by Lynda Renham
‘When she gets her inheritance at eighteen there is nothing you can do, and if she decides to share that with me, then that’s her choice.’
‘You won’t get her inheritance. My God, I’ll kill you first.’
Patrick moved away slowly, his jaw throbbing.
‘Fuck you,’ he mumbled. ‘Fuck you to hell.’
Edward had started walking back to the house and didn’t hear him. Patrick watched him disappear from sight and then made his way back down the drive. Christ, he’d never expected that. He stopped and leant against the wall. For a moment he thought he might faint. A drink what was he needed. The bastard never gave him a penny either. Calling him a dirty gypo too. Who the fuck did he think he was? You let everyone walk over you, Lil was always saying. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to stop.
‘Fucker,’ he groaned, feeling another tooth wobble. ‘Rich stinking fucker.’
Chapter Seventy-Six
Present day
Libby
‘Fifteen years,’ he smiles. ‘They’ve treated you well. The hair is an improvement, it suits you.’
I stare at his face. At his brown hair now flecked with grey, and into his brown eyes which are hard and angry. I’d wanted to see what he looked like and now here he is. I’ve never been more terrified in my life.
‘They said I had a flair for acting when I was in prison. I think I got quite good at it. The stage make-up was what I enjoyed the most. I spent hours trying to decide who I would be when I came out. What do you think? God knows I had enough practice,’ he says. ‘I think playing the part of Simon Wane was my best work. Did you like the accent?’
‘Oh God,’ I mutter.
What was it Fran had said; something about stage make-up and the theatre? How could I have been so stupid?
‘But Donna and Joel,’ I say, unable to comprehend what is happening.
‘Ah, yes,’ he says pouring whisky for himself. ‘That dog was useful. I cut its lead just enough so that one tug and it would break. That was easy. You know how they love that dog. So I became their friends, and it was only a matter of time before they introduced me to you. It worked like clockwork,’ he smiles.
‘How did you find me?’
‘You make friends in the nick. They all have their skills. A favour owed. It wasn’t hard.’
I quiver as he pulls a chair forward and sits in front of me, placing a hand on my knee.
‘Are you still up for it, Libby?’
I shiver. He licks his lips and reaches behind him for the whisky bottle.
‘That’s what you always wanted wasn’t it?’
‘You bastard.’
He slides his hand up my thigh and smiles.
‘You were never my type darling. You were too young, too selfish, too privileged, but I felt sorry for you. Sorry I wasn’t more forthcoming as Simon. I could tell you were gagging for it.’
‘You make me sick.’
It’s all starting to make sense. It was Ewan who copied my keys. That night he rushed to the loo. He had them in his hand. How could I have been so stupid, so trusting? Damn it, he even watched me enter the alarm code.
‘Idiot,’ I mutter, struggling in the chair.
‘You were so trusting, Libby. You let me into the flat. You kept giving me your phone number. Lovely cat is Merlin by the way. I felt sure at any moment you’d realise it was me. I thought you were smarter.’
‘There were times,’ I say.
‘Yeah, I realised I slipped up occasionally.’
‘Ewan … listen …’
‘Fifteen years I’ve been inside. Fifteen. Fucking. Years. Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?’
‘Ewan …’
Caroline will raise the alarm. Once we don’t turn up for dinner, she’ll phone the police. They’ll contact Fran and they’ll be here. I just have to stall him.
He waves the video tape in front of my eyes.
‘I’d forgotten about this. That’s where I was the idiot. I remembered it ten years ago. I didn’t know if your uncle had gone ahead with it. He didn’t really want to discover that a member of staff was stealing from the desk drawer. He was fond of us, all of us. I told him not to be so sentimental and install a surveillance camera. He must have done it. I imagine this is the only tape there is.’
I try to work out what time it could be. It must be about five, perhaps later. Caroline is expecting us for drinks at six. A whole hour before she’ll start worrying where we are. How can I stall Ewan for that long?
*
Fifteen years earlier
‘Please state your name for the court.’
‘Patrick O’Leary.’
‘Mr O’Leary, do you know the defendant?’
‘I had a run in with him, if that’s what you mean.’
‘A run in? Would you explain to the court what that means?’
‘I had an unpleasant experience with him. He threatened me with a shotgun.’
‘When was this Mr O’Leary?’
‘I don’t remember the actual date. It was just before Christmas.’
‘You’re from Australia aren’t you Mr O’Leary.’
‘Yeah can’t you tell?’ laughed Patrick.
‘You were here on a visa, is that correct?’
‘Yes I was.’
‘And you didn’t pay rent to the farmer where you kept your caravan and you didn’t pay your bar bill at the pub, The Crown. You also owed money at the betting shop in Padley. Is that correct?’
‘Yes, but …’
‘And according to Mr Galbreith you asked for money to stop seeing Libby Owen?’
Patrick looked at Libby.
‘Yeah, I asked for money.’
‘Edward Owen didn’t much like your friendship with his niece, did he?’
‘No, I guess not.’
‘Were you sleeping with Libby Owen?’
Libby bowed her head. Patrick glanced at Lil.
‘No, she was too young. We were mates.’
‘Are you sure Mr Galbreith threatened you with a gun?’
‘Oh yeah, I saw it alright. It scared the shit out of me.’
The barrister nodded.
‘So you were afraid?’
‘Yeah, I was.’
‘Even though the defendant had one arm in plaster?’
‘He had the gun in the other hand.’
‘I see. You’re absolutely sure you saw a gun?’
‘He aimed it at my fucking balls. I saw it.’
‘Why would Mr Galbreith threaten you?’
‘Libby’s uncle sent him. He didn’t want Libby being mates with a gypsy.’
‘Did Mr Galbreith seem in control of himself?’
‘Oh yeah, cool as a cucumber.’
‘So, he didn’t seem like someone who would lose it easily?’
‘Objection, the witness is not a psychologist.’
‘Sorry, Your Honour, I phrased that rather badly. Mr O’Leary, are you saying that Mr Galbreith was calm and didn’t do you any harm with the gun?’
‘Yes, but …’
‘No more questions Your Honour.’
Patrick let out a sigh of relief. He glanced at Libby, but she still had her head bowed.
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Present day
Libby
The room is getting dark. Heavy black clouds cover the sun and rain beats against the window. I can’t take my eyes off Ewan. He pulls a jumper over his muscular torso. He’s still attractive in that same confident easy way he always had.
‘Weather’s changed,’ he says.
It’s cold in the house and I shiver.
‘You never liked me,’ I say miserably.
He pushes his hair from his forehead and throws kindling onto the fire.
‘You were a kid, Libby.’
‘I was nearly eighteen.’
‘You were still a kid. You were spoilt. Edward and Rose spoilt you.’
‘Edward was too soft on you,’ I say angrily. ‘Somet
imes I think he thought more of you than he did of me.’
Ewan laughed.
‘Ridiculous,’ he says throwing a match to the wood. The glow lights up the room.
‘I’m going to untie you now and I don’t want you to try anything stupid. Do you understand?’
I nod. I’ve a better chance of escaping if I’m not tied to a chair. I just need to get to the gun room. I have no idea if the guns are still there, or if the cartridges are in the cupboard but it’s the only chance I’ve got. I must not be too eager. He’ll be expecting me to try and escape. He would have thought about the guns. He’s not stupid. He’s probably taken the cartridges, but I have to try.
‘We’re going to look at that video together,’ he says.
He’s untying my wrists. He’s very close to me and that familiar smell that is uniquely Ewan’s, washes over me and practically takes my breath away. Even now he can get me aroused simply by being close. He looks into my eyes and I swallow nervously.
‘I can’t watch the video Ewan, don’t make me.’
I can’t relive that terrible night.
‘Memories are always worse than the reality,’ he says with a smile.
‘I can’t,’ I whisper.
‘You can, and we will.’
There is no warmth in his eyes.
‘Ewan …’
He steps back from me. My feet are still tied so any plans I had of making a run for it are hopelessly dashed. He has no intention of untying them.
‘Lean forward and put your hands behind your back,’ he says firmly.
I consider clawing at his face but what would be the point? I can’t go anywhere and it will just make him even angrier. I glance at my phone. If I can just hit button two to speed dial Fran, she’ll be able to hear everything. Maybe it is worth the risk. I lift my arms and lash out at his chest with all my strength. I take him by surprise and he loses his balance. In that second I reach for my phone. But Ewan is fast. He always was. His hand slams into my cheek sending me reeling back in pain. The phone slips from my fingers. The pain shoots down my neck and into my shoulder. Ewan had shown me no mercy. He grabs me by the throat and I gasp in shock.
‘Don’t play games with me Libby,’ he growls. ‘I’ve lost fifteen years of my life so don’t expect me to be soft on you.’
Tears rain down my cheeks. Has Caroline raised the alarm yet? It must be six o’clock by now.
‘Ewan please, I can give you money.’
The moment I say it I realise what a mistake I’ve made. He glares at me.
‘I don’t want your fucking money, Libby. Maybe everyone else did but not me.’
‘Ewan, you don’t understand …’
He pulls my arms roughly behind my back and I cry out.
‘We’re going to watch this video together,’ he says. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t think to bring popcorn.’
I fight to control my sobbing. I realise there is no use pleading with him and when he unties my ankles I make no attempt to escape. There’s nowhere to go and with my hands tied I’m helpless. Ewan has me exactly where he wants me, and I hate him for it.
Chapter Seventy-Eight
Fifteen years earlier
Libby clapped her hand over her mouth when she saw Patrick’s face.
‘It’s alright babe,’ he said. ‘It was a little accident. I’m okay.’
‘Your face is all swollen,’ she said, tears springing to her eyes.
Patrick had wanted to meet in The Crown, but Libby knew that Ewan and that lot would be there and that was all she needed.
‘Meet me at The Wine Bar,’ she’d said.
The wine bar was too expensive and upmarket for Patrick but he met her there anyway. He was still fucked that Owen hadn’t given him the money. His thoughts were on the inheritance that Libby had talked about. He could keep her sweet. Once he got the dosh out of her, he, Lil and the kids could up sticks, leave Sydney and move to a nice place in the country. Lil always wanted to go out to the country. Libby wouldn’t find them and if she did, so what? He’d just tell her to get lost. But if they kept a low profile there was little chance that Libby would find them.
‘What happened?’ Libby asked, stroking his face.
‘Have you got money?’ he asked. ‘Only I’m skint. I could do with some rum.’
‘Yes,’ she said, pushing her hand into her sparkly clutch bag.
She looked appealing, thought Patrick. He liked it when she wore revealing dresses like this one. She had a bra on, but you could see the outline of her nipples, and Patrick felt himself growing erect. He took the money from her and went to the bar. He ordered a rum and coke for himself and a white wine for her. He didn’t bother giving her the change.
‘Your uncle hit me,’ he said.
Libby gasped.
‘What? Why? I don’t understand.’
‘I went to ask him for money. I’m fucking skint, Lib. Lil just blows money like I don’t know what. I’ve got some debts and …’
‘Oh Patrick, what did you say to him?’
‘It don’t matter,’ he said vaguely. ‘But he got really upset when I said you planned to come to Australia when you get your inheritance and …’
‘He can’t stop me going,’ she said quickly.
‘No, and he knows that. That’s why he got angry I suppose.’
‘I wish you weren’t going to Australia, Pat.’
‘You’ll come. As soon as you get your money, you can fly over. I’ll get a place for you and we can meet up regularly and …’
‘You’ll leave Lil?’ she said, but there was doubt in her voice.
‘Sure, of course. I just have to let her down lightly, you know. There’s the kids and everything.’
‘We’ll give her money,’ she said. ‘I’m inheriting a lot.’
Patrick smiled. He’d certainly landed on his feet here, just as long as Owen didn’t poke his nose in. He’d be set up for life. So would Lil. He’d need to talk to her about this. It was too good an opportunity to let go. Maybe they could sort something out. Get as much of this inheritance as they could. The thought of the money and the sight of Libby’s nipples were making him horny.
‘Let’s go somewhere,’ he said sliding his hand along her knee and up her thigh. Libby shivered. She loved it. It would be good if he didn’t have to give this up. Money and great sex, what more could a man ask for?
‘I have to get back to Laura’s party. You can come with me if you like.’
‘I’ve got a plane to catch Libby.’
She pulled back from him.
‘When?’
‘In a few hours, they changed the flights,’ he lied.
Her face darkened and he felt her stiffen against him.
‘I don’t want you to go.’
‘Libby, you’re going to come out remember, as soon as you get your inheritance. I’ll be waiting for you.’
‘How do I know I will hear from you again?’
He pulled her towards him and kissed her hard on the lips.
‘That’s how.’
Libby clutched his hand.
‘But I thought we were going to spend tomorrow together.’
‘Yeah, me too doll. That’s why I’ve come tonight. It wasn’t easy getting away.’
‘Oh Patrick,’ she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Christ, this was all he needed. He’d been hoping for a good fuck not bloody tears and a scene.
‘I have to get on that flight babe. I don’t want any trouble from your uncle.’
Libby hugged him tightly and he felt her breasts straining against him.
‘I don’t want you to go.’
‘It’s not me babe, it’s him.’
‘Let’s go somewhere,’ she said huskily.
He nodded. He might as well end things on a good note.
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Fifteen years earlier
New Year’s Eve
Ewan finished his beer and glanced at his phone. It was time to head
back to Manstead.
‘I’d better get back,’ he said.
‘We’ll see you later?’ asked Dianne.
‘Yeah, I’ll pop back.’
Neil should be on his way. The sooner it was done the better. He walked from the pub with a heavy heart. People were already celebrating down by the promenade. It was freezing. He was glad he’d put the electric blanket over Princess. She’d be calm and warm now. He sighed and walked slowly to Manstead Manor. Neil would wait for him.
A battered old car shot out of the gates of Manstead as he approached. It couldn’t be one of Edward’s dinner guests in a car like that, and besides, hadn’t Rose cancelled the dinner? He shrugged and carried on down the drive. He was disappointed to see that Neil’s car was not in the driveway. Surely he hadn’t been and gone. That wasn’t like Neil. Ewan checked the time on his phone. It was just on eight-thirty. Maybe he was running late. He strolled around to the stables and stopped at the door. Something was wrong, he sensed it. He opened the stable door slowly. Princess was lying as he’d left her, but things weren’t right. Her eyes rolled towards him and between her groans she let out a sigh. She’d come out of the sedation early. She hadn’t groaned like this before. Damn Neil, where was he?
‘I’m back Princess, you should be sleeping.’
He leant down to pat her, and it was then he saw the blood-soaked blanket. Princess’s groans seemed to vibrate through him. He stared in horror at the gunshot wound in her neck. What the …?
‘Christ,’ he groaned.
He laid his hand on her chest.
‘It’s alright my gorgeous, it’s alright.’
Her pulse rate was weak. He punched in Neil’s number with his bloodied shaking hands.
‘What the fuck Neil? What the fuck happened here?’ he yelled.
‘Ewan? I haven’t been to you. Edward cancelled my visit. What’s happened? Ewan … Is Princess …’
‘What the …?’
He threw the phone to the ground and hurried to the house. His anger was so intense that he had to fight the urge to barge straight into Edward’s study. He pulled a rifle from the rack in the gun room and forced himself to take a deep breath. He couldn’t miss. He daren’t miss. He couldn’t put Princess through any more. That bastard, that tight-fisted bastard, so help him God he’d murder the slaughterer. He ran back to the stable. How long had it been? Jesus, how long had she been suffering like this? He should have come back earlier. Damn him to hell.