by Clare Lydon
They politely declined.
When they passed their tent, Holly put her head in, checking everything was still there. It was. She ducked back out again.
“Right, our stuff’s still there, so that’s something.” Somehow, she’d been anticipating returning and their tent having been stolen. It’d been that kind of weekend. She glanced to her left, but there was no sign of Trudi and Shauna yet. “The guys had a tent over there somewhere,” Holly said, pointing across the field. “Shall we head that way for starters?”
Gabby nodded. “Show us where you think the men were camping, and we’ll do a tent search to see if we can find them. If we come up with nothing, we can call the campsite office.”
Holly nodded and led the way through the tents — it took less than a minute. “It was around here,” she said, circling her arm, flashing the torch on each tent. “I don’t remember the size of the tent as they fell on us very early in the morning, so my eyes were a bit bleary following them as they walked away.” She paused as the torch settled on something. “However, I do remember they stunk of whisky, so that might be a clue.” Holly pointed at a tent around the same size as theirs, which had four empty bottles of Bell’s whisky outside it.
“That might indeed be a clue,” Rachel said, with a smile. She turned to Gabby. “Shall we?”
Gabby nodded, pulling herself up to her full height and walking over to the front of the tent. Gabby was not an officer you would mess with.
“Police, open up!” she said, unzipping the tent flap before the words had left her mouth. There was some rustling from the inside, and when Gabby poked her head inside, she immediately ducked right back out again, her face creased with disgust. “Jesus, it smells like a brewery in there,” she said, taking a deep gulp of air. She beckoned Rachel over. “They’re asleep, you ready to tackle them when they try to run?”
Rachel nodded. “Ready and waiting.” Holly hoped she was telling the truth, because she didn’t fancy getting involved: the two men had already put enough bruises on her body when they fell on their tent.
Gabby took another breath of air, then went back into the tent, handcuffs out. Holly heard her talking to the men and then reading them their rights, and that was quickly followed by raised voices. Then there was a scramble and one of the men appeared at the door of the tent, looking dazed, attempting to run, but still too drunk to do so. He hadn’t been expecting Rachel, and she tackled him to the ground expertly, reading him his rights again, before clipping handcuffs on him in seconds. The man gave up his struggle within a minute — he knew when he was beaten.
“That was easier than I expected,” Rachel said, kneeling on the man’s back.
“I haven’t done anything wrong!” he said, straining his neck to see Rachel.
“We can have a chat about that when we get to the station, sir, can’t we?”
Gabby then dragged out the blonde-haired man, before clipping on her handcuffs.
“Are we being arrested for sleeping?” he asked. “Last time I looked, that wasn’t a crime.”
“As I said, you’re being taken in for questioning about the spate of robberies that have happened this weekend,” Gabby replied. “Do you know anything about that?”
“Robberies?” the man replied, his voice going up at the end. “Why would we know about that?”
“That’s what we want to ask you at the station,” Gabby said, moving the man along. “If you know anything about it, now’s the time to let us know.”
The man got level with Holly, then frowned. “You look familiar,” he said, his breath nearly knocking her over. Holly’s stomach churned as she waited for the man to stitch together his memory.
Holly stared back at him, but said nothing.
“Ow! You’re hurting me,” his friend said as Rachel got him into a standing position and pushed him back towards the car. “We’re going to take you in for questioning, and if you’ve got nothing to hide, you’re free to go.” She glanced at Holly. “We can’t drive you back. Wait at the entrance and I’ll get one of our colleagues to come and collect you, as well as doing a tent search. But I already saw enough to know these are very probably our thieves.”
“Thanks,” Holly replied.
***
Holly got a lift back to the station with the next cop car. They found a ton of wallets in the men’s tent: she’d caught the robbers. But she wasn’t feeling the triumph just yet, because it still didn’t mean anything for Tori, did it?
The police car pulled into the station and Holly jumped out, eager to see if Jen had turned herself in: without her phone to communicate, she had no way of knowing. As she rounded the corner of the police station near the main entrance, Shauna and Trudi were walking in with Jen, who still looked wired, if a touch more with it: emergencies had that effect on people.
“Hey!” Holly said, catching up with them. All three of them stopped just short of the station entrance. “About time you showed up — where the fuck did you get to while Tori was being arrested for your drugs? Shit, Jen, I knew you did some stuff, but I never had you down as a dealer.”
“I’m not!” Jen replied, her eyes watery and bloodshot.
Holly had no time for her tears.
“I was just looking after the drugs for a friend. He was coming back within the hour.” Her voice was scratchy and tired.
“Don’t bullshit me, Jen — how fucking dare you leave a bag with drugs in it with us. I never even thought you’d stoop that low. Is it just me and Pride that make you do terrible things?”
Confusion passed across Jen’s face. “You and Pride? What are you talking about?”
“What do you mean what am I talking about? That girl you snogged at Pride when we were together! And now this, setting up my girlfriend to take your fall.” Holly shook her head, anger bubbling up inside her. It was taking all her effort not to slap Jen across the face, but she knew that wouldn’t help anyone. “I really don’t know what I ever saw in you.”
At that, Jen leaned over and retched, throwing up all over the pavement.
Holly turned away. When she looked back, Trudi was handing Jen a tissue and she was wiping her mouth.
“Look, Holly, I have no vendetta against you. Really. All those years ago, we were young, and shit happens. But I really am sorry about today and I’m going in to tell the police everything I know. If you want to know the truth, I forgot I had those drugs — my friend asked me to hold them for a couple of hours, and told me to help myself. I went a little crazy, as I do. But I never planned to leave them with Tori. I was just a little out of it, and I needed the loo. I’m sorry. I really am.”
Holly shook her head. The crazy thing was, she believed Jen, but it didn’t stop her being livid with her. “It’s never your fault, is it? And you know what? I don’t care what happens to you. What I do care about is getting Tori out of the mess you’ve created.”
Jen sagged visibly at Holly’s words. “I am so sorry, you’ve no idea. But it wasn’t intentional, that’s what I’m trying to tell you.” A tear trickled down Jen’s face as she swallowed down a little more. She winced as she did so. “Eugh, sick,” she said, coughing into her tissue.
Even Holly had an ounce of sympathy for her right then. The reason she first fell for Jen might have been long obscured, but she still remembered some kindness from her in their early relationship stages. Plus, she wouldn’t wish what Jen was about to face on anybody but her worst enemy, and Jen was far from that. Misguided, yes; evil, no.
“I’m shit scared if you want the truth. I know you still resent me, but I can’t deal with that on top of everything else. It’s more than enough having to deal with the police, okay?”
Holly nodded, then exhaled. “Okay,” she said. “Just get in there so Tori can get out. The quicker the better.”
Jen took a deep breath, then turned and pushed open the door of the station.
Holly watched her go. When she looked down, her hands were shaking.
She turned back to Sh
auna and Trudi, before bursting into tears.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Tori was sitting on the concrete block, trying to stay positive. She had no idea how long she’d been in the holding cell; it seemed like hours, but it was probably far less. She’d tried to rationalise her situation: perhaps being in jail for the night was not so bad. For one thing, it might raise her street cred; for another, it was a new experience, and hadn’t she told Holly she needed to try more of those?
Then she heard footsteps, followed by the cell door opening and in walked officer Dave, doing a circling motion with his fingers.
Tori blinked, then stood up, running a hand through her hair. Jail was making her feel grimy, dirty. She needed a shower to wash away the day, and she desperately needed a hug from her girlfriend. She stretched as she looked at Dave.
“What’s going on?”
Dave stood back, his demeanour far more friendly than earlier. “You’re getting out is what’s going on. You’re free to go.”
Had she just heard right? She shook her head as she replied. “Just like that? I’m not being arrested?” Relief washed over her like a slow, cool breeze. She was almost limp with gratitude.
“Not unless you really want to.”
“You’re not joking?” She had to double-check — life had been playing cruel tricks on her all weekend.
Dave nodded. “Your story’s been accepted and other things have come to light.” He paused as Tori walked past him. “The officer who brought you in can explain it all.”
“Thank you,” Tori said, turning back to him, part of her still not quite believing it fully. She didn’t think she would until she was out of the police station and could touch freedom again.
“No problem,” Dave replied, returning Tori’s smile and ushering her down the corridor, which was way brighter than the cell, so much so Tori had to shield her eyes. Her breathing was rapid as her emotions raced around her body, and she had to concentrate to walk in a straight line. But she was getting out and that was all that mattered.
Dave ushered her into a different interview room, where Holly was waiting.
“I’ll just leave you two here,” Dave said. “Rachel will be in shortly.”
When the door closed, Holly held out her arms and Tori sank into them.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so happy to see you,” she said, a sob escaping her throat as the enormity of the situation sunk in. She was getting out. Her brief time in jail was over. And one thing was certain: she was never minding a bag for anyone in the future, ever.
“I could say the same to you,” Holly replied, holding Tori tight.
After a few moments, Tori eased herself away, not taking her eyes from Holly, before pressing her lips to hers. The softness and familiarity warmed her soul. Only when a tear trickled down her cheek and threatened to invade both their mouths did Tori pull away again.
Holly licked her lips, before giving Tori a soft smile. “Does this mean you’re not going to dump me for someone you met inside? The Brighton version of Piper or Alex wasn’t in the cell with you?”
“I told her no,” Tori whispered. “I was sure you’d wait for me, no matter how long it took.”
“You were right.”
“Good.” Tori paused. “So what happened?”
“Long story short, I took them up to the campsite and we arrested those blokes.”
“They did it?”
“They’re arresting them for something — not sure if they robbed us.” Holly kissed Tori again, almost as if she was just checking it was her and she was really back in her arms.
“So why am I out? Were the blokes drug barons, too?”
Holly stepped back, then sat down, motioning for Tori to do the same. Tori dragged her chair to the corner of the table so she was at right angles to Holly, as close as she could be without sitting in her lap, which crossed her mind.
Holly took her hand before she continued. “Trudi found Jen and she was looking for her bag. Trudi told her the cops had it and Jen freaked.”
“Understandably.”
“But she came to the station willingly. She’s claiming they weren’t her drugs, either — but who the hell knows?”
“You think they are?” Tori didn’t know what to think anymore: perhaps Jen was telling the truth. Even if she was, agreeing to look after the drugs wasn’t the smartest move she’d ever made.
Holly exhaled. “I don’t know her anymore, but back when we were together, she took drugs, but she wasn’t a dealer. She claims she was looking after them for a friend, so it could be true.”
“Shit,” Tori replied. “You think they’re going to throw the book at her?”
Holly shrugged. “I don’t know. But perhaps she should steer clear of Pride from now on, too.”
Tori shook her head. “What a mess.” She looked around. “Do we have to wait for Rachel or you think we can go? I’ve spent enough time in here, I’m ready to go home.”
Holly winced. “She said to wait — she was just going to get your stuff.”
“I didn’t have any stuff, apart from Jen’s bag of tricks.”
Just then, the door opened and Rachel walked in. She was carrying a clear plastic bag containing Tori and Holly’s wallets, along with their phones and watches.
They both just stood and stared.
“So are you a magician, too?” Tori asked, raising an eyebrow. Last time she’d seen them, she was naked and about to run into the sea. “How did you find them?”
“We had another unit go up and search the tent of our robbers. They had a stack of wallets, phones and personal items — their tent was full of them. Including yours, which is why I wanted you to wait.” She put the bag on the table and Tori picked it up.
“This is brilliant — you don’t know what this means, getting my watch back,” Tori said, glancing over at Holly. “I can’t believe they had our stuff all along.”
“I know — so thanks for your help,” Rachel said. “I’m sorry we had to get there via arresting you, but it worked out in the end, didn’t it? Plus, there were at least 20 wallets and assorted goods in their tents. They’d had a field day this weekend.”
“You didn’t find our clothes, too, did you?” Holly said. “Only, they stole those as well.”
Rachel smiled. “I forgot that part of the story.” She paused. “You want to follow me and we can see what else the officers brought back? I think they brought everything, so if they kept them, they should be there.”
“But other than that, I’m free to go?” Tori asked, just wanting to make sure there were no other potential stumbling blocks to her freedom.
Rachel turned. “Completely. Jen’s here and she’s made a statement.”
“And will she be okay?” Holly asked as they walked out of the room.
Rachel shrugged. “Not up to me.”
Tori followed Rachel and Holly down the corridor. She wasn’t guilty of anything, but being in a police station certainly made her feel like she was.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“What time is it?”
Holly checked her watch, now safely back on her wrist. “Looks like nearly 1am, but don’t quote me. It’s pitch black out here.”
“I know.” Tori tripped over a guide rope and fell on her knees. Luckily, she managed to avoid falling on a tent. She put out her hand and it hit something wet and soft. Some kind of food at best. She didn’t like to think of the alternatives.
Holly stifled a laugh.
“I’m so over camping,” Tori said, shaking her head. “Promise me we’ll never do this again?”
“As long as you promise me we’re never doing Pride again.” Holly hauled Tori to her feet.
“I can’t promise that. I’m not giving up on Pride even if you are.”
“I think the tent’s just over there,” Holly said, ignoring Tori’s response. She guided Tori back to their tent using the torch Rachel had given them, unzipped the front and they flopped down, lying that way for some ti
me before either one of them spoke.
“One good thing about that police cell? It was indoors and had electricity.”
“That’s two things.”
Tori nudged Holly’s elbow with her own.
Holly glanced to her right. “You want to go back?”
Tori shivered. “No, all things considered, I prefer it here with you.” She paused. “I haven’t said this yet, but thank you for doing everything you could to get me out.”
Holly smiled at her. “It was Shauna and Trudi, too, but you’re welcome. But I was never just going to leave you in jail and walk away, was I?” She rolled on top of Tori, kissing her lips before continuing. “For one, I like kissing you, so that was reason enough to get you out.” She paused. “And your mum might have been a bit annoyed with me. And while she’s always been lovely to me, I don’t want to push her buttons and make her mad. Not when it comes to her one and only child.”
“Wise woman,” Tori said. “Thank you, though. Seriously.” Tori raised a solitary eyebrow. “So you know we were saying we haven’t had sex in a tent?”
“Uh-huh.”
“You think we could change that?”
Holly grinned. “I think the likelihood is currently running at around 100 per cent.” She paused. “Besides, sex with criminals is way hotter than normal sex, everybody knows that.” Holly dipped her head and licked the side of Tori’s neck.
Tori shuddered, closing her eyes, Holly’s mouth working its way round to hers once more.
“And you know what else?”
Tori opened her eyes. “What?”
“I’m starving, haven’t eaten a thing.”