He fisted his hands and cracked his knuckles, like a champion prize fighter, then bounded up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
Voices rose, and a storm of insults exchanged between the men, and all Jackie could do was wait at the bottom of the stairs and listen. Was that a woman’s voice I just heard? He’s fucking a woman in my bed, is he kidding me?
Before she could react, a loud knock on the front door startled her. Two Royal Military Police entered and one, the taller of the two, asked if she was okay, then satisfied with her answer, they rushed inside and sprinted up the stairs.
Unsteady on her feet, Jackie moved slowly through the house to the front room and sat in the armchair by the window.
Within moments, the shorter of the MP’s appeared holding her father’s arm. “That, asshole!” He gritted his teeth, and pulled away, loosening the MP’s hold. “He’s got a woman up there. I’ve the right mind to break every bone in his worthless body.” He spotted a tissue box on the table behind him and plucked a handful out to wipe the blood on his knuckles.
Nursing a split bloody lip, Dave was led downstairs by the other MP. His appearance was hideous—his boxer shorts were back to front, and he looked like he’d run head first into a brick wall. One of his eyes was swollen, and a bruise had already formed on his cheek. “It’s not what it looks like,” he lisped, as though a tooth may have been loosened.
Although feelings had been hurt, Jackie was strangely amused by his futile attempt to cover his backside. “Seriously Dave? You’ve been caught with your pants down twice, now. You’re despicable. I want you out of my house…now! Just take your stuff and get the fuck out! And don’t forget to leave your barrack pass, and any other military ID you have. You’re not getting back in here. You’ve got two hours to get all your shit together.”
Dave’s eyes dulled and narrowed with each word said, then he voiced his own selfish opinion. “Where will I go, Jackie? What about the kids?”
She wasn’t going to be an easy target anymore, too much damage had been done in the opening of Pandora’s Box, and it had completely infuriated her. “Oh, so now you remember you have children? That’s very thoughtful of you, Dave. You didn’t seem to give a shit about them these past weeks.” She clenched her fist, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. “The twins are safe, in the car with mum, not that you give a shit! They probably witnessed your whore leaving.”
He turned to look out the window, and with eyes popped, he spotted the car parked outside the house. “Did you have to bring them?”
“I came to see why you’re treating our children like crap. You fucking someone in my bed gave me the answer.” She recognised immediately from the look in his eyes that her words had hit her mark. “They’re going to have questions about who that woman was. Don’t be surprised if they don’t talk to you ever again. You’ve made your bed, you selfish son of a bitch, it’s time for you to lie in it.”
He dropped his arms to his sides, his hand outward, pleading, and lowered his head in shame. “Where am I going to go?”
“I don’t care, but it won’t be anywhere on the barracks! Call your mother and tell her I’m kicking you out. Actually, I’ll call her and explain everything.” She put her hand in her pocket and pulled her phone out. “Oh, my, just think what she’s going to say when she finds out her favourite boy has been sticking his cock in everything that moves, while his wife—whose leg was blown off in Afghanistan—has been recovering in a rehabilitation centre!”
“Please, don’t do that,” he whined like a week old puppy. “I’ll go, okay. I’ll also talk to the kids. I’m sorry, I really am. Please don’t call her.”
She read the situation faster than a lightning strike, and gave a cruel half-smile, as she waved the phone in front of his face.
“Dave, just go!” Robert pointed to the door. “You’ve caused enough heartache, get yourself together and get out.”
The MPs led Dave out of the house.
How could he be so cruel? “I need to get out of here, Dad.”
Her father said nothing as he extended his hand to help her out the door.
In the open driveway, she covered her eyes from the bright sun, and motioned for her mother to join her. “Mum, I need you to drive me to my CO’s office.” Turning her attention to her father. “Dad, I want the twins to stay here with you.”
Ben defiantly turned, and stomped over to the car. “I don’t want to stay here and listen to anything he has to say.”
“Your dad wants to talk to you, we don’t know when you’ll next see him.”
Exhaling loudly, he protested under his breath, then nodded to imply he would do it for her sake.
Not wanting to give up on her military career, Jackie couldn’t put off the meeting with her Commanding Officer. As she climbed into the car, a heavy weight settled across her shoulders. I’m not stupid enough to think I can still have an active service career, but surely there’s something I can do? There was no way she could see herself doing anything else; she’d never been a civilian, and wouldn’t know where to start when it came to finding a job in the real world. Thankfully, she had her investments and savings to fall back on, it would be more than enough for her and the twins to live off, if it came down to it.
Molly slid into the driver’s seat next to her, and spoke in a soft voice, “Where to?”
“Turn right at the corner and follow the road.”
It was just a short journey to the office, but still, it was too far for Jackie to try and make it on her crutches, and even though she was in the car, her hands became hot and clammy—her breathing laboured. The last time she had been in the CO’s office was just before she’d been deployed to Afghanistan. She had memories, some still hidden in the depths of her mind, and was unsure if she wanted to remember them.
She was so deep in thought; Jackie hadn’t noticed when they parked in front of the red brick building. Her mother patted her on her shoulder and brushed a loose hair away. “You’ll be fine, love.”
Taking a deep breath, Jackie stepped out of the car and made her way into the building. The familiar head of salt-and-pepper hair rose as she entered, and a wide, blinding smile greeted her. The receptionist jumped up from her desk and ran around it to hug her, awkwardly placing her hands on Jackie’s shoulders.
“Hello, Major, It’s good to see you.”
“Hello, Mary.” She returned the embrace, then stepped back. “Is the boss in?”
Mary nodded and went back to her desk. She picked the phone up and announced Major Holmes presence. The office door flew open and a looming figure filled the doorway. “It’s good to see you up and about, Major.”
Jackie clamped her crutches under her armpits, and saluted awkwardly. Slowly she made her way to the chair in front of his desk, and shook his hand before she sat. “Thank you, Sir.”
General Pearce stepped back to his chair and stood with his fingertips pressed lightly on his desk, then thought for a moment before he spoke. “I heard you were on a weekend reprieve; you look like you’re doing well.”
Jackie’s voice not wavering, she asked, “That’s why I’m here, Sir. I’d like to know once I’ve recovered fully, if there’s still going to be a place for me in the military.”
Tightening his lips into one thin line, he considered his words before answering. “Obviously, I can’t send you back out on active duty, but if you’re serious about staying on, I can offer you a desk job here.”
It wasn’t what Jackie wanted to hear, but if it meant she could stay, she’d do anything. Biting on her lower lip, she replied in a low voice, “I suppose I could get used to the idea. Will I lose my rank or pension?”
“No, you keep all of those. The only thing that will change, is you’ll have to move off of the barracks, since you’re no longer going to be on active duty.”
Her denial became apparent, as reality slapped her in the face like a wet kipper escaping the claws of a grizzly bear. “You mean, give up my home?”
&n
bsp; General Pearce shifted about in his chair. Whenever he smiled from the side of his mouth, it never meant he was going to deliver good news, and the smile appeared just as predicted. “Yes. I’m sorry, Jackie, but we need it for active service personnel.”
That bombshell wasn’t something she’d expected. She stared at him, desperately trying to figure out what she was going to do. “How soon do I have to move? I’m still in rehab at the moment, and it would cause me a lot of problems to do it before I’m discharged.”
“You’ve got at least four months. We understand that time is a factor in your recovery, and we don’t want to rush you.”
“I appreciate it. I think I’ll be discharged in a month or two. Everything’s going really well, and I can’t wait to get home to my children.”
Locking his hands together in front of him, as if in silent prayer, he asked, “Does that mean you’ll be coming back to us when you’ve recuperated enough? I’d hate to lose a soldier of your calibre.”
She glanced at a picture in a frame on his desk, it was one of his wife and young child, then she considered her options. A new start, maybe this is just what I need. “I’d be honoured to come back, Sir. You know me, army girl born and raised. I have to admit; I was worried I’d be out of a job. I appreciate the opportunity.”
He stood, and moved around his desk to shake her hand. “I can’t wait to work with you again.”
“Nor I you, Sir.” She shook his hand firmly.
He looked at her with a serious, but kind look on his face, as he held the door open for her. “Oh, and please stop by the officer’s mess when you’re back. I know a few of the others are anxious to see you.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Take care of yourself, Major, and keep me up to date as to when you want to start.”
•••
When Jackie got back into the car, she was instantly peppered with questions from her mother as she reversed the car, then drove back them in the direction of her daughter’s house.
“I’ve still got a job, but there’s a problem, though. I need to find a new house to live in.”
Molly hit the brake a little too hard, causing Jackie to jerk forward in her seat. “Excuse me, did I hear you correctly?”
The sun shone through a gap between the tree branches they’d stopped in front of, making Jackie squint as she sat back in her seat. She didn’t want to look directly at her mother’s eyes, she knew if she did, she’d just cry. Not because of the situation, but because she knew her mother would have that look she’d give every time was she stressed over something. “I don’t know where we’re going to go.”
Molly let out a loud sigh, then reached over and patted her daughter’s hand. “We’ll sort something out, even if it means you have to move in with us until you find something.”
The building tension had been relieved for now, and Jackie was grateful for any help her parents could offer. She leaned over and kissed her mother on the cheek. “Thank you.” The longer she thought about it, there was no way she could live in the same house she’d shared with Dave, or where he’d had the nerve to take women to have sex. At least now she would be able to put roots down, and make a proper home for her children. There’d be no more moving about the country with the battalion—she was home to stay. It was time for a new start, a new home, and hopefully, a new journey of happiness.
As they pulled up to the house, Jackie’s phone bleeped. She had a message from Carrie.
Hope everything’s going okay, and you’re having a great time with your folks and the twins. XXX
An unexpected warmth travelled through her as she replied.
Things here are off the madness scale. I caught Dave with another woman.
She pressed send, and even with her text containing dismal information, she couldn’t help but smile, because it was Carrie she was sending it to.
Her mother stopped the car in front of the house, where her father and the twins were waiting outside. They climbed into the back, and once they’d all belted up, Molly drove them out of the barracks.
Jackie’s phone bleeped again, and she burst out laughing at the next text from Carrie.
OMFG!
She looked out of the passenger window, at the bland houses, each one uniform and no personality. “There’s not really too much to miss, when you take into account the restrictions that go with living here.”
“No, there isn’t, dear,” her mother replied.
It’s a good thing that cheating ass knew nothing about my savings accounts.
As they drove along the main road, the trees edging the curbs danced as their branches swayed in the breeze, and caught pockets of filtered sunlight. Even though it was a busy street, filled with houses, shops, and cars parked on the roadside, it was still able to offer a piece of serenity in the mix, and serenity was just what Jackie needed in her life.
Just as they turned the corner, they met with a line of stationary cars. Ahead, on the other side of the road was an overturned car, the bonnet crumpled and glass shattered over the tarmac and pavement. The driver had been rescued and paramedics had laid him onto a stretcher, ready to take to the waiting ambulance. Police officers were guiding the traffic around the accident, and onlookers stared at the chaotic scene. One by one, each car drove past the accident, as the officer signalled them it was safe to go. This brought Jackie to remember a tour in Iraq, when she was out on a convoy. A soldier’s armoured car had been hit by an RPG. She’d pulled him out of the wreck, and laid him on the dusty ground. She’d known he was dying when he coughed up blood, but she’d kept telling him he was going to make it. He died minutes later.
The vision of the accident made her thankful that she’d made it through some tough times, in the field, and on the home front.
•••
They pulled into the driveway of her parent’s house. Once inside Jackie turned to the twins.
“Let’s go in the front room and talk. I want to know everything your father told you. Dad, you were there when he spoke to them, can you sit in with us?”
In a reassuring voice he answered, “Sure, love.”
Jackie chose her favourite chair, and practically toppled into it. Settling herself down, she waited until the kids and her father were comfortable too, before she began.
“First of all, I want to know if you’re both okay?”
Jess’s eyes filled with tears, and her pale cheeks soon reddened. “I’m in shock. I can’t believe he’s done this!”
Ben moved closer to his mother. He trembled slightly as he buried his face into her shoulder. “Is it possible to loathe someone you already hate?”
Molly let out a strangled gasp, causing Jackie to glare at her, as she sucked in her cheeks.
“Hate is a huge word to use, Ben. Dislike is probably a better word.”
He pressed his fingers into the skin of his forearm, then shook his head, as he bit his lower lip. Raising his gaze, he looked directly at his mother. “You’ve always told us to be truthful, and I can truthfully say, I hate him with a passion.”
Jess immediately joined them and sat on the other arm of the chair, where she slouched into her mother’s free shoulder and stole a hug.
“What exactly did he tell you?” Jackie asked, resigned from showing her hatred towards him.
“He told us to lie to you if you ever asked about other women he brought to the house. We wanted to say something to you, but he told us if we did, it could harm your recovery, and we didn’t want to do anything to harm you,” Jess replied.
Ben added his worth of thoughts into the conversation. “He tried to tell us the woman who left the house today was a cleaning woman. I said, really, does she normally clean with her fly undone, her T-shirt inside out, and her hair looking like a bird’s nest?”
A hearty laugh slipped from Robert. “He’s definitely your son.”
She cut him an angry glare for acting without thinking. “What did your dad say when you challenged him about the woman?
”
“He didn’t say anything,” Jess replied.
Jackie’s heart hammered in her chest, as she explained the things that had led to them being at this point, and when they asked about her plans, she drew quiet. Forgiving Dave would be impossible, he’d always had a flare for bad behaviour, but since her accident, their relationship had practically been non-existent.
Jess toyed with a lock of her hair, and peered over her Prada framed glasses. “So you’re going to ask him for a divorce?”
“I can’t stay with someone who disrespects me and my children.”
Got to Table of Contents
Chapter Nine
The moment Carrie opened her eyes on Monday morning, she sprung out of bed, excited that she was going to see Jackie. She’d been sitting on pins and needles all weekend, waiting to find out what had happened.
•••
Lost in thought, she opened her office door, and it took a few seconds for the information to sink in at the sight that greeted her—a beautiful bouquet of flowers on her desk. She picked up the attached card and read the inscription. To Carrie, thank you for always being there for me. I’d be lost without your support and friendship. I’ve missed seeing you this weekend. Lots of love, Jackie. XXX.
Tears came fast as they pooled in her eyes, then rolled down her cheeks. There was no way Toni would’ve thought about doing something like this, which made Carrie even more aware of her less-than-loving relationship. She rolled up her shirt sleeves and went about finding a vase to put her beautiful gift in. They’d have to stay at the centre. She couldn’t take them home, especially after what had happened over the weekend. Toni’s emotions and reactions to inane things were all over the place. One minute she would laugh and smile, the next she would fly off the handle, and it got worse when she drank. It reminded Carrie of Jekyll and Hyde.
Hero Page 9
