“Right. We meet here tomorrow night at 8pm. The tills and safe will be loaded after the punters bets on the National,” he explained. “Stuart doesn’t lock up until the security van’s been at 8.30pm so we need to get in at 8.15pm.” He looked around, “Jon, make sure the car’s full and running to order.”
“No worries boss, I’m on it.”
“Clive, Jon will drop you at the crossroads. From there you’ll be able to see traffic in all directions. Any sign of the cops, you give the signal over the radio.”
“Erm, I ant got a radio.” said Clive.
“No dickhead, you’ll get it tomorrow,” answered Charlie.
Ryan shook his head. ‘What the actual fuck.’
“Ryan. Me and you will jump out of the car, kick in the front door, and make it clear we’re armed. I’ll head into the back office and kick the staff round to the front. Stuart’s bound to come out then, if he’s not there already, so I’ll take care of him and get him to start emptying the safe. Your job Ryan is to keep any punters under control. If you need to fire, aim at the ceiling. I don’t want anyone to get shot. Got it?”
Ryan nodded his consent.
“Once we’re clear I’ll radio Jon. We leave, pile in the car and head to the change-over point. Right, has everyone got it? Any questions?” Charlie looked at each of them in turn. No, no questions.
“Right then, see you all tomorrow.” Ryan finished his pint and stood up to leave. He was glad to get outside and into fresh air. He’d listened to what Charlie had to say but he didn’t trust it would go as smoothly as he reckoned. Just in case it all went tits up Ryan had sussed out an alternative escape route.
Following Day 8.15pm
“Get the fuck down!” screamed Ryan as he kicked his way into the shop. He glanced quickly around, adrenaline soaring through his veins. “Get down on the floor and don’t fucking move!” He could hear Charlie issuing orders to the two cashiers and instructing the shop owner Stuart to fill the holdalls. Suddenly the radio crackled into life. It was Clive “COPS!” he shouted across the radio.
“Fuck this,” said Ryan. He fired off a quick shot, kicked on the fire exit door and pelted over the wall. He could hear the sirens in the distance, and he didn’t stop until they were far behind him.
8
It was 10am in the Harbour Café. Kate often worked the Sunday shift on her own whilst Joe was happy to wander around the harbour with Jack. They were never really busy on Sunday mornings. It was usually the end of people’s holidays and they called in for a coffee before setting off on their trips home.
She took an order for a couple of lattes and went around the counter to start prepping the coffee machine. She heard the door jingle and shouted over her shoulder that she wouldn’t be a minute.
“No rush,” came the reply. It was Ryan.
Her stomach lurched and she turned around quickly, almost spilling the milk she had in her hand.
“Oh, hi,” she said. “Just give me a minute.” She was unnerved to see him so unexpectedly but was determined not to let it show. She made the coffees and handed them to the couple before turning her attention to Ryan. “What can I get you?” she asked, trying to be nonchalant.
“Erm, just a black coffee with sugar and maybe a bacon butty?” he asked, looking a bit worse for wear.
Kate started the prep, “Wow, heavy night?”
“Yeah, just a bit. Don’t usually drink on duty but had a rowdy crowd in on the whisky so you know how it goes.”
Kate knew exactly how it went with Ryan. Never one to say no, especially if someone else was paying.
“And you just couldn’t resist?”
“Yep, that’s the one.”
“Back in second, I’ll bring you your butty.”
A few more customers came in after that, so Kate didn’t have a chance to speak to Ryan until it went quiet. She noticed he’d finished his coffee and sandwich but still hung around. Kate felt a little tingle of... she wasn’t sure what, excitement, nerves? She cleaned the last of the tables and made herself a cup of tea, topping Ryan’s coffee up at the same time. The café was empty now, so she grabbed the chair opposite and sat down.
“So, what plans have you got for the rest of the day?” he asked.
“Not much. Joe’s out with Jack at the minute but they’ll be back soon so probably lunch and a walk to the park I would have thought. Why do you ask?” she replied.
“Wondered if you fancied going for a walk or something?” he asked. Kate hesitated and looked at him,
“With Joe?” asked Kate.
“Of course with Joe. Be nice to see him again, he was just a bairn last time I saw him properly.”
“Uh, I’m not sure.” Kate picked at an imaginary stain on the table.
“C’mon, you said yourself you’ve nothing else planned and it would be nice to spend some time with a familiar face.”
Kate thought for a second, and that familiar ‘sod-it’ feeling came over her. The feeling that she got when she was about to do something she really shouldn’t. ‘What the hell.’ she thought.
“Yeah, why not? Where did you have in mind?”
“Um, dunno, didn’t expect you to say yes to be honest.”
Kate laughed, “Well, I like to keep you on your toes.”
“Yeah that’s true,” said Ryan laughing along. “What about Flowerdale Falls? It’s a bit of a trek but lots for Joe to explore?”
“Sounds good. I’ll just clear up here and Joe should be back in a second.”
“Cool,” said Ryan.
It was another 10 minutes before Jack and Joe returned to the café. In that time Ryan had filled Kate in on the previous night’s antics, having Kate in fits of laughter with his imitations of the people in the bar. Kate was just wiping tears of laughter from her face when the door jingled and Joe burst in.
“Mum, we saw him. Ollie came right up into the harbour and sat there for ages. He’s massive. Jack reckons he’s about 30 years old! Do seals even live that long? I’m going to look it up.” Joe dashed over to the kids’ corner where the animal encyclopedia was. If Ryan’s presence registered with him, Joe didn’t acknowledge it. Jack did though. He hesitated as he walked over to the table,
“Ah, you’ve got company I see?” inquired Jack, looking straight at Ryan.
“Yes, sorry Jack – this is Ryan, Ryan – this is Jack,” said Kate quickly making the introductions.
Ryan stood up to shake hands with Jack.
“Ah, you must be Len’s eldest lad?”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m helping out whilst he gets his knee fixed.”
“I’d heard,” said Jack, turning away and making his way into the back. “I’ll just collect a few bits Kate then I’ll get out of your way. Don’t forget Adam’s here tomorrow to start work.” Jack grabbed what he needed, which in truth was nothing but he wanted to take a good look at Ryan. He remembered him now as a youngster. Jack still had an uneasy feeling that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. ‘Probably best left alone, none of my business,’ he thought as he headed towards the door. “See you tomorrow,” he called, and the door slammed shut behind him.
“See you... Oh, he’s gone. That was quick, he didn’t even say goodbye to Joe,” said Kate wondering what had gotten into her friend. She shrugged it off, knowing that if there was a problem Jack would let her know in his own way.
“Mum, it’s true seals really do live longer than 30 years, it says so here,” shouted Joe excitedly as he dashed over with the book, pointing to the pictures and the paragraph.
“Hahaha, so they do,” laughed Kate, pulling Joe into a cuddle after he thumped the heavy book onto the table. “How do you fancy going to see a waterfall today?” she asked, knowing he’d jump at the chance to go off on an adventure.
“Yes please, can we take a picnic?” he asked, stomach first – always.
“Not really the weather sunshine, but we can take a drink and a few snacks,” replied Kate, getting up from her seat and making h
er way into the kitchen.
“Is it OK if I come with you Joe?” asked Ryan, tentatively.
“Who are you?” questioned Joe, as if seeing Ryan for the first time.
“Joe! Don’t be so rude,” admonished Kate. “This is Ryan and he’s a friend of mine.”
“But you don’t have any friends,” said Joe.
Ryan laughed as Kate blushed, “From the mouth of babes,” he said.
“Joe, that’s rude and I do have friends so don’t be cheeky,” said Kate, ruffling Joe’s hair as she returned with a handful of wrapped biscuits and a bottle of juice. “How about you go get your boots on before I change my mind.”
Kate turned to look at Ryan, “Sorry about that, he’s usually quite polite.”
“No worries, kids eh?” said Ryan.
Joe didn’t seem at all fazed that Ryan would be joining them, and Kate felt herself relax a little as she locked up the café and watched Ryan and Joe walk on ahead, chatting away. She caught up with them just past the post office and the three of them crossed the road to begin their walk.
Flowerdale Falls was one of the first places she and Joe had explored when they moved to Gairloch. They had been staying at The Old Inn and the entrance to Flowerdale was just opposite. She’d learned that it was private land, owned by the Mackenzie family who owned much of the land in and around Gairloch, as well as the ancestral home, Flowerdale House, that was along the route. It was a beautiful walk as long as you didn’t go without midge protection in the summer months, something she discovered too late last year. In spring it was fine, with lots of the wild plants starting to come to life. They’d seen a few small animals too, much to Joe’s delight.
“Yeah, and we saw a skunk,” he declared to Ryan. Ryan looked at Kate quizzically.
“No, it was a stoat Joe,” laughed Kate, swinging him by the arm.
“Now that makes more sense,” said Ryan, holding Joe’s other arm and together they started to swing him back and forth.
“Ooff, you’re a big lad, aren’t you?” commented Ryan when they’d swung Joe for the fifth time. “My arm needs a rest,” he said, shaking it as Joe ran ahead.
“You’ve got a smashing wee boy there Kate,” said Ryan with a nod of his head towards Joe.
“Thanks. I don’t think he came out of the whole ordeal too badly. He was a bit confused at first but over time the questions stopped, and he just got on with it. I’m glad he wasn’t any older or I think it would have been harder for him to adjust,” Kate replied, picking up a stick and poking the ground as they walked along. She hadn’t meant to open up to Ryan like that, but it had been a long time since she’d had anyone to really talk to, and it just spilled out of her.
Ryan reached over and took hold of Kate’s hand. “You’ve done a grand job Kate, all things considered,” he said giving her hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
“Thanks, I try my best,” she said, not taking her hand away.
They carried on walking past the horse pastures and Flowerdale House onto the dirt trail that started the path towards the breathtaking waterfall.
“Have you been here before?” she asked Ryan, very aware that they were still holding hands but not truly wanting to break the connection.
“As a kid, yeah, but it’s changed a hell of a lot since then. The path was never this good, I’m not even sure there was a path to be honest. But we’d fish in the stream and chase dragonflies down the path, not sure why. My sister always used to believe they were fairies and was desperate to catch one.” Ryan chuckled at the memory of him and Molly escaping their mother for the day and having wild adventures in the glens.
“And did she?” asked Kate.
“Ha, no. Have you ever tried to catch a dragonfly? They’re fast little buggers!”
“What’s a dragonfly?” Joe came hurtling out of the woods towards them.
“You know what a dragonfly is Joe, you’ve seen them before,” said Kate, catching Joe in a bear hug that he wriggled frantically to get out of. “They hover over water and are brightly coloured.”
“And very fast,” chipped in Ryan.
“Oh, I know what you mean. Mum, can we stop at the bridge please?”
“Course, wanna play Pooh sticks?” she asked. She’d been playing this childhood game with him since he was old enough to walk.
“Race you!” called Ryan, setting off at a slow jog until Joe caught up with him
“You might regret that Ryan; the bridge is a fair way yet! You two run ahead and I’ll catch you up!” called Kate, but already the boys were yards ahead.
Kate stopped a moment to catch her breath and look around her. The beauty of the glen and the landscape never failed to lift her spirits. It felt so good to share her surroundings with someone familiar. The anxiety that had seemed to be a constant companion over the last couple of years was replaced with an optimism she once believed to be impossible to feel again. The struggle, the holding-it-together, the game face she’d worn every day didn’t feel false or fake. For the first time in a long time she felt a lightness in her step. Could she finally be finding some peace? She sincerely hoped so, not just for her own sake but for Joe as well. She wanted him to grow up feeling loved and secure; that he could talk to her about anything. They had an impenetrable bond after all they had been through, but she needed more than a seven-year-old as her best friend. Joe had been right back at the café, she didn’t have any friends, apart from Jack but she couldn’t be truly honest with him either. She couldn’t confide in him about her innermost thoughts and feelings, and she didn’t dare strike up a friendship with any of the Gairloch community for fear that they would want to know about her past and that was something she wasn’t willing to share. She could see Ryan and Joe just up ahead; they’d already reached the bridge and were searching the path for sticks. It was good to see Joe enjoying himself with Ryan. If she had any worries about how they would get on they were put to rest. Joe hadn’t asked any questions and clearly didn’t remember Ryan, but it had been a long time ago.
“Here!” shouted Kate, “I’ve found a couple of good ones for you.” She hurried forward, thrusting two sturdy fallen twigs at them.
“Great stuff,” said Ryan, taking them from her. “Just need a couple of good-sized leaves now.”
“What for?” asked Joe inquisitively, looking up at Ryan.
“For sails of course! Don’t tell me your mum doesn’t make sails for your wee boats?”
“No, we just throw them in,” said Joe. “How do you make sails?”
Ryan scouted around and found a couple of large leaves and threaded them onto the twigs. “Here, like that.” He handed one to Joe and the other to Kate. Joe dashed over to the wooden railing.
“Hey, wait for me,” said Kate, going to stand next to him. “Ready? 1-2-3, GO!” she shouted and they simultaneously dropped their sailboats into the stream, dashing over to the other side to see which came through first.
“It’s mine, it’s mine!” cried Joe, pointing over the rail at the first one to make it through.
“So it is!” exclaimed Kate. “You always win!” She grabbed Joe around the waist and spun him round, laughing.
“Funny, that,” said Ryan, raising an eyebrow at Kate and joining in the conspiracy.
With the excitement of Pooh sticks being over, Ryan challenged Kate and Joe to a game of hide and seek.
“You two go run and hide, I’ll come and find you,” said Ryan, turning his back.
Kate and Joe separated and went in different directions.
“Not too far Joe!” she called out, but her son was already off.
Ryan counted to ten, then set off in search. It didn’t take long to find Kate. He stealthily moved around a big old, solid tree trunk and spied on her as she was looking the other way.
“Boo!” he called out softly, not quite loud enough to give the game away to Joe that he’d already found his mum.
Kate jumped, turned, and playfully slapped Ryan on the chest. He caught her up
in his arms and held her to him. For once Kate didn’t wriggle or struggle to get free.
“Not letting you go this time,” he whispered into her ear.
She pulled her head back, still in his embrace and gently laughed, “Do you see me struggling?” she said with a huge grin on her face, and felt her heart skip a beat.
They looked at each other for a minute, until Ryan moved away.
“C’mon, best find Joe,” he said, taking hold of her hand and leading the way. Kate could feel herself blushing. She allowed herself to be tugged along, a glow of happiness building inside her.
9
Jack started to read the news story again for the fifth time but try as he might he just couldn’t settle. He threw the newspaper down and grabbed his well-worn wax jacket from the hanger in the hallway and headed out of the door of his beloved cottage.
Something about this Ryan bloke just didn’t sit well with Jack, and he was dammed if he could place his finger on exactly what it was. Knowing that they’d gone out for the afternoon, Jack made the decision to visit The Kingfisher.
“Well, hello stranger!” called out Janice from behind the bar as Jack walked through the double doors of the pub. He blushed, not wanting to draw attention to himself. He’d hoped it was someone else behind the bar, Janice was an old gossip and pretty much part of the furniture of the pub. His Annie always used to say ‘never trust a gossip unless you want to know a secret’ which was wise advice he’d always thought.
“Hello Janice, how are you?” he asked as pleasantly as he could, “not many in today” he commented, taking a look around. Apart from 2 locals in the corner, the place was empty.
“Sunday isn’t it? They’ll all be down at The Old Inn getting their Sunday lunch,” said Janice. “Told Len we’d lose trade when he stopped serving food but he wouldn’t listen to me. What can I get you Jack?” she asked.
“True, true... I’ll have a pint of Bitter please hen.” Jack pulled up a bar stool, figuring Janice was his best chance as any to get information from about Ryan.
The Lie She Told: All Kate wanted was a peaceful life, all Ryan wanted to do was destroy it. (Thornes series Book 1) Page 4