The Savages

by Matt Whyman

  Instead of heading for a side entrance to the building, however, Titus took to the gloom under a fire escape. There, he stood with his back to the wall and explored his freshly cleaned teeth with his tongue.

  Three minutes later, a man in a suit hurried off the main street. He looked nervous, as if far from his natural environment. Seeing Titus Savage step out of the shadows did little for his manner.

  ‘You’re late,’ said Titus. ‘And I’m busy.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ The man raised his palms. Perspiration needled his forehead. He wore rounded glasses that began to steam now he had stopped. ‘This isn’t easy for me, Mr Savage. I’m toast if anyone from the firm knows I’m talking to you.’

  ‘Your firm is toast if you don’t talk to me.’ Titus produced an envelope from the inside pocket of his coat. He offered it to the man, and then tipped it away from his grasp when he reached for it. ‘The memory stick?’ he said, as if to remind him why they had arranged to meet.

  Hurriedly, the man found the stick in his pocket and completed the exchange.

  ‘It’s all there,’ he assured Titus. ‘The balance sheet for the last quarter and the minutes from this week’s meeting with the bank.’

  ‘I hear they’re playing hardball.’

  ‘We’re being hammered,’ the man said. ‘On their terms, we just can’t meet the interest payment.’

  ‘As I predicted several months ago,’ said Titus. ‘You’ve allowed yourself to become too bloated as a business. It needs carving up if you’re going to survive.’

  ‘Which is why I want to help you,’ the man cut in. He looked around one more time. ‘I know in your hands the firm is finished in its current form, and I’m grateful for the cash you’ve just paid for the stick. But what I need more than anything, Titus, is a promise that I’ll still have a job once you’ve cut out all the fat. I have a family that relies on my income. Without it, we’re finished.’

  Titus Savage smiled and clapped the man on the shoulder.

  ‘How are the kids?’ he asked.

  The man seemed uncomfortable about answering the question for a moment.

  ‘Good,’ he said eventually. ‘Yours?’

  ‘The same,’ Titus answered. ‘Sasha has some issues which I plan to work on, but my boy is really beginning to shine.’

  For the second time that week, Ivan Savage took a seat in the office of the school’s deputy head teacher. She sat across from him with both hands flat on the table, one on top of the other, and her mouth pressed tight. She had said nothing beyond summoning him into her office. Ivan looked up at her, well aware that she was awaiting some explanation.

  ‘It was meant to be funny,’ he reasoned. ‘Those girls just have no sense of humour.’

  The deputy head teacher was a fair-skinned woman with shoulder-length red hair she tied back in a band. At home and weekends, when she let it fall in corkscrews, she was known as Gemma. In school, to staff and pupils, Ms Turner was not someone who thrived on having her patience tested.

  ‘What is funny,’ she asked eventually, ‘in finding thumb tacks in your school meal?’

  The boy shrugged, like she just didn’t get it.

  ‘I wanted to liven up lunch break. That’s all.’

  ‘Ivan, you could’ve seriously harmed three of my students. There’s nothing amusing about pain and suffering. You should consider yourself very lucky that one of the dinner ladies saw what you were doing.’

  Ivan sat on his hands and stared at the floor. With his skewed tie and one shirt tail hanging free, he didn’t look like a pupil capable of getting full marks in the sciences and mathematics. Still, that’s what he was achieving. So long as the subject contained logic at its core, the boy would thrive. At the same time, Ivan was seriously struggling with the arts. Ms Turner had his pupil report in front of her, in fact. It concluded that while Ivan was an enthusiastic student, his critical, creative and interpretive skills were often deemed inappropriate. Ms Turner had an example right in front of her. It was taken from a short story Ivan had written about the day in the life of an animal. While most of his classmates picked playful pets, the boy had opted to write five hundred words from the point of view of a mouse being swallowed alive by an Anaconda. The piece was capably written, but had left his English teacher so disturbed that she reported it to Ivan’s head of year.

  ‘Are you going to tell my dad?’ Ivan looked up. He seemed troubled at the thought. It was something Ms Turner spotted straight away.

  ‘What do you think might happen if I did inform your father, Ivan? What would he do?’

  ‘To me?’ Ivan said with some surprise. ‘Oh, nothing. I was worried about you.’

  Ms Turner blinked and tipped her head to one side. She drew breath to question just what the boy had meant by that, but then thought better of it. The kid was just weird.

  ‘Ivan, I’ve consulted with your head of year. We’ve agreed that it would be good for you to have a session with Mrs Risbie.’

  ‘But she’s the school counsellor,’ complained Ivan. ‘I don’t need to see a shrink. Everyone will make fun of me and I’ll just get cross with them.’

  ‘Then what would happen?’ asked Ms Turner.

  ‘Nothing.’ Ivan shrugged and looked to the table. ‘Not straight away,’ he added under his breath.

  ‘The session with Mrs Risbie would be an informal arrangement,’ Ms Turner stressed. ‘A one-off.’

  ‘Why?’

  Ms Turner closed the report in front of her.

  ‘School is an opportunity, Ivan. A chance for you to make the most of what we can offer in order to bring out the best in yourself. If you want any incentive, just look at what your sister has achieved.’

  Two minutes after the lunch-break bell sounded, Sasha Savage had still to peel off from an intense and passionate kiss with her new boyfriend. Jack Greenway had a lot to offer. To celebrate passing his driving test, and the beginning of his new life as a sixth former, the young man’s father had gifted him a second-hand hybrid car. The vehicle ran on a combination of diesel and battery. Its low carbon emissions were in tune with Jack’s commitment to the environment. When parked behind the sixth form, it also proved to be the perfect place to make out with someone as fit as Sasha.

  ‘You’re so beautiful,’ murmured Jack, who took a breath before going in again.

  ‘I really should be going.’ Sasha placed two fingers on his lips. ‘It’s Chemistry next.’

  She watched his mouth stretch into a lazy smile and then moved her fingers away.

  ‘This is chemistry,’ he told her, before finding her lips once more.

  Nobody was surprised when Jack and Sasha started dating. If anything, it should’ve been something that happened earlier. Instead, Jack went out with a string of older girls, most of whom had now left for university, while in her year Sasha was just one of those types that tended to intimidate boys. She didn’t do so on purpose. In a way, her striking looks could work against her. Sasha was willow-tall with long, slender limbs and carried herself like a ghost in human form. You could tell she had Russian blood in her by that heart-shaped face, delicate nose and high cheekbones. Complete with the clearest blue eyes in school, she was out of this world in every way. Not that she recognised this in herself. Sasha wasn’t shy. Just cautious. Unfortunately all those lads who gave it a shot found the power of speech failed them. That is until everyone returned for the start of the new school year and Jack looked around to see what was on offer.

  Unlike Sasha, Jack knew that he had been blessed with good looks. Every girl in school placed him at the top of their list. Even from behind, his broad shoulders and tight hips told you this one was worth checking out when he turned. But it wasn’t so much Jack’s dramatically shaggy cut and easy smile that charmed as much as his manner. It was something he hoped Sasha was about to discover for herself, by climbing into her orbit with such passion that anything else of importance in her life just fell away. In such a spin, her world would surely come to revolve
around him. For now, however, Sasha was officially late for lessons.

  ‘OK. Time out. I don’t want to get into trouble.’

  ‘Another minute, eh?’ Jack breathed out with a faint moan and dipped down to nuzzle her throat.

  ‘Oh, this isn’t fair!’ Sasha protested weakly. She half closed her eyes for a moment, only to snap them wide open on feeling his teeth find her neck. ‘Er, what are you doing?’

  ‘Tasting you,’ he said, before drawing her skin between his lips.

  ‘Jack!’ This time Sasha pulled away. She pressed a hand to her neck, looking both shocked and surprised. ‘A love bite? Really?’

  ‘Just a little gesture.’ Jack grinned and pushed a hand through his hair. ‘I’m happy for everyone to know you’re mine.’

  ‘What are you, like twelve years old? Nobody does love bites any more.’ Sasha examined her fingertips as if to check he hadn’t drawn blood. Then she glanced back at Jack, and grinned despite herself. ‘Promise me you’ll never do that again,’ she said. ‘It wouldn’t go down well at home.’

  Jack stretched an arm across the back of Sasha’s seat.

  ‘Relax. We’ve been dating for what? Three weeks?’

  ‘Four,’ said Sasha, and flipped the visor down so she could check her reflection in the mirror. She lifted her head, just to be sure Jack hadn’t left a mark, and then examined her lips. As she did so, Jack leaned across to kiss her on the cheek.

  ‘Then we should celebrate our one-month anniversary,’ he suggested. ‘How about I cook for you on Saturday night? My parents are away. We’d have the house to ourselves and I can do you my signature dish. A pinto bean chilli with courgettes and red pepper.’

  By now, Sasha was beginning to feel deeply anxious about being late. Her Chemistry tutor would only ask her where she’d been, and everyone would know before she’d even summoned an excuse.

  ‘Supper sounds great,’ she said, and reached for the car door handle.

  ‘I’ll pick you up at seven thirty.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I’ll walk round.’ Sasha grabbed her school bag and pushed open the door. ‘I have legs.’

  ‘It’s no problem,’ insisted Jack. ‘I’m beginning to think you’re ashamed of introducing me to the folks!’

  Standing now, Sasha hoisted her bag strap onto her shoulder. ‘Had I let you get away with that love bite,’ she warned him, smiling warmly at the same time, ‘my dad would’ve eaten you alive.’

  2

  ‘Mince. Mince!’

  The baby on the kitchen floorboards gurgled happily when her mother turned to face her. At first, Angelica Savage looked unsure if she had heard her youngest child correctly. When the little one repeated the word for a third time, she shrieked with delight, set down the knife on the chopping board, and scooped her into her arms.

  ‘You clever girl’ she said, and spun around with her in sheer delight.

  Katya was late to the family, and a surprise to her parents. With two older siblings, her father sometimes said that Kat needed a big personality as a matter of survival. She displayed this in the form of an easy smile and tendency to babble and coo as a means of communication. As Kat had yet to show any interest in climbing onto her feet, Angelica regarded this moment as a milestone in her development. Just then, on hearing the front door open, she was ready to share the news with her husband.

  ‘Something smells good,’ said Titus, and parked his leather satchel against the dresser. ‘I had to skip lunch today, so I’m famished.’

  ‘Guess what?’ Angelica stood before him, a late sun pouring in through the French windows behind her, which cast both mother and child in silhouette. ‘Go on, guess!’

  After such a long day, including an afternoon spent poring over documents and spread sheets from a memory stick that shouldn’t have been in his possession, Titus was in no mood for games.

  ‘I give up,’ he said, as Angelica moved out of the glaring sun to soften him with a kiss. She knew Titus could be a little grumpy on his return from work, but it didn’t last long once he was back in the family fold. ‘Is it good news or bad?’ Titus asked. ‘If it’s bad, it can wait until after supper. I can’t digest bad news on an empty stomach.’

  Beaming still, Angelica gestured at the child in her arms. Katya was gnawing at her fist, a mark of her latest teething troubles. Titus watched her drooling all over her little knuckles and sensed his mood lifting. She was a sweetheart, spun from sugar and wide-eyed innocence. He was looking forward to seeing her incisors come through.

  ‘It isn’t bad news,’ said Angelica. ‘It’s not even good news. It’s amazing news!’

  ‘Go on.’ Titus touched his palm to the little girl’s cheek. Katya beamed and giggled. ‘What have I missed?’

  ‘Listen.’ Angelica turned her attention to the child in her arms. ‘Do it again, Kitty Kat. Do it for Daddy.’

  Katya continued to suck at her fingers. It meant when she made a noise it was muffled. Gently, Angelica removed her fingers from her mouth.

  ‘Mince!’

  Angelica switched her attention back to Titus, who stood rapt.

  ‘Kat’s first word!’ she declared.

  ‘Mince! Mince!’

  ‘Mince?’ Slowly, a smile eased across his face. ‘Oh, Kat, that’s beautiful! What a proud moment this is!’

  Sharing in his delight, Angelica handed their child across. Titus squeezed her to his chest and then raised the chuckling toddler over his head.

  ‘Mince!’

  ‘I’m not even cooking mince,’ said Angelica.

  ‘Maybe it’s her favourite.’ Titus returned the child to the floor, where several toys lay waiting for her. ‘So, what’s for supper?’

  ‘Leftovers,’ she said. ‘Nothing special, I’m afraid.’

  For a moment, Titus appeared disappointed. Still, he managed a smile for his wife. He understood that nothing could go to waste, even if it lacked the taste and intensity from the first time round.

  ‘In your hands,’ he said anyway, ‘I’m sure it’ll be delicious. Now, what’s everyone else doing?’

  ‘Ivan and Grandpa are in their rooms.’ Angelica returned to the hob before she finished. ‘We’re expecting Sasha any time now.’

  ‘Where is she?’

  ‘Oh, just out,’ she said, with her back to Titus. ‘I’m not sure where.’

  Titus considered this news in silence. Out without knowing where didn’t sound good in his books. Yes, Sasha was a growing girl, but somehow it was all just going a bit too fast for his liking. He didn’t want to keep her under lock and key. Far from it. But if she was out there taking risks, he wanted to make sure she kept those risks to a minimum, or even eradicated them completely. He had been raised to believe in this approach to life, and that’s what he strived to pass on to the next generation.

  ‘Sasha really needs to let us know where she’s going,’ he grumbled. ‘Have you texted her?’

  Angelica faced her husband.

  ‘She promised to be home in time for supper,’ she said, with some tension in her voice. ‘We have to give her a chance.’

  Titus held her gaze for a moment, and then his shoulders sagged. He returned his attention to his youngest daughter, who was shuffling across the floorboards. Slowly, his expression brightened.

  ‘You know it won’t be long before Katya eats with us. She’s shaping up to be quite the Savage.’

  Angelica smiled adoringly.

  ‘All in good time,’ she said. ‘Let the last of her teeth come through first.’

  Titus nodded to himself and then lifted his daughter into his arms.

  ‘Well, let’s hope that day comes soon. It’ll be such an honour to have all my family around the table!’

  Ninety minutes later, with the baby monitor beside the toaster indicating that Katya was asleep in her cot, Sasha returned home to find herself late for supper.

  ‘Hi,’ she said breezily, well aware that her dad had that face on him again. There he was with one elbow on the table,
gazing across at her with the fork poised like a spear fisherman.

  ‘Dinner is in the wok,’ he told her. ‘Your mother had it ready some time ago.’

  Angelica had served up a stir fry from the remains of yesterday’s meal. Ivan was close to finishing. He made a lot of noise sucking in the last noodles before picking up the bowl to drink down the broth. It was only when he set it back on the table that he found everyone looking at him.

  ‘Oh, Ivan,’ said Angelica. ‘How many times?’

  At first, it looked as if Titus would also turn his displeasure on his son. Instead, leaving the boy with a stern look, Ivan waited for Sasha to take her place at the table. She was hungry, having skipped lunch to spend time with Jack, and had heaped her bowl with food. Any hope she might have had about getting away without being questioned stopped at her first mouthful.

  ‘So.’ Titus paused and cleared his throat. ‘Been on a date?’

  Sasha traded glances between her parents, chewing at the same time.

  ‘No,’ she said eventually. ‘I was at a friend’s house finishing a project for school.’

  Titus didn’t look as if he believed a word she’d just said. Even though it was the truth, he continued to look at her as if awaiting a confession. Sensing an atmosphere thicken, it was Angelica who changed the subject.

  ‘Marsha called this morning,’ she announced. ‘We have a booking for the weekend.’

  Her news was met with a brief silence.

  ‘What’s wrong with the week?’ asked Titus, and scraped his fork around the bowl. ‘When I’m out at work.’

  ‘It’s a magazine shoot paying double rate.’ Angelica bristled in her seat. ‘And they’ll be here until late on Saturday.

  It was Ivan who groaned, though his dad pulled the very same face.

  ‘That means we’ll be stuck upstairs all day!’ the boy protested. ‘It’s so boring with people in the house!’

  ‘Why don’t you spend time with friends?’ asked Sasha quietly, and then smiled to herself because that wasn’t an option for her kid brother. ‘Oh yeah,’ she said, as if to answer her own question. ‘You don’t have any.’