by Hoy, E. S
Back in Manchester Nathan was grabbing a connecting flight to Heathrow; they said their goodbyes. Nathan would be back in two days but to Eve it felt like forever. Sitting in the taxi she felt empty; Tara was away so the house would be empty. It was midmorning here but Eve still wanted to be asleep; jet lag was far worse travelling back to the UK. It was late May and warming up nicely; Eve was hoping to maintain her tan. She decided for the next couple of days she would sort out the patio in the back garden. The patio needed power washing, and she would purchase some rattan furniture for sitting outside. That would take her mind off the separation at least.
The cottage looked pretty in the sunshine and Eve was pleased to be home, the driver dumped her case and left her at her gate. Eve noticed the neighbour weeding her front garden; she had only seen her to wave to and hadn’t spoken before.
“Good morning, your garden looks lovely; the roses are almost ready to flower aren’t they?” The old lady beamed at her, she wasn’t the same lady that had lived here when she was a child.
“Hello dear, Eve isn’t it? Father Michael waited a long time for you to come home” Eve had been about to go indoors but paused
“I’m sorry? Father Michael didn’t arrive until the same time as me I thought” The old lady smiled
“Yes dear but when I moved here three years ago there was a lovely letter through my door. Father Michael was doing his works over in Africa and was desperate to get in touch with his long lost family. He asked me to let him know if the young lady ever moved back in next door. So when you turned up I rang him and he came straight over. You must have been delighted to see him again”
Eve nodded in puzzlement and dragged her case indoors closing the door behind her. He had known she was here? He said he didn’t know she even existed. Perhaps he was talking about Isabella, but then why would he want to see her again? She decided not to say anything to him until she felt it was appropriate but it was strange and not how he told it at all.
The curtains were all drawn so she opened them to let the summer light in; the house was just as she had left it. After unpacking she made a drink, there was no fresh milk so she drank it black. She opened the fridge and was surprised to see fresh food left to go mouldy. Tara was a stickler for not wasting food, it looked like she had a meal prepared but not got around to cooking it. She must have gone away on the spur of the moment, another unfamiliar behaviour for her friend. Her alarm bells were ringing again; despite the reassurance of her text she still had a tinge of doubt.
She decided to go out for some groceries and checked the garage on the way. Tony had done an amazing job in there, the tool cupboard was beautifully made and all the equipment had been set up for her. There was a running machine, exercise bike, power plate and an area fitted with special sponge flooring for weights or any yoga type training. There were mirrors hung along the wall in front of the weights area so you could check your posture. Eve would pick up a docking station for her iPod, that way they could have music on while they trained Tara would be thrilled.
After spending a fortune in Tesco on food and drink ready for Nathan and Tara’s return she decided to call in on Michael. At least if she called on him he wouldn’t turn up uninvited later, she fancied some alone time and an early night. Leaving her car at her house she walked down the road to the vicarage. The shortcut took her through the graveyard, she wanted to check Leila’s grave on the way. As she rounded the corner she spotted the woman with the cap, and she was crouching down in the same area as her mum’s grave. She shouted over to her to stay where she was, the woman rose to her feet startled and set off running. Eve was wearing the wrong shoes for giving chase but she ran as far as the grave then stopped. Freesia’s had been left there again, she couldn’t be sure but the woman appeared to be in this spot. Michael may have seen her hanging around and spoken to her, she was even surer now there was a connection to Leila.
She carried on to the vicarage and rang the bell; she heard rustling and lots of noise before he finally answered. Michael looked taken aback to see her and pulled the door semi closed behind him, she obviously wasn’t going to be invited inside.
“Eve darling I was coming over in a few minutes, I just had to sort out Paul he is having a bad day, the nurse is struggling to calm him” Eve could hear a lot of banging going on
“What is all the banging?” Michael looked shifty for want of a better word.
“He bangs the floor and walls with his stick to summon us, listen I have to go to him I will call up later it’s wonderful to have you home” Eve frowned as he turned round and disappeared back inside. Well that wasn’t the welcome she expected, this day was becoming ever more curious. All she wanted was to cook a nice meal and curl up, and now she wouldn’t be able to great!
After sorting her kitchen Eve slipped on some shorts and went to try out the gym. She had purchased a music player so set up some upbeat tempo tunes to help her work up a sweat. The hour passed by very pleasantly, who knew exercise could be such fun. She cooled down by stretching on the matting and sang along to a bit of Whitney.
“Eve you have a beautiful voice” Startled she almost toppled out of her pose
“Michael chr..rumbs you made me jump, I need a shower really, now isn’t the best time.” Michael walked in looking at the room he appeared impressed.
“You wouldn’t know a murder ever took place here now, it looks totally transformed. The builder has done wonders you must be thrilled” Eve shivered at her earlier memories of this space; yes Tony had eliminated those bad vibes.
“Yes I did it for Tara really, she hates going to public gyms, but actually I think I will use it just as much. I wanted to say earlier that woman I told you about, I think she was at Leila’s grave before. She was bending down in more or less the same place and when I shouted she ran away. There were fresh flowers there again” Michael’s expression darkened considerably
“I will find her and get some answers, although you may have scared her off now” Eve felt like she had been told off. They walked out of the garage and Eve stopped short causing Michael to run into her back.
“Michael there she is” The woman was walking towards the cottage until she saw them and turned around. Michael was determined to stop her
“I am going to catch up with her I will phone you after I speak to her; you get a shower I will ring you.” He then jogged off after the woman and Eve began to worry, she hoped the woman wasn’t dangerous, the dreams had implied she was. The image of Michael standing over her body covered in blood shot into her vision and she shuddered violently. Shoving all bad thoughts away she went inside to wash and wait for him to call.
.
Chapter 19
Two hours later and she still hadn’t received Michael’s call. By now she was pacing the floor with worry; debating whether or not to go back and search for him. Grabbing her door keys she was halted by the phone it was her father
“Michael; thank goodness; what happened I have been worried.” When he spoke his voice sounded a little strained
“I lost her; she must know the area as one minute she was in front of me and then the next she had disappeared. I have been walking around hoping to get a glimpse but nothing. Don’t be concerned I will be alert and if she turns up again I will try and be more subtle. I can’t come back to your house tonight; Paul is being rather demanding. I fear that his health is failing and don’t feel able to leave him alone at the moment so I will call you again tomorrow. Goodnight sweetheart remember I love you.” Eve closed her phone and sat on her bed, an odd call that was. She was jolted by the phone ringing again this time it was Nathan; she inwardly smiled at the sight of his name.
“Hello angel I am missing you, how is everything up there?” Eve took a calming breath and told Nathan everything that had happened including the exchange with the lady next door.
“Eve I don’t like the sound of this at all, I will try and come up tomorrow instead of Saturday, it will have to be late on so stay awake fo
r me, but I will be there. I hate the idea of you dealing with this alone, that woman is obviously in need of help. Your father has lied to you and I have no idea why, but the sooner I can get up there the better. Will you be okay tonight?” Eve knew she was in for a disturbed sleep but brushed it off, Nathan was aware of the same thing.
“If you wake up scared ring me and I will be here, I love you Eve, please be careful and maybe have a glass of wine to help you sleep.” Eve laughed but after he had gone she went down to open a bottle of red. Eve made herself vegetarian pasta with lemon and garlic; it was delicious and she ate most of it despite her nervous stomach. She curled up in front of the soaps; she had no idea who half the characters were but it was great zone out TV. Tiredness struck about midnight; she dragged herself to bed and once her head hit the pillow she was out like a light.
Michael stood before her crying, the woman in the cap was standing behind him laughing her arm rose holding her father’s hammer. Tara was screaming clinging to Eve’s leg; Eve looked down at her tear streaked face. Michael was begging Eve to save him, but the hammer was about to fall. As she closed her eyes to block out the sight, her mother whispered in her ear “let him go Eve he deserves to die”
This time the dream had come later into her sleep so Eve could get up; she was getting fed up of waking up as though she had been through an ordeal. The dreams felt so realistic and the clarity was incredible. Despite the feeling of warmth and the hour of the day, it seemed dark to Eve so she pulled back a curtain to be confronted by a wall of fog.
“Oh great I was going to clean the patio” Fog usually lifted after a few hours so she went out to her gym for an early morning workout. By the time she was done the fog had lifted a little but there was still a mist on the fields. Instead of showering straight away she got out her Karcher washer and blasted the large patio in front of the conservatory. The area was quite large; she would be able to purchase a dining set as well as two recliners. They would all fit comfortably on it along with some nice large planters. She was covered in mud and wet through but she had found it very therapeutic.
Clean and fresh in cropped jeans and a lovely top from Victoria’s shop she went online to search rattan furniture. There was a knock at the door and Eve was surprised and a little worried to find Detective Newton standing there.
“Come in please, it’s nice to see you again, well nice is the wrong word I guess. Is this about Rory?” The detective sat on her sofa and waited for her to sit also.
“Miss Purnell when did you last see your lodger?” Eve’s heart started beating madly; her mind was spinning what was going on now?
“I saw her last Friday, a week ago, I left for LA. Tara was going to stay at her sisters Wednesday but stopped off at friends on the way. That is what she told Sue and I anyway, what is going on?” Eve had a terrible feeling
“We have spoken to her sister I believe she is now on her way here to see you, you both only received text messages is that correct? Neither of you spoke to her in person or knew who this person was she supposedly went to see?” Shaking her head in disbelief Eve confirmed that was all correct
“We have found her vehicle abandoned on a farm track a couple of miles away. The farm has lain empty for years but developers went on site and found the empty vehicle blocking their path. They alerted us because the driver’s door was wide open and there was no sign of the owner.” Eve couldn’t help but cry, she had known something wasn’t right but not done anything about it.
“Don’t be alarmed we found no sign of a struggle or any blood, it may be she just met up with someone and got into their car. We did find a second set of tyre tracks; we are treating it as a missing person’s investigation. With the recent events surrounding your arrival here however there is a slight chance of some kind of plot against you do you know of anyone who may wish to cause you or your friends any harm?” Eve stopped crying and told him about the woman in the cap; actually she hadn’t seen her today so maybe Michael had scared her off.
“Rory was the only person I would have cause to worry about; you don’t make enemies in a kid’s home. You all stick together like family, so I can’t imagine any of them wanting me scared. Nathan has stalkers maybe it is a jealous female, but why Tara it doesn’t make sense.” Detective Newton made a few notes and then left. Eve was worried sick and tried Tara’s phone a few times but it was disconnected. Sue turned up an hour later and after sobbing on each other they sat and waited for news. Eve told Nathan what was happening and he was heading back shortly, she needed a hug right now. Sue looked devastated, she felt as stupid as Eve did, they knew Tara wouldn’t just change plans at the last minute they should have done something sooner.
They opened a bottle of wine to calm their nerves; it was dark now and the fog was back with a vengeance. They sat in the dark in silence not knowing what to do; suddenly there was a crashing on the window. The two girls both screamed and Eve recognised the woman looking in at them, it was the lady with the cap. Her cap was gone, she appeared to have a split lip and her hair was sticking out making her look like a wild banshee.
“Don’t let her in Eve call the police she looks deranged” Eve however was of a different opinion, the woman’s eyes looked very familiar and she felt a cold chill down her spine. The woman looked very much like Leila, and she looked terrified not dangerous. Eve opened the door and the woman dragged her by the arm
“Quick I know where your friend is you must hurry before he comes back and finds me gone. Hurry please she needs help” Eve and Sue charged out into the night following the woman, it was hard to keep up especially with the fog. They had no idea what was happening but the urgency in her voice demanded action. Eve was struggling to keep up with her; she was still feeling the effects of her earlier work out. Sue however had no trouble keeping pace.
“Wait please I can’t see you” The woman paused but only for a second, they were now in the cemetery and Eve had a sudden wave of nausea as she realised that this was her dream coming to life. She had no idea how this would turn out but she knew it was going to be very bad indeed. The woman slowed as they reached the vicarage, out of breath the three women leant against the wall.
“Be very quiet, he is in the front room resting, I escaped but Tara is poorly and it needs two of us to get her out.” Eve needed questions answering
“You are talking about Michael? Are you saying he has Tara? That is ridiculous he is a vicar, he wouldn’t do this and why would he anyway? You have been following us for weeks, why are you here?” The woman looked into Eve’s eyes and immediately she knew who she was.
“Izzy? It’s you isn’t it? What is going on tell me please” her sister shook her head Sue was staring open mouthed.
“I can’t answer any of that yet, we need to get Tara out she is fading fast dehydration I think. I promised I would come back for her and she will be scared. Eve you check round the front and see if he is still in the lounge. That way we know we have enough time to get her out, also if he spots you he won’t sense that something is wrong” Eve did as her sister instructed. Holding her breath she sidled along the walls until she could peer into the front window. Michael was sitting with his head in his hands, he looked distressed. Eve felt her heart break; she had let this man in despite her reservations. Here was yet another person to trample on her fragile soul, snapping out of her moment of self-pity she returned to the girls.
“All clear, but he looks like a man on the edge to me we need to get her out without disturbing him, God knows what he is capable of” Eve followed Sue as they crept around the back of the vicarage. Izzy halted at a low window close to the ground and carefully removed the glass. She whispered inside Sue almost choked when she saw her sister tied up in the corner, the room was obviously a cellar.
“Sue you stay up here we will go down to her and lift her up to you, get her straight home and get help. Eve you need to be strong there is another body down there with her and it smells pretty bad. Looks like Michael had to dispose of the v
icar to take his place. Eve swallowed a sob, what the hell was going on, she knew the priority was Tara but her need for answers was overpowering.
Izzy lowered herself through the small gap, and then dragged a crate over so Eve could drop down easier. She lowered her self carefully onto the crate and tiptoed over to her friend, Tara looked very pale and her eyes were closed. The smell down there was pungent she glanced over to the back of the room and could just make out a second body that was tied up. That must be Paul, he had obviously died down here and Michael had just left him to rot. Dragging her gaze away from the body she went over to the two girls, Izzy was bending over Tara.
“Eve quickly help me untie her, you try and undo her ankles” Eve touched her friends face and Tara opened her eyes, at first there was fear which was quickly replaced by relief.
“Eve thank God you have come, thank you Izzy, I knew you could do it. Eve he killed Rory you know I made him tell me, but then he shut me in here. I thought he was going to rape me” Tara was sobbing Eve was struggling with the knots but stopped to look at her friend
“Tara he didn’t hurt you did he? Not like that tell me please”
Tara shook her head to Eve’s relief and battled on with the ropes; the more she struggled the sweatier her hands became. Eventually after what seemed like a lifetime they finally had freed her. The two sisters dragged her shakily to her feet and lifted her carefully onto the crate; Sue reached down to grab her arms.
“Tara honey I am here; grab my hands,” Sue managed to pull while Eve and her sister pushed from underneath it was hard work but she made it out in one piece. They heard the cellar door rattle