening to our conversation with undisguised interest.

‘Sorry, Haze.’ apologised Kris, lowering his voice to a tone above a barely audible whisper.

‘I guess I lost my temper there.  I’m just worried about Anoushka, my position on the force, you.’

‘Me?’ I asked, puzzled.  ‘You don’t have to worry about me , Kris.’

‘Yes, I do, Haze.  If the date for this court case is set before the baby is born, the stress could do you more harm than good.  How are you feeling, by the way?’ he inquired, drawing me closer to him.

‘Surprisingly good.  I’m actually getting used to all this now.  Three months doesn’t change a thing, Kris.’ I commented.

‘It’s changed a lot for me.  These past few months have been good for me.  I’ve learned a lot about myself, my life, and, best of all, I’ve learned to love again, and the family I’ve often only ever dreamt of having has finally become a reality.’

He sighed contentedly and wound his strong, muscular arms even tighter around my waist, and I leaned back against him, looking out at the rugged coastline as the ferry sailed on, bringing us closer to our destination.

‘Maybe it’s better that we don’t discuss this, or even worry about it until it happens.’ I suggested.

‘True, Hazel.  Let’s just focus on the here and now, and let the future take care of itself.’ agreed Kris.

And, as we stood there, looking out to sea, I said,

‘Kris Van Helsen, I love you, and I’ll stand by you, whatever happens.’

‘And I love you, Hazel Woodford.  When our child makes its entrance into the world, I’ll be with you every step of the way.’

‘So...you think you’ll be able to handle the sight of blood? Oh, and there’ll be a pretty good chance of me wanting to cheerfully strangle you.’

‘I’ll take that chance, Hazel.’ insisted Kris.

‘I hope so, because, by then, it’ll be too late for you to back out.’ I warned him, with a serious tone in my voice.

‘Hazel, I don’t intend on missing the birth of my child.  If I had to represent my country at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest so that I wouldn’t miss the birth, believe me, I would.  What? What’s so funny?’ he demanded, as I was doubled over with laughter at that precise moment.

‘Oh, nothing.’ I laughed.  ‘What would you sing? Something by The Police?’ I teased.

Then I realised that Kris was from another country, and maybe wouldn’t see the joke.

‘Oh, you wouldn’t get it, Kris.  They’re an English band from the eighties.  My Dad likes them.’

‘Actually, Hazel, I have heard of them.’ corrected Kris, his serious expression giving way to a wide grin, setting his luminous blue green eyes alight, sparkling with totally undisguised humour.

‘Come on,’ I said, hearing the announcement on the public address system calling all the car owners back to the car deck. ‘Time to go.’

‘I’m on my way, Hazel.’ Kris replied, as he took my arm, and we set off  in the direction of the car deck, and the jeep.

So, when we eventually reached home, later that day, the first thing I did was say hello to my parents, and older sister Holly, who was full of questions about our trip.

‘So, how did you two enjoy being at the back of beyond, then?’ she immediately asked.

‘Holly!’ exclaimed Mum.  ‘Scotland is your country! Be proud of that fact.’

‘Okay, okay.’ conceded Holly.  ‘I’ll rephrase my question.  Did you enjoy your break?’ she queried, shooting me a mischievous smile, which I interpreted to mean something else entirely.  Mum’s fierce sense of patriotism could sometimes be a little unnecessary, and quite overwhelming.

Kris and I exchanged a significant look.

‘Yes, it was great, despite what happened, I feel quite well rested.’

‘I’m very surprised to hear that, Hazel, dear.’ said Mum.

‘Really? How?’ I questioned, puzzled by her remark.

‘I mean, with that mad woman still running around, causing trouble, you were lucky you didn’t get yourself killed Hazel! If she’s still around, she might try again! You can’t go taking chances like that! Hazel, I’m not leaving you out of my sight until she’s caught.’

‘But, Mum, I...’

‘Your mother’s right, Hazel.’ interrupted Kris, ‘And I’ll be keeping an eye on you when your mother isn’t around to do so.  It’s for your own good.’

‘Hmph!’ I exclaimed, folding my arms and scowling.  Really, was this my life here, or had I gone back in time to Nineteen Eighty four, where Big Brother was watching my every move?

My Dad looked up from his newspaper(and no doubt, the crossword puzzle).

‘Don’t scowl like that, Hazel!’ he scolded.  ‘It doesn’t become you, and your mother’s decision is final on this, and I back her, one hundred percent.  End of story.’ he added, when I tried, in vain, to plead my case, that I could take care of myself.

I swore under my breath, purely due