Bed of Ice

by Sk Quinn

  110

  When we reach the barn, Regan unlocks the padlock and the chain clanks free.

  Bertie is all scrunched up in a corner.

  His terrified eyes find me, and we stare at each other.

  Anise is standing in the gloom.

  Her face lights up when she sees Regan.

  ‘Regan!’ she says. ‘I missed you.’

  Regan slams the door closed and slides the bolt across.

  Then he throws me to the floor and marches over to Anise.

  ‘You let her get out,’ Regan barks.

  ‘Yes,’ says Anise, cowering a little. ‘I’m sorry. I–’

  ‘You fucking stupid bitch.’ He punches Anise and she goes sprawling backwards.

  Anise’s fingers go to her swelling lip. She looks at blood on her fingertips.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she stammers, her eyes filling with tears.

  Regan kneels down and takes Anise’s shoulders. ‘Why did you let her get out? You let me down.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I tried to stop her. I … I love you Regan. Please.’

  Regan pulls Anise against his chest and strokes her hair. ‘Okay, okay. Just … try not to fuck up again.’

  ‘Yes,’ Anise whispers, but her voice is pale and afraid.

  ‘You’re my girl, okay?’ Over Anise’s head, Regan smirks at me. ‘So you do as I tell you.’

  I glare at him. ‘You’re disgusting,’ I say. ‘You’re playing her like a piano. She’s vulnerable. And you’re messing with her head. Anise, you deserve better.’

  ‘She’s lucky to have me,’ says Regan. ‘With her track record, what man would want her?’

  ‘I am lucky,’ says Anise.

  I see Bertie tense, pulling his knees tighter to his chest.

  Good god, what is going on here? This is so fucked up. I don’t get how Anise is acting. How can she be saying she loves Regan when he just hit her? But I think Regan knows exactly what he’s doing. Hitting her and then laying on the charm. She doesn’t know up from down.

  Regan keeps stroking Anise’s hair.

  ‘I need to deal with Patrick’s girlfriend,’ Regan whispers into Anise’s ear. ‘Okay?’

  ‘Oh no. Please.’ Anise’s voice breaks. ‘Not with Bertie here.’

  ‘I have to sweetheart.’ Regan pulls back and looks deep into Anise’s eyes. ‘It’s for us. She has to help us with Bertie. And she won’t … so I need to deal with her.’

  Anise’s head whips around. ‘Sera, just do what he wants.’

  ‘He wants me to lie to Bertie,’ I say. ‘And I won’t.’

  ‘Just do it Sera,’ Anise begs. ‘For Bertie’s sake. This is Bertie’s father. His family. Just make him say that Granddad Dirk didn’t hurt him and everything will be perfect.’

  ‘I won’t do it Anise. Bertie’s had enough lies.’

  Regan stands and flexes his fingers. ‘Stupid girl. Stupid, stupid girl.’

  My heart beats so hard that I think it’s going to fly out of my chest.

  I swallow.

  ‘Get Bertie out of here,’ I beg. ‘Please. I’ll do whatever you want. Just get Bertie out.’

  Regan turns to Bertie. ‘Bertie. Crawl behind those hay bales. There’s a good lad. Crawl right to the back and wait in there. Okay?’

  Bertie looks from Regan to me.

  It breaks my heart that I can’t help him.

  ‘Do as he says Bertie,’ I say. ‘It’ll all be okay. Just do as he says. Go hide.’

  Bertie crawls into the hay bales.

  I swallow as I feel Regan watching me.

  ‘Thank you,’ I say, as calmly as I can manage.

  ‘No problem.’ Regan smiles. ‘I’m a decent man, really. Anise will tell you. Right. Take your clothes off.’

  111

  ‘You … you want me to take my clothes off?’ I whisper, feeling sick.

  ‘You heard me.’

  I want to protest. I want to scream and shout. I want to say I won’t do it. But … I’m scared for Bertie. I’m scared about what will happen to him if I don’t do what Regan says.

  I strip as quickly as I can, trying to pretend I’m having a medical exam or a PE class.

  When my clothes are on the floor, I look Regan right in the eye.

  I have to be strong.

  ‘Get into the water trough,’ says Regan, nodding at the long metal trough against one of the walls.

  I blink, thinking I couldn’t have heard right. I wrap my arms around my shivering body.

  ‘The. Water. Trough,’ says Regan, his voice hard.

  I turn to the big trough of cold water.

  ‘You want me to get in there?’ I ask.

  ‘You heard me.’

  ‘But. Why?’

  ‘Because it’ll help change your mind.’

  ‘No it won’t. I won’t lie to Bertie.’

  ‘We’ll see.’

  My teeth begin to chatter at the thought of the water.

  I turn to the trough and walk towards it. I put my leg over the side and slide a toe in.

  Then I snatch it back.

  It’s freezing.

  Regan laughs. ‘Afraid of a little cold water?’

  I hold up my chin, defiant.

  ‘No.’ I climb right into the trough, splashing into the cold water before I can think too much about it.

  My legs feel like they’re on fire, it’s so cold.

  Within seconds, my teeth begin to chatter.

  ‘Sit down,’ Regan barks.

  Sit down?

  I want to cry. But what good will that do?

  I wrap my arms around myself and sit shivering on the floor of the trough.

  ‘Face me,’ Regan demands, marching up to the trough.

  I close my eyes and grimace as I end up eye-level with his crotch.

  Regan slides his hand around my neck, under my hair. It’s a rough gesture. One of ownership. One that tells me he’s going to do whatever he wants.

  I steel myself, taking a deep breath.

  Then I hear it.

  A screeching, barking noise.

  Regan hears it too. ‘Christ. HEMO! GET IN THE FUCKING KENNEL BEFORE I KICK YOUR ARSE UP AND DOWN.’

  There’s scrabbling at the door.

  ‘That fucking dog.’ Regan drops my hair and goes to the door. He pushes it open and looks out.

  ‘Jesus!’ he shouts as a flash of red darts into the barn.

  The red flash is moving so fast I can hardly see. But I don’t need to see. I know exactly what it is.

  ‘Dan Dan!’ I breathe, not quite believing what I’m seeing.

  Dan Dan reaches the trough and jumps up at the metal.

  ‘It’s a fox,’ says Anise.

  Regan watches Dan Dan whinnying and barking at me.

  ‘No it’s the fox,’ says Regan, his dark eyes settling on me. ‘The one she stole from us. The one Mansfield tried to use as bait.’

  ‘How did you know we were using him as bait?’ I ask.

  ‘Patrick Mansfield phones me up and you think I wasn’t a little bit suspicious? When I have his sister and nephew with me? You think I didn’t guess he was onto us?’

  He strokes his hand down my hair, then grabs a handful and jerks my head back.

  I wince.

  Then he dunks my head straight down into the cold water.

  I splash and struggle, panic taking over.

  I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!

  I flail around, not caring anymore about the pain on my scalp, trying to pull myself out of the water.

  I hear my heart beating louder than I’ve ever heard it before. I badly want to breathe in. But I can’t. I can’t.

  I try to pull my head back, but Regan holds it so firmly.

  Seconds pass and I stop fighting. I’m just waiting. Holding on. It won’t be long before my body tries to take a breath. I can’t help it. I can’t help it. I’m going to have to—

  Suddenly I feel rushing around my cheeks and I’m pulled out of the water.
<
br />   112

  I cough and gasp, my hand going to my throat.

  There’s water in my windpipe and I’m caught between coughing and fighting to get air into my lungs.

  I manage to get one shuddery breath down, but it’s not enough. I need more air.

  ‘Tell Bertie the truth,’ Regan barks. ‘Tell him he imagined what happened. Tell him Patrick was the one who hurt him. Not Dirk. Tell him he needs to tell the truth in court.’

  ‘I … won’t,’ I splutter.

  I see the water rushing towards me again and my face goes under.

  I don’t manage to get a breath in, and my whole body starts to spasm.

  Regan holds me firm.

  I’m going to die. This is how I’m going to die.

  I’m lost in panic, no longer able to control anything. My body thrashes and jerks and I can’t stop it. I know any minute now my lungs are going to give in and try to take a breath.

  I clamp my mouth closed, feeling my head turn left and right.

  It’s only a matter of time before I can’t take any more.

  Water rushes past again as Regan hauls me out.

  The moment my mouth is clear of the water I take in a huge breath. But I misjudge it and take splashes of water with it.

  I cough and splutter, pain searing into my chest. My whole body is so desperate for air. I breathe as quickly as I can, but it’s not enough. I need more. The whole barn full and more.

  ‘Tell him now,’ Regan shouts. ‘Or you’ll never tell anyone anything ever again.’

  ‘I won’t,’ I yell, gasping for breath. ‘I won’t lie to him.’

  Regan’s hand tightens again and he pushes me back towards the water.

  I splutter: ‘Don’t do this!’ Pathetic I know. But I won’t survive another dunk. I know I won’t.

  My lungs can barely manage in the air, let alone underwater. But I don’t think Regan realises it.

  ‘Wait.’ To my surprise, it’s Anise’s voice.

  Regan keeps his hand tight, hovering my face over the water.

  ‘What?’ Regan snaps.

  I drag in raggedy wretched breaths.

  ‘Why has the fox come here?’ Anise asks.

  ‘She’s been keeping it as a pet,’ says Regan. ‘It must have followed her.’

  ‘But couldn’t it mean—’

  A deep booming voice interrupts Anise.

  ‘That Patrick Mansfield found you.’

  113

  Regan loosens his grip on my head, and I turn.

  ‘Patrick,’ I scream. ‘Patrick!’

  My whole body shudders at the sound of his voice.

  Regan lets my hair go, and I slip and splash down into the water. My hands swirl around in panic as I struggle to find which way is up.

  Suddenly I reach the light, my elbows smacking metal.

  I take in a sharp, deep breath.

  Oh good god. It’s good to breathe.

  ‘Patrick,’ I croak, seeing the huge shadow of him above me. He’s dressed in black camouflage gear and there’s sweat on his forehead and dirt on his face.

  I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight in my whole life.

  ‘You found us,’ I whisper.

  ‘Did you think I wouldn’t?’ says Patrick.

  ‘Where’s Bertie?’ I whirl around and see the little shadow of Bertie crouching between two hay bales. ‘Oh thank god.’

  ‘Bertie’s here?’ Patrick demands.

  ‘Over there.’ I point. ‘Stay where you are, Bertie,’ I cry. ‘Don’t move, okay?’

  Bertie nods.

  ‘Are any of you hurt?’ Patrick asks me.

  I shake my head stupidly, wrapping my arms around myself and shivering. ‘Not badly. But Anise … she isn’t herself.’

  Patrick glances at Anise. ‘Your cheek …’

  ‘I fell,’ says Anise, touching her bruise.

  Patrick’s eyes cloud over. ‘Anise, if Thorburn hit you I swear I’ll kill him right now –’

  ‘He just … it wasn’t like that,’ says Anise. ‘I love him Patrick.’

  Patrick frowns. ‘Anise. You’re a grown woman now. Too old for silly crushes.’

  ‘It’s not a crush. He’s my everything. My soul mate. The way I feel when I’m with him …’

  ‘He couldn’t care less about you. Don’t you remember what happened before? How he treated you?’

  ‘I was young then. He got jealous. But now he’s going to be Bertie’s father.’

  ‘Funny time for Regan to take responsibility for his actions.’

  ‘Your sister and I are getting married,’ says Regan.

  ‘Why?’ asks Patrick.

  ‘Don’t you believe in true love?’ Regan smirks.

  ‘Not where you’re concerned. You need a motive to love someone. You need to get something out of it.’

  ‘I’ve always loved Anise,’ says Regan. ‘Always.’

  ‘What bullshit,’ says Patrick. ‘You couldn’t care less about her. Why the sudden change of heart Thorburn? Is there any money involved by any chance?’

  ‘Father has money and Regan doesn’t,’ says Anise. ‘So he’s going to help us out. When we get married. But we need to help him get out of prison …’

  ‘Ah,’ says Patrick. ‘So my father is bribing you, Thorburn. And I suppose you’re to get Bertie and Anise onside in time for the big court case. But how did he get to you I wonder? He must be bribing people on the police too.’

  ‘He’s just jealous sweetheart,’ Regan tells Anise. ‘Because he found his girlfriend naked with me. You know the effect I have on women …’

  ‘Patrick,’ I say. ‘Nothing –’

  ‘I know,’ Patrick interrupts, not looking at me. He throws the rifle to the ground and stalks towards Regan. ‘But I’m sick of him talking.’

  He grabs Regan by the scruff of the neck.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Regan yells.

  ‘Seraphina, get out of the water,’ says Patrick.

  ‘What?’

  ‘I said get out of the water.’

  I spin left and right, looking for somewhere to grip. Then I find the edges of the trough and climb out.

  I stand dripping behind the trough, my arms wrapped around my naked body.

  Patrick throws Regan headfirst into the water.

  With an almighty splash, Regan’s body hits the wet metal.

  Dan Dan gives a little frightened bark and runs out of the barn.

  ‘Dan Dan!’ I call, but he runs off into the darkness.

  Patrick holds Regan under. ‘I should have taught you a lesson years ago.’

  Regan thrashes around, but Patrick is merciless.

  I watch dumbly. And then I come to my senses.

  ‘Patrick! Stop. Please.’

  ‘He doesn’t deserve your pity,’ Patrick growls. ‘He kidnapped you. And my nephew. I’ll rip his heart out through his throat.’

  ‘No! Please. Not with Bertie …’ My words trail away as I see Bertie crawling out from the hay bale. His eyes are cold and empty, like the first day I met him.

  I run to Bertie and kneel down. ‘It’s okay. Just … go back between the hay bales. Okay?’

  But Bertie doesn’t move.

  ‘Patrick!’ I shout, spinning around. ‘Just … please don’t. Please!’

  Patrick’s arm loosens. He drags Regan’s shoulders out of the water, one hand firmly clamped around the back of his neck.

  Regan takes in a huge, loud breath, gasping for air. His eyes swim at first. Then he gains focus, and his dark eyes fix on Patrick’s. ‘Your sister was always begging for it.’

  Patrick pushes Regan back toward the water.

  ‘No!’ I shout.

  Muscles move under Patrick’s blond stubble.

  Patrick stops.

  ‘That’s right Mansfield,’ says Regan. ‘Let a woman tell you what to do.’

  ‘Happy to,’ says Patrick, dropping Regan into the water. Regan splashes into the trough and comes up coughing and spluttering.<
br />
  ‘What are you going to do with him?’ I ask.

  ‘Let the police deal with him,’ says Patrick.

  ‘No!’ Anise shouts.

  We both turn to her.

  She has Patrick’s rifle in her hands.

  Oh my god. I glance at Bertie, who looks terrified. ‘It’s okay,’ I soothe. ‘Really. It’s okay. Just … please go back into the hay bales.’

  But he doesn’t.

  Anise aims the rifle at Patrick.

  114

  ‘Anise,’ says Patrick. ‘Put the gun down.’

  ‘Don’t take him away from me,’ Anise wails, tears falling. ‘I … I love him Patrick. I love him.’

  ‘Put the gun down little sister,’ says Patrick, taking a step towards her. ‘Before you hurt yourself.’

  ‘Let Regan go,’ says Anise, holding the gun higher.

  ‘Anise, put the gun down,’ I say, standing. My bare feet move over the barn floor. I snatch my long jumper and pull it over myself.

  ‘Stay where you are.’ Anise points the rifle at me, then back at Patrick.

  ‘Think of Bertie,’ I plead. ‘Just think about what you’re doing. Put the gun down.’

  Tears run down Anise’s cheek. ‘I am thinking of Bertie. He’ll have a father. A family …’

  ‘No,’ I say. ‘Regan’s doing this because of money, Anise. Is that the kind of father you want for Bertie?’

  ‘He’ll learn to love us. People have arranged marriages all the time. When the woman grows to love the man. Why can’t the man grow to love the woman?’

  ‘Regan hurts you,’ I say, taking another step towards her.

  ‘Only when he’s angry,’ Anise splutters. ‘I let him down. He got scared.’

  I grab the rifle.

  Anise and I struggle for a moment. Her body is light, but my bare feet are slippery and for a moment she has the upper hand.

  Then I see Bertie over her shoulder and my grip turns to steel.

  I pull the rifle from her fingers.

  Anise stumbles back. Then she collapses to the floor, sobbing.

  Bertie watches her, his eyes sad and frightened.

  I kneel by Bertie again. ‘Just … let Mummy have a moment. Okay? She’s not herself right now. Come on. Let’s go back to the castle.’

  Bertie shakes his head and backs away.