by Pat Young
Joe looked from one face to another, waiting for someone to tell him. So this was what they were talking about earlier.
It was TJ who spoke up. ‘Jimbo’s in the Vickie. Wi an overdose.’
‘Heroin?’ asked Joe, thinking it had been only a matter of time till this happened, but TJ’s next words shocked him.
‘Naw, paracetamol. He tried to top his self.’
‘Stupid basturt didnae even manage to get that right,’ said Dykesy.
‘Aw, c’moan Dykesy. He’s in intensive care wi liver failure. Gie the boy a break.’
‘What a sad waste,’ said Joe. ‘Jimbo was a good lad.’
‘Aye, before he started messin wi drugs,’ said Dykesy in a low, angry voice.
Liam was the one who tried to raise the tone, ‘At least we’ve still got the Slugster, eh, Sluggo?
Slug raised his hand in salute. ‘Sur, ah learned stuff too. Like how some jokes are no funny, especially when they’re dangerous, but ah didnae mean any harm, just wanted to make the boys laugh. Cheer them up a wee bit, ye know?’
‘Funny ha-ha, Sluggo. Ye nearly drowned, ya big eejit.’
‘Ah know that.’ Slug dropped his head, creating a ripple of chins. He spoke quietly and everyone strained to listen. It was amazing to see these noisy, boisterous lads sit and discuss their feelings.
‘Somebody else could’ve got drowned tryin to save me, and ah was jist havin a laugh.’ Slug paused, and no one spoke. ‘There’s somethin else ah want to say. Ah realise now how stupid it wis to keep it goin jist cos ah wis too scared to own up to what ah done.’
Joe took a deep breath. If these kids could be honest, then so could he. ‘Aye, well, I hesitated calling an ambulance because I was worried my boss might find out I’d left you on your own.’
The boys were quick to leap to his defence. ‘But you told us to keep out the water, Sur. We’re tae blame for ignorin you.’
‘And you did try to get an ambulance,’ said Dykesy.
‘I took too long to send for it.’
‘But, Sur. It’s okay,’ said Slug, ‘Ah didnae need an ambulance anyway.’
‘Still, I’m going to take you to casualty and get you checked.’
‘But what will your boss say?’
‘D’you know what, boys? I don’t give a damn what my boss says. If I hadn’t been scared it was him on the phone, I would never have left you.’
Dangermoose asked, ‘How can you be scared of anybody, Big Man? Look at the size of ye.’
The boys hooted, but Joe sensed it was a serious question. ‘Because my boss is a vicious bully and sometimes, no matter what size you are, a bully can frighten you into doing something you know isn’t right.’
‘Aye, like that scumbag that was dealin at the school gate. Tried to get me to work for him,’ said Dykesy.
‘You didn’t do it though, did you?’ asked Joe, regretting the words the moment he’d said them.
Dykesy looked at him with distaste. ‘Sur, ah cannae believe you asked me that. You know how ah feel about drugs.’
‘That’s what I meant, Dykesy. You proved that the bully doesn’t win if you’re brave enough to stand up for what you believe in.’
The boy looked at Joe for a long moment, then smiled.
Joe hoped he was forgiven. ‘That’s the difference between you and me. I haven’t stood up for myself. But that’s going to change.’
‘What are you gonnae dae, Big Man?’
‘I’m going to resign.’
Amid a chorus of ‘no’, one voice said, ‘What’s resign?
‘He’s gonnae tell his boss to stick his job up his arse.’
‘Aye, and then I’m going to sort him out.’
***
CHAPTER 42
Marty left Chance under the café table, the end of his lead tied around the leg of a chair. He’d been running wild since they came to the park and appeared to fall asleep the minute he dropped to the floor. Just in case he was faking, she said, ‘Stay!’ and went to fetch herself a coffee.
She joined the queue and kept one eye on the door, watching for Joe. Her heart skipped a beat when he appeared. Tall and athletic, he stood in the doorway and scanned the room. His clean-shaven face looked sculpted and severe until he saw her and grinned. The woman ahead of her nudged her friend and pointed. Marty smiled to herself when Joe came over and asked her to get him his usual. The merest whiff of aftershave hung in the air. Marty ignored the two women who were now inspecting her quite openly. Enjoying herself, she leaned close to Joe and whispered, ‘I’ll bring it over. Chance is keeping us a seat.’
‘There you go,’ she said, putting a tall mug down on the table. ‘One latte. Skinny, like yourself.’
‘Thanks, Marty. I’ll get them next time. Any goodies?’
She removed a cling-filmed muffin from her pocket. ‘This do?’
‘Perfect. Want half?’
‘Just a bite, thanks, I’m putting on weight.’
‘Don’t be daft, you look absolutely gorgeous.’
Why couldn’t David say things like that, make her feel good about herself? ‘Maybe I should start jogging. You can be my running guru.’
‘I’ll take you running, anytime you like. We can get hot and sweaty together.’
Marty raised her eyebrows and Joe flushed. It made him look vulnerable.
When he had finished the muffin, he said, ‘Look, Marty. I’ve got something I need to tell you.’
Her heart stopped for a second and she told herself to act her age.
‘I nearly lost a boy yesterday.’
‘What, on the hills?
‘No,’ murmured Joe, ‘worse than that. In the water.’
‘Joe,’ she said, touching his arm, ‘Is he okay?’
Joe let out a long breath, as if he were still getting over it, and nodded. ‘Yeah, he’s fine.’
‘Thank God.’
‘Do you know the worst thing about the whole experience? How scared I was that Smeaton would find out. It almost stopped me getting help. Isn’t that pathetic?’
She squeezed his arm. ‘It’s not pathetic, but I can see how you would feel that way. It’s the effect the man has on everyone.’
‘He won’t have that effect on me anymore. I’ve tendered my resignation.’
‘Oh no, Joe, you love your work.’
‘I used to love it, Marty. You’re right. I always loved my job, but not any longer.’
‘Are you sure that’s the right thing to do? It wasn’t for me.’
‘Yeah, I’m sure. I feel free for the first time in years. There’s nothing tying me down and I’m answerable to no-one. I can do exactly what I want. And what I want right now, more than anything in the world, is revenge.’
***
CHAPTER 43
Carole had been invited to the planning meeting at Joe’s. The four of them were gathered round his kitchen table, looking serious.
‘Okay, Sheila,’ said Joe, as if he were impatient to get started. ‘Run your idea by me again, please.’ He drained his water glass and put it down.
‘First you need to know that Ruby’s as desperate as we are for him to “learn a lesson”.’ Sheila’s fingers drew quotation marks in the air. ‘She’s told me that a dozen times.’
‘And you really think we should tell her we’re planning to teach him a lesson? What’s to be gained by involving someone else at this stage? Especially someone we don’t know.’
‘I’m a good judge of character, Joe, and I’ve spent a lot of hours with this old lady over the past few weeks.’
Joe wouldn’t drop it. ‘I’m not sure,’ he said, rubbing one hand up and down his cheek, ‘I mean, what’s the point? What could an old woman like that possibly contribute? And what if she tells somebody? We’ll all be screwed.’
‘She won’t. Look, I know you’re still not convinced, Joe, but I am. Ruby’s the key to the whole thing. The missing link. The last piece of the puzzle.’
‘How?’ asked Joe, sounding as if
he were running out of patience.
‘Well, we still haven’t worked out how and where we can get him without endangering ourselves. Ruby’s the key. She will get Smeaton to take her out for a drive. She’ll also make sure he’s on a certain road at a certain time.’
‘In other words,’ added Marty, ‘she’ll deliver him into our hands.’
‘Exactly,’ said Sheila
‘And what are we supposed to do with the old dear? Bring her to the bothy too?’
‘No,’ said Sheila, in a calm, gentle voice. ‘I’ll also be going on the outing, remember? Dressed as Violet, of course. When you take Smeaton, I’ll drive Ruby back, then get rid of his car.’
‘That’s another thing; you still haven’t told us what you plan to do with the car.’
‘No, but I will, don’t worry,’ said Sheila. ‘And there’s something else Ruby can do for us. She knows exactly what makes him tick. And we were right, his religion is vitally important to him.’ Sheila paused. ‘Ruby says he’s obsessed with getting to heaven.’
Joe laughed so hard, Marty worried he would choke. She ran to his kitchen and filled a water glass. When she came back, Carole was thumping him on the back.
‘Here, Joe, take a drink.’
When the spluttering had stopped, Marty said, ‘I can see why you’d choke on the idea of a heaven full of Smeatons.’
‘God forbid,’ said Sheila.
‘The man’s deluded. The way he treats people, he’s going straight to hell. Don’t forget I grew up Catholic too.’
‘So did I, Joe,’ said Sheila, ‘and if he dies without mortal sin on his soul and lives his life so as to avoid mortal sin, he will go to heaven.’
‘The man sins every day of his life. What about Liz?’
‘That’s not the point. Bullying is not a mortal sin and I’m not even sure Smeaton knows he’s bullying. Anyway, you know how it works. If he sins, but confesses, even a mortal sin, to a priest in the sacrament of confession with true repentance, he should go to heaven.’
‘And we know from Ruby that Smeaton is devout and regular in his worship and his confession,’ said Marty.
‘Yes,’ said Carole, ‘apparently he assists at Mass and does a lot of work for the church. He boasts about it.’
‘Know what?’ said Joe, ‘if heaven is full of folk like Smeaton, I hope I go to hell.’
Sheila laughed. ‘Don’t be too rash, Joe. Maybe you should wait to see how bad hell can be before you write off heaven.’
‘Remember, our plan is to make Smeaton believe he’s in purgatory, not hell,’ said Marty. We need to give him some hope of redemption.’ Silence followed that statement and Marty allowed the moment to last, to give everyone a chance to think their own thoughts.
‘Before we take a vote on making Ruby a full accomplice, and remember she may not want to have anything to do with it, does anyone else have something to say?’
Carole took a deep breath and said ‘I’ll get right to the point. I’d like us to consider bringing the operation forward.’
‘Forward by how much?’
‘Several weeks.’
‘Can you be more precise than that? Do you have a date in mind?’
‘Yes, in about three weeks’ time.’
‘You’re joking,’ said Sheila, ‘three weeks’ time? February instead of April?’
‘April was notional, remember,’ said Marty. ‘Why the change of date, Carole?
‘I’m going to the States.’
‘Ah, the IVF program? said Sheila. ‘That’s fabulous, Carole. Best of luck.’
‘It’s as simple as this,’ said Marty. ‘If we don’t bring it forward, it can’t happen. We need Carole on the inside and she’ll be gone in a couple of weeks.’
‘Give or take,’ said Carole, ‘we still have to finalise some details but three weeks at the most.’
‘Actually,’ said Marty, ‘I’ve been thinking that the change of timing might suit us. I’ve got an idea. Didn’t you say something about Ruby’s birthday coming up, Sheila?’
‘Yes. Saturday, seventeenth of February.’
‘That’s right. He’s got it marked in his diary,’ said Carole, ‘to remind me to send flowers. He does that every year. I buy the card too and get him to sign it. But at least he goes to see her on her birthday, usually takes her out to lunch.’
Sheila nodded wildly and looked very excited. ‘I see what you’re thinking. Tie it into Ruby’s birthday outing?’
Marty nodded and Carole clapped her hands. ‘Perfect.’
Marty ran through the revised plan one more time and asked for a decision. ‘Let’s take a vote on making Mrs Smeaton an accomplice.’
Joe still looked unsure, and was last to cast his vote. Finally, he raised his hand and made it unanimous.
‘Can we run through the jobs that everyone was delegated and see if we could be ready for February seventeenth? Joe. You ordered the Rohypnol, yes?’
‘Yes, and I was tracking the delivery online earlier today. It should be here the day after tomorrow.’
‘Good. And the bothy?’
‘I’m due to have it cleared by the end of January and I’ve already started stowing our stuff we’ll need in the attic. Under lock and key of course.’
‘You okay with a change of date then?’
‘Actually, it would solve a problem with the electricity.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘To be honest, Marty, it’s been bothering me how we were going to manage if they cut off the power. I mean, candles are okay for a wee while, but not for what we need to do.’
‘I hadn’t even thought about electricity,’ said Sheila. ‘Will we be okay, Joe?’
‘We will now.’
‘So we’ll be fine for lighting, warm water and cooking.’ said Marty, scribbling in her notebook.
Marty ticked off items on a spread sheet as each person reported on his or her progress. ‘Have you two finalised your design for where we keep our prisoner?’
‘Just about, but I’m going to require lots of help to get it set up and make it secure.’
‘Count me in,’ said Carole, ‘I’d like to see inside this bothy place. I function better when I can visualise the setting.’
Marty said, ‘Good idea. Let me run through a couple more items on my list and then we’ll make arrangements for a visit to check the place out.’
Joe gave her a grim smile. ‘And to see how we can turn a wee corner of heaven into Smeaton’s hell on earth.’
***
CHAPTER 44
Ruby seemed a bit down.
‘You’re not your usual self, Ruby. Is it because of who’s on duty today?’ No response. ‘Is that why you’re keeping quiet? You like Doreen better, don’t you?’
Ruby gave Sheila one of those ‘Duh!’ looks much favoured by her pupils, but at least she followed it up with a gummy grin. Sheila wondered how many old folk’s moods were affected by the personality of the carer who turned up to look after them.
‘Are you still mad at your son for not taking you to Molly’s funeral?
‘That and a thousand other sins he’s committed in his lifetime. The funeral was the final straw for me, that’s all, Violet.’
‘He sounds like a very busy, important man, Ruby. I’m sure he felt terrible about letting you down.’
Ruby looked at her as if she were completely insane. ‘That boy has never felt terrible about a thing in his life. He was born without a conscience.’
This might be a productive line of conversation. ‘Did you not bring him up as a good Catholic boy?’
‘Of course. I may have lost my belief when Billy and Archie were taken from me, but I made sure Tommy was brought up in the faith.’
The old lady’s eyes misted over. ‘Oh Violet, I wish you could have seen the two wee boys on the day of their first holy communion. They were a picture.’ She reached up her sleeve and fished around.
‘It must have cost you a fair bit of money to kit them both out in thei
r finery,’ said Sheila, offering Ruby a tissue.
‘I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I had to save every penny I could, but it never bothered me one bit.’
‘How on earth did you make ends meet?’
‘To tell you the truth, Violet, I didn’t eat very much. As long as the weans were well fed, I was satisfied.’
Ruby sniffed, touching the tissue to her nose and eyes. Her voice took on a sharp edge when she said, ‘And look how he repays me.’ She gestured to the room around her, filled with dozing companions. ‘I could be living independently, Violet. I had a good wee cleaner and nice neighbours who kept an eye on me. I’d plenty of folk willing to come in every day, to help me out. He wouldn’t hear of it.’
‘It must cost a lot more to pay for Briargrove?’
‘Our Tommy doesn’t mind paying for me. As long as he doesn’t have to be bothered with me. Do you know how he justifies putting me in here?’
Sheila shook her head, sure that nothing she was about to hear could surprise her.
‘He says it makes sense for me to be in a home. It might be a bit expensive, but since he’s cash rich and time poor, it’s the best solution for everyone.’
‘Everyone except you, Ruby?’
Ruby nodded. ‘Can you see why I’m so angry with him, Violet? How I wish, every time I hear him crowing about how high and mighty he is, that someone would take him down a peg or two.
It was now or never. Time for Sheila to take a leap of faith and go for it.
‘Ruby,’ she said. ‘What if I had worked out a wee plan to do precisely that?’
***
CHAPTER 45
Marty had to concentrate, holding the too-full mug of coffee with both hands. She used her foot to push open the door and gave it a gentle kick behind her. She took a sip from the mug and put it down so she could dial Joe’s number.
‘Hiya, Marty. How’s tricks?’
‘Sheila rang. Ruby’s in.’