The Goldsworth Series Box Set

by Davie J Toothill

  “I was just doing the dishes,” she said airily. “All finished now, so I’ll just get off to bed now.”

  She turned, keeping her back to Clint and shuffled to the door. Clint caught a glimpse of her face and stopped her.

  “What happened to your eye?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.

  The bin was overflowing with empty beer cans, which meant that Rakhul had been enjoying an evening of drinking and fisticuffs with his wife.

  Clint ground his teeth, trying to stop himself from shouting.

  “It was him, wasn’t it?” he said softly.

  Femi shook her head, but only half-heartedly. There was no point, after all, in denying what was going on, as they both knew all too well.

  “Why do you out up with it?” Clint asked, hugging his mum. “You don’t have to, you know.”

  He let go of her and she looked into his face, her eyes moist.

  “You’re a good boy,” she said, patting his cheek. “You’ll make something of yourself. You and Kojo will.”

  She pecked him on the cheek and moved off to the bedroom, leaving Clint standing alone in the kitchen. He switched the light off and went into his bedroom.

  As he crawled between the sheets, he heard Kojo’s gentle snores and wondered at how much different their lives may have been if only their mother had the strength to leave her husband. Even as he thought this, he knew that it would never happen. As wonderful a mother as Femi was, Clint knew that she could never bring herself to leave Rakhul.

  * * *

  The flat was dark and Aurora fumbled for the light switch, casting the hallway into a bright light. She checked the lounge and found it empty. Loud snores drifted through the flat and Aurora pushed her mother’s bedroom door open slightly. In the chink of light that poured into the room from the hallway, Aurora could make out her mother’s sleeping form beneath the sheets. She closed the door and went into the kitchen, careful not to make noise, although she was sure that her mother had drunk herself into a stupor that would be hard to wake her from.

  In the kitchen, her suspicions were confirmed. Two empty vodka bottles stood on the table and Aurora guessed that her mother was knocked out on the vodka and the pills she now popped hourly.

  She retreated to her own bedroom and dropped her bag onto Shaniqua‘s bed. She kicked off her shoes and undressed. A knock on the door startled her. She pulled a dressing gown on over her underwear and crept down the corridor.

  The peephole was too dirty to see who was standing on the other side of the front door. There was another knock, louder this time. Aurora opened the door, expecting to see Clint standing there, grinning like he did whenever he saw her.

  The light illuminated a dark figure standing at her door. He looked up and his eyes met hers. Aurora was taken aback. Troy smiled, showing white teeth.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Aurora pulled the dressing gown closer to her chest. His eyes seemed to linger on her body for a moment before he looked up at her.

  “Can I come in?” he asked.

  Aurora paused, unsure of what she should do. He saved her the trouble of answering as he stepped past her and into the corridor. Aurora closed the door awkwardly behind him and looked at him. In the light of the corridor, his eyes looked unnerving as they took in his surroundings.

  “Is everything okay?” Aurora asked, unsure what else to say.

  Troy shrugged, “Just had an argument, that’s all. But could be worse, I guess.”

  Aurora kept quiet, watching Troy as he remained standing in the corridor, seemingly not in a rush to tell her why he had come around.

  “You got anything to drink?” Troy asked, looking at her inquiringly.

  Aurora nodded and went into the kitchen and poured him a cider. She could feel his eyes on her and wished that the hem of the dressing gown was lower.

  She passed him the glass and he sauntered out of the room. Aurora followed reluctantly, her mind racing. If he’d had a row, perhaps she should ring Clint and ask him to come over. Surely Troy would rather talk to him about his relationship problems that with her. After all, they barely knew each other and she was already feeling slightly uncomfortable.

  Troy went into the lounge and sat down comfortably on the couch. Aurora hesitated for a moment and joined him, making sure there was a space between them.

  “What can I help you with?” Aurora asked.

  Troy took a long drink of cider and seemed to consider her question.

  “I just needed to come round,” he said, shrugging. “I don’t understand it myself, really.”

  This answer wasn’t what Aurora had been hoping for.

  “Listen, if you and Brandy are having problems,” Aurora said, and Troy snorted. “If you two have had an argument and you’re wondering what to do, I should warn you that I don’t know much about that sort of stuff.”

  “No matter.”

  “Do you want me to call Clint or someone?” Aurora asked, thinking where she had last put her phone.

  “No,” Troy said sharply, and Aurora was startled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. I just don’t think Clint would be too happy to see me right now.”

  “Why not? You’re his best mate aren’t you?”

  “That’s what I thought,” Troy said solemnly, draining the rest of his cider.

  “You haven’t fallen out have you?”

  “Not exactly,” Troy replied, fumbling for something in his pocket. “Sorry, do you mind?”

  Aurora watched as he dropped a half-bag of cocaine onto the sofa and crumpled fiver. He pulled the small coffee table closer to the sofa and tipped some out onto the wooden surface. Aurora wanted to protest but found herself watching him instead, as he separated the powder into fine lines, and snorting them with the rolled-up fiver.

  He looked at her when he’d done four lines, his eyes unfocussed. Aurora thought about going to get her phone from her bedroom, but didn’t feel as if she should leave Troy unattended in her lounge.

  “You want some?” he asked, offering her the fiver and pouring out more of the cocaine.

  “No thanks,” Aurora shook her head. “I don’t think you should have anymore, either.”

  Troy laughed and snorted the four lines that he’d just separated.

  “You should try it sometime,” he said jovially. “It’s great stuff.”

  Aurora didn’t answer. She watched Troy empty the last of the cocaine onto the coffee table when he looked up at her unexpectedly.

  “You don’t like Brandy do you?” he asked, suppressing a smile.

  “Erm, well, I’ve never really had a chance to get to know her,” Aurora said, trying to be diplomatic.

  “It’s all right,” Troy said. “You can bitch about her all you want.”

  Aurora pressed her lips together, wondering where the conversation was going.

  “She’s a right bitch,” Troy said, snorting a line. “Gets in everybody’s business and stirs up shit. My life would be so much easier without her, you know.”

  “How long have you two been together?”

  “Too long,” Troy laughed, bending down to snort another line.

  “That must mean something though,” Aurora said, her voice soft. “You must really love each other if you’ve managed to -”

  “Love? Forget that, we fucking hate each other most of the time.”

  Aurora didn’t know what to say, so she stayed quiet as Troy snorted the last two lines of cocaine and crumpled up the empty plastic bag and dropped it onto the floor.

  “How are you and Clint?” he asked.

  Aurora couldn’t help but smile.

  “We’re really good,” she said. Troy looked downcast.

  “Lucky Clint, eh?” Troy said, “You ought to watch yourself though.”

  “Why?” Aurora asked, not liking the direction Troy was leading the conversation.

  “He ain’t trustworthy. He’d sell his own bloody mother up the fucking river.”

  Aurora f
rowned. This was a far cry from the Clint she knew. Troy turned to face her, his eyes oddly menacing, and continued.

  “We’ve been mates for years and years, did he tell you? Lately, not so much as a text. He couldn’t hack it, could he! Jealous of me, that’s what it is.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Of me, yeah. I’ve got the rep, you know. He doesn’t, that’s why he couldn’t face hanging out anymore. Thought it should’ve been him.”

  “I don’t think Clint thinks that at all -” Aurora began.

  Troy held up a hand and she went quiet.

  “You don’t know him though. Clint’s weak. He acts all hard, but he’s just soft -”

  “Listen, I don’t think Clint wants -”

  “He couldn’t handle himself in a fight,” Troy continued, ignoring Aurora. “Not like me. I could take on twenty Clints and still come out on top.”

  “Clint doesn’t like fighting,” Aurora said, growing agitated with Troy.

  “Exactly,” Troy said, a strange smile playing across his lips. “Not like me. I like a challenge, you know.”

  “Well, Clint -”

  “Clint goes for the easy option,” Troy said dismissively. “Not like me. I fight for what I want and I won’t stop ‘til I get it.”

  “Listen,” Aurora said, interrupting Troy. “I was going to bed when you came round.”

  “Really?” Troy said, licking his lips. “Was that an invitation?”

  “Why did you come round?” Aurora said, not caring that she was being blunt now. “I just want to get some sleep, so either tell me what you want or just leave.”

  Troy considered her for a few minutes.

  “I want you,” he said, leaning forwards.

  Before Aurora could react, he was pressed against her, his lips on hers. She pulled away, but he was pressing against her. She slid sideways, and fell off the sofa. Troy looked up at her, surprised, and Aurora glared down at him.

  “What the hell are you playing at?” Aurora demanded. “I’m your best mate’s girlfriend.”

  Troy smiled again and he too stood up. Aurora pointed at the door.

  “I want you to leave,” she said, her voice shaking.

  “There’s no need to play hard to get,” Troy said, closing the door quietly and covering the distance between them with ease, “You’ve already played that game long enough and I’m fired up and ready.”

  He reached for her waist, moving his face closer to hers, and Aurora stepped backwards. As he moved forwards again, she drew back her hand and slapped him. The noise rang out in the quiet room. Troy looked taken aback and narrowed his eyes at her.

  Aurora looked at him defiantly, determined not to let him bully her. She wasn’t going to be intimidated by him.

  “I’ve asked you to leave,” Aurora said. “Just get out.”

  Troy remained motionless and Aurora felt her pulse quicken. A smile played on Troy’s lips and he took a step closer to her.

  “Why don’t you try and make me?” he said, licking his lips.

  Aurora took a step backwards and found herself against the wall. Troy was standing between her and the door. He continued to close the distance between them.

  When he was only a few inches from her, Aurora looked into his face and he lifted a hand and caressed her face. She flinched and pulled away, but he grabbed her around the neck and forced her back against the wall, banging the back of her head against the wall.

  “Please, just leave,” Aurora pleaded, desperate now.

  Troy smiled again.

  “Not when we’re having this much fun,” he said playfully. “Now, take your knickers off.”

  Aurora threw her hands up against his face, clawing at his skin and struggling against his grip. She broke free and dived for the door. Troy was too quick for her and grabbed her hair before she’d made it a few feet. He yanked her back, and Aurora let out a shriek of pain. He pulled her up against him and his smile was gone, replaced by a cold sneer.

  “Fine, we’ll do it your way,” he said coldly.

  He threw her down onto the floor and Aurora felt the wind knocked out of her as she landed on her back. She gasped for breath and tried to crawl away from Troy. He dropped to the floor and grabbed her ankle, pulling her back towards him. Aurora felt her legs burning against the carpet and tried to kick out, but Troy’s grip was too strong. He was too powerful for her, Aurora realised.

  He drew back his hand and hit her hard across the face and Aurora felt tears in her eyes. She pleaded with him but Troy ignored her as he unzipped his jeans.

  “Please, please,” Aurora begged. “Please, just let me go.”

  “That’s right,” Troy smiled wickedly. “Beg me for more.”

  He forced her legs apart and Aurora felt powerless. He was a lot stronger than her. She cried out as he pressed himself against her, fumbling for her knickers. His fingers found them and Aurora closed her eyes as he began pulling them down her thighs, his lips moist with expectant pleasure now and his eyes wild with ecstasy.

  “Please stop,” Aurora pleaded, as he pulled the knickers down over her knees. “I’m pregnant.”

  The words had come out without her meaning them to, but they had the desired effect. Troy froze.

  “Pregnant?” he repeated.

  Aurora nodded, trying to stem the flow of tears.

  Troy looked down at her and pulled himself off of her. Aurora dragged herself away from him across the carpet, watching him wearily. She pulled her knickers back up and hugged her dressing gown closer to her. Troy stood up and did up his jeans. He looked across the room at her, huddled in the corner beside the television.

  “I’m sorry,” he said simply.

  He turned on his heel and strode out of the lounge. Aurora watched him disappear down the corridor and heard the front door open and close. She waited a few minutes, before treading quietly through the flat, making sure that he was really gone.

  When she was certain, she fastened the chain on the front door and stepped back. Her mother’s snoring still drifted from her bedroom. She had not even woken up to help her. She was too gone on booze and drugs. Aurora retreated to her bedroom and closed the door firmly behind her before crawling under the covers.

  Tears were still staining her cheeks and she wiped them away. Her hands settled on her stomach and she thought of the unborn baby inside of her. Would this be the life her child would be born into? Murder and unwanted advances, violence and tears? She couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t let her baby share the life she had. Tonight had opened her eyes to the truth about her life, Aurora realised. And whilst she could not change what had happened to her, she could still change her baby’s future. She was determined to.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Clint waited patiently for the front door to open. He knocked again, louder this time, and wondered whether Aurora was still asleep. The door opened and Marlena peered out at him. The harsh morning sunlight highlighted the dark lines in her face and Clint thought again how much Marlena had aged since Shaniqua had died.

  “Oh, it’s you, is it?” she mumbled and stepped aside, opening the door wide enough for Clint to squeeze through into the flat.

  He looked around at Marlena and waited for her to tell him where Aurora was, but she gestured vaguely down the corridor and disappeared into the kitchen where he heard the sounds of a bottle being opened.

  Clint walked down the corridor and knocked gently on Aurora’s bedroom door. He heard muffled sounds from the room and then Aurora let him in. She retreated back to her bed, where she sat cross-legged, a pillow held tight against her chest.

  Clint walked in and closed the door behind him. Aurora looked tired and ill, he thought.

  “Your mum just let me in,” Clint said. “I thought she’d just slam the door in my face when she saw that it was me.”

  He laughed but Aurora only managed a small, half-hearted smile.

  “You feeling all right?” he asked as he perched on the edge of her bed.
>
  Aurora nodded but Clint knew that something was wrong. It emanated from her body, sending him signals that he felt he should be able to read but was unable to.

  “You sure?” Clint asked, concern in his voice now.

  Aurora nodded, but her eyes were downcast and he knew at once that she was lying. His heart was beating quicker now. Something had happened last night after he’d walked her home.

  “Did something happen last night?”

  Aurora looked up at him, her eyes wide for a moment before she shook her head.

  “You can tell me,” he said. “Come on, Aurora, after everything we’ve been through. I know you’re not telling me something.”

  Aurora remained quiet but a tear slid down her face. Clint moved closer and Aurora flinched. Clint looked at her suspiciously, heart racing. He took her face in his hands, despite Aurora’s reluctance, and he wiped the tear away with his thumb and looked into her eyes.

  “Tell me,” he said.

  The silence was threatening now. Clint didn’t know what was wrong but he knew that it must be serious for her to be so determined not to tell him. A sudden thought struck him.

  “It’s not the baby is it?” he said in alarm. “Has something happened to the baby?”

  Aurora burst into tears, burying her head into the pillow and shaking quietly with her sobs.

  “Is the baby okay?” Clint pressed, a note of urgency in his voice now.

  His mind was reeling. If something had happened to the baby, he thought, but stopped. He couldn’t think about that now. Not whilst Aurora needed him so badly.

  Aurora shook her head and spoke, her voice muffled slightly by the pillow.

  “The baby’s fine.”

  Clint felt a wave of relief wash over him and he almost clapped his hands together in delight, but another thought occurred to him. If the baby was okay, then that meant something else had happened to upset Aurora.

  “What happened?” Clint said. “I need to know.”

  Aurora finally looked up from the pillow and Clint was worried by the tears that continued to trickle from her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “I didn’t want him to come round.”