Till Death Do Us Part

by Stephen Edger

  ‘It will be all right,’ Alice assured him, hoping to convince herself.

  Alice’s mum remained by the door, watching the scene unfold. ‘What did they arrest him for?’

  Alice had hoped that news of the arrest would be enough to pacify them, without going into sordid detail. Admitting that Ben had been arrested on suspicion of murder felt like she was going behind his back and muddying his name. Alice looked to Tara for support, but her friend stared blankly back at her.

  ‘It’s all just a big mistake,’ Alice said. ‘When they realize they’ve screwed up, he’ll be back here with their grovelling apology.’

  ‘Do you think we should cancel the party?’ Hermione asked.

  All the months of planning that had gone into today, striving to make the day perfect, it would be such a waste to just send the guests home. The last thing Alice wanted to do was plaster on a fake smile and pretend everything was okay, but what choice did she have?

  ‘The guests are here, there’s a ton of buffet food waiting to be served, and the DJ is paid until midnight,’ Alice said. ‘When Ben returns, I want the party in full swing, so he can see how much we all love him and trust him.’

  Ben’s parents nodded, Ray looking calmer now.

  ‘I’ll go make that speech,’ Tara said, opening the door and leading the parents back out to the lobby.

  Alice remained where she was, reaching for the make-up bag, ready to conceal just how terrified she really felt.

  SIX

  Slumped at a table, with only a quiet Tara and her mum for company, Alice’s anxiety had only deepened in the two hours since the police had interrupted the celebration. Her only distraction was the disco ball spinning on the desk by the DJ. Cheesy pop song after cheesy pop song blasted out of the large speakers, and those who were already drunk enough to have forgotten the earlier ruckus were making shapes on the dance floor. Alice had handpicked the list of songs the DJ was allowed to play on the night – classic songs from her time at school, university and since she’d known Ben. Songs that she loved to listen to, each stirring happy memories. Yet as she watched the party carrying on without her, the songs brought nothing but sadness.

  It should have been her on the dance floor, with friends and her new husband, but the thought of getting out there and pretending everything was okay was making her head spin as fast as the disco ball.

  Ben’s parents had headed up to bed shortly after Tara’s announcement over the speaker system. Ray had said his wife had a headache, but she didn’t blame them for wanting to be away from the furtive glances of those who weren’t dancing – the ones who were still looking over and gossiping. Sitting at the round tables around the edge of the room, Alice could only imagine what they were whispering to each other.

  The music was loud enough that Tara hadn’t attempted to offer false platitudes and positive but fruitless statements. Every time a new figure entered the room, Alice would look up in hopeful expectation, desperate to see Ben’s smile and kick things back on course. As yet there was no sign of him though, and despite her dozens of calls to Dave’s mobile, he had yet to respond, save for a single text message to say he and Scott had arrived at the station.

  Picking at one of the pearls embroidered into her dress, Alice leaned towards Tara, practically shouting so she would be heard over the music.

  ‘Where is he? Why haven’t they released him yet?’

  Tara looked like she didn’t know how to answer the question. ‘These things take time I guess,’ she called back. ‘It must be a fifteen to twenty minute drive from here to the police station, right? So multiply that by two – there and back – plus another hour to process him and realize their mistake, and you can see how it would add up.’

  ‘I should have gone there with him. I should have told everyone the party was over and gone to support him. I can’t believe I let Dave talk me into staying.’

  ‘Ben wouldn’t want you to worry, would he? He knows they’ve got the wrong man – as we know too – and it will be eating him up inside knowing how hurt you’re feeling. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wasn’t already speaking to his solicitor about how to sue the police for ruining the day.’

  Alice fixed her with an affectionate look. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you here. You really are a true friend.’

  Tara waved away the praise. ‘It’s like you said, you’ll have to return the favour one day, and when it’s my wedding day going up in flames, you’ll be the one fighting to keep me sane.’ Tara suddenly gasped as she realized what she’d said. ‘Oh, honey, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that your day was going up in flames. I just meant—’

  Alice strained a smile. ‘It’s okay, Tara, I know what you meant. I just keep thinking about that moment when they burst in. It was like I was watching a film or something, or like it was happening to someone else.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough.’

  ‘Some of our colleagues are out there though, which means the story will get out at school when the summer holidays are over, which means no matter what happens tonight, there’ll still be gossiping about me even when all of this is over.’

  Tara reached for the tumbler of brandy and took a long sip. ‘Only if you let them. The best thing you can do is to go out there, plaster a huge smile on your face, and show them you’re stronger than this. Hell, you can even lie to them and say Ben has been released. Make it a non-story. The longer you mope and keep yourself hidden away, the more people will talk. Let’s show them. Let’s show them that Alice Tandy – sorry, Goodman – is not a bitch you mess with!’

  Alice suddenly gasped as a new thought hit her. ‘The honeymoon! Our tickets to Barbados are non-refundable. We’re supposed to be at Gatwick tomorrow night!’

  Tara didn’t look concerned. ‘Worst-case scenario, you have travel insurance. Best-case scenario, Ben will be here shortly, and you’ll still make tomorrow’s flights. I don’t think you should worry about that right now. I know you’re looking forward to it, but it might be that you just have to delay the honeymoon until all this has blown over.’

  ‘I’m not sure travel insurance will cover the costs of the flights and hotels because Ben was arrested.’

  ‘No? Let me look into that for you. It’s the least I can do. Either way, Ben is loaded, and the cost of the honeymoon was probably a drop in the ocean for him. You’ll just have to go in a month or so.’

  ‘I’ll be back at school in a month. That’s why we booked the wedding and honeymoon during the summer holidays.’ Alice blinked back tears. ‘I need to know what’s going on. I’m not prepared to just sit back and let someone mess all of this up. Can you tell everyone the party is over? Then you and I will get a taxi to the police station, and we won’t leave until Ben is released.’ Alice sighed in satisfaction, feeling adrenaline coursing through her veins.

  Alice’s mum seemed oblivious to their conversation, tapping her foot in time with the music, making no effort to console her daughter.

  The door to the room opened, and Alice once again looked up in hope. She recognized Dave’s large outline immediately, and without a second’s thought raced across the room to him. ‘What’s going on? Where’s Ben?’ she shouted over the din.

  He bent low and spoke into her ear. ‘Can we go somewhere for a quiet word?’

  ‘I’m not going anywhere until you tell me where my husband is.’

  ‘Please, Alice, let’s go somewhere where we won’t be overheard. Please?’

  Tara was at her side a moment later, linking arms, and staring questioningly at the best man.

  Dave nervously glanced around, feeling the burn of people’s eyes on them. Leaning forward once more, he whispered, ‘The police have processed him, but won’t interview him until the morning. They can keep him in custody for twenty-four hours before they have to release him, and apparently they intend to make full use of the time. He won’t be out until tomorrow.’

  SEVEN

  Slumped on the four-pos
ter, Alice tried to flatten the crease in her satin evening dress without success. Dave had insisted they go somewhere quiet to talk, and with no other obvious options, they had headed to the honeymoon suite, Faye and Tara, too.

  Dave was crouched down by the minibar, grabbing handfuls of small bottles and dropping them on the floor. He hadn’t asked whether he could help himself, but money was the last thing on Alice’s mind as she watched him pop open the lid of a box of Pringles and offer her one. She hadn’t eaten since the wedding breakfast earlier, despite the large buffet spread downstairs. She shook her head politely though, as her appetite was missing in action.

  Tara and Faye were standing on the balcony overlooking the lake, talking quietly. The cool breeze coming from the gap in the doors was welcome. So many questions were peppering Alice’s mind that she was struggling to keep up with the pace.

  Dave slammed the door to the minibar fridge and reached for one of the bottles, unscrewing the cap and swallowing the contents before tossing the bottle towards the small plastic bin by the desk. She watched him, for the first time seeing what resembled fear in his eyes. He unscrewed a second miniature and held it close.

  ‘What aren’t you telling me?’ Alice asked.

  Their eyes met, before he quickly looked away. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

  Alice’s gaze hadn’t left his face. As a teacher, she’d learned to pick up on tells when she was being lied to, and Dave’s body language was screaming at her right now.

  ‘Who is Kerry Valentine?’ she asked.

  Dave’s shoulders instantly tensed, as he turned his back to her. ‘Who?’

  The only thing worse than being lied to was recognizing the deceit.

  ‘The woman they think Ben killed,’ Alice continued. ‘Who is she?’

  ‘How would I know?’ Dave was still facing the wall, but she could see he’d put the miniature to his lips.

  She had no doubt he was keeping things from her; he was a terrible liar at the best of times, but the question was why was he lying? To protect Ben? To protect himself?

  Sliding off the bed, she moved around Dave so she could look into his eyes when she asked the next question. ‘What else did the police say to you?’

  ‘Nothing. They wouldn’t speak to me.’

  She saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes again. Keeping her tone calm but even, she said, ‘Please don’t lie to me. Ben’s my husband, and I deserve to know the truth.’ She reached for his hand and held it, surprised by how cold it felt. ‘Please, Dave, whatever it is you’re keeping from me, it can’t be any worse than the paranoid thoughts whizzing through my mind right now. Please?’

  The balcony doors opened wider and the two bridesmaids entered the room, Tara making a beeline for the collection of bottles on the floor near the fridge. Picking up two bottles of vodka, she held one out for Alice, who shook her head. Tara shrugged and carried the two miniatures back to the bed.

  As Alice turned back she saw Dave had escaped to the balcony and followed him out. The breeze was stronger out here and she felt the hairs on her arms stand on end.

  ‘Whatever the truth is,’ she said, ‘I will find it out. They won’t be able to keep Ben in there forever. The two of you will have to come clean soon enough. Just put me out of my misery. What did the police really say?’

  Dave remained where he was, staring out at the full moon peeking out from behind a single cloud in the dark night sky.

  ‘Nothing. I didn’t speak to the police. It was the solicitor who told me they were keeping Ben in.’

  Alice frowned. ‘Solicitor? Since when does Ben have a solicitor?’

  ‘He’s a mate of mine. I called him on the way to the police station and asked him to just go and check on Ben.’

  Alice didn’t want to ask why Dave happened to have a solicitor on standby, but given some of the stories Ben had told her about Dave, she could guess.

  ‘Why would Ben need a solicitor if he hasn’t done anything wrong?’ She hadn’t expected the question to sound so callous, but she couldn’t reason how the police could be so certain they had the right man unless there was a lot more she didn’t know.

  ‘The police, they … they can twist things. I promise you, Ben didn’t do what they say, but I need to make sure he doesn’t get himself into trouble by saying the wrong thing.’

  A tiny voice in the back of her head didn’t like the mention of the wrong thing, but now wasn’t the time to question what Ben could possibly say to implicate himself.

  ‘Will this solicitor look after Ben then?’

  Dave’s focus remained on the moon, but he nodded.

  ‘Will you tell me one thing?’

  He turned and looked straight at her, nodding again.

  Alice took a deep breath. ‘Who is Kerry Valentine? I know you know more than you’re saying. I know you recognize her name. Does Ben know her?’

  Alice had been trying to ignore the voice of doubt, but it was now too loud to ignore. She didn’t pretend to know all of Ben’s friends, but she was certain she’d have remembered him mentioning a name like Kerry Valentine. If he hadn’t mentioned her name, was there another reason for keeping her identity a secret? Alice’s last two boyfriends had cheated on her, and she was now dreading the possibility that history had repeated itself.

  ‘Please, Dave?’ she said when her question was greeted with silence. ‘Who is Kerry Valentine?’

  Dave buried his face in his hands and growled as he summoned the words. ‘She was a stripper I hired for his stag do.’

  Alice let the words sink in. ‘A stripper?’

  Dave lowered his hands and stared apologetically at her. ‘I’m sorry. I wanted him to have one last hurrah before he settled down.’

  ‘Wait, his stag do? So this stripper was with you in Malia?’

  Dave shook his head. ‘No, Malia was two weeks ago. This was last weekend.’

  Alice’s mind fogged with confusion. ‘A week ago? I was in France a week ago. The deal was he went to Malia with his friends, and then I’d go to Paris with mine the week after.’

  Regret was plastered all over his face. ‘It wasn’t Ben’s fault. He didn’t know anything about it. I just thought it was an opportunity to relive our old uni days. I called together some of the guys who couldn’t afford to do Malia with us and suggested we get together and knock back a few shots.’

  ‘I phoned Ben from Paris. You answered and said you were both at our place watching films and getting drunk. You told me Ben was in the toilet.’

  The crevices in his forehead sank deeper. ‘He was tied up in the back of my car at that point. We kidnapped him and made him come out with us, because we knew he wouldn’t want to break his promise to you.

  ‘I drove us to Bournemouth, to a few of the bars we used to hit in our uni days. You should have heard him though; the whole time he kept saying how guilty he felt about not staying home as he’d promised. We all swore a pact that we’d never let slip what we’d done or where we’d been. He was terrified you’d blame him for breaking the promise, but I swear to you, it was all my doing.’

  She didn’t doubt that Dave was the ringleader, but she couldn’t believe Ben had kicked up that much of a fuss. He wouldn’t deliberately lie to her, but if there was a chance of booze and clubbing, Ben wouldn’t take much persuading. Dave was obviously laying it on thick in an effort to protect his best friend.

  Alice walked back into the room and reached for her shawl, spotting Faye on the bed, next to Tara. ‘Did you know about this?’

  Faye frowned at the question. ‘Know about what?’

  ‘Apparently Ben, Dave and the boys went to Bournemouth last weekend when we were in Paris. Did Johnny mention it to you?’

  The look of surprise on Faye’s face indicated he hadn’t. ‘Johnny can’t have gone. He was looking after Isabella because I was away with you.’

  EIGHT

  Dave had now left the balcony and re-entered the room. ‘Johnny left Isabella with his mum for the night and
then collected her Sunday morning. I’m sorry. He was sworn into the same pact, and couldn’t tell you the truth. There was no reason why any of you should have found out where we were. Nothing of incident happened, and we all returned to Southampton first thing on Sunday.’

  Alice felt saliva building at the back of her throat as she asked her next question. ‘Did you pay for Kerry to have sex with Ben?’

  ‘Absolutely not! I wouldn’t do that to you, Alice. Nor would Ben. He is absolutely smitten with you, and wouldn’t look at another woman.’

  It was the answer she wanted to hear, even if she wasn’t sure whether she could believe a single word out of Dave’s mouth.

  ‘So you went to some kind of strip club then?’ she pressed.

  Dave reached for a bottle of lager from the collection on the carpet and snapped the lid off. ‘You remember Abdul from earlier?’

  She nodded.

  ‘He had the keys for this old bar. It had gone out of business, but it was quiet and we knew we wouldn’t get disturbed. So we went there, buying some booze from a local grocer’s, and then someone suggested we get a stripper and pay her to give Ben a private dance.’ He suddenly fixed her with a hard stare. ‘He knew nothing about it until she arrived. We tied him to a chair and watched as she performed a lap dance for him.’

  Alice could feel the vomit rising in her throat again as she pictured Ben on a chair while a beautiful young woman danced provocatively for him. ‘Where did you find her?’

  Dave whipped out his phone and presented the Internet search history. ‘I typed: “private dancers, Bournemouth”, and I called one of the first numbers that came up. She rocked up twenty minutes later, with her own music and speaker. Ben emerged from the toilets and we quickly grabbed him and tied his wrists behind the chair with some rope Abdul found behind the bar. She did a dance using some squirty cream and made him lick it off her, and that was it.’ Dave swigged from the lager. ‘Then she cleaned herself up, I handed over the money and she left. We stayed at the lock-up for another ten or so minutes and then we tied Ben to a pole outside and pulled down his trousers. We left him there while we headed out to buy more booze.’