Free Re-Runners First Life: A Time Travel Suspense Series by Elli Buchanan

to live with her anymore. But he knew in his heart that was no longer an option.
    When Phillipa was released three days later, Dylan was there to pick her up and bring her home. He also had news for her. He had arranged to sell his majority share of the business to his partners and he would be joining Baker Townsend the following week.
    Real tears gathered in Phillipa’s eyes. ‘Oh Dylan, this will be a wonderful new start for us. You’ll see. I’m so happy; so very happy.’

Chapter 19

Kate – Age 35
    2000
    ‘Kate,’ the voice called out her name. Kate recognized her sister’s voice. What is she doing here? Quickly changing direction, she entered a partially obscured alleyway known to locals.
    Since resigning from her job and moving further out of the city, Kate rarely saw her family. She phoned them occasionally, but had avoided meeting anyone for the last eight months. She used the excuse she was busy with her new job and that she and Eric had such a large circle of friends, their weekends were full. But of course it wasn’t the truth.
    Kate hid behind an industrial dumpster and waited. Her sister had no reason to be in this part of town, if not to look for her. She couldn’t let Cynthia see her, not like this. Several minutes went by before she cautiously crept from her hiding spot and started to walk back the way she had come. It was a sunny but cool day. She tilted her chin down, pulled the brim of her cap lower and adjusted her sun glasses. Only a short distance to the bus stop. She should be OK.
    She hadn’t told anyone from her old life where they lived now. The housing commission apartment block was a world away from the lovely house she used to rent, but it was similar to most others in this low income, working suburb. Since the money had run out and all her savings spent by Eric on gadgets and expensive boy toys, this was all they could afford.
    Someone grabbed her arm and spun her around, ‘Stop, Kate. It’s me, Cyn.’
    An involuntary cry burst from Kate as she covered Cynthia’s hand where it had hit one of her injuries. Cynthia only hesitated for a second before pulling the sleeve of the sloppy cardigan up to her sister’s elbow. Bruises covered her forearm, some old and yellowing, some fresh. Cynthia took hold of her other arm, as Kate struggled against her, ‘Leave me alone. What do you think you’re doing?’ The second arm was as bad as the first.
    ‘I knew it,’ Cynthia cursed, ‘That bastard has been hurting you.’
    ‘No,’ Kate pushed her away. ‘It’s my job. I bruise easily. It’s my job.’
    ‘So what are you doing now?’ Cynthia scrutinized her with wary eyes, ‘Certainly no lab work around here. I’ve looked.’
    Kate backed away and pulled her sleeves down, ‘You’re checking up on me now?’
    ‘Of course I’m checking up on you. We’re all so worried about you, Kate. We haven’t seen you, we rarely hear from you... and now I know why. There is no job and there are no friends, are there?’
    ‘I do have a job,’ countered Kate. ‘I clean offices at night.’
    ‘What? You’re a scientist, Kate. You’re cleaning offices?’ she shook her head.
    ‘There’s nothing wrong with cleaning. It’s honest work.’
    ‘No, there’s nothing wrong with it,’ answered Cynthia, ‘but I know why you’ve chosen to work in places where you won’t have to face people.’ She suddenly reached up and snatched the sunglasses from Kate’s face. Her right eye was swollen shut and there was a cut above her temple.
    Cynthia sobbed and tried to hug her younger sister, ‘Oh Kate, we have to go to the police. He’s a monster.’
    Kate pushed her away, ‘He is not a monster. He doesn’t mean it. He gets frustrated when he can’t keep a job and then he drinks.’ The tears started streaming down her face as she carefully replaced her glasses and looked around to see who was listening. ‘He needs me, Cyn. I’m the only one who can help him. He’s so sorry afterwards. He