The Downfall Series Box Set

by Edie Baylis

  Eliza raised her hands to her face in mock surprise. “You mean you haven’t told him about Seth either? Really Maggie, I’m surprised at you.” She leaned closer to Dan. “Well it turns out Jane hadn’t killed him after all, because he’s over there!” She nodded in Seth’s direction.

  Dan looked. He couldn’t see anyone apart from Jim, Digger and that Phil bloke. He knew the other others weren’t anyone called Seth. “Where?”

  “There dummy!” Eliza laughed. “With Chantal. You remember we had a threesome with her?”

  Dan cringed, well aware Maggie had clocked every word about the threesome. He was so dead. “With Chantal?”

  “Yes that’s right,” Eliza smiled. “You live with him, don’t you? Maybe you know him as Jim, but his real name’s Seth. Seth Wright. Jane, or Marie – whatever you want to call her, he’s her ex-husband.”

  Maggie interjected. She couldn’t stand any more of this and needed to wipe at least some of that smugness from Eliza’s face. “Don’t think he’s her ex, Eliza.”

  Eliza laughed once again. “Show’s how much you know Maggie, but then you were always a bit behind. He’s definitely her ex, because he’s with me now!’ With that she turned and flounced back to over to where Seth stood with Chantal and made a big show of wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Maggie glanced at Dan, who was staring after Eliza. So he’d been doing Eliza as well had he, the bastard.

  JANE LOCKED HERSELF into the toilet cubicle for two reasons: One, to have some more coke and two, to calm herself down until she decided what she was going to do about Eliza.

  Although she was mad with Maggie, she’d been concerned when she’d pulled her to one side. The girl looked like a ghost and it hadn’t taken her long to fill her in with what had been said.

  Her immediate reaction was to give Eliza a slap, but knew she couldn’t do that today of all days, so she’d come here to calm down.

  Jane leant against the tiles and pressed her forehead against them, glad of the coolness on her fevered brow. What the hell was Eliza doing? Was she trying to get them all in the shit?

  She’d given Eliza as wider a berth as possible since she’d been back and hadn’t been over-enamoured to hear somehow she’d managed to get herself involved with the running of Crystals once it had been fully done up. There hadn’t been a lot she could have said about it without having to explain her history.

  And then there was that incident with Seth’s tongue down Eliza’s throat the other night... Not that it mattered now, but it was imperative that none of this became common knowledge and Eliza seemed to be trying to make it just that.

  Jane sighed. She’d just about had enough. She’d have one more drink and then go home.

  Opening the cubicle door, Jane was surprised to see Eliza leaning against the washbasins. Her arms were folded and she wore a slight sneer on her face. Jane’s eyes narrowed. She’d been trying to avoid a confrontation being as it was Sheila’s wake, but being as this stupid tart had made it her business to try and get a reaction she didn’t have much choice.

  “Why are you trying to cause trouble?” Jane said, purposely keeping her voice devoid of any emotion or anger.

  Eliza smirked. “What makes you think I’m trying to cause trouble?”

  Jane rolled her eyes. She couldn’t help it. Was she taking the piss? Eliza was drunk. She could see that. She’d known the girl too long not to see the tell-tale signs. The ramped-up bravado and antagonistic maliciousness she adopted after a few drinks was legendary.

  “Oh get real, by banging on to Dan about mine and Seth’s real names and the past? What’s the point of that?”

  “I see Maggie couldn’t stop herself from interfering then as usual. Running to you to report everything I say and do. She’s the one trying to make trouble I think you’ll find, Jane.”

  Jane’s eyes narrowed further. “You’ve got things to lose here as well Eliza, remember? Apparently you’re going to be in charge of the girls when Crystals reopens,” she snorted. “If it was up to me you wouldn’t have anything to do with it.”

  Eliza squared up to Jane. “The thing is Jane, it’s not up to you is it? You’re not the be all and end all these days. We’ve all managed quite nicely without you. God, you really can’t stand Seth’s not interested can you?”

  Jane tensed in anger.

  “It’s the ultimate karma isn’t it? Well you can fuck off as far as I’m concerned and I’m not the only one who wants that. Seth will ensure I’ve got Crystals whatever you say. He’s with me now Jane. Live with it!”

  Jane was momentarily stunned into silence, then remembering herself and faced Eliza off. “With you? What the hell are you talking about?”

  Eliza laughed loudly. “Oh dear. Didn’t Maggie fill you in on that bit? For God’s sake Jane, everyone knows about it. Seth’s been on the scene for a while now and somehow you managed not to notice. It’s hardly a secret he’s been sleeping with me.”

  The grin across Eliza’s face was so wide it could have easily split it in two. She was enjoying this and had been waiting for it for years.

  “Well you always wanted him,” Jane spat. “He’ll never love you though.”

  Eliza winked. “That’s what you think!”

  Despite herself, Jane was unable to help herself. Launching herself at her former friend, she grabbed her by the hair and head-butted her before Eliza had even had the chance to blink. “Say what you fucking want, but don’t think that you can fuck with me.”

  Jane raised her fist and rained punches hard into Eliza’s face. “You’re welcome to him, love. Do you really think I care after all this time? The only thing I’m gutted about is not doing a proper job on you all those years ago, you bitch!”

  Through her cut lip, Eliza still managed a sarcastic smile. “You’re showing yourself up here Jane. Everyone will see you’re still out of control and I’ll love that.” She wiped the blood from under her smashed nose. “Seth’s damn fine in bed though isn’t he? Shame he doesn’t want you. Not that you ever deserved him, you psycho bitch!”

  Jane was filled with white hot anger and even though she knew somewhere at the back of her mind she’d screwed up and played directly into Eliza’s hands, it was still not enough to change anything. Whatever she did now wouldn’t alter the fact she’d belted the woman and she knew it would be milked.

  “Oh dear,” Eliza mumbled through her rapidly swelling lips, “this won’t go down too well with your probation will it? Shame really. I understand you’ve only got a few months left. Looks like you’ve fucked up again...”

  Inwardly cursing herself for allowing the bitch to rile her, Jane also knew Eliza was right. She wouldn’t be able to wait to ring the police and that would mean she would go straight back to nick. Well, it was too late now.

  “Best make it worth my while then, hadn’t I?” Jane smiled and dragged Eliza off the floor, happily noticing the smugness on her face was now replaced by fear.

  FIFTY FIVE

  JANE WALKED DOWN THE corridor past the doors to the club room and ignored the stares of the people passing. She was well aware she’d got blood all over her hands and her arms, but was past caring.

  She couldn’t have that last drink. She was going to her office, sorting herself out and then going home. It was all over for her now and she knew it.

  “Jane!” Maggie shouted, appearing in the corridor.

  Jane didn’t even bother turning around. She knew it was Maggie. Who else would be stupid enough to call her that here?

  Running over Maggie grabbed Jane’s arm, recoiling when she saw the blood. “Fuck! What have you done? What the hell have you done, Jane?” she yelled.

  “Leave me alone,” Jane growled, shaking Maggie’s hand away. Without another word she got in the lift and the doors closed in Maggie’s face.

  Hurriedly Maggie rushed down the corridor, past Barry who had been watching their exchange intently and headed back into the club. She had no choice. She had to get Seth.


  Pushing past Dan, she elbowed her way to the bar and dispelling her nervousness, yanked at Seth’s arm. “Seth!” she hissed.

  Seth swung around to see Maggie looking dishevelled and out of breath. “Don’t call me that here,” he hissed quietly. “What is it?”

  “Something’s happened. I don’t know what, but Jane – she’s covered in blood.”

  Seth slammed his pint down on the bar and irritably shook Chantal’s arm from around his waist, leaving her to stagger drunkenly against the bar with a confused expression on her face.

  He grabbed Maggie by the shoulders. “What’s happened? Is she alright?”

  Maggie shook her head rapidly. “I don’t know. I don’t know what’s happened but she...”

  “And you left her?” Seth yelled, panic rising up in him like a phoenix. “Where is she now?” He had to find Jane. If she was hurt. If someone had hurt her...

  “She’s ok I think, but I don’t know what’s gone on. She went in the lift.”

  Seth glanced at Digger. “Got to go,” he muttered.

  “No!” Digger grabbed Seth’s arm. “Leave it!”

  “Get the fuck off me,” Seth snarled, snapping his arm away from Digger’s grasp. “Don’t tell me what to do. Now leave me be.”

  Maggie chased after Seth as he strode rapidly through the packed club with Digger also in hot pursuit. “Where are you going?” she yelled to Seth and ignored Dan angrily calling her name.

  As Seth barged through the double doors into the entrance hall he turned to Maggie, a look of viciousness on his face. “I’m going to find Jane, where do you think I’m going? Now fuck off!”

  Maggie stopped in her tracks, but Digger continued until Barry stopped him. “Let him go,” Barry muttered. He’d been watching Seth and Jane all night. He’d seen Seth’s jealous response to everything she did. He’d seen him watching her every move like a hawk and it confirmed his suspicions. Whatever had gone on with those two in the past and what was going on now was definitely going to be detrimental to the future of the firm. As much as he had time for both of them, he knew he had little choice but to inform Bill. One or both of them would have to go.

  Barry watched Seth step into the lift and angrily stab at the buttons, his jaw set resolutely. He couldn’t lump any more on Bill today of all days, but he’d speak to him tomorrow. He wouldn’t allow whatever Seth and Jane’s issues were to infringe on what Bill had achieved. The man had lost enough as it was.

  Turning to Digger, Barry smiled grimly. “Let them get on with it, mate. This will be sorted, I’ll make sure of it.”

  Maggie silently walked off towards the toilets and wiped the tears from her face. She needed to get herself together before she went back in to face Dan.

  BILL SAT AT THE DESK and contentedly sipped at his whisky. He’d needed a break from the seemingly never-ending emotional strain of the wake, but leaving wouldn’t have been the right thing to do. He’d needed to ensure he stayed until the end, but yearned at least some time out.

  Managing to slip unnoticed past Barry’s constant scrutiny, he’d decided to sit in Sheila’s office. He knew Barry was concerned for him and was just making sure he was alright, but he was finding it all very suffocating.

  Bill slowly looked around the room. It hadn’t been touched since the day Sheila died. He hadn’t even allowed the cleaners in.

  He ran his finger over the desk surface and smiled seeing a line trace in the light smattering of dust which had gathered during the last couple of weeks. Sheila would have gone mad at that he thought, but she’d have understood why. It was far too early for him to clear out her stuff. He’d do it soon though.

  Opening the top drawer, Bill glanced at an open packet of fruit shortcake biscuits. Sheila’s favourite. He took a deep breath.

  As bizarre as it sounded, even to himself, since Carter had been offloaded he’d felt a lot more at peace with the situation. However, nothing could lessen the gaping hole Sheila had left in his life, neither could anything lessen his pain, but the episode with Carter was now closed and Sheila was buried, which had enabled him to realise at least the parts he could control had been dealt with and dealt with well.

  This freeing up of one segment of his mind had allowed some ideas to form. It had begun earlier and he realised he’d perhaps appeared to some people that his grief was rendering him vague and remote, but that wasn’t the reason his mind had been elsewhere. He’d actually been quietly formulating where he was going to go from here.

  Since he’d been sitting in Sheila’s chair in her office, these wisps of ideas had gained momentum and now, without a shadow of a doubt he knew exactly what he would do. Being here made it feel like Sheila was part of his decision process just like she’d always been and that was both helpful and therapeutic.

  Finishing his whisky, Bill placed the glass back on the desk and stood up from the chair. He flicked off the light and stepped from the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Now he had to return to the clamour of well-wishers, but at least his head was straighter than it had been half an hour ago.

  Bill was about to walk down the corridor when he saw the lift light flash. Thinking it was Barry searching for him he pressed himself up against the wall into the shadows. He wanted to drag out the break from constant questions and good-natured comments for as long as possible.

  Surprised when Jane hurriedly staggered out from the lift splattered in blood, Bill stood watching mutely as she tried the door to her office at the far end of the corridor. She was obviously distressed and angry and when she dropped her bag on the floor in her haste to find her key he was just about to go and offer his assistance when he saw the lift open once more.

  SETH STEPPED OUT OF the lift and saw Jane kneeling outside of her office. She was hastily scraping the contents of her bag together that she’d dropped on the floor.

  “Jane!” Rushing over, he grabbed her by the arms and pulled her to her feet, scrutinising the blood congealed on her hands and arms. He gently cupped her face. “Are you ok?”

  Jane’s face was a mask of anger as she stared into his eyes. “What the fuck do you want Seth? Of course I’m ok. Leave me alone!” she spat.

  “Just answer the fucking question, Jane. What the hell happened?” Seth said, his eyes searching Jane’s face, once again drawn to her mouth even though it was twisted into a sneer.

  “What the hell do you care?” Jane snapped, shaking Seth’s hands from her. His fingers were burning into her skin, his very presence heating her blood. “Don’t touch me!” Turning her back she retrieved the keys she’d been searching for from her handbag, annoyed beyond belief that her hands were shaking.

  “What the hell have you done?” Seth barked, swinging her back around, her handbag dropping to the floor once more.

  “What have I done?” Jane cried. “Don’t you mean what have you done?”

  “What?”

  “Leave me alone, Seth. You’d better go find Eliza. She’s in the toilets.” Jane had promised herself she wouldn’t say it. She’d wanted to pretend she didn’t care, but she hadn’t been able to help it. She did care. Really cared.

  Seth looked momentarily confused. “Eliza? What?”

  “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. You and Eliza, Seth yeah? Everyone knows about it apparently. Well if you’re quick you might still even get chance to stick your cock in her before she goes to hospital and then informs the police to get me sent back to nick.”

  Seth’s confusion quickly turned to amusement. “Oh my God Jane, you haven’t? You’re given Eliza a kicking!” he laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day that you were jealous over me!”

  “Think it’s funny do you?” Jane screamed, tears beginning to seep from her eyes. “You’re shagging that silly tart who’s bandying our business around to all and sundry. She’ll drop you in it as well as me you realise? I love it here and I won’t have her fuck Bill over because of our shit. Oh, just get on with your life Seth. I’ll be ou
t of it as soon as I can.”

  Seth’s amusement quickly turned to irritation. “Get on with my life? Like you have you mean?”

  “Yeah, I’m lucky I am, aren’t I?” Jane hissed. “Go on. Fuck off! All your women are waiting for you.” Raising her hand, she slapped Seth hard around the face.

  Seth’s eyes narrowed and he pinned Jane to the wall in a combination of anger and desire. He brought his head down lower, well aware his mouth was only inches from hers. The draw was incredible. Strong. Too strong.

  “You’re the one who left me Jane, not the other way around, so don’t give me this shite,” Seth growled. Moving his hand to Jane’s face he gripped hard, feeling electricity buzzing through his fingertips.

  His desire was straining against the crotch of his trousers and the fact that he was pressed tightly up against her only made the torture worse. He ran his finger down her face and her eyes closed, her lips parting. He needed that mouth. Wanted it. Had to have it.

  “Yes, I left you, didn’t I,” Jane spat back, the urge to flick her tongue over Seth’s full lips agonising. A slight smile passed over her face seeing the hunger plainly evident in his eyes.

  She desperately wanted to run her hand across the soft material of his trousers, knowing she’d feel the rigid outline of his length that was hard for her. “And there were plenty of reasons as to why I left you, was there not?”

  Jane’s breathing became shallow and heady as Seth held her gaze and said nothing for several seconds. The throb of desire ripped mercilessly from her core. Kiss me, Seth. Kiss me.

  Suddenly Seth pulled away and Jane tried to hide her disappointment and loss when the feel of his body against hers was removed.

  Seth dropped his grip from Jane’s face and stared at the outline of her erect nipples straining against the red velvet of her tight dress. His breathing hitched as he moved his gaze slowly back to her dark eyes. The ones that had the power to drown him.

  “You hurt me, Jane,” he said, his voice low and husky. Time to leave now while you can. He tried to turn away, but couldn’t. Instead, he felt his hand reach out, his fingers brushing her exposed shoulder.