The Downfall Series Box Set

by Edie Baylis

  “Oh how beautiful!” Joy exclaimed, listening as Eliza described the dress. “She’ll look stunning! That Seth’s a lucky man.” Raising an eyebrow, she winked. “Of course it helps he’s extremely handsome. He’ll make Jane happy I’m sure.”

  Eliza turned away so her mother couldn’t see her expression. Oh, Seth made Jane happy in the sack alright but as for the rest of it she wasn’t sure.

  All she knew was that she wished Seth loved her like that. Except without all the weird shitty bits.

  JANE STARED MINDLESSLY at the piece of paper containing the list of boxes due for shipping and popped another pill into her mouth. She needed to slow her mind down. God, she hated, hated, hated this job. She’d look for another one as soon as everything else was out of the way.

  Feeling like she was on a roundabout spinning out of control, she rubbed at her temples. Seth had promised they’d move from the flat after the wedding and find somewhere else. Somewhere that people couldn’t just walk in. Somewhere that wasn’t slap-bang in the middle of everything.

  But could either of them stay straight long enough to manage it this time?

  At least he was back on with Phil and the boys. The job he’d pulled off last week had been an extremely lucrative one pulling in thousands - hence the ability to foot the wedding bill.

  Jane grinned. Seth had taken a huge risk ordering everything for the wedding with no idea how they’d pay for it, but he’d told her not to worry and that he’d sort it. And sort it he had.

  Furthermore, they hadn’t had an argument for the last two days either, so perhaps things were looking up. For the first time in a very long while, Jane began to think maybe, just maybe their plan was feasible. She hoped so as she’d confirmed today what she’d suspected. She was pregnant again.

  Looking around the room she breathed in deeply. Even though her life was even more out of control than before, she was determined it would be different this time.

  GLANCING CASUALLY AT HIS watch, Seth opened the boot of the Senator and threw the duct tape in. Jane would be back from work soon.

  With a grunt, he heaved the unconscious man from the ground and chucked him roughly inside. As the man’s head collided hard with the inside of the wheel arch, Seth slammed the lid and wiped his hands down his jeans.

  He couldn’t wait to surprise Jane with this. He’d spent several days planning it and it had all come together like clockwork. Tonight he’d finish this shit once and for all.

  It was going to be fine now. ALL of it.

  Rubbing his hands together happily, Seth entered the flat and reached for the whisky. He’d just have a small one before Jane got home. No actually, he’d pick her up from work instead. She could leave her motor there and he’d drop her off in the morning. He could then give her the surprise straightaway. This had gone on long enough as it was.

  Raising the bottle to his mouth Seth took a large gulp, moaning contentedly as the whisky burnt his throat and looked at his wedding clothes on the rail in the spare room.

  The black frock coat, trousers, purple waistcoat and matching cravat were in a suit carrier and his top hat lay in a box on the floor ready for next weekend. Polished black leather shoes sat next to the hat box and all he needed now was the new shirt which he was picking up from the tailors tomorrow.

  He’d been determined to have stuff that fitted his shoulders properly this time, unlike what he’d had to make do with at the hand fasting and he couldn’t wait to see Jane in her wedding dress. Apparently he wasn’t allowed to see it until the day. What fucking difference did that make then?

  The urge to go and peep in the large dress carrier hanging on the wall in their bedroom was overwhelming, but restraining himself, he took another swig of whisky instead.

  Jane had looked beautiful the last time, but he’d bet she’d look drop-dead gorgeous in this one, especially when he got to take it off her.

  Seth twizzled the ring he’d worn since the hand fasting around on his finger. Jane was happy to use the same rings again, but he’d insisted they had new ones. He’d already given the new rings to Digger because he was the one bringing them on the day. Second wedding. New start. New rings. It all made sense.

  Sparking up a fag, Seth happily took one last swig of whisky before walking out of the spare room and left the flat.

  STUART SLOWLY CAME BACK to consciousness and immediately went into panic mode. Where the hell was he? He couldn’t breathe! Oh Jesus! What the fuck was going on?

  He tried to call out, but found he couldn’t move his mouth and neither could he see anything. Had he gone blind? Trying to feel in front of him Stuart realised with horror he couldn’t move his arms from under him. Was he paralysed?

  A fresh wave of fear rushed through his body, along with a wave of nausea and he tried to calm himself down in an effort to control his breathing. Hyperventilating through his nose wasn’t doing him any favours.

  His mind was totally and utterly blank. Finding he could still move his teeth he gritted them and tried to concentrate. He’d been going home and had reached the first stairwell when he’d heard something behind him. He’d started to turn around, but hadn’t got very far. A further rush of dread piled over him and he realised something was wrong. Very wrong.

  Suddenly Stuart felt a jolt that sounded like a door which broke him out of his panicked thoughts. It was a car door. Was he in a car?

  Suddenly the penny dropped in his fuddled brain. He was in a fucking car boot wasn’t he? Shit!

  Trying to move his legs to kick out he found his feet were also stuck and couldn’t move enough to bang on the walls of the boot. Closing his eyes, he swallowed hard as he realised he knew whose boot it was.

  This was Seth wasn’t it? It had him written all over it, the cunt. A surge of defiance rose up and replaced Stuart’s confusion and fear. This was beyond the fucking pale. He wasn’t having this.

  He wasn’t having this at all.

  MAGGIE WALKED HAND IN hand with Bryn towards town feeling that she might pass out with pleasure. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed over the two weeks since he’d returned. They’d picked up where they’d left off and she’d fallen head over heels for him hard. She needed a decent man and was confident he fitted the bill. Besides, he’d be fine with her plans.

  “You are coming to the wedding with me aren’t you?” she gushed, turning around to face him.

  “Of course I am, babe.”

  “You’ll have to wear a suit.”

  Bryn stared at her. “A suit?” Looking down at his faded, ripped jeans and Metallica T-shirt - which wasn’t far off the extent of his wardrobe, he wondered where on earth she expected him to get a suit from.

  “Yes,” Maggie eyed him suspiciously. “It’s in a church, babe. You can’t go like that can you?”

  Bryn wondered why on earth not? It wasn’t him getting married for fuck’s sake was it? Besides, if he had anything to do with it, with any luck he’d be out of here by next weekend and back with Lucy.

  He felt he was starting to win Lucy round. When he’d sneaked out away from Maggie the other night on the pretext of buying fags, he’d called her from a payphone. She wasn’t as icy as previously, so he reckoned he was getting somewhere.

  Besides, there was only so long he could cope with Maggie. She was nice enough, but so full on and he hadn’t been able to think of anywhere else he could go as easily. He just needed a little bit more time.

  Smiling sweetly, Bryn planted a kiss on Maggie’s lips. “Ok honey. I’ll get a suit. Don’t want to let you down do I?”

  JANE WAS PERPLEXED. Every time she looked at Seth, he was grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Just tell me what it is!” she pleaded.

  Seth’s green eyes glinted with mischief as he took his hand off the gear stick and gave Jane’s hand a tight squeeze. “What? And spoil all the fun?” Raising an eyebrow, he returned his gaze to the road. “You’ll have to wait. Trust me. You’ll love it!”

  Jane wondered what on earth i
t could be. Short of a gift-wrapped kilo of cocaine, she couldn’t think of much else she wanted. She loved Seth to death when he was full of life and surprises like this. Like it had been in the old days before everything else had happened.

  Snorting some coke off the end of a key, she glanced out of the window and tried to fathom where they were going but admitted she was none the wiser. It was obvious they were in the country, but that didn’t tell her much. Maybe they were going for a drink somewhere out of town?

  Hearing a clunk from behind, Jane turned her head. “What was that?”

  “What?”

  “That clunking noise?”

  Seth glanced in the rear view mirror. “Don’t know. I heard it earlier. Think the exhaust might be coming loose,” he lied. “I’ll get it looked at.”

  Swinging off the road, he pulled onto a dirt track and continued down a bumpy narrow lane.

  Jane looked out of the window into the fading light. “What the hell’s this? Where are we going?”

  “Patience, my dear. Patience.”

  Opening the passenger door, Seth dragged Jane out of the Senator and winked. “Come on!” Pulling her to her feet, he kicked the door shut and crushed her up against it. Holding her face with both hands, he kissed her passionately. “First,” he smiled, pulling away. “Your surprise!”

  Jane felt like a little girl when she was taken by the hand and led around to the back of the car.

  Flipping the boot open, Seth revealed Stuart crumpled up and bound with duct tape, sporting a large gash to his head. “Ta-dah!”

  A slow smile crept across Jane’s face as she stared at the figure blinking in rapid succession when the light hit his eyes.

  “This, my darling,” Seth grabbed a thick handful of Stuart’s hair and pulled him roughly from the boot. “Is my wedding present to you.”

  FIFTY FOUR

  AS SETH DRAGGED STUART on to the floor, Jane smiled serenely. Finally he was going to deliver. About bloody time! Watching Stuart jerk around on the floor like a half-paralysed caterpillar she fought the overwhelming urge to laugh.

  Seth pulled a small pocket knife from his coat and expertly slit the duct tape from Stuart’s mouth. “Let’s see what this cunt has got to say shall we?”

  Stuart flinched as the top layer of his lips was ripped away along with most of his scruffy beard. “You fucking sick bastard!” he screamed.

  Jane stood over him, “I see you’re still an obnoxious prick then?”

  Thrashing around aimlessly, Stuart’s face was bright red with rage. “You horrible slag!” He knew he was finished, but it was the final insult to have her here watching and enjoying it, the fucking psycho bitch.

  Laughing, Jane leant against the boot and inspected her long red fingernails casually. “You look ridiculous,” she smiled. “Like a fucking beetroot!”

  Specks of saliva sprayed from Stuart’s mouth, so livid he could hardly get the words out. “You should be dead in your fucking car by now!”

  Jane didn’t need to look at Seth to know Stuart’s words had resonated because his fist smashed into the man’s face.

  “Hang on Seth,” Jane walked back towards Stuart. “Let me help you.” Delivering a well-aimed kick to his face, she watched with detached glee as more of his teeth smashed out. “Whoops!”

  Seth didn’t need to zone out for this one and couldn’t help but smile as Stuart spat out chunks of broken teeth. The guy was fucking begging for it.

  His fist connected once more, smashing Stuart’s right eye socket. “It’s a shame you won’t be able to come to our wedding isn’t it?”

  Grabbing him around the throat, Seth pulled out a small pair of pliers. Pushing Stuart’s head backwards roughly, he rammed them into his mouth. “One,” he counted, smiling as he tossed a tooth to one side. “Two..... Three....”

  BRYN DIDN’T PARTICULARLY want to trek back to the caravan once they’d got into town because he’d been planning on going straight to the pub, but Maggie had been insistent.

  Stopping at the offy, she’d bought a crap bottle of cheap white wine which they’d shared whilst walking back to the field. He hated wine, but had dutifully swigged his half.

  By the time they reached the van, Maggie was giggly and girly. Leaning against the sofa bed he wondered why she was rushing around lighting candles.

  Maggie smiled and then slipped her top down, revealing her breasts. “Hey babe...”

  Bryn grinned. Hell, if she’d wanted a shag why didn’t she just say? She didn’t have to do all that crap with candles!

  Pulling her towards him, he greedily wrapped his mouth around one of her erect nipples. Releasing himself from his jeans he peeled her leggings down. Not quite as nice tits as Lucy, but nice all the same, Bryn thought and pulled Maggie on top of him, tracing his tongue teasingly in a circle on her flesh.

  Maggie groaned with pleasure as she slid onto Bryn and closed her eyes as he moved her to his rhythm. This may be the time that did the job, she thought. That’s if it hadn’t happened already. He’d be so pleased.

  “Faster,” she gasped, riding him harder. She looked at his face. His eyes were closed, his mouth slightly open and his expression was one of pure rapture. Yep. He was as much in love with her as she was with him.

  Life was good.

  “YOU,” SETH SNARLED, “are a piece of shit!”

  Stuart grinned sarcastically, even though moving his broken mouth was excruciatingly painful. “And you’re a jumped-up, fucking wanker, Seth Wright.” His eyes flashed in defiance. “You’re a fucking joke! You and that whore.”

  Gripping Stuart’s windpipe with both hands, Seth smiled at the choking sounds coming from what was left of his mouth. This cunt thought he’d got one over on him did he? Well not any fucking more!

  Releasing one hand, Seth twirled his blade around and flicked it into position. “Reckon it’s time to make sure you don’t say fuck all, prick!”

  Jane could hardly contain her excitement as she watched Seth carefully. The obnoxious, defiant look on Stuart’s face was now replaced with fear.

  Wrenching Stuart’s mouth open, Seth quickly grabbed his tongue and pulled it forward hard. As the knife was pushed into his mouth a panicked, garbled noise escaped and thick purple blood spewed out when his tongue was cut through.

  Jane stared in morbid fascination as the garbled noise turned into an animalistic howling.

  “Shut up!” Seth barked. “Right little diva aren’t you!” Cutting through the final sinew, he held Stuart’s tongue up and waggled it comically. “Let’s clean you up shall we? You look a right fucking state!”

  Undoing his flies and with legs apart, Seth aimed at Stuart’s face.

  Jane watched contentedly as the stream of piss poured in a torrent over Stuart’s mouth and nose and he thrashed around desperately trying to avoid the hot liquid burning his eyes. “So now what?” She wrapped her arms around Seth’s waist from behind.

  Turning, Seth planted a kiss on Jane’s mouth. “Now it’s round two.”

  BRYN LAY BACK ON THE sofa bed and sighed contentedly. Exhaling cigarette smoke, he wondered when he could safely suggest returning to town. He needed to call Lucy at some point soon.

  He glanced at Maggie sitting cross-legged next to him and wondered if she had any more dope. Why was she staring at him like that? She was starting to give him the creeps.

  “What are you frowning for babe?” Maggie purred, looking at Bryn with a concerned expression.

  Bryn jumped, almost dropping his fag onto his chest. “Was I?” He quickly tried to think of something to say. “Nothing’s wrong. Just wondering if you’re ok? You’re very quiet?”

  Ok. So he lied. The quieter she was, the better, but he couldn’t exactly say that could he?

  Maggie brushed her fingers lightly over his face. “Aw. You’re so sweet.”

  Bryn forced a smile that he hoped looked genuine. “Shall we head back into town?”

  A pout formed on Maggie’s lips. “Really? You don’
t want to stay in?” She pushed her breasts forwards. “The night’s still young and there’s plenty of time for more, you know...”

  “Jesus, woman!” Bryn tried to make a joke, but was starting to feel slightly suffocated. He needed to get the fuck out of here and back into society.

  “Ok. We’ll go to town then,” Maggie said sulkily, “but I’ve some really good news I want to tell you about first.”

  Bryn propped himself up on his elbows. “Good news?” Had she won the pools? That may alter his plans slightly. He could face a few more weeks to help her spend the money.

  “Yes,” Maggie gushed, her eyes shining. She stroked Bryn’s arm gently. “You’re going to be so pleased. I know you feel the same way as I do.”

  Oh get on with it! Bryn tried not to glance at his watch and smiled, feeling like his face was going to crack. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

  “Well,” Maggie shuffled closer and took his hand. “I came off the Pill a couple of weeks ago so that we could try for a baby.”

  The world hung in suspended animation and a slow wave of fear ran up from Bryn’s feet and trickled through every vein until it reached his head. He couldn’t have heard right surely?

  Shaking his head, he laughed nervously. “Thought you said something about babies then!”

  Maggie’s smile grew wider. “I did.”

  A clammy film of sweat broke out over Bryn’s forehead and he sat bolt upright, feeling like he would pass out.

  “I knew you’d be pleased!” Maggie leant forward, her lips reaching for his.

  Bryn stopped her with his hand. “Y-You’re not pregnant are you?”

  Giggling, she put her hand on her belly. “Give yourself chance! Well, I may be. We might have been lucky already or maybe just now did the trick?”

  Bryn thought he might throw up. Wiping the sweat away from his face he scrambled to his feet. This was a total nightmare. “Are you insane?”