by Deb McEwan
Val and Marion were staying overnight in the hotel and Jim and Fiona had invited Tony and Libby for dinner
It was Tony and not Libby who picked up on the atmosphere as soon as they arrived at his former flat, though it wasn’t long before Libby sensed that something was going on. While the hosts were in the small kitchen Libby nudged Tony.
‘What’s going on? It’s like they’re hiding a big secret or something.’
‘Act normal and don’t say anything,’ said Tony, wanting their hosts to crack first.
Fiona entered the lounge and he gave Libby a warning look. She handed Libby a glass of white wine.
‘Nice glass,’ Libby lifted it to the light and swirled the wine around. ‘Is it new?’
‘Engagement present, took them out of the box earlier. Thought we’d get the good stuff out tonight.’
‘And very nice they are too.’
Fiona looked from one to the other. ‘Beer, Tone?’
‘Please.’
‘They’re not biting at all,’ Fiona said quietly when she was back in the kitchen. ‘It’s not natural.’
‘We’ll drop a few more hints during the starter, they’re bound to be curious then.’
Fiona nodded and Jim followed her with their drinks as she took Tony’s beer through to the lounge.
They spoke about Val and Marion for a while, expressing their concern about Val’s involvement with Big Ed, and hoping that the police would arrest and charge him before the women returned from Romania in a few months.
‘They’re back at the end of October,’ said Jim. Fiona looked smug when Jim imparted this knowledge but Tony just said oh really and Libby looked down without saying a word.
Their behaviour was unnatural thought Fiona who decided to try a different tack.
‘I wonder what the weather’s like in Spain in November?’ she asked.
‘Oh it’s lovely,’ said Libby. ‘I’ve been there in the late Autumn and it got up to the low twenties during the day but it can be chilly at night,’ she had fond memories of her girls’ break and started regaling them with stories of what they’d all got up to. ‘Of course that was a few years ago now, but I don’t think it will have changed much…’
‘Sounds great. Do you want to go to the table and I’ll bring the starters. Give me a hand, Jim.’
‘We’re having starters?’
‘Yes, Tony. Well it is a special night.’ Fiona’s tone of voice indicated that she felt it was anything but special. She was surprised when Tony and Libby burst into fits of laughter and, like Margot out of the Good Life, failed to get the joke.
They put her out of her misery as soon as the laughter was spent.
‘Do you want to tell us what’s going on now or during dinner?’
‘Actually, I don’t know what you mean.’ They weren’t getting it all their own way.
‘Sorry, Fi but it looked like you were fit to burst. And you, Jim. What’s going on?’ Libby put a friendly arm around Fiona and gave her a squeeze. ‘Come on then. How do you know when Mum and Marion are coming home on leave and what’s the Spain connection?’ as Libby asked the question Jim walked to Fiona’s side and they held hands. Either expecting or getting married thought Libby, and knowing how Fiona felt about her career, she guessed which one.
‘Is it safe to say you’re getting married in Spain in November then?’ Tony got up and hugged his brother and future sister-in-law.
‘Well done, Sherlock,’ said Jim as Tony and Libby congratulated them both.
‘There is more actually. But I think we’ll keep that until the main course.’ Fiona was determined to have the last laugh as she disappeared into the kitchen.
Curious to discover the rest of the news, Tony and Libby rushed through the salmon starter wondering what was coming next.
Libby helped Fiona take the plates to the kitchen while Jim recharged the glasses. The plates loaded with steak and chips, Fiona sat down with the eyes of Tony and Libby boring into her.
‘Right. Help yourselves to the salad, please,’ she pointed to the bowl and it was Jim’s turn to be amused now. He avoided his brother’s eyes.
‘Enough, Fi,’ Libby put down her cutlery and leaned forward. ‘You’ve made your point. Now what is it?’
A look passed between Jim and Fiona and he spoke. ‘We wondered if you wanted your blessing to take place after our wedding ceremony?’
‘And we thought it was a cracking idea so we’ve arranged it,’ added Fiona. ‘But I can easily cancel it if we’ve been too presumptuous…’
‘What a brilliant idea, thanks guys,’ Tony looked to Libby. ‘What do you reckon, Lib?’
Libby was wiping tears from her eyes and nodding her head. ‘This is going to put things right between Mum and me and your family will be there already so that’s not a problem. I’ll have to make sure I can get time off work. Plenty of time to get a dress and there’ll only be a dozen or so people who we’ll have to invite separately and...’
‘Whoa,’ said Fiona. ‘I’ve made a list.’ She passed Libby a piece of paper full of names, some with ticks and some with question marks at their sides. ‘We thought you might have twenty or so people you may want to invite that we might not know about. It’s not going to be that big and we were planning on having a big party for the ones who can’t come and the not so close friends and family when we get back off our honeymoon. Can I take it that’s a yes?’
‘Yes, yes, most definitely yes!’ Libby was laughing now and Tony was well happy. He could show off the woman he loved to his close family and friends and also be a big part in his brother’s special day. He wondered if he could be a groom and best man on the same day. As usual, Jim’s thoughts were in tune with his own.
‘You’ll still be my best man of course?’
‘But of course.’
‘Your father’s going to be there too.’
‘I would hope he’d be invited, Fi.’
‘I don’t mean that, Tone. He’s already going to be there. There’s some big competition he’s in…’
‘European weightlifting championships,’ added Jim. ‘He’s getting really serious about this and damn good as well.’
The rest of the night consisted of wedding talk and both Tony and Jim were glad when the evening came to an end. There was no doubt that they loved their ladies, but wedding planning wasn’t their favourite pastime.
They agreed that they’d give the good news to Marion and Val before seeing them off at the airport later that week.
‘Bit of good news for them to take with them and something else for Val to think about rather than that awful man.
‘How did you find out about their leave,’ asked Tony. ‘They’ll only be away for just over two months. They usually don’t have a break until at least the three month point.’
‘I phoned the charity and they put me through to the trainer,’ said Fiona looking smug again. ‘The woman’s name was Gail and when I told her what the plan was she sounded nearly as excited as I was. Apparently she’s quite close to both your mothers and thought it was a fantastic idea.’
Fiona went on to explain that the first phase of the Romanian deployment was helping with the light stuff in respect of the building of the orphanage, and getting things ready for the orphans who were currently in dilapidated accommodation that should have been condemned years before. They’ll move them in on phase two, take a bit of leave, then go back and run the place for a while leaving the duo who are currently there to start a new project elsewhere.
Despite recent developments in their relationships and the worry about Val’s friendship with a fugitive from justice, the twins and Libby were inordinately proud of their mothers. It was remarkable how the ladies had turned around their lives since the death of Val’s husband and Marion’s daughter, and also the disintegration of her marriage.
Before Tony and Libby left, Fiona and Libby told the twins that they would take a long weekend to Spain to meet the coordinator and to ensure the venue was as
beautiful as Fiona said it looked on the Internet.
The date set, the couples said their goodnights, the women looking forward to carrying out the planning during the next few months and the men looking forward to the actual day.
Chapter 12
Even though they’d bribed some of the officials they were told that the girls still had to be hidden.
‘The customs deputy is a Christian with a large family who he dotes on,’ said Captain Saul.
‘But I thought my money was used to bribe the Chief?’
‘It was, but the man is bloody minded enough to risk losing his job by putting me away. On top of that his wife is championing the cause against child sex and slavery. She’s even got her own website and Facebook page, damn woman.’
‘You have Facebook here?’
Captain Saul gave him a strange look. ‘We’re not all tribesmen who live in the bushes you know. The 21st century has arrived in Africa.’
Gary hadn’t witnessed much of the 21st century on this continent where the usual laws of life and death seemed savage, even by his warped standards.
‘We sail tonight at 11 pm. The ship gets inspected at 9 or as near as dammit. That means that we will need to put the girls in the last container that’s loaded. I’ve already told the customs that we’re expecting a late delivery. They’ll inspect it, I’ll get it into the crate and the girls will get in before it’s loaded. As soon as we sail I’ll get them out of there.’
‘What cargo are you carrying?’
‘Scrap metal, cheap sweatshop clothes and handbags.’
Gary raised his eyebrows and Captain Saul smirked. ‘Times are tough, Gary. If that indeed is your real name? I take the business where I can get it.’
‘Don’t ask stupid fucking questions, Saul, or I’ll take my business elsewhere,’ he emphasised the my and Saul acknowledged the comment by holding his hand out to shake. Gary accepted the gesture; no more would be said about his identity.
‘Now, is there such a thing as a decent computer shop here? I need something a bit specialised.’ Gary explained his needs.
‘I told you we’re civilised. You can buy just about anything you need here. I know a reliable source. I’ll make a call to see if he has what you want and one of my men can take you,’ Captain Saul smiled his most disarming. ‘Don’t barter with him. He knows to give you the best price or I’ll kill him and his fucking wife.’
So much for them not being savages thought Gary. ‘Thanks. Will he be able to deliver it to Europe and can I trust him to do so?’
The captain nodded.
Arrangements were made and shortly after a dusty indiscriminate vehicle pulled up. Gary raised his eyebrows.
‘Too flashy and we draw attention from unwanted sources.’
Fair enough he thought. ‘I’ll be back to board the ship at 8.30 ish. And, Saul, be careful with the cargo, they’re worth a lot,’ he was about to get into the back of the car and turned to face the captain. ‘Especially the girl Mary, she’s very talented and I don’t want to hear that anyone’s messed about with her.’
‘Don’t worry, my men like real women and just in case they were tempted, Daniel’s already put them in the picture,’ the captain leaned into the car with a serious expression on his face. ‘You may want to see a doctor while you’re in town and get him to check you over.’
Gary was pleasantly surprised to hear the comment about Daniel but the pleasure turned to annoyance on hearing the captain’s final remark. He must actually look as bad as he felt. He decided to ignore the comment.
‘Move it,’ Gary gave the driver a rough poke in the back and the man looked to his captain who nodded. The car pulled off with Captain Saul making a mental note not to share anything with Gary or the girl Mary, that would put him at risk of catching whatever it was. He suspected the worst and would also tell his men to ensure they knew the score.
*****
While Gary was away Captain Saul set about getting the ship ready to sail. The scrap metal had already been loaded and so had the first four of the five containers carrying cheap clothes and handbags made by women and children who hadn’t heard the phrase minimum wage - they just wanted enough to be able to eat each day.
The final delivery arrived and the dockworkers set about filling the last container. The girls were sitting nervously in the small room where they’d been kept since their arrival. There were two potties in the corner which they’d been told to use, the only time any of them had been outside the room had been to accompany one of the crew when they went to empty their waste. They’d been fed and watered and didn’t want for anything – like farm animals thought Mary, remembering better times. They knew they were to be smuggled onto the boat and the captain’s men had seemed to become more nervous and tense when checking on them as the day wore on. The door opened and the small man entered. A few bottles of water were passed around for the girls to have a final drink; there was enough for them to have no more than a sip each. He pointed to the potties and told them all to use them and that he’d be back in ten minutes when it was time to leave. Mary rightly assumed that they wouldn’t be able to relieve themselves for a while. The door closed behind the little man and she could see her fear reflected in the faces of the other girls. Knowing they didn’t have any choice but to follow instructions she used a potty and the other girls quickly followed suit. He returned shortly after with two other men and told them to follow him. It was dark outside and it took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust from the stark light of the bulb in the room. Although they were frightened, it was good to get outside into the air and there was a slight breeze coming off the water, which freshened their skin and made them all feel slightly cleaner. The walk was far too short and when they arrived at the container the small man whispered to his colleagues.
‘In you get, girls and quickly.’
They looked up at the green metal box. The doors at the back were open and it was full of crates, most closed except the ones the girls were directed to climb into.
Mary looked around at the other 27 girls, 23 who had travelled with her from Zambia and the newly arrived 4 who looked more terrified than the others. She wondered if they’d been kidnapped from their families or if like the rest of them, they were already orphaned. The men lifted their shirts and pulled out small guns and the girls realised they didn’t have any choice but to follow their orders. This wasn’t a surprise to the older ones who’d become used to doing exactly as they were told. Two of the new ones started crying and many others followed suit, terrified of dying in the big green box. The small man took a step toward one of the crying girls and slapped her with the back of his hand. The shock of the slap stunned her and took her breath away and she stopped crying, froze and looked at him, like a rabbit stuck in the headlights of an oncoming car.
‘Shut up and get into the container. Find an open box and jump into it, two in each box. Come on now and if I hear another sound out of any of you, my men will rape you and throw you into the sea when they’ve finished. Nobody will know and you’ll be fish food.’
Mary knew they were valuable cargo and it was unlikely that would happen, but she also knew that the boss seemed to be able to get girls from wherever he wanted so the loss of one or two of them might only be a minor inconvenience to him. The man’s words did the trick and slowly the girls walked into the container, quietly, one by one, resigned to whatever fate had in store for them. The last girl muttered to herself and started crying, despite what the scary man had said. Mary looked at the small youngster who couldn’t have been much more than nine years old. She couldn’t understand what she said but could tell from her gestures that she didn’t want to get into a box on her own. Mary pushed Tamara toward her and told her to share with the little girl and to offer her comfort. She got into a box on her own and started to pray. Eventually they were sealed into their boxes and the container was closed. Even though it had a ventilation hole, the heat was unbearable and the air thick and humid. Tamara held
the girl she shared the box with and whispered to her, hoping she would calm down because her sobbing was making it difficult for her to breathe, and the more she cried the more she panicked. The loud noise from above silenced the girl. Her tears were replaced with trembles when they felt the container being lifted.
The driver stopped outside what looked to Gary like one in a row of shacks. He turned to face his passenger. ‘We’re here boss. I’ll wait here for you.’
Getting out of the car and walking towards the building Gary could see various items on display. A tall skinny man opened the door before Gary got to it and his smile lit up his black face. He put out his hand for Gary to shake and nodded his head in a small bow-like gesture. ‘I’m John, sir. At your service and to cater for your every need.’
Gary wanted a computer and nothing else and he impatiently explained this to the man. Bowing again, the smarmy John asked him to follow and took him through to a small back room. Despite Gary’s explanation he clapped his hands and two women appeared through a door at the back of the room. John sat back in his chair looking smug and told him to take his pick. Gary refused the offer and John unsuccessfully tried to hide his surprise. Gary told him he was in a hurry and wanted to get down to business and John fired up the laptop on the desk in front on him. He opened a website containing images not fit for any eyes except those of the most depraved people alive. Gary tried to hide his disgust and explained that the laptop was for a friend and that it should be encrypted so that messages to and from it could not be intercepted. From the look on John’s face he wasn’t convinced his words were getting through to the man. He leaned forward and further explained that there should be no shortcuts pre-loaded to illicit website addresses or anything else of an offensive nature emphasising again that the laptop was to be the property of a decent friend. In case there was any doubt, Gary added that if he later discovered his instructions had been disobeyed, he would hunt him down and remove his testicles with a chainsaw before burning his eyes out and killing him. As he looked into his eyes John knew that he would rather be thrown into a sea full of sharks than face the wrath of the white man in front of him. Business concluded, Gary left the shop satisfied with his purchase and that his instructions would be followed.