Next of Kin

by Welfare, Sue

  ‘What is it?’ she said. ‘What are you planning? Please don’t do anything else stupid. What is it?’

  ‘Not me. It’s Woody; he said that he might be able to help.’

  Sarah snorted. ‘Really? He’s helped you enough already, don’t you think? What the hell was he thinking getting you tied up with this lot in the first place? Was he the one who told them where you lived?’

  ‘I don’t know, Sarah. And it’s not his fault. Really. He’s a good guy. He was trying to help me out, that’s all.’

  ‘So how can he help now?’

  ‘They hadn’t been gone more than a few minutes when he showed up. I was in a state. He wanted to know what the matter was, so I told him. He was really upset. He blames himself. He said Farouk was pretty heavy duty. I mean not that Woody needed to tell me that. I could see it from the boys he’d got working for him. I told him about them wanting the money back. And then he said that he’s got savings and things and that his parents are loaded, ‘Ryan said. He was animated now, excited. She could see that he had seen some sort of a way out of where he was that she couldn’t.

  ‘And so, what? He’s going to lend you the money?’ asked Sarah.

  ‘Not exactly but he was saying he might be able to help.’

  ‘I don’t understand. Why? Does he feel guilty, because if he doesn’t he bloody well should do. He knows the way you are with money. Why the hell did he suggest you borrow money off someone he was afraid of? It’s totally crazy. And so much money…’ Sarah shook her head. ‘I suppose it’s stupid to ask if you’ve got any left?’

  Ryan made a non-committal noise. ‘I think he feels bad about it,’ he said. Ignoring her question.

  But there was something else. Sarah could see it in his face, she knew him too well to be fooled. ‘What, Ryan? What is it?’

  ‘He wants to stay in the UK.’

  ‘I know that. You told me before.’ She could see him struggling to find the right words or maybe the courage to say what was on his mind. ‘What is it, Ryan, for god’s sake just spit it out, will you?’

  Ryan leaned back and lay his hands palm down on the table. ‘Woody has said that he would let me have the money.’

  ‘Okay, well that’s good. If we can work it out then we can pay him pack when the house is sold.’

  He looked up at her. ‘It’ll be too late then.’

  ‘Too late? What do you mean? I’m not with you.’

  ‘He’ll be back home.’

  ‘That’s not a problem, we can still get the money to him. We can work it out.’

  ‘I know, but he’s desperate to stay in the UK. And he’s got a solution. Just let me finish.’ Ryan paused. ‘Woody said that he would let me have the money if you agreed to marry him.’

  Sarah felt her jaw drop. She stared at Ryan and then she laughed. ‘What? Are you completely mad? What the hell. No! I’m not going to marry Woody – for god’s sake, what is that, some sort of sick joke?’

  Ryan’s expression didn’t change. Sarah’s laughter faded and died.

  ‘You can’t be serious, Ryan. Oh come on. You can’t sell me off so you can sort your life out. What are you thinking? I’m going out with Josh. We’ve been talking about moving in together – no – no you’re mad. No.’ She held up her hands to fend the idea off.

  ‘Please,’ said Ryan. ‘Just hear me out. It would just be a piece of paper, that’s all, nothing else. Just a formality so that he could stay here. And then he could apply for a visa so he can carry on living here. A right to remain. At the moment he hasn’t got a leg to stand on. If he doesn’t get it he’ll just have to go home or risk staying on illegally and being deported.’

  ‘That’s not my problem. No, No – I can’t, Ryan. I can’t.’

  ‘But it’s just a piece of paper, ’he said again. ‘And what other way is there?’

  ‘No. Just no.’

  Sarah

  ‘Did you talk to Josh about the situation with Ryan?’

  ‘No, no I didn’t say anything. Josh had got a job to do in Brighton for a couple of weeks, so he was going to stay down there in a B&B, and I didn’t want to talk to him about it over the phone. When he asked me why I was so quiet I told him Ryan had lost his job and left it at that. He didn’t press me. He wanted to talk about the future. Our future. Maybe I should have told him, it would have made things so much simpler later on, but I didn’t. To be honest I didn’t know what to say to him. It was crazy. I just couldn’t believe Ryan had got himself into such a muddle.’

  ‘Didn’t it occur to you that Josh might be able to help?’

  ‘No, I mean, I suppose so, but I didn’t want to ask him.’

  ‘But you could have talked it through with Josh.’

  ‘I know but Josh is a good man. He is the kind of person who, if I had talked to him about it would have felt he had to do something to help me. He’s like that. I didn’t want to put him in that position. First of all I didn’t want him anywhere near Farouk. And I was ashamed, embarrassed. ’

  ‘By Ryan?’

  ‘By the money, the marriage, the whole thing. Ryan is a liability, a dreamer. He’s always been unrealistic and self-centred; all he can ever see is what he wants and needs. And he doesn’t care about how any of that affects anyone else. He had made me vulnerable and he couldn’t see it. How could he even talk about something like that with Woody? I understand he wanted to turn things around, but why did he borrow the money to take on a six month contract? This is a man who found it hard to do two days running at work, let alone six months. What was he thinking about?’

  ‘Maybe he thought it was worth the risk.’

  ‘He was so stupid. Twenty thousand pounds. How the hell did he think he was ever going to be able to pay it back?’

  ‘So what did you do?’

  ‘I did what I said I was going to do. I made an appointment to see the bank manager on the Monday morning.’

  ‘And? ’

  ‘He took one look at my figures and my bank statements and said that he couldn’t see his way clear to lending me any money against the house while it was in trust, and on my current income and outgoings he didn’t feel I would be able to service a personal loan of that size. Not that I had thought he would but I had to start somewhere. It made me feel like I was doing something.’

  ‘And so what happened next?’

  ‘When I got home I asked Ryan if there was any way we could arrange to talk to Farouk or this man who had given him the money, meet up, maybe see if they would give him some leeway, or some more time – but he just laughed and said they weren’t that sort of people; you couldn’t make an appointment and have a friendly little chat.’

  ‘And what about Woody, did you talk to him about his offer at this stage?’

  ‘And say what? No. I didn’t want to even see him, let alone talk to him. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything to him, not after what he’d suggested to Ryan. I couldn’t believe he had even suggested it. It felt like he was trying to buy us both. And I was angry. What sort of person offers to get married for money? I couldn’t bear to look at him. As soon as he came in I went out or upstairs.’

  ‘And Josh?’

  ‘It was crazy, stupid.’

  ‘What was?’

  ‘The whole thing. It felt like I couldn’t breathe. I left a message on Josh’s answer machine and told him I was really busy at work, that there was someone off sick and that I had been asked to cover for them – and I avoided his phone calls. It was just to give myself some breathing space really, just to give me a chance to think about what we should do. And what I could say.’

  ‘By we, do you mean you and Ryan, Sarah?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so.’

  ‘So you were avoiding Josh?’

  ‘Yes. And then towards the end of the week I got a phone call when I was at work at the restaurant.’

  ‘From Josh?’

  ‘No, from the hospital. They rang to tell me that Ryan had been beaten up. He’d been coming home fro
m the pub after work. At least three men jumped him and dragged him into a side alley where they keep the bins. They broke his fingers, smashed his face up. Kicked him. It was so awful. He looked terrible.’

  ‘Are you okay, Sarah? Would you like a break? Maybe a glass of water?’

  ‘No, no I’m fine. It’s just – it was awful. Ryan was a mess. Just looking at him made me hurt. I went to A&E at Addenbrookes, but by that time they’d admitted him for observation. His face was such a mess. I tried to persuade him to tell the police who’d done it, and what it was about, but he wouldn’t. He told them he had no idea who it was. The officer who came round to take his statement kept telling us that he was probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Crazy.’

  ‘But Ryan told you what happened?’

  ‘Eventually. He said that they’d told him next time they saw him they’d kill him and then they planned to come after me, and that he had two weeks to come up with the money, or else. And…’

  ‘And there was something else?’

  ‘Yes. They said they would burn the house down if that was what it took.’

  ‘You sound as if you were resigned to it.’

  ‘Resigned? What do you mean? How can you possibly say that? I wasn’t resigned; I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. All the things that have happened – I felt crushed and scared, and it felt like there was no one who could help. I’ve never done anything illegal in my life; I’ve not got so much as a parking fine. Can you understand what I’m saying? I wasn’t resigned, I was frantic.’

  ‘It’s okay, just take a breath, calm down – I can hear what you’re saying. So what did you do?’

  ‘What choice did I have?’

  ‘Didn’t it occur to you to go and see the police yourself, Sarah?’

  ‘No. Ryan was terrified about that. Terrified that I might do it off my own bat. He begged me not to tell anyone. He said if I split on them I’d only make things worse. I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never felt so lost – or so trapped, or so scared.’

  ‘So what did you do?’

  ‘I went home to talk to Woody.’

  Chapter Eight

  Riding the bus way back from the hospital, Sarah kept glancing over her shoulder, just in case the men who beat up Ryan were there, just in case they were following her. Would they follow her onto a bus? Worse, would they follow her home? She glanced round at the faces; the boy in the hoodie, the man with tattoos, ponytail and a denim jacket with the sleeves ripped out, busy reading his newspaper, were they after her? Or the two men in tee shirts or the fat man in the scruffy suit? She tried hard not to meet anyone’s eye, wishing she had asked Ryan more questions, like what did the men look like? How old were they? She kept her head down, willing herself small and invisible.

  By the time Sarah got through the city the bus was almost empty, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched. When they got close to her stop, she got up and stood by the door so she could get off quickly. The driver had barely stopped before she clambered down the steps and headed for home, sticking to the middle of the path, keeping in the light till finally she got to her turning and then she upped her pace, taking one more long glance behind her, before she hurried along the road, ran up the path, slammed the front door behind her and slid across the bolts, top and bottom, her heart thumping like a drum in her ears.

  Sarah stood for a few moments to catch her breath, pressing her back up against the solid wooden door, as if there might already be someone there on the other side, and that she could hold them back. She felt tired and lost, the scent of the hospital clinging to her clothes and hair.

  After a minute or two Sarah took a deep breath, slipped off her coat and hung it up on the hallstand before heading into the kitchen. Her plan had been to make a tea, settle herself, and then go upstairs to see if Woody was in, but it seemed there was no need. He was already in the kitchen. He had his mobile phone in his hand, and was standing by the sink waiting for the kettle to boil. She had a sense that he had been waiting for her to get home.

  ‘So how did it go? How is Ryan?’ he said, glancing over at her, before she had time to say anything. He hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket. ‘How’s he doing?’

  Sarah stared at him. Something about his expression unsettled her. ‘How did you know about Ryan?’ she asked.

  ‘Sorry, it was me who took the phone call. The hospital rang here first. I was upstairs working. I hope you didn’t mind me answering the phone. I was expecting a call. I gave them your mobile number. Do you want a tea?’

  Sarah shook her head.

  He dropped his teabag into the bin. ‘So how is he?’

  ‘Awful. His face is a total mess. I didn’t recognise him when I went in. He’s got god knows how many stitches, a broken nose – lost some teeth. Cuts, bruises, cracked ribs. They broke some of his fingers.’ Sarah closed her eyes and made an effort to swallow down an unexpected flurry of tears. She didn’t want to share this with Woody of all people, but who else was there that she could talk to?

  ‘They said they’re going to keep him for a day or two for observation. They’re worried that there might be swelling in the brain. The doctor said he’s lucky he didn’t lose an eye. Or worse. Ryan’s frightened, but he won’t say anything about who did it.’ Sarah met Woody’s gaze. ‘They could have killed him.’

  Woody nodded.

  ‘Why on earth did you have to introduce Ryan to people like that? You told me you were frightened of Farouk, and you know what Ryan’s like. He’s a complete disaster with money. How could they let him borrow so much?’

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want some tea?’ Woody said. His voice was gentle, even, sympathetic. Sarah’s shoulders slumped. Before she could say anything else he was switching the kettle back on, finding a mug. It unsettled her. She didn’t like how proprietorial and how easy and at home he seemed to be in her kitchen. ‘I’m really sorry about Ryan,’ he said. ‘I didn’t think it would turn out like this.’ He slid the biscuit tin onto the table and opened it.

  ‘Will you just stop playing house? Sorry isn’t enough,’ Sarah said grimly. ‘Sorry won’t get Ryan out of this bloody mess. He won’t go to the police. You have got to talk to him. You have to make him see sense and tell him to turn these men in. They’re animals, Woody. You should see the state of him. They need locking up. I can’t believe you set Ryan up to meet with them. They could have killed him.’ The words came out on the edge of a ragged desperate sob.

  Woody held up his hands. ‘I know, I know, but trust me, Sarah, I’m not the enemy here. Really. I want to help if I can.’ His tone was even, conciliatory. The kettle clicked off the boil.

  ‘No? That’s what it feels like. Why the hell did you introduce Ryan to your friends?’ she sobbed, while he made the tea she didn’t want and hadn’t asked for.

  ‘They’re not my friends. They’re Farouk’s friends and I didn’t know what Ryan was going to do, did I? He just told me that he wanted to borrow some money, that’s all, I didn’t ask him how much he wanted, and you’d said I wasn’t to give him any more.’

  ‘So what? You’re saying that this is my fault?’ Sarah snapped.

  Woody pulled a face and then shrugged. ‘No, I’m not saying that. I’m just telling you what happened.’

  ‘We both know what happened, Ryan got beaten up over a debt he hasn’t got a snowball’s chance in hell of paying off. You have to go the police, Woody. Please,’ she begged. ‘Please, you know who they are. We can stop this before it goes any further. They’ve threatened to kill him. You have to ring them. Please.’

  He smiled grimly and shook his head. ‘That’s not going to happen.’

  Sarah stared at him; she felt cold and fragile and powerless. And nothing he was saying was helping.

  ‘They beat him up, Woody. They said they’re going to kill him. And he believes that they will if he doesn’t do something.’ Her voice quivered and finally cracked. ‘And they said if he doesn’
t pay up there’re going to come after me next. Burn the house down. Do you understand?’

  He slid the mug of tea across the table towards her. ‘And you think the police are going to be able to stop them?’

  ‘Yes.’

  He shook his head. ‘Well, you’re wrong. They can’t. They can’t watch anyone twenty-four seven. And what if the police bring them in for questioning and then lets them back out again, or if Ryan refuses to identify them or press charges? Then what happens? You’re back to square one. And these aren’t the kind of people you mess with.’

  Sarah stared at him. ‘So what are we going to do? All that money. I don’t understand; how could he have been so stupid?’

  Woody shrugged. ‘I know. I thought Ryan wanted to borrow, I don’t know, a couple of hundred pounds, five maybe, at the most,’ he said. ‘I would have given him that. It would have been easy.’

  ‘But I told you not to?’

  Woody nodded. ‘Like I said it would have been easy.’

  ‘Well, it isn’t easy now, is it? What the hell am I going to do?’ Sarah sobbed, unable to hold the tears back any longer. ‘What am I going to do?’

  She felt Woody’s hand drop gently onto her shoulder. ‘I’m sure that we can work something out,’ he said, and something in his tone made her shiver. She looked up at him. He was smiling.

  Sarah

  ‘And then Woody insisted that I drank the tea he had made. He got me some tissues, and we sat down and then he said, “I know Ryan’s talked to you about my proposition”.’

  ‘His proposition?’

  ‘To marry him.’

  ‘And are you sure that that is what Woody meant, Sarah?’