A Time To Pay

by David Woods

  Most of the decorating companies were closed on Sundays, so he soon gave up and decided to spend a couple of hours in the afternoons during the week when the companies would be fully operational. Starting on Monday afternoon he only managed to visit two, but without success. He continued calling on two each day until the following week, when at last he found a man who said he knew Venk and had worked with him until the day before, when he had gone berserk and walked out. Jan listened to the story of Venk’s last day at work and laughed when he heard the details, but was disappointed the man did not know where he lived. The boss said he lived in a flat in the city but would not divulge his address, although he did offer to get a message to him. Jan thanked him saying. “It’s not important. I’m sure to run into him one day soon.” He felt despondent at the prospect of having to find one flat among thousands.

  He returned to the yard and discussed the matter with Ben, who agreed the task would take a considerable time which they could not spare at the moment. Work was building up and they had to make maximum use of the lorries with some servicing carried out at weekends. Another heavy lorry was on order and would be delivered shortly, in time for a large consignment of farm machinery from Vogler-Wilkins to be delivered throughout central France. They agreed to start looking again after Brian and Anna returned from holiday in a few days time.

  It became clear to Venk that he had lost the battle to stop thinking about the two men and his ex-wife, and had to take some action as he had previously. It was the only answer, and perhaps he could rebuild his life. During the rest of the night he dreamed up suitable ways to exact proper retribution to satisfy his need for revenge, but the only problem was locating Sylvia. He put it to one side in his mind, deciding the two men were more important and should be dealt with first.

  He left home that afternoon to purchase some items in the local hardware store, and also to fill his car and a can with petrol. With all the planning and activity he regained his appetite, and cooked a good meal in the evening, making him warm and full inside. His stomach had lost its weak feeling and he felt ready for action, so just after midnight he left the flat and walked to his car. The night was fine, with a warm breeze blowing white puffy clouds across the moonlit sky. Just right he thought, it will be easy to see without using a torch. He drove slowly through the town, arriving half an hour later and parked behind a half built factory.

  He looked around to find the road deserted, took a tool bag and can from the boot and hurried through the building site, stopping five minutes later outside the haulage yard. The area was still and deserted as he walked to the end of the high fence to where it joined the next building. It was a dark corner and he worked at the fence unseen, unclipping the wire from the end post. He thought this method would be less noisy than cutting the wire and after a few minutes he was through, and walked silently across the gravel yard to a side door, which he forced by levering the lock with an iron bar. The offices were on two floors and he searched for valuable items but found none, then pulled files out of the cabinets, spreading the paper all over the floor before soaking it with petrol. He was delighted to find pictures of Van Hagen with his wife and child and smashed them on the floor, stamping on them before leaving and looking around the yard to see if any lorries were parked. There was one next to the service bay, but he decided not to risk staying any longer and lit a match, throwing it through the office side door.

  Flames leapt up immediately as the petrol caught alight, and he ran across to the gap in the fence, wriggled through and ran back through the building site clutching the can and tool bag. When he arrived back to the car he was out of breath and threw the items in the boot, before standing to listen and look around. It was still quiet and no one was around, so he wandered back through the site and stood behind a pile of bricks, watching as the fire began to take hold. The scene delighted him, he laughed as the windows broke and smoke billowed out, and stayed for twenty minutes screaming with laughter as the roof caught alight. He ran from his hiding place back to his car and then drove out quickly, but returned in a different direction as the fire engine approached. He laughed when he saw them and shouted as they passed by. “You’re too late. There’ll be nothing left.”

  He stopped the car outside a scrap yard and threw the petrol can and iron bar over the high fence, watching as they disappeared among a pile of old rusty cars. He drove home, climbed the stairs to his flat careful not to make a sound, undressed and got into bed without turning on the light.

  He awoke late after an uninterrupted sleep, feeling satisfied with the night’s work and sat down to a good breakfast whilst thinking about the two men. He pictured them surveying the scene at the haulage yard, their office block gone together with all the company papers and records, and with any luck it would ruin them. Even if it did not it would set them back years. He imagined them trying to run their business without an office, customers taking their trade elsewhere when they could not be contacted, and this gave him great satisfaction.

  He went for a walk feeling on top of the world, even managing to smile at a young lady who said hello as they passed on the stairs. The paper bag he was carrying contained a pair of overalls he had used when splashing petrol in the offices. It occurred to him they might smell, so he dumped them in a rubbish bin before walking to the centre of town to do some shopping. He found the shops crowded with people, mainly women, getting their weekend provisions. After filling his basket, he walked out on to the pavement where a woman with a paper bag full of apples bumped into him, splitting the bag and scattering the produce among the shoppers. “I’m so sorry.” He helped her gather up the fruit.

  She smiled. “It was my fault for being in such a hurry. Oh dear, now it’s too late to catch the bus home.”

  “I’d be delighted to take you home in my car.”

  She looked at him for a couple of seconds and could see he was sincere. Introducing herself as Heidi, she said. “That would be very kind of you.”

  He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “I have nothing special to do, and it’ll be a pleasure.”

  She chatted as they walked to the car. “My husband’s away on business and has left me without a vehicle. And I don’t like being in a big house with no one to talk to.”

  Venk just nodded and smiled from time to time. He thought what am I doing chatting to a woman. I must be going soft. But on the other hand she is attractive, and it would be nice to get on with a woman again. She bought more fruit and other items on the way, thanking him for being so kind.

  Venk felt hungry. “How about a quick lunch before I drive you home?”

  “That would be nice.” They sat opposite each other in a small café where she studied his face and whispered. “You’ve had a hard time lately.”

  “Yes. Things have been tough lately.”

  “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

  He noticed her deep blue eyes looking at him with a caring expression and shrugged. “I’d rather not.”

  She seemed to understand. “I’ll try not to pry too much, but just tell me a little about yourself.”

  He found himself wanting to tell her everything. “I live alone and I’ve just lost my job.”

  He stopped himself going any further, but it was such a temptation when he looked at her kind face with those lovely eyes and fair hair tumbling down to her shoulders. She asked where he lived but then stopped asking questions when he said. “Tell me about yourself.”

  She told him about her life and he just listened, smiling when she mentioned the things she liked doing. They sat for an hour until the waiter started to clear the table, and when Venk looked at his watch he could not believe they had been sitting there so long. They walked to the car and drove off with Venk feeling happy and light hearted. He liked being with this woman because she made him relax and talk a little. When they pulled up outside a large detached house just outside of town, he got out and opened the door f
or her.

  He carried her bags in, putting them on a large kitchen table and she thanked him. “Do stay for a cup of coffee. It won’t take long.”

  “I’d like that.” He sat at the table watching as she prepared the cups and saucers. As she took off her jacket, he thought what a nice figure she has. I wonder if I could make love to her? He dismissed the thought quickly, thinking about her husband away on business and that she would not be unfaithful to him after he had provided such a nice house for her.

  She studied his face again. “What are you thinking about? You have that far- away look again.”

  “I was just thinking what a nice house you live in.”

  “Yes I like it. I’ll show you the garden if you have time.”

  “I’d like that.” They sat and chatted about different things for some time. Venk became more relaxed and found he could talk easily, even found himself staring into her eyes and wanting to touch her. She suddenly got up.

  “Let me show you the garden.”

  He was slow to rise from the chair so she took his hand. “Come on.”

  He smiled and the physical contact caused a shock to go through his body, her hand was warm and gentle and it gave him a good feeling inside. She let go as they walked through the back door to the long wide rear garden with its central lawn, surrounded with shrubs and rockery plants. They spent an hour wandering slowly around, identifying the various plants and shrubs, and Venk found he could remember a lot of them from his old garden attached to the country cottage, which was sold when he was in prison. At the side of the house they passed under an arch covered with roses, and stopped to look at a small greenhouse full of tomatoes. “How well they look.” Venk remarked politely.

  “I think you must have had a garden of your own at some time.”

  He looked at her, thinking how perceptive she is, and wondering if he should tell her about that part of his past. Why not, he thought. It cannot do any harm. “Yes I would like to tell you about it.” They went back into the kitchen for another cup of coffee. Venk settled into the same chair and watched her again. “Heidi, do you really want to know about my past?” This was the first time he had felt able to use her first name.

  She smiled. “Of course I do, but you must tell me your first name. I refuse to call you Venk.”

  “But everyone calls me Venk.”

  “Never mind about that, I want to be different.”

  “It’s Rolf.” He replied shyly.

  “But that’s a nice name. You shouldn’t hide it.”

  He told her about his cottage in the country with its garden and how proud of it he was. Then he explained about his wife and how she had deserted him when she realised she could not have children and blamed him for it. Naturally the violent details were omitted. Heidi noticed him getting tense and nervous as he continued, and the strange look in his eyes when he spoke about his ex-wife. He found himself becoming twisted up inside as he re-lived some of the past events, seeing Sylvia in his mind and imagining her laughing and mocking him.

  Heidi became worried and put her hand on his forehead, “Stop. You must never talk of this again. I’m sorry I made you tell me about the past when it is obviously so painful to you.”

  He came back to reality with Heidi talking to him and stroking his hair. She had a calming effect on him and he soon recovered. “I’m sorry too, but I got carried away,” He smiled again.

  She sat beside him and frowned. “You must try not to think about the past. It’s obviously very bad for you.”

  “You’re right. I make myself ill regularly.”

  They talked about other things for a while until he looked at his watch. “It’s getting late, I must leave. I’m very grateful for your hospitality.”

  Oh Rolf, don’t be so formal. I’ve enjoyed your company and I’d like you to stay longer.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “My husband won’t be back for another week at the earliest. Besides I want to cook you a meal.”

  Venk was happy to stay longer. He helped her prepare the meal and they worked together in the kitchen. Whilst they waited for the food to cook, he admired and commented on how beautifully the rooms were decorated and furnished. He noticed how spotless everything was and that there was not a speck of dust anywhere. Even the cutlery was highly polished, and when he saw his reflection in a knife as he helped lay the table, he thought how well he looked.

  They ate a long drawn out dinner, talking almost non stop, and Venk commented “that is the best meal I have eaten for years.” This was probably true bearing in mind four and a half years of prison food, followed by his own cooking and cheap café meals.

  Heidi looked seriously at him. “You don’t look after yourself well enough.”

  “That is true, but I don’t suppose you cook a meal like that for yourself every day.”

  “No, I don’t but it is a pleasure to cook for you.”

  After they had finished and washed up Heidi suggested coffee, which they drank sitting in the lounge, with her telling him about her various activities. These included visiting a local mental institution and talking to patients whose relatives never came to see them. She told him about some of the sad cases she had seen and how it upset her at first, until she became used to it. Venk asked “what did you do when you were single?”

  He was not surprised when she said “nursing.” I specialised in childcare, but later worked with the mentally ill.”

  “Do you have any children?”

  “No. We tried for ten years and went through all sorts of tests. But it was no good, I couldn’t have any.”

  “I am sorry to hear that,” Venk said with feeling. It was getting late and he thought how time had flown. “Look at the time. It’s eleven already.”

  “Yes. It has been a lovely evening.”

  He got up and stretched. She also got up and moved closer. “Let me show you the rest of the house before you go.”

  “Please do” he whispered. They walked out of the room, turning the light off and she took his hand, leading him upstairs.

  The house had four bedrooms and a large bathroom; thick carpets in a pastel shade were everywhere and the curtains all matched the wallpaper. Venk had never seen such a perfect house before. She showed him all the rooms before lingering in the largest bedroom with its huge bed, light wood fitted cupboards and dressing table. She guided him across to the bed. “Sit down Rolf, and I will help you to feel better.”

  He sat still and watched as she turned on the small table lamp, turning off the main light and kicking off her shoes as she came back to him. “Let me massage your shoulders and neck.”

  He sat in a hazy warm glow as she knelt in front of him and removed his jacket and shirt, her head resting for a moment on his chest, and the smell of her perfume made him lightheaded and happy. She knelt on the bed behind him, and her hands began to work on his shoulders and back that had a wonderful relaxing effect on him, and after ten minutes he spoke for the first time. “That was terrific. I haven’t felt so good for ages.”

  “Good. I am glad you enjoyed it.” She pulled him back so that he was laying full length on the bed, and took off his shoes and socks. He closed his eyes as she gently massaged his chest. “Just relax and think of something nice.”

  “That’s easy when you are being so nice to me.”

  She stopped after a while and he watched as she slowly took off her skirt, slip and blouse, standing in front of him in just a bra and panties. Feelings materialised inside him that he had not experienced for years. She came back, massaged him again and then took off her bra that immediately seemed to excite him, and he reached out to touch her beautiful breasts. She closed her eyes as he gently fondled her, then lowered herself down on to him and kissed his face and lips, whilst his hands caressed her back. He pulled her panties down and she got up and stood naked in front of him. He trem
bled with passion as she removed his trousers and underpants, and was delighted to find him fully aroused. She massaged him all over and then lay beside him, kissing him as his hands explored her body. He was overwhelmed with pent-up passion, rolling on top of her as she spread her legs to receive him. He lay with his head between her breasts for a minute, breathing in her perfume with the sight of her beautiful naked body in his mind. He moved up to enter her and paused to kiss her neck, but suddenly he thought of his ex wife; the nightmare and the horrible vision returned vividly. His body tensed, his erection disappeared and he rolled over, curled up in a ball and groaned. Heidi was frightened at first, but she soon recognised his behaviour as being similar to what she had seen before in a hospital. She waited a couple of minutes and then talked to him as she stroked his forehead. He came back to reality slowly, she mopped the sweat from his brow and he muttered and whimpered, with saliva dripping from his mouth. After a while he looked at her. “I am sorry.”

  She reassured him. “It was not your fault. Just try and relax.” Whilst she fetched some water and a face cloth to bathe him, he sat with his mind in turmoil, his stomach twisted up and watched as she disappeared naked into the bathroom. She returned with a bowl of steaming water and a towel over one arm, washed him all over gently and he gradually felt his stomach relax. By the time she had finished he had nearly recovered, but still had a headache. His head throbbed as he watched her breasts bouncing when she walked across to the bed again. They lay side by side talking for a while, then she pulled the covers up and they snuggled down together, her arm resting on his chest as they finally drifted off to sleep.

  The next morning Venk awoke to find an empty bed. He sat thinking about the previous night, deciding he should do something about the situation or, he would never be able to make love again. Heidi came in with a cup of coffee, sat and talked for a while and then said “Let us have a shower together.” Venk did not know what to say and Heidi sensed his dilemma. “It will be all right if we keep talking, but you must think about me.” She took off her dressing gown and they walked naked to the bathroom. She washed him all over, told him how handsome he was and then handed him the soap. He started at her neck and worked down her body, and enjoyed the experience, but did not become sexually aroused. She sensed his disappointment and reassured him. “It will come back to you in time. Just be patient.”