Somewhere to Hide (The Estate, Book 1)

by Mel Sherratt

  ‘Matt? It’s me, Cathy. Josie’s told me what happened. I hope you’re okay. Give me a quick ring when you get this message, would you?’

  Now that she’d been there for two hours, the smell and the dreariness of the disused pub had started to become less eerie to Becky. They were dozing, lying together on the single mattress that Austin called his bed. Naked apart from her shoes, Becky ran the tip of her heel gently up and down his thigh.

  ‘It’s so cool in here and I love spending time with you.’ She ran a finger up and down his chest. Getting no response, she looked up at him. Austin was staring at the ceiling in a world of his own. She sat up and folded her arms.

  ‘What’s up now?’ she asked. ‘You’ve gone all moody on me again.’

  ‘I’m thinking.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘Things.’ He took a drag of his cigarette.

  Becky tried again. She swirled a finger further and further down his stomach. But he pushed her hand away. She fell sideways off the mattress onto the dusty floor.

  ‘What did you do that for?’ Her palm had landed on something dirty but she didn’t know what. She grimaced, rubbing at it carefully.

  Austin stood up and pulled on his trousers. ‘It’s all sex with you. I don’t want to do it all the fucking time.’

  ‘But I thought you liked having sex with me.’ She pouted seductively and, ignoring the stained floor now, walked towards him on all fours.

  ‘Stop acting like a slut and get dressed.’

  Sensing the cloud looming over them again, Becky covered her chest with one hand and grabbed her top with the other. What was wrong with him? One minute he would be doing really intimate things with her: the next he’d be looking at her as if she was a pile of shit. It was as if he were two different people.

  She dressed quickly and stood up to tuck her T-shirt into her jeans. Daring a quick peep at him, she was glad to see he smiled at her. The nice Austin was back.

  ‘Let’s get something to eat.’

  Becky followed behind him in total confusion but happy that his hand was holding hers at least.

  Jess was coming out of the alleyway leading from Stanley Avenue when she noticed Austin’s car coming from the back of the White Lion. At first her hand rose to wave but when she saw who was with him, she dived through an open gate into someone’s front garden until he’d driven past. Then she emerged with a scowl on her face.

  That was Becky she’d seen sitting in the passenger seat. She checked her watch. Half past twelve. The cow: she should have been covering for her until one. Which meant that Cathy would be on the war path when she got home.

  Wait until she caught up with her.

  Cathy drove to Matt’s address, pulling up outside a block of six private flats. She peered up at the one she thought might be Matt’s to see if she could see any sign of life. But there was nothing. She parked her car and pressed the intercom. No reply from flat six.

  She pressed it again: still no answer.

  She stepped back, shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun and looked up at the window again. But she couldn’t detect anything.

  ‘Matt?’ she shouted self-consciously. ‘Matt, are you in there?’

  Nothing.

  She pressed the intercom again, leaving her finger on longer than last time. In desperation, she took out her mobile phone and rung him once more.

  Cathy frowned. Since the last time she’d tried, Matt’s mobile phone had been switched off.

  ‘Maybe he’s having treatment and can’t use his phone,’ Josie said when she called her.

  ‘But you said he wasn’t at the hospital.’

  ‘Maybe he was hurting more than he thought and has gone to get checked over?’

  ‘You can leave phones on in hospitals now.’ Cathy recalled how annoying it was when she’d been visiting Rose. Having to listen to all those stupid ring tones and people telling relatives about their latest bowel movements or the colour of their urine was enough to make anyone ill.

  ‘In some areas you can,’ Josie replied. ‘But not all of them. I bet he was having treatment when you called and he switched it off when he saw the signs. I know I used to forget to switch mine off and then be really embarrassed when it rang out. Those nurses can dish out evil stares.’

  ‘But he could have rung me earlier on. I would have been straight up there, wherever ‘there’ is.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll get back to you as soon as he can.’ Josie tried to reassure her. ‘He thinks a lot of you.’

  Cathy thought of the intimacy they’d shared the night before. She remembered how he hadn’t wanted to leave. Something didn’t add up.

  ‘I just want to see that’s he’s okay,’ she said.

  And, she added to herself, to get all the details. Had it happened on his way home, or outside his block of flats?

  Or had it happened outside her house?

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  ‘What are you playing at?’ Jess flew at Becky the minute she got home that afternoon. ‘You said you’d cover my stint, you cow.’

  ‘And you shouldn’t ask me to cover for something that you can’t be bothered to do yourself. That’s not what friends are for.’ Becky pushed past her and into the kitchen.

  ‘Cut the crap. I know who you were with and where you were. I saw you with Austin. Is he more important than our friendship?’

  ‘I wasn’t with Austin,’ Becky lied.

  ‘I saw you coming out of the car park of the White Lion.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Gone round the back for a quick one, had you?’

  ‘You’re only jealous,’ she replied, realising that she may have got away with it. Austin said she was to tell no one that he was squatting there or else they’d move him on.

  ‘I’m not jealous of you.’ Jess flopped into a chair at the table. ‘What’s happened to us, Becks? We were getting on really well. I can’t believe you wouldn’t cover for me.’

  Seeing herself through Jess’s eyes, Becky relented.

  ‘I’m sorry. I was on my way,’ she admitted, ‘but Austin pulled up beside me when I got to Davy Road. He went all funny when I said I couldn’t see him until after I’d been to the community house.’

  ‘That’s still no reason to cop out. Cathy’s going to go mad with me.’ Jess folded her arms, knowing she’d got Becky’s attention; she’d learned over the weeks how to get under her skin, make her feel guilty.

  ‘Sorry,’ Becky muttered.

  ‘Is he always that intense?’

  Becky shrugged, not meeting her eye for fear of giving her inner thoughts away. He was always that intense.

  ‘You’d better hope that Cathy doesn’t give me too much of a hard time when she gets home.’

  Becky nodded. ‘I am sorry. I should have thought of you first.’

  Jess grinned and on impulse gave her a hug. ‘You and me have got a lot to learn about friendship, but we’ll get there.’

  After tossing and turning in bed that night, Cathy switched on the bedroom lamp and propped herself up. It was quarter past midnight. She checked her mobile phone again but the display showed no new messages. She sat up, hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them.

  What was going on? Matt still hadn’t contacted her. She’d left him a handful of voice messages, along with half a dozen text messages. She’d even called back to his flat after she’d cooked and dished out something to eat, pushing a note through the letterbox outside the building when she hadn’t got an answer again.

  She stared ahead, by this time not knowing what to think. Was he ignoring her because he didn’t like his appearance? She’d seen some bruises in her time so that wouldn’t be a problem. Or was he ignoring her because he was embarrassed at being caught out? That was nothing to be ashamed of on this estate either.

  But one thing kept running through her mind repeatedly. Was Matt ignoring her because he’d had his fun? Was that all she was getting? One quick ‘how’s your father’ and �
�I had a great time, thanks’. A one-night stand.

  Cathy shook her head. She knew she was being irrational. Matt wouldn’t ignore her. The signs were clearly there that he’d wanted to see her again. She reread the last text message he’d sent:

  You really did blow me away. Can’t wait for it to happen again… and to see you again of course! Mx

  It didn’t sound like he was giving her the elbow. There must be something wrong. But why would he let her worry like this? It didn’t make sense.

  Sighing loudly she turned off the light, hoping that sleep would come to her soon.

  The next morning, Liz woke up to what seemed to be another promising day of hot weather. She’d washed and pegged out a load of washing before Chloe got out of bed at seven thirty. At eight thirty, she kissed her daughter goodbye when Emily’s mum called for her. They were going to Chester for the day. It was mid August and since the beginning of the school holidays, Chloe and Emily had become inseparable. It was heart-warming to see Chloe smiling.

  Two more loads were done by lunchtime and just before she was due to leave for the community house, she decided to tackle a couple of bits of hand washing that she’d been putting off. She thought about this week’s session as she scrubbed at them gently. It was going to be about self-confidence, something she was really looking forward to learning about. Last week, they’d been given homework to do. They’d been asked to think about what they’d like to change in their lives if they were more confident and to write it down. Liz grinned as she recalled Chloe’s look of astonishment when she’d told her. She hadn’t been so happy at her reply though. ‘You’re far too old for homework, Mum,’ she’d said in the grown-up way that only a child could.

  After her initial reservations about the sessions, Liz had started to look forward to getting together with the women at the community house. The group she’d been with were really friendly, especially Suzie Rushton whom she’d bonded with immediately. Getting used to being with people again had been a huge hurdle, one she was still trying to conquer, but as Suzie had said, baby steps were all that was needed.

  She folded a pair of Chloe’s shorts and put them on the pile. As she reached over for the peg bag, she knocked a glass of juice over. It splashed over her top, down the washer and onto the floor.

  ‘Bugger,’ she cursed aloud: she’d only just put it on. Rubbing at it with a cloth made it worse. She glanced out of the window at the washing blowing slightly in the breeze. Perhaps her blue T-shirt would be dry now. In a tizzy, she yanked open the ironing board, unravelled the cord on the iron and plugged it in. She unlocked the door and went outside.

  ‘Hiya, Liz,’ she heard someone say. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Oh, hi there.’ Liz could just about see her neighbour, Jackie, over the garden fence. ‘Enjoying the weather?’

  ‘I sure am.’ Jackie shielded her eyes from the midday sun. ‘I can’t believe we’ve had it for so long. Hardly any rain at all. It’s been wonderful, hasn’t it?’

  ‘At least your peace won’t be shattered.’ Liz un-pegged the T-shirt as she spoke. ‘Chloe’s out for the day so she won’t be chitter-chattering.’

  ‘I don’t mind that. I like your Chloe. She’s a real angel.’

  Liz laughed as she walked back up the path. ‘You should see her when she’s after her own way. She’s a right little madam.’

  ‘Are you off out soon?’

  ‘Yes, I’m going to the community house.’ She checked her watch again. ‘Oh, Lord, I’m going to be late. I’d better get going. See you.’

  Liz ran into the flat and locked the door behind her. In her bedroom, she slipped out of the juice-splattered top. As she pulled her head through the clean T-shirt, she caught sight of a shadow at the door. Before she had a chance to react, she saw Kevin blocking the doorway. He had a long-bladed knife in his hand. Fear she’d hoped never to feel again tore through her body.

  ‘You – you shouldn’t be here,’ she managed to stutter.

  Kevin stepped towards her. Liz moved back. She felt her heels hit the skirting board on the wall behind her. He stared at her unfalteringly.

  ‘Please, Kevin… I …’

  Kevin touched the tip of the blade, glazed eyes never leaving hers. Then he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her nearer. In one swift movement, the blade was against her throat.

  Liz squeezed her eyes shut. Oh God, he was going to kill her.

  ‘I could waste you right here,’ he said calmly. ‘But I wouldn’t want Chloe to see you if someone brings her home when they come looking for you.’

  Looking for me? Liz gulped.

  ‘So I figure, you walk out in front and I’ll follow on behind.’ He moved a smidgeon closer. ‘Don’t make a murmur, a sound, anything to indicate you are scared. You will smile why we walk down the path and then get into my car. Then we’re going for a short drive. Do you understand?’

  Liz’s teeth began to chatter. She wasn’t sure her legs would carry her that far. It took all of her strength to nod.

  ‘Good. Let’s go then, shall we?’ Kevin stared at her with those dead eyes again. She had never seen him this calm, this desensitised before. It was as if he’d planned this down to the last detail. Cautiously, she stepped past him.

  ‘Wait there a minute.’

  Through the pine mirror on the chest of drawers, she watched as he searched in her wardrobe. She wanted to make a run for it but she knew better that that. She had to stay strong for her daughter.

  Kevin pulled down her long black cardigan and placed it over his wrist and hand, concealing the knife altogether. Then he came towards her.

  ‘You can go now.’

  Liz arched her back away from him and started to move. She unlocked the door, walked out of the flat and down the three steps to the path, all the time realising that he must have been watching her. When she thought he’d given up searching for her, he must have stayed hidden in the shadows, biding his time. Waiting for her to slip up, just like she had today. In her hurry, she’d left the door open while she’d rushed to get that T-shirt. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

  When they got to the gate and it was locked, Liz realised that Kevin must have climbed over it – maybe lying in wait for a while. But where could he have hidden? Her eyes flicked to the small gap behind the bin stores. Was it possible he could have been there? And for how long?

  She slid back the bolts and walked out towards the street. Kevin held onto her arm, the knife still pushing on her back, the tip of the blade staying in contact all the time.

  Liz looked around the nearby gardens but apart from a man up ahead mowing his lawn, it was pretty much quiet. She’d have to do what Kevin said until she could get away.

  As she got into the passenger seat of his car, she looked up to see Jackie watching from her front window. In desperation, Liz widened her eyes, hoping that this tiny movement would raise her suspicions. She didn’t dare do anything else: one wrong move and she’d be dead, she was certain.

  Jackie darted out of view. Liz gulped. She wasn’t sure she’d seen her.

  Oh Chloe, my darling. I’m so, so sorry.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Jackie Smythe had lived on the Mitchell Estate all of her life. At seventeen, she was married and had two children but the lout had done a runner three years later. At twenty-five, she married again. After two more kids, he left too and alcohol became her new best friend. Now in her late forties, the life she’d led had started to tell on her in more ways than one.

  But Andy Baxter liked Jackie. She had a spirit about her that was needed to survive on the estate and since Josie had moved her from the notorious Stanley Avenue, Jackie had calmed her drinking down. At least, he assumed she had: he hadn’t been called out for a disturbance at her property for some time now.

  So when she said she was worried about Liz McIntyre, Andy had driven round to see her immediately.

  ‘It might be something and nothing,’ Jackie told him. ‘You know I’m usually not one for interfering,
but I can tell she’s had trouble with a fella. The look that she gave me was like a frightened rabbit. She was trapped. I was trapped. I wanted to run out to her but I didn’t dare in case he did anything stupid.’

  Andy took out his notebook. ‘Can you tell me anything else? Colour, make of car? What they were wearing etc?’

  ‘It was some kind of Ford, navy blue. It was a four door, I think. I’d only just seen her in the garden. I was talking to her and –’

  Andy raised a finger as his phone started to ring. ‘Hello? Yes. When? Where? I’m on my way.’ He disconnected the call and stood up quickly.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Jackie stood up too. ‘You’ve gone quite pale for a copper.’

  ‘There’s something I need to check out.’ Andy shoved his notebook back into his pocket. ‘I have to go.’

  ‘You should finish with me before going off to deal with some scrote on the estate! ‘Liz could be in danger and as usual you don’t give a shit.’

  ‘It’s not like that.’ Andy handed her a card and headed for the door. ‘Can you call the police helpline, give them my badge number, explain the situation and tell them everything – anything – you know. I’ll follow up from there.’ Before getting into his car, he shouted to her. ‘You’ve been a great help, Jackie. Thanks.’

  Cathy disconnected her phone. She tapped it on her bottom lip. It wasn’t like Liz to be late for the sessions at the community house, let alone not answer her mobile. She looked to the door, any second expecting her to rush through, all apologies, and sit down at the back of the room.

  ‘We’re out of coffee,’ Suzie shouted across to her. ‘I’m going to see if I can pinch some from The Den.’

  Cathy moved to the door. ‘You stay here. I’ll go and look. Do you want to get the group started?’

  Andy had seen plenty of horrors since he’d started working on the Mitchell Estate but luckily not too many deaths – and all of them had died through natural causes. This body, however, wasn’t even cold yet. Kevin McIntyre still had faint colour in his cheeks as he hung from the tree in front of him.