The Pledge Chapter 4d

“Dad don't leave me.” Alex sobbed into Alex's neck.

“Never.” Jack promised. “I love you more than anything. I'll never leave you.” He slipped the white lace from around Alex's neck. “And we don't need this either.”

“Mr O'Connor, maybe you should leave the talisman.” Mrs Wilson was clearly very distraught.

“I don't want that crap in my house.” Jack settled Alex back into bed. “I've had enough of this nonsense and I want those things moved from my windows too. I'll leave the light on, Alex. I'm right outside if you want me.” He tucked his son into bed with Mr Crawley.

Back downstairs, Jack collected the bottles and dropped them into a plastic bag.

“Mr O'Connor, please.” Mrs Wilson followed him. “I know it all sounds crazy ...”

“Mrs Wilson.” Jack sighed loudly. “Believe me, there isn't anyone or anything can get past me to get to my son.”

“No of course not. I'd never suggest that.” Mrs Wilson said quietly.

“Look, I don't know why you're so scared, but you obviously are. All this doesn't apply to me and Alex, Mrs Wilson, it can't do. All it's doing is making me edgy and him frightened. We don't need this forced into our lives. I wouldn't do it to anyone else.” Jack looked at his housekeeper's worried face. “Alex needs you Mrs Wilson, and you know I do.” He smiled and elbowed a packing crate.

“Thankyou.” Mrs Wilson managed a smile. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get hysterical.”

“No. I was the one throwing hysterics. I'll get you a taxi.”

Jack gave up trying to sleep after four hours of Alex sobbing and crying out during the night. He eventually carried the child downstairs and settled him on the couch in his office. He was more than a bit pissed off that all this mumbo-jumbo had affected his son and he was furious with the twisted sisters for even mentioning Alex. Jack looked at the tiny purple stud on his desk. He'd picked it up with his shirt in Lavinia's house. That was twice the psycho had tried to pierce his ear for him. He'd put the first attempt down to his own fuddled head, originally, but now he though differently. What was her problem? Some sort of weird fetish? Ziggy said it was a personalized tool. What in hell was that about? What in hell was Lady Ziggy Rigby about? Modesty aside, Jack simply refused to accept that this was just two jealous sisters fighting over him.

“Bloody mental.” He turned on his computer. “Lavinia goes for me, Ziggy goes for Alex. Not bloody likely.” He searched for local information pages and looked for Ziggy Rigby. Absolutely nothing at all. Lavinia Stark, however, was a different result completely. The list of community work she was involved in was astonishing. There was everything from gardening improvement schemes to charity fundraisers to committees for everything imaginable. Lavinia Stark was the backbone of the community.
“So you're the little weirdo eh Ziggy?” Jack sighed.

“Dad?” Alex sat up and rubbed his eyes.

“Hiya Slogger. Back to sleep, it's still night.” Jack smiled.

“So why are you up? Dad I'm sorry about the pendant.”

“No need. I'll buy you another one.” Jack reassured Alex.

“Where's Mr Crawley?” Alex looked under his blankets for his stuffed spider.

“I'll go get him.” Jack nodded. Lynne had made this for Alex when he was only a baby. She'd been so proud of her handiwork seeing as her knitting skills were zero. It had taked her months to make it. Alex had carried it around everywhere with him and even now, he liked the toy in sight when he was at home. Jack returned and tucked Mr Crawley into the blanket with Alex. “Back to sleep, Alex. I'm right here.”