Born Evil by Kimberley Chambers Page A

had arrived early and, with a bit of luck, by then her injuries would probably be healed.
    In all honesty, though, her brother was the least of her problems. Billy was her main concern and she’d been thinking about him all day. Her head told her that she hated him, despised him, and was well rid. Trouble was, her heart told her differently. She knew he had problems of his own and was worried that, without her in his life, he’d do something stupid. Part of her would always love him, always care for him, and she couldn’t just switch off her feelings. She hadn’t told Sharon and Donna how she felt, nor would she tell anyone else. People would think she was mental and deserved all she got.
    Her thoughts were broken by the sound of her son crying. Debbie buzzed the nurse and waited patiently for her to arrive. She hated having to buzz for help just to attend to her baby, but was under strict orders from the doctor to stay in bed and take things slowly.
    ‘What are you going to call him?’ the nurses kept asking her. She and Billy had both agreed on Charlie for a boy. It was Billy’s idea really; he’d wanted to name him after his dead brother. Debbie hadn’t mentioned this to the nurses, but had just told them she was undecided. This was true. If she wasn’t with Billy anymore, she might as well name him after her own brother, or pick a completely different name which suited the baby more.
    Debbie took her son from the nurse and fed him his bottle. He looked nothing like her, he was more like Billy. As she studied him, she racked her brains for a name that would suit him. For some strange reason, she couldn’t think of one.
    * * *
    Billy ducked out of the way of an oncoming doctor and stood at the entrance to the obstetric ward. He knew that Debs was in a side room, as the nurse had told old Albert so, but he was frightened to ask any of the medical staff for directions. His accent would definitely give him away.
    Feeling more and more like a dickhead, with a teddy in one arm and a wilting bouquet in the other, Billy was quite relieved when a young girl pushing a tea trolley stopped and asked him if he was looking for anyone in particular.
    ‘I’m looking for my sister, Debbie Dawson,’ he lied, imitating a cockney accent to the best of his ability.
    The girl smiled. She liked her new job and wanted to be helpful. ‘Debbie’s in that room over there,’ she pointed, ‘last door on the right.’
    So far, so good, Billy thought to himself. He’d expected it to be an ordeal just to get to Debs, but it had been an absolute doddle. Feeling nervous as hell, he opened the door and walked in.
    ‘Hiya, Debs. Please don’t chuck me out. Can we talk?’ he pleaded.
    Shocked by his unexpected appearance, Debbie felt nervous and awkward. ‘Sit down over there if you want,’ she said.
    Seeing her lying in bed, bruised, fragile and with his son in her arms, brought a lump to Billy’s throat. He hadn’t come prepared with a speech and was stumped as to what to say to her next.
    ‘I’m lost for words, Debs,’ he finally admitted. ‘I cannae explain why I did what I did. All I can say is that I am so, so sorry. I cannae believe how badly I’ve treated you. I know you must hate me and I’ll understand if you never wannae see me again, but I’m begging you, please, give me just one more chance. I’ll get help for my temper, I’ll do anything you say. I love you, Debs and I want us to be a proper family. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m nae talking shit, I really do love you. Please say you’ll give me another chance. I’ll make it up to you, I swear I will.’
    With tears dropping on to her baby’s face, Debbie held the child as close as her sore ribs would allow. Annoyed with herself for getting all emotional, she stopped crying, cleared her throat and spoke the truth.
    ‘I don’t know if I can forgive you, Bill. I nearly lost the baby because of you. In fact, I nearly died. At one point the doctors said it