Hikers - The Collection (Complete Box Set of 5 Books)

by Lauren Algeo

  Georgie went to bed at 11pm, her eyes exhausted from the day’s reading. Brewer dutifully slept on the sofa again. He found that if he hung his feet over the arm, it wasn’t too uncomfortable.

  Chapter 12

  Saturday morning was sunny with clear skies – Marcus had been right about it being forecast as a warm weekend. Brewer had a cup of coffee and watched the morning news. There were no stirrings from Georgie so he went for a shower.

  When he came back to the living room in a damp dressing gown, Georgie was propped up in his armchair with his laptop resting on her knees.

  ‘What are you doing?’ he bristled, feeling suddenly protective of his computer.

  ‘You need some serious software updates,’ Georgie told him without looking up. ‘These programmes are ancient! When was the last time you ran any checks for upgrades?’

  Brewer looked blankly back at her. ‘The guy in the shop said it had all the latest stuff.’

  ‘Yeah, years ago when you bought it! There have been loads of developments since then.’

  She spouted some gibberish about plug-ins and data storage while Brewer nodded dumbly. Compared to the old computers they’d had at the police station, his Mac book seemed state of the art. He liked to pride himself on being a little bit tech savvy; he’d thought he could get all his research done with ease, however Georgie was on a whole other level.

  ‘Give me an hour and it’ll be up to scratch,’ she said, her fingers tapping expertly at the keys.

  Bemused, Brewer went to get dressed. He put on dark jeans and a burgundy t-shirt, then he crossed back to the living room and took a seat on the sofa opposite her.

  ‘How do you know so much about computers then?’ he asked.

  Georgie gave him a proud little smile over the top of the screen. ‘I’m a good learner,’ she told him. ‘We studied IT at school so I knew my way around them. A little while back Spence, the guy who pimped me out, decided to try and get himself into the credit card fraud game. Some of his mates were making money out of it but he was too stubborn to ask for their help so he came to me. He figured I knew more about computers than him and said he would give me a cut of any profits. He got hold of a cheap laptop.’

  She gestured to Brewer’s Mac book. ‘Nothing like this, just some piece of shit that had fallen off the back of a lorry. Anyway, it had the internet and some software, and Spence hooked me up to Broadband in the crappy house I shared with some of his other girls. I did online tutorials and started to learn a lot about coding and stuff but then Spence got bored, like he always did with new ideas, and got rid of the laptop. It was taking too long for him. He was too lazy for anything other than pimping out drugged up girls. He only liked easy money.’

  Brewer was fascinated. ‘So how far did you get? Can you actually clone other people’s credit cards or get their bank details?’

  He had a tiny thought that one day, if his money ever ran out, that could be a useful thing to know.

  ‘No,’ Georgie sighed, looking disappointed. ‘I never got to that stage. The most I could do was hack into people’s social media accounts, like Facebook and Twitter.’ She paused for a moment. ‘But now if I have access to your computer I could pick up where I left off I guess.’

  ‘You mean you can get into people’s pages when their accounts are private?’ Brewer asked impressed.

  That was way more than he could do. He usually had to give up when someone had a private Facebook profile.

  ‘Sure,’ Georgie replied. ‘I can get into a couple of email providers accounts too but some of them have too much encryption for my level of skill.’

  ‘That could come in very handy for future research.’

  Georgie looked pleased with herself and turned her attention back to the screen.

  Brewer spent the next couple of hours flicking through news channels while Georgie tinkered with the laptop. He made them a late breakfast of bacon sandwiches. Georgie had a huge appetite and she polished off two and a half before he reminded her about the BBQ that afternoon.

  ‘That’s hours away,’ she mumbled through a mouthful of bacon.

  Although she had only been at the flat for two days, she looked remarkably healthier. Her cheeks weren’t the ghostly white they’d been when they’d first met, and her eyes weren’t hooded in heavy black makeup.

  At midday, Georgie put the laptop on the table and sat back smugly.

  ‘Give that a try,’ she told him. ‘I’ve shut it down so you get the full effect.’

  Brewer picked up the computer and pressed the power button. The machine whirred to life instantly and sped through the start up about five minutes quicker than usual.

  ‘So far so good.’

  The desktop loaded and Brewer’s heart jolted in his chest. His and Karen’s smiling faces filled the screen. Georgie had set the image of them on their wedding day as the background picture. He had scanned the photo in on a public computer one day and emailed it to the laptop, just in case he ever lost the precious, creased version in his wallet.

  ‘It’s ok, isn’t it?’ Georgie asked hesitantly. ‘It was the only photo you have saved to the hard drive. I like how happy you both look in it. Karen looks really pretty.’

  ‘It’s fine,’ Brewer replied, wetting his dry mouth.

  And it was. Why shouldn’t he have a picture of the happiest day of his life as a desktop image? He clicked the internet icon at the bottom of the screen and it popped up instantly.

  ‘Fast now, isn’t it?’ Georgie was watching him eagerly.

  ‘You’ve done a great job.’ He finally gave her the praise she was after. ‘And yes, you can use the laptop whenever you want… just ask me first.’

  ‘Thanks!’ Georgie grinned. She jumped up from the armchair and made for the door.

  ‘I’m going to shower before we go,’ she called as she disappeared through it.

  Brewer tidied the main room and listened to the radio while he waited for Georgie to get ready. There was only so much repetitive news he could take in a day.

  Georgie finally emerged over an hour later.

  ‘Do I look ok?’ she asked from the doorway.

  She had washed and dried her red hair so it lay, slightly wavy, on her shoulders. She was wearing the jeans, boots and last of the tops Brewer had bought for her. He could see the outline of her white vest top underneath the yellow jumper. They would have to go shopping again so the poor kid could choose some of her own clothes. He had let her pick up some make up at the supermarket the day before and she had a light covering on her face now. Just a touch of mascara and lip gloss though, nothing like the cheap-looking stuff she’d had caked on the day they’d met. She pulled self-consciously at the slightly baggy top.

  ‘You look great,’ Brewer smiled at her.

  He couldn’t blame her for being nervous. She was going for a meal with people she’d never met, who had no idea about her past and the fact that until two days ago, she had been a prostitute. Marcus and his family would be the most functional people she had been around in a long time. Brewer didn’t really count.

  They took a bus to Marcus’s house in Crystal Palace, which was about half an hour away from the flat. A few years ago, Marcus and Trudy had moved from their small, two-bed maisonette into a larger three bedroom, semi-detached house. It had a big garden, was nestled at the end of a quiet residential street, and perfect for bringing up children in.

  Brewer hadn’t asked if they had ever tried for more children after Ella; there was too much complication in life nowadays. They were all getting past the age to keep trying for babies. He felt saddened that he might never have a child but what sort of life could he bring one into anyway?

  The front of the house was well maintained and Brewer and Georgie walked up the small, paved path between the recently mown grass areas. Brewer pressed the doorbell while Georgie stood behind him. There was a moment of silence in the house then they heard footsteps coming towards the door.

  Marcus flung it open to greet th
em. He was wearing blue, worn jeans with a grey t-shirt, and he had a half-drunk bottle of Budweiser in his hand.

  ‘Welcome!’ he smiled. ‘It’s nice to meet you properly, Georgie. Come in.’

  Brewer led the way through to the kitchen and put down the box of beers he had brought with them. Georgie followed behind, taking in the house. It had a homely, lived in feel and Ella’s toys were scattered around. The walls were lined with smiling, family photos alongside Ella’s drawings and paintings.

  ‘The ladies are in the garden,’ Marcus told them. ‘Can I get you a drink and we’ll go and join them?’

  ‘I’ll have a beer please mate.’ Brewer said.

  Marcus passed him a cold one from the fridge and put in a few from Brewer’s case to cool down.

  ‘Georgie?’

  ‘I’ll have a beer too,’ she found her voice. ‘Please.’

  Marcus gave her a Bud and took them through to the garden. Trudy was laying plates at an outdoor table and she gave a warm smile when she saw them.

  ‘Scott!’ she cried, racing over to embrace him in a tight hug. ‘It’s been too long!’

  She stood back to get a good look at him. ‘You’ve lost weight, are you taking care of yourself?’

  ‘Yes,’ he laughed. ‘It’s good to see you, Trudy. You look as lovely as ever.’

  He took in her familiar face. There were more lines around her grey eyes now but she still had an infectious smile. Her brown hair was a lot shorter than it used to be, cut in to a bob that framed her face, however the style suited her.

  A small face peeped shyly around her leg. Brewer hunched down and pulled his face into the friendliest smile he could.

  ‘Hi Ella,’ he greeted her.

  ‘Hi,’ she whispered back then she giggled and ran out from behind her mother.

  Brewer stared in amazement. The last time he had seen her she had been a baby, now she was a little person. She had long, light brown hair that was tied into a ponytail and secured with some girly pink clips. Her eyes were large and brown, and she had a smattering of freckles across her nose.

  ‘Ella, this is Scott and, I’m sorry, how rude! I haven’t introduced myself.’ She turned to Georgie. ‘I’m Trudy, it’s lovely to meet you. Do you prefer Georgina or Georgie?’

  ‘Georgie, please. Good to meet you too.’

  They embraced briefly and Georgie tried not to look too awkward.

  ‘Thanks for having me.’

  ‘It’s no trouble,’ Trudy told her. ‘Marc’s on BBQ duty today, I’m just doing the cold stuff.’

  Ella ran to Georgie and smiled up at her. ‘Want to see my playhouse?’

  ‘Sure.’ Georgie followed a skipping Ella to the end of the garden, where a small, plastic playhouse stood nestled in the grass.

  ‘It really is good to see you,’ Trudy said again and squeezed Brewer’s arm on her way past to the house.

  The sun was trying to break through some light clouds and Brewer stood with his eyes closed, feeling the warmth on his face. He was aware of Marcus’s eyes on his face too. He met his friend’s gaze.

  ‘Come to the BBQ,’ Marcus instructed and they walked silently to the left side of the patio, where a large BBQ was already smoking.

  Marcus picked up a pair of prongs, which were hooked over the handle, and prodded at the hot coals.

  ‘I’ve been racking my brain since yesterday morning and can’t recall any of your cousins having daughters that age. I think only one of them even has a daughter, boys are the dominant sex in your family.’

  Brewer sipped his beer and said nothing. They both watched Georgie trying to squeeze into the playhouse with Ella. Her laughter drifted over to them.

  ‘I’m a detective… and I worked vice for a bit.’ Marcus looked straight at him. ‘I know a prostitute when I see one, and I recognise that one.’

  Brewer looked down at the patio, trying to think of how to explain the situation.

  ‘I’m not judging mate,’ Marcus’s tone implied that he was. ‘But have things got so bad that you’re paying for it from a prostitute? I mean, come on, she’s young enough to be your daughter!’

  ‘Whoa!’ Brewer interrupted him sharply. ‘You’ve definitely got the wrong end of the stick! I’m not fuck…’

  He lowered his voice as though Ella could hear his swearing from across the garden.

  ‘I’m not fucking Georgie! I’m trying to help her.’

  ‘You’re trying to help a prostitute?’ Marcus asked sceptically.

  ‘Yes,’ Brewer insisted. ‘She’s a good kid but she’s had a shit life and I’m trying to help her out. I’m letting her stay with me for a few days while I’m in town. I’m going to try and get her life back on track with a job or room or something.’

  ‘Are you giving her money?’ Marcus asked. ‘How do you know she isn’t going to spend it on drugs or drink? And you’re letting her stay in your house? What if she robs you blind one night while you’re asleep?’

  Brewer shook his head. ‘Georgie’s not like that, and she’s not on drugs.’

  ‘I haven’t met a hooker yet who wasn’t addicted to something!’ Marcus exclaimed. ‘What if she…’

  Trudy emerged from the back door carrying a large bowl of pasta and Marcus stopped talking.

  ‘Not a word of this to Trudy,’ he warned Brewer. ‘We’ll keep the cousin’s daughter story, have a nice dinner, then me and you will discuss this later… at length.’

  Brewer nodded as if he agreed; he had no desire to carry on this conversation. Marcus left the BBQ to get the meat from the kitchen and Brewer sauntered over to Trudy.

  ‘Can I help?’ he asked.

  ‘No thanks; it’s all under control. Besides you’re our guest.’

  She stood back and scanned over him again. Brewer felt like he was being examined in minute detail.

  ‘How have you been, Scott?’ Trudy asked. ‘Marcus said you’re travelling around trying to help other people who are going through what you went through?’

  That was a pretty accurate description.

  ‘That’s right, it makes me feel better to try and give some comfort to other people,’ he told her. ‘No one should have to go through what I did.’

  ‘I miss her every day, you know,’ Trudy said. ‘If I hear something funny or see something she would have liked, I feel myself wanting to pick up the phone and call her.’

  ‘I miss her too.’ Brewer was surprised to feel a lump building in his throat.

  It had been a long time since he’d spoken to someone who had known Karen; had experienced a taste of what he’d felt when they’d lost her.

  ‘And I miss you,’ she told him gently. ‘It’s not right that you’ve cut yourself off from us Scott. We care about you. It would be nice if we saw you more and got to reflect on all the good times we’ve had. We can remember Karen together.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I meant to visit more, it was just so hard.’ He tried to explain. ‘I promise I’ll do better from now on.’

  Brewer looked to the playhouse where Ella was sitting cross-legged, showing Georgie a doll.

  ‘I want Ella to know me and I want to see her grow up.’

  ‘Good,’ Trudy smiled. ‘Sentimental moment over, I need you to give Marc a hand with the barbie in case he burns everything like he normally does!’

  Brewer laughed and watched her disappear into the house again to bring out more food. Georgie wandered up the garden towards him with Ella chatting next to her. Georgie’s face looked more alive than Brewer had seen it. He had been right to bring her here.

  Marcus came out with a tray of pre-cooked meat to finish off on the BBQ.

  ‘Those look good!’ Georgie eyed the large ribs and chicken drumsticks on the tray.

  ‘They’ll be ready soon.’ Marcus gave her a smile although Brewer could see it was a weak one – his friend didn’t particularly trust her yet.

  Ella convinced Georgie to play a game of stuck in the mud while Brewer joined Marcus at the BBQ.

&nbs
p; ‘So how are things at the station?’ he asked.

  ‘Still a bit mental after the shootings,’ Marcus replied. ‘It’s not often we get something that high profile on our patch is it?’

  The meat sizzled as Marcus placed it onto the rack over the burning coals.

  ‘We definitely never had anything that big when I was there,’ Brewer said. ‘Is Flakey Ferguson still busting your balls?’

  Marcus laughed loudly. DCI Ferguson had been their sort-of-boss when Brewer was at the station. He had been a short-tempered arsehole who’d made their lives as difficult as he could every day. They got some pleasure out of the fact the man had a serious dandruff problem in his wavy, brown hair and always had a dusting of snowy flakes across the shoulders of his suit jacket.

  ‘Hardly!’ Marcus replied. ‘Luckily for me, that dick moved departments a year or so ago. Last I heard he was making new enemies in Hackney. Remember that time he tried to stitch us up after he messed up on the Miller case?’

  Brewer grinned. Marcus had gotten over the Georgie issue for the time being. They reminisced about old times at the station together until the meat was nicely charred.

  ‘Grubs up!’ Marcus called as he set the food on the garden table.

  It was a large, wooden set with six chairs circled around the table and a light coloured sun umbrella shading them overhead. Ella gave an excited squeal as she and Georgie stopped mid-game to race over.

  ‘Yummy!’ she said, taking a seat at the table. ‘Can I have a plate please daddy?’

  The food filled the entire table. Trudy had gone overboard with pasta, coleslaw, salad and bread, and there was plenty of meat to go around.

  ‘Tuck in everyone,’ Trudy instructed as she put one last bowl of potato salad on the table. ‘Does anyone need another drink? Marcus bring out the cool box of beers, we’ll keep some out here.’

  ‘Yes dear,’ he laughed and went to get the drinks from the kitchen.

  Brewer and Trudy sat down across from Ella. Georgie pulled out the chair opposite Brewer then paused and tugged off her new jumper. She looked pink in the face and was slightly breathless from running around with Ella. Her old vest top clung to her body and showed off a strip of her flat stomach.