The Broken Man (Special Edition)

by Josephine Cox

  Adam was amazed. ‘But that’s exactly what happened to me. On my second day here, your grandfather brought me to see the horses. He told me to approach the mare and raise the back of my hand near her face. I had to wait until the mare came up to sniff my hand, and then I was to very gently stroke her nose and move away, to see if she would come to me. And she did. It was amazing.’

  Amy smiled. ‘Grandfather told me that the back of the hand does not represent a threat. If you had gone straight up to the mare with your hand flat out, and she didn’t like your scent, she might have bitten your fingers off. Granddad was introducing you to her, like he did with me. The horses obviously liked you. That’s why he lets you feed and bed them down.’

  ‘Well I’m so glad he did, because I really like being with them.’

  From a short distance away, Grandmother Langdon spied on them. She could not hear their conversation, but she heard them laughing together. She inched closer. Enraged by the sight of Amy leaning in to the horse, with her hair touching Adam’s face, she made her way back to the caravan, where she sat by the window, impatiently waiting for Amy to come home. I should go and get her, she thought, but then she would only defy me even more.

  It was half an hour before Amy came back; her face warm with pleasure at having spent time with Adam.

  ‘What have you been up to?’ Grandmother Langdon assumed the worst.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Amy was angry. ‘I haven’t been up to anything. For your information, I’ve been in the stables with Adam and the horses. We just talked, and I helped him so he could finish early.’

  The older woman gave no reply. But she was determined to finish this relationship. Maybe Amy was telling the truth and nothing happened this time, but there would surely be another time, when things would not be so innocent. She had never wanted that boy on site. She neither liked, nor trusted him.

  When it came down to it, that boy would have Amy, take his pleasure and then he would move on, leaving her with child. They were all the same; only ever after one thing, and then they were gone in the night. She knew about these things.

  She also knew she had to do something about it, before these events came to pass.

  Retiring to her bedroom, she could not get the idea out of her head. She began pacing back and forth, her mind alive with plans. If he stays here, before you know it, he’ll have her in the sack and there’ll be a young ’un to care for, she thought. And who would end up being expected to look after the little bastard? Me, that’s who! Well, they’re wrong. I’ve done my baby-raising, and there’ll be no more of it!

  Soon, her plan was hatched in her mind and she could not wait to put it into action.

  The following afternoon a horse-trader, Bob, called in on Jack Langdon, telling him there was a young thoroughbred up for sale in the village some fifteen miles away. ‘I heard you were on the lookout for a high-class filly, being as your one isn’t as young as she used to be. As you know, the best filly thoroughbreds are not only hard to come by, but they fetch such prices as might put anyone off. But being as you can swing a bargain, I reckon you might fetch the price down to suit.’

  Jack was excited. ‘What made you think of me?’

  ‘That’s easy, Jack. You helped me out once, so I thought it was time to return the favour. The filly is out of a top thoroughbred, so you don’t want to hang about if you’re interested.’

  Jack could hardly hide his excitement. ‘I’ve already had three foals from the mare I have now, and sold them on at a tidy profit. And you’re right, I’ve been looking for a filly to bring up alongside her; get it ready for breeding, so to speak. So, what d’you reckon, Bob? Should I go tonight?’

  ‘Well, that’s up to you, but if it were me, I would not leave it till tomorrow, that’s for sure.’

  Before he left, Bob gave Jack the name and address of the breeder, and left him to think about it.

  As the visitor left, he looked up to see Grandmother Langdon at the caravan window. They exchanged a knowing smile. These two were long-time buddies.

  Adam had just finished his day’s work, when Jack approached him. ‘I’ve to go out for an hour or two this evening,’ he told Adam. ‘The other blokes are already off, and Pete’s been called away unexpectedly – there’s a spot of trouble with family, or something of the sort. It means I’m one security man short, though. So d’you think you’re man enough to fill the breach?’

  Adam was thrilled. ‘Yes, Mr Langdon. I already know Pete’s routine. I walked round with him the other night, and I can do it, no bother.’

  ‘Good! So, after you’ve seen to the horses, go and check with Seamus. He’ll put you right. Just make sure everything is as it should be. If there’s the slightest sniff of trouble, you must call Seamus. He won’t be far away, but you probably won’t need him. I’m counting on you, young Adam. Don’t let me down.’

  ‘I won’t let you down. Thank you, Mr Langdon.’ Adam was pleased to be trusted alongside Seamus.

  A short time later, after Adam had seen to the horses, he went to his caravan and hurriedly cleaned himself up. He then made himself a sandwich, but he was so excited he couldn’t eat it. He put the sandwich aside, collected his torch and went off to find Seamus.

  Seamus had already been briefed by the boss-man and he showed Adam the ropes. ‘Every half-hour, you check all the locks. You look for anything suspicious, like a flap of tarpaulin turned back, or a light on somewhere, or some little thing that doesn’t seem right. You check everything, however insignificant it might seem, but if you do find anything untoward, don’t take any chances, just call me and I’ll be there in a jiffy. Have you got that?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve got that.’ Every word was emblazoned on Adam’s mind.

  Some hour and a half later, he and Seamus had done the rounds three times, and the only misdemeanour they could find was that one of the workers had left a bucket across the walkway. In the gloom, Seamus accidentally knocked it over, startling both himself and Adam. Other than that, everything appeared to be normal.

  ‘I’d best go and tell the women not to worry.’ Seamus thought the clatter of the bucket might have made them nervous. ‘I’ll not be a minute,’ he told Adam. ‘You just hang on here.’ He left him by the caterpillar ride.

  Adam did as he was instructed. Keeping his eyes and ears open, he waited for Seamus to come back. Everything was quiet. There seemed nothing untoward.

  He almost jumped out of his skin when Seamus came up behind him. ‘It’s all right. Young Amy is safely locked in the caravan, listening to her music. Apparently, the grandmother’s in her bedroom having a nap.

  Seamus was relaxed. ‘Look, Adam, I’ll go round and check the rides. You have another walk round the stalls. We’ll meet up at the candyfloss stall. Oh, and we should swap torches. Yours looks a bit low on battery, I reckon. I’d much rather it died on me than you.’

  Adam thanked him. ‘It’s all right, Seamus.’ He gave the torch a shake. ‘I’m used to this one. It’s never let me down yet.’

  Seamus took him at his word, and each went his way.

  Halfway round the site, Seamus thought he heard a noise. Standing still and quiet as a mouse, he listened a while. ‘Damned cats!’

  Taking out his cigarette packet, he plucked one out and pressed it to his lips, then he struck a match and lit the cigarette. Relaxing, he sat on the steps of the carousel and took a few puffs, blowing the smoke out in perfect circles.

  Leaning back, he thought of his girlfriend at home and enjoyed the cigarette all the more. Adam’s a good boy, he thought, his mind now back on his responsibilities. Not many young boys actually listen to what you say … at least not some o’ these chaps we often hire through the summer. Think they know it all … lazy little sods!

  On the other side of the fairground, Adam was investigating the very same noise that Seamus thought he had heard.

  When a cat ran out from under the tarpaulin, Adam breathed a sigh of relief. But the relief was ended when suddenly he wa
s spun round and before he could shout for Seamus, his mouth was taped and a sack was thrown over his head. Propelled forward, he had no idea what was happening, or who the men were that held him in such a lock-hold he thought his arms would break.

  Terrified, he felt himself being dragged over rough ground, and then he was lifted and thrown into what he imagined must be a vehicle of sorts. He could hear an engine running, but he couldn’t see or even cry out.

  Behind him, Seamus heard the vehicle take off at speed. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, only to see the back end of a vehicle, partly hidden by flying dirt, and thick smoke rising from the exhaust. Just a fleeting glance, then all he could see were the lights as the vehicle sped away along the top lane. ‘Adam!’ He screamed his name as he ran back to the stalls. ‘Adam, answer me, dammit!’

  When it became obvious that Adam was nowhere to be found, he ran towards the Langdons’ caravan, only to be greeted by a frantic Amy.

  Having heard the speeding vehicle and then Adam’s name being called out, she was already running down the caravan steps. ‘What is it?’ she screamed at Seamus. ‘What’s happened? Where’s Adam?’

  Seamus wasn’t altogether certain exactly what had happened. ‘I sent Adam to check the stalls while I checked the rides. I heard a sound and ran round to the stalls, and there was this vehicle racing off – a van, I think, but I can’t be sure.’

  Amy was fearful. ‘Where’s Adam?’

  Seamus threw out his hands in despair. ‘I can’t find him. I’ve searched high and low and I can’t locate him. I checked the horses, but he’s not there either.’

  ‘So, where is he, Seamus?’ Amy was beside herself. ‘Where could he have gone? And who did the vehicle belong to?’ She had a really bad feeling. ‘I’m frightened, Seamus. What if he’s lying hurt somewhere? We’ve got to search. We’ve got to find him.’

  ‘I’ve searched every nook and cranny, and he’s nowhere on site,’ Seamus told her again. He took hold of her by the shoulders. ‘Listen, Amy, it’s no good us looking again. You’d best call your grandmother.’

  ‘No!’ Amy was adamant. ‘Leave her be. She doesn’t care about Adam.’

  Inside her bedroom, Grandmother Langdon listened to the conversation for a while, and then she turned over, a devious little smile on her crinkled old face.

  Outside, Amy ran past Seamus. ‘I’ll find him,’ she said. ‘He must be here somewhere.’

  Going after her, Seamus held her back. Looking down on her tearful face, he told her what he suspected. ‘I don’t know who was driving that vehicle, but whoever it was, I think they took him.’

  ‘No! Why would you say that?’ Then Amy remembered what Adam had told her. ‘He said his father was a controlling man. He ran away. He said he couldn’t go back. Oh, Seamus, maybe Adam’s father took him?’

  ‘But why snatch him like that? Why not come here himself, in daylight? Why did he not speak to your grandfather, like any other man would do? Amy, fetch Grandmother Langdon. Maybe she can get hold of Jack. Maybe he’ll know what to do.’

  Fearful for Adam’s safety, Amy relented, and ran into the caravan bedroom where she shook the older woman. ‘Grandmother! Get up, quick!’

  Opening one eye, the older woman cursed. ‘What d’you want?’

  Impatient, Amy shook her again. ‘We need Granddad. Adam’s gone missing.’

  ‘What? You mean he’s run off? I knew he would. I said all along he was trouble, but nobody would listen.’

  ‘No! He hasn’t run off. There was a van. Seamus thinks someone’s taken Adam. We need Granddad. Where is he, Grandmother? Can we call him?’

  ‘No, we can’t, and even if we could, he wouldn’t thank you for it. He’s doing an important deal just now. You know he won’t like to be interrupted.’

  ‘He’ll want to know about Adam and the van. Please, Grandmother, give me the number and I’ll call him.’

  ‘I can’t! I don’t have a number. And if I did, I would not give it to you. I knew all along that boy was trouble. Good riddance to him. I won’t be shedding any tears at his going. Now get out and leave me be!’

  When the door suddenly opened to admit Jack Langdon, Maggie was shocked. Drawing the covers over her, she demanded, ‘What’s brought you home so early? You said you’d be gone for most of the evening doing a deal or something … buying a filly thoroughbred, so I was led to believe.’

  ‘Really? And who told you … about the filly?’

  ‘Well, I don’t know. You must have done.’

  ‘No, I didn’t. There wasn’t time.’

  ‘Well then, I suppose Bob must have told me … We had a few words before he came to find you.’

  Jack was suspicious. ‘We’ll continue this conversation when I get back.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  His face set with anger as he stared down on her. ‘You get back to sleep. You and me … we’ll talk later.’

  Hurrying outside, he shouted for Seamus. ‘Fetch the Land Rover. Be quick! And think hard … which way did they go?’

  When Amy came running down the steps, he told her, ‘Go back. Lock all the doors and windows and keep an eye on your grandmother.’

  ‘I’m coming with you two. I’m coming to find Adam.’

  ‘Do as you’re told, Amy!’

  Amy’s answer was to fling the caravan door shut and run across to climb into the back seat of the Land Rover. ‘I’m coming with you, Granddad.’

  ‘Well, if I’m right, there’ll be no time for arguing. So keep quiet, sit still, and hold onto your hat!’

  When he put his foot down hard on the accelerator, the capable Land Rover responded at speed. As they fled along the lanes, Amy clung on with both hands. She had no idea where they were going. She had a feeling that her grandfather knew something, and from the way he spoke to Grandmother Langdon, maybe she knew more than she was saying. It was a bad situation with undercurrents she did not understand, and Adam was right in the middle of it.

  She could hear the two men talking in the front. ‘They wouldn’t have gone along the main route,’ Grandfather Langdon was saying. ‘Not from the way you described how the lights were bouncing up and down as they sped off. I reckon they went along the top lane?’

  ‘That’s right. I could see the lights clearly bobbing up and down, which means they were on a rough surface. Besides, if they’d been along the bottom lane, the spinney would have blacked out the lights, but I could clearly see the lights travelling on.’

  ‘Right! So, that’s the way we’ll go – along the top lane – and let’s hope to God we’re right.’

  After a rough and frightening journey, Adam was yanked out of the van. Blindfolded, and completely unaware of why this was happening, he could feel himself being dragged along rough terrain. He heard the voices of his attackers, but he was not able to recognise them.

  Suddenly his abductors came to a halt and he was dropped to the ground. All was quiet and for a moment he thought they’d gone, but then came the vicious kicking, and a harsh warning. ‘Somebody doesn’t like you! So don’t come back. You won’t get a second chance.’

  Time and again, Adam felt the impact of their boots against his battered body. Then he was rolling away, faster and faster before the darkness swept over his mind, and took away the pain.

  Jack Langdon senior had grown up in the countryside. What he didn’t know about tracking was not worth knowing. Amy’s grandfather was his only grandson, and it had given the old man the greatest pleasure to teach him everything he knew.

  It was this knowledge that Jack drew on now.

  While he walked in front, following every dip and scar in the road, Seamus crawled on behind in the Land Rover. Amy watched her grandfather and she knew if anyone could find Adam, it would be he.

  The abductors’ van had left behind a trail of clues: the peculiar swerves, and the deep tyre tracks were still fresh and telling a story.

  Amy had wanted to walk with him, but Jack told her to stay inside, a
nd so she hung her head out the window and watched her grandfather’s every move. When suddenly he stopped to call out, ‘Here! They pulled in here!’ both she and Seamus jumped out and ran to see.

  The evidence of a vehicle having swerved towards the edge of the steep bank was clear. The ground was stirred up by the heavy-booted footprints from at least two people, and between the footprints the track of flattened dirt suggested that something heavy had been dragged along the ground.

  Jack drew their attention to where the flattened ground carried on right to the recently broken edge. ‘Here!’ Jack knew straightaway, and his fears were very real. ‘Go back and lock yourself in the Land Rover,’ he instructed Amy. ‘If anyone comes near you, press the horn, and we’ll be right there.’

  When she opened her mouth to argue, he told her firmly, ‘Amy! Do as I say. We don’t know what we might find down there.’ He had an idea, and it was not pleasant. If Adam had been thrown down there, Jack knew his chances of survival were very slim indeed.

  For a painfully long time, Amy sat in the car, frantic and increasingly impatient. She wanted to go after them, but the lane was dark, and she was nervous. Granddad had looked really worried.

  All she could think of was Adam. ‘Please, let him be all right,’ she whispered, over and over again. There was no comfort, no reassurance, and now Seamus and her grandfather had been gone for so long, she began to worry about them too.

  She was curled up, eyes closed, when a gentle tap came on the window. It was Seamus, and he looked fraught.

  Quickly, Amy unlocked the door, and Seamus jumped in and started the engine.