by Colin Davy
Raif’s practiced smile returned as he pulled Gary further from the crowd. Perhaps he was counting on his eccentric, upper-class accent and English gentleman act to attract foreign and slightly naïve ‘new dwellers’ of the female variety. It might work with a minority but it certainly didn’t wash with the locals. Although Sophie had met him only once, she’d been damning. “He’s an intelligent gobshite,” she said. “But a gobshite, nevertheless.”
Gary agreed to some extent with her verdict, having known him years. Even Scott had doubts. “He told me he was something in the City,” he said. “Which city is that? Salford?”
As Gary explained to Scott, Raif lived on his earnings as a professional gambler – a person who gambled, but actually won more than he lost. A precarious living, but counter-balanced by lots of free time. Perhaps he’d become bored and was trying something new and unusual. If so, he’d get bored soon enough when he realised that he was tilling barren soil. “Call me naïve, Raif,” he said. “But I’d never expect these women to be up for it, or likely to be sweet-talked into bed.” He could have added … “Not by a transparent charlatan like you,” but Raif didn’t do banter.
“Ah, alas no” he said. “But I didn’t mean sexually.”
He must mean financially, as Raif only lived for sexual gratification or financial gain. “Can I congratulate you on your new girlfriend, Gary,” he continued. “For once, you show exquisite taste.”
“Thanks,” he said. “But she’s a recent acquaintance only.”
“Don’t put yourself down,” he said.” What’s her name?”
“Maria.”
“Ah, she’s coming over now, perhaps you’d introduce me.” He leaned closer. “But don’t play down my brilliance.”
He turned to see Debbie and a tall blonde girl nearing them. Before he could say anything, Raif extended his hand to Debbie. “Maria, I presume. My name is Raif Rowlands. I’m a friend of Gary and I’m delighted to meet you.”
She froze, ignored his hand and made no attempt to hide her irritation. “Wrong sister,” she said icily. Turning to Gary, she indicated her companion. “Say hello to Gail, Gary, she’s my very closest friend.” Although he nodded and held out his hand, the girl’s handshake was perfunctory and she turned back to Debbie immediately.
Raif seemed untroubled and nodded to both, but a spot of red appeared on his cheeks. “Sorry, an unforgivable blunder,” he said. “I was commenting to our mutual friend on the excellent turn-out today.”
Debbie gave a wide smile, but ignored him. “I won’t need a lift home, Gary, but thanks for the help, you’re a sweetie.” When she presented her cheek, he gave brief kiss. With a swivel of her hips, she pulled Gail back with her towards the congregation.
He might have lost his bet from earlier, he thought, as the pair glided away. Option one, that Debbie was lesbian, might be correct after all. If that were the case, the e-mail gossip about Debbie was groundless despite Maria’s refusal to accept her sister’s sexuality. But then again, Debbie did like to be dramatic. He might be doing her an injustice, but he suspected she’d wanted to make him jealous, wait for him to show interest, then snub him to get one over on her sister. An invitation to make a fool of himself, and an invitation he’d fortunately declined.
Raif’s faux-pas seemed out of character for him, he usually prided himself on knowing any available woman in his social group. Unless of course, the sisters were anti-social to an extreme.
“Gary?” At the nudge from Raif, he turned to see Maria approaching with a someone in tow. A man in his thirties, around six feet two, heavily built, and with a face resembling a Neanderthal who’d run into a lamppost. She introduced him as John Wemyss, “Our expert on finances.”
He gave a curt nod. “She’s a lovely lass,” he said. “Make sure you take good care of her.” A light Scottish accent, somewhere north of Edinburgh.
“I’ll try.” Non-committal enough, he hoped, but the man assumed they were a couple, and as he couldn’t deny it without being rude, he’d grin and bear it.
“John’s a genius with the accounts, or so he tells us,” she said. “We don’t know what we’d do without him.”
The slight jibe made the man uncomfortable and he drifted away, leaving Maria to stand closer. “Thanks for coming, Gary,” she said softly, and after taking his arm, she walked him to the back of the room. “It looks so peaceful,” she said. “But there’s a tension here, can you feel it?”
“No more than any other newcomer.”
She glanced around and spotting Debbie already seated near the front with Gail, she frowned. “I hope she behaved herself in the car,” she said.
“Impeccably.”
“How about Tuesday evening?”
“She was upset.”
Her frown darkened. “She can be a tease, but she doesn’t know she’s doing it.”
“Doing what?”
She frowned and looked away, nervously twirling her red hair around her index finger. Dressed modestly in dark colours, she looked more fitted to a funeral than a church service, but when he squeezed her hand, she smiled cautiously. Although he planned to be decisive and tell her straight away that she was imagining things, he felt himself weakening. He’d wait until the end of the service before giving her the bad news. “You’re the older sister?” he asked.
She nodded, her eyes still locked on Debbie.
“Debbie did mention it,” he said, but she remained engrossed in her sister. He took the chance to really examine the girl beside him. She was easy on the eye, and he’d been over-critical at their first meeting. She’d been under stress, and so had he. The problem with the current situation was he’d had no say in the matter. Masculine pride, he supposed, and the fact that he might be letting himself in for self-imposed celibacy. Here be quicksand, he suspected, not something to have a paddle in. Yet if her premonitions were accurate, she’d surely be hearing a klaxon about her chosen boyfriend too. Beware this man, he’s not good enough for you.
At a signal from Keith, the congregation took their seats. “This way,” Maria ordered, and she ushered him to the back row. “Out of harm’s way,” she whispered, leaving him alone as she moved to the front.
To his surprise, Raif slipped into the chair alongside. “Not bad,” he whispered. “But there’s better around.”
“Spoken like a good Christian boy.”
“Her sister’s a stunner,” he said, “But sadly unavailable.”
“So, you do know her?”
Raif frowned. “It might be for the best,” he whispered. “Deborah’s the type of girl who puts a lot of timber on when she gets older.”
He frowned “I thought you were here for the finances?”
Raif smiled. “Indeed, and Keith has been most helpful in his introductions. New dwellers are always open to enterprise if approached properly.”
“How long have you been a developer?”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t know a bungalow from a gazebo,” he said. “My aim is to finance my betting, and I’m attracting offers. It promises instant rewards.”
“And losses.”
He shrugged. “That’s what makes a gamble a gamble.” Thankfully, he stayed quiet through the service with barely concealed boredom until a woman stood up and yelled something indistinct.
“Here we go,” Raif said. “The loonies are out.” But the shout seemed to calm the woman, and the service proceeded smoothly. Although it erred on the happy- clapper side, it was mercifully brief. As soon as it ended, Maria joined him.
“What do you think?” she asked.
Her voice was slurred and she looked unwell. Very pale even for her, and under her eyes she’d gained what looked like bruising. “Are you feeling alright?” he asked.
Putting a hand on his shoulder, she swallowed noisily. “I’ve a headache and a zig-zag pattern in my vision. It’s a migraine, I sometimes get them after a vision.”
“You had a vision?”
“More of a premonition.” Stan
ding slowly upright she gave a weak smile. “Do you mind if we go outside?”
He nodded quickly, and after taking her arm, he led her gently to the door. Before they could leave, a concerned Keith appeared, having removed his white vestment to expose a threadbare brown jumper. If he was embezzling, he must be spectacularly bad at it. “Are you well, Maria?” he asked
“I’ll be fine,” she said.
The pastor hovered uncertainly, but Gary pulled her past. “I’ll take her home,” he said.
Once outside, they stood on their own for a while. “Did you feel it inside?” she asked. Assuming she wasn’t talking about mild boredom, he shook his head. She sighed in response. “Where’s your car?”
Taking her arm again, he led her there, but he said nothing until he’d helped her into the passenger seat. “I’ll need directions,” he said.
Giving a brief nod, she lay back in the seat and closed her eyes. “Back to Southport railway station,” she whispered. After turning the car in a wide circle, he headed back the way he’d come.
“Debbie!” Maria cried and her eyes jerked opened. “We’ve forgotten her.”
“No, we haven’t,” he said. “She’s made her own arrangements with her close friend.”
She sighed. “I wish she’d settle down.”
He smiled. “You’re her sister, not her mother.”
“I feel responsible for her,” she said. “I always have.”
“She’s a big girl now.”
“I know, but she’s impulsive, she likes to dabble in everything.”
He tried not to smile. “Debbie the dabbler?”
“Something like that.”
“And she hasn’t found the right boy yet?”
“Don’t joke, Gary, please.”
Taking the hint, he concentrated on following her laboured directions. At one stage, he thought she’d vomited but it was only a wet cough. Cutting past the football ground, she asked him to stop outside a small bungalow. “Thanks so much,” she said.
“I’ll see you inside,” he said, deciding she looked no better. She didn’t argue, and a couple of minutes later, he had her safely inside her bedroom, where she collapsed onto the bed and closed her eyes. When he drew the curtains, she whispered her thanks, giving a smile as he crouched beside her. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“A little better. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine now.” It sounded like permission for him to leave, but he felt guilty. He’d not yet told her his verdict on the service and the congregation, but in her present condition, she probably wouldn’t care. Probably for the best, he decided, because he’d found them surprisingly ordinary and even downright dull. No sign of a charismatic guru or an evil wizard lurking under Keith’s faded vestments. And, no manifestation of Satan anywhere. If anything, it was outstandingly ordinary.
“I’ll go now,” he said. “I’ll ring you in the week.” Nice and non-specific.
She stirred and reached for his fingers before trying to sit up.
“Take it easy,” he said. “I’ll call later to check how you’re feeling.”
When he let her grip his fingers, she gave a quick squeeze before lowering herself to the pillow. “Listen, Gary,” she whispered. “My premonition this morning concerns you and the Duncan Docks.”
“Oh?”
“Take care, Gary, take every care, you’re in great danger there.”
He shrugged. “I expect I’ll survive.”
“No,” she said. “I’m deadly serious. Please tell me you’ll take care.”
He nodded. “I promise not to go for a midnight swim however hot and sticky it becomes.”
When she gave the hint of a nod, he left her to sleep.
He remembered her whispered warning when he parked back at the docks. Looking up at the many-windowed façade, he wondered how something terrible could happen in this dull and most boring of neighbourhoods.
Perhaps they might move his parking spot a few metres from the entrance and they’d have a wet winter. That would be horrendous. Then again, maybe he should take it seriously and lock the French windows. Who knows what green and slimy creatures lived in the depths of the dock? And some of the neighbours were little better.
Chapter Seven
“Have you rung Maria to check on her health?” Sophie asked. “I hope you did.”
“I didn’t need to,” he said. “She rang me earlier.”
“And?”
“It wasn’t about her health, or the mental health of the congregation,” he said. “She’s worried about her sister.” He sat back in the chair and took a breath. He’d updated the Sinclairs on the Sunday service and was coming to the climax. The Old Oak was quieter than usual, despite the continuing heatwave, and he wondered if the customers had finally acclimatised to sweltering weather.
Scott frowned and leaned forward in his chair “What about her sister?”
“She seems to have joined the ‘disappeared’, along with this Caitlyn Jones. Maria hasn’t spoken to Debbie since the service. They usually speak every day without fail, even if it’s only a short phone call.”
“Is she still worried?” Sophie asked.
“I don’t know,” he said. “She asked if I’d seen her sister, but as I pointed out, I hardly expect to if she’s following family orders. I wondered if she might be shacked-up with Gail, but she rejected that.”
“Gail?”
“Her girlfriend.”
“Hmm …”
A single word from Sophie, but he detected mild disapproval. “I met Raif at the Pentecostal meeting too.”
“Raif!” A single word too, but packed with venom. “Tell them to be careful,” she said. “He’ll be a shark loose among goldfish.”
He took a sip at his beer. “I thought you recommended him as a clear-sighted colleague to take with me.”
“I did,” she said. “When it comes to logic, he’s impeccable, but he’s greedy and has the morals of a rabid dog.” She sat back and wriggled to make herself more comfortable. “I don’t see him as a dutiful member of the congregation.” Turning to her husband, she frowned. “Do you, Scott?”
He frowned too, but it soon gave way to a tight smile. “He’ll be after something,” he said. “Although he’s a friend, I wouldn’t trust him an inch.”
Sophie nodded and took a sip of her tonic. “Have you told Maria your decision about her problems, Gary?”
“Not yet,” he admitted. “But if she hasn’t heard from Debbie today, she’s coming to see me.”
“Here, or at your flat?”
“Here first of all, but that’s only if she needs to. If she does, I’ll tell her if she hasn’t any firm evidence, I can do no more.”
“If she’s worried about her sister, is this the right time?”
“Probably not, but I’ve strung her along too much already.”
Sophie’s eyes twinkled. “Why are you meeting her here?”
“Two reasons,” he said. “If she comes, it’s because she wants me to get a key to Debbie’s flat from security. I told her that being Deb’s twin means she can blag a key as long as she’s got ID, but she thinks my knowing the security people might help. Secondly …” He paused. “I suspect you’ll be curious to meet her.”
“You’re a bad man, Gary,” she said. “But you’re right, it’s time you had a stable influence in your life, preferably someone who can soften your hard-nosed realism.” Her eyes narrowed for a second. “Are you using us as moral support when you give her the bad news.”
“Perhaps.”
Scott checked his watch. “When is she due?”
Gary looked at the clock over the bar. “About twenty minutes, if she comes. Otherwise I’ll ring her. Can I cadge a lift back to the flat if she comes?”
Scott shook his head. “You can, but it’ll have to be without me. I’m not feeling too good, you must have passed on your bug, Gaz.”
Although Sophie looked surprised, Gary thought Scott had been distinctly quiet tonight,. “Sorry,�
� he said. “But it’s short-lived.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll walk back,” he said. “Sophie can indulge her curiosity all she likes. She’ll tell me about it. later.” Finishing his drink, he stood and leaned over to kiss his wife before dropping the car keys on the bar. “Have fun.” With a salute to them both, he made his exit.
“He must be sick,” she said, once her husband had left. “It’s not like him to miss his Tuesday sup.” She frowned. “I hope he doesn’t pass the bug to me.”
“So do I.”
She shuffled to get more comfortable and looked around. “What did you think of the church service in Southport?”
“So-so.”
“And the congregation?”
“The same.”
“And what’s your opinion on Maria’s worries?”
“Her sister or the funny-going on at the church?”
“Both.”
He sat back and considered. “Her sister?” he smiled. “She’s worrying about nothing. Debbie’s a free spirit and she seems to have gained a special friend in Gail, although Maria’s not a fan. And as for the great, the good, and the relatively young of Southport …” He smiled again. “She’s worrying about nothing.”
“And finally,” she said. “Your opinion of Maria.”
“I like her,” he said. “But …”
It was Sophie’s turn to smile. “She’s too different?” she asked. “Not good enough for you?”
“Exactly the opposite, I think she’s too good for me.”
“All the more reason to stick with her.” She looked up and glanced over his shoulder. “And unless I’m badly mistaken, she’s also here.”
“What!” Spinning round, he saw she was right. Maria stood uncertainly in the entrance before looking around. She clutched a small, black handbag as if her life depended on it, but when she caught sight of them, she gave a tentative wave.
“Bring her over, you dumpling,” Sophie whispered. “I won’t bite.”
Maria met him halfway and when they both hesitated, he rushed to say something. “It’s good to see you,” he said quickly. “You’re looking a lot better.” Better, but not a lot better, he thought. The pallor had disappeared, but she looked flushed instead. Wearing a light summer frock garlanded with red roses which was for her, relatively low-cut, she must have dressed for the weather. The light caught and reflected off a thin silver cross she wore round her neck, but she’d been rushing, because sweat coated her brow. “This is Sophie,” he said as Maria sat down. “She’s an old friend of mine.”