Текст книги "Leaving George"

Автор книги: Diane M. Dickson

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Chapter 42

With both arms stretched straight in front brandishing the weapon Pauline stepped forward. The thug hadn’t moved. His eyes were unsure but his stance was confrontational. He wasn’t going to run, but for now just sized up the situation. Measuring the threat and weighing his options.

She moved again, another two steps. He held his injured limb across his chest but raised the other hand palm towards her. “Come on love. You don’t want to be waving that about. Just put it down. You know you don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Go back, just go back. Down the garden. You have to let us go.”

“Look love, you’ve got yourself mixed up in some nasty stuff here but we know you didn’t mean to. We know you got drawn in. We won’t hurt you. Give us the memory stick and whatever else you still have and that’ll be that. Don’t worry about Pete, that’s another issue and nothing to do with you.”

“I don’t have it. I never had any of it.”

“Yeah, so you say. Well sorry love but that won’t wash. You just need to hand it over and you can be on your way. We don’t need to have any more trouble. If you decide to be difficult, well...” He shrugged. Pauline jerked the hand holding the little gun and in response he waved his arm. “Steady now, take care with that.” She was very frightened but her instinct to run was hampered by the knowledge that Pete was at the bottom of the garden and if she left him surely he would come to harm.

She didn’t know how to help him, not really. The only thing now was to go to where he was and to take him the weapon. To do the other thing, to turn and run, leaving him to his fate was unthinkable. First though there was this other person to deal with.

She strode forward now with greater purpose. “Move down the garden.” He frowned and shook his head but took a small step backwards.

The crack of a firearm discharging fractured the drowsy quiet of the suburban street.

“Christ!” The thug turned towards the source of the sound behind him, down the garden beside the shed. As he swivelled Pauline hurled herself the last few steps and barrelled into him knocking him sideways.

Injured as he was he tried to reach out but she scuttled past and ran to where she had last seen Pete. He was heading towards her across the grass, waving his arm, gesturing to her to turn and make for the gate but the way was barred by the other man.

Pete was beside her now and together they ran towards the gate. He reached across and grabbed the pistol, pushing her backwards so that he was between her and the gateway. Moments later the sound of a second shot rang out. The thug at the gate ducked and dived back inside the open door of the kitchen. They pushed forward, down the path and into the car. In moments they were speeding through the narrow street as the sound of police sirens grew in the distance.

“Shit, shit! Well that’s it; we are now well and truly buggered!” Terror had stolen her voice and all Pauline could do was stare at him as he thumped a hand in fury against the steering wheel.

“Right. What the hell do I do now?” Surely he didn’t expect any answer. She was shocked and confused, her world spinning out of control. Nothing made sense, her brain was refusing to process the information it was receiving. One hand hung on to the door handle and the other braced against the seat to steady herself as Pete threw the car around the corners, heading back to the motorway.

“Is he dead?”

“What?”

“The man at the end of the garden. Did you kill him?”

“No, no. We fought and I fired at him but I didn’t hit him. Just scared him shitless.”

“I’m glad.”

“Yeah, so am I. You have no idea the bother it causes.” He gave a short laugh.

“So, where are we going?”

“Any idea would be welcome at this point.” She drew in a sharp breath and Pete glanced across the narrow space. “No, no don’t worry. I’m kidding. It’s fine. We need to go to another place I know. It’s fine, just keep calm. Hey, you did really well back there. I don’t think I would have got away if you hadn’t had the gun and kept Skip busy.”

“Skip?”

“Yeah, that big gorilla. Can you believe it? Skip.”

By this time they had reached the slip road for the motorway and joined the stream of traffic. It felt safer to be here travelling to anywhere away from that ill-fated house and as the tumultuous day wound towards its close she found herself once again swept by the tide of fate with no option but to go with the flow.

Chapter 43

They headed north. Pauline recognised names on the road signs and the scenery became more familiar. Most of the time she sat silently, her mind reeling, thoughts scuttering back and forth. When she mentally relived the past day it was hard to convince herself it had really happened. There had been gun fire, hulking thugs and a desperate escape. More drama heaped on the turmoil since her flight from the Dales. It was as if she had passed through a curtain into another reality yet here she was, real and whole, sitting in a warm car hurtling along the motorway.

Pete spent the first part of the drive flipping his gaze frequently to the rear view mirror. Now and then he would change lanes and tuck in between the many great trucks and then after a while they would speed up again. At first this all seemed random and edgy until she realised that he was watching the traffic and allowing suspect cars from behind them to pull in front and roar away. It scared her, it quietened the obvious questions that she wanted to ask. She didn’t want to draw his attention to herself and break his concentration.

Now though, nearing the Midlands, he had visibly relaxed. His shoulders drooped a little and the flick of his eyes to the mirror became more natural.

“Are we okay now?”

“Yeah. I think so. If there is anyone following us they are being very discreet and the crowd that we are dealing with don’t do discreet.”

“Do you know where we’re going? Well, what I mean is do you have a destination in mind?”

“Yes. I’ll tell you what, there’s a service area up ahead. Shall we go and have a cup of coffee, a bite to eat and I’ll bring you up to scratch. God, you must be so confused. I’m sorry if I’ve scared you. You have been amazing you know. Most people would have fallen apart or caused a fuss. I’m very impressed.”

His words wrapped her in a warm glow. She was glad of the need for him to concentrate on the road because, try as she might to quell it, a grin spread across her face. It had been so long since anyone had paid her a compliment and she had forgotten how wonderful it felt to earn approval.

“Well, I haven’t had a lot of choice have I.” She attempted to cover her pleasure with flippancy and was rewarded by a chuckle from the other side of the car.

“I guess not. Anyway, here we are, just about half a mile to go and then we can have a chat.”

The services were huge and busy. As they pushed through the rotating door they were assaulted by the smell of burgers, chips and coffee and the noise of hundreds of travellers milling and pushing about in the brightly lit space.

“I need the ladies.”

“Yeah, me too. Well, no – I mean.” They began to giggle and as they made their way through the busy crowd the shared humour bound them, made them into a unit. Pauline was reminded again of how empty and lonely her life had become while she had been with George. Unexpectedly anger welled towards her husband and his theft of so much of her life. She pushed it away for it was of no use to her now, but no matter what happened from now on she was never going to give herself away again.

They bought coffee and sandwiches and found a table in a corner near the window and with a clear view of the doors. The coffee was hot and strong and as she sipped it the last little worm of worry began to uncoil and disappear. The tall, bulky man sitting opposite to her wasn’t exactly handsome, but he was imposing, with a charisma that drew glances from passing women. Pauline basked in the silly little glow of pride that came from being with a man who other women admired. If only. The thought brought with it a sweep of sadness because of course this wasn’t real, none of it was based on truth and tears sprung into her eyes with the knowledge that it wouldn’t last. This precious experience would be swept away with the return of normality. She sighed and he leaned towards her, stretching out a hand to touch hers where it curled around the warm cup.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded and dredged up a smile. “I’m fine.” Pete nodded and looked down at the table for a moment. He collected his thoughts and then looked back at her. His eyes were serious but clear and honest and she steeled herself for what was to come.

“Well, put simply, I think we are safe at the moment. I don’t know what happened back at the house though it does prove that there is a leak somewhere in the group I’m working with. I find that hard to accept but there can’t be any doubt now. It means that we have to look out for ourselves. I am heading for a place that is just mine. It’s nothing to do with the job and nobody I work with knows about it. I’m not supposed to have it but…” he shrugged and grinned at her. “Is that okay?”

“Erm, well yes. I don’t really know what you mean… but… what choice do I have?”

“Well, you could go to the police. I could take you. I should do that really; I should hand you over and sort it all out officially, but right now I don’t know who to trust and I’m not very happy to put myself in a position where I’m not in charge.”

“But if we go to your place then what?”

“Good question. I just want to get us safe. Once I have done that I can try and find out who to trust and what the situation is regarding the gang.”

“Pete?”

“Yes.”

“Have you got the diamonds and the memory stick?”

“Yes. I have. The diamonds are not that important but the memory stick is priceless. The information on there could lead to the arrest of a huge gang of people traffickers. It’s taken me a couple of years to get it. I have to be very careful with it. Because of the problems with the unit I can’t hand it over; I have to handle it myself. It’s complicated and really, though it seems hard to say this, it doesn’t actually concern you. Not that side of it; what has happened since the road accident is another issue and we have to sort that out as well.”

“Where is the body, the one from the cliffs?”

“It’s gone. It’s in the ocean.” Pauline’s hand flew to her mouth. “That is something else that we have to deal with. You could just walk away from it Pauline. I know you did what you did because you were in danger. You could just take back your life and carry on.”

She shook her head. “How can I do that? How can I live with that? Is it right that I should?”

“Well, what are your other options? The police in Cornwall searched, they didn’t find a body.”

“But we ran away. Won’t they think that was odd?”

“I’ve been in touch. I had to make sure they kept an eye on your friends at the farm. I told them you were helping us and they were only too happy to wash their hands of it all. Right now the file there is closed, marked for no further action. You can just walk away from it.

“The trouble is the people who came to the house are aware of you. They think that you have the memory stick. So until I sort that out I can’t promise you that you are safe. Will you trust me for just a while longer? Will you come with me and let me try to make it all right.”

“Yes.”

Chapter 44

By the time they pulled off the motorway onto minor roads the day was fading. Yellow lights from the windows of roadside houses pooled on pavements and verges and commuter vehicles mustered on overcrowded drives. The world settled into evening.

Pauline didn’t recognise the area. They drove though a small town. A carbon copy of so many others. The main road carving the centre into north to south was lined with ubiquitous retail outlets and fast food restaurants: it was Everywhere and Nowhere.

Out at the other side of the built up areas gentle hills rose away on either side. The illumination from an occasional grand home or farmhouse shone out, oases in the deepening darkness. It was peaceful and calm in the warm car with Pete beside her and Pauline felt that if they drove on forever in this half dream state she would have been happy to accept the endless journey as her fate.

After another hour, when they were far out in the country, he turned off the road and bumbled down a rutted track. Trees lined either side of the narrow lane with the occasional gateway the only evidence of intermittent human activity. He pulled into one of the openings, turned off the lights. The engine was the only sound gently thrumming into the stillness of a late summer night.

“Is this where we’re staying?”

“No, no of course not. I just want to make sure we’re on our own.” The flash of his grin in the dark interior soothed her nerves. This was what he did; he was calm, in charge and everything was under control. Pauline settled back into the seat and closed her eyes. She felt safe.

When Pete was happy that no-one had followed they drew back out and travelled the last mile down the country road. He climbed from the car and pushed open a wooden gate.

“Pass me that torch will you.” Pauline passed him the heavy flashlight from the parcel shelf and he left her in the darkness. As he made his way down the short drive the cone of light swung back and forth through the tiny garden towards the darker shadow of a building hunkered down amongst the trees.

She could see him in the distance as he walked down a side passage. Then for a while she was in almost total darkness as he checked around the back emerging at the other side and at last joining her back in the car.

“Okay. It looks good. Welcome to my place.” He smiled at her across the narrow space and her heart flipped and she acknowledged at last what she already knew deep inside. She was attracted to him, this man about whom she knew nothing and who she had met in the most horrible of circumstances. She was drawn to him and his nearness in the darkness excited her.

The thought of going into a strange house with him now, alone, caused a thrill that had been, until now, a memory of other days.

He took the car around the back of the building and parked it hidden among overgrown bushes. The path to the little door was gravel winding between what was probably a rough lawn. Here and there a shrub hunched, darker grey than the ambient dimness, but the scent was of wildness rather than roses. It was wonderful.

The great key he pulled from his pocket slid smoothly into the lock and in moments they stepped onto the flagged floor of a large space. Pauline waited quietly in the doorway as Pete moved with the ease of long familiarity into the house. The click of a lighter and flicker of a tiny flame grew into a golden glow as he lit the wick of an old hurricane lamp which sat on a heavy wooden table.

“Don’t panic,” he muttered. “We have electric, but I have to turn it all on and anyway I kinda like this in the kitchen. Come in, sit down.”

She walked across the hard stone. “I like the lantern as well. But I don’t need to sit down Pete. It’s nice to stretch my legs.” She took another step towards him. He held his ground. She lifted a hand and placed it gently, questioningly on his upper arm. His head bent towards her, just a little. She lifted her face to his and as their lips met she felt as though she had reached her safe haven. His arms wrapped around her, firm and strong and comforting and as their bodies touched chest and hips the warmth grew.

It felt right and good and honest and she knew she would be his, if he wanted it.

Chapter 45

“I can’t. We shouldn’t. Pauline, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“I know.” She smiled at him and his lips lifted as he pulled back his head and looked down at her.

“It’s wrong in so many ways.”

“I know.” She lifted a hand to his face and laid it across his cheek. Her head tipped to one side and her eyes searched his, seeking the truth of what he wanted.

For a while they stood arms around each other in the slightly damp kitchen. Outside an owl called and in the quiet house the little lantern hissed and fizzed.

“Pauline…” His voice was hoarse and doubt flashed across his face and still she didn’t move but simply stood in the shelter of his arm, waiting. “Are you sure?” He read her stillness for what it was. She nodded.

“I haven’t been here for a while. The beds might need airing.” The everyday tone of the comment drew a giggle from her.

“Right.” She smiled and took his hand.

He lifted the lantern and they walked into the gloom of the hallway. Stepping in front he drew her after him, down the narrow space and up the stairs.

The landing was a small square. In the flickering light she saw a bathroom, the door ajar and the porcelain gleaming whitely in the gloom. There were three other rooms, he pushed the door of the nearest.

He turned to her again. “Okay?”

She slipped in front of him and stepped inside the space. The bed was made up. The curtains were open and the glow of moonlight glinted on a mirror and shone on polished wood. It was chilly, with the feel of a room just wakening from the torpor of neglect and emptiness.

She walked to the bed and threw back the covers running a hand over the sheet. “It’s fine. Cold, but not damp.”

He was close behind her now and his arms snaked around her waist drawing her back against him. “Are you sure about this?”

His concern threw her. She had never experienced such consideration before. For a moment she wondered if he was trying to draw away kindly, back off without hurting her. She twisted around until she could look him in the eye. There was nothing there but kindness.

“I like you Pete. I’m happy here in this moment.” He nodded.

His fingers found the buttons on her blouse. As he twisted the tiny pieces of plastic she closed her eyes to savour the illicit pleasure that had come so unexpectedly. As he pulled the fabric from her shoulders she felt a frisson of fear. What would he think of her? She was no longer a girl. She had stayed slim, kept herself fit, but her breasts and her stomach were those of a forty-year old. He lowered his head and his lips played across her shoulders. She felt the flutter of his kisses on her neck and then her breath was taken as he raised a hand to her breast, to hold and to gently tease.

She pulled at his shirt and the belt of his jeans. When they were unfastened and in a heap at his feet he stepped out of them and with a grin he pulled of his socks.

Pauline slipped out of her trousers and climbed onto the bed dragging the chilly duvet over her. He pulled it aside to snuggle underneath and then wrapped her to him and held her in his warm arms. Their legs twined and their breath mingled and she found with him a kindness, a generosity and a pleasure that she had never known before.

Chapter 46

Unfamiliar greys and shadows disoriented her and the bulk of a body in the bed was strange and unsettling in her half-waking state. Pauline lay still and quiet until dream and reality divided and she remembered it all. Where and who and why. Pete murmured and turning, drew her into the warmth of his sleeping body. As she curled into him tears came to her eyes for she knew that this could not be and it broke her heart to have what she couldn’t hold.

She didn’t sleep again. The curtains were open and dawn unveiled a new day and the rustle of leaves and patter of rain on the window spoke of dying summer. She pressed closer to the man beside her and revelled in the comfort and what she knew was to be a fleeting happiness.

Pete woke and smiled across the rumpled pillows and kissed her face and neck and they made love slowly. His hands caressed the rounds and hollows of her body. As they stroked and teased and nibbled she lost herself in his gentleness and generosity and finally in the urgency of their mutual need. She had never known it could be like this…

Later she slid from the bed and dragged on Pete’s discarded T-Shirt. She pulled it down to cover her behind and then laughed as he raised his eyebrows at the coyness after their recent familiarity. She felt sated and soothed by their intimacy and more than that he had made her feel whole, and even more yet she felt beautiful and womanly.

She didn’t want to spoil the moment but knew life would go on and they must leave this room and this moment.

“Can I have a shower?”

“Did I do the electric thing last night?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“Right. Give me a minute and I’ll sort it. God I’m starving.”

His legs swung from the bed and he leaned to retrieve his boxers from the tangle of clothes on the floor. She watched and felt emotion flood her body. She could love this man.

His voice came from downstairs in the hallway. “Okay Pauline, the heat’s on. I’m going to fish in the freezer and get breakfast underway.”

“Thanks.” The bathroom was spotless and it was obvious that, though the house had been unlived in, someone kept it clean. The airing cupboard held a pile of towels and there was shampoo. She paused at the sight of the bottle on the glass shelf. Shampoo.

It wasn’t her business. She picked up the bottle and realised with a tiny thud of disappointment that it was open and partly used. So, someone else came here and used the bathroom and cleaned and polished. It wasn’t her business.

The smell of bacon and coffee made her mouth water. With a hint of distaste she pulled on yesterday’s underwear and blouse. Her fingers hovered over the handle of a drawer but in the end it was too much of an invasion of privacy to pull it forward. In truth she didn’t want to see. If there was underwear in there, women’s underwear, she couldn’t borrow it anyway and the bright, loving morning would be besmirched. Shampoo? Well shampoo could just be a cheap shower gel or perhaps he sometimes let his hair grow and so would need it, but underwear, women’s clothes… There would be no denying the meaning of those.

The kitchen was bright and the pine table held plates of bacon sandwiches. Coffee dripped into a pitcher on the machine beside the sink. It was homely and cosy. Pauline was starving, because of course they had eaten very little yesterday. She fell on the food with an enthusiasm that brought a smile to Pete’s face.

“How come you have all this?”

“I keep bread, bacon and so on in the freezer. I never know when I’m going to come here and so I try to keep it stocked.”

“Is this your house then? Your own… not a police house or something?”

“Yes, this is mine. I bought it a few years ago. I needed to know that no matter what, I had a place that was wholly mine and was safe. I needed a home.”

“It’s lovely.”

“Thanks. I have someone come in to keep an eye on things. Marie, from the farm back the way we came in. She thinks I work abroad. It’s safer for her that way.”

“It’s dangerous isn’t it? Your job, what you do?”

“Sometimes it is. Sometimes it’s boring and tedious.”

“How long have you been doing it?”

He leaned across the space between them and laid his hand on hers. “Pauline. I think it’s best, for now at least, if you don’t know too much about what’s going on. Too much about me.”

There it was, the barrier. His life, the things that he did. His past and his future; she wasn’t to be a real part of any of it and now the sandwich stuck in her throat as her heart filled with sadness and reality hit her in the gut.