by Quig Shelby
‘New Year’s Eve.’
At least he’d have Din back thought James; he wasn’t making any headway in his crumbling drugs empire, although he hadn’t told Christine.
‘Do you have it Charles?’ asked Dela.
He looked a little flustered, and he could see Plackcedes grinning at him with that gap in her teeth. Finally he remembered.
‘Of course,’ he said, and he handed Dela a photo of Bill and Barbara from his jacket pocket.
‘I thought that would be most appropriate,’ he said.
‘Excellent,’ replied Dela. ‘And for Din I have his favourite watch.’
It was a Rolex, diamond encrusted - naturally.
‘And for Koni?’ asked Christine making James feel a little nervous.
‘This delightful pen he was quite fond of,’ said Dela holding up the article like a clerk in a courtroom with the exhibit.
Christine smiled, and fortunately James didn’t notice.
It was nearly midnight, and everyone else had gone to bed. Joost opened the wooden dolls until he had Lucy Middlemass’ number in his hand. Tentatively he sent a text ‘I’m ready to talk. Joost’.
He was sat on the sofa with a glass of scotch in his hand when the phone vibrated.
‘Is that Mr van Houten?’ asked Lucy.
‘Please call me Joost,’ he said.
And they had a long and thoughtful discussion about redemption and resurrection in warm hushed tones. Lucy was grateful for his role in Oxford, and he for Dilwood’s death. Din’s demise was the icing on the Christmas cake.
‘Where have you been?’ asked Bheki as Joost got underneath the bed sheets.
‘I was having a drink,’ he replied.
‘No more secrets I hope,’ said Bheki.
‘Not at all,’ replied Joost.
Bheki had never seen him with such a wide smile on his face. Obviously she was keeping him happy, but could he do the same for her?
Boxing Day and they went for a walk in the park. There were lovers, couples with families, and singles. Which if any, thought Bheki, would she and Joost become? Although she was proud to be holding such a handsome man.
The ring was burning a hole in Joost’s pocket, £10,000 worth from the sale of his flat. But for now, after speaking with Lucy, he was holding back. He kissed Bheki on the cheek.
‘I thought you had something for me?’ she asked.
‘I have, but I can’t give it you whilst everyone is watching,’ he replied.
Bheki laughed, and they walked arm in arm, down the hill into Greenwich.
Chapter Fifty Four
They were paying a visit to Miriam Goodyear, to see how she was coping, but Joost had an ulterior motive. After visiting the bathroom he quietly swept into Abel’s study, and opened the top right hand drawer of his bureau. It was exactly where he’d seen the pastor leave it the last time they talked - his watch.
On their way back Joost was dying to see John Lacey’s old flat, but he didn’t want to visit until he’d shook Bheki off.
‘I’m going to get some more booze,’ he said as Bheki got out of the car.
‘Well don’t be long, Eudy and Themba have taken Noah for a check-up, and the house is empty,’ she said with a glint in her eye.
Joost felt even guiltier, but drove as fast as he could.
Bheki couldn’t figure him out. One minute he was terrified to drive alone, the next he was OK, one day he wanted to get engaged, the next day he stalled. He’d bought her a massive rock she wasn’t supposed to see, and then he stole the pastor’s gold watch - whatever was he up to she thought?
Joost was shocked to see the removals van being loaded up outside John’s flat, but perhaps he’d made it just in time. He left the screwdriver in the glove compartment, passing two guys carrying a fridge freezer on his way in.
‘He’s gone,’ said the old lady.
‘I know,’ said Joost.
‘I don’t just mean he’s left, I mean he’s dead,’ said the woman.
‘I know,’ said Joost again.
She didn’t even bat an eyelid, such was her sorrow.
‘A mother always knows,’ said the craggy faced woman with sadness drawn on her face.
‘Are you another of his so called friends looking for drugs?’
‘No,’ said Joost.
‘Well don’t just stand there then, come and tell me what you know.’
The old lady came to the conclusion that Joost was as high as a kite, but at least she had someone to talk too, someone who listened.
‘He had such a sad life really,’ she said ‘but I never knew until it was too late.’
‘Knew what?’ asked Joost.
‘The goings on at the church,’ she replied ‘with that priest.’
‘I had to bring him up alone’ she continued ‘his stepdad didn’t want to know, hated kids.’
Joost didn’t explore the church scandal; he could tell it would be heart breaking from the look in the old woman’s eyes. But he did lend a shoulder to cry on.
‘I’m looking for something,’ Joost finally said.
‘Go on,’ she replied.
‘A souvenir to remind me of John.’
He’d said enough about the afterlife.
‘Take your pick,’ came the reply.
Joost rummaged from box to box, but couldn’t find a pen.
‘Where does he keep his gear?’ he asked.
The woman looked disappointed.
‘It’s all gone,’ she said ‘and I thought you were different.’
‘Trust me, I am.’
‘Look under the sink, that’s all you’ll find,’ said the woman.
There were no drugs, but Joost did find what he was looking for, a metal pen with no ink that John used to snort his coke.
‘This will do just fine,’ said Joost.
‘Alright son, I think you’d better go now.’
‘Sure, and you know something, John turned out to be a great kid,’ said Joost.
She smiled.
When he got back Bheki didn’t even ask; something was afoot, but she was no longer sure if she cared.
Joost checked his phone every half hour, and eventually got the text he was waiting for ‘Harrods 10 tomorrow morning’.
Joost caught a glimpse of Lucy with her mum near the designer bags. With his back to hers, surrounded by frantic shoppers, he slipped a small package into her coat pocket. Before he could go, and with Christine in the next aisle, Lucy grabbed his arm, and thrust a piece of paper into his hand. ‘Thieves wood 11 p.m. New Year’s Eve’ it read.
It looked like he wouldn’t be counting down the clock with Bheki after all.
Chapter Fifty Five
She’d been asleep when he’d quietly got dressed, and Bheki knew what the letter left on Joost’s pillow was, even before she opened it.
‘Sorry but I can’t be here tonight. It was wrong to keep you hanging on, but tomorrow’s another year. Thanks for loving me, Joost.’
She tore up the letter, and threw the bedside vase at the wall. Eudy came rushing in.
‘I saw his car leave this morning with his bags packed,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry sis.’
‘Hey the world’s full of one eyed handsome men,’ said Bheki as her tears began to fall.
Joost arrived in the evening at the reference point on the map - soles point. He was on the high ground above Thieves wood, wearing army surplus camouflage and boots. He checked his night scope and revolver, and poured himself a black coffee.
Four cars stopped on the perimeter of the wood. Someone opened a gate, and they slowly drove in. Joost ran down the hill to his car.
It was best to be around people, and they were spending New Year ’s Eve at Miriam
’s. The house was packed, and Miriam had just finished reading the last sermon written by Abel. It was only half finished, but poignant nonetheless; it was about love, loss, and carrying on the good fight in adversity.
‘Where’s Joost?’ asked Miriam.
Bheki was tongue tied for once.
‘He’s indisposed,’ said Eudy on her behalf, before noticing something else. ‘Have you seen Themba anywhere lately?’
It was Dela’s rogue’s gallery, and everyone was there. They cleared a sufficient area, making a large circle on the ground with branches. Mr Pandalay and Susie Chang splashed over them with petrol from two large jerry cans, and all that remained were the tokens.
‘May I do the honours?’ Lucy asked Dela.
‘Be my guest,’ said Dela handing over the mementoes.
She was about to wear the crocodile mask.
Lucy stepped up to the ring, and threw in a photograph, a watch, and a pen. Joost was watching from a safe distance through the trees.
‘It’s nearly time,’ said an excited Miriam, and along with the television everyone got ready to count down.
‘Stand back everybody,’ said Dela, and Plackcedes lit the fire, quickly stepping back from the flames.
‘Ten, nine, eight,’ they counted, with Bheki and Eudy holding hands.
Little Noah was sleeping through it all, and Themba had vanished into thin air long ago; but he’d received a vision from the ghost of Pastor Abel Goodyear.
Plackcedes saw something fall from Lucy’s pocket next to her, and picked it up. She was shocked, and handed the photograph to Dela as quick as she could. But before the high priestess could ask ‘then who ...?’ four unexpected figures appeared in the circle.
‘Three, two, one,’ they shouted, and ‘Happy New Year sis,’ said Eudy.
‘Thanks Dela,’ said Joost stepping from behind the bushes, and pointing the gun at her chest.
‘Oh and in case you’re wondering about the photo, it was Stella and Hildy van Houten.’
The flames were dying down, but fireworks lit the skies.
‘Well let’s not just stand here,’ said Pastor Abel to the others, and they made their way to Joost, stepping over the dying flames.
Joost couldn’t take his eyes off of Stella, and Gasper Owido tried to grab the gun. In the struggle a shot rang out, and the weapon dropped like a hot cake.
‘Nobody move,’ said Themba holding a gun of his own.
Joost picked up his smoking gun from Dela’s feet.
‘Get to the car,’ he said to Stella and Hildy.
‘Make that cars,’ said Themba.
Joost made sure the others had a head start, and then ran after them.
‘Quick stop them,’ shouted Dela, but no one else’s car would start; they’d stolen the keys.
Dela fell to the floor, wounded and bleeding. Plackcedes was first by her side, and then Felix.
‘I’ve been hit,’ said Dela, and there was a pool of blood forming on her chest.
She was about to see Din after all.
Abel had taken a ride with Themba, but they all made it back to his house in one piece.
‘For once I’m lost for words my son,’ said Abel to Joost whilst standing outside his front door, on the threshold of a miraculous return.
‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ said the pastor.
‘Thank Bheki,’ said Joost ‘and Themba’.
‘By the way how did you know?’ Joost asked Themba.
‘The pastor told me.’
‘And the gun?’ asked Joost.
Themba pressed the trigger, and a flame shot forth.
‘Mai’s cigarette lighter,’ he replied.
As Abel walked into the house the crowds parted leaving a path to Miriam. Many fell on their knees making the sign of the cross. Bheki was both laughing and crying; instinctively she knew Joost had got his wife back.
‘OK John you’re next, where too?’ asked Joost.
‘My mums,’ he said.
‘Joost?’
‘Yes John?’
‘How can I ever repay you?’
‘That’s a question I should ask you,’ replied Joost.
‘Anyway if you ever need me, just come knocking,’ said John.
‘And vice versa my friend,’ said Joost.
The old woman was home alone when she opened the door, and simply put her arms around him. Her son was home, and she could tell; he’d left the demons behind.
Eventually they were alone, the van Houten family.
‘I don’t know how you did it Joost, but Hildy said you’d never give up,’ said Stella.
Joost tried to act strong, but the tears couldn’t help themselves falling from his remaining eye.
‘What’s happened to your eye?’ asked Stella.
‘It’s a long story,’ said Joost.
‘Joost we need to talk,’ said Stella.
‘Of course,’ he said.
‘About Bheki, and alone’ said Stella, nodding her head towards Hildy.
‘Oh,’ he said.
‘Let’s join the revellers in Trafalgar Square,’ said Hildy ‘I’ve only ever seen it on TV.’
In the early morning he left them on the doorstep of the South African Embassy.
‘What are you going to say?’ asked Joost.
‘Don’t worry I’ll think of something,’ said Stella.
They looked exactly as they did on that fateful day.
‘Keep in touch dad, I love you,’ shouted Hildy after him.
He waved back before turning the corner, and four squabbling figures rushed by him on their way from a party; three Africans in tribal dress, and an English explorer.
‘Where’s Bheki?’ Joost asked Themba back at the house.
Eudy answered.
‘She’s gone Joost,’ she said.
He sat down on the sofa, head in his hands.
‘She did leave a message though,’ said Eudy.
‘Go on,’ he said expecting to hear a final rebuke.
‘I’ll be at my favourite restaurant,’ said Eudy.
‘That’s it,’ said Joost.
‘That’s it,’ said Eudy.
‘So what is her favourite restaurant?’ asked Joost.
‘You tell me,’ said Eudy.
‘Themba?’ asked Joost.
‘Sorry, I can’t help you on this one.’
Joost looked dumbfounded.
‘What took you so long?’ asked Bheki.
Joost tucked his chair under the table at the Blue Samurai, and smiled. The waiters were still clearing up from the previous night.
‘It’s over,’ he said.
‘I thought as much,’ said Bheki ‘so why have you come?’
‘Because it’s over between me and Stella; she doesn’t want me, and I don’t want her, it’s you I love.’
Bheki looked at him in disbelief.
‘It’s true Bheki, honest to God.’
Bheki pulled a Bible from her bag.
‘Swear it,’ she said ‘and be careful, you know there’s an afterlife.’
He swore.
‘But why?’ asked Bheki.
‘Two reasons,’ said Joost.
‘One, we’d grown apart years ago, and two you mean more to me than anything else in the world.’
‘Prove it,’ said Bheki.
‘I’ve got something in my pocket’ said Joost.
‘Haven’t we been there before?’ said Bheki grinning.
‘Not exactly,’ he said, and he pulled out the engagement ring Bheki had already secretly seen.
‘You’re certain Joost?’ she asked.
‘Yes,’ he replied.
/> ‘In that case I accept, we’re engaged’ she said.
The owner and his staff burst into applause, and for once they both looked rather sheepish.
Back home there was more good news, and Joost showed Bheki the text message.
‘Dela was hit by the bullet. She’s dead. Good luck. Lucy.’
Chapter Fifty Six
James Middlemass was feeling glad to be alive, when the doorbell rang.
‘Who is it dear?’ shouted Christine from upstairs.
‘It’s just some old acquaintances,’ James shouted back.
John Lacey and Abel Goodyear stood before him. They’d waited until Lucy had gone for a ride on her new bike, a present for Christmas; there was no point in traumatising his daughter too much.
‘Remember me?’ asked John.
‘How could I forget,’ answered James solemnly.
‘I hope you’re still not angry John, it wasn’t entirely all my fault was it,’ said James smirking.
‘Now gentleman let’s not have an unseemly argument,’ said Abel.
‘James the good news is, it’s almost never too late to redeem oneself,’ said Abel.
‘Precisely,’ said James ‘but what’s the bad news?’
‘This,’ said John, and he stabbed Reverend James Middlemass right through the heart.
‘Or let me put it another way,’ said Abel to the dying devil at their feet ‘an eye for an eye.’
As they were about to turn and leave in Abel’s car, he noticed one last thing, and dragged it off of James’ wrist.
‘Would you believe it,’ said Abel ‘my gold watch.’
The new nurse, fresh from college, looked out onto the beautiful snow topped gardens. Freshly crunched on top were a set of paw prints.
He looked around at his new office. This is what he’d always wanted to do, care for the elderly in a nursing home like Greenpastures.
There was a cat pawing at the window, and he lifted it up. The golden striped feline immediately jumped onto his desk, and began purring, arching his back. It was all the fresh faced nurse could do but sit him on his lap, and stroke him.
‘My you are a friendly one aren’t you,’ he said.
But his own thoughts were becoming strangely less friendly, and by the time the cat had left they were distinctly homicidal.