Blood Tracks

by Paula Rawsthorne

  When Tom brought in his washbag from the car, Clare was surprised. “You’ve come prepared,” she said.

  He laughed it off, replying, “I was a boy scout, you know.”

  Gina had gone to bed that night, seething and unsettled knowing that Tom was sleeping in their house.

  However, despite his little victory, Tom was regretting staying over. His nerves were in tatters after a torturous night lying in the sofa bed with Martin’s urn looming over him from the shelf opposite. Tom never used to be a superstitious man, but all night he’d been convinced there was a presence with him in the freezing room. He lay awake, unable to tear his eyes from the urn; haunted by his thoughts.

  “Don’t be cheeky,” Tom said to Danny. “It’s not a hangover, I just haven’t slept very well. All my beds have those memory foam mattresses, it’s like sleeping on a cloud. You should all spend more time at mine. I’ve got those five bedrooms and they’re all en suite.”

  “Yeah.” Danny nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve always thought your house was amazing. I love your snooker room.”

  “Well, if I knew you were going to be staying more, I’d think about having a swimming pool built. Would you like that?”

  Danny looked like he might burst with excitement. “Oh my God! A swimming pool! That would be brilliant. You’ve got to get one.”

  “We’ll see.” Tom grinned. “Now come here and get some gel on that hair.” He skimmed some from a pot on the basin and worked it through Danny’s soft curls.

  “Good man, that’s more like it. But if you really want the ladies to go wild for you—”

  Danny screwed up his face. “Get lost, I don’t want any girls after me.”

  “That’s what you say now, Danny boy, but next year, when you hit secondary school, you’ll be falling in and out of love on a weekly basis. So best to start working on your image now, preparing the ground…and I have just the thing.”

  He picked out a small cellophane-wrapped box from his washbag. He unwrapped it and pulled out an ornate bottle. With a flourish he eased out the bottle’s glass stopper and poured a couple of drops of the clear liquid onto his hand, clapping his palms together and then patting them on Danny’s cheeks.

  “Urgh, you’ve made me smell like a girl,” Danny protested.

  Tom roared with laughter. “You should be thanking me. This little of bottle here cost a hundred and eighty pounds!”

  “A hundred and eighty quid, for that!” Danny pointed at the bottle in disgust.

  “And worth every penny!” Tom declared.

  “Is that the bottle you got in France?” Danny asked.

  “Yep, I found it in an exclusive perfumery on our Paris trip.”

  “Yuk, so it is for girls!”

  “No, it’s aftershave, Danny. Only real men can get away with wearing this.” He gazed at the frosted bottle admiringly. “I thought I’d never be able to get hold of this stuff again. I’d been looking for it for ages; couldn’t even get hold of it on the internet. Everyone said they’d stopped making it.”

  “Yeah, that’s probably because the fumes were killing people.” Danny grimaced.

  “You’ve got a lot to learn. This stuff is like a magic potion. It casts a spell – just a couple of drops make you irresistible to women – and I’m talking women who look like models.”

  “I’ve got more important things to think of than stupid girls, Uncle Tom; my fish tank is still a mess,” he said, trying to wipe the aftershave off with a towel.

  Tom snatched the towel from him. “I know, I noticed that the water was getting greener.”

  “Yeah, you can hardly see the fish. They might be suffocating or maybe they’ll all get some horrible disease and die!”

  “Well, what can you do about it?”

  “I put in a tablet but it hasn’t worked. I need to go to the aquarium, get something stronger.”

  “Tell you what, little man. Why don’t you leave that to me?” Tom said.

  “Really?” Danny said gratefully.

  “Sure, as long as you promise to keep that aftershave on all day. Trust me, Danny, report back after school and tell me if I wasn’t wrong.” He put the bottle back in his washbag, which was perched on the side of the bath. He winked at his protégé and exited the bathroom. Danny locked the door and stood on his tiptoes, admiring himself in the mirror, half convinced that perhaps now he really was a babe magnet.

  Seconds later the handle turned, followed by a knock.

  “Danny, is it you in there? Hurry up! I’m running late.”

  Danny scowled. “Don’t I get any privacy?”

  “Just open the door, will you?”

  Gina entered and sniffed the air.

  “What’s that smell?” Her voice was a whisper.

  “Oh God, does it stink? He told me women love it.”

  “Love what?”

  “His stupid aftershave. He put it on me.”

  “Come here.” She pulled her brother’s face towards hers and inhaled deeply.

  “What are you doing?” he said indignantly.

  She stood staring into space, her hands still clasped on his cheeks. Danny stamped on her toe and she released him with an “Oww!”

  “Bloody hell!” Danny exclaimed. “Uncle Tom said it cast a spell but not on your sister, that’s just sick.”

  “Is it Tom’s?”

  “Of course it’s Tom’s. It cost a hundred and eighty quid a bottle!”

  “Is it new?”

  “Yeah, he got it in some stupid shop in Paris. He was going on about how it was his favourite.”

  “Have you got the bottle?”

  “He put it in his washbag over there. What’s wrong with you? You’re acting weird again.”

  “Nothing. Just go, Danny. I need to use the bathroom,” she ordered.

  She shut the door behind him and grabbed the washbag from the side of the bath. She took out the ornate bottle and hesitated. “Maybe I am insane!” Gina said, looking at her shaken reflection in the mirror.

  She held the bottle to her nose and pulled out the stopper with a POP! The aroma escaped like a genie. A wave of nausea washed over her, causing bile to rise in her throat. She eased herself down onto the bathroom floor, waiting for the feeling to pass. A rap on the door startled her, but it was her mum’s voice that called out: “Come on, Gina! You’re going to be late for school.”

  Gina got off the floor and opened the bathroom door.

  Her mum’s brow furrowed on seeing Gina’s sickly-looking face. “Are you okay, love?”

  “Yes, fine.” She forced a smile. “Listen, Mum, do you know about this new aftershave Tom got from Paris?” She showed her the frosted bottle.

  “Oh yes, lovely, isn’t it? But you shouldn’t be touching Tom’s things, Gina.”

  “Has he ever used it before?”

  “Yeah. It used to be his favourite. He’s looked everywhere for it. You should have seen him when he found it in this perfumery; he was like a big kid.” Her mum smiled to herself at the recollection.

  “When did he used to wear it?”

  “How am I meant to remember that?” She straightened her supermarket uniform. “You should ask him yourself.”

  “No, I was just being nosy. I was thinking I might get Declan a bottle.”

  “Gina, you won’t be able to afford a bottle of that stuff. I bet Declan would be happy with something much less expensive. I could pick you up something from my place, if you want?”

  “No, don’t worry. I’ll leave it for now,” Gina said, making a show of replacing the bottle in Tom’s washbag.

  “Okay, love. Just hurry up.”

  Gina waited for her mum to walk into the bedroom before retrieving the aftershave from the washbag and putting it into her pocket.

  She loitered on the landing, trying to think of a way of avoiding Tom, but she knew that if she waited for him to go to work she’d be late for school. She began walking down the stairs using the banister for support. Tom came into view. H
e was standing in the living room doorway, staring across at the murky green water in the fish tank.

  “Look at the state of it,” he huffed, glancing up at her on the stairs. “Bloody Kylie and her fish-keeping skills. Don’t worry, Gina, I’m going to get this sorted for Danny. There must be a simple way to get rid of all that algae, mustn’t there?”

  Her silence prompted him to look up at her properly this time. He noticed how tightly she was holding onto the banister. She seemed as twitchy as a mouse cornered by a cat.

  “Are you okay, Gina? Aren’t you feeling well?” he asked, concerned.

  Gina couldn’t look at him. She ran down the stairs and out of the front door, shouting, “I’ve got to get to school.”

  Only Gina’s body had spent the day at school. Her mind was somewhere entirely different. She’d wandered from lesson to lesson on autopilot. In the classrooms, she was unable to absorb a word the teachers were saying, despite being reminded on numerous occasions that this was her exam year and she couldn’t afford to be staring into space.

  At lunchtime, Becky and Tanya called her over.

  “Come and sit with us, Gina,” Becky said, encouragingly.

  Over the last couple of months, Becky had started chatting to her, asking what had happened to make her seem happier, hoping that she was getting over her grief. Gina hadn’t told her anything and she couldn’t talk now. Today, she couldn’t think about anything else, not even Declan; all she could focus on was the scent in that bottle.

  “Sorry,” she shouted to Becky. “Can’t right now.”

  Gina went to the girls’ toilets and locked herself in a cubicle. She took the aftershave bottle out of her rucksack, opened it and inhaled. The aroma made her feel sick again; it seeped into the very core of her brain, making her head pound, making her doubt her sanity.

  That evening, her stomach clenched as she walked into the living room to find Tom with his arm around Danny’s shoulders discussing the fish tank. She took a deep breath. Get a grip, Gina. You’re being ridiculous.

  “How have you done it?” Danny asked Tom in wonder. “All that green water’s starting to clear.”

  “It’s the ultraviolet bulb, see? I attached it to the hood,” Tom said proudly. “I asked a mate of mine and he said that the quickest way to get rid of algae in a fish tank was to use a UV light. Mind you, he did say not to leave it on too long.”

  “Why?”

  “Oh, it was something about the exposure being bad for the fish. But he was being ultra cautious. We’ll just use it to blast the algae, get the water all lovely and clear again, and then take the bulb out.”

  “Great,” beamed Danny. “How much was it, Uncle Tom, because I’ll pay for it? It is for my tank.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll put it on my expenses,” he laughed. Danny faked a laugh to be polite, even though he didn’t know what Tom meant. But Gina did and an idea suddenly struck her that sent her hurrying to her bedroom to make a phone call.

  “Declan, do you know if Tom keeps a record of his business expenses?” she asked urgently.

  “Well, I suppose he has to, doesn’t he, for tax and things,” Declan replied.

  “So they might be on the computer. Kylie might know about them.”

  “Kylie probably does them. She’s probably got them on one of her amazing spreadsheets.”

  “Brilliant! Well, tomorrow, when Tom’s not around, can you get Kylie to look something up for me?”

  “What is it?”

  “I need you to look up all his expenses for a date – it’s from quite a while ago, though.”

  “What date?”

  Her voice faltered. “It’s the date my dad died.”

  “Why?”

  “Just do it for me, please, Declan.” He could hear the anxiety in her voice.

  “But, Gina, even if Kylie does have records of his expenses, they’ll be confidential. She won’t let me look at them.”

  “She will! Tell her it’s for me. Tell her I won’t ask her any more favours after this. This is important, Declan. I feel like I’m going mad; this might tell me whether I am or not.”

  “Gina!” Tom’s voice boomed up the stairs. “How do you fancy a movie and dinner?”

  “Declan, I’ve got to go. I’ll speak to you tomorrow,” she said, rushing to end the call.

  “No thanks,” she shouted hurriedly to Tom. “I’ve got loads of homework to do.”

  But he wasn’t about to take no for an answer. She heard him bound up the stairs and before she had a chance to get to the door he was in her room.

  “Come on,” he cajoled, his sky-blue eyes smiling. “All work and no play makes Gina a dull girl.”

  “No really, I’ve got a ton of work to do.” She pointed to the pile of books on her dressing table.

  She watched him nervously as he loosened his tie, undid the top button of his crisp white shirt and rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes momentarily closed, groaning. “I’ve been working hard all day and you need a break from all this studying. An evening out will do us the world of good and anyway, your mum will be home in a minute and I don’t want her to have to start cooking.”

  “Then I’ll make tea,” Gina said, heading for the door, but he stepped in front of her, barring her exit.

  “Gina, come and sit down.” He gestured to the bed.

  “I don’t want to sit down. I’ve got things to do.”

  “I think we need a chat.” He corralled Gina towards the bed, where she sat stiffly. She fixed her eyes on the wall of photos.

  The bed creaked as he sat down beside her. The smell of his aftershave wafted towards her, making her feel nauseous. He followed her gaze to the photos.

  “I know how much you miss Marty. I miss him too, Gina, but you’re letting your dad down,” he said solemnly.

  “I am not!” she snapped.

  “But you are. Your dad would be grateful that I’m helping and supporting his family. He’d be upset to see how you behave towards me. How you’re determined to stop your mum and Danny being happy again. I love being part of this family. I can’t even imagine my life without you all in it. I understand that you’re ill, Gina, that’s why I’ve been patient, but now it’s time you got better. Am I making myself clear?” He stood up and loomed over her. “You’re not going to get rid of me, so the sooner we start getting along, the easier it will be for you.”

  Gina kept her eyes on the photos; her breathing was ragged.

  “As soon as your mum gets home we’re all going out. Okay?” It didn’t sound like a question.

  Gina gave the tiniest nod, desperate for him to leave.

  “Good girl!” Tom said triumphantly.

  He strode out of the room, leaving Gina’s insides churning.

  Gina had been grateful for the cover of darkness that the cinema had provided. She’d sat as far away from Tom as possible. In brooding silence she’d watched the antics on the massive screen, listening to Tom and Danny guffawing at the gross-out comedy. In the restaurant there was nowhere to hide. She stabbed her fork into her dinner, watching as the food and wine kept coming, noting how Tom’s voice and gesticulations were getting progressively louder and bigger as more alcohol slipped down his throat. He’d left his car outside their house, insisting that he wanted to “make a proper night of it”. Her mum’s cheeks were rosy, her eyes bright, as she and Danny hung on Tom’s every word. He started to draw up plans on a napkin, the outline of a swimming pool.

  Danny was agog. “Is it going to be indoors?”

  Tom grinned. “Of course, with a sauna and Jacuzzi at the side.”

  “Oh my God, my mates will be so jealous. Can they come round with me and use it?”

  “Of course they can.” He ruffled Danny’s hair. “And what about you, Gina? What can I do for you? There’s a stable right by the beach. How about I get you some riding lessons at the weekends?”

  “No, I don’t want anything,” Gina mumbled, shrinking back into the velvety chair.

  Her m
um looked at her watch. “Would you look at the time!” she exclaimed. “Tom, I’ve got to get the kids home. It’s a school night and I’m on an early shift in the morning.”

  “You only live once, Clare. A few nights out will keep us young and the kids happy.”

  “Yes, but you’ve had years of practice at being a party animal. I haven’t. Me and Martin never went out like you do. We couldn’t afford it for a start, but a good film and a curry in front of the TV was always enough for us.” Her mum suddenly sounded wistful.

  Gina noted how Tom’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Right then, let’s get a couple of taxis,” he said sharply. “By the way, have any of you seen my new aftershave? The one I bought in Paris? I thought I put it in my washbag this morning but when I got home it wasn’t in there.”

  Mum flashed Gina a curious look, but Gina shook her head emphatically.

  “Danny boy, have you taken it because the girls mobbed you today?” Tom half teased.

  “No way! The girls liked it but my mates were saying that I had perfume on,” Danny said indignantly.

  “I’ll look for it. It’s bound to be in the house somewhere,” her mum said. “You’re welcome to the sofa bed again, if you don’t want to get a taxi all the way to yours.”

  Gina looked alarmed.

  “No thanks, Clare,” Tom replied firmly, thinking of his sleepless night in the living room. “I’ll call round in the morning to pick up my car.”

  Gina let out a sigh of relief.

  It was nearly midnight by the time the taxi pulled up outside their house. Danny bounded into the hallway, intoxicated by thoughts of swimming pools. Her tipsy mum was laughing, trying to restrain him as if he was an overexcited puppy, but joining in the fun was the last thing Gina felt like doing.

  “You two, bed!” Her mum giggled. “Don’t forget to clean your teeth and, Danny…don’t sleep in your clothes!”

  Her mum followed them upstairs and within ten minutes the house was silent. Danny fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow but, as the night ticked by, he became restless, his eyeballs flitting behind his eyelids, until, suddenly, he was sitting bolt upright, gasping.

  It was a dream, Danny thought with relief. The fish are fine; they’re not dead, floating on the surface of the water, frazzled by the ultraviolet bulb…but they could be!