by Ian Woodhead
CHAPTER FOUR
Two more to the party
She had five minutes left before that damn clock hit the magic number. Ellis wasn't sure if she could last that long. This new floor supervisor had really been on one today. Like it was their fault that the lads in fabrics on the floor below didn't bring up the printed cloth until three. Like it was their fault that one of the embossing cradles decided that today was the day when it decided to start smoking.
Four minutes to go. After today's crappy day, she wouldn't be all that shocked if she decided to start smoking. Her mate on this line had done exactly that. She'd taken advantage of the floor supervisor’s unfamiliarity with the staff to pull the woman's problem excuse on him. What a load of shite. She would be on the fire exit gantry right now, desperately sucking away on those sticks, getting as much out before the factory sirens sounded.
From the way he spun around and the shocked expression appearing on Dennis Howard 's face, Ellis figured that the young man had finally noticed he had a worker missing. It was either that or the management phone drums had just informed him the company's upper floor suits were on their way down. She didn't care either way. It's not like any of the others on this level would grass on Lorraine. As for the possible appearance of a suit, Ellis hoped to be out of here by then.
Right on cue, the siren blared, signalling the end of her last shift until Monday. She left her station and followed the others towards the exit at the far side of the factory, while being thankful that Dennis was on the other side, speaking into his work phone. The shocked look had yet to leave his face. Ellis guessed he was receiving a major bollocking for not getting the order out before the end of shift.
A lot of her fellow workers didn't have many flattering words to say about the poor sods on the next tier up who had the stressful task of keeping them under control. They moaned about them being paid twice as much as them or complained that none of the shop-floor staff were allowed to keep their purses, wallets or mobile phones on them while working. According to some of the more vocal, working here was worse than prison, that schoolkids were treated with more respect.
Ellis wouldn't want their job, and she was willing to bet twenty quid that her fellow gobby workers wouldn't last five minutes. Not without twatting one of the suits. She beat a hasty retreat when Dennis started calling people back, asking for weekend volunteers. Ellis might feel sorry for the likes of Dennis, but she sure as hell wasn't going to be guilt tripped into doing any overtime.
Lorraine leaned against her locker, looking like the cat who had got the cream. She shifted to the left to allow Ellis access to her locker. “Did he notice me missing?”
She shrugged. “I don't think so, Lorraine. Hard to tell with that one.”
Her friend chuckled. “Don't bet on it, lady. He knows exactly what I look like.”
She stared at Lorraine for a good five seconds, while deciding what she could mean by that rather cryptic reply. In the end, Ellis decided to drop it, not wishing to know what she meant by that.
Of all her vocal co-workers, Lorraine Chambers really did have the loudest voice, always finding daily faults in either their supervisors, the suits or the place itself, especially the supervisors. What surprised Ellis was that out of work, Lorraine had to be the kindest, warm-hearted individual that you could ever hope to meet.
Ellis opened her locker. There was definitely some kind of Jekyll and Hyde issue kicking off in that woman's mind. She removed her phone and bag and closed the locker door. "Got some news by the way," she confided, deciding it was best to tell Lorraine about Jason's idea rather than finding out that her best mate had been sleeping with Kevin, or whatever her cryptic phase was supposed to mean.
The thought of those two coupling was enough to make Ellis lose what remained of her spicy meal but it might not be that far from the truth. Lorraine Chambers lived with one teenage son on the other side of town. Lewis was either at his mates or with his dad, meaning she had the place to herself for most of the time. Lewis tended to go against the general flow of staying at home, plugged into consoles and PC's. He obviously inherited that trait from his mum, along with his good looks. Lorraine was no dog, that's for sure and although she was almost two decades older than Ellis, nobody would ever guess, not with how she acted.
Why was Ellis attracted to all these 'can do' type of people?
Had Lorraine really taken Kevin back to her place for a jolly old time between the sheets or was her imagination playing up again? More to the point, was it any of her business? Lorraine had been the one who had taken that seventeen year old girl under her wing and taught Ellis the ropes. Granted, most of the time, this meant showing her how to avoid working but still, in those days Lorraine was the only mate she had.
Those bright blue eyes opened a little wider. “Oh crap! Don't tell me that you and Jason are splitting up?”
“What? No, of course not. For Christ's sake, Lorraine, why do you have to assume everything's going to be a sodding disaster?”
“It's this place,” she replied. “You know it brings out the worst in me. Come on then, spit it out. What are you so dying to tell me?” Lorraine walked over to the staff exit, moving to the left to allow a couple of workers to pass her. She zipped up her jacket. “Ellis. Come on, don't keep me in suspense.”
Ellis passed her friend, took in a lungful of cold autumn air then waved at Marty, who was waiting for them outside the bus shelter. “Jason has his heart set on renting this market stall. I'm not keen, to be honest.
“As much as I hate this job, the shitty hours, the crap money, it's at least regular, you know? I mean the hours might be shitty, but there's enough of them to ensure I get a half-decent wage at the end of the month.”
She gazed at Lorraine, trying to gauge how she'd react. Ever since the two had met, this woman had never stopped banging on about leaving here and getting something better. Back in the early days, Ellis believed the older woman would be leaving at any moment. When the weeks turned into months and the tune never changed, Ellis began to wonder if Lorraine’s job searching was only in her mind. She wasn't so much of a 'can do' girl in that regard.
“In the market, you say?”
She nodded.
“He pointed the place out to you while it was full of folk shopping?”
“Yes, for crying out loud. Wait, what are you grinning at?”
“Well, I sure hope that you wrapped your arms around that manly chest and gave the hunk a nice big kiss before screaming out 'yes, I will, my lover'. You know, as loud as you can.”
“Shut up, you're bloody mental.”
“I know I would have.”
“You serious?”
“About french kissing your boyfriend? Too right I am.” She chuckled. “Joke.” Lorraine closed the gap between her and Marty. “Guess what? Ellis is going to start selling e-cigs in the market.” Lorraine winked at the third member of their group. “Best get your orders in now. She's doing a discount for mates.”
“You can count me out. I can't be bothered with all that posing shite. I'll stick to the good old-fashioned cancer sticks, thank you very much. I don't see the point of them myself.”
“Lorraine, will you give it up!” She placed her hands on her hips. “For one thing, it's Jason's idea, not mine and second,” Ellis sighed, dropped her arms and looked at her feet. “And second, I still haven't made up my mind.”
“This had better be a joke, girl!” said Lorraine. “One big wind up. I meant it, you know, when I said you ought to bite off your boyfriend's hand. Hell, I wish I had someone like him to look after me.” She glanced over at Marty. “That's not an invitation, by the way.”
Marty chuckled a couple of times. “Lorraine, sweetheart. We've been over this millions of times. I'm way out of your league.” He hurriedly jumped back onto the path when a couple of cars pulled out of the car park and drove past the three of them. “Ellis, just fill in a couple of blanks for me here. What exactly did your fella say to you at lunchtime? About this market stal
l, I mean.”
“Well, we met up, as per usual, then he takes me through the market and stops at the dilapidated old shack. I saw this huge grin on his face and it didn't take that much figuring out what he was planning. You know, that he wanted to rent it and...” Ellis paused. “I'm sorry, it just all felt kinda rushed. I mean, he's never said anything about wanting to run a stall before.”
“I understand your concerns, Ellis. Really I do, and perhaps you should be talking about this more with your fella.”
“Thanks, I was going to do that.”
“Good girl.”
Marty Price worked in accounts, she and Lorraine usually only saw him either at lunchtime or just after work. Ellis had known him for about as long as she’d known Lorraine. She still remembered her first day, when her new friend pulled her into the staff canteen and made a beeline towards a table where this diminutive, grey-haired thin man sat alone, quietly munching on a sandwich. Introductions were made and, to her surprise, this man who had to be twice her age, actually talked to her like an adult. He was genuinely nice to her too. They did make a strange trio, that's for sure. Ellis had even confided in Marty over the constant troubles she had with her pretend parents. It was odd looking back at his advice, she realised it wasn't that different to what Jason had said to her this lunchtime.
“There's no reason why you can't do both,” said Marty. "Nobody says you can't keep this job and help him out at weekends. If the business venture does take off, then simply drop a few hours here. That way, you still have your security blanket. It's a win-win situation.”
“I never thought of that. Thanks!”
“Don't mention it. What does he want to sell on it, by the way? If you're allowed to tell me, that is.”
“Come on. You know Jason, what do you think?”
He pretended to chew over her words. “Erm, would it be toys by any chance?”
She nodded. “You've hit the nail on the head. Old toys, you know, stuff that you probably used to play with. No offence.”
“None taken.”
Marty reached a pedestrian crossing and pressed the button. As per usual, Lorraine just waited for a gap in the traffic then ran over.
“I bet this has been plaguing your thoughts ever since you got back.”
Ellis shrugged. “I suppose so.”
“You shouldn't let stuff like this worry you too much. Your bloke is a decent catch. He has never struck me as the kind of guy who goes around making decisions, if that's what you're concerned about.” He reached the other side of the road. “Oh, and speak of the devil, look who Lorraine has found.”
Jason had been waiting for her, perched on top of a six-foot brick wall, next to a furniture shop. Lorraine had taken the opportunity to grab his left leg while pretending to pull him off the wall. Anybody else watching would believe it was those two who were going out with each other. Watching the pair of them giggle and fight like kids kinda made her a little bit jealous. Ellis then felt guilty for allowing that emotion to get a foothold.
“Oh dear. I think we had better rescue your young man before Lorraine decides to stuff him into a pocket and make a break for it.”
“Okay, you grab Lorraine and hold her in place so I can run off with Jason.”
Marty laughed. “Can't I run off with Jason instead? He's more my type.”
“I'll fight you for him,” she replied, joining in with his laughter. “Wait, no. Forget that. If we started scrapping, Lorraine would just take advantage.”
He nodded. “Yeah, and ruin him for you.” Marty took her hand. “Come on, let’s get those two separated. We'll try using sticks. If that fails, it'’ll have to be a bucket of water." They were halfway across the road when another tremor slammed into them. The road under Marty 's feet opened up. Ellis screamed when the older man fell into the new chasm, taking her with him. Her body slammed against the road surface but she still kept her fingers tight around his hand.
“Oh, God. Help us!”
The other two were already on their way. Jason dropped to the floor, reached down and grabbed Marty's other arm, while Lorraine helped Ellis by offering the stricken man her arm, which he took, once Jason had secured him.
“Okay, Lorraine. Help me get him up.” Jason pulled him out of the chasm, put Marty's arm around his shoulder and carried him safely to the other side of the road.
Lorraine escorted Ellis across and sat her next to the shaking man. “Fuck me,” she gasped. “That was pretty intense!” Lorraine crouched in front of the older man. “How are you holding up, Marty? I mean, if you want to puke, just lift your finger in the air or something as I sure as hell don't want any of your puke on my shoes. I remember what you had for your lunch.”
He shook his head. “As considerate as always, dear.”
“That's me all over.”
Jason bent down and kissed the top of Ellis's head. “I won't be a moment.”
“Where are you going?” she asked, looking up.
“I spotted a bunch of people earlier on. I just want to make sure that they are okay too.”
Ellis stood up. “I'm coming too.”
Marty grabbed Lorraine and used her to help himself up. “Best we all go then,” he muttered. “As I’m sure as hell not staying here by myself while your hunky boyfriend finds some other helpless man to rescue.”
“You do know he's taken, Marty?”
He smiled at Ellis. “An old man can dream you know.”
The terror of what just happened hung around the back of her head like some cloaked demon, it looked like it was going to take up residence. From the drawn expression etched on Marty's face, she guessed that he felt pretty much the same. What they all needed right now was a few buckets of anything alcoholic. Yet, Ellis dare not voice this for fear that it might sound selfish. After all, Jason was right. They had a duty to make sure anyone else was okay too. She took Marty's hand and kissed his cheek. “When we finally get to the pub, Jason can buy the first round. His treat.”
The man in question had slowed down then stopped in the middle of the road. Ellis let go of Marty and joined him. She followed his gaze and saw that this chasm continued all the way along the road, ending abruptly when grass replaced tarmac. There wasn't another soul to be seen or heard. As stupid as it sounded, it honestly felt like they were the only people left alive. “Where is everybody?”
Jason shrugged.
“They're all in the sodding pub,” replied Lorraine. “Which is exactly where we should be right now.” She tapped Jason on the shoulder. “Your pretty girlfriend is right, it is your turn to buy the first round.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Explorers from another World
The relentless screaming had been the worst part but, thankfully, the noise died down a few minutes ago. Denise Appleby then felt like an utter shit for putting her feelings above somebody else who had needed much more help than she did.
Her friend, Mandy Price, moved away from the body and sat back down in her allocated spot. Denise believed the tears were about to start once again. She found it a little hard to believe that such a frail woman could hold so much eye water. The woman should have used up her last reserves when the ceiling at the far end of the café came down on top of that young family. That was after the last tremor which brought down the shop's ornate frontage, effectively ensuring that escape through the main entrance was impossible.
Looking back, the remaining nine people in here should have left through the fire-door like the scruffy boy and some teen girl had the moment the tremor struck. That might have happened if the middle-aged man sat closest to the front door hadn't slumped forward, landing face first in Gloria's Café special of mushy peas, steak pie, gravy, and mash. Denise, along with Mandy and some of the other customers rushed over to see if he was alright.
He wasn't alright, far from it. The man had died. Mandy said he must have had a heart attack. At this news, the other customers took a single step back, as if they believed that death was contagious. It wa
s left to her to pull him back and wipe as much of the food as she could from his face. At that point, Gloria rushed out from behind the counter and helped Denise with the clearing up. She politely asked the customers to leave the shop, via the fire-door, before gazing at Denise and asking her to do the same. She didn't move and neither did the others. It had to be the strangest situation she had ever been in. When it became clear that Denise wasn't going to leave her, Gloria started saying that she'd been onto the council for years about the state of the outside of her shop. Naturally, she blamed it on the car exhaust, convinced that all that foul black smoke ate the stone like acid.
Denise cleared away the last of the mashed potato from under his chin, refusing to scoop out the mushy peas that had gone up his nostrils. She left the table and walked over to her friend who had joined the others in watching her and Gloria during the macabre cleaning operation. The café owner continued to bad mouth the council. Denise wasn’t sure if the other woman had even noticed that she had left the table. It had to be shock. The woman’s way of coping with such a terrible situation. Denise coped by singing a children's song under her breath.
She grabbed her friend's hand. Gave the weeping woman a comforting smile and patted her hand before looking back at the protruding body parts sticking out from under the rubble. "There were six in the bed and the little one said..."
Denise was probably going to hell if they didn't get out of this. She heard scuffling, turned around and found that Gloria had made them all another cup of tea. At least they weren’t going to run out of that any time soon, or food for that matter. The last of the air was probably going to be what took them. Still, considering they'd been stuck in here for at least half an hour, the air still seemed okay. How much air could a room this size hold anyway? Denise thanked the lady and took a single sip, grimacing once more at the amount of sugar the woman had given her. You always gave someone suffering from shock hot, sweet tea. Heck, Denise even recalled saying that piece of old rubbish to her daughter back when her good for nothing husband fell off the house roof. He broke his leg in three places. As far as she was concerned, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving individual. Shame it hadn’t been his neck.