by Ony Bond
“He said it was just fiction - a story he read. What do you think?”
“Free, this guy either believes his own imaginations, unless he is confessing to a crime.”
They stared at the other.
“Wish I knew, Rose. If he’s admitting to a crime, then we have a smiling psychopath in our midst. Someone as dangerous and cruel like that Moto was.”
“Let’s ignore his loud talk, Free. James wants to be noticed. Your green-eyed rose is right here, and I have my long elusive man. It took me a while to find him. Winds me how I didn’t even know it was you when I met you the first time.”
She closed her eyes. “Been one long day, Free. Need a little nap. No more depressing talk about James and his horrible tales, or shall have nightmares.”
She put her head on his shoulder. He held her hand. After a while he was sure she was asleep. Thought she was right. Thinking about James was going to make him dream about dead girls and a missing man. In a moment Godfree fell asleep, awoke with her slumbering against his shoulder, hair against his face. A peaceful look shrouded her face. He stood, put his arms behind her legs and back, lifted her, carried her up the stairs, lay her on her bed. Covered her with the sheets and quilt. Stood there looking down at her. Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead before heading for his room and getting into bed.
How he wished he would miss work tomorrow. Did not want to meet an angry Frank and James. Meeting the latter would be gloomy. Because he had started to distrust him. Best to talk to James tomorrow. Ask if he knew something about those missing girls and Moto.
He had nightmares, dreamt of the missing girls and Moto calling out to him for help as he sank in a lake surrounded by trees. That kept Godfree awake, wondering if Moto was asking for help. When he slept again it was not for long. The phone’s vibration awoke him. He reached for it in sleep as he sat up. 3 AM. The call must be from home. Maybe someone was sick.
But the caller had blocked his number and left a voice message. Stifling a yawn, he clicked it on.
Frank’s voice leapt at him. “Bring my daughter back, moron, or I’ll report you to the police for kidnap! You have twisted her mind. If she isn’t home soon I’m coming to your place with my gun.”
Kidnap?
When would Frank stop this harassment? He had kicked his own daughter out. Now he was blaming him. Nothing would be better than letting Frank lift a hand, attack him first and then sink his fist in his belly. But that would never happen. You don’t beat up your girlfriend’s father, and keep her respect. What atmosphere would prevail at work today? One charged with anger - a mad Frank and James.
Godfree held the phone, was about to call Frank’s landline, shook his head and left the phone in the room. A light showed under Rose’s door. Perhaps she was reading. Or maybe her dad had called too. He went down to the kitchen, switched on the kettle, sat in a chair and waited for the water to boil. Confrontation with Frank looked inevitable. The man kept pushing him to the edge and maybe meant to come and shoot him. Rose was an adult. Godfree sighed, rested his chin on his palm.
What exactly would it take for Frank to leave him and Rose alone?
CHAPTER 22
Steps sounded on the stairs. Rose, looking tousled in morning slippers and gown appeared. They both smiled.
“Hey, you ok,” she said. “Heard you leave your room.”
“Fine. Slept well?”
“Your dad called, left a message. He wants me to bring you back home.”
She scowled. “Was he polite or called you more names, threatened to come here and shoot you?”
“He was angry.”
“He’s crafty, phoned me too, woke me and left a message. But it was more reconciliatory. He said he was angry. It’s still my home, he misses me. Where’s your phone? The bullying must stop now.”
“I don’t have it. Where are you going?”
“I want to hear the message for myself then call.”
He ran after her, caught her in his room picking the phone. She pressed voice mail and listened.
“He called you a moron. I’ll call him. Nobody should call you that.” Her face was red.
“Give me that phone, Rose. Don’t call him.”
“You can’t stop me. Time you fought back, tell him to lay off, or you will be the one to pay him a visit. It worked on Nathan and Joel. You must stop my dad now.”
“Shouting at him isn’t the solution.”
“He must know you’ve taken enough of him and want this to stop.”
“Let me have that phone.”
“You’re allowing him to bully you. You can report him to Mark, if he harasses you at work and get him given warning, or even suspended from work. Enough is enough. This had to stop now. He even threatened to shoot you.”
Before she pressed call he tried to take the phone. But she pushed him away, streaked for her room. He caught her, twisted her arm and got the phone then went to the kitchen and started making coffee.
Minutes later she joined him.
“Free, sorry about happened a while ago. I was mad with Dad calling you names and threatening you. We ended up in a tumble. Had you not taken the phone you know what would have happened. Another shouting match with him. It’s best for both of us if I leave. A Bed & Breakfast will do before something happens. He might hurt you.”
“I don’t want you to go. Nothing is going to happen. You still want me here?”
“Yes.”
They sipped their coffee and talked. When she yawned he told her it was time for bed. They separated outside their rooms.
A few hours later they were up. After bathing she prepared breakfast, mentioned this was one thing her dad missed. She used to make breakfast which they had together before leaving for work. He must be fuming as he imagined her doing that for him.
“Missing home?”
“No. My dad’s got to face reality. I’m not going back. His loss, your gain. He hates losing. Ready for the factory?”
“No. You?”
“Not me either.”
In minutes they were ready and left in their cars. Rose hung behind him. He smiled, she hated driving slowly. On a long stretch she overtook him and sped away. Her car was parked already when he reached the factory. He parked beside her.
“See you later.”
She nodded. “Yeah, be careful of the wounded bear.”
James was in the workshop with Frank, their heads close together as they talked. They both glanced up as he passed.
“Morning.”
Neither replied. Godfree entered Mark’s office, closed the door beside him. Even James had looked upset. As he pulled a chair to sit his phone vibrated. It was Mark’s wife. They were calling from hospital. Mark had fallen sick last night. She had to call an ambulance and taken him to hospital. Hours later she drove back home. He was asleep now, needed to rest. Doctors had given him a week’s sick leave. Before he went to bed he had asked her to call Godfree. Mark wanted him to act in his place.
“He’s awake, wants to talk to you.”
“Mark, you okay?”
Mark sounded sick. “Need to rest a few days. You must act in my place.”
“Couldn’t you choose falling sick at another time? I don’t want your job.”
Mark’s humour came through despite the sickness. “It’s an excuse to be with the wife, but don’t tell anybody else. You’ll manage. Baldwin wants you at the managers’ meeting at nine. Don’t be late. Good luck.”
“Hey wait.”
But Mark had ended the call. Godfree looked at the phone. What a day. A headache started.
James burst into the office. “I can’t believe you got Rose to leave home and move in with you! How could you humiliate Frank like that?”
“We’ll talk later, Jamie. I need to see every electrician in this office right now.”
“Why?”
“Because Mark just called. He isn’t coming in and I’m acting in his place. Now call everyone.”
A minute later he
faced an angry Frank, Jamie and Kelly, the new electrician, and gave them the news. When he mentioned he was acting in Mark’s place Frank and James exchanged glanced their faces tight.
Kelly nodded. “Someone got to do it. Good luck, guv.”
“Thanks.”
Frank exploded. “Why you? Think you can give me instructions on what to do? I’ll see Baldwin concerning this.”
He stomped from the office.
James scowled. “You could have refused that post after what you’ve done. How can you take a man’s daughter and now become his boss?” He glanced at Kelly’s calm face. “Last night he called Rose to his house, made her stay. She’s moved in with him. See why Frank’s mad? Plus, those mechanical fitters downstairs won’t like you in Mark’s place either. Jones should act as he’s charge-hand. He’s been here longer.”
“I didn’t make the appointment. Let’s get to work, guys.” He felt betrayed by James. “You know the machines for PPM.”
“Sure, guv,” Kelly said.
James muttered under his breath. Godfree’s name was called over the intercom. The managing director wanted to see him as a matter of urgency. When he reached the office the secretary pointed at the door. Loud voices came from inside. Godfree knocked.
“Come in.”
He opened the door and entered. The managing director and Frank’s faces were red. The former smiled and pointed to a seat.
“Great to see you, Godfree. Please take a seat. You too, Frank.”
“Thank you.”
He sat. Baldwin was a short man with a bold head and pot belly. He sat on the edge of his desk.
“I’ll get to the point. Mark has already called you and explained he’s off sick for a week, right?”
“Yes.”
“He told you to act in his place?”
“Yeah.”
“Were you aware I had told him you’d take over as maintenance manager once he moved to engineering director?”
“Yes, but he had wanted me to keep it quiet.”
“You didn’t speak about it?”
“No.”
Frank looked perplexed.
Baldwin smiled. “You’re the new maintenance manager. Congratulations!”
Godfree looked at the outstretched hand and shook it. “Thank you.”
Frank jumped to his feet. “He can’t be! There are others with more experience like Jones, who have been here longer. Another thing, this guy’s a predator, just sexually abused my daughter.”
CHAPTER 23
Baldwin’s face changed. “Sit, Frank. He forced Rose?”
Frank’s voice shook as he pointed at Godfree. “Yes. Last night.”
“This true?” Baldwin glanced at Godfree.
“No. It’s not true. She’s my girlfriend.”
Frank yelled. “He’s lying!”
“Let him explain, Frank.”
Godfree explained.
Frank countered. “He’s lying, holding here against her will!”
“I’ll call her.” Baldwin moved to the door, flung it open and told his secretary to call Rose to the office and then sat and faced them. “No shouting now. Let’s wait for her.”
In minutes a baffled looking Rose entered the office, glanced at her dad and Godfree and accepted a seat.
Baldwin smiled at her. “Sorry to pop you up here without ceremony, doctor. It’s rather a delicate issue which involves your dad and Godfree. But it was brought up and involves you.”
He talked about the appointment and why he wanted to be sure about Godfree first.
Rose frowned. “So what’s the problem?”
Baldwin then explained why Frank was here and he wanted to be sure he didn’t appoint a rapist.
“Did you say rape?” Rose looked chocked. “Did you force someone, Free?”
Baldwin plunged in. “Your dad claims Godfree took you from home yesterday, sexually abused you and is holding you at his place against your will.”
“Dad! He hasn’t even touched me. This is ridiculous! You kicked me out, don’t approve of him.”
Frank replied. “I want you back home.”
Baldwin’s voice exuded authority. “Doesn’t see like you were kidnapped?”
“This guy’s my boyfriend. No law against me moving in with him.”
She pulled her armchair close to Godfree and took his while glaring at her dad.
“Looks like it’s a personal matter. You’re an adult, doctor, and your dad knows that. If you aren’t reporting this guy for assault, then there’s no issue here. Frank, your daughter has no allegation against the alleged perpetrator. It’s a private matter. As such I can only confirm the position of maintenance manager.
Congratulations again, Godfree.”
He gripped Godfree’s hand.
Rose hugged Godfree. “Congratulations too from me. Dad, you owe me and Godfree an apology, or I’m not talking to you again. Never thought you’d succumb to such tactics.”
Frank appeared ready for a fit.
“Godfree, there’s a managers’ meeting here at nine. Excuse me.” Baldwin pressed a button on the phone. “Maria, send out the latest memo on the new appointments. Godfree is now our new maintenance manager while Mark takes the engineering director position with immediate effect. Frank, you wouldn’t like to wash your dirty linen in public, would you? You guys are going to work together and meet daily in the factory, so it’s best you leave the differences at home. Didn’t exactly like my daughter’s boyfriend myself. But for some reason that’s what my daughter wanted. They got three kids, are happy together. Godfree, don’t forget the manager’s meeting at nine. You and your girlfriend can leave now. I’m sure you have work to do. Frank, I’d like you to remain behind a bit.”
Rose and Godfree left. In the passage she took his hand. He tried to pull it away but her fingers tightened. He stopped on the stairs.
“I’ll pinch you if you don’t remove your hand.”
She looked around. When she saw the coast was clear she pinched his side.
“Ouch!”
“Manager, eh!” And then she frowned. “Can’t believe my dad went that far.”
He shrugged. “He’s fighting with all he can. Feel sorry for him.”
“I’m ignoring him now. Let him think of the pain he’s caused. Today I’m leaving early to pick the rest of my stuff from home, got nothing to say to him any longer. I’ll get you a coffee. Time everyone saw us together.”
Minutes later Maria, the managing director’s secretary placed the new announcements on the board. Godfree’s new position was now official. He felt events were just moving too fast for him. Popped some paracetamols that Rose had given him for an acute headache.
Through the wide glass of the office he could see the factory floor stretching away and the machines and operators. Frank was busy on a machine with James. The latter had still not congratulated him. Production people from the factory floor wished him luck, among them several fitters and Jones, the charge-hand.
Frank had walked into the electric workshop after the meeting with Baldwin, his shoulders slumped. He looked bruised, fetched his tools and headed for the factory. Godfree was sure he would resign. Despite what he had called him, he felt no hate. This man had berated, ridiculed, and called him hurtful names.
Godfree needed to prepare for the managers’ meeting.
Baldwin chaired the meeting, introduced him as new maintenance manager. Congratulations poured. The managing director trumpeted Godfree’s alma matta. Godfree read respect in people’s eyes. He missed Mark.
After the meeting he walked to the machines, stopped beside Kelly.
“Your resume says you worked all over the world, Kelly. Africa, Australia and the Middle East.”
Kelly nodded. “Sure, guv. Couldn’t just stay still, always wanted to see what’s beyond the next hill.”
“You found it?”
He laughed, said all he had seen were hills, roads, trees and different coloured and sized women. He met the woman
he had married in Africa. That’s the person who stopped his travels. His father had owned a business in England which Kelly inherited when he passed away. He had not wanted it, thought the old man should have left it to one of his three older brothers and sister. In addition, he loved the sunny weather and his large house in Africa. Didn’t want to come back to cold and dreary England. His married sister was rich, and his older brothers were drunkards. That’s why his dad chose him. He left Africa, returned to run the business. It made money. When it was most profitable he sold it. His wife worked as a private nurse at a doctor’s surgery. Kelly had made enough to retire, didn’t need this work but just to keep busy. He had also known Baldwin’s dad.
“With your vast experience you should have got the post of maintenance manager.”
“No, guv. Don’t need it. I’m sixty-six. My wife’s retiring soon. We plan to visit the grandkids and travel. So how long have you been with Frank’s girl? He gave me his version of events before you arrived at work. I told him he should lay off, let his daughter choose.”
Godfree told him a bit about Rose.
Kelly commented. “Seen you both. Know when a guy’s in love and the girl too. I told Frank he’s fighting a losing battle here. That his girl is the one who ran to you. That should tell you this is a matter of the heart, and he should leave it alone. You like her, guv.”
“I do.”
“Wouldn’t have minded you taking my daughter out, but all my girls are married. Think Frank will lay off once he realizes she isn’t coming back home.”
“Sure hope so, Kelly. Isn’t going to be easy working with us all working here.”
“He’s got to accept it. There are things you can’t change. Let me show you something.”
Kelly took out his phone, scrolled to a photo and showed him. He stood arm in arm with a black woman.
“Your wife?”
“Yeah.”
“I get it now when you said you met your wife in Africa.”
“So you see in a way I’m your brother-in-law, married into the family. So I understand.”
Godfree grinned. “Right. Didn’t know I had a white man as a brother-in-law. Welcome to the tribe, mate.”