Behind The Pretty Pink Door: Have you met the new neighbours yet?

by M J Hardy

  I stare at her in shock and feel even more ashamed of myself than I did already. I’ve always dismissed Keith and Sandra, and now I can see just how amazing they really are. Thinking back on the times they tried to get me involved in their committee, or cricket club teas, makes me feel ashamed. They were only trying to get me involved, and I turned my nose up and sneered behind their back. They have welcomed every person here with their form outlining everything they need to know, and I’ve done nothing but bitch about them behind their backs.

  As the doorbell rings signifying the rest of my neighbours, I vow to change my ways and shape up in more ways than just my personal life. If I could turn out to be just a fraction of how magnificent they are, I would be a very rich person.

  Chapter 32

  Sandra

  As soon as everyone’s seated, we look at Jasmine with curiosity. There’s something different about her today and despite how shattered she looks, there’s a spark of excitement in her eyes that’s compelling.

  She looks around the group and says urgently, “I need to tell you all what I discovered about number 9. For some time, we’ve all suspected something isn’t right there but brushed it off as just gossip and overactive imaginations. Esme and Nancy have thought for some time that somebody is living there in the room overlooking their garden. The only people we have seen are Charlie and Donna Evans who have a very interesting history.”

  I share a look with Keith who raises his eyes. I know we have spoken at length about number 9 but knew none of this. The alarm bells ring as Jasmine lowers her voice.

  “I found out that number 9 is rented on a short-term lease to Charlie Evans. They have one month left to run and I’m assured they will not renew it.”

  “That’s good then, isn’t it?” Esme looks relieved and Jasmine shakes her head. “For us it is but what if there is someone being held against their will? Their time is running out and we may be the only ones who can help them.”

  Keith interrupts, “But this is ridiculous, Jasmine, why on earth do you think anything like that would happen in Meadow Vale, it seems a bit fanciful if you ask me?”

  I can tell he’s getting agitated and I know it’s because he feels bad he wasn’t the one to have concerns. He’s always prided himself on his ability to manage and oversee things and even at our last house was in charge of many committees and neighbourhood schemes. He won’t like not knowing about this and so I say quickly, “Carry on, Jasmine, we need to know what you’ve found.”

  She looks at me gratefully. “When I met Charlie Evans, he seemed familiar to me. Something about him triggered a memory that I couldn’t place. It’s only when I started digging and found out his last name, that things happened. I’m not sure why but I entered his name in our computer at work and found out he’s been on our database for some time.”

  Keith leans forward and I know he’s lapping up everything she’s saying and he urges, “Go on.”

  “Well, a few years ago, he was arrested for dealing drugs and released on a technicality. His legal team cast doubt over the evidence and insinuated the police planted it. The judge and jury believed it and they released him.”

  “Drugs!” I look at her in horror. “Are you saying that he’s peddling drugs from number 9? This is bad, Keith, who knows what undesirables are sniffing around the development?”

  Jasmine shakes her head. “I don’t think he’s dealing in drugs, Sandra, it’s worse than that.”

  “Worse than drugs, what could possibly be worse than drugs?”

  I feel lightheaded as her words sink in. I’ve been nowhere near drugs in my life and I’m not about to start now. If there are drugs in that house, I will make it my mission to alert the authorities.

  Jasmine looks worried. “The reason I gathered you here, isn’t because of Charlie Evans, although he is a major concern.”

  “His wife?” Nancy’s eyes are wide and Jasmine nods. “I did a search on Charlie and his wife’s name came up with a charge sheet much longer than his. A few years ago, they arrested her on suspicion of imprisoning a young girl in her house and trafficking her for sex.”

  I feel sick and collapse back in my seat, feeling light headed. This is not looking good.

  “What happened?” Esme looks as shocked as the rest of us and Jasmine sighs. “It never went to court. The girl disappeared and with no evidence there wasn’t a case.”

  “Disappeared?” Esme looks around with fear in her eyes and whispers, “How did they discover her at all?”

  “Apparently, the girl escaped and alerted the authorities from a phone box near to where they lived. When the police went to find her, she was gone, so they searched the house. There were photos in the file of a room similar to the one Ryan has images of from number 9. Mrs Evans told the police she was an internet model and showed them her site.”

  “What site – a website?”

  I feel sick imagining some kind of porn business being conducted not too far away and Jasmine nods. “There were indecent pictures of Donna Evans and apparently she sells private shows for men online. She earns quite a lot of money from it and although the site was shut down, she wasn’t prosecuted. I think she got community service, or something along those lines but that’s all.”

  I shake my head in disgust and look at Keith. “Phone the police, Keith. We need to report this immediately.”

  Keith jumps up and the rest of us look around at each other in shock. Yes, calling the police is the right thing to do. If there is something going on in number 9, we need to put a stop to it at once.

  Chapter 33

  Nancy

  I’m in shock.

  The police!

  I get an uncomfortable feeling as I think of the questions he’ll ask. It will come out about Ryan and the drone; I just know it will and they’ll check their computer and find out about the girl in Norfolk. I feel sick as I remember that Adrian has left and yet I can’t say anything. I’m not ready to make public something I’m struggling with in private. This is a disaster and my heart thumps so fast I think I’m having a panic attack.

  Jasmine looks as wrecked as I feel and I know she has equally as much on her mind, if not more than me. She will also have some explaining to do, and I don’t think I’ve ever admired anyone more in my life. She’s a warrior that’s for sure and will beat this addiction—I just know it. She’s a strong woman that stumbled, and I know she’ll soon pull herself together and be tougher and better for it. Will I be as lucky? I’m not so sure because what’s in my future is a hard story to predict the outcome of.

  Esme looks shocked and I don’t blame her. She thought she had left the drama behind her in Streatham. None of us expected this, not here in the leafy Sussex countryside.

  Keith and Sandra are quiet, and I wonder what’s running through their minds. This must be a shock to them because of all of us, they have led the most sheltered life. I’m positive they have led a charmed existence and must regret ever moving here in the first place.

  I think we wait for a good forty minutes before the doorbell rings and Sandra jumps up to answer it. We all look with interest as the door opens and I see a marked police car looking completely out of place on her driveway.

  A police officer follows her inside and I breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of his uniform. Finally, a figure of authority who will take it from here.

  He looks kind and quite ordinary, and despite the circumstances, I’m happy to see him. I’m sure he’ll know what to do - it’s over.

  Looking around the room, he nods and says, “Good morning, I’m officer Adams from Haywards Heath police station. I understand you want to report an incident.”

  He smiles and takes a seat, and Keith steps up and takes charge.

  He explains what we know and the officer writes every word down in his notebook, stopping occasionally to clarify things.

  Once he hears the whole sorry tale, he exhales sharply and looks at Jasmine with respect. “You have done your homework.”


  She nods and says coolly, “It’s what I do on a daily basis. It wasn’t difficult.”

  Sandra interrupts. “So, what happens next, are you going to search the property?”

  Leaning back, the officer shakes his head. “I’ll need a warrant to search the house which shouldn’t be a problem but may take some time.”

  I can tell that Sandra and Keith are unhappy about that, and I share their concerns. What if the Evans leave in the meantime? If they are holding somebody hostage, time is of the essence.

  He stands and says firmly, “I’ll just take a recce. Maybe knock on the door and suss things out.”

  I say quickly, “Won’t that be alerting them, what if they leave before you get the warrant? Will you get someone to watch the house in the meantime?”

  The officer looks at me with a smile and I feel a little foolish as he says kindly, “Let’s just take one step at a time. You’ve reported it and now you can leave it in our hands. If there’s anything sinister going on, it will be dealt with in the proper way and though the right channels. Now, I’ll take a quick look and if I have anything to report, I’ll let you know. In the meantime, just carry on with your day and know you did the right thing.”

  As Keith shows him out, I say with a slight edge to my voice, “Is that it?”

  Sandra looks as subdued as I feel and nods. “I suppose so. Maybe we’ll never know what went on there, but at least we tried.”

  “What if nothing is, going on there I mean, do you think the Evans will find out we reported them? I’m not sure I want them knowing I was involved; they don’t sound like nice people.” Esme looks worried and to be honest, the thought had crossed my mind.

  Sandra shakes her head. “No, the police are professional and won’t give out names. We have nothing to worry about. We did the right thing, and that’s where it ends. By the sounds of things, they’re moving out soon, anyway, and hopefully some normal people will take their place.”

  As I look around the gathering, I wonder if we are what passes as normal these days? If my neighbours knew what my ‘normal’ involved, I’m sure they would gossip about me and Adrian over carrot cake, not to mention Ryan.

  I wonder if anyone here is normal? Jasmine certainly isn’t. I expect Esme and the Wickham’s are, but who knows? Does anyone really know what goes on behind closed doors because on the face of things, everyone else seems to be living a much better life than I am.

  Or are they?

  Chapter 34

  Lola

  I feel sick. This has been the worst day of my life, without a doubt.

  The shame washes over me like an angry sea. What have I just done?

  Mrs Evans wasted no time and set up the video. Then she made me do things no person should ever have to endure. I had to watch her ‘performing’ for the camera and felt sick as she explained the type of people who were watching from behind the lens. Men that pay to see a show no other channel would ever broadcast. This is depravity at its worst, and I have just signed my life away.

  The full horror of my situation unfolded in this room and I am past the point of no return. Once I had confirmation that Mr Evans was heading home and my dad is safe, she made me honour my side of the bargain.

  I closed my mind to respectability and did what I was told to do. Telling myself it wasn’t so bad, it’s just me and Mrs Evans in the room. But I’m deluding myself. There are many pairs of eyes observing my personal shame. It’s out there for anyone who wants to see, and I can never undo what happened here today.

  As the camera stops and Mrs Evans belts her robe tightly around her, I cower in the corner of the bed, chained and damaged both mentally and physically.

  Mrs Evans is happy though. “There now, that wasn’t so bad, was it? It gets easier over time and you’ll soon learn to enjoy it. It’s easier than being with a punter but that will happen. We have a party booked in a few days’ time, I think you’ll make your debut at.”

  “A party?”

  I stare at her in confusion and she grins nastily. “Yes, it’s not far and they have asked us to provide the entertainment. Charlie wasn’t sure you’re ready, but I think after that performance you’re a natural. I expect you’ll be in demand because of your age and lack of experience. Yes, I think now is the perfect time.”

  Although I want to vomit, I see an opportunity present itself. A party, this could be my chance to escape, maybe I can, maybe I’ll escape what she has planned by breaking free and alerting the police. Mrs Evans heads my way and grips my face hard between her painted talons and says harshly, “If you think you can escape, think again. Security is tight and I’ll be watching you. The men who are paying for you will watch you and the house we are going to is in the middle of nowhere. If you run, they will hunt you like a dog and rip you apart, so banish any thoughts of escaping from that pretty little mind because we own you now and you don’t have a say in the matter.”

  Suddenly, a loud knock on the door makes us both jump and Mrs Evans pulls back and releases me. The tears brim in my eyes as I feel the sting of where she drew blood and she moves across to the window and groans.

  “Just what I need, the fucking cops.”

  My heart lifts as she rushes away from the window and snarls, “I’ll deal with them, but just in case you try anything…”

  Reaching in the drawer, she pulls out a gag and stuffs it in my mouth, tying it so tightly it bites into my lips. The pain is almost unbearable and she snarls, “Not a sound, do you hear me, I’ll get rid of them.”

  As she slams the door, my heart sinks when I hear the key turn in the lock. I strain to hear any sound but can only hear her footsteps as she races down the stairs and opens the front door.

  A gentle murmur of voices reaches my ears but no actual words, and I look around me wildly for any opportunity to cause a disturbance.

  Frantically, I wriggle against the handcuffs but they just bite into my wrists causing them to chafe. The gag is painful and limiting and it’s hard to even breathe against the panic attack that’s tearing through me.

  I struggle to kick out, or rock the headboard against the wall, anything to aid my escape, but there is no sound at all, just the muffled sobs of my own stupidity in ever thinking I had a chance.

  Suddenly, I hear footsteps approaching and my heart lifts as I sense there’s more than one person heading upstairs. Who is it? Is it the police, are they coming for me?

  The sound of the key in the lock raises my spirits because I hear two sets of voices and I prepare myself for freedom. It’s happening, they’ve found out. The neighbours saw my cry for help and raised the alarm.

  As the door swings open, I look eagerly at the person who follows Mrs Evans into the room and as I see the uniform of authority I almost weep with relief. Then my dream is shattered as a familiar voice whispers, “Hello again, Lola.”

  Good cop, Jason.

  Mrs Evans laughs and sneers, “I bet you thought you were safe, think again.”

  Dropping to his knees, the officer reaches out and removes the gag and I gasp as I gulp for air and he shakes his head.

  “Oh Lola, you only had to play along and now you’ve ruined everything.”

  I feel the panic set in as he says in a low voice, “Apparently she tried to alert the neighbours by waving something out of the window. They’ve been doing some digging and hit the nail on the head. Luckily, I was working when the call came in. Lucky for us, anyway.”

  “Fucking busybodies, what can we do?” Mrs Evans is furious, which spells danger for me.

  “You must move out.” Jason is cold, brutal and harsh as he rubs his thumb against my lip and stares at me through lust-filled eyes.

  “Where, the other house isn’t available yet, it won’t be for another few weeks and I’m not taking her to our house.”

  “Well, she can’t stay here. One of those neighbours is a hot shot lawyer. She knows everything about you and Charlie and it won’t be easy stopping her from poking her nose in and asking for a progre
ss report. If she contacts the station I’ll try and push them off the scent but I could be discovered and under investigation before you know it and then where will we be? No, you move today and that’s the end of it.”

  “Bloody hell, Jason, this is a major setback. Do you have any idea where we can go?”

  “My girlfriend’s parents have a place in Cornwall, a holiday home. I’ll get the keys and hand them over at the usual place.”

  “Cornwall, Jesus, Jason, that’s miles away, we have a party booked next week, isn’t there anything closer?”

  “No, this is the best option. You’ll be far enough away and will have to make the trip the day of the party; we don’t have a choice.”

  “How long have we got?”

  “Hours possibly. If that lawyer suspects anything, she could be calling the station now. I’ll help you get her in the car, then just pack everything and I’ll meet you in an hour. I think we have a spare set of keys at home, I’ll go and get them and meet you at the yard.”

  “What about Lola, she’ll scream?”

  “No, she won’t.” I hate the look in his eye as he snaps, “Have you got any more of that Temazepam, that should do the trick and I’ll help load her in the car. The back seats lower down, don’t they? Put her in the boot and pull down the middle armrest to give her air. She can sleep through the journey and no one will know she’s there.”

  “That’s bloody great, but what about when I get there? How am I supposed to get her inside with no one seeing us?”

  “They have a garage like this one. Just drive inside and she should be awake by then and eager to get out.”

  “Fine but just so you know, I’m not happy about this, Jason. Make some other arrangements because I’m not staying in Cornwall any longer than I have to.”