Kim was on the sofa, instilled with regret and disbelief as she relived her experiences with Gill. Jay walked into the room. His phone pinged a message from Stuart: ‘I’ve read the latest news. If Ward’s death was a drugs overdose, you forced her to take it somehow. I can well understand the bad feelings towards Kim and I know you care for her. People can judge harshly. Some never forget. Your secret is safe with us. Good luck.’
He read the message to Kim. She suggested he ring Stuart and tell him Kayla had committed the murder.
‘As far as they are concerned, I killed Gillian Ward.’
‘Will they keep it a secret?’
‘I hope so.’
‘Let me talk to them.’
‘There’s no point. My instinct tells me they’re going to distance themselves from us.’
He sat down and draped his arm across her shoulder. She smiled and said. ‘How long can I stay here with you?’
‘It depends on whether you want to be with me. You mentioned living abroad. If living abroad is what you have in mind …?’
‘I’m unsure what to do for the best.’
‘Needless to say, you can stay here as long as you like. If you want to go somewhere different on a weekend, by way of a change, I’ll take you. You won’t have to live in fear. You will be safe with me. Tomorrow night I’ll take you home to collect your clothes and other essentials.’
Kim nodded. ‘I have a question for you.’
‘Go ahead.’
‘Do you love me, Jay?’
‘Love is a strong emotion. Let’s just say I have strong feelings for you.’
***
The July sun climbed high above the castle ruins. Like the breaths of a thousand dragons its sweltering heat punished joggers pounding winding pathways bordered with parched shrubs and bushes. Townsfolk and visitors endured the stickiness of sweat-soaked clothing. Kids gobbled ice cream before it melted.
‘I can’t remember the weather being so hot,’ Jay said. ‘You’ve been cooped up in my front room for a month and here we are strolling arm in arm along a busy street. I’m glad you made the effort. How do you feel being outdoors?’
‘Not as bad as I thought it would be.’
‘Good. I have a couple of surprises in store for you.’
‘Such as?’
‘Wait and see.’
They sauntered down a side street, happiness in their hearts. ‘Here we are,’ Jay said. ‘Greeves of Eaton Cross. I believe they sell decent dresses and shoes here. One of my colleagues at the school recommended it.’
‘I’ve no money.’
‘You don’t pay for surprises. We’re going for a meal tonight. I want you to look your best. Have a look round, see what you fancy.’
They went inside the shop. Jay took delight in watching her pick and choose. Exhilaration swept over her like a magic wand bestowing freedom and the thrill of a new beginning. Some of the items for sale were expensive. She pursed her lips, waved him over.
‘What’s up?’
‘What price can I go up to?’
‘Any price. There’s no limit, Kim.’
‘I might be a while, then. It’s been years since I wore a dress … Some of these are lovely.’ She eventually settled for a Mela blue-check skater dress and a pair of black suedette platform heels.
‘You’ve made a good choice,’ Jay said when they were outside. ‘I can’t wait to see you wearing it.’
She looked up at him, her eyes squinting. ‘I can’t thank you enough. What can I say?’
‘You’ve already said it. Come on, let’s go for a cool drink.’
She smiled, almost said three words that had hatched inside her heart.
Later in the day she showered, put on her new outfit and carefully applied a different type of makeup. Jay entered the bedroom, camera in hand. ‘I can smell your perfume. Do you like it?’
‘Love it. Have you got any aftershave?’
‘I’ve used it all. You look delicious in that dress. The makeup matches as well. Keep still whilst I take a photo of you.’ Kim posed. Jay snapped the shot. ‘How do you feel in your new heels?’
‘I’ve never worn platforms before. I could lose my balance.’
‘I’ll catch you if you fall … Nearly ready?’
‘Let me check … No freckles visible. Good. I can’t stand to see them. And how do I look, better than I used to? Do you prefer the way I look now? Be honest with me.’
‘If you insist. You look better with your natural colours.’
She kissed him and said, ‘You’ll have to buy a bigger mirror so I can see myself properly when I’m getting ready to go out.’
‘Whatever you say, Miss Robins. I’ll see what I can do for you. And how do I look?’
She ran her eyes over his Casablanca blue chinos and short-sleeve plaid shirt, nodded her approval. ‘Cool. Not your usual style. Looks good. So, where are you taking me?’
‘Loafers restaurant, not far from the market. Let’s wait outside. The taxi should be here in a few minutes.’
***
Loafers restaurant hadn’t changed since Jay’s previous meal there. The weather-beaten exterior walls showed signs of decay. The wooden window frames begged to be painted.
Kim exited the taxi, looked up at the building with a bemused expression. Jay paid the fare, stood next to her.
‘Are we at the right place?’ she asked.
‘I know what you’re thinking. Believe me, the food here is fantastic. Let’s go inside.’
The interior presented a dismal appearance. A new carpet failed to brighten the atmosphere. Beige walls reached up to a ceiling painted brown to disguise the staining from cigarette smoke. The ceiling fan moaned, whined and struggled to circulate the humid air.
A couple of guys at the bar gave Kim a lingering head-to-toe look. Jay smiled to himself with contentment. Kim was momentarily in the spotlight looking splendid in her new dress. They sat at a table in a quiet corner. Kim slid across the cushioned seat and studied the menu. Jay asked what she wanted to drink. At the bar, he ordered a cask ale and a half pint of lager with a splash of lime. He did the ‘minefield walk,’ slow and steady, careful not to spill the liquor on his way to their table.
‘I fancy the fillet of seabass,’ Kim said, ‘with Jersey scallops and peas.’
‘And what do you fancy for afters?’
‘Syrup sponge would go down nicely.’
‘I’m having the rump steak smothered in peppercorn sauce. I had it once before. Delicious.’
‘I’ve never tasted seabass.’
‘I assure you, the food here is the best in town.’ Jay raised his glass. ‘To our future happiness.’
They drank and locked onto each other’s eyes.
Tranquil waters after a relentless storm.
Kim’s face beamed happiness. She almost laughed as Jay sank his ale in one go. ‘I wouldn’t mind another one of those. Something wrong?’
Her face was suddenly etched with worry. ‘Don’t go to the bar and don’t turn round.’
Jay lowered his shoulders and leaned forward. ‘What’s going on, Kim?’
‘Two police officers are stood at the bar. One of them’s talking to the barman.’
‘Could be me they’re looking for,’ he said, his voice low and laced with anxiety.
‘How can they? They wouldn’t know you were here. Shut up. They’re coming this way.’
Jay fiddled with a beer mat. They stood behind him. The rustle of their thick jackets intensified his unease. Kim eyeballed one of them, made a weak smile and dropped her gaze on Jay’s crossed fingers.
The officers spoke in hushed tones and returned to the bar.
‘I think they’re going,’ Kim said. ‘They’re talking to the barman again … They’re leaving … You can relax.’
Jay’s face softened. He breathed the tension out of his body.
‘A scary moment,’ Kim commented. ‘Go and order the meals.’
‘And a few more drinks. I need
some mouth-to-glass resuscitation. Another lager and lime?’
Kim nodded. Her eyes met his, level and inviting.
He was right about the food. Kim ate slowly, savoured the flavour. Jay attacked his steak in between anecdotes from his time at university. After the meal he walked over to the bar and ordered more drinks. She admired his broad shoulders. His ponytail, which she previously took a disliking to, pleased her in a primitive, sexy kind of way.
Her genuine feminine urge was talking to her at last.
The drinks kept coming and as the evening progressed the room filled with chatter and music. Jay guarded his hot passion and was looking forward to the happy ending he had in mind.
‘See how busy it is,’ he said. ‘We’ll come here again in the not-too-distant future.’
‘Yeah, I want to come again,’ she said, slurring her words.
‘I’ll make you a strong coffee later or you’ll fall asleep.’
‘I want more than a strong coffee.’
He grinned. ‘Naughty girl … Tell me, have you ever been to Cornwall?’
‘Never been. I’ve heard how lovely it is.’
‘We’re going there tomorrow. I’m taking you to St Ives, a town on the Cornish coast. We can enjoy the quaint, narrow streets, the beaches, bars and restaurants. They’re renowned for their local seafood dishes. St Ives has an art gallery as well.’
‘Sounds great. Just the two of us. How can I thank you?’
‘You will – later.’
‘Naughty man.’ Her eyes gleamed brighter.
‘We’re travelling by train. I love the feel of a moving train. I almost become hypnotised by watching buildings and countryside fly by. There are five changes and the train leaves at quarter to ten. Are you ready for home?’
‘Silly question, Mr Yeldon.’
***
‘I hope the weather’s better in Cornwall.’
‘I’m not bothered if it rains all day and night,’ Kim said. ‘If we’re together what else matters?’
‘We’ll be bored staying inside a hotel, and, no doubt, exhausted.’
‘The same as last night?’
‘And the night before.’
‘Lucky you.’
‘We’re both lucky. Where would we be now if I hadn’t been driving along Parson Lane?’
Her face clouded over in sadness for a moment. ‘I’m alive, thanks to you and Kayla. And I think a lot about Smarty and what I did to him.’
‘Don’t reproach yourself … The train should be here soon.’
‘Where will our cases go?’
‘They have luggage stacks.’
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, gave a reassuring hug. She gazed at the line of travellers standing near the platform’s edge. ‘The train’s coming. I can hear it,’ she said excitedly. He gripped her hand and let go. She looked down, squirmed at the sight of his dirty fingers. Looking at the travellers again she asked, ‘Why are those people dressed in black?’
‘I can’t believe you asked such an idiotic question. It’s so obvious why …’
A gust of wind swept over the platform, loaded with drizzle and a smell she was familiar with. ‘There’s a foul smell. Where’s it coming from?’
‘You should know. Look at the moss on the sleepers and tracks. Our train will struggle when it arrives.’
A sickening unease engulfed her, followed by ragged breathing. ‘Oh, no, please,’ she murmured. ‘Please go away. Don’t do this to me.’ Blinding fear exploded. She tried desperately to hold on to her sanity.
‘Listen to the grating of the wheels, coming closer and closer,’ he said, with a mocking laugh.
The sound of the rotating wheels scratched her eardrums and crawled down her spine.
‘Walk forward,’ he said. ‘Go and look at the tracks.’
She obeyed and stood perilously close to the edge of the platform. A young girl in a school uniform stood next to her. She looked up at Kim, her blue eyes releasing tears onto her ivory-white skin.
‘I’m sorry,’ Kim whispered in her ear. ‘I was there with you. I could have saved you. Don’t blame me. Please don’t …’
The train was a heartbeat away, whirring and screeching as it decelerated.
‘I was on my way home from school,’ the girl said. ‘Mummy picked me up in her car and said we had to go to your funeral.’
Ethan stood by her side, showed a face ravaged by obscene desire and perverse lust.
‘Goodbye,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you in hell.’
***
‘You’re late this evening.’
Stuart usually hung his coat up when he came home. Still holding his case, he walked up to Lauren. ‘Heavy traffic on the motorway. I had extra patients to deal with. Good ones and awkward ones.’
‘Shall I warm your tea up?’
‘Don’t bother. Jay rang me this morning. Kim is dead. She threw herself in front of a train. He saw her do it. They were going on holiday for a week. I thought she had recovered. I really did. The drug that Ward was feeding her must have warped her mind, drove her insane. How else can you explain it? How else?’
She tipped her head to one side, let his words sink in, and said, ‘Snarl – the drug that never lets go.’
He probed her face, seeking a reaction. There was no change, not even a shred of sadness or shock.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Jay put his pen down and looked over at the churchyard. The September light from a pallid sun was slowly dying on the trees. A rush of wind shook leaves that defiantly held on to their branches, waiting for autumn to terminate the season’s grand finale. New buds would emerge the following year, begin their natural growth and become leaves. He picked up the photograph of a smiling Kim in her new dress, a budding young lady ready to start a new life filled with happiness and freedom.
His thoughts rolled back to Lauren’s birthday celebration at Merchants. Kim was full of joy and mischief. Gillian was constantly by her side, full of revenge, steering her along the road to destruction.
The worry over Gillian’s death hung in his mind and deepened when he saw Kayla pass by the window. He let her into the house. She breezed in, bringing with her a breath of the outdoor freshness.
‘I’m on my way to see a friend,’ she said. ‘I thought I’d drop in to see you. Have you had any trouble?’
‘If you mean police enquiries, the answer is no. And you?’
‘No problems. We got away with it.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure. Time will tell.’
‘You busy with your school work, then?’
Her gaze was severe. She wasn’t there for tea, cake and a friendly chat.
‘I have to keep busy. My work helps to ease the pain. It was a dreadful experience to see her die in such a way.’
‘Did you see the train go over her?’
‘No. I believe she was mangled beyond recognition. There was nothing left of her.’
‘Too bad.’
‘You don’t feel any pity?’
‘Why should I? She did nothing to stop Baines doing what he did.’
‘I’ve already told you, she had no part in the murder. She was the victim of a callous, vicious murderer. She was terrified of him. He beat her, abused her –’
‘You’re making excuses. She had to be punished, don’t you see? You were a fool to take her on. Don’t know what you saw in her.’
‘And I don’t know what anybody sees in you, apart from the scumbags you associate with – layabouts and crackheads.’ He groaned, shook his head. ‘Oh, Kayla, I’m sorry. Forget what I said. I didn’t mean it.’
‘Yes, you did. Can’t say I blame you. I know what I am and I’m not proud of it. I tried to change my ways, live the straight and narrow. Didn’t work out, dad. I’ve had my say and there’s an end to it.’
‘You didn’t like Kim the moment you met her. Under the circumstances, I can understand your animosity towards her, and yet you killed Gillian Ward. Why didn’t you try to talk me out
of luring her to the bandstand?’
‘I thought things were getting out of hand. I didn’t want you to be attacked and hurt. Believe me, I wasn’t trying to help Kim Robins. No way. When Ward attacked me I went with my emotions and stuck the needle in her neck. Job done. She deserved what she got.’
‘Your actions put both of us in a dangerous position. Thankfully, we weren’t drawn into a police enquiry. I hope we’ve seen the end of the matter.’
‘I’m pretty sure we have. In future, look for a decent woman to share your life with. Think carefully before you take the plunge. Understood?’
‘I’m not looking for another woman, not for a long time.’
‘Well, goodbye dad. Look after yourself.’
‘You will come to see me again?’
‘Sure, I will.’
She turned around and was gone before he had a chance to wish her well.
***
Jay looked out of the staffroom window and focused on threatening clouds casting a sombre veil over the town. Footsteps approached from behind. A friendly hand rested on his shoulder. He turned to face Gemma Mason. ‘You’re quiet today,’ she said. ‘Almost distant.’
‘Look how dark it is. The nights are drawing in,’ he said, an inkling of sorrow in his voice.
‘We say goodbye to the summer. Fingers crossed for a better one next year. Sorry I haven’t spoken to you till now … I’ve noticed a change in you over the months. You’re not the same person. Problems, no doubt. Heartache too, I should imagine.’
‘How do you know?’
‘A woman’s intuition. You are surrounded by an aura of regret. Your heart is heavy.’
‘You have a remarkable power of perception, Gemma. You would make an excellent fortune teller.’
She laughed quietly and said, ‘I hate to see people who are upset. You can always talk to me if you feel isolated.’
‘My emotions would be hard to explain. I have a story to tell, an extraordinary, tragic story.’
‘Concerning a woman?’
‘A young woman. The experience has left me empty and lost. A few people know the details. I don’t see them any more and I doubt I’ll see them again.’
All Your Fears Page 24