She shuddered – if she never had an attic again, it would be too soon.
Her back protested as she lifted the suitcase to carry it downstairs, but she ignored it – again. It had been getting better – a lot more quickly than it had taken last time, too, but it was still sore enough that she was popping pain relief every four hours. She managed to get the case downstairs, leaving it by the front door with the tote bag she’d used to throw in all the other bits and bobs.
‘Kevin, you OK? Heard the thump – did you hit the washing machine? I do that all the time.’
Silence reigned from the kitchen – Ed wandered through to look for him.
Panic filled her as she realised he wasn’t in there and the back door was wide open.
‘What the hell…?’ she muttered. Her heart was beating like the clappers – where was he?
‘There – rubbish in the bin outside so it doesn’t stink out the – you OK?’ Kev moved quickly to her side.
‘Sorry, I saw the open door and thought – never mind, I’m just being paranoid. Sorry.’
‘Don’t be – it’s nice to know you care. You all set? Let’s get you back home.’
7th October, 1920 hours – Edina’s residence
Cam sat hunched down behind the wheel in the car he’d borrowed. His lips curled into a sneer as he watched Edina’s new bloke check the front door and load the bags into his car. Who did he think he was? Taking Edina away like that.
His cheeks flushed with anger as he thought of that man’s hands on Edina. That was not how it was supposed to be.
He saw the unmarked police car start it’s engine and hunkered down further into the foot-well – he’s spotted it the second he pulled into the street – It was a grey ford focus, plain and non-descript. It could have held anyone, but he’d seen the man inside use a police radio and in that instant it was glaringly obvious. It meant they knew he was a danger to her. It wouldn’t do to be seen now. He needed to find out where Edina was going.
Cam smiled eerily inside the vehicle as they started their car. He waited a minute, watching as the unmarked pulled out behind them, then when they reached the traffic lights, he put his lights on and pulled out also. Wherever she was going, he would soon know the address. She’d ruined his life. It was time she paid for it.
7th October, 2040 hours – Janelle’s residence
Susie was so angry she could see stars. What the hell was going on? She’d arrived at Janelle’s house only five minutes before, to find Heather and Janelle poring over paperwork spread out on Janelle’s kitchen table.
So much for worst enemies.
What was Heather doing in Janelle’s house? They looked extra cosy – had it all been a lie? Had they been friends all along and just used Susie and Chloe?
She knew her skin would be flushed – hives starting to itch already. It always happened when she got this mad.
Well so be it. If Heather happened to be inside when Janelle was going to meet her grisly end then it was fine with her. She’d wanted payback for Heather anyway, and now here she was playing best friends with Janelle. After everything the bitch had done?
She curled herself up next to the overgrown tree in Janelle’s back garden and glanced over the adjoining fence. Noticing the empty pizza boxes in the neighbour’s recycling, a plan started to form. She would use them to gain access to the house. Everyone opened the door when they heard a knock, whether they knew who it was or not.
From there, she’d set the fire.
And then, she would watch them burn.
21
‘Is it OK if I pop to the loo?’ Heather was pleased at how things had progressed – she and Janelle weren’t quite friends, but they weren’t enemies now either. Working together to try to work out who had killed Glen and Kelly had eased some of their problems.
Janelle nodded, looking up. ‘I’ll make some toasties – cheese and onion OK? I’m starving.’
‘Sure, sounds good to me.’
Heather peed quickly – Janelle’s home wasn’t exactly where she’d seen someone like her living. She’d always been one to throw money around and the house didn’t fit that persona. Perhaps she’d ask about it, they weren’t quite there yet but maybe Janelle would want to talk later. For a second, Heather thought of her mum. Joanna had been working every day for the last week – a couple of long dayshifts followed by a long set of nightshifts. She was on rest days from tomorrow though for four days. Heather had some money saved. Maybe she’d surprise her mum with a few days away. It had been ages since they’d done anything together – maybe Ed could come too. She’d been texting Heather every day – Heather had to admit, it was nice having family who cared. She’d pushed them away for too long.
Holding her phone awkwardly in her plastered hand, Heather hit dial on Ed’s number as she wandered back down the stairs. She intended to see if her sister was free for a little trip. It rang in her ear as a knock sounded at the door. She didn’t even think twice as she pulled it open.
‘Pizza delivery,’ said a gruff female voice, not looking up, a baseball cap pulled down over her face.
Confused Heather looked towards the kitchen – had Janelle ordered pizza? She’d said toasties hadn’t she?
7th October, 2117 hours – Janelle’s residence
It was all the pause Susie needed – she pushed Heather hard with the pizza boxes, smiling as Heather flew backwards and landed on her back, her head thumping off the stairs with a loud thud. Susie had never had to assault anyone before – but she put the pizzas on the table in the hallway, and raised her Maglite torch above her head, bringing it down hard on Heather’s right temple before she even realised what was happening.
Leaving Heather lying at the foot of the stairs, she took up position just inside the living room door, then shouted help loudly, waiting for Janelle to come running through.
Sure enough, Janelle did as predicted and as she knelt to see to Heather, she swung the heavy torch again with all her strength. Janelle collapsed on top of Heather with a grunt.
7th October, 2120 hours – Janelle’s residence
Janelle groaned, blinding pain shooting through her temple and resonating inside her skull. She knew instinctively if she opened her eyes, it would hurt even more, but she knew she had to. Opening them just a slit, she looked around, confused. Had she fallen and hit her head?
She groaned again as a wave of nausea struck. Something was running down the side of her face, and she went to wipe away the annoying liquid.
That’s when she realised her hands were tied.
She opened her eyes further, trying to see what was going on. Janelle heard grunting from the hall – she’d been moved onto the floor in the living room from… the hall, I was in the hall. Heather had fallen down the stairs.
The grunting got closer and Janelle’s eyes opened wide when she realised someone was dragging Heather across the floor to join her. Squinting her eyes, she tried to make out who it was. Female, dressed all in dark trousers with luminous stripes at the bottom, same for the cuffed jacket. Who wore stuff like that? Janelle racked her brains but no one came to mind.
When she turned around, Janelle gasped loudly. ‘Susie? What are you doing? Let me the hell go!’ Now she started struggling, tugging her hands against the bonds, scared now.
Susie left Heather unbound on the floor – she looked unconscious and there was blood on her cheek.
‘You’re supposed to be her friend, Susie. Where do you get off breaking in here and hitting us? What the hell do you want?’ Janelle spat, still struggling to free her hands.
Susie knelt down beside Janelle and raising a hand, she slapped her hard across the face.
‘Firstly, Heather broke the friendship – not me. She wouldn’t be here with you if she hadn’t. Secondly, I didn’t break in here, Janelle – the stupid cow opened the door and let me in. And thirdly, what I want? Well that’s easy. I want you to pay for everything you did to me, you’ve made my life a living hell for years. And
for what? If you were a bloke I’d say it was ’cos you had a little dick – but you just did it for fun, didn’t you? All that pain for a few laughs. Well who’s laughing now? Bitch.’
Janelle was shocked at how nasty Susie sounded – it was like a different person had come along and replaced the scared little girl she’d always been.
‘Wh… what do you want?’ asked Janelle, trying to ignore the fear rippling down her spine. The binds that held her were tied tightly, her feet were free, though. If she got the opportunity she could run. Glancing at Heather, Janelle wondered why she wasn’t moving.
‘What do I want? What do I want?’ screeched Susie, inches from Janelle’s face, her eyes blazing with temper… and something else.
Janelle stared into them. What was the other thing? Madness? Insanity?
Susie smiled now, and said, ‘That’s easy, bitch. I want to watch you burn.’
She got to her feet, leaving Janelle on the floor. ‘Be a good girl now and stay right there. Wouldn’t want to have to hit you again.’
Janelle stared at Heather, willing her to wake up. ‘Wake up, please wake up,’ she begged softly, hoping Susie didn’t hear.
But Heather didn’t stir.
7th October, 2120 hours – Kevin’s residence, Durham
Ed smiled as she glanced at the phone screen to see who was calling.
She answered the call with a swipe. ‘Hi, Heath, you OK?’
When Heather didn’t reply, Ed grinned, shaking her head. She’d just been butt dialed by her sister? She was about to hang up the phone when she heard something else.
Heather had gasped – and then there had been a loud thud followed by a crunch.
Now Ed could hear someone muttering under their breath. The voice was familiar though she couldn’t place it. When she heard someone shout ‘help’ at the top of their voice, she jolted upright on the sofa beside Kevin, who looked at her questioningly.
She shook her head at him, silencing him for the minute. Then another thud sounded, a grunt, the sound of something being dragged.
Then clear as a bell, she heard someone talking. The voice nagged the back of her mind – she knew who it was. She did. But damned if it would come to her.
Ed strained to hear what was being said.
‘Ladybird, Ladybird, fly away home. Your house is on fire and the children are gone.’
Edina paled, Heather was in trouble.
Grabbing Kevin’s mobile while keeping the line open, she flung it at him and whispered, ‘Ring Ali, something’s wrong. It’s Heather.’
‘Heather, hello?’ said Ed into her own phone loudly.
But there was no response. The only sounds now were muffled – more dragging, rustling as though someone was searching for something in a bag or something, then, the sound of liquid sloshing.
Finally more speech, someone sounding petrified, and the person who’d been humming the children’s song sounding terrifying. Ed strained to hear more – the conversation sounded as though it was far away from the phone. She could just about make out the sneering tone – then she heard the name Janelle. More muttering.
Cupping her hand over her microphone, she said to Kevin, ‘Tell Ali whatever is happening is at Janelle’s house. And tell him I need the address. We’re going, come on.’
As Ed heard the girl speak again, she nearly dropped the phone.
‘I want to watch you burn.’
She kept the phone to her ear as both she and Kevin sped to the car.
7th October, 2125 hours – Janelle’s residence
Heather could smell something – it invaded her dream and made her nose crinkle in disgust. What was it? Petrol? Was she at the garage or something? Maybe she’d passed out.
That doesn’t make sense. If you’d passed out you wouldn’t have a headache like this. Inside her mind she answered herself. Well maybe I was hit by a truck in the petrol station – that would account for the smell and the pain wouldn’t it? A hysterical giggle threatened to escape but she swallowed it back down.
Opening her eyes, she saw Janelle lying not far from her, her eyes wide with fear. Janelle nodded towards the door – silently begging her to turn around and look.
Heather obliged, seeing a figure in the hallway sloshing something all over the place from a black canister. A fuel canister. Like the ones you get in the petrol station when you run out of fuel. The smell intensified, almost making her gag. She hated the smell of fuel – always had.
It took more than a moment for her to comprehend what was happening – someone was throwing fuel all over Janelle’s house. Susie! Now she was really confused. What was her friend doing here with fuel? And why were she and Janelle lying on the floor?
Heather wanted to move, the cast on her arm pressing painfully into her side. She went to push herself up but Janelle shook her head furiously – ‘Stay there,’ she whispered urgently.
Heather paused, somehow thinking to close her eyes as Susie strode back into the room. Opening them a crack, she watched silently as Susie kicked Janelle hard in the side.
‘What did you say, bitch?’ taunted Susie.
‘Let us go,’ said Janelle, tears now starting to stream down her cheeks. ‘She needs a doctor. Please.’
Susie glanced over at Heather. ‘She doesn’t need a doctor. A doctor can’t help if you’re already dead. Now, shut the fuck up like the good little bitch I know you can be. It’ll all be over soon.’
She strode past Heather, not even pausing as she resumed her task of throwing fuel around the house.
Think, Heather, think. What would Ed do?
Firstly she focused on her clothing, all dry. That was good. That meant Susie hadn’t doused them. What is she doing? Why is she doing this? As the questions flooded her mind, Heather suddenly realised something. Other than Janelle, the only other people close to Glen and Kelly’s deaths were her, Chloe and Susie. Realisation dawned as it finally clicked. Susie’s the killer? But why?
The questions didn’t get answered though. Maybe they would later, but not now.
Susie was wearing fire retardant clothing – it was similar to the stuff she’d seen when she’d visited Edina at work. ED! I was on the phone to her when Susie knocked at the door. Please be sending help! Please help me, Ed.
7th October, 2130 hours – Janelle’s residence
Heather still hadn’t moved – her bad arm was pulsing in time with her heart but she tried to ignore it and kept her eyes open only to a tiny slit that wouldn’t be noticed by Susie. What would Ed do? The same thought kept running round and round in her head. She’d already concluded that Susie intended to set fire to the house, and she was working hard to control the utter fear coursing through her veins. Her head pounded in time with her heartbeat. She could still feel the blood on her face, though it had stopped trickling now and was starting to congeal.
Her chest hurt from trying to keep her breathing slow and even. The muscles in her face hurt from keeping her eyes in the same position for so long. Janelle was laid not far from her visibly shaking. She strained to hear what Susie was doing, where in the house she was.
She knew the second she had the chance, she’d somehow have to overpower Susie and help Janelle get out of the house. Already the fuel was starting to evaporate – she could see it hazing in the hallway where the light was on.
When she suddenly inhaled a burst of smoke from somewhere else in the house, she knew she had to act. Janelle was too scared to move, so it was up to Heather to make her.
That’s when she realised her mobile was on the floor in the hall – she could see it lit up under the hall table – phone, then front door and out. That was the plan.
Trembling, she got to her knees, then used the edge of the sofa to push up from the floor. She managed to avoid groaning as a wave of dizziness came over her. Slowly she stood straight, and moved the few feet to where Janelle lay. Heather could see her hands were bound with cable ties – her feet were free.
Putting her finger to her mo
uth, she pulled Janelle to her feet.
‘Come on, quick. Front door.’ Her voice was barely audible, but the urgency was evident.
If Susie came back there’d be hell to pay – she now didn’t know what her supposed friend was capable of. Heather took a shaky breath. Actually she did know. Susie was capable of murder.
Grabbing her phone, she realised the call was still open to Edina. Do I dare hope it’s still connected?
She put the phone to her ear and whispered, ‘Ed? You there?’
‘Heath, are you OK?’ Her sister sounded almost as terrified as she felt.
‘At Janelle’s – Susie’s here and she’s gone nuts. She’s put fuel everywhere Ed, I think she’s gunna try and burn us. We’re just at the front door. I’m putting you in my pocket. Hold on.’
Both Heather and Janelle made it to the front door without drawing Susie’s attention.
Grabbing the handle, she turned it swiftly and pulled.
The door wouldn’t budge.
‘Damn it, it’s locked. Where’s your keys?’ she hissed.
‘Um, they were in the door,’ replied Janelle, her eyes were starting to roll – Heather knew Janelle was as dizzy as she was but they couldn’t stop. Not when they were so close.
‘Get back in there – now.’ Susie’s voice came from the hall near the kitchen – steady and deadly she made her way towards Heather and Janelle.
Janelle had already collapsed against the wall, whether through fear or because she was dizzy Heather didn’t know. That left everything up to her.
‘Susie, listen. What’s all this about – I know you don’t mean to harm us, you’re my friend.’
‘You are no friend of mine, you’re nothing but a two-faced cow. First you shag the enemy then you end up here canoodling with the bitch from hell. It doesn’t matter now anyway. You’re both going to pay. You’re going to die, and I’m going to watch.’ Susie’s voice was cold, it no longer sounded like the friend Heather had known.
Watch You Burn Page 22