Trodds Lane

by Nick Roteman

  “Oh?”

  “Yes back in Edwardian times, he raped and killed four boys and three girls. The police were closing in on him and he just disappeared, never to be seen again. They pulled down his house but changed the street name to Trodds Lane in the seventies to bring in the tourists.

  “Write it down for me... oh toast’s ready,” she exclaimed excitedly jumping up to get the slices and bringing them back to her seat.

  “So where’s the marmalade? You promised me special marmalade!”

  A feeling of relief crept over Freddy as he got up and fished a pot out of a cupboard behind Auburn. Refilling both their cups, he sat back down again to watch her devouring her toast. It had really been a great idea inviting her to stay, she never failed to amaze him, innocent one minute then so astute the next; a walking contradiction, with big boobs, shit he must stop thinking about that - how weird is that!

  Suddenly she stopped eating and with a slice of toast waving in her hand glanced sideways up at him.

  “So you went to his house, and you had sex?”

  “Oh god, look can we just leave it. I’ve got his address, that’s all that matters right.”

  Auburn changed tack catching him again. “Why were you so surprised I had tits, I am a girl you know!” She lowered her gaze. “Not just your cousin,” she mumbled as she finished off the remnants of the last slice, a wicked smile slowly spreading across her pretty face.

  Freddy swallowed hard, this was so embarrassing, and he hadn’t a clue how to answer. Were all women born with this knack of embarrassment always available at their fingertips?

  “Well did you like my tits, are they firm and inviting!” she continued, refusing to let go.

  She gave him a minute before repeating. “Well I’m waiting, you can’t ignore me!”

  “Right!” Freddy said noisily pushing back his chair and standing up. “I’ll write that address down for you before I forget it.”

  She felt quite naughty, she had made him blush and she had actually enjoyed it. People failed to realise she did have a sense of humour of sorts, she just didn’t understand jokes. She watched him leave the kitchen, he appeared to be walking slightly awkwardly, as if he was holding himself carefully on one side, strange she hadn’t noticed that before, then who was she to judge, she was well aware some nasty people laughed at the way she walked, so perhaps she was imagining it.

  Chapter Seven

  The phone rang in the hall and Alice ran to answer it.

  “Hi Alice darling, how you doing?”

  “Tom, oh I was hoping it was you. Where are you, how did it go?”

  “I’m good thanks, still in Bournemouth...”

  “Oh.” She said crestfallen.

  “Yes,” he paused and deliberately sighed down the phone. “It didn’t go too well yesterday I’m afraid, bloody annoying, it’s such a good idea. Bloody banks they’re all the same, if you don’t actually need the money, then they’ll bloody loan it you, at some exorbitant rate of course. But they wanted so many guarantees, I mean we’re really positive but how can we actually prove half of our figures until we have the business. It’s crap, stupid bloody banks!” He paused again, waiting for her response realising he might have over played it.

  “Look darling can I say something, let me say it please!”

  “Go on.” He said hopefully.

  “I really believe in you Tom, and if it’s a matter of getting a guarantee, I’ll be that.”

  “Really you’d do that for me?”

  “When you get back let’s discuss this in full, but I’m here for you so just come home please.”

  “You really are special you know. Look I’m going to have to stay here the weekend and see the bank again on Monday, but I’ll drive back right afterwards, so I’ll be with you early evening.”

  “Oh ok, was hoping you’d be back tonight!”

  “Wish I could, but need to see Jerry and see on Monday what the bank says with your proposal. It’ll soon be Monday, can’t wait too; really miss you darling, better go!”

  “Oh darling me too. Ok, but ring me again tonight, please...”

  “Will do, bye!” he said quickly hanging up. Job done he reckoned. Next step was to see her and stall some more; she’d give him the loan in full. He felt a great weight had been lifted off him, and as an added bonus it had bought him the weekend to himself down here.

  Whistling happily, he went off to have a shower and change, time to be out and about and be seen. Last night had been great, he might have perhaps been a bit too brutal with that Freddy, but he reckoned he was the sort who secretly relished it a bit rough. He might ring him again tomorrow or Monday, have another session before heading back to Alice. He needed something to keep him going, a juicy mental picture to conjure up while having sex with her.

  Freddy came back into the kitchen to find Auburn busily washing up. She glanced up and frowned. “You ok Freddy, you seem, well funny...”

  “Funny? I’m fine thanks. Here...” He said handing her a piece of paper on which he had scribbled Tom’s address; it would be forever etched on his mind, and body! He would not be seeing him again.

  Auburn took the piece of paper, folded it very carefully and precisely twice, and pocketed it in her jeans. The next instant she ran off and out the front door heading upstairs as fast as she could without losing her balance.

  “Hi Rachel!” she said as soon as the door was open a mere crack.

  “We need to go and see where Tom lives; you must come with me, please!”

  Rachel smiled and opened the door wider so she could enter. “Come in and tell me more,” she replied kindly. Knowing how excited Auburn could get when she wanted something.

  Auburn shook her head and tutted and began again, her impatience beginning to show. “I know where Tom lives and we must get inside it’s vital. Will you come with me now keep cave, I can’t go on my own?”

  Rachel frowned, “KV, what’s that mean?”

  “C.A.V.E. it’s Latin for beware, means to keep watch, keep watch for me while I search for his computer. I need to read his emails, it will tell us what he’s been up to, and possibly where Peter is I hope. Very important, please we need to hurry, now!”

  “I can’t Auburn not now, I’m off to work. I work most Saturdays you know. Later possibly?”

  “Oh!” she tutted again, “When later?”

  “Shouldn’t we wait until it’s dark?”

  “Suppose... Ok I’ll come back at 8 o’clock. 8 o’clock tonight!” Auburn repeated. “Bye.” And with that she dived out the half open door and was off down the stairs back to her flat, leaving a confused Rachel standing in the doorway staring at her disappearing figure. But there was no time to dawdle, she was now late for work.

  “Hold the light higher, I can’t see the lock!” Auburn hissed over her shoulder at Rachel standing behind desperately trying to point the beam of light in the right direction, while glancing back nervously positive they’d be caught breaking in.

  “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she whispered urgently.

  Auburn had come prepared with a screwdriver and a long thin bladed knife.

  In answer to her question, the front door silently opened and in they went. Rachel hurriedly closed the door behind her, and leant against it. Her heart was thumping, and her forehead was damp. “I don’t think I can carry on, this is crazy, sorry!” she nervously said.

  “Sorry! You will be if we are caught here. You have to wait outside, how can you see if he comes back from here, honestly!” She tutted loudly pushing back against a very reluctant Rachel until she was forced to turn about and opening the door a jar peered out.

  “Outside Rachel, quickly!” Auburn ordered giving her one final shove and shutting the door on her.

  Rachel still had the torch, so l
eft inside in the dark she fumbled around feeling the wall until her fingers found the light switch. A cold bright light flooded the room from the single overhead light encased in a cheap off white coloured shade. Looking about her she realised she was in his living room.

  Outside, Rachel reluctantly turned off the torch allowing the cold dark air to envelope her. She shivered and pulled up her coat collar, she was definitely not cut out to be an action woman, or a burglar.

  Had she kept the torch on she might have caught sight of another figure, some way away from her but also watching not only the flat but her. The silhouetted figure headed off having witnessed enough in the general direction they had come from.

  Auburn wrinkled up her nose as she surveyed his living room. It was tidy but sparse. A three-seater leather couch held the middle ground, facing a 40ins+ TV with a rectangular wood effect coffee table in between. There was a disused Victorian fireplace centred on the right wall with a cheap plaster surround and a tiny wooden ledge above. The left wall contained a small window. Against the window and blocking almost half of it was a natural wood table, scratched and stained, plus one solitary wooden chair. An old patterned carpet covered the floor and that was that.

  Two doors situated on the far wall led off this room. The one to the left she discovered led into a tiny kitchen. She popped her head inside but quickly retreated, nothing of interest there, unless she fancied a Chinese takeaway of uncertain age which sat on the sideboard. The other door held more of an interest. The bedroom consisted of an enormous bed, probably king size, which almost took up the whole room, allowing just enough space for a small side table. A built-in cupboard was the only receptacle for clothes. She opened the cupboard door and suddenly entered an Aladdin’s cave. The cupboard was far deeper than it should be. Two rails one on either side led inwards, both being stocked full of suites, blazers, and a variety of coloured shirts, many being designer label. The floor was full of shoes and boots in all shapes and colours.

  “Wow!” was the only word that escaped her lips, as she squeezed inside the cupboard and ran her hands along the clothes. As she read every magazine and newspaper she could get her hands on, she was well up on current fashions, and so it appeared was he. Backing out she looked about her and realised there was one more door. This was the tiny bathroom. She looked through his collection of perfumes, and in a drawer, she found an assortment of creams, and an eclectic mix of condoms, in all shapes and sizes, and colours. Fascinated, she rummaged through them and decided to pocket a couple of so called ‘ticklers’ and three flavoured ones, as she could not make up her mind which looked the best.

  She left the bedroom and stepped back into the living room. She was very disappointed, what she wanted to find was nowhere to be seen, and as there was no room to swing that unfortunate cat in here, there were no hidden parts or secret doors remaining to be found. It had been a wasteful trip.

  The front doorbell rang and Freddy hurried to answer it assuming it was Auburn.

  “Where’s that key I gave you madam!” He called out, opening the door wide.

  “No key sorry, darling!” Tom said, pushing his way inside.

  “What you doing here, what you want?”

  “Look I’m not here to cause trouble, on the contrary, can I come in and sit down?”

  Freddy was unsure, but he did fancy him, still, even after what he had endured; lust was a terrible master.

  “Just for a minute, I’m expecting Auburn back very soon.”

  “Thanks matey, I’ll be gone before she’s back...”

  “Can I get you a drink, tea, coffee, stronger?”

  “Just sit, ok.” Tom replied walking into the living room and plopping down onto the couch.

  Freddy followed him in and instead chose to sit opposite him. Perched on the edge of his seat waiting for Tom to begin, he wondered exactly what he was about to say.

  “About last night, I got a bit carried away. I’m sorry I was rough with you, it’s just I really fancy the pants off you. I just couldn’t help myself, it’s really your fault for being so bloody sexy, you know, but I am sorry if I hurt you.”

  “Well...” Freddy felt himself relax, not much of an apology but...

  “Do you think we could start again, eh Freddy, as they say go out again, perhaps a meal first...” he left the rest unsaid, he had done enough, so easy, Freddy was already his for the taking, and god he could take him now.

  Freddy looked at him, a silly grin forming across his handsome but slightly effeminate features. Tom patted the couch next to him and Freddy joined him. Putting his arm around Tom he drew him towards him, the kiss was long and desperate.

  “Have we got time?” Tom whispered, “I need to...”

  Freddy jumped up and taking Tom’s hand, led him out the room and into his bedroom.

  Auburn turned off the light in the living room and carefully opened the front door. Stepping outside, she stopped dead, it was so dark.

  “Rachel, Rachel!” she urgently called out unable to see her or in fact anything.

  “I’m here,” Came the reply as she appeared out of the shadows and lightly touched Auburn’s arm.

  Auburn suddenly felt anxious standing outside his flat.

  “Let’s get out of here, let’s go home.” She whispered, already setting off down the road for home without waiting for Rachel.

  On the way back Rachel having caught up with Auburn was dying to know what she had found.

  “No nothing I wanted. He must have it all at Peter’s mum’s house.”

  “Damn it, now what, after all that too?”

  Auburn slowed her pace. “All what?” she demanded.

  Their love session was frantic and sadly once again painful for Freddy. Afterwards he lay there bruised on his bed, too sore to move for the moment, watching Tom hurriedly putting on his shirt and trousers.

  “I’ll ring you Love. You rest you need it, I’ll see myself out. Cheers!”

  He deliberately shut the bedroom door behind him, and glanced about, he’d have to be quick. He looked into the next bedroom but that was obviously Auburn’s, so he didn’t bother going in but went to the final bedroom and opened the door. It was no larger than a box room but was obviously used as the study. He sat on the seat in front of the computer screen and turned it on. Using his dummy Gmail account, he sent an email to Alice purporting to be from Peter, tell her how happy he was and not wanting to return. Then deliberately using Freddy’s own email account, he sent one to Auburn.

  That done he slipped out the flat, down the stairs and outside ran off, just as around the corner came Auburn and Rachel from the other direction, but they failed to see him.

  Chapter Eight

  Monday morning arrived, and a sore and bruised Freddy reluctantly dragged himself out of bed and into the bathroom. He had had to feign sickness to Auburn so he could stay in bed all of Sunday to recover.

  Sunday had been a beautiful day, with a bright sun shining on a cloudless light blue sky, too nice to stay in and look after Freddy so Auburn had taken herself off to the beach. Bournemouth is famous for its soft sandy beaches, so she parked her towel on the beach near the pier, but not too close to anyone else, and happily sat and watched the world having fun. She was more than happy to sit amongst other people, providing they left her in peace. If a family or some of the children began to invade her space, or even worse to have the audacity to speak to her, she quickly packed up and moved away to another spot.

  She had dressed in a pair of bright orange coloured hot pants, so she could splash about in the sea, but unfortunately without thinking she had brought along her trusty laptop with her. So as she didn’t dare leave it unattended, she carried it carefully in both hands in front of her as she paddled about at the edge of the sea. The sea was still freezing in spite of it having been a long hot summer, but as she bravely waded in
almost up to her waist, the waves covering most of her shorts, she hadn’t a care in the world. People nearby watching a grown woman playing in the surf on her own like a kid, yet holding a laptop, must have thought her slightly mad, but she would have corrected them, saying she wasn’t mad, she was just ‘special.’

  Bournemouth was also a surfing centre and the majority of them seemed to gather in the water just off the beach around the pier, as they either sat or lay on their boards awaiting a true wave to ride back on. Sadly none ever came, which prompted Auburn to wonder if those on their boards were just posers, happy to pass the day chatting to their fellow neighbours. She would store that thought away in her memory in case she actually met one of them and could ask that question. She wondered if she could get a board and sit on it too.

  After bouncing about in the surf for an age, she got out and decided to walk along the beach to dry off. She walked precisely 1111 steps, counting all the way under her breath before turning around to go back.

  She had now made it back to the point of her departure, but there was a major problem, she had only counted 1101 steps. To go on the final ten steps would have brought her at a point right under the pier. This would not do, she had been so careful to count each step aloud as she walked. This was awful, she was almost panicking, unsure what she should do. Should she do the walk all over again and get it right, or just give in and sit under the pier - this wasn’t fair, she had things, important things, to do right now, but first she had to overcome this major problem, what to do with the final 10 steps. Ten steps, ten bloody steps, this was awful.

  And so in a quandary with her mind in turmoil, she began spinning around and around in a circle, humming an unrecognisable tune.

  From her vantage point on the pier, one member of the law was on duty, watching the crowds for any signs of trouble. Orla Mary Gray by chance happened to look straight down from the pier onto the beach below and saw several people standing and staring at something. Suddenly she realised it was Auburn spinning around and reckoned she had seconds to get to her before she giddily fell over, depositing her computer in the sand and causing a scene. Just as Auburn began to fall over, giddy from all that spinning, a pair of strong arms were about her, holding her tight and guiding her slowly and safely.