by Edie Baylis
Shelley had promised she’d tell him once all this stuff with Marie had been achieved because then he’d have nothing on his mind to worry him.
Natalie frowned. Shelley would have more than what Ben had on his mind to worry about if she was caught breaking into someone’s place.
Besides, Ben scared Natalie if truth be known. He’d been too drunk to notice she’d been in the next room that morning when he’d come home after being out all night. He’d been too busy giving Shelley the spiel to spot her peering through the crack in their bedroom door.
Oh yes, she’d seen Ben push Shelley on the bed and clamber on top of her. He’d seemed totally unaware of where he was, or who he was with as he’d roughly shoved his cock into her friend.
Shelley had not been unwanting of his attention, but Natalie was worried about what she’d seen. The way he’d held Shelley’s arms down, biting and painfully twisting her swollen breasts. How he’d folded her legs around her neck, bending her almost double and slammed into her.
Natalie had almost cried out in shock when he’d replaced his cock with his fist and repeatedly hammered it up Shelley. He’d then shoved himself deep into her mouth, choking her.
Feeling sick, she’d tiptoed away and let herself out of the house. The man was a fucking monster and it could only get worse. Shelley might not mind roughness in the sack, but there were limits and surely that sort of punishment couldn’t be good with a baby inside could it?
DAVID WALKED BRISKLY along the road and pulled his jacket collar higher around his neck. It was rather chillier that usual for the time of year. He smiled to himself as he continued along.
Only one more shift to go until the weekend and he was having a long weekend for once. He deserved it. He’d booked the Monday off too and was going to enjoy himself. He’d sorted a nice hotel by the sea and had got it all planned. He and Gary would have the best of times enjoying themselves and finally getting some well-deserved privacy away from the judgemental and prying eyes of everyone around here.
David smiled once more. Gary’s sensitivity was one of the things he loved dearly about the man. It was a refreshing, comforting change and a stark contrast from being surrounded by tough macho men with something to prove.
Besides, they’d got plans. The set up at the Glint was getting more and more uncomfortable by the day. There was definitely something afoot. Not that he had any clue as to the details, apart from it being something to do with Carter’s firm.
It was bad enough being involved in that shit about the delivery a while back and he certainly didn’t want to get embroiled in anything else. Not that anyone would tell the likes of him anything important. The sooner he could get out of this game, the better.
The business plan he and Gary had been working very hard on was coming together nicely. They’d only got a couple more things to add before they’d have everything the bank required to make a final decision over their plan of wooden cabins around a fishing lake. Now the perfect piece of land had come on the market it was definitely the right time.
David stepped past the van partially blocking the entrance to the alley he used as a short cut and tutted with ill-concealed annoyance. Bloody van drivers. Thinking they owned the damn place. Why couldn’t they park somewhere they were supposed to park, not wherever they fucking wanted?
He continued into the alley. Forcing his annoyance about the van from his mind, he moved his concentration back to the weekend ahead and missed the presence of the two figures concealed ahead.
MAGGIE GLANCED IN HER handbag and checked she’d remembered to put her fags and lipstick in before they’d got in the taxi. The bottle of wine they’d shared before leaving had dulled her senses somewhat.
She’d been reluctant when Sally had asked her whether she fancied a night on the town. After all, she’d been such hard work recently she didn’t know if she could face it, but surprisingly Sally was bouncy and full of life. In fact, so much so Maggie had initially wondered whether she was on something.
She also hadn’t mentioned a word about that bloody Jim or any other hair-brained depressing shit yet and she hoped it would stay that way.
Sally clutched Maggie’s hand and grinned excitedly. “So babe, are you ready to paint the town red?”
“Absolutely!” Maggie laughed. “It’s nice to get our glad rags on and go somewhere other than the bloody pub!”
Sally laughed and glanced out of the window. “God, there’s some right posh places around here!”
Maggie followed Sally’s gaze and took in the large houses with gated driveways as the taxi made its way towards the city. “How the other half live, eh?”
“That will be us some day,” Sally smiled. “Nice place, rich husbands. All the wine we can drink!”
Maggie laughed and began to relax. This was definitely going well.
“Bloody hell! Look at that car!” Sally yelped staring at the large saloon with blacked out windows parked in a layby as they waited at the traffic lights.
When Maggie leant across to see what Sally was referring to, her arm was grabbed.
“Oh my God!” Sally squeaked. “It’s that bloke! Look Mags, the bloke who was looking for Jim. I’d recognise him anywhere! That massive monster bloke, see?”
Maggie’s heart sank like a stone. Not again. She knew it had been too good to be true.
Sighing she stretched her neck around and a wave of ice rushed over her as she took in the two figures about to get in the back of the car. The bloke Sally was referring to was Digger. Nausea burned its way up Maggie’s throat. And, oh God – Phil! What the fuck were they doing here?
“There’s someone else in the back of the car!” Sally shrieked. “Can you see who it is?”
Maggie shook her head. No, she couldn’t see who it was and she didn’t want to. What did it matter anyway? It was bad enough that Digger and Phil were here. Her hands began to tremble as the taxi pulled away and the large car faded from view.
Maggie felt like throwing herself out of the door and running in the opposite direction, but now she knew they were in the vicinity she didn’t dare. Her mind was speeding like a roller coaster.
Memories from her past that she’d worked very hard to bury began spreading like poison ivy. She shook her head, trying to dislodge the creeping tendrils. What if they’d come for her? No. Why would they?
“I wonder why that guy’s still in town?” Sally said, then seeing Maggie’s pale face, clutched her hand in concern. “Maggie? What on earth’s the matter? You’ve gone as white as a sheet. Are you ok?”
Maggie shook her head quickly, trying to stop her shortened breaths from turning into a full-blown panic attack. “No. No babe, I’m not ok. I’m sorry, I need to go home.”
THIRTY SIX
HEARING A DOOR SLAM below, Eliza awoke suddenly. She opened her eyes and groggily peered at the small clock on her bedside table. Oh God, she’d missed half the evening!
She knew she shouldn’t have drunk those two bottles of wine whilst having her hair done this afternoon. She’d never been much good with drinking in the day. She smiled wryly. She’d never been much good holding her drink at any time of the day.
Fluffing her hair out, she sat up on the bed and looked around the room. At least she’d insisted on having one of the nicest bedrooms at Crystals. It was much better than most of the other ones. Still, Charlie knew it was the least he could arrange if he expected her to continue living in this dump whilst he sorted everything out. Besides, she’d be rid of all this before long.
Eliza jumped hearing another loud bang from downstairs. What the hell was going on? If that horrible tart Joanne was allowing that fat punter of hers to smash the place up again she’d go mad.
Actually no she wouldn’t. It wasn’t her problem anymore was it? It was Charlie’s. Let him pick up the bloody pieces when he finally appeared.
Eliza flung open her bedroom door, but as she made her way down the stairs to the third floor, she heard voices. Raised voices and another l
oud crash. Eliza froze and held her breath. Should she go down and investigate, or go back to her room until whoever it was had left?
Knowing the sensible thing to do, she slowly turned around and began to retreat the way she’d come. But what happened if it was burglars? Surely they’d come to look upstairs and find her? Although the other girls on the floor below would kick off a fuss long before they reached her on the fourth floor wouldn’t they?
Eliza stopped in her tracks. Where were they anyway? Surely they’d heard the noise too? It was no good. She’d have to investigate further.
Quietly she began descending the stairs once more. Gingerly making her way along the third floor landing she paused with each step, hoping she didn’t tread on one of the many creaky floorboards. Some of the doors to the girls’ rooms were shut, others open.
She peered into the nearest room. Empty. Carefully opening the next door she glanced in there. Also empty. Making her way to the end of the corridor, with a rising sense of panic, Eliza realised there seemed to be no one here apart from her. And whoever was downstairs...
Taking a deep breath, she continued down the next flight of stairs. Reaching the ground floor she earmarked that the people were located in the main room and she swallowed nervously, recognising the voices.
Edging her way along the hallway, Eliza peered slowly through the crack of the partly opened door. A slender young man was tied to a chair and those horrible henchmen of Ernie’s were standing either side. One delivered a whack to the man’s face, which was already covered in blood and fast swelling.
“I don’t think he quite understands what you’re asking Boss,” one of them said.
Eliza began trembling further. Boss? Oh shit!
Moving from the shadows in the corner of the room, Ernie Carter stood in front of the shaking man. Only the back of the man Eliza despised was visible. “Right now, David. It is David isn’t it?” Ernie said, his nasally voice low and menacing.
David nodded fervently, panic and fear evident across his bloodied face.
“Like you were asked, I want you to confirm exactly what you’ve heard. I want to know what Benson’s done with my man.”
“Man? What man?” David gibbered, realising this was probably the wrong answer, but he didn’t know who this nutter was referring to.
Nodding at Matt, Ernie watched with a bored expression across his face as David was hit across the cheekbone with a bat. Ignoring the howls of pain, he pulled up a chair and casually sat down. “What man did you say?” he roared, his voice giving away his irritation. “My man, you skinny shit - Charlie Banks. I know your cunt of a boss has him.”
David’s wide eyes flicked between all the men in turn. How could he tell them something he didn’t know? He shook his head wildly. “I-I don’t know anything, I swear. They don’t tell me anything.”
Ernie jumped from the chair angrily. “They don’t tell you anything? Ok, so they may not tell you anything, but you’ve got ears haven’t you? You’re telling me you don’t hear anything either are you?”
Seeing Ernie pull a large knife from his waistband, Eliza flinched and flattened herself further against the wall, wishing she hadn’t come to investigate. How the fuck was she going to get out of here whilst remaining unseen?
She eyed the front door past the room the men were in, knowing even if they didn’t notice her passing by, they’d surely see her through the window from the room into the hallway. Oh God, they’d kill her.
“One last chance David,” Ernie muttered. “Where’s Charlie?”
David looked at the knife in Ernie’s hand and began thrashing around, pointlessly trying to escape from his tethers.
Ernie nodded at Pete who stepped forward and gripped David’s head firmly with both hands.
David started screaming in pure panic. “No! Please! I really don’t know anything. I’ve never heard anyone say anything about Charlie.”
Stepping forward again, Ernie smiled malevolently. “Well David, being as allegedly you never hear anything, I’ll make it so you look the part shall I?” He pushed the knife down hard and fast, quickly slicing of David’s ear.
Blood gushed from David’s head and he howled in agony.
“Let this be a reminder to always keep your ears open,” Ernie said jovially. He eyed the gaping hole where the man’s ear had once been. “You never know when you might need the information, David.”
David was shaking uncontrollably and Ernie glared at him with contempt. “Tell your beloved Mr Benson that Ernie Carter sends his regards and this is just for starters.”
He looked at Matt and then Pete. “Get this twat out of here and deliver him to where he’s supposed to be. Send my apologies for his late arrival.” Turning his back he walked towards the drinks cabinet and began pouring himself a whisky.
As Matt and Pete untied the sobbing man, Eliza fought down the bile rising up her throat and slipped into the kitchen, unsure of what to do next.
BEN WAS ANGRY. IT WAS bad enough keeping up the bullshit pretence that he wanted to make things work with Shelley without her incessant whining. All he wanted to do was go out and get away from her, but of course that wasn’t possible.
She’d started crawling all over him, wrapping herself around his neck like a python and going on and on. Why couldn’t he stay in with her? They could watch a film and get a takeout? She’d got some new wedding magazines he’d want to look at. Yeah right!
Ben slugged down the refill of tequila and watched her eyeing him. “What now?” he snapped.
“Well,” Shelley said quietly. “You said you were going to stop the drinking or at least cut it down, but that’s the fourth one you’ve had already.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed. What the fuck was her problem? Not so long ago she was the one wanting to go on a mad one half the time. That’s why he’d quite enjoyed the fuck-buddy relationship they’d had, but not this. Certainly not this.
He tried to quell his rising anger and forced a smile. “Stressful day babe, that’s all. I just fancied going out for a couple. If you don’t want to come why don’t you give Natalie a bell? Ask her to pop round and keep you company?” There. That was reasonable wasn’t it? He was doing well.
“It’s never just a couple though is it, Ben? Besides, I doubt Natalie would want to come round,” Shelley said miserably.
“Oh and why’s that? What have you done to piss her off now? Bored her to death with wedding magazines?” Ben sniped.
Ben’s comment instantly irritated Shelley. She was missing Natalie like crazy, but felt torn because her friend couldn’t have made it more obvious she didn’t approved of her relationship with Ben. “Actually, no, it’s because she thinks I should dump you.”
Ben stared at Shelley for a second before the full extent of what she’d said sunk in. “Dump me?” he sneered, “and why’s that? Jealous is she because we’re happy and she’s not?” he laughed maliciously.
“I doubt she’s jealous. She just doesn’t think much of you these days. She said I’m mad to consider marrying you.” Shelley knew she shouldn’t be riling Ben, but he was being stupid and it was rattling her.
Ben felt his anger rising and tried to swallow it down, but was losing the battle. “She thinks you’re mad for wanting to marry me?” Ben laughed derisively. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? I’ve never had any problem getting any woman I want remember? Even the really beautiful ones.”
Shelley knew full well he was referring to Marie rather than her. “And Natalie thinks you’re a deluded mental fucking nut-job for wanting to break into Marie’s flat!” she screamed.
Ben was incensed. He stormed towards Shelley and grabbed her by the shoulders. “You stupid bitch! I can’t believe you told her about that.” He began shaking her roughly. “I told you about that in confidence, you thick fucking slag!”
All bravado gone, Shelley began crying.
“That’s right. Turn on the waterworks, you silly cow. Don’t worry about helping me set Marie up. I wa
s obviously stupid in the first place thinking you wanted her out of our lives for good.”
Holding Shelley at arms’ length Ben glared at her, hatred flooding his face. “Don’t worry, it’s not a problem. It’s not like I’ll have an issue replacing you with someone who will act like a proper woman and back up their man, instead of running to their mates at every turn is it?”
“Ben, I...”
“Shut up, Shelley. Why are you here anyway? I didn’t ask you to move in so why don’t you move yourself out? In fact, move in with Natalie. You’re probably a pair of fucking dykes anyway,” Ben spat.
Shelley’s shoulders slumped in defeat and she looked down at the floor. Now she’d ruined everything.
“You’ve turned into a right boring bitch and a fucking fat one at that.” Ben continued, prodding Shelley hard in the stomach. “Look at the fucking state of you.”
Shelley snatched up her purse. She’d had enough. “Fat am I?” She pulled out the picture she’d been given at the hospital and had carried around with her lovingly ever since. She flung it onto the table. “This ‘fat’ so you put it Ben, is a baby. Your baby!”
Ben was about to yell another sarcastic retort as he eyed Shelley’s shoulders heaving with silent tears. Going down the pregnancy blag to try and trap him, the stupid cow?
“Look at the scan picture if you don’t believe me. Two weeks ago that was. Look at the date,” she sobbed, her back to him.
Ben glanced at the picture on the table. Ok, so it was a scan picture, but she could have got that from anywhere. People did stuff like that. “Ha ha! Nice try, Shelley,” Ben laughed. “Whose picture is it really?”
Spinning around, although her face was awash with tears, her eyes were angry. Hurt. “It’s my picture Ben and that’s your baby. And it’s in here!” Shelley pulled her flowing skirt down, revealing an obvious bump and a thickened, once slender, waist.