Текст книги "Leaving George"

Автор книги: Diane M. Dickson

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Chapter 37

“Pete, where are we going? What are we doing?”

“I’m making you safe. There’ll be a place.”

“What sort of place? I haven’t got any stuff with me. How long will we be there? What am I going to do afterwards? Pete, I’m scared.”

He didn’t turn. The roads were tortuous and wet, illuminated in places by the rising sun. Moisture evaporated in the warming air and a small mist formed. Clouds of vapour floated several feet from the ground. The way was bordered by deep hedges and walls. In full daylight, at leisure, it would have been difficult driving; now it was perilous. They were travelling so quickly and though he seemed a good driver, confident and calm Pauline gripped the door handle, her fingers tight around the plastic.

“I know Pauline, I am so sorry about all this. You must be confused and I understand that you are scared, but just bear with it. I do have a plan,” he gave a short snort of a laugh and shook his head, “Well… sort of.”

“Oh, great! Well, that gives me a lot of confidence I must say!”

“No, no really I do. It’s fine. Look, you can help. Open the glove box.” She leaned forward and clicked open the lid. Dim light gleamed in the grey space.

“It’s empty… oh no, wait, there’s an instruction book for the radio. Oh well that’s good, we’ll be able to have music.” The flippant comment caused Pete to glance at her and his teeth flashed in a grin.

“I like you Pauline. I do.” A ridiculous glow of warmth spread from her belly and she was glad of the darkness for she was sure she was blushing. The unaccustomed emotion unnerved her, caused her to snap at him.

“Oh that’s good to know. That makes a huge difference.” Again the little snort of laughter.

“Can you look right at the back, down in the left hand corner there should be a bit of fabric. It just looks like a bit of the lining sticking up. Can you see it?”

The seat belt cut into her shoulder as she leaned towards the dashboard. Her fingers feathered along the back of the compartment and found the tag. It was little more than a thread. “I’ve found it I think… but what is it? it’s just like a bit of cotton.”

“Yeah, that’s it. You should be able to pull it and the back will come loose. You have to do it slowly or it twists and that’s a bugger.”

“Well, if you keep throwing the car around the bends I can’t even keep hold of the thing. Can you slow down a bit do you think?”

“Okay, okay. Have you got it now?”

“Yes, yes it’s coming.” The plastic panel slid out and she held it on her knee and peered back into the expanded space. The dull gleam of metal unnerved her. If he was going to ask her to touch the gun he was on a hiding to nothing. She hated them and nothing would entice her to take it from its moulded rubber housing. “I’m not passing you that. Is it loaded? God that’s two guns you’ve got! What the hell is this all about? I thought you were with the police?” As she spoke the words a cold chill ran down her spine and took her breath. He registered the gasp.

“Don’t panic. Really Pauline, please don’t panic. I’ve told you I’m not operating in the open. I promise you that you are in no danger from me. Truly.

“Look to the right there should be a phone in a little box. Can you see it?”

“Yes, oh yes, I have that.”

“Great. Take it out and turn it on would you.”

The little machine beeped cheerfully as tiny pinpricks of LED lights sparkled under her hand.

“He glanced away from the road for a moment and the thud of tyres and judder of the car coaxed a squeal from her throat. “Shit, shit, sorry. Hedgehog.”

“Oh no.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she turned to peer backwards to where the tiny body lay on the tarmac, its life ended by a moment’s inattention.

“I’m sorry Pauline. It would have been quick.”

She couldn’t speak but simply nodded dumbly and bowed her head to concentrate on the phone, opening the contacts screen.

“There’s only one number on here Pete.”

“Yup. Can you pop it into the hands free cradle and connect for me.

“Shit, another of the spiny little sods, what’s the matter with them. It’s okay, I missed it.”

As she grabbed for the dashboard to steady herself Pauline found herself smiling. “Well done.”

“Yeah right. Can we make the call now do you think?”

“Sorry, okay. She poked at the button and the call tone buzzed faintly. After two rings a voice filled the car. “Pete?”

“Yeah. With one other soul. I need a bolt hole.”

“Hold.”

For long minutes there was nothing, though she could feel the tension in his body and sensed impatience from the increased rate of his breathing. Was he afraid? If he was then what could the future hold for her? For both of them? As one thought followed the next a worm of fear writhed in her gut. How had she managed to find herself in this bizarre situation and then, would she have been better staying with George? Should she have settled for that life as miserable as it had been rather than this? At least back then the danger and violence were familiar; not this unlooked for dread, this rising fear and unforeseen threat.

She glanced at the solid form of the man beside her, the man who had promised to keep her safe and she leaned back against the seat. Let it be, she thought. Just let it be.

Chapter 38

A disembodied voice filled the car. The reception was rattly and faint, perhaps the banks and hedges obstructing the signal. After a brief conversation, most of which was unintelligible to Pauline, Pete rolled his shoulders and his grip on the wheel seemed less tense.

“Is it okay now?” She couldn’t even imagine what “it” or “okay” might be but felt desperate for reassurance.

“Yeah. I know where we’re going. It’s about two hours. Can you take the phone out of the thing?”

“Do you want it back in the glove box?”

“No, you need to open it up. Can you do that?”

“Well of course I can. I’m not stupid.”

“No, I know, that wasn’t what I meant. Oh whatever, just open it will you.” So there it was. The short fuse. It was a clear indication that, no matter what he said, things were far from okay.

“Okay, now what?”

“Take out the SIM, fling it through the window. Then the battery, then the phone. If you can break it up a bit first that would be even better.”

Cold air took her breath and her hair swirled in the draught. She flung the plastic bits as far as she could. “Okay. That’s gone.”

“Well you might as well settle back if you can. There’s nothing more we can do now except cross our fingers.” All that was left was to hand over her fate and her future to Pete. So, she pushed back in the seat and turned her head to watch as the wakening world flew past to be lost behind them as he drove on to whatever their fate would be.

After another half an hour they hit the motorway. Now they were simply one more in an never-ending trail of cars and lorries thundering through the landscape. The ride became more even. In spite of everything, Pauline felt her head begin to nod and as clouds filled her brain she reclined the seat a little and let herself drift off.

“Pauline, come on. We’re here.”

She’d had no idea what to expect. All there was to imagine was from films and television; she had thought maybe a grimy flat, a fortress somewhere in the country, or even perhaps a police station.

Peering through the car window she was surprised to see a neat semi. A young mum pushed a buggy along the pavement and a ubiquitous parcel delivery van was parked just a little further along the road. It was ordinary, normal and in fact rather boring.

“Where are we?”

“Uh… I guess you could just say ‘somewhere’. It’s not that important and actually it’s better if you don’t know too much. Just in case.”

“In case?”

“Well, you know, it’s a sort of secret and well…” She fixed her gaze on him but he couldn’t look at her and glanced away awkwardly.

“You mean in case I’m forced to tell someone don’t you? You think I’m going to be caught or something and they’ll… what? Torture me? Bloody hell. Just what have I got myself into here? I wish I’d left that bloke where he was, in the ditch.”

“Yeah, to be honest so do I.”

It wasn’t his fault though, was it. It wasn’t his fault and he was doing his best. “Oh come on, let’s get on with it.” She swung open the car door and uncurled onto the pavement. Her muscles still suffered from the damage inflicted in the cave and on the rocks so she stretched her arms above her head, easing the stiffness.

Pete came round and took hold of her arm, “Hey come on, let’s get inside.”

“What am I going to do about clothes? How long am I going to be here? Pete?”

“Hmm.” He was crouching now retrieving a key from under a flower pot.

“I can’t believe that. You’re not supposed to do that. Don’t you know that’s the first place they look, criminals and so on.”

He grinned at her. His smile creased the weathered skin around his eyes and lifted the muscles of his face. Blue eyes sparkled. “I know. Quite right. Though in fairness these will only just have been put here.”

“Right.”

“Did you want to ask me something?” He had pulled her into the narrow hallway and now turned back to the door. There was a bank of bolts and locks which he spent time securing and she noted that the glass, though pretty and ornamental from the outside was reinforced on this side by a metal grill.

Now that they were inside Pauline was overcome by a sense of intimacy, a wave of shyness. She dipped her head, clasped her hands in front of her. She unfolded them and let them hang at her sides. Her arms didn’t know what to do; she folded them across her front. “I, erm… I just wanted to ask… Will you be staying with me? Well, what I mean is… you’re not going to leave me are you? I don’t want to be on my own.” She raised a hand; the need for human contact, for a reassuring hug was overwhelming.

He tipped his head to one side, moved a half step closer. His hand brushed her arm and then her fingers were folded in his great, bear like paw. “Don’t worry Pauline. I’ll be here. I’m staying.”

The gentle tug was all that she needed to take her into the fold of his embrace and as the heat from his body soothed her aching muscles his presence soothed her aching soul. Her heart juddered, part delight and part sadness, for this wasn’t real. This closeness was fleeting, but it showed her what had never been hers and she grieved for the loss of what she hadn’t had and now never would have; a man, kind and careful of her, just another person to be with.

Chapter 39

They moved through the quiet rooms. Pete’s hand stretched behind him, silently holding her back. He had taken out the small gun and as he scanned the empty spaces Pauline had to bite back the urge to giggle. It was fear and nerves of course, but this was all so unreal it felt silly. Some strange play-acting reality divorced from the real world of Pauline Green. It was so much outside her world of gardens and shopping, of endless lonely walks and bitter mornings after nights of violence. This was a joke, surely just some outrageous comedy that had inadvertently drawn her in.

In time he had walked into every room downstairs. “Okay, seems fine down here. I’m going up so you stand in the hall and be ready to move.”

She cracked; it was all too much. She raised her voice to cry out, “Hello, anybody up there? Pete’s got a gun and he’s coming to get you!”

He hissed at her and spun on the step. “What the hell…”

“Oh come on. If there’d been anyone there they’d have come and shot us by now!” She pushed past him and stomped up the blue carpet. “Come out, come out!”

All he could do now was laugh. In truth he had to acknowledge that some of the performance had been for her benefit. The thought shamed him a little and he felt heat rise to his face. He ran up the stairs after her. It felt good to laugh but he had to make sure that she understood the danger.

“Okay, okay, very funny. But really, you have to listen to me. We have to be careful until this is sorted.”

For her part Pauline had surprised herself. Really it was so unlike her but she had taken all that she could of continual tension. If there had been gunmen, gangsters or whatever hiding in the bedrooms she would have been responsible for heaven knows what carnage but the whole ludicrous situation had pushed her to the edge and she had leapt over. It felt good. She felt free and actually a bit brave and carefree.

Since her marriage she had lost the girl she used to be, the one who rode her bike at breakneck speed down the hills near home. She had swum in open lakes, canoed in white water rapids, enjoyed rock climbing and had camped on her own in the hills. She hadn’t been afraid. The fear had begun the first time George had raised his hand to her and increased with each blow and every new betrayal.

A fizz of confidence bubbled through her and she found herself grinning as she turned to watch the solid figure join her on the landing.

“Okay, bedrooms. Pick one. There should be some basics in the bathroom and some food in the kitchen. How about if we make a bite and then we can talk about what comes next. How would that be?”

“Yeah. I don’t mind which room.” As she spoke Pauline pushed open the doors, there were three rooms equipped with beds, wardrobes and dressers. All were fairly basic but clean and the beds were all made up ready to be used. “I’ll take this one, it has twin beds. I think you might be more comfortable in the double, you’re bigger than I am.”

“That’s kind. Thanks. I have to say it’ll be nice to have a decent bed to sleep in for once.”

“Right. This one has an en suite bathroom. Oh yes, and there are toothbrushes soap and stuff. Crikey, there’s even a dressing gown! Is this what my tax money pays for?”

“Uh, I guess so. I’d never thought about it… but yeah, I suppose.”

“I’d love to have a shower. Do you think the water’s hot?”

In answer he pushed past her to turn on the washbasin tap. After a few seconds steam began to rise from the white porcelain.

“Brilliant. I’ll have a shower and then see what I can cook us to eat. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, great. In the meantime I’ll pop out into the back garden. There’s a shed out there and though I know you think it’s all a great laugh I do need to check it out.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just that it all seemed to be so very dramatic. It’s not the world I live in, not really.”

“Well, maybe I was going just a bit over the top. I was trying to impress you. The least you could have done was fainted.”

With a grin he turned and she heard his feet thunder down the stairs and then the rattle of locks being drawn back.

The rush of water from the shower head drowned out any other sound as she stepped under the hot torrent and felt the tension melt from her muscles.

Chapter 40

There were sachets of shampoo and conditioner, tiny single use bottles of body balm and a small tube of toothpaste.

As she rubbed herself with the surprisingly fluffy towels Pauline mused anew at the strange events that had brought her to this moment. The bath robe was cheap and thin but it was clean and still in the manufacturer's bag. She tore away the polythene and then wrapped in the warm softness she made her way back into the bedroom.

Using the hair dryer provided, with the aid of a brush from her handbag she was able to give her short hair some body, though wished she had thought to push her own toiletries into a bag to bring as they left the farmhouse.

Was it less than a day ago since the tense drive, the poor dead hedgehog?

In the drawer she was amazed to find some cheap knickers, still in the packet and a T shirt which she could use for sleeping.

In spite of it all, the shower, the time to herself and the normality of standing in the simple tiled space had done much to raise her spirits. As she made for the stairs a smile lifted her lips and brightened her eyes.

This felt incongruously like a stolen holiday. It was a small adventure. Though the way here had been nasty and frightening, with Pete to look after her and his promise that it would be over soon she felt optimistic. She would be ready to cross the Channel on schedule or at the very most a few days late.

She liked him and would put herself in his hands. He was so different from all the other men she had ever met. Rough and slightly scary but with kindness deep in his eyes and she sensed a gentleness about him at odds with the tough exterior. She hadn’t been alone with many men apart from George; he hadn’t allowed it and she felt like a giddy girl now, alone with a strange and dangerous male. It was exciting.

She was looking forward to making him a meal. It would be fun to root around in the kitchen cupboards and the fridge to find what they might have been provided with. She supposed eggs; there were always eggs. The holiday cottage welcome pack had eggs, cheese and milk. How long ago that seemed now with all the horror that had come since the first magic night by the coast.

“Pete?” She made her way through to the kitchen and then back down the hallway into the lounge. “Pete?”

He must be still outside checking the shed.

She pulled open kitchen cupboards. They were simply equipped, again like a holiday place. It was all so temporary and here and there scuffs on the walls and scratches on the paintwork witnessed the passing of other tenants, mysteries; as she supposed their brief stay would be to whoever came here next. Unseen, but with a little of their spirit left behind in the fabric of the place.

There were indeed eggs in the fridge and bacon, a pack of ham and some salad. If he liked omelettes then maybe... She gave a tiny snort of laughter. Again her life was reduced to a film or a television drama; the ubiquitous omelette. There was no wine, she was disappointed. To complete the set there should be cheap wine or at least a quarter bottle of whisky.

“Pete?” She had pushed open the back door. How long did it take to check on a shed?

It was at the end of the garden, beneath a brick wall. A small flagged path dissected the neat lawn. There were no flower borders but a couple of shrubs broke up the monotony of the little space. “Pete?”

The little quiver of fear was so small at first that she called it hunger. “Pete, are you there?”

Perhaps she shouldn’t be out here calling in the open. She didn’t want him to be angry with her and this probably wasn’t sensible. She stepped back inside and pulled the door closed. Crossing to the window she peered out into the garden. There was no sign of him.

In the lounge she stood behind the heavy drapes to squint out through old fashioned net curtains to where the car sat at the curb. He wasn’t there. Her throat had dried and the quiver of nerves shuddered through her gut.

As her feet thudded on the carpeted stairs she remembered his grin as she had pushed past him such a short while ago, “Come out, come out,” she had said. Had they? Had they come out while she was in the shower?

On the landing she paused to listen; perhaps he was in the master bathroom. There was no sound of running water and then the click of a handle turning echoed through the house.

She ran into her chosen room at the back and stared out. Now at the end of the grassed and paved garden she could see the shed clearly. She could see the door as it swung on shining metal hinges. She could see Pete, and she could see the man beside him and the glint of dark metal in his hand and she heard the fall of feet on the stairs.

Chapter 41

She glanced around. The wardrobe door stood open. Should she climb inside? It was empty and the very thought was ridiculous. The curtains were short offering no chance of concealment. The room was so simple and sparse that there was nowhere to hide.

The stairs creaked and she scurried back to glance through the window. Pete was at the end of the little path. He and the man with him were staring at the house. Pete shook his head, he lifted his hands and gestured. There was tension in every line of his body.

She had to hide.

She had to help him.

Now there was movement on the landing. A small tin of deodorant stood on the dresser. She grabbed it and snapped off the plastic cap.

She chose the bed, the hiding place of frightened children. As she slithered underneath, the door to the room next door slammed back against the wall.

Even with the covers dragged down as far down as they would come it was hopeless. Like a creature in the jungle she had fallen into a trap. No way out. Nowhere to go. She lowered her head to her hands, closed her eyes. Her stomach clenched in fear.

The booted feet and lower legs were visible now in the glow from the window on the half landing. Pauline tried to remember what she had left in the room. Was it obvious that she had been there? Well, of course it was. There was a damp towel, a steamy bathroom filled with the scent of shampoo and body spray. There might as well have been a great arrow pointing to her hiding place. It was all over. This was the end and Pete wasn’t here. She really would have liked to be with him now. To face this horror alone seemed an unduly harsh twist of fate but then had she not been alone for twenty years?

The intruder didn’t call out. Feet paused briefly before the wardrobe and the door swung open. Next was the bathroom and the overwhelming evidence of her occupation and then it was time. The black boots were inches away from her face. They flexed and bent. She held the small can in front of her.

There was a small change in his breathing as he leaned down. The bedcovers twitched and the light changed as he flicked the pink duvet back and away from her space.

Without a moment for thought she acted. Her finger jabbed down hard on the plastic button and she straightened her arm aiming directly at his eyes. As the spray hit him he yelled out, harsh and piercing. Shock and pain combined to send him back onto his behind. She slithered out and across the carpet. He was a huge man but temporarily incapacitated.

The sharp, but brief pain wasn’t going to hold him; she knew that. He had thrown one arm out to balance while the other was across his eyes. She stamped down hard on his flexed fingers and was rewarded by another yell. The sickening crack as small bones fractured was followed by a more piercing scream. She stomped again and as the figure on the floor rolled away from the source of his agony she leaped across him and made for the door.

He was swearing now and pushing to his feet. She ran from the room, slamming the door behind her. It wouldn’t hold him for long but it would give her an extra moment. Her feet flew across the landing and down the stairs. The thud of the door hitting the bedroom wall and the roar of anger told her she had moments only to unlock the bank of bolts that Pete had fastened so securely a couple of hours ago. She wouldn’t make it, there was no chance. Already he was across the small space at the top of the stairs. There were bolts and chains and dead locks requiring screw keys. It was impossible.

Spinning through one hundred and eighty degrees she kept her eyes down. If she looked up and saw him then it was possible that fear would overwhelm her. The hallway was narrow and short, in moments she was in the kitchen.

At last a small piece of luck, he had left the garden door open. She was through it and turning instinctively towards the road. Pete and his captor were at the bottom of the back garden so she must go to the front and away. A tall wooden gate closed off the access and she ran at it. Grabbing out at the metal handle she dragged and pushed but it was secure. A wheelie bin stood beside the wall and she clambered onto the wobbling top. As a security breech someone’s head should roll but for now it was a life saver. In just moments she’d dropped to the paved path at the side of the house. Adrenaline and muscles made strong by her outdoor life carried her forward.

The little car was yards away. He would have locked it surely? She hurried to it and snatched at the passenger door handle. Unbelievably he had left it unlocked, perhaps for just such a situation, perhaps in the rush to stop her stretching and bending as they had been visible on the pavement earlier; but for whatever reason it was open.

Leaning in she popped the little door of the glove compartment and thrust her hand to the back where she knew she would find the tiny tag of cotton. She took a deep breath as his words echoed in her mind. You’ll have to do it slowly; if not it’ll twist and that’s a bugger.

“Slowly, slowly,” she muttered under her breath, “slowly.” It moved and began to slide towards her. “Slowly.” As soon as there was space she pushed her hand into the dark recess and grabbed the pistol hidden there. She had no idea whether it was loaded and didn’t know how to fire something she had always been afraid of. She supposed there would be a safety catch but had no idea what that was or how to release it but she grabbed at the handle and dragged the thing into the light. The gate at the side of the house began to swing backwards.

She ran back up the path, the gun heavy in her hand. She peered down at it as she hurried forward and wrapped her hand around the metal handle. Her finger curled naturally on the trigger.

He was stood before her now, cradling his damaged hand. Time stilled, there was no sound in this world where she stood, armed and facing a man whose only aim was to hurt her. The thundering in her chest and the sound of her breathing was all there was in this pivotal moment. She had killed already to protect herself; didn’t they always say the second time was easier?