Calling All Services (Calling All... Book 1)

by Tara Ford

  Unable to turn the clock back, Grant now had all the time in the world for his children and would always make every precious moment count.

  Being the firstborn, Jack had been dealt the roughest ride as far as Grant’s emotional state had been concerned. An unrelenting desire to be the best father possible to him and the others kept Grant on tender toes. (And even more so now!)

  Alex had said many times that Grant should not feel like he owed the children anything just because he hadn’t always been there emotionally for them. He was a great dad, a loving husband and a successful and distinguished man. Alex was usually right about everything and she liked to remind him of that from time to time.

  Memories of his married life and fatherhood filled Grant with pleasure momentarily, until the sickening truth of the present situation fell heavily on his heart again.

  Jack and Aaron

  “Right, let’s have a good look at these tickets. Don’t want to make any mistakes, do we?” Peering out of the corner of his eye at Aaron, Jack knew how his little brother was feeling. They could both think of far better ways to spend their Saturday night than train-hopping together. A nightclub would have been on the menu for Jack, meeting up with a few mates and chatting to some unsuspecting ladies.

  As for Aaron, he would have been happier to sit at home in his bedroom, merrily typing meaningless messages to friends on social networks, on his top-of-the-range laptop (his prized possession) or playing PC and Xbox games.

  “We’ve got to wait for three hours in Southampton!” Jack frowned as he studied the details.

  “We could get a taxi from there, couldn’t we?” Feeling more and more uncomfortable about the whole cock-up, Aaron turned to the window and stared at his own reflection as the darkness that sped by on the other side caused a mirror effect on the glass.

  “No bruv, I’m not paying another 50 quid for a taxi when it cost nearly 150 for train tickets!”

  “I’ll pay it then,” Aaron replied weakly.

  “No you’re not, mate. Tell you what...” An idea had sprung to Jack’s mind. “I’ll give Karen a call. She lives five minutes away from the station. We could go round there for a couple of hours if she’s at home. I haven’t seen her in ages.”

  “What? At two o’clock in the morning?” queried Aaron anxiously.

  “Yeah, she’s a party animal. She will have only just got home from the clubs at that time, knowing her. Come on mate, let’s do it, it’ll be a laugh.” Jack was always up for a laugh. “I don’t want to spend three hours sitting in a train station and we’re not paying out any more money to get home.”

  “I’d rather get a taxi and go straight home.”

  “Well, we can’t afford it, especially if it’s double time!” reiterated Jack. His mind was made up, they were going to see Karen. “I’ll call her and see if she’ll be at home, okay?”

  “Okay,” replied Aaron, feeling very unsure as his subconscious worry-demon surfaced.

  A rush of excitement raced through Jack’s veins as he sought Karen’s number in his phone’s large directory. He hadn’t seen her for two years, and it would be great to pop in and say hello after such a long time. So much had happened over those two years, and so much had changed.

  Karen and Jack’s friendship had started in college over six years ago. She stood out from the crowd on the bricklaying course, which tutored 17 students; 16 of those were men and then there was Karen. Jack and Karen had become inseparable during their time at the college, and their personalities just seemed to click together. Having the same sense of humour, the same outlook on life and enjoying the same things only strengthened their mutual respect. After a very brief dating encounter, they’d decided they would prefer to stay just good friends rather than lovers. Their sameness was too much the same to allow a deeper relationship to blossom.

  Dialling the number impatiently, Jack waited and listened to the ringtone as the train cut through the English countryside.

  “That’s it, then.” The beam on Jack’s face gave Aaron a sense of dread. “She’s out tonight at a party but she said she’ll be back by two. She can’t wait to see us!” The excitement in his voice skipped along at a pace. “She couldn’t believe it was me. She thought I was gone for good.” Jack laughed.

  Sitting quietly, deep in thought, Aaron tried to look happy for him but he really did not want to go to Karen’s house in the early hours of the morning. Waiting patiently in the station was a more favourable option, having only met Karen once before. He hardly knew her and his shyness would be awkward.

  But that was the difference between the two brothers. Jack was as outgoing, adventurous and inquisitive as an excitable puppy while Aaron was more like a tortoise, meandering along, minding his own business and living in his own cosy little shell.

  “She’s got a boyfriend now as well, so we’ll probably meet him too.” Jack grinned.

  “Are you sure they don’t mind us going round there at that time in the morning?” Aaron fretted.

  “No, she can’t wait. Stop worrying about everything mate – chillax!” Sensing Aaron wasn’t happy, Jack spoke more softly. “I’ll look after you mate, it’ll be fine. We’ll just stay for a cup of coffee and then get back to the station. Then that’s it, we’ll be on our way home to see Mum.”

  “Okay,” Aaron said, resigned.

  Several hours of catnapping and train-hopping later, they arrived in Southampton. Having spent most of the journey sending text messages to Karen, Jack had kept Aaron awake by laughing and giggling to himself, hence neither of them got any sleep, much to Aaron’s annoyance. As they stepped off the train, the cold night air pricked their droopy eyelids, waking and alerting them as it sent shivers through their fatigued bodies.

  “Come on then, follow me.” Crouching over, Jack whispered, “Mission accomplished, Sergeant – we have landed. Preparing to dispatch to Checkpoint Karen.”

  “Shut up, you wally,” sighed Aaron, peering around the station to see if anyone was looking, but there wasn’t a soul to be seen anywhere. The only signs of life were the sleepy pigeons nestled high in the rafters.

  “Cheer up mate.” Rubbing the top of Aaron’s hair, Jack realised just how tall his brother was getting. “How come you’ve managed to grow taller than me now?”

  “Dunno,” replied Aaron, feeling sorry for himself and wishing he could get home to his safe and comfortable bed. “You’re just a little squirt,” he added, trying to look cheerful as he forced a fake smile onto his innocent young face.

  “This way, young Private Frey – marching orders!” Guiding Aaron out of the station and onto the main road, Jack held onto his brother’s small shoulders and walked behind him, pushing him forward.

  “Get off me, you nutter,” Aaron laughed.

  “There, I knew I would make you laugh sooner or later.” Stepping alongside Aaron, Jack flung an arm over his shoulder as they strolled along the road, heading towards Karen’s flat.

  Holding his finger on the dimly-lit doorbell, Jack waited eagerly for a voice to answer through the intercom. Standing closely behind him, Aaron studied the names of the other residents in the block of flats that were displayed and lit up on the speaker panel.

  “Mr W. Kerr – I wonder if his first name is Wayne,” whispered Aaron.

  “What?” questioned Jack as he turned and gave his brother a puzzled stare.

  “Wayne Kerr!” Aaron giggled.

  Jack rolled his eyes and tutted. “You’re witty tonight.”

  “Hello?” a female voice came from the speaker.

  “It’s me, Jack,” he called, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

  “Hi hun, come on up,” the faceless voice spoke quietly.

  Strangely, Karen didn’t sound her usual bubbly self. Her voice was different from earlier in the evening when Jack had called from the train. Perhaps she hadn’t had a good time at the party, he thought as the front door clicked open.

  Standing out on the landing of the first floor, looking as beautif
ul as ever, Karen greeted Jack with open arms.

  “Look at you! How are you doing babe? Come in.” She pointed to the open door. “Hello Aaron, bloody hell you’ve grown, haven’t you?” Placing a hand on his shoulder, she offered Aaron the doorway, after Jack. “Go through to the front room, I’ll put some coffee on in a minute.” They all sat down on the two leather sofas, both angled towards a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall above an old-fashioned fireplace.

  “You’re looking well, Kaz.” Jack couldn’t help but notice her familiar curvy figure.

  “Thanks babe, you look great yourself,” she replied, flattered by his remark.

  Karen knew that she could always brush up pretty well, and particularly so this evening. Determined to impress her new boyfriend with her natural good looks, long, dark, wavy hair and voluptuous figure, she’d sensed that her low-cut black shift dress had been a winner at the party, but not only for her partner Jay.

  Karen often attracted lots of attention from male admirers and jealous glares from less attractive, insecure females, but she was made of tough stuff and could deal with the scowling from other women. Living her daylight hours in black trousers, steel-toed boots, a high visibility jacket and a hard hat, Karen’s feminine side would only manifest itself in the evenings and at weekends.

  “What’s the matter Kaz, you don’t seem to be your old self. Are you upset about something?” asked Jack bluntly.

  “I’ve just had a big row with Jay, my boyfriend. He’s pissed on vodka. He thinks I’m having an affair with you.” She shrugged. “He will regret it in the morning, I can tell you!”

  “Where is he?” enquired Jack sensitively.

  “Don’t know, he walked out and left the party. He’s probably walking the streets somewhere. He can think twice about coming home here!”

  Karen was a tough woman on the surface but Jack knew that deep down she had a kind heart and beautiful feminine qualities about her. The fact that she could drink more pints of lager than anyone Jack knew was just one of Karen’s many abilities.

  Having successfully completed the bricklaying course alongside Jack six years ago, she had managed to secure a summer job in the construction industry. The opportunity had been crucial in gaining experience and knowledge, thereby advancing her prospects to a university degree in building management. Karen now had a secure managerial job in the construction business and favourable career prospects for the future.

  “He bloody well knows that you and me go back years, Jack. I’m always talking about you. I told him you’re like my brother.” Suddenly two tears trickled down and over Karen’s soft cheeks, racing for first place to her chin.

  “Do you think we should go? If he comes back and we’re here it could provoke him.” Surprised at his sensible attitude, Jack knew the army had changed him and he’d matured. In the past, he wouldn’t have been quite so thoughtful and would have probably hung around just to see some ‘action’, or a fight.

  Aaron perched cautiously on the opposite sofa like an owl, turning his head from side to side, staring at Jack and then Karen, without saying a word. Wide-eyed and ears alert, he teetered on the edge of the seat, waiting to take flight, as soon as he heard the words, ‘let’s go!’

  “No, it’s all right Jack, don’t worry about that idiot. I’ll make you both a coffee; you’ve come a long way so it’s the least I can do. I’ll sort Jay out later.”

  And she probably would ‘sort him out’, surmised Jack.

  “Are you okay, Aaron?” Karen asked, wiping the tears from her face and pulling herself up to a proud standing position.

  “Yes, I’m good, thank you.” He grinned politely.

  Smiling sweetly, she left her two seated guests and went to the kitchen to turn on the coffee percolator.

  “How long are we staying?” whispered Aaron.

  “Just for a coffee and a chat. Not long, stop worrying about everyth—” Jack stopped short as the doorbell buzzed repeatedly like an angry swarm of bees.

  “Is that her boyfriend?” hissed Aaron.

  “Shush!” Rising from his seat, Jack peered through the window to the pavement below. “I can’t see anyone,” he whispered.

  Shifting on his perch, Aaron felt guilty, but wasn’t sure why.

  A few moments later Karen could be heard talking in a raised voice at the front door and then came the slurred speech of a man. Jack and Aaron strained their ears, trying to hear what was being said. It was obviously a heated conversation.

  “Shall we go?” asked Aaron, quite alarmed by the verbal battle echoing on the landing outside.

  “No, wait here a minute,” Jack huffed, hearing his name being mentioned by the deep voice. Creeping towards the door, Jack turned around to Aaron and mouthed, “Don’t move I’ll be back in a minute.” He had to try and calmly diffuse the situation. Alternatively, he would leave with Aaron quietly. Not wishing to cause any trouble between Karen and her boyfriend, Jack certainly had no intentions of causing a scene for the sake of a cup of coffee with an old friend.

  Approaching the turn in the hallway, he took two strides towards the front door. The intruder in a lovers’ tiff, he calmly advanced and spoke softly as he approached the doorway.

  “Look, I think we had better leave, Karen.”

  Focusing his inebriated eyes on Jack, Jay shouted, “Is this him? Ha! Can’t you do any better than that?” His tall, stocky figure filled the doorway as he drunkenly propped himself up on the frame with his hand.

  “For God’s sake, please stop this, you are pathetic,” said Karen. Fearfully glancing towards Jack, she shook her head in an attempt at an apology.

  “I think we should go and let you two sort this out,” suggested Jack, feeling slightly embarrassed about being in the middle of a situation like this.

  “No, you stay Jack, Jay can get lost. Come back tomorrow when you’re sober and we can discuss this,” she advised him angrily. Trying to close the door on him, Karen heaved and pushed with all her might but Jay burst his way through, knocking her sideways and headed straight towards Jack, spitting expletives as he towered over him.

  Smack!

  Throbbing pain rippled straight through Jack’s nose and filled his right eye, knocking him hard against the wall. Instantly, Jack’s quick reactions rendered Jay immobile on the opposite side of the hall. Pinning Jay to the wall, Jack overpowered him with a firm grip around his tormentor’s throat. Emotionally overdosed, Jack held back the urge to hit the man fully in the face as his disciplined army training served him well and he switched into ‘bring the situation under control’ mode. Fluid began to fill the space around his eye as his body went into instant repair-and-protect mode and padded his eye socket like a blister building on a rubbed foot.

  “Think you had better leave now,” said Jack calmly and quietly as he loosened his grasp on Jay’s scratched and reddened neck.

  Spluttering and gasping, Jay reached for his throat and rubbed the sore skin gently, in a state of shock.

  Deciding he had handled the situation pretty well, Jack envisaged a Clint Eastwood film where he acted out the placid persona of a cowboy in the old westerns.

  Jay had frozen against the wall in Jack’s powerful grip and sobered up instantly as the mighty hand loosened. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender and looked desperately at his captor as he inched away, stumbling, to the door.

  Transfixed and gripping the front door, Karen’s wide eyes reflected both sorrow and fear. She was overwhelmed by the speed and ferocity of the act she’d just witnessed between two of her most favourite people currently in her life.

  Overhearing a scuffle and the shouting and swearing, Aaron had tentatively fluttered through to the hallway and halted mid-stride as he beheld the horrifying scene before him. His soldier brother was actually killing another man! The man’s reddened face and bulging eyes were being pressed and squashed into the hall wall by Jack’s strong hand. Fearing the possibility of a new wallpaper design in Karen’s hallway (a montage of ex-b
oyfriend’s brains), Aaron began to feel very faint. Collapsing on the floor, his racing heart sent him into his imaginary shell where no one would see him or hear him and he would not have to be a witness to a murder.

  “Come on Karen, try and calm down.” Jack held her tightly in his arms as she shook with grief. “He’ll be back here tomorrow, begging for forgiveness.”

  “I don’t think I can forgive him for hitting you,” she sobbed. “I didn’t want it to turn out like this. I’ve seen him in a completely different light now.”

  Aaron lifted himself up onto the worktop and sat down waiting for his coffee to cool. The extra-sweet drink would aid his recovery from shock, he had been told, after Jack picked him up from the hallway and shuffled him into the kitchen. Aaron looked like a limp lettuce – a homesick limp lettuce to be precise – and his ashen face had worried both Jack and Karen.

  Jay had made a hurried exit, ahead of the front door slamming shut and had left the building quietly.

  Feeling really unhappy now, Aaron desperately wanted to get back to the train station. What would Dad say when he saw the state of Jack’s face, and more worryingly, what was Mum going to say?

  “Here, put the ice pack back on it. You’re going to have such a shiner there.” Karen managed to pull herself together and placed the frozen sausages, wrapped in a tea towel, back over Jack’s swollen eye.

  “Don’t be concerned about me, Kaz. Look, we really have to get going soon or we’ll miss the train. Are you sure you’ll be all right when we go?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be okay. I could probably do with a good night’s sleep.”

  “I’m sure you will be okay and sort it all out, you’re a big girl and I know you won’t let things get the better of you. He was very drunk. He’ll regret what happened when he wakes up,” replied Jack as he withdrew from the icy sausage compress numbing his cheek. “Text me later and let me know how things are.”

  Bleary-eyed, Karen nodded and gave him half a smile.