Broke

by Mandasue Heller

  Ella! This was her doing. Nobody else knew where Amy had been staying, so the bitch must have got straight on the phone to Yates as soon as Amy left her. And, to add insult to injury, she’d taken Amy’s money as well.

  After climbing into the gatehouse, Yates stalked from room to room in search of his prey while Keith kept watch by the window.

  ‘There’s nothing here – she must have been and gone,’ he said when he thundered back down the stairs after searching the upper floor. ‘That’s your fuckin’ fault for dragging your feet.’

  ‘I was having a crap,’ Keith reminded him. ‘What did you want me to do, suck it back up?’

  ‘I should have just left you there and come by myself,’ snapped Yates, climbing angrily back out of the window and dropping down onto the grass.

  ‘Oh, yeah, great idea,’ said Keith, dropping down beside him. ‘Drive round coked out of your skull and get yourself nicked.’

  ‘I already told you, I ain’t gonna get nicked,’ spat Yates. ‘Any cunt gets in my way, they’ll get what the black twat got.’

  ‘Put that away!’ Keith hissed when Yates pulled the gun out. ‘You can’t go waving it around in public, you mad bastard. And you deffo can’t go shooting dibble, ’cos you won’t just get nicked, you’ll get fuckin’ life.’

  ‘It’ll be worth it,’ Yates grinned. ‘One less cunt on the street.’

  ‘Fuck that,’ snapped Keith. ‘You ain’t taking me down with you.’

  ‘Oh, yeah?’ Yates prodded him in the stomach with the weapon’s barrel. ‘Think you’re calling the shots now, do you? Think I won’t take you out, an’ all?’

  ‘Go on, then.’ Keith spread his arms. ‘If you’re gonna do it, do it.’

  Yates stared him in the eye for several long moments, then kissed his teeth and slotted the gun into his waistband. ‘Get back in the car,’ he ordered, heading for the gate. ‘She can’t have got far, so it should be easy enough to spot her if we drive round.’

  Still crouched in the bush, Amy bit down on her hand to keep herself from crying out. She’d heard every word, and knew with absolute certainty that Yates intended to kill her when he found her. And he would find her eventually, because she had nowhere left to hide. Ella had betrayed her, so she couldn’t stay here. She also couldn’t go back to her mum and dad’s, because Yates would probably go there again at some point. Kelvin was still in hospital and would probably go to his mum’s from there, so she couldn’t go to him. And she’d lost touch with all her other friends after marrying Mark, so there was absolutely nobody left to turn to. She might as well be dead.

  33

  Layla kept adjusting her position in her seat, and Steve peered at her with concern. ‘Are you sure you’re all right? Do you want me to pull over for a minute?’

  ‘No, I’m okay.’ Layla forced a tight smile. ‘Just hurry up and get me home.’

  ‘You’re not having pains again, are you?’ Steve persisted. ‘We’re not far from the hospital. I can easily divert.’

  ‘Baby, please stop fussing,’ Layla said patiently. ‘I’ve already made a fool of myself once today, and I’ve got no intention of doing it again. The nurse said it was Braxton Hicks, and she knows better than us, so just stop panicking and take me home. I just want a cup of tea, and the loo.’

  ‘All right, have it your own way,’ Steve conceded. ‘But I still reckon it’s worth getting a second opinion. That hospital was out in the middle of nowhere – they’re probably twenty years behind.’

  ‘The Lake District is hardly Mars,’ Layla teased, reaching out and squeezing his hand. ‘I’m sure the doctors get the same training as in every other hospital in the country. Anyway, it’s not hurting, I’m just uncomfortable.’

  Steve sighed and smiled at her. Layla smiled back, but a movement in the corner of her eye brought her head around with a snap and, when she saw a figure lurching off the pavement in front of them, she screamed.

  Steve swerved just in time and slammed on his brakes. ‘Are you all right?’ He twisted around in his seat. ‘Are you hurt?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Layla gasped, clutching at her stomach where the seat belt had dug in. ‘Go and see to the boy.’

  Angry now, Steve unclipped his seat belt and threw the door open. ‘What the bloody hell do you think you’re playing at, you stupid idiot?’ he yelled at the boy who was dragging himself up off the ground. ‘Are you on crack, or something? My wife’s eight months pregnant – you could have killed her!’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ the boy muttered.

  ‘Sorry?’ Steve repeated, marching over. ‘You think sorry cuts it after what you just did?’

  ‘Steve, stop shouting,’ Layla called from the car. ‘See if he’s hurt.’

  Steve turned and waved for her to stay put. Then, turning back, he was just about to – reluctantly – ask if the boy was hurt, but hesitated when he caught a glimpse of the face inside the hood.

  ‘Amy?’

  Amy glanced up when he spoke her name, but then her eyes rolled and she collapsed back down to the ground.

  ‘Oh, Christ,’ Steve squawked, squatting down and pushing the hood off her face. ‘Amy, wake up.’ He patted her cheek. ‘Amy . . .’

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Layla called. ‘Is he hurt?’

  ‘It’s not a him, it’s Amy, Mark’s ex,’ Steve called back. ‘I think she’s fainted.’

  ‘Oh, God!’ Layla put her hand over her mouth and climbed out of the car. ‘We didn’t hit her, did we?’

  ‘I don’t think so. But she doesn’t look too good.’

  ‘Shall I call an ambulance?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘No!’ Amy croaked, coming round in time to hear this. ‘Please don’t. He’ll find me.’

  ‘Who?’ Steve looked around. ‘There’s no one here. Was somebody chasing you? Is that why you jumped out in front of us?’

  Amy covered her face with her arms and rocked her head from side to side.

  As Steve stared down at her, a cold chill of realisation skittered down his spine. ‘Oh, Christ, you did it on purpose. You were trying to get hit.’

  ‘I’ve got to go,’ Amy sobbed, hauling herself to her feet. ‘I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.’

  Steve ran his hands through his hair and watched as she staggered onto the pavement and limped away. But, as she made to go down an alley, he called, ‘Amy, wait!’ and ran after her.

  ‘Just leave me,’ Amy begged when he grabbed her by the arm. ‘It’s too dangerous.’

  ‘Just tell me what’s going on,’ Steve insisted, holding on as she tried to wriggle free. ‘I might be able to help.’

  ‘You can’t.’ Amy shook her head. ‘He’ll kill you if he sees you talking to me. Just let me go and forget you saw me.’

  ‘How can I?’ Steve peered down at her with genuine concern in his eyes. ‘We’re mates, and you’re in trouble.’

  Layla had climbed out of the car by now, and she walked over to them and put her hand on Amy’s arm. ‘Listen, love, I don’t know you, and I don’t know what’s going on, but I really need to go home or I’m going to wet myself. It’s only round the corner. Why don’t you come and have a cup of tea? It’ll make you feel better.’

  Amy shook her head again. ‘No, you shouldn’t get involved.’

  ‘I know Steve, and he won’t leave you here like this, so you’ve got no choice,’ said Layla. ‘If you still want to go after that, he can drop you off somewhere.’

  Overwhelmed by the woman’s kindness, Amy burst into tears again.

  ‘Come on.’ Layla put an arm around her shoulder and led her gently back to the car. ‘Whatever’s wrong, we’ll soon sort it out.’

  Steve’s flat had been laddish and a bit stark, but the small mock-Georgian house he’d moved into since Amy had last seen him was furnished like a show home. There was stylish patterned paper on the walls, a plush carpet underfoot, comfortable-looking couches, and lamps instead of the harsh overhead light.

  Steve saw her gazing around and
grinned as he switched on the lamps and the fire. ‘It’s all Layla’s doing. Not really my taste, but I suppose I’ll get used to it – eventually.’

  ‘Oh, be quiet, you love it,’ Layla admonished him playfully. Then, looking at Amy as she slipped off her coat, she said, ‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable while Steve puts the kettle on. If you’re lucky, he might even stretch to a butty.’

  ‘I’m not hungry,’ Amy lied, perching on the couch.

  ‘Well, I am,’ said Layla, deciding not to mention the loud gurgles and groans she’d heard coming from Amy’s stomach when they had been in the car. ‘This little one demands food on the hour every hour, and I feel like a right greedy so-and-so eating by myself.’

  ‘Okay,’ Amy agreed. ‘But I’ll go after that.’

  ‘Where to?’ Layla asked, sitting beside her when Steve went off to make the teas.

  ‘My mum’s,’ Amy lied.

  ‘At this time of night? Won’t they be in bed?’

  ‘Probably, but it doesn’t matter.’

  ‘Look, why don’t you stay here?’ Layla suggested. ‘We’ve already done the spare room up as a nursery, so there’s only a cot in there. But you’re welcome to sleep on the couch.’

  Amy shook her head. She was already warming up, and the couch was very comfortable, so it was tempting. But if she stayed she would be putting them at risk, just like she had Kelvin.

  Layla smiled an understanding smile and held out her hand. ‘I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. My name’s Layla, and I’m a busybody.’

  A frown of confusion flickered across Amy’s brow.

  Steve had just walked in, and he chuckled softly as he placed their teas down on the coffee table. ‘She means she’s a bossy bitch, and she won’t take no for an answer,’ he explained.

  ‘So, that’s settled, then,’ said Layla with finality. ‘You’re staying on the couch, and you and me are going to have a nice girly chat.’

  ‘Tomorrow,’ Steve said firmly. ‘You can have your tea and your butty, but then you’re going to bed – and no arguments. We’ve had a long drive, and you need some rest. And so does Amy, by the looks of her.’

  Layla rolled her eyes at Amy. ‘And he calls me bossy.’

  Steve grinned and went off to make the sandwiches. Then, while the girls were eating, he busied himself finding a quilt, a pillow, and one of Layla’s spare nighties.

  When the couple had said goodnight and left her, Amy undressed quickly and lay down. She didn’t think she would be able to get to sleep, but the combination of food in her stomach and the feeling of being safe for the first time since being parted from Kelvin did the trick.

  Upstairs in bed, Steve pulled Layla into his arms and kissed the top of her head. ‘Have I ever told you how amazing you are?’

  ‘Lots of times,’ she purred, cuddling up to him. ‘But what have I done to deserve it this time?’

  ‘Letting Amy stay, and that. Not many women would have done that for someone they don’t know.’

  ‘She’s your friend, and she’s in trouble. What was I going to do, tell her to get lost? Anyway, my instincts are good, and I reckon she’s nice under all that dirt. Do you think we should have asked if she wanted to take a shower?’

  ‘She does honk a bit, doesn’t she?’ Steve chuckled. ‘But it might have seemed a bit rude when she’d only just walked in. I’ll suggest it in the morning.’

  ‘I bet she’s really pretty when she’s clean,’ Layla mused. ‘Damn sight prettier than that sour-faced little madam Mark’s hooked up with now.’

  ‘You’re not wrong there,’ Steve agreed. ‘But you can’t knock Jenny for the way she’s stepped up to the mark with Cass and Bobby.’

  ‘Maybe not, but I still don’t like her. And I don’t reckon Mark’s as happy as he makes out, either.’

  ‘Well, he definitely won’t be happy when he finds out Amy’s been here,’ said Steve. ‘It’s funny, but I blamed him when they split. And I didn’t really believe it when it all came out about her being on smack and going on the game, and that, ’cos she wasn’t that kind of girl. But now I’ve seen her again, I’m not so sure.’

  ‘Mmmm,’ Layla murmured. Then, in a whisper, she asked, ‘You don’t think she’s got any drugs on her now, do you?’

  ‘Wouldn’t have thought so,’ Steve said, frowning in the dark. ‘Judging by the way she wolfed that butty down, I doubt she’s eaten in days, so I can’t see her having the money to score.’

  ‘That might be why she looked so desperate when we found her,’ said Layla. ‘’Cos she’s withdrawing. Oh, no!’ she added when something occurred to her. ‘I left my bag by the couch.’

  Steve pulled his arm out from under her. ‘I’ll go and get it.’

  ‘Knock before you go in,’ Layla cautioned as he pulled his dressing gown on.

  Steve nodded and tiptoed out. He crept down the stairs and was about to tap on the living-room door, but hesitated when he heard soft snores coming from the other side. Easing the door open, he checked that Amy was sleeping before picking up Layla’s handbag from the side of the couch. Then, looking around to make sure there were no valuables or money lying around, he went back to bed.

  ‘Spark out,’ he told Layla.

  She grimaced guiltily. ‘I feel terrible now.’

  ‘Don’t,’ said Steve. ‘The old Amy would never steal off a mate, but I haven’t seen her for ages so we can’t take any chances. We’ll see how she is in the morning, and if we get any bad vibes I’ll tell her to go. But I think I’ll set the alarm a bit earlier,’ he added, reaching for his phone. ‘Just in case.’

  Amy slept right through to noon the next day. Refreshed when she woke, she stretched long and hard. But when she opened her eyes and saw the unfamiliar surroundings, she sat up in a panic.

  ‘Morning.’

  Amy snapped her head around when she heard the voice and gazed at the woman who was sitting on the other side of the room. It took several seconds for recognition to sink it, but when it did she smiled shyly.

  ‘Sorry, I was dreaming about home. Didn’t know where I was.’

  ‘Oh, I do that all the time – it’s a bugger, isn’t it?’ said Layla, pushing herself up off her seat. ‘Steve’s nipped out to do a bit of shopping, but he shouldn’t be too long. Fancy a coffee?’

  ‘Shall I do it?’ Amy offered, feeling guilty as the other woman waddled towards the door.

  ‘Thanks, but it’s best I don’t sit still for too long.’ Layla rolled her eyes and rubbed her enormous stomach. ‘The baby seems to be most comfortable when it’s lying on my bladder, but I end up having to go to the loo every five minutes. Suppose I don’t need to tell you, though, seeing as you’ve already been through it.’

  ‘Yeah, twice,’ Amy said quietly.

  Layla saw the sadness in her eyes and wished she could bite her tongue off. ‘I’m sorry,’ she apologised. ‘That was really insensitive.’

  ‘No, it’s fine,’ Amy lied. ‘It’s been a long time and I’m used to it. How long have you got to go?’ she asked now, following as Layla made her way to the kitchen.

  ‘Five weeks, give or take, but we both reckon it’ll come early,’ Layla told her as she filled the kettle. ‘We’ve just been to my mum and dad’s cottage in the Lakes for the weekend, and weren’t supposed to be coming back till later tonight, but I started getting pains so Steve dragged me off to hospital. It was only Braxton Hicks, and I felt like such a hypochondriac. But Steve’s such a worrier, he insisted on bringing me home early.’

  ‘It’s hard to tell the difference,’ said Amy. ‘But you’ll know about it when the real ones kick in.’

  ‘That bad?’ Layla gave her a please-tell-me-it’s-not look.

  ‘Sorry, but yeah.’ Amy smiled apologetically. ‘And I’m only telling you ’cos I wished someone had told me. But as soon as it’s over, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world,’ she added wistfully.

  ‘You must miss them,’ Layla said softly as she spooned co
ffee into the cups.

  ‘More than I ever thought possible.’ Amy sighed. ‘And it’s been ten times worse since I came off the drugs. I’m guessing you and Steve know about that?’

  ‘A bit.’ Layla shrugged. ‘None of my business.’

  ‘I’m not proud of what I did,’ Amy told her. ‘And if I could turn back time . . .’ She trailed off and stared down at her feet.

  Layla saw her bite down on her lip and guessed that she was struggling to hold it together. ‘Look, why don’t you have your coffee, then get a shower?’ she suggested. ‘I put a wash on while you were sleeping, so your clothes are nice and fresh. And, when you feel like it, we can talk. But only if you want to.’

  ‘Why are you being so kind? You don’t even know me.’

  ‘No, but Steve does, and I trust his judgement.’

  A tear trickled down Amy’s cheek and she quickly swiped it away. ‘God, you’re nice. No wonder he loves you so much.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry, he knows how lucky he is.’ Layla chuckled, handing one of the coffees to her.

  Amy sipped it and looked at Layla over the rim of her cup. Her stomach was huge, and her ankles were bloated, but her face was beautiful, and Amy guessed that she was stunning without the baby weight. Gorgeous, genuinely lovely, and to cap it all she’d bagged herself a wonderful man who clearly worshipped the ground she walked on. Amy would have hated her if she didn’t already envy and like her.

  Layla gave a curious smile when she noticed Amy staring at her. ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Yeah, fine.’ Amy shook herself out of it. ‘Sorry, I was miles away. Do you mind if I go and take that shower?’

  ‘Help yourself,’ said Layla. ‘There’s a clean towel on the rail. Oh, and try that shampoo on the shelf – it’s to die for.’

  When Steve came home a short time later, he paused in the living-room doorway and frowned when he saw Layla alone in there. ‘Let me guess . . . she did a runner?’ He peered around with narrowed eyes. ‘What did she take?’

  ‘Sshhh!’ Layla put a finger to her lips, then pointed at the door. ‘She had a shower, and now she’s making a brew. Oh, and she wants to cook dinner tonight,’ she added with a smile. ‘To thank us for letting her stay.’