by Jim Ody
“Sure. But why give the clue an hour before it starts?”
Brett managed to stop chewing long enough to respond with, “Who cares, it’ll be a laugh anyway!”
“What do we win?” Nat asked, as Meg was looking at her screen and had clearly decided to take charge of the group.
“Adam’s got a prize for you!” Brett grinned.
Without a beat, Meg jumped in, “I hope it’s bigger than the prize you gave me!”
He rolled his eyes and set about the bacon. Jenny thought once again they were a good match.
“What’s the plan?” Max then asked. “Or are you love birds all going off?” He looked over at Jenny knowingly.
“No, no,” Meg was quick to say. “We should do something together!”
“Why don’t we hire some boats on the lake?”
“What? Sailboats?”
“No, rowboats. We’ll go over to the other side. I saw there was a tyre swing!” Brett said. “Take some beers and some food. It’s something to do.”
Adam nodded, and Nat looked happy to do whatever he wanted to do.
Jenny wasn’t overly keen on drinking but she’d never been in a row boat before and they were here at this beautiful large lake.
“Hey, we could always check out the bunker,” Max added. “You know, where that little girl…” he stopped whilst Nat pulled a face. Meg, however, nodded.
“Jen, maybe you should go and invite your boyfriend!” Brett then said, cleaning up the rest of his plate with some bread. “He might have more stories.”
Jenny playfully stuck out her tongue at his grinning face.
So that was how they decided they’d spend the day. It looked to be another great day weather-wise. The only clouds were tiny puffs of white forgotten by the larger ones that passed by days before. They were in no hurry, and stayed to hang out against the bright blue backdrop.
It was closer to eleven before they made it to the kiosk by the lake. The guy from the night before was missing, and the girl they recognised as the barmaid was now standing there looking like she might be questioning her career choices.
“Morning guys!” she said loudly, clicking straight into her professional mode. “What can I do for you today? It’s gonna be a scorcher!”
Meg stepped up, and Brett at first seemed a little put out, then he accepted it, and almost nodded in approval.
“We’d like to hire a couple of row boats if we may?”
“Of course,” she smiled, like they were making the best decision of their lives. “It is such a great day for it. I wish I was joining you!”
“Maybe later you could,” Max then said.
“Sorry, I’m working until later, and then I’m behind the bar again tonight! Someone’s got to keep this place running, haven’t they?”
Nat jumped in. “What about Keith? Wouldn’t he give you the shift off?”
She laughed at that. “Only if I blew him, and believe me that’s not happening any time soon!”
“Seems typical commerce with these guys!” Meg nudged Brett.
“Look,” the girl said now looking at Max. “If you’re around after my shift, maybe we can hang out then?”
Max nodded, and then seemed to curb his enthusiasm as best he could. He was trying, but failing at playing cool. “Sounds like a plan.”
She clapped her hands together. “Righto then, boats! Hands up who’s ever paddled a boat before?”
Six heads looked around at each other and not one hand was raised.
“Virgins, huh?” she winked at Max. “My favourites! Well, it’s easy-peasy. Sit down, stick the oar over the side, move the oar in the water, and move the boat!”
“Easy,” Brett confirmed.
A few minutes later they were carrying the boats down to the water and arguing whether they were pulling or pushing the water.
Little Miss Evil
Chapter 40 - Will
H e couldn’t help it. The hands of melancholy had grabbed him by the throat, and somehow around his heart too. He had flashes back to a tropical island on his honeymoon. It was all rum and hot sun, naked skin slick with lotion. He can honestly say he felt deep in love. A million miles away from the rain of Britain, the smog-filled city, the long business hours, and almost collapsing when he got in the door.
He knew Fiona sensed how he was feeling, and she’d known him long enough to know he would simmer for a while and then click out of it.
He wanted an easy life, but that was the utopian dream shared by the majority, but rarely achieved. It was the false dream just out of touch. Close enough to stretch for, ever so greedy fingers brushed it, but never close enough to fully grab hold of and clasp forever.
“We’ll get through this,” Fiona said, and Will loved that she was here, holding his hand. “We need to look forward to the future. Our future.”
He nodded gently knowing she was right.
Then from behind them a voice politely shouted out, “Hel-lo!”
Will looked back and saw it was Matilda, the woman from the huge house. She was smiling and waving frantically at them.
“Hi,” Will said.
“Oh, I’m glad I caught you,” she said. “I know I mentioned it yesterday, but I wanted to invite you both over for dinner tonight?”
“Tonight?” Will said, glancing at Fiona. He thought about the Treasure Hunt. It was silly really, and they didn’t have to do it.
“Oh, sorry, have you got plans?” She then rolled her eyes. “Of course, you have. A young married couple such as yourselves.”
“No, no,” Fiona said. “We would love to.”
“Yes,” Will agreed. He was happy to do whatever Fiona wanted.
“Really?” Matilda seemed surprised. “That would be great. My husband should be back from work by then―he’s been working away.”
“What time would you like us around?”
“Oh, how about 6pm? Then if you have anything else you want to do, the night will still be young!”
“Shall we bring anything?” Fiona asked. If she wanted a bottle then they’d have to go out and pick one up.
“No, no. Just bring yourselves. That’s all I ask.”
“Okay then.”
“Wonderful!” She grinned from ear to ear. “In that case, I’ll leave you to your walk, and I’ll see you later at 6!”
“Looking forward to it,” Will said. And with that, Matilda was back on her way.
They headed along the path. This time, instead of heading down towards the lake, they continued up along the path that circled around the top.
“You don’t mind?” Fiona asked. “The dinner, I mean.”
“No, she seems fine. The husband too.”
“And we can still do the Treasure Hunt later,” she added.
“It doesn’t matter. It might just be a load of people bumbling around. It might actually be fun to go and sit with another couple…”
She nodded before he could finish. “It’s been too long.”
“I know. It’s what I want. I think it’s what we want, right?”
Fiona stopped, turned and grabbed his other hand too. She faced him, and there was an underlying sadness in her eyes. “We’ve got some decisions to make, haven’t we?”
“We have but…”
“But what?” She suddenly looked worried. “Be honest, Will.”
“Honestly, I want us. That’s it. It has nothing to do with us having a family now. That’s what I want you to know. The last few years…” his eyes went off to the beautiful scenery, even though he didn’t see it. He was off to another place, with another person.
Fiona made it easy for him. “I know. I don’t blame you. Maybe it had to be this way? You know?”
“I do,” he agreed. “I thought that life would be simpler than this. You know? You grew up, you met someone, you fell in love and lived happily ever after.”
“But that’s why it’s always in stories. It’s never that simple. You… it’s what it is.”
He be
nt down to kiss her. “But you are what I want.”
They held each other like they were the last couple on earth. Deep down both of them wished it was the case.
Little Miss Evil
Chapter 41 - Keith
H e took a sip of his coffee and then sat in front of the bank of monitors. It was the weekend so this was the first thing he did.
He scanned the cameras in the rooms. For the most part it was boring. This was the thrill of it. He’d realised this a long time ago. If it was just the naked form then he could find that in seconds―the internet was awash with photos. But this was different. This was real people. Girls and women he could then walk around and see the next day. He could sit and smile at them knowing he knew every hidden naked detail about them. That was the true thrill.
He went to the first cabin―the one with the girls from the lake who had said they’d see him later. He forwarded the film, and watched the females with jerky movements, as they talked and moved around the cabin. He had got quite good at knowing when they were likely to remove their clothing.
But they either changed with their backs to him, in the bathroom or out of shot of the camera.
It was very disappointing.
He then went straight to the other girl’s cabin. The ones from the campfire. Meg, Nat and the shy Jenny. He already felt some excitement as he knew there was action here.
He started with the afternoon, and licked his lips when Nat and Meg changed into their bikinis. But the angles weren’t great. He couldn’t position the cameras any better, but one of the variables he had no control over was where the girls faced when they stripped down.
And then he was distracted by the thought of what may come later that night.
Disappointed, he fast-forwarded the camera on, stopping momentarily when he saw Nat and Jenny return in the early evening. But they were just chatting.
Then he moved on until later when the two figures of Nat and Adam could be seen.
But they kept the lights off. They could just be made out kissing and cuddling, and then suddenly they slipped under the covers.
He moved on to the lad’s cabin, and using the same time that Nat and Adam appeared, he jumped straight to that time too.
Brett and Meg were slightly different. They burst through the door and illuminated the cabin.
Here we go! Keith thought.
Brett was stripped down quite quickly, whereas Meg was slower.
But then, it went wrong. Keith couldn’t understand it.
Brett had taken her hand and they’d gone to the bathroom!
Keith was left with a blank screen only imagining what was going on out of the picture in the other room.
It was thirty minutes before they appeared again, but now with wet hair they were partially clothed.
This happened. You couldn’t always strike it rich with naked skin each time.
He looked at the other cabins. Most were incredibly mundane. Until he found one.
This was the jackpot. It was freaky, and better still he recognised the guy who walked in.
This was bigger than the jackpot. This had blackmail written all over it.
The guy was Carl.
But he was more than just an annoying guy. He was in fact his father.
As the film went on, it peaked with the woman standing over him. He was tied to the bed, and she was domineering and taking control.
Maybe he shouldn’t watch it so closely. But he couldn’t take his eyes off the screen. Only enough to note down the cabin number and times.
And then the woman left to go to the bathroom. She was a wonderful vision.
Keith took his eyes away from the screen as his mobile went. It was weird, even though the caller couldn’t see him, he felt compelled to stand up and walk away from the screen.
He didn’t recognise the number.
“Hello?” he said.
“Hi, Keith?”
“Yes?”
“It’s Helena… from last night?”
Keith was surprised, Pleasantly in fact. “Hi Helena. Are you okay?”
“Yes, well, I think so. It’s just… I can’t find my son Giles.”
“Okay,” he felt disappointed. He’d loved for her to be saying how much she’d enjoyed the night, and how she wanted a repeat performance, but instead she brought up her annoying son. Typical. “When was the last time you saw him?” He said mechanically. He really couldn’t give a shit. With any hope he’d be sliced up in the bunker…
“I think he was asleep when I came in from seeing you.”
“You think?”
“I was tired… yes, I’m positive.”
“Has he got a mobile,” Keith then chuckled to himself. “Of course, he’s got a mobile. Have you tried it.”
“I have but he’s not answering.”
Keith paused. He wasn’t a councillor. He didn’t even know the right thing to say. He was snatching at lines that might sound right and trying them for size.
“I dunno. Maybe he didn’t like you going out last night.”
“Sorry, did you not have fun?”
“God, I had a lot of fun. I had the best fun… but, I dunno, maybe you should text him and ask him if there’s something he’d like to do today? You know, just the two of you.”
Helena paused, and it was as if this was a strange revelation. Keith then almost kicked himself. He could quite literally have suggested anything, and she would’ve gone with it. Leave him be, he could’ve said. Come over and I’ll relieve your stress. But no, he’d been Mr Niceguy, and everyone knows nice guys finish last.
“Yes, you’re right.”
“You want me to come and help find him?”
“Would you mind?”
Keith smiled to himself. Helping often meant a reward, and if he was clever, he’d be able to get Giles off somewhere doing something cool, whilst he was able to do something even cooler, and a lot more adult, with his mum.
Keith left to meet Helena, not noticing the screen that he was watching had been playing with Carl now in a very, very bad and bloody way…
Little Miss Evil
Chapter 42 - Giles
G iles was enjoying his breakfast. He thought it would be a lonely experience, but he felt something inside. He’d noticed yesterday when he was walking around on his own, an injection of independence. He couldn’t put his finger on it. At home he was often out riding his bike on his own, but here it felt different.
And now, he was sitting on his own like a guy perhaps waiting on a date. He’d queued up, chosen and paid for his food, and now he was eating it and feeling a little like a king.
He picked up his phone. He went to text his mum but decided against it. Why should he? She had left him last night to go out and be some sort of slut. Was that the action of a loving and caring mother? He sure hoped she charged for it. He might finally get the VR headset he was after.
He sipped his tea. He didn’t really like it that much but it seemed an adult thing to do.
He knew his mother loved him. For years she’d said it was just the two of them – “Us against the world!” – but now he thought he was becoming a burden. His mum was after someone her own age now. Last night seemed to be a good example of that.
He added another couple of sugars into his mug, stirred it, and took a sip. He pulled a face. It was still no better. He pushed it away and looked around.
Then his phone vibrated.
It was his mum.
He went to answer it, but then thought back to how he had been sitting on his bed last night. How he was flicking through his comics and periodically checking his phone to see if his mum was alright. He’d even sent a text to her at one point and she hadn’t responded.
He looked at his phone dancing over the table, the smiling face of his mum―a lot different from the half-naked body laid in his mother’s bed that morning, with a foul stench coming from her.
He finished up the toast and pushed the plate away. He stared out of the window, the sun
already big and bright in the sky.
He longed to be here with someone else. Even if it was his mate Rupert, but ideally with a girl. He saw a number of pretty, and even not so pretty, females walking around and wondered what it would be like to have one of his own.
He grabbed his phone, then after glancing around, he looked at some of the pictures he’d captured from the night before. He scrolled through. A number of them were slightly blurry but he couldn’t bring himself to delete them. He’d download them into a folder when he got home. Along with the others.
After a few minutes, he got up and walked out. He still didn’t want to head back to the cabin. He wanted his mum to worry. It would do her good. She needed to understand what she might lose.
Instead, he wandered over to the lake. It was the centre-piece to the whole place. It drew everybody in.
It was mid-morning and already people were either in the water, on the water, or just sitting out by it.
He sat on one of the many jettys, his back against a sign of rules. He looked out and saw there were people on the other side. They were like insects wearing clothes and enjoying the place from the other side.
“Giles!” A desperate voice shouted from behind. He thought about ducking down and pretending not to hear, but realised his mum wasn’t shouting in desperation, but because she’d seen him.
He turned around and saw her with the weird owner guy. At first, she looked angry, but then her hard face broke out into smiles and she jogged over. He got up as she flung her arms around him.
“I was so worried,” she said. “I thought you’d been snatched.”
Giles shrugged but made no effort to pull away. “You didn’t reply to me last night,” he said.
“Oh Giles!” her voice broke. “I’m so sorry. I…I―”
Giles nodded. “I know.” He pulled away, and then looked over at the guy. “You wanted a bit of fun… er, adult fun.” The guy went bright red, and suddenly was bothering something on the wooden slats with his toe.
Helena half-chuckled to that, but there was more than a little embarrassment on her part too. “I’m so sorry,” she said to him, sniffing and wiping away the tears. She turned towards Keith, but he was suddenly looking out to the lake. His attention elsewhere.