Resentments and Revenge

by Diane Ezzard

  Walking up the corridor, I found the number Jack said, knocked on the door and waited. Jack opened it. There was no warm hug. He moved aside to let me enter. I nodded at Megan and Ryan.

  “What’s happened at work?” Jack asked.

  “I’ve probably not got a job anymore.” I sat on the bed with my head in my hands.

  “Surely it’s not that bad.”

  “It is if they believe that cow, Karen.” Jack frowned at my outburst and looked at his children. “Sorry, I’m just so upset right now. I can’t get my head around it,” I sobbed. My shoulders shook.

  “Well, at least they’re paying you while they investigate. They know you’re a good worker.”

  “Sheila’s never liked me, I can tell. I’m not sure I want to go back if Karen is there.”

  “You’ll feel differently in a day or two. Don’t be too hasty making any decisions.”

  “The way I feel at the moment, I don’t care if I ever see the place again.”

  “What will the girls and women you help do if you leave?”

  “They managed before. I’m sure they would cope.” Jack made me a drink of tea. Not once did he show me any affection. Maybe he was embarrassed to in front of his son and daughter. I whispered to him my suspicions about being followed.

  “You weren’t followed here, were you?”

  “No, of course not” I replied in a low annoyed voice, hoping the children hadn’t heard. They seemed oblivious to our conversation, both active on their phones.

  I drank the hot liquid, deep in thought. My head throbbed. Finally, Jack spoke.

  “Are you okay staying here with these two? I need to go out for a few hours. I’ve got things to do.” I looked down feeling dejected.

  “Yeah, that’s fine.” It wasn’t, but I was in no mood for an argument.

  “I’ll bring us a takeaway back later. What does everyone fancy?”

  “Chinese,” piped up Ryan.

  “Indian,” said Megan, not even looking up from her device.

  I couldn’t muster up any enthusiasm to think about food so looked at Jack and shrugged my shoulders.

  “I’ll get us a pizza then,” he laughed. The children moaned. Jack gave me a peck on the cheek and left me staring into space.

  “So, where are you going, Jack?”

  “I’m not going to Caroline’s if that’s what you think.”

  “I’m only asking.”

  “If you must know, I’ve arranged to see Terry Booth, the guy who had a feud with Dom Duggan. Their argument was over a car Dom sold him.”

  “So, what has he got to do with finding Louie?” Jack frowned.

  “You never know what I might find out.”

  “Don’t you think you’re taking this obsession you have with Dom Duggan too far?”

  “Look, I don’t tell you how to run your life, so don’t you go poking your nose in mine.” With that he stormed out the room, crashing the door behind him. That was me told.

  “Of course, I’d love to babysit your children. Thanks for your help, Sophie,” I said out loud. Megan glared at me. I was in no mood to entertain two youngsters who didn’t like me much. This wasn’t the time to bridge any gaps. We were here for a reason, to keep us safe. If I was going to stay, this family room was hardly ideal. It was too small to coop four people here for days on end. I was still smarting from Jack’s words. If I was staying, I would book myself another room.

  “Are you okay here while I go to speak to reception.” Ryan nodded. Megan didn’t speak. “Megan?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Keep an eye on Ryan and I’ll be back in a jiffy.” She didn’t even look up from her phone. It should only take me five or ten minutes to go down and check on availability. Hopefully, I could get a room on the same floor. My luck was in and they had a single room available down the end of the corridor. I took it. It would mean Jack could spend time with the children and I could pop in and see them when I wanted company. I went back up to the family room feeling pleased with myself. I walked in and Megan was sat alone in the chair. The other chair was empty. The bathroom door was closed.

  “Where’s Ryan?” Megan shrugged her shoulders, without looking up.

  “Don’t know.” The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. The sensation ran through my body.

  “What do you mean, you don’t know?” I said with force. It shocked her into peeling her eyes away from her phone and looking up.

  “I thought he was with you. He must be in the bathroom.” I frowned and knocked on the bathroom door.

  “Ryan, are you in there?” Silence. I knocked again, harder this time. “What are you doing, Ryan? Can you hear me?” I leaned in with my ear to the door, unable to hear any sounds coming from within. “Ryan!” I called out as I tried the handle. My eyes gaped wide open at the empty room.

  “If he didn’t come with me, where can he have gone?” My hands shook.

  “I wasn’t watching. I didn’t see him leave.”

  “Oh, Megan,” my voice quivered as I swallowed hard. I wanted to admonish her but held my tongue. “We’d better look for him.” Both of us ran out into the corridor shouting Ryan’s name. We ran to the lift. “You search the leisure centre and I’ll try reception.” Megan looked on the verge of tears. I patted her arm. “It’s okay, Megan. We’ll find him.” She ran off towards the pool and I walked into the lobby.

  “Has a little boy passed this way?” I asked the receptionist.

  “No,” she shook her head. I was about to walk into the bar area when I noticed two guys wearing hoodies walking out. I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn’t like the look of them. If anything happened to Ryan, I didn’t know what I’d do. I could never forgive myself for leaving him. There was no small boy with them. I walked into the bar asking if anyone had seen Ryan. I felt physically sick.

  “Has anyone seen a small boy?” I said out loud to no one in particular.

  A woman in her forties approached me.

  “What was he wearing, love?”

  “He had a grey top and jeans on.” My eyes scanned the room. Where was Ryan? What had happened to him? Jack would never forgive me for this.

  Chapter 42

  Sophie

  The two guys I’d been suspicious of looked friendlier close up. They said they hadn’t seen Ryan. My heart sunk. Where could he be? I could see he wasn’t anywhere in the vicinity so rushed out towards the leisure centre. I was just about to push the door to the pool open when it swung towards me and out came Megan followed by Ryan looking somewhat sheepish. I rushed over and hugged him.

  “Oh, Ryan. You nearly gave me a heart attack leaving the room without saying.”

  “I told Megan I was having a wander down to the gym, but she wasn’t listening.”

  “Really!” I shook my head. I had a few choice words in my head I wanted to say to Megan but thought better of it. He’d been found, and all was well. It was me who was in the wrong for leaving him, not Megan.

  “I don’t want to get you into trouble with your dad, Megan so we’ll keep quiet about this little episode. Deal?”

  “Deal,” they both said, and we exchanged high fives.

  Jack returned and the kids and I were on our best behaviour. Nothing was said of the incident. We ate our food in silence. Jack told me later his visit had been fruitless. I apologised for meddling and the atmosphere softened.

  A few days went past quickly, and things began to improve between all of us. The four of us were benefitting from our little vacation away from our usual surroundings. The children enjoyed their time at the hotel. They didn’t understand why they weren’t allowed to visit friends though. We tried to keep them occupied. We played squash and tennis. Megan and I attended a Zumba class together. She laughed at my moves, but I wasn’t offended. Megan was warming to me, which meant Ryan followed suit. I struggled to keep up with the coordination of the fast dancing and body swaying. Running was my exercise of choice, so these extra classes and sessions took their toll on
my body. I woke up aching, but the endorphins released had upped my mood.

  I had to call home to pick up more clothes and feed Max. Checking my back had become a habit as I turned the key in the lock on the front door of my flat. I picked up the mail, straightened the envelopes and popped them on the hall table. I gathered up a few extra items including toiletries and magazines to make life more bearable at the hotel. The post could be left. It would only be bills, but then a thought struck me, and my stomach churned. There may be something from work. My brow perspired. I went into the kitchen and put some food and milk out for Max. He wasn’t around. He was probably in his favourite spot on the bedroom window sill. Sure enough, when I popped my head in the bedroom, there he was. He didn’t even acknowledge my presence.

  Walking back towards the hall, I put my jacket back on, ready to leave. Then I glanced again at the mail. Curiosity wouldn’t let me leave it. A knot reached the pit of my stomach as I shuffled the envelopes and recognised work’s logo on one of them. My hand shook as I tore it open and quickly read through the formal typed letter from Sheila. It wasn’t anger that built up inside me as I read the words through again, it was out-and-out rage. I tore the letter up. Fact-finding interview indeed. I clumped up the hallway to the front door.

  Driving back to the hotel, a dark cloud descended over my mood once more. From the tone of the letter, I felt sure now they would sack me. If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to get another job anywhere, especially not in counselling. I’d be outcast from society. What was I to do? I looked up at the clouds, pleading for inspiration or a sign, something to help me with my decision. An elderly man stepped off the pavement. He was about to walk into the road. I blasted my horn. Shaking my head, I continued my journey. By the time I reached Besses o’ th’ Barn, I had made a momentous decision.

  I tried Pauline’s number for the third time. I felt certain she was avoiding me. I punched the steering wheel as the ringing tone continued. It wouldn’t let me leave a message. There were still things nagging me about Karen. I wanted to sort them out. I knew where Pauline lived. It was in the opposite direction to the hotel. I pulled over near the bus stop and sent Jack a quick text: Something’s come up. See you later x. If I phoned him, he might try to talk me out of speaking to Pauline, but she was my closest ally at work. I wanted her on board with my plans and that had to be done in person.

  She lived up Brandlesholme Road, a place I knew well from my past. Driving through certain areas still evoked uncomfortable memories for me of my past behaviour, enough to make me physically cringe in my seat. I pulled up outside Pauline’s house. Her car was on the drive. I rang the doorbell and waited. The door opened, and Pauline’s immediate response was to clap her hands over her mouth. She looked both ways and pulled me in. No warm friendly welcome. A hug would have been nice. She looked in no mood for sentimentality.

  “What are you doing here, Sophie? You know we’re not supposed to have contact. I could get into trouble for letting you in.” I was hardly public enemy number one, and I had to bite my tongue to stop from saying so. It wouldn’t be a good idea to antagonise Pauline at this point. I wanted her on my side.

  “I need to talk to someone.” Her teenage son, Isaac brushed past me in the hall, half dressed. He mumbled something.

  “Isaac, get some clothes on,” she called.

  “Leave off, mum. I only came down for a drink. I’m going back to my room.” Pauline turned to me, raising her eyebrows.

  “Teenagers, hey, who’d have ‘em? It’s school holidays, so he doesn’t even bother getting dressed half the time. It’ll be different when he starts work.”

  Pauline directed me towards the lounge. She’d never invited me in before. I looked up at the silver Next chandelier. It matched the various shades of grey furniture. The décor didn’t surprise me, knowing how well co-ordinated Pauline’s dress sense was. I plonked myself on the sofa.

  “I’m handing my notice in at work,” I said.

  “What!” Pauline stared at me, wide-eyed.

  “Yeah, I’ve given it a lot of thought. I can’t continue to work in that atmosphere with everyone against me.”

  “You’re paranoid. Sophie. No one’s against you.”

  “Oh, don’t give me that. The number of times I’ve walked in the room and it’s gone quiet, I haven’t imagined it.”

  “I know you and Karen don’t get on, but it’s a bit of a knee jerk reaction to the incident, isn’t it?”

  “Knee jerk reaction? I didn’t do anything. Treating me this way was over the top. If I could guarantee Karen would get sacked for what she did to me, then I may reconsider.” Pauline gave me a strange look. “What, what is it?” She looked down, then back across at me. She rubbed her chin and showed her teeth.

  “I don’t think Karen is getting disciplined for the incident.”

  “Why not? Wasn’t she suspended as well?”

  “Err, no.” Her shoulders drooped. “She must have convinced Sheila that all she did was defend herself.”

  “But didn’t you tell her that wasn’t the case?”

  “I made a statement about what I saw. I couldn’t lie, Sophie. The fact is, I didn’t see any attack. If I’m honest, Karen looked like she came off worst out of the pair of you.”

  “That’s because she cracked her head against the cupboard door on purpose to make it look like I attacked her. Do you see now, why I can’t come back if everyone believes Karen over me?” I put my head in my hands. Pauline came over and put an arm around my shoulder. “I tell you what, Pauline, she’s dangerous. I’d watch myself around Karen if I was you.”

  “So, what will you do, Sophie?”

  “If I wait for them to get rid of me, I’ll never get another counselling job. At least, if I resign nothing’s proven.”

  “What will you do for money?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll think of something. The stress is getting to me. I can’t carry on this way. I feel anxious all the time.”

  “I’m so sorry it’s come to this. Everyone will miss you.”

  “I doubt it. The clients maybe, but there’s only you that I talk to really, out of the staff. Can I let you into a secret?”

  “What’s that, Sophie?”

  “I was trying to look in Karen’s file. The reason I came here was for your help. I want to know where she came from. Sheila caught me snooping. I’m sure that’s why she wants rid of me now.”

  “You should have asked me sooner. I know how she got the job. Karen is good mates with that Russian billionaire. I think he pulled a few strings and got her in.”

  “So, she didn’t come from an agency?”

  “Not according to what Sheila said, no.”

  “This is making sense now.”

  “Why? What do you mean?”

  “Her Russian boyfriend is involved with Dom Duggan and his drug empire. Don’t you think it’s something of a coincidence that she started working here just after me and Jack began investigating their operation?”

  “Is that a fact?”

  “Yeah, I’ve sussed her little game.” I nodded.

  “So, what are you going to do?” Pauline asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  Chapter 43

  Jack

  Vivien wasn’t too pleased when she found out I’d taken the kids out of school. I couldn’t do anything right in her eyes. I had to protect them somehow. They broke up anyway mid-week for the start of the Easter break. I had to go with my instincts and their safety was my number one priority. I could cope with the wrath of Vivien, but I couldn’t face the consequences if anything happened to Megan and Ryan. They saw it as a bit of fun. They had no concept of how serious the situation was. I couldn’t keep them out of school indefinitely though. The thugs threatening me had to be caught. For now, Sophie’s suspension had come in handy and she didn’t seem to mind looking after them while I worked.

  I walked into Carmen’s old local off Wash Lane. I didn’t recognise the guy sat with Snakehips i
mmediately. He hadn’t had a shave in a while and his black and grey beard did nothing to enhance his appearance. Snakehips wriggled in his seat when he saw me. He’d been rolling up tobacco when I walked in. He put the packet away. I walked straight over to his table, in no mood to be messed about.

  “Move over,” I said as I parked my backside on the plastic-looking sofa. Snakehips had no choice but to quickly hutch himself along. If he hadn’t, I’d have sat on him.

  “Look, I’m sorry about the other week, Jack. I honestly had no idea.”

  “It hasn’t gone unnoticed you’ve been avoiding me,” I said.

  “Err, well, I’ve been busy. There’s a lot been happening.” He looked at the scruffily-dressed man sat next to him. As well as sporting a beard, his grey hair curled up over his collar and looked unkempt. He wore a tartan waistcoat and black jeans.

  “Don’t I know it.” I raised my eyebrows.

  “You’ve met Lovejoy, haven’t you?” Snakehips pointed at his associate. Lovejoy had acquired his nickname because of his love of antiques, so was named after the main character in the popular TV programme of the same name. He didn’t just love antiques, he loved taking other peoples’, out of their houses.

  “Yes, we’ve met before,” I said, nodding.

  “I’ve nothing for you at the moment, Jack,” Snakehips said as he downed the last of his pint.

  “Here you are, Lovejoy. Get the drinks in.” I handed a twenty-pound note to Lovejoy. “Mine’s a coke, and don’t forget the change.” I waited until Lovejoy was out of earshot and checked around me before I spoke.

  “I’m after a favour from you, Snakehips. After all, you do owe me one.”

  “Look I’m sorry for what happened to you. I never suspected it was a set up.”

  “So, you never mentioned anything to the Duggans about me keeping an eye on them.”

  “No, you know me I wouldn’t do anything like that,” he said avoiding eye contact. I couldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.

  “No, I’m sure you wouldn’t,” I said with a short laugh.