Run!: He's coming for you

by K Leitch

  Back at her car Maggie pulled out her phone and sent a text to Helen.

  HI HUN, HOPE YOU’RE OK FOR THE MEETING TOMORROW. I CAN DRIVE IF YOU’D LIKE A DRINK

  I’M PICKING TRACY UP ANYWAY…WHAT’S UP WITH HER AND SIMON? ANY CLUES? X

  CHAPTER 8 - HELEN

  Helen smiled at the text she’d just received from Maggie and sent her reply, she was very much looking forward to the meeting this week. She’d just received the news that she and her wife Maya had been waiting for, at last they had officially adopted Andy.

  It had been nearly two years since Andy had come into their lives, a poor damaged little boy who had been neglected and abused by his spiteful alcoholic mother. He’d witnessed his little sister being killed and had suffered even more abuse after being taken into the “care” of the local council. Maya taught at Andy’s school and had witnessed first-hand some of his suffering, so she’d desperately wanted to take care of him. They had applied to be his foster carers and then later had started adoption proceedings, and despite Andy’s mum nearly throwing another spanner in the works last year they had finally made it, and Helen felt like celebrating.

  After looking at her watch she dialled Maya’s number, if she called her quickly she might catch her before she began teaching, it was answered after a couple of rings.

  ‘Guess what I’m holding in my hand?’ Helen said before Maya could even speak.

  ‘What? Oh Helen it has come? Oh at last, read it to me…what does it say?’ Maya stammered excitedly.

  ‘Oh just lots of legal stuff,’ Helen said, ‘but the crux of it is my darling, that Andy Hunt is now legally our son…he’s ours Maya…she can’t take him away from us…ever.’

  Helen could hear Maya crying on the other end of the phone, ‘Oh Helen...sniff sniff…I cry because I am so very happy…sniff gulp…he is such a good boy, we make him happy I know we do…oh when shall we tell him, shall we have party…oh let’s have party…’

  Helen laughed. ‘Too bloody right we’ll have a party love, this is cause to celebrate…let’s tell him tonight, together…I won’t tell anyone else until we’ve done that ok?’

  ‘Yes…that is good I think…and then we have party!’

  CHAPTER 9 - Ten months ago

  Lucinda sat in her hospital bed and made plans.

  People came and went; the police had arrived early in the morning, obviously old Jack Guppy had given them a ring. They had wanted to know how she had come by her injuries…she had tripped and fallen down the stairs she had said. They hadn’t believed her of course, but there wasn’t a lot they could do about it if she stuck to her story. Telling the police wasn’t part of her plans…she’d been down that road before…Trevor had nearly killed her for that one…no, no police.

  Marsha, her mum had come in, she’d looked at her with desperate tears in her eyes, ’What’s it going to take Lucy, how many more times am I going to have to come and visit you in hospital…please love, come home with me…please Lucy don’t let him do this again,’ she’d pleaded.

  Lucinda had squeezed her hand and shaken her head, ignoring her mum’s tears. Never again would she put her family in danger. Trevor had terrorised her mum for weeks after the last time, he didn’t forgive and he had a long memory.

  Sally, Trevor’s mum, had come to visit, she brought Katy with her. Lucinda had pulled her little girl to her, loving her warm plumpness and the smell of her as she had snuggled up close to her mummy, thumb in her mouth and clutching Lucinda’s fingers.

  ‘I suppose you’re going to put all the blame on Trevor again aren’t are you?’ Sally had said belligerently almost as soon as she’d sat down next to the bed, ‘never mind how much he cares for you, how he dragged you out of the gutter and gave you a lovely home. Never mind that he works all the hours God sends just to keep you in the lap of luxury, never mind that you wind him up so much that he can’t help but lash out…’

  Lucinda sank back against the snowy white pillows and tried to tune out. She’d heard Sally’s defence of her brutal animal of a son so many times, the woman was in complete denial. As far as she was concerned Lucinda had brought all of this on herself by being too demanding and making Trevor jealous.

  ‘Why do you have to keep pushing him Lucy?’ Sally asked a few moments later, ‘it’s not unreasonable for a husband to want his wife to stay home during the day is it? And Katy needs her mum, not some child minder you must see that.’

  Lucinda rolled her eyes, or at least tried to, one of her eyes was still covered with a huge dressing.

  ‘It was only for three hours a week Sal,’ she croaked, ‘and the course only lasts five bloody weeks, it’s not like I was planning to learn pole dancing or something…it’s a bloody floristry course for crying out loud.’

  ‘Yes well, you get a bee in your bonnet and there’s no reasoning with you,’ Sally replied with pursed lips, 'it’s like you can’t help yourself, you are just too stubborn for your own good my girl, and then of course when it all goes tits up, Trevor ends up the bad guy…he said he spoke to you,’ she added after a pause.

  ‘Yes,’ Lucinda said quietly, ‘he came last night.’

  ‘He’s so sorry love…if you could have seen him Wednesday night, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so upset, he could barely talk he was sobbing so hard.’ Sally sighed and took Lucinda’s good hand in hers, ‘He just loves you so much Lucinda, you and Katy…he gets scared I think, scared that he’ll lose you…’

  Lucinda stopped listening and carried on making her plans, Sally would never admit that Trevor had a problem, she would always be on his side…always… she wasn’t going to be any help.

  Oh and of course Trevor had come, his face a picture of remorse and misery. He had flung himself into the chair next to her bed and sobbed.

  ‘Oh God Lucy…oh God,’ he’d repeated over and over as he traced his fingers over his handy work, her broken face, her swollen cut lips, her bandaged arm… then the pleading had started.

  ‘I’ll never forgive myself, oh God Lucy I’m so sorry…so very sorry love… I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again…I know I’ve been a bastard darling but I just love you so much, sometimes it drives me crazy Lucy…I can’t lose you Lucy, please, please don’t leave me. I promise on Katy’s life, on my mum’s life, it will never happen again…just please don’t leave me… I can’t live without you Lucy…I’ll kill myself if you leave me…’ and so it went on.

  Lucinda had heard it all before, she hadn’t believed it then and she didn’t believe it now, but this time she needed to be a little bit cleverer, a little bit more devious. She needed time and she needed money and to get both of those things, she needed Trevor to think that she believed the lies he was telling her, that she forgave him. She needed everyone to believe that so that she could put her plans into action.

  CHAPTER 10 - Present day

  Flora sat and stared at the half brick that had smashed her kitchen window, Billy had put a board up over the broken glass until she could get someone out to fix it. He had been really shaken up by what had happened and it had taken Flora ages to settle him down.

  ‘Who’s trying to scare you Miss Metcalf?’ he’d asked pacing about the kitchen furiously after he’d help clear up the glass.

  ‘I don’t know Billy,’ Flora had replied tearfully, ‘I seem to have upset somebody…but I don’t know who…’

  ‘You’ve been to the police?’

  Flora shook her head. ‘Oh yes, I’ve told them all about it…but they don’t seem very interested…’

  ‘You need to tell them again Miss Metcalf…tell them about the window…’

  ‘No I don’t think so Billy,’ Flora said grimly, ‘the police won’t help me until I can find out who’s doing these things but thank you for helping with the glass.’ Flora got up and took her purse out of her bag, taking out a twenty pound note she handed the money to Billy.

  ‘Here’s what I owe you for the lawn Billy and there’s another five pounds for hel
ping me board up that window. Now don’t you worry about me it is just some kids and I’m sure that after a while they’ll get fed up with picking on me and move onto someone else…no,’ she held up her hand as Billy started to protest, ‘let’s not say any more about it, I’ll be fine, you just go on home now Billy. I don’t want you mixed up in this.’

  ‘It’s those Twee’s ain’t it?’ Billy said as he got his coat. ‘They were picking on old man Crocker a while back, kept on doing horrible stuff, breaking up his garden and hurting his dog…’ he stopped as a thought occurred to him, ‘they ain’t hurt Mimski ‘ave they Miss Metcalf?’ he finished looking round anxiously for Miss Metcalf’s beautiful white cat.

  ‘No Mimski’s fine Billy,’ Flora said ushering him out through the back door. ‘And I don’t know who’s doing this Billy so don’t you go accusing the Twee’s of anything, I don’t want you to get hurt, you stay away from them you hear me?’

  Billy nodded his agreement and went on his way. Flora watched him go and then sat back down at the table and put her head in her shaking hands. She had tried desperately not to let Billy see how scared she was, he was such a simple soul and she didn’t want him rushing to her defence, which she knew he had done in the past and would do again. Naughty school boys were one thing but the Twees were a different kettle of fish altogether, she didn’t want Billy trying to tangle with the likes of them.

  She picked up the offending brick and read the note again.

  DON’T CLOSE YOUR EYES YOU INTERFERING OLD BITCH.

  Why interfering? What had she done that had brought this misery down upon her, she tried to wrack her brains, she had obviously trodden on somebody’s toes and yes, Billy was probably right it could well be the Twees, it was certainly their style.

  With a sigh she went and recorded the incident in her diary folding the note and putting it in between the pages, not that she thought it would do any good…bloody police were absolutely useless, was it any wonder people took the law into their own hands. She remembered what that Detective Inspector had said though, about filming the attacks with a video camera. Jim Pickles her next door neighbour had a video camera, he’d brought it round to show her months earlier… maybe he’d lend it to her. Flora shook her head, he’d not spoken to her since she’d told him off about his Russian vine, which had got so overgrown that it was seriously encroaching onto her garden…moody old git. And Mrs Gladwin on the other side had also taken offence, just because Flora had told her granddaughter off for shouting in the garden. Flora shook her head, she’d been quite within her rights, the child lacked discipline, and there was no need for the silly old woman to get so cross.

  Maybe if she took Jim round some freshly baked scones he might get over his mood and lend her the camera. She’d only need it for a week or so at the most, just long enough to get some evidence…then maybe the police would get off their lazy behinds and do something!

  CHAPTER 11 - CAULDRON MEETING

  At the Bull public house, Kenley Village green

  ‘Oh don’t get me started Trace,’ Maggie said after taking a long swig of lemonade, ‘it’s Gloria this and Gloria that, Gloria says that white sugar is poison and carbs are criminal, Gloria say’s that there is a thin person inside all of us desperate to get out…I’m not kidding it’s doing my head in.’

  Helen laughed, ‘I can’t imagine Berta slim can you…oh I didn’t mean that to sound nasty, it’s just that she’s always been that little round shape…’

  ‘Um ‘scuse me, you could say the same about me Helen,’ Tracy interrupted indignantly. ‘Which is why I am determined that in six months’ time I am going to be as slim and willowy as Maggie…well maybe not the willowy bit…but slim anyway!’

  ‘Bloody hell, don’t tell me I’m going to be getting the Gloria treatment from you as well,’ Maggie said in mock horror. ‘I’m warning you now my girl if you say to me once “a moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips” or try and tell me how much saturated fat there is in a gin and tonic I will flatten you.’

  ‘Well I haven’t actually met Gloria yet,’ Tracy began, ‘I’ve just signed up online, I’ll go to my first weigh-in on Tuesday, so I suppose I might as well have my last few bags of cheesy Wotsits…what?’ she asked as Maggie pulled a shifty face.

  Maggie looked sheepish. ‘Um you know I was meant to go with Duncan to that meeting with our new suppliers and I couldn’t because I had to look after Jukie…’

  ‘Yes…and?’ Tracy prompted.

  ‘Well Duncan signed them up and they don’t supply cheesy Wotsits,’ she said really quickly and then took a slug of her drink, carefully avoiding Carla and Helen’s eyes which had widened in horror.

  Tracy stared back at Maggie uncomprehendingly, ‘What are you saying…that you no longer sell cheesy Wotsits…is that what you are trying to tell me Maggie?’ Tracy’s voice was getting a bit shrill.

  ‘Yes but you won’t be wanting them now will you love,’ Maggie said clutching at straws. ‘I mean actually it’s a good thing…the temptation’s been taken away isn’t it?’

  Tracy, lost for words, just shook her head in silence.

  ‘Well I think this would be a good time to tell you my good news,’ Helen jumped in hastily, trying to get everyone’s attention.

  ‘What… so I can’t even have a last packet before I start my diet?’ Tracy asked Maggie, completely ignoring Helen.

  ‘No…sorry,’ Maggie said bluntly, disregarding Tracy’s fierce expression and turning quickly to Helen. ‘What’s this good news then Helen?’

  ‘Maya and I have officially adopted Andy, I got the letter through yesterday…’

  ‘Oh that’s so wonderful,’ Carla said getting up and giving Helen a hug, ‘You and Maya are going to be so good for him…is he happy about it?’ Andy had had a long misplaced hope that his mother was going to one day be sober and want him back, but his hopes had been dashed last year, when she had tried to use him to steal money to fund her drinking.

  ‘Oh I think so,’ Helen said in answer to her question, ‘he ran round the house squealing in delight when we told him…so yes.’

  ‘Oh Helen I’m so pleased for you,’ Maggie said, ‘although I can’t help feeling a bit jealous. It seems to be taking forever to get things sorted out with Jukie, despite Maylee signing all the papers…we can’t wait to make it official. Oh bloody hell…’ she stopped herself, ‘I’m such a self-centred old cow, don’t listen to me going on about my problems…I am made up for you love…you must have a celebration.’

  ‘Yes well we are actually, oh nothing fancy, just a few of Andy’s school friends and all of you and your off spring I hope,’ Helen said getting up and collecting empty glasses. ‘Same again girls?’ she asked before she headed off to the bar.

  ‘Ooh yes please love,’ Tracy said, ‘I’ll have to make do with wine I suppose, seeing as I can’t have cheesy Wotsits,’ she said continuing to give Maggie dark looks.

  ‘Oh, no more lemonade for me love,’ Maggie said grimacing, ‘I’ll be farting all night if I have any more fizz and Duncan’s coming over tonight poor man…’

  ‘When are you two actually going to live together Maggs?’ Carla interrupted, ‘I mean it’s obvious to everyone that you’re potty about each other, so what are you waiting for?’

  Duncan and Maggie jointly owned The Bull public house, and for the last couple of years they had been an item as well. They had put off moving in together at first because Duncan was at that time looking after his elderly grandmother Martha. But Martha had sadly passed away the previous year leaving the way clear, you would think, for Duncan to up sticks and move into Maggie’s spacious barn conversion on the edge of the village. However the couple still seemed to be resolutely single just coming together for the odd passionate night now and then.

  Maggie gave Carla an inscrutable look, ‘There’s a lot to be said for living in separate houses love, and we are having so much fun it would be a shame to change it. Oh I expect we’ll move in together at some point,
just not quite yet I don’t think,’ she said, looking over at Duncan who was serving at the bar this evening and blowing him a kiss, he waggled his eyebrows back at her and gave her such a sexy look that Carla could see exactly what Maggie was talking about.

  Helen came back at that moment with their drinks, ‘Okay, white wine for you Tracy and for you Carla, Maggie I got you a coffee I hope that’s okay,’ she said as she put the drinks on the table before sitting back down herself. ‘Oh and Tracy,’ she added, throwing something over the table in her direction, ‘Duncan asked me to give you these…there’s only a few left in the stockroom apparently so he’s rationing them out.’

  Tracy squealed with delight as a bag of cheesy Wotsits fell into her lap, ‘Oh Duncan is sooo gorgeous Maggie, you need to make an honest man of him ASAP…’

  ‘Um…I quite like him as he is thank you very much Trace,’ Maggie said with a laugh.

  ‘Oh Helen, I know what I wanted to ask you,’ Carla said, ‘Did you ever know a Miss Flora Metcalf, she used to teach, at Riddlestone high I think?’

  Helen shook her head, ‘I can’t say the name rings a bell, but then I’ve only been involved with the school for a few years,’ Helen was on the board of governors, ‘how long ago was she there?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Carla began, ‘I expect it was before your time love, she must be well into her seventies I should think… I just wondered if she still had any connections to the school.’

  ‘Not that I know of,’ Helen said shaking her head, ‘but I can ask around if you like. We’ve got a meeting tomorrow evening actually so I could ask then. What do you need to know?’

  Carla pulled a face, ‘I’m not really sure,’ she said shrugging her shoulders, ‘the poor woman’s on the wrong end of some kids that are bullying her that’s all. I suppose I just wanted to know if she might have pissed somebody off recently, give us a clue as to who is doing this to her.’