Smarty greeted her in his usual way, pawing and jumping up at her. She threw her coat over the hook and stroked his head. No doubt he would expect to be taken out for a long walk later in the evening. Kim had already decided a walk up and down Redburn Close would have to suffice. ‘Out you go and do what you must,’ she said, opening the French doors. She stepped onto the stone patio. A noise came from her neighbour’s garden.
‘How are you, Kim?’ said Lauren Dagnall, her chin resting on the wooden fence.
‘Okay, thanks. I haven’t been back long. Are you off work today?’
‘I’ve taken a couple of days’ leave. Do you fancy coming in for a coffee?’
‘Yes. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be round.’
Lauren made two coffees and took them into the front room. She plumped up the cushions, gathered her husband’s magazines and put them inside the holder. Satisfied everything was tidy she stood in front of the mirror, brushed her long, sleek black hair. She frowned at her appearance. Too many hours spent indoors had produced a pale, anaemic complexion. She wanted to look her best, whether socialising or in the office at work.
Minutes later, they were sitting next to each other.
‘Have you finished for the day?’ Lauren asked.
‘Yes. I worked double-hard and luckily there weren’t many interruptions.’
Lauren kicked off her shoes and curled her legs up onto the sofa. ‘You need a break. When did you last have a holiday?’
‘I couldn’t tell you.’
‘You must have some idea.’
‘Years ago. I remember mum and dad taking us somewhere. Can’t think where.’ She swallowed a mouthful of coffee, and said, ‘I bet you and Stuart have been all round the world.’
‘So far we’ve been to Spain and Portugal. We’re hoping to go to New York next year.’
Kim wished she could have those kinds of holidays. She had been on one holiday and it had rained all week. Since leaving home, her life hadn’t been easy. She had been forced to move from one place to another. Eaton Cross offered peace and security.
‘Are you all right, Kim?’
‘Yes. It’s been a trying day … Thanks for inviting me in.’
‘No problem. Do you realise we’ve been neighbours for twelve months? I know nothing about you.’
Since coming to Eaton Cross to live, Kim had guarded her private life and was wary of anyone who asked too many questions. Although the two of them had only engaged in over-the-fence conversations, Kim had become fond of her. Lauren didn’t appear to be anything other than a kind, gentle person.
‘What do you want to know?’ Kim said.
‘Were you born in Eaton Cross? What school did you attend? Any qualifications?’
‘I was born and brought up in Grenthorpe in the Midlands – a long way from here.’
‘I haven’t heard of it.’
‘You wouldn’t live there by choice. It used to have a thriving steel industry. Thousands of men had regular employment. The steel has gone, I believe, and the town is supposed to be one of the crappiest in the country. It’s rowdy, overcrowded and full of scumbags.’
‘You must be overjoyed to be away from there.’
‘I certainly am. I went to Bentley High School. I left when I was sixteen.’
Lauren was curious. She had never seen Kim in the company of men. ‘Did you date any of the boys?’
‘No. I was shy and kept away from boys. I had a weight problem, you see. I was self-conscious. The day I left the lousy school I started work in a shop. I was there for twelve months. I hated it and managed to find another job as a food packing operative at Yates Food Packaging. You wouldn’t believe how repetitive and boring it was.’
‘Most jobs become repetitive and boring, Kim. Even Mine. How long did you work there?’
‘A couple of years. Somebody asked if I fancied working behind a bar in a nightclub. I had an interview the following week and got the job. It turned out worse.’
‘In what way?’
‘To start with, you have to lip-read because of the noise, and you have to learn how to cope with all the pissed-up obnoxious idiots. People wave money in the air and shout at you for not being served. I felt like storming out of the place.’
‘A job I definitely wouldn’t take on.’
Kim watched her walk over to the window and look out. There was something so compellingly graceful in the way she moved. ‘Stuart called me to say he’d be home early.’
‘Are you going out tonight?’
‘No. We’ll watch TV. We’re into a new drama, Couples in Distress … I’d better prepare our evening meal.’
‘What are you having?’
‘He wants a veggie carbonara and I’ve run out of black pepper. He won’t eat it without black pepper.’
The blonde woman drifted into Kim’s thoughts. She was longing to tell Lauren about her encounter in the castle grounds and the possible sighting of her from the window of the White Swan Hotel.
Lauren spotted Stuart’s car coming down the road. ‘He’s here, at last. I’ll see if he’ll take me to the shops.’
Kim drank the rest of her coffee, said she was looking forward to seeing her again. She returned home, gave Smarty some loving attention and filled his bowl with a mixture of Chappie and Wagg.
Food now. A walk later.
Perhaps.
***
Kim lit a cigarette and rested. She pictured Lauren standing at the window. The prospect of seeing her again lifted her spirit. Someone to talk to and confide in. The beginning of a meaningful relationship. She squirmed at the mental suffocation she had endured in the past when her freedom had crumbled and she was too afraid to venture outside her home. She tried to relax in front of the TV. Watching Hilary’s Talk Show was not conducive to a settled state of mind, with its ranting and beeped-out expletives. Kim wished her problems had been as insignificant as the ones aired on the programme. She switched it off and went to the bathroom.
Looking at her reflection was a necessary ritual. Sometimes she would talk to herself, providing answers as if given by another person. She had learned to cope with the loneliness of living alone. No husband or partner to share the time with. She yearned for a contented existence, to be happily married like Lauren. The idea of having a man in her life seemed a remote possibility. ‘Another Man?’ she said, screwing up her face. ‘No chance of that happening … Don’t be afraid. You are a good, honest person. Throw away your stupid worries.’ She visualised the blonde again, hiding behind ridiculous dark glasses. A one-off conversation by an inquisitive woman wasn’t a big problem. Neither was seeing her again on the street. Nevertheless, the experience had unsettled her. ‘Don’t let this become an issue,’ she said. ‘Believe in yourself. Pull yourself together.’
Smarty was by her side, asking to be taken out. ‘All right. Come on, my little man. Let’s find your lead.’
She reluctantly opted for the castle grounds. Smarty dragged her along, eager to reach the place where he loved to be. They soon reached High Street in the town centre. The shops were harder to recognise in the artificial light from the street lamps. A gust of wind whipped through a building’s scaffolding. Smarty barked at the fluttering barrier tape. He pulled her across the road. She threw a glance at the United Reform Church. The white, arched portal was open, spilling its light onto the pathway. She had no interest in churches and would never go inside one unless she had to. She took a sharp left and walked up the rise of Castle Street. Smarty lowered his back and pulled harder, making the climb less of a strain.
The area in front of the ruins was bathed in light which served to emphasise the statue of a World War One soldier, his head bowed in prayer. Kim gave it a cursory glance. She walked the path leading to the gardens, park and bandstand. Smarty panted harder. She could not release him for fear of being swallowed by the darkness. She paused and tightened her scarf against the chill of the air. The surroundings, welcoming in the daytime, created an eerie ambience. Ki
m was brave going there but was soon overwhelmed by an urge to return home. Instead of retracing her steps she walked along the pathway to Parson Lane, which curved to within a short distance from the estate where she lived.
Parson Lane was deserted. She quickened her pace along the tree-lined lane, longing for a relaxing bath and a hot drink. She stepped off the pavement to cross the road and paused as a motorbike sped by, shattering the peace of the environment. She quickly stepped back onto the pavement and waited until the roar of its engine subsided. A dark-coloured car appeared, decelerated and stopped. Bright headlights. Engine purring. Kim couldn’t see the shadowy figure in the driver’s seat, waiting and watching. She rotated her hand to shorten Smarty’s lead. The car crept to the other side of the road and stopped in a direct line with her, positioned like a missile ready to be launched. She froze in the glare of the lights, paralysed by confusion and dread. With a burst of power, it shot towards her. Adrenaline gushed into her veins with the force of a burst dam, fuelling her escape. She knew she couldn’t outrun the vehicle, but ran anyway until the hard pavement met her face.
Chapter Three
Kim’s frenetic heartbeat rattled her eardrums. She breathed acrid smoke. When it dissipated, she became aware of Smarty panting and the sweet sensation of his tongue licking her cheek. She tightened her grip on his lead, pushed her upper body off the ground and sat upright. She wiped her cheek, saw no blood on her hand. Her eyes darted up and down an empty road. She considered calling the police. What would she say to them? Had somebody intentionally driven a vehicle at her? Was it done to scare her, cause a serious injury or death? She didn’t see the driver and would not be able to describe the vehicle. ‘No point in calling them,’ she thought. ‘Come on Smarty,’ she said, her breathing ragged. ‘Let’s go home before he comes back.’
Kim struggled to a standing position. A sharp pain exploded in her left ankle. She grimaced, lowered herself onto the ground. Walking back home would take a long time and be painful. She tried to move her foot and moaned. If a bone was broken she would have to call for medical assistance. Smarty became restless. She stroked the back of his neck to comfort him. At least he was uninjured. Not wanting to cause further damage to the ankle she decided to call for an ambulance. She searched her pockets for the phone. A car appeared. Bright headlights blinded her. She wriggled and pushed herself backwards towards a fence, desperate to protect herself and the dog. She squirmed in the sickening anticipation that death was moments away.
The car stopped. A man jumped out, his head turning from left to right as he surveyed the deserted, quiet road.
***
Kim stared at the man who had rescued her. She put him in his late thirties. Black Hair. Slicked-back ponytail. His square jaw and flattened nose were in harmony with a set of wide shoulders. He carried a determined, confident air. He reminded Kim of a man she once knew – a man she would never forget.
‘I appreciate you bringing us home. You saved my life.’
‘I had a moral duty to assist you. Why don’t you sit down and let me take a look at your injuries?’
Kim hobbled into the living room, lowered herself onto the sofa.
‘My face doesn’t hurt. Only a few scratches. I’ll be okay in a day or two. You should go now.’
‘Don’t be so hasty. I want to be sure your ankle doesn’t require further attention.’
‘I’m sure you mean well. You haven’t brought me back here for anything else – nothing improper?’
‘Certainly not,’ he replied with mock indignation.
His thick, strong voice bounced off the bare walls. Kim’s low, husky tone failed to make the short distance.
‘Can I sit down?’ he asked.
‘Not on here with me. Bring the chair over there.’
He walked across a moderately furnished room, tidy, except for a coffee table littered with two ashtrays, a packet of cigarettes, remote controls and a pile of black diaries. He positioned the chair in front of Kim and sat down. ‘You could be dead,’ he said, devoid of any expression.
She lit a cigarette, blew a cloud above his head.
‘What gives you that idea?’
‘You said I saved your life. Tell me what occurred.’
Smarty sat by his side. He stroked him whilst she relayed details of the incident on Parson Lane.
‘You must have been terrified,’ he said, showing a mystified expression. ‘You could have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. If someone wanted to kill you, it wouldn’t have been difficult. But why should anyone want you dead? No, I think some idiot was driving around with his mates, terrorising people.’
‘Not in Eaton Cross.’
‘Eaton Cross has suffered from vandalism on rare occasions. Unfortunately, a disruptive element has evolved in this once peaceful town … What’s your name?’
‘Why do you ask?’ she said, eyeing him.
‘Look, I’m being helpful here. There’s no harm done in telling me your name, is there?’
‘Kim Robins.’
‘You married?’
‘No. I’m single and not attached to anyone.’
‘Would you kindly remove your shoe, Miss Robins?’
She complied. ‘It hurts.’
‘Any numbness or tingling?’
‘No.’
He knelt in front of her, lifted her foot and gently rotated it. He had large hands, powerful enough to crush the cap of a beer bottle in between finger and thumb.
She made a low moan and said, ‘You’re a doctor, aren’t you?’
‘I’m a teacher at Eaton Victoria High School. My name is Jay Yeldon.’
He raised the bottom of her jeans to have closer look at the ankle. Without any warning, she pulled her foot away from him. ‘Stop it. You’ve seen enough.’
He cast her a puzzled glance. ‘I’m sorry … So, you are the girl with the dragon tattoo?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘There was no mistaking the barbed tail and bat-like wings. Striking. Professional. Did you get the idea from the film?’
‘I had it done years ago.’
‘I see … You have a mild sprain. As you say, it should heal in a day or two. At least you can walk on it. However, you may wish to let a doctor check it properly, or at least –’
‘I’m not seeing a doctor.’
He detected a hint of defiance in her voice. ‘It’s your choice … Birthday recently?’ he asked, looking at a couple of lonely cards on the floor.
‘Yes. I’m twenty-nine.’
He smiled. ‘I’ll be on my way. I’ve taken enough of your time. Look after yourself … Nice dog, by the way.’ He walked to the door and paused. ‘I’m sure I recognise you from somewhere.’
Kim became edgy. Her fingers tightened on her jumper. ‘Where do you think you’ve seen me?’
‘I spend some of my spare time taking photos of the Old Town. I could have seen you on the High Street or in the market.’
‘On the High Street. Yes. It couldn’t have been anywhere else … couldn’t have been …’ Her voice fell to a whisper, her brow rumpled, her gaze dropped to the floor. Jay said nothing and was perplexed by the young woman who stroked Smarty with one hand and caressed scarlet scratches with the other.
‘Why the hell has this happened to me?’ she murmured. She looked up. The front door clicked shut. The silence thickened around her. She cursed inwardly. Taking a shortcut home could have been avoided, and she had allowed a stranger into her home. For the first time in a year, she had let her guard to slip.
Later in the evening, she settled down to watch a film. Smarty was beside her. He rolled onto his back, asking for a comforting stroke. Kim obliged and repositioned the bag of frozen peas that had slipped off her ankle. She didn’t think the damage was bad, and the angry-looking scratches on her cheek could be covered with makeup.
She gave up on the film, selected a channel and caught the beginning of Bridget Jones’s Diary. The film pulled her in. Renée Zellweger wa
s one of her favourite actresses. Her humour and opulent figure reminded her of a woman she met during a difficult period in her life. She managed to watch the entire film without dozing off.
A temporary respite from the ugliness of the day.
She smoked a final cigarette, made sure the French doors were locked and went to her bedroom. Smarty stayed downstairs and would bark if any unexpected noise came from the rear garden.
The aching ankle foretold of a restless night. Sleep came. Eventually. At one o’ clock in the morning, her eyes snapped open. She sat upright, listened to voices coming from across the road. She hobbled to the window and peered out. For some reason, the lights along Redburn Close were not working. The houses opposite sketched themselves dimly in the darkness. A courting couple got out of a car. Panic fizzed inside her. The only detail perceptible was long blonde hair. The couple walked up the driveway and entered a house. Residents of the estate. Nothing for her to worry about. She climbed back into bed, waited for sleep to come again.
Memories of the blonde wearing sunglasses, and the occurrence on Parson Lane came to her dressed in grey shadows.
Chapter Four
A long night of troubled sleep finally relented to the encroaching daylight. Smarty trotted into the bedroom, tail swinging in anticipation of his first meal of the day. Kim made her way slowly to the bathroom, careful not to put too much weight on her left foot. Looking in the mirror, she was pleased to see her scratches didn’t look as angry as they did the previous day.
Smarty was by her side, telling her he was hungry. ‘Come on, let’s get you sorted.’
He scurried down the stairs. Kim gripped the handrail, descended the stairs step by step and hobbled into the kitchen. She switched the kettle on and fed the hungry canine. After munching a bowl of cereal, she settled on the sofa and called the hotel. To her relief, a young female answered.
All Your Fears Page 2