Daniel and Todd walked, both having given up on any kind of work for the day. Daniel was going home, as Becky would be home now. Todd just strung along. He wouldn't be seeing Wendy tonight, as she was spending time with her mum, a bottle of wine and watch a movie. Wendy’s father had left them when she was seven. He had not kept in touch for very long, but that neither bothered Wendy, nor her mother. He had worked away a lot, so Wendy never got to know him. Now Wendy had no idea where he was. She had thought that one day she would track him down and ask him all the questions she wanted answering. Then she met Todd and her priorities changed. He was the only man she wanted in her life, the only man she needed.
Daniel offered Todd a juicy fruit. Todd declined.
‘He’s been out six months now, you know.’ said Daniel as they walked.
‘Who?’ asked Todd, knowing full well who he meant? They had, had this conversation at least once a week since their father’s release. Todd stopped walking, looked at Daniel.
‘What does it matter?’ he asked.
There was a slight breeze in the air, the sun went behind a dark cloud. Todd had been expecting this conversation again. That didn't mean he wanted to hear it. He had put his father out of his life and really didn’t want to acknowledge his existence. Daniel just kept on reminding him.
‘Do you remember him Todd?’
‘Not at all, but that might be a good thing.’ They continued walking. Todd spoke again.
‘Life is okay at the moment. Why bring him into it? Why even mention his name?’ He sounded annoyed. His brother could sense it.
‘I remember him well. I loved him at one time.’ Daniel told Todd
Todd tried to digest that, unsure whether to be jealous of Daniel. For at least a short time he had a father. Was that good or bad?
‘Do you miss him?’
Daniel paused, ran his tongue over his lips, let out a sigh. ‘I hate him.’ his voice sounded creaky.
‘I wish he was dead.’
Todd noticed his change of voice.
‘But do you miss him?’
They walked for a minute in silence.
‘I need to find him, Todd.’
Todd stopped, grabbing Daniel’s arm.
‘Why?’ he simply said.
They continued walking.
‘To make sure he can't hurt us. Hurt you and mum, hurt what we have. It took mum years to get over what he did. She has a new life now. We all have new lives. He's not just going to leave us to live it. I can feel it. I can smell him.’
‘And what makes you sure, he will want to find us?’
Todd was not surprised by Daniel’s comments. He had sat in his wardrobe only two nights ago and had a feeling that something was about to happen.
‘I know him.’
‘You were five, Daniel. You were just a kid.’ They were walking past the Roundabout pub.
‘Let’s grab a beer.’ said Daniel.
‘Okay, as long as we talk about something else.’
They ordered two pints of John Smith’s and sat in a corner. The pub was quiet. It was still early. In a few hours the place will be full.
Daniel took a sip of his beer. ‘Don't you think it’s funny that we never knew any of his family?’
Todd put both hands round his pint glass, as if to stop anyone from taking it. He released his grip, sat back in his chair. He looked at Daniel. They made eye contact for a few seconds. Todd thought how much he loved his brother, but something was troubling him.
‘You know when you do your thing,’ Daniel said. Todd’s eyes widened. He knew he had a ‘thing’, where sometimes he remembered things, or he found things, or he saw things. Daniel continued. ‘Years ago, I was in Malta with Nan and Gramps. I tried to catch a plane home without them knowing. It frightened them to death. I was five, I think.’
‘Why, you idiot? You loved them.’
They both sipped their beers, Daniel taking a large gulp. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
‘I knew mum was having you. I had this feeling. Sort of a sixth sense.’
They had rarely talked about this sixth sense before, but both knew that they were somehow different. When unexplained incidents happened they would both realise what had happened, it required no explanation and they would just accept it.
‘So you loved me, before I was even born.’ Todd smiled.
Daniel laughed.
‘If I knew what a pain you were going to be; I would have stayed in Malta.’
They both laughed. Daniel finished his beer.
‘Want another?’ he asked. Todd gulped his beer.
‘Sure, if you’re paying.’
Daniel sat down with the two beers. Each took a sip.
‘Six months ago,’ Daniel said, ‘he was released after seventeen years. I knew that, the day he was released, before mum told us.’
‘What’s this about, Daniel?’
‘I don't really know, Todd. I was hoping maybe you might make sense of it?’
‘Me?’ he looked, startled. Todd didn't want to tell him about the night he sat in his wardrobe, the feeling of despair that came over him whilst he sat in the darkness.
‘What do you think?’
‘He knows where we live, Daniel. If he had wanted to find us, he would have come by now. There will be injunctions and all sorts of things against him.’
‘Do you think an injunction is going to stop him coming?’
‘No.’ answered Todd, honestly.
‘I don't necessary want to find him. I need to know.’
‘Know what?’ asked Todd.
‘Where this gift came from because, Todd, if it comes from him it’s more evil then we think.’ There was Silence as Todd nodded.
‘Leave it, Dan. Some people in this world have odd powers. Some gift, that’s all it is and let’s be honest, it doesn’t amount to much.’ He took a sip of beer. ‘Don't involve him,’
‘For my little brother, you talk a lot of sense and you’re probably right.’
‘Probably?’
Daniel leaned forward, his face inches from Todd’s. He bit his bottom lip, whilst looking direct into his brother’s eyes,
‘I have this feeling that we aren’t going to have a choice!’
Their eyes stayed locked for a while, each brother trying to see what the other brother’s eyes were saying.
The funny thing was Todd had that feeling too.
Chapter 11
They had driven over the Severn Bridge towards Bristol. Mickey driving, Katy sat in the passenger seat. Wendy semiconscious on the back seat. The kidnappers in the front seats were on a high. They had taken the gag off Wendy, scared that she was going to vomit and choke, as she didn’t seem to be too well. Katy hoped that they hadn’t overdone it with the chloroform. Wendy grabbed the air in her lungs as if it was her last breath, breathing heavily. She was scared. She shivered. Where is Todd? She asked herself. Bill had promised the two kidnappers a spliff and some tabs each if they managed to do this one thing.
Mickey and Katy lived together on the same floor as Bill. They were both drug users, whom Bill had quickly befriended. The lovers were scared of Bill. He had built a reputation as a hard man in what was really a tough neighbourhood, so that had been no easy feat. It was rumoured that he was a leg breaker for the local drug lord, who called upon Bill’s services when debts needed to be collected. This paid handsomely, breaking legs was something that he enjoyed, amongst other things.
‘Bill’s going to be so pleased.’ Katy said, with a smile upon her grubby face. As she turned towards Mickey, revealing two missing teeth.
‘Sure is.’ Mickey looked in the rear view mirror. Wendy was stirring on the back seat. She’s hot. He thought.
‘If I pull over, will you drive?’ Mickey asked Katy.
‘Why?’ she questioned,
‘She’s hot! I want to do her before she wakes.’
‘Aren’t I enough for you?’ She thumped Mickey in the arm.
‘You alway
s let Bill fuck you,’
‘That’s just to keep him sweet. Anyway, Bill will go mad.’ ‘He won't know. She's still out of it. She won't feel a thing.’ ‘I know what that’s like.’ she replied, and burst out laughing. ‘Fuck you!’ He ripped through the gears. Katy looked at the back seat. Wendy was stirring and trying to sit up.
‘Better not,’ she said, ‘looks like the bitch is awake. Maybe Bill will let you, as a reward.’
They drove a further five miles, Wendy gaining her senses all the time. She could hear them talking, something about doing her. Wendy shivered. She wasn’t sure whether that was because she was scared, cold or the effect of the drugs used on her. She began to cough, and sat up slowly. Things were becoming a bit clearer now. She remembered putting the rubbish out, then being bundled into a car. Have I been kidnapped? She wondered. Her mind was confused. Her head hurt. She wanted Todd. She wanted to know what was happening.
‘Who are you? Where are you taking me?’ she stuttered, Katy looked around, smiling her toothless smile. ‘Just be a good little girl and you’ll be okay. Just be quiet or I will let Ginger-top here, fuck you.’
Both kidnappers laughed. A tear trickled down Wendy’s cheek. They pulled up outside the block of flats where Bill was waiting. A tower block which looked as if it was standing on waste ground. A twenty-storey block of flats which at one time had been the answer to Britain’s housing problems.
‘We build them high’, Create a hundred homes on one site.’ the people responsible had said, ‘a new wave of living.’ ‘A life style to be savoured.’ ‘The answer to all our housing problems.’ More than thirty percent of them had been torn down since the sixties revolution of high storey homes. Most had never been maintained; some would no longer comply with current health and safety regulations. This particular block consisted of a hundred and eight homes, less than sixty were occupied. There was rubbish strewn everywhere and several members of gangs were wandering around, smoking and swearing. Outside the tower block stood a burnt-out car, with a group of young children playing on it. The gangs were familiar with the car that was pulling up with Mickey and Katy inside, they did not give it a second glance.
No one seemed to really notice as the kidnappers pulled Wendy out of the car, if they did, they chose to ignore it. She was unsteady on her feet for a moment. The fear inside her grew, but she somehow knew that if she was going to get out of this she had to keep her composure.
‘Just walk towards the flats, bitch. Any shouting and Ginger top here will slit your cute little throat. We’ll be right here with you.’ said the girl, with missing teeth.
Wendy surveyed the situation Even if I shout, I don’t suppose anyone would take notice, but if I go in there, then I am finished.
She looked at her options, whilst both kidnappers stood beside her, running should be easy as she doubted that they’d catch her. They both looked as if their bodies had been racked by drugs. She surveyed the area. The best place to run would be towards the burnt-out car, down the side of the tower block and towards the other tower blocks. Other than the children, there didn't seem to be anyone else around that area. She slowly walked with her kidnappers. She could see that she was about thirty metres from the tower block entry. She could read the rusted sign above the door. It read ‘Sandfield Point.’ She would remember that, although at that particular moment she wasn't sure why. The car with the kids playing in it, was ten metres to her right. It’s now or never. She took a deep breath, still tasting the disinfectant in her throat. She had regained some strength. She was fit. She trained regularly. Now was the time.
Wendy ran. Her mind seemed to move faster than her legs, she was drowsy, drowsier then she realised. She was afraid, but she ran as if her life depended on it. Because, she thought, it probably did.
In what seemed no time at all, she was past the car and moving towards the side of the building, before her kidnappers even realised what was happening.
At that particular moment, Wendy thought she was going to make it. She thought she was free. She coughed and spluttered, her head ached, she wanted to be sick, but she still found the strength to run. ‘What the fuck,’ shouted Mickey.
‘Don't just stand and watch, you silly fucker. Go get her.’ Katy told him. Mickey grunted, ‘Why do I have to do all the work?’ He ran after Wendy not waiting for an answer. Wendy ran as fast as she could. Now she was flagging. Her head felt dizzy and she felt even worse, she really thought she was going to throw up. She knew she had got a good head start on them so maybe that was enough. She ran round the side of the tower block and round to the back, straight into a closed off area where they kept all the wheelie bins. She immediately noticed the putrid smell.
‘Shit!’ she shouted, and turned around, not seeing the blow coming, just feeling the pain in her jaw, followed by the pain as she hit the ground and felt the boot connect with her ribs. She screamed out loud, and then vomited.
‘Told you not to run, you bitch!’ shouted Mickey as he kicked her again in the ribs. ‘Now I am going to fuck you!’ Wendy still lay on the floor, the pain from her jaw and stomach causing her to scream, not really believing it was happening to her.
But it was real. It was happening, and nobody was going to save her. She curled into a ball, trying to stem the pain. Mickey grabbed her legs and pulled them straight, trying to get to the button on her jeans. Wendy kicked out, he lost his grip. Wendy curled up again. This time Mickey pulled her legs and sat on them. The pain was intense. She was sure she was going to pass out. She could feel the weight of him on her legs.
‘Todd!’ she cried.
She could feel Mickey tugging at her jeans, but by now she had no fight in her. She tried hitting him off, as he sat on her, but her punches were feeble. She stopped. She didn't want to fight anymore. She couldn’t fight anymore. Then, as if by a miracle, she felt the weight go from her legs. She curled them to her waist again, and wheezed as she tried to catch her breath.
‘Get off her, you stupid fucker. What the fuck you done to her?’
It was Katy. She pulled Mickey off Wendy, by yanking his hair and pulling as hard as she could. Mickey screamed in pain. Katy had clumps of ginger hair in her hands.
‘Do not touch her anymore or I’ll kill you!’ she screamed. Mickey lay beside Wendy, holding his head. ‘Jeez! That fucking hurt. I was only grabbing her.’
‘Dirty little fucker! Go tell Bill we’re coming. I’ll sort this.’
Mickey ran towards the front of the tower block. Wendy now sat up, her knees curled into her stomach. The need to vomit had now passed, but she still hurt an awful lot. Katy sat beside her, stroking her head, thinking about what a sorry mess she had got into.
‘It’s okay.’ she said, softly. ‘I won't let him touch you. I’ll chop his cock off if he does.’
‘What’s happening?’ Wendy stuttered, even more confused, and now that one of her kidnappers was consoling her, a kidnapper with a conscious?
‘We just need you to meet someone, that’s all. He wants to see you,’
‘Who?’
‘Your father-in-law.’
‘I'm not married.’
‘Yeah, right. I’ll help you get up.’ Katy said.
A woman in her sixties came out with a black sack, looked at the girls, went over to the wheelie bin and put the sack inside. She closed the bin, and stared again. Her eyes met Wendy’s. The lady went back inside.
***
‘What the fuck kept you?’ Bill was angry, his eyes popping out of his head.
‘I tried your mobile. Why didn't you answer?’
All three noticed his clenched fists, his red face, and his eyes wide. The three of them just stood there, all afraid, all wishing now that they were somewhere else.
They had finally taken Wendy to the flat, after the initial fight and the carnage that followed. Wendy gave no further struggle; the fight had gone out of her. She needed to keep her energy for what, she didn’t know, but she knew she needed to be strong. She was still unsure
what was happening.
I know these people think I am somebody’s wife. What would they want with her? Who do they think I am?
Now Wendy stood there in a flat that looked as though it should be demolished, her kidnappers beside her, each holding an arm and a mad man in front of her. She found it incomprehensible. Perhaps it was a nightmare and soon she would wake up in Todd’s arms and he would tell her that everything was fine. A couple of hours ago she had been looking forward to a girlie night in with her mum. Now she was here, wherever here was? She thought of her mum, who would be worried when her daughter didn’t come home. She would get hold of Todd, who would find her and everything would be okay.
She looked around the room. It had very little furniture, the plastic 1970’s sofa, the coffee table full of cigarette ends and remnants of spliffs. The television that looked as if it could only ever show black and white, but the smell! That was the worst thing. She thought that whenever she died, she hoped it would be in a field full of bluebells, with Todd by her side. She did not want to die in a place like this. Her mouth was dry. Her body ached. She did not want to die here. Not now. Not alone. Katy spoke first. She sat on the edge of the coffee table which almost tipped over. She slid across a bit, knocking empty lager cans to the floor. She rolled her tongue around her mouth, trying to moisten her lips before she spoke. She was now nervous, perhaps for the first time, comprehending what they had done. To begin with, it just seemed a bit of fun, and the promise of a spliff seemed to make it all worthwhile. Now she was nervous. No not nervous, she was scared.
‘She ran.’ she said, pointing at Wendy, though it was obvious who she meant. ‘I had to catch her, and drag Mickey off her, as he tried to shag her.’ She gulped, her eyes went to the floor, ‘It wasn’t my fault, Bill.’ she added.
The Fenton Saga: Never Say Goodbye / There Was No Body. Page 6