Written in the Scars (The Estate Series Book 4)

by Mel Sherratt

  He pushed her gently down onto the bed. As he kissed her again, he lay next to her.

  And then he stopped.

  She looked into his eyes with confusion.

  ‘Do you want me to continue?’ he asked, his voice low.

  ‘Do you want to continue?’ Oh, God, please don’t let him change his mind now that he had seen her naked.

  ‘Yes, but...’ Owen sat up and reached for his shirt.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  He turned to her with a look that made tears well in her eyes.

  ‘I’m a little scared,’ he admitted.

  ‘Of me?’ She spoke quietly.

  ‘Of what’s happening to me; of the intensity of my feelings for you. This has all happened so quickly.’

  Donna sat up, bringing her knees to her chest as she felt exposed. ‘I’m not sure I understand.’

  He sighed. ‘You’re not the only one scarred by someone else.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘But I’m not her.’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘And incidentally, you’re not him.’

  ‘So…’ he glanced at her, ‘technically, it’s just you and me.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And the moment.’

  Donna sat still, unable to breathe. Had the moment passed? Had he worked himself, and her, up to the heights of something new, something promising, for it all to be taken away at the last minute?

  He turned to her slightly. ‘You don’t know what I’m capable of.’

  ‘I thought I’d been about to find out.’

  He moved towards her again, covering her body with his own. The relief was immense when his mouth found hers once more and his hand roamed over her breast before moving lower. She reached down for him too, trying to concentrate on giving him pleasure as her body craved more.

  Finally, he pushed himself into her. Moving together, she felt familiar waves rush through her. Oh, this was so good.

  With a groan, Owen thrust one last time and she pulled his buttocks towards her to feel him as close to her as she could.

  As her breathing began to return to normal, Donna realised that the moment had gone better than she had first hoped.

  Afterwards, Owen leant on his elbow and ran his fingertips over her stomach. ‘That was special,’ he said.

  Donna couldn’t help but well up again. She smiled, hoping her tears wouldn’t fall.

  ‘I enjoyed it too,’ she replied.

  ‘So we can do it again, sometime?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  He pulled her into his arms and, as they lay together in silence, all she could think of was how vulnerable Owen was. What had his last partner done to make him feel that way?

  She would have to find out more, make him realise that no matter what had happened, she would never do anything to hurt him.

  Donna knew that during her earlier years, she had been brash. She’d had a loud mouth that said a lot of things she’d since regretted. She might have been hurt by the one man she had truly loved, but everything had built up her character. Circumstances had made her stronger, but also eager to please and sometimes it had made her seem like a pushover.

  But one thing was certain. Donna knew she could never hurt a man who would show himself to her in such a raw, emotional state.

  Which meant another thing. She would be good for Owen, if he would have her.

  Lewis staggered down Davy Road in the direction of Graham Street. At least he hoped he was going the right way towards home. It was nearing midnight. He’d been struggling to focus on anything since leaving The Butcher’s Arms ten minutes ago.

  The night air was warm again, the area quiet; the odd light was on here and there as he passed, but most houses were in darkness. Windows were open everywhere, hoping to create a cool enough atmosphere for sleep.

  If Lewis had been a bit more sober he would have stayed out a while longer. Walking around the streets during the early hours of the morning was often peaceful, giving him space to clear his head. Right now though, all he wanted to do was lay his head down and sleep. Why did he think he could drown his sorrows? It never worked, plus he was wasting what little benefits he received. It just made him feel twice as bad the next morning – usually accompanied by the headache from hell.

  Up ahead, he heard noises. He stared into the darkness, trying to focus. Finally, he saw the shapes of two people coming towards him. Their laughter was loud, but their banter seemed friendly. Lewis dug his hands in his pockets and stuck out his elbows as they drew nearer.

  Two boys in their late teens edged either side of him as they passed him on the pavement. The stocky one had his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans too, shoulders hunched forward. He had more hair on his chin than his head and reminded Lewis of an upside down Mr Potato Head toy. The other youth was the same height but slight in weight. His hair was flattened down except at the front where a fringe had been gelled in a point towards the sky.

  ‘All right, mate?’ the thin one nodded at him.

  ‘I’m not your fucking mate,’ Lewis spat back.

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘Are you deaf?’ Lewis turned to face them and took his hands out of his pockets, trying not to shuffle on his feet. ‘I said I’m not your–’

  ‘Yeah, I heard you. What’s your problem?’

  ‘You’re my fucking problem,’ Lewis slurred.

  The stocky lad moved towards him. ‘I’d watch your mouth if I were you, old man.’

  Lewis lashed out at him. Even in his drunken state, his hands moved quickly, but they missed their target completely.

  A fist caught him on the side of his face. The other youth stepped forward to grab him too. Lewis managed to catch him full in the face before he was rushed by both of them and grabbed around his chest. He lost his footing and the bigger male fell to the ground on top of him.

  Lewis felt another punch to the side of his head, swiftly followed by another to his mouth. As his own fists flailed around in the dark, theirs did more damage, and he tasted blood.

  Finally, Lewis managed to push them off.

  ‘I’d watch your back if I were you,’ the skinny lad said, spitting on the floor at Lewis’s feet after he had stood up.

  Lewis lifted his head from the floor and dropped it back again as a rush of nausea came over him.

  ‘Stupid fuckers.’ He pushed himself to his feet and held onto the side of a car to support himself. ‘You hear me, you stupid FUCKERS!’

  When he didn’t retaliate again, the two boys went on their way.

  Once more, Lewis staggered off in the direction he thought was home. He knew it would take him longer to get back now; already he could feel the ache across his eyes. He’d hoped he wouldn’t get another shiner. He’d never get a job interview looking like a hooligan.

  Lewis swore out loud. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have let two teenagers get the better of him. Was he losing his head completely?

  Maybe that housing officer, that Josie Mellor, was right. Perhaps he did need to see someone about his anger, see if he could get it under control. Surely he shouldn’t be feeling this way after so long out of the army?

  An image of Nathan flashed into his mind and he quickly dismissed it.

  What would his friend think of him if he could see him now? He’d be ashamed, wouldn’t he?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Keera sighed with relief when Derek drove past The Candy Club ten minutes later and the lights were off. Everything looked fine. At least Steve didn’t seem to have gone back to Ramona, something else Keera had worried about on her walk home. She hadn’t even been able to warn her friend as she’d had no phone.

  ‘There’s the alleyway.’ She pointed ahead to a gap in between two buildings. ‘He took me down there.’

  She noticed Derek bristle as he parked up. He removed his seatbelt. ‘I’ll go and look for it. I won’t be a minute.’

  ‘I’ll come, too.’

&
nbsp; ‘No, I’d rather—’

  But Keera was out of the door before he could say anything further. Derek retrieved a torch from the boot of the car, and they crossed over the road. He headed into the alleyway, Keera following close behind. A feeling of déjà vu overcame her and she retched. What a bastard Steve Wilson was, thinking he could threaten her and get his own way.

  ‘Do you know where it’s likely to be?’ Derek whispered loudly as he walked on ahead. ‘It’s so dark down here, I can hardly see what I’m treading in.’

  ‘Yuck.’ Keera lifted up a foot at the thought. ‘I can remember going past those bins.’

  After a few moments, shapes became a little clearer as they bumbled around. Keera had almost given up when a minute later, she squealed.

  ‘I’ve found it,’ she cried, lifting it up in the air. She unzipped it quickly and looked inside. ‘Everything is still here! My phone, my purse, my keys! Thank God for that – at least I won’t get a bollocking for waking my mum up to get in now!’

  ‘Great stuff.’ Derek put a hand on the small of her back and gently pushed her out of the alleyway. ‘But I think we’d better get out of here, before we get caught and we haven’t been doing anything, if you know what I mean.’

  Keera sniggered as he followed her.

  ‘Thanks, Derek,’ she said as they hit the pavement again. ‘You’ve saved my skin.’

  ‘I can’t have you getting into trouble or worse, losing your job now, can I?’

  ’It wouldn’t be the end of the world. I’ve had better ones.’ She glanced at him with embarrassment. ‘Oh, I didn’t mean that I wasn’t grateful for it. I am, really. It’s just that my family don’t know what I do. They think I work in a nightclub, and that’s why I work late.’

  ‘Ah. But you’re one of the good girls, Keera – aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I bloody well am!’ she snapped. ‘I’ve told you before, I don’t do extras.’

  ‘I know!’ Derek held up his hands. ’I didn’t mean anything by it.’

  ‘Sorry.’ The smell of food from the takeaway made Keera’s stomach rumble. ‘Do you fancy getting something to eat?’ she asked, feeling embarrassed at her outburst. ‘The kebab shop is a great place, really clean too. My treat for you saving my life.’

  ‘That’s a bit dramatic.’

  ‘It’s only an offer of a kebab.’ She grinned. ‘What do you say?’

  ‘Okay. I’ll wait here.’ Derek got back into his cab.

  ‘Don’t you dare put that meter on!’ she joked.

  There were several people waiting for food at the kebab house, so Keera gave their order and went to sit on a plastic chair while it was prepared. Through the window, she could see Derek’s car, just about make out his shape in the driver’s seat. She clasped her hands together, still a little shaky after what had happened.

  What a diamond he was, taking her back to find her bag. She wouldn’t have got any sleep thinking about what could happen if Steve found it.

  Yet, despite being rescued by Derek, which she would be eternally grateful for, she couldn’t help worrying about what might have happened if Steve wasn’t as drunk as he was. Or if her aim to his balls had been off its mark. Or if he’d been stronger than her regardless. He would have raped her, she was sure of it, because she had put up a fight.

  She closed her eyes but all she could see was him pushing his tongue into her mouth.

  ‘Two kebabs!’

  ‘That’s me.’ Keera took the order and ran back to the taxi.

  ‘There was a massive queue,’ she said, as she climbed into the passenger seat again. She handed a paper parcel to Derek.

  ‘Thanks.’ He turned to face her. ‘Are you sure you’re okay? Don’t you think you should report the incident to the police?’

  Keera shook her head. ‘I would if it didn’t mean involving The Candy Club.’

  ‘It doesn’t have to. You weren’t at work when it happened.’

  ‘I know, but—’ Keera wondered if she should confide in Derek, then realised she couldn’t see any harm in it. ‘He’s Ramona’s brother and she owes him five hundred pounds. He could cause a lot more trouble if I grassed on him.’

  Derek gnawed on his bottom lip. ‘Well, if I see him in there, I’ll give him what for.’

  ‘You don’t know what he looks like.’ Keera laughed. ‘Thanks, anyway.’ She unwrapped her food. ‘I’m ready for this. I’m starving.’

  They sat in silence for a few moments while they tucked into their food.

  ‘I’ll give you a lift back once we’ve eaten,’ said Derek eventually.

  ‘You are an angel, has anyone ever told you that?’ Keera smiled. ‘It’s nice to have you around. I live in Trudy Place, number twenty-two. You can drop me off at the end of the street, if you like.’

  ‘I think you’ve had enough trauma for one evening.’ He turned towards her more. ‘I want to see you going inside your house, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Sure.’ Keera shrugged. ‘I’m not complaining. My feet are aching so much.’

  They both watched as three young men walked past, loud but happy.

  ‘How do you usually get home?’ asked Derek once it was quiet again.

  ‘I catch the ten past twelve bus.’

  ‘I don’t like to think of you coming out at midnight and catching the bus every night.’ Derek wiped his mouth with a napkin. ‘Would you be okay if I picked you up on the evenings that you work late?’

  ‘I can’t afford a taxi every night.’ Keera shook her head. ‘But thanks for the offer.’

  ‘I don’t want paying. How about I drive past the bus stop if I’m free, and if you’re there I’ll take you home?’

  ‘But you might miss another fare.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. I’m always knocking off around that time, anyway. I don’t want any money from you, either.’

  ‘But it’s how you make your living!’ Despite his kind offer, Keera still didn’t want to take advantage of his good nature.

  ‘There will definitely be no strings attached, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ he added. ‘I just want to see that you’re home safe and well.’

  Keera smiled. ‘You’re far too nice to me, Mr P.’ After a moment’s thought, she nodded. ‘Okay, you have a deal. If I’m there, I’m there. If I’m not, go without me. I’ll feel better about it if I catch the bus every now and then. But I’ll be very happy to cadge a lift when you’re free.’

  ‘That’s sorted then.’ Derek smiled. ‘You have an unofficial chauffeur.’

  Keera smiled back. It seemed that she had an unofficial guardian angel as well. She’d been so relieved when she’d seen that it was Derek who had stopped. Her feet were so raw in places after her long walk. Imagine if she hadn’t been able to run if she’d needed to.

  Still, a nightmare had turned out to be her knight in shining armour moment, even if it was in the shape of a forty-eight-year-old man.

  In a way, it was like having a father figure – Keera had hated her own father when he’d abandoned them all those years ago now, and still hated him for what he’d put her mum through. The day he’d moved out and left them to it had been good riddance.

  But Derek was lovely. He’d made her feel so warm and safe tonight, and that was always a good thing in her books.

  Donna lay in bed, her mind going over every single detail of the evening. Owen had left about an hour ago, and they’d arranged to meet again in a few days. The night was muggy and she pushed aside the duvet to let air to her naked skin.

  Idly, she ran her fingers up and down and across her stomach just the way Owen had. Her stomach flipped every time she remembered what he had done with his mouth, his hands, his tongue. He was like a drug and she couldn’t wait for her next fix.

  She closed her eyes to relive it all, scrunching up her toes at the memory of the waves crashing over her body as Owen brought her to the brink of no return. She knew she was infatuated by lust, but it had awakened within her and she wanted to remember
it forever.

  A few moments later, she heard the front door open and close.

  ‘Is that you, Keera?’ she shouted, jumping under the covers.

  ‘Yeah, it’s me, Mum.’ A few seconds later, Keera popped her head around the bedroom door.

  ‘You’re late,’ said Donna. ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘Fine. I had a drink with a few of the regulars. How’s Sam doing?’

  ‘He’s his usual moaning self.’ She looked at Keera properly. ‘You look bushed, hard night?’

  ‘You could say that.’

  ‘Go and get some sleep. Things always seem better in the morning.’

  Keera looked embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry that I haven’t had time to help out much. But I need the shifts so that I can save some money to—’

  ‘I can manage.’ Donna sat up in bed, keeping the duvet covering her body. She smiled at Keera.

  Keera eyed her warily. ’What have you been up to? You seem all smiley and in a good mood.’

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing.’ Donna waved her away.

  ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’d—’ She paused and when Donna didn’t speak, she grinned. ‘I’m right, aren’t I? You’ve met someone.’

  ‘I might have.’

  ‘Come on, spill.’

  ‘There is no way I’m telling my daughter about my date! Besides, it’s early days yet. That’s why I haven’t said anything to anyone.’

  ‘Are you seeing him again?’

  Donna nodded.

  ‘Well, I hope it works out, Mum. No one deserves to be happier than you.’ Keera yawned. ’I’m off to bed. Night.’

  ‘Night, love.’

  Donna tried to settle to sleep again. Even though she thought that Keera looked tired, one thing she would never worry too much about was her daughter. She could always rely on her not to bring trouble to her door.

  Donna felt sad that Ibiza hadn’t worked out for her and Marley, but from what Keera had told her about the attack on her friend, she was glad to have her home again, too. Keera would get by. She wasn’t like Sam, determined to scrounge off the social for as long as he could. Donna hated it but she couldn’t do anything about it. She’d long ago given up on telling him what to do.