“You talk straight,” she said. “I like this. But I don’t know if I want to go to bed with you yet.”
“Oh,” he said, downcast, cheeks colouring.
“Doesn’t mean I won’t say yes though,” she said with a smile and a wink.
“Oh good,” he beamed.
“I can’t think on empty stomach.”
He shot to his feet. “I’ll cook your breakfast at once.”
With an amused smile she watched him scuttle into the kitchen. He would do she supposed if nothing better came along.
She was surprised when Luke ambled in, yawning, rubbing his eyes, hair stuck up all over the place.
“You never get up so early,” she said.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he replied. He was about to take the chair Alan had vacated then hesitated. “May I?”
She studied him through narrowed eyes before pushing the chair out with a booted foot.
“Thank you,” he replied, sinking into it and yawning again. “I had bad dreams. I couldn’t get back off to sleep, so I thought I’d get up and have one of Alan’s excellent fry-ups.”
“He is already cooking mine. He ask me to go to bed with him.”
Luke chuckled. “By God that man’s got some nerve. What did you say?”
“I will think about it.”
“I’ve noticed that with you Saskia. You either terrify men or have them falling at your feet.”
“He want to do more to me than fall at my feet.”
“I’ll bet,” he said with a naughty grin. “That’s a nasty bruise. Are you okay?”
“I’ve had worse.”
Frederick entered the room next, wrapped up in layers of thick woollen jumpers. “Good morning,” he beamed. “What a beautiful morning eh? Perfect weather for spotting red deer.”
“I like deer,” announced Saskia. “They are so noble. I never hunt deer.”
Frederick’s smile fell. “You…you’re a hunter?”
“Yes. I only hunt rabbits, beaver, moose and squirrel.”
“My God,” spluttered Frederick. “It’s barbaric.”
“Is not, is survival. I spend much time in mountains, sometimes for weeks. Are no shops. I eat what I kill. I not kill for fun. That is for men with tiny penis.”
Frederick gaped at her while Luke sniggered.
“Well I think all living things have a right to life,” announced Frederick. “They shouldn’t be hunted down and slaughtered for our own sport.”
Alan’s head popped around the door.
“Morning Frederick. Full Scottish breakfast?”
“Yes please,” he grinned.
“Luke?”
“The same please,” he replied.
“It won’t be long. Saskia, two minutes for yours,” said Alan, smiling at her before disappearing back into the kitchen.
“So you eat meat?” Saskia asked Frederick.
“Well, yes,” he replied.
“So how is different?”
“Because I’m not out there killing those beautiful creatures.”
“But you let someone else kill them for you. Is that okay?”
Frederick’s mouth opened and closed. “I…I…”
“I always make clean kill, straight through heart, no pain. I never miss. They not even know I’m there. Animals in slaughterhouse are put through lots of pain and fear, so you can have meat on your plate. Or you not like cows and pigs as much as deer and moose?”
“The lady has a point,” smiled Luke, enjoying seeing Frederick ill at ease for once, an emotion he regularly inflicted on others with his photos. “Do you think cows and pigs and sheep don’t have a right to life like wild animals?”
“No, of course I don’t think that but…”
“Here we go,” smiled Alan, emerging from the kitchen with a plate of food piled high. He was disappointed the others were in the room, he’d enjoyed having Saskia to himself.
“Thank you,” she smiled as he placed the plate before her. “I am ravenous.”
“Frederick, Luke, yours will be five minutes,” said Alan.
Saskia looked to Frederick while chewing on a piece of pig, making him feel slightly sick. “Actually, change of plan Alan. I’ll just have a bowl of muesli this morning.”
“Are you not feeling very well?”
“No, I’m fine I just…don’t feel like a fry-up,” he said before sitting at a table on the opposite side of the room to Saskia’s, looking miserable.
Cherie popped her head around the door. “Alan, a word,” she hissed at him.
“But I’ve got to cook breakfast for Luke…”
“I’m sure he won’t mind waiting,” she snapped before turning on her heel and stalking out.
“Oh dear,” Luke commented to Saskia as Alan left the room, looking rather reticent. “Someone’s in trouble.”
CHAPTER 22
One Eye was disturbed by angry voices. After last night he was hyper alert, sitting bolt upright in bed to listen, convinced it was Silas and his men. He relaxed when he realised the voices were Scottish - male and female.
“I will not be made a fool of Alan,” said Cherie.
“Like you’ve made a fool of me for years,” he retorted.
“I want that woman gone.”
“Well I’m not chucking out a paying guest just because you’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous.”
“Yes you are. You’re getting a good idea of what you’ve put me through since the day we married. Well I’m sick of it Cherie and I’m not letting you push me around anymore. You want Saskia to leave you can ask her yourself.”
One Eye chuckled at the silence that followed. No one in their right mind would demand that of Saskia.
“If she stays then I go,” she countered instead.
“Bye bye then,” retorted Alan.
One Eye silently cheered on the man, he could imagine what he’d had to put up with being married to that woman.
“You don’t mean that,” she said, tears in her voice.
“Yes I do. You’ve made a fool of me for the last time. Don’t think I don’t know about you and Arthur.”
Another pregnant pause. “What?”
“I know you’ve been having it away with him for the last two months. Not that he’s the only one, you’ve had half the village as well as God knows how many tourists. Yes, I like Saskia. She’s strong and beautiful and, unlike you, she says exactly what she thinks. I’m tired of your games so you can do what you like because I don’t give a shit anymore. And you can finish breakfast by yourself. I’m going for a walk.”
“Alan,” wailed Cherie but her only reply was the tramp of footsteps followed by the front door slamming shut.
One Eye finished dressing and opened the door of his room to see Cherie slumped on the hallway floor, tears running down her face.
“Are you alright?” he asked with concern. “Are you ill?”
“No need to pretend Nik,” she sighed, suddenly looking old and tired. “You must have heard all that.”
“I did but I was trying to be polite.”
“I’d rather you were honest. You probably think I deserved that.”
“It’s really none of my business.”
“Well I did deserve it,” she went on. “He’s right, I’ve treated him so badly and I don’t know why.”
“Some people shouldn’t be married,” said One Eye. “They’d be much happier free. I know that because I’m one of those people.”
“You were married?”
“I was and I did to my wife what you’re doing to Alan. We were both much happier when we divorced.”
“So your memory’s come back.”
“You know it never really left.”
“I do. Truth is, I found it exciting. I know something’s going on with you Nik and I wanted to find out what it is.”
“I just need a place to lie low and recuperate.”
“You can do what you like, it’s none of my business. I’m out of h
ere anyway.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I should have done it years ago. We’ve both been so miserable. You might not believe it but I really did love him, once. When we first married it was wonderful then…”
“Reality set in?”
She nodded. “I’d no idea it would be so hard. We married young, imagining we’d be madly in love forever. But it wore off beneath the strain of bills, work and kids. I suppose I could have worked harder to keep things alive but I lost interest, became attracted to other men and every day I hated myself for not spreading my wild oats while I had the chance, for not having fun, for tying myself down too young. Well no more. I’m forty seven, I still have some life left in me and I’m going to live it before it’s too late.” She shot to her feet, eyes sparkling, taking years off her. “I’ll go and stay with my son Billy. He moved to Edinburgh. I love the city, it’s so exciting. I always was a city girl, it was Alan’s dream to settle in the middle of nowhere and run a B&B. I’m sick of being at the beck and call of strangers, getting up extra early just to run around after them all day. I’ll stay with Billy until I can find my own place.”
“Cherie, you look so much better.”
“For years I’ve clung onto my marriage with Alan in the hope that one day we could be like we were when we first met but now I see that will never happen because we’re different people. What a bloody waste of time eh? Right, I’m going to pack.” She grabbed One Eye’s face between her hands and kissed him full on the lips. “I had to know what it was like,” she grinned up at him. “Thank you, you didn’t disappoint.”
“Wait,” he said as she headed for the stairs. “What about Helen?”
“She’ll be relieved,” she called over her shoulder. “She’s always been a daddy’s girl and finds me embarrassing. And she loves this place. She’ll enjoy it much better without me around.”
Cherie vanished upstairs, so One Eye headed into the dining room. He no longer needed the crutches but he did still have a limp.
“Oh,” said Luke when he walked in. “I had hoped you were Alan, I still haven’t had my breakfast yet.”
“I have,” smiled a satisfied Saskia. “And it was wonderful. If he is as good in bed as he is a cook I am in for a treat.”
“Never mind,” said Luke when One Eye looked at her questioningly.
“You’ll have to cook your breakfast yourself Luke,” said One Eye. “Alan and Cherie had a row. He’s gone out for a walk and she’s packing a bag. She’s leaving.”
“Well that’s very inconsiderate. I’m starving.”
“You’ll have to make it yourself. Frederick about?”
“No, he’s gone out searching for some sort of feathered creature.”
“Good. Then we’re free to talk in peace. We can discuss things while we cook.”
“You mean you want me to cook?” frowned Luke.
“I want you to assist me,” said One Eye. “Oh don’t look so put out.”
Saskia got to her feet. “I’ll help. Talking while cooking will help me think.”
“Yes, there’s nothing like the smell of sizzling pig to focus the mind,” murmured Luke.
The three of them dug everything they needed out of the fridge, set out the pans and began to cook Luke and One Eye’s breakfast.
“I think Saskia you were on the right track last night setting a trap,” said One Eye as he squirted oil into the pan. “We need to set another one to lure out Silas.”
“And what about the rest of his men?” said Saskia, shoving toast into the toaster. “If we kill Silas they will want revenge.”
“We concentrate our energies around Silas and take him out. Then we can take care of them. With their leader gone they’ll be weaker, disorganised.”
“I agree,” said Luke. “That lot are useless without him there telling them what to do.”
“And in order to set a trap you need bait,” said One Eye. “And that bait is me.”
“Bait with a limp,” said Luke. “That doesn’t sound very wise.”
“I’ll be fine. Silas is injured and furious, which is when he makes mistakes. We must take advantage of that.”
“How?”
One Eye smiled. “I have an idea.”
The door burst open to reveal Helen for once looking a little dishevelled, the loyal Simon at her back. “What are you all doing?”
“Cooking breakfast,” said One Eye. “There was no one else to do it.”
“Put on a plate for us, will you?” said Helen. “I’m starving.”
“No problem there,” said Luke. “We’ve cooked enough to feed a small army. Sorry about that.”
“Doesn’t matter,” she replied with a wave of the hand. “Who wants a cuppa?” she added, switching on the kettle.
“Err, have you seen your parents at all?” said One Eye.
“Oh yes. Mum’s leaving, she’s packing her stuff and Dad’s doing a dance around the garden.”
“That’s all well and good for them but how about you?” he said with concern.
“Oh, I’m fine. To be honest, it’ll be a relief. I won’t have to listen to their arguing anymore or put up with Mum flirting with the guests. Plus they were so miserable. I haven’t seen either of them this happy in…well, I don’t ever remember them being this happy.”
“Well, as long as you’re okay.”
“I am,” she smiled, not appearing in the least concerned. “Simon, pass me the milk, will you?”
“Does he ever speak?” Luke whispered to One Eye as the obedient Simon did as he was told.
“I have heard him talk once or twice.”
“I was starting to wonder if he was mute.”
“Not everyone has verbal diarrhoea,” Saskia told Luke.
“And I thought we were starting to get along,” he retorted.
They brought all the food through to the dining room and set it out buffet-style on the tables before tucking in. They’d just finished eating when Alan burst in.
“She’s left. By God I feel wonderful.” His grin fell when he saw his daughter sitting there. “Helen, I’m sorry sweetheart, I didn’t…”
“It’s okay Dad,” she replied. “It’s for the best. You’re both happy, for the first time in years. All I want is for you to be happy.”
He beamed and kissed the top of her head. “You’re sure you’re okay with this?”
“Really, don’t worry about me. I’m a grown woman now.”
“There’s some food left if you’re hungry Alan,” said One Eye.
“No. I’m switching to a healthy diet. It’s a new me and I want new experiences,” he said with a meaningful look at Saskia.
Helen got to her feet, Simon following. “Right, we’re off for a walk.”
Alan gently took her by the shoulders. “I hope you’re not leaving because of me.”
“Course not Dad,” she smiled, patting his hand. “I just need some exercise after the massive breakfast Nik and Luke cooked. See you later.”
Alan anxiously watched her leave with Simon. “Do you think she’s really okay?”
“I think she’s absolutely fine,” said One Eye. “She’s a strong girl.”
Alan smiled. “Yes, you’re right.” He plonked himself down in a chair beside Saskia and smiled at her. Saskia thought how much younger and more handsome he suddenly looked as she smiled back at him.
Ten minutes later the front door banged open and Helen’s voice cried, “Dad.”
Alan, who had been engrossed in conversation with Saskia, shot to his feet. “Helen?”
She stumbled into the room, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Dad, it’s Frederick. He’s dead,”
“Oh my God,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “How do you know?”
“Me and Simon found him. We went for a walk through the woods and he was lying there on the ground. It looked like he’d been stabbed in the back,” she cried before bursting into tears.
At mention of the woods One Eye, Luke and Saskia
all looked at each other.
“We need to call the police,” said One Eye.
“Simon’s gone to get Connell,” said Helen through her sobs. “I had to come home Dad, I needed you.”
“Of course you did sweetheart, you did the right thing. Leave it to Simon,” he soothed, leading her to a table. “Sit down honey, you’ve had a shock.”
“I will get her vodka,” announced Saskia, getting to her feet. “Is good for shock.”
“No, thank you,” said Helen, wiping her eyes on the backs of her hands. “Vodka makes me sick. I could use a hot drink, I’m so cold.”
“I’ll get that,” said Saskia, striding into the kitchen.
“Frederick,” murmured Alan. “Who could have done this?”
“It was just like Bess,” breathed Helen between her sobs. “Stabbed. It must be the same person.”
“My God. Do we have a serial killer?”
“Could be,” said Luke.
“Anyone could be next,” said Alan, wrapping an arm around his daughter and pulling her close. “Perhaps Cherie’s done the right thing leaving? Maybe we all should?”
As Helen burst into fresh tears Luke leaned into One Eye. “What the hell have you got us involved in?” he whispered.
CHAPTER 23
Raven still felt horribly guilty about her dream the night before and as the day wore on the feeling only got worse. Telling herself it wasn’t her fault and that she couldn’t control her dreams had done nothing. She loved Aidan dearly, she breathed for him but she felt like she’d cheated on him, even though the man in question didn’t exist. Or did he? Her mescaline trips had taught her that there was much more to existence than the physical world, layers of reality intermingling, often without the knowledge of those living in them. At times those realities could collide with shocking results. Was that little cabin in the woods a dream, an illusion, or did it exist somewhere in another reality?
“What’s up with you?” Damon asked her, jolting her from her thoughts. They’d stopped for lunch at a pub in Flodigarry. He stuffed a full roast potato into his mouth as he waited for her to answer.
“Sorry,” she replied, picking up her cup of tea and warming her hands around it. “Just a bit tired after yesterday.”
Journeyman Page 19
