Memories In The Dark

by Dawn Tamayo

  “Then what?” He wondered what was so amusing because he thought this was rather serious.

  “Nothing!” Cathy and Juan answered in unison, looking at each other again.

  Cathy put her hand gently over Romero’s and smiled, “Okay Romero, it’s just that she’s a very pretty woman. That’s all. Well that, and you seem to have taken a big interest in her.” Cathy winked at him. She had known Romero via Juan for a long time, and she knew how professional and meticulous Romero was. Cathy had no doubt Romero would notice every tiny detail about someone, but there was something different about this; the way he described this woman didn’t sound like a policeman describing a potential missing person, there was something much more familiar about the way he spoke.

  Romero looked at Cathy with a ‘don’t give me any of that rubbish’ look.

  Smiling Cathy pulled her hand away. “No problem Romero. Text me her address when you have it and I’ll drop by. I’ll take her some clothes too, just in case she needs some to tide her over.”

  “Thanks Cathy.” Romero said kissing her on the cheek and said goodbye to his friend. He drained his coffee and walked off into the night intent on getting straight to bed because he had a phone call to make first thing in the morning.

  “Mrs Kendall, I am Sergeant Romero Sanchez, we met yesterday at the hospital.” Romero waited for the woman on the other end of the telephone to register who he was. “I need the contact details for Helen.”

  “Do you have some news for her? You know the consulate will need to be updated on any developments you have on her.” The woman said coldly.

  “No I don’t have any further development on her, but I do need her address. Now.” He didn’t want any discussions over data protection and such nonsense, he was the police and he was used to getting what he wanted the first time he asked for it, that was the way it worked in Spain. Romero wanted Helen’s address and he wanted it yesterday.

  The woman flustered around on the other end of the phone for a moment and then she read out Helen’s address.

  “Thank you. How was she when you left her?” Romero asked a little calmer now he had her address in his hands.

  “Fine I think. She was quiet, but then again who wouldn’t be in her situation.” The woman said off-handedly.

  Romero thanked her again, more out of politeness than gratitude. The woman seemed to have done her job, but considering her lack of warmth Romero had a feeling Helen had merely been placed in accommodation and that was where the help had ended.

  Romero sent a text message with Helen’s address across to Cathy and asked her to go there as soon as she could. He had to resist the urge to go himself – he wanted to, but he knew if he went to see Helen at her apartment today when he wasn’t on duty, then that was coming pretty close to crossing the line. It was one thing to send a friend, another woman, to see how she was doing. But to go there himself…..! Trying to take his mind off the situation Romero picked up his trainers and put them on, there was nothing more he could do for Helen now. Checking his phone again for any messages he put it in his back pocket and headed off out of the villa. Romero stretched out the muscles across his back and neck as he walked down the hill towards the beach, then he took off at a steady pace running along the promenade, taking in the morning sun and the sounds of the sea.

  Helen could hear the knocking at her apartment door and she tried to ignore it. She had no idea who it could be since Mrs Kendal from the consulate was the only person who knew where she was, and she hadn’t said she would be dropping by today. But, hard as Helen tried, she couldn’t ignore the constant knocking at her door as it went on and on – obviously, whoever it was, was very persistent and wouldn’t go away. Helen sat in the middle of her bed with her arms wrapped around her legs holding her knees tightly against her chest. It didn’t matter who it was, Helen didn’t want to answer the door - she wished they would just leave her alone and go away. She swallowed against the dryness in her throat and ignored the grumbling in her stomach. She had eaten the sandwich last night and finished the bottle of water sometime in the early hours of this morning, so that was the end of her supplies. She knew she had to get up and go out today because she desperately needed water, but she couldn’t face it, not yet - last night she thought things might feel differently in the morning when she woke up, however she had been lying on her bed for the last couple of hours trying to pluck up the courage to get up and go out, but it was no use, she couldn’t.

  “Helen, are you in there? My name is Cathy.”

  Helen sat still as she listened to the unfamiliar voice calling through her apartment front door, it was English and the woman seemed to know her name. She didn’t know if she was relieved or even more scared - who was this Cathy woman, how did she know her name and where she was staying? She wasn’t sure what to do so she sat still on the bed, hoping the woman would think she wasn’t home and give up and go away.

  Cathy knocked on the door again, harder this time. She didn’t know if Helen was in there or not, but as it was only just ten o’clock she thought there would be a good chance that she was, not many people were early risers around there. “Helen I know you’re in there, open up. I am a friend of Romero’s, Sergeant Sanchez. He has asked me to come by and see if you need anything.”

  Helen looked at the door when she heard Sergeant Sanchez’s name, thinking of the good-looking policeman in his dark blue uniform and sparkling deep brown eyes.

  The knocking sound carried on, “Come on Helen, I’ve got some tea and bacon sandwiches with me. English bacon too, not Spanish bacon.” The voice called through the door as if the origin of bacon was going to be a deal breaker.

  Finally, Helen moved off the bed. She had no idea if she was doing the right thing or not, but she was hungry and thirsty, and both tea and bacon sandwiches sounded too good to turn down. She paused at the door one final time - she didn’t know who she could trust, but if Sergeant Sanchez had sent this woman then she supposed she would be alright, Helen trusted him. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to make herself a little more presentable and then tentatively opened the apartment door.

  Cathy stepped back as the door opened - she didn’t want to crowd the woman behind it because she looked frightened enough as it was. She was glad now she had thought to put together some food and drink before she left her bar this morning; after what Romero had said she imagined, if it was her in Helen’s situation, then she would be scared to death and be happy to see a friendly face at her door holding something tasty to eat.

  “Hi, I’m Cathy.” Cathy said holding up the flask and paper bag of breakfast, “Can I come in?”

  Helen nodded smiling weakly and stepped back from the door, “I’m Helen, but then I guess you already know that.”

  She watched as Cathy put her bags down and looked around the room.

  “Aren’t you going to open the curtains? And the windows too for that matter, it’s really hot in here.” Cathy walked towards the curtains, but stopped as Helen called out.

  “No please don’t!”

  Cathy stood and looked at Helen seeing she was shaking. She wondered if Helen needed a doctor, Romero said she had been hurt. Cathy knew she wasn’t a drug addict or an alcoholic because Romero would never have sent her there is she was, so she wasn’t sure why Helen was shaking, or what was wrong. “Do you need a doctor, you don’t look very well.”

  “No, I’m fine thanks. I could use a drink and something to eat though.” Helen said smiling at the flask and bag Cathy had put on the table.

  “Of course.” Cathy opened them up quickly and handed across a bacon sandwich and poured a cup of tea for Helen. She watched as Helen drank the tea quickly and finally relaxed in the chair at the little table. As Helen ate slowly the shaking subsided.

  Never one to be a wall-flower Cathy walked over to the kitchen cupboards opening them up to look inside. She found them empty, totally bare.

  “Where’s all your food?” She asked, “Didn’t the woman
from the consulate get you sorted with food and stuff yesterday?” Cathy went back over and sat on the bed next to Helen’s chair, she thought she could hardly swing a cat in the tiny studio.

  “No, she was in a hurry to get to a meeting. I was going to go shopping after she left but I couldn’t face it.” Helen said in between bites, she was enjoying her sandwich very much.

  “Okay then, after you finish that we can go shopping and get you some food and drink. We need to stock these cupboards up.

  “That’s very sweet of you Cathy, but I’m not ready to go out yet.”

  “Ok, well how about this then? I thought you might need some clothes; Romero said you didn’t have any and you were about the same size as me, which is more or less true. So there are some trousers and a couple of tops in there for you.”

  Helen looked at Cathy and she swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. Her eyes stung with tears as the sheer kindness of this woman. “That’s really kind of you.”

  “Aaha, and that’s not all.” Helen watched as Cathy excitedly pulled out another bag from inside the larger one, “If you are anything like me you must need a brush and some moisturising cream - I don’t’ know about you but I would be lost without either. And you are welcome to raid my make-up bag too if you need anything to start you off with. Don’t worry, we’ll have you back on your feet in no time.” Cathy smiled brightly at Helen.

  Helen continued to enjoy her sandwich as she looked at the pretty blonde woman. Cathy was about her height but a little thinner, and her skin was tanned from the strong Spanish sun. She couldn’t help but wonder why Cathy was being so nice to her; firstly the food and drink, and now a bag of clothes and things. “I don’t know what to say! You’re a very nice person. Sergeant Sanchez is lucky to have you. Thank you.”

  She saw Cathy look at her strangely, but she supposed she did look a sight and was relieved she could actually do something about it now.

  “Well now I have some clean clothes to change into I think I would like to take a shower.” Helen said smiling as she took a clean pair of black linen trousers and a white vest top out of the bag. Reaching further inside she pulled out a white bra and pair of pants.

  “I didn’t know what you needed so I put them in just in case. I think the bra may be a little bit small,” she laughed as Helen held it up to her larger breasts, “but I guess it will do for now.”

  “Definitely. Thank you. You have no idea how grateful I am.” Helen smiled as she headed for the bathroom looking forward to feeling a bit more human once she had some decent clothes on, had brushed her hair, and applied some moisturiser.

  “So, when you get out of the bathroom let’s go and take a walk and get your shopping.” Cathy tried again.

  “No.” Helen said abruptly. She hadn’t meant to be rude and she knew it had come out that way. “Look I am sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I just can’t. Thank you for your clothes and I promise I will give them back to you and repay you for everything. But I am not feeling too good and I just want to take a shower, or bath, and rest.”

  Cathy nodded, she knew when she was beaten. It was obvious Helen had no intentions of going anywhere today.

  “Well at least let me open the windows.” Cathy walked across the room to the curtains.

  “No!” Helen said backing up against the wall furthest away from the window.

  “Why not? Helen it’s baking in here, you’re going to make yourself sick.” Cathy said getting frustrated, she couldn’t see any air conditioning vents which didn’t surprise her considering the accommodation was obviously cheap and basic, so she needed to get the windows open or it was going to turn into a mini oven in there as the day went on.

  “Because I don’t know who’s out there!” Helen replied in exasperation. Why wouldn’t this woman just give up? She was very grateful for the clothes and food, but now Helen wanted her to go and leave her alone.

  “Who’s out there? Do you remember something?”

  “No, but that’s the point. All this could have been just some stupid accident, but what if it wasn’t? Why was I out walking in my nightdress in the middle of the night, because seriously I couldn’t have been wearing that tiny thing for anything other than bed! Why was I soaking wet and where were my shoes and bag? How did I hurt my head? What if someone did something to me deliberately? I’m scared Cathy, I am really, really, scared!” Then the tears started to fall. Helen had been trying to hold them back but they just wouldn’t stay there. Saying the words out loud only made her realise how very true they were. She was scared; scared of everything right now. “Oh crap!” Helen said as she stormed into the bathroom slamming the door behind her - she hated being so weak, and even worse than that, being that way in front of a total stranger. She needed to get herself together, and she really wanted to, but it just wasn’t that easy.

  Cathy stood rooted to the spot and looked at the closed bathroom door surprised. She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone from her bag. As she pushed the connect button she waited for an answer and tapped her foot on the floor.

  Romero finished his run and went back to his villa. The sun had been hot and he relished the sensation of the cool shower water as it cascaded down his bronzed body. He heard his phone ringing and reached for the towel. Stepping out the shower he rubbed down his tired muscles; he never did things by halves and he liked to push himself just that little bit further each time until his body cried out for no more. Running along the beachfront in the mornings was one of his favourite things to do, and most definitely his preferred way to start off the day. Drying his hands he reached for his phone and cursed when he realised he had missed Cathy’s call. Romero dialled his voicemail and listened to her message:

  “Romero it’s Cathy. I am in Helen’s apartment right now and I don’t think she is doing very well at all. The consulate woman put her in a cheap little studio and just left her there. She has no food and drink in the cupboards and she’s refusing to leave the apartment - she says she’s scared, and I believe her. She won’t even open the curtains! I’m not sure what to do, but I can’t leave her like this. Can you phone me back please?”

  He quickly pressed Cathy’s number on his phone while he pulled clothes out of the wardrobe at the same time.

  “Romero, thank goodness. I really don’t know what to do.” Cathy said relieved to hear his voice on the other end of the phone. She didn’t know this woman at all, but she did know that something was seriously wrong.

  “Where is Helen now?” His voice was edged with concern.

  “She’s in the bathroom having a shower, but she’s refusing to go outside. There’s nothing here Romero, absolutely nothing. If she won’t go out then I’ll go for her, someone’s got to do it, she needs food and drink.”

  “No stay with her until I get there, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Romero hung up and threw his phone on the bed while he pulled a shirt over his head. He pulled his trousers up quickly and grabbed his phone and keys as he thrust his feet into his shoes, slamming the front door behind him he ran to his car. Romero wasn’t sure what he was doing right now, he should have just sent Cathy out for some groceries and be done with it. But he couldn’t - the image of Helen standing alone, looking vulnerable and innocent by the hospital window flashed through his mind continuously. In fact that was all he had thought about all night, and that bothered him. He would sort this out himself, he was going to go there and talk some sense into Helen. She was perfectly safe, no one even knew where she was. And even if, in the remote chance, someone had hurt her, the likelihood of her being found in the centre of Benidorm would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Romero knew the area where she was staying and even though it wasn’t the prettiest part of town, it probably was the best place for her to be because it was so busy she could lose herself in the crowds. He tried to reason with himself that since no one knew where she was, apart from the British Consulate and himself, Helen should be alright.

  “Mujeres!” Romero muttere
d to himself - in his opinion women were always overly dramatic, so he was hoping Cathy was exaggerating the situation. He turned the key in the ignition, hearing the engine roar to life. He thought Cathy was a sweet woman and he could see why Juan had fallen in love with her, but she would adopt every stray kitten if Juan let her, so this was probably her being overly sensitive and he would be wasting his time. Regardless, Romero couldn’t shake the feeling he needed to check for himself. Besides, this was his fault for sending Cathy over there in the first place. If he was quick it would only take him ten or fifteen minutes to get there, and he could have it all sorted out by lunchtime. Then he could get on with the rest of his day off.

  Romero left his silver car in front of the building and almost ran up the steps to Helen’s studio. He knocked on the apartment door and stepped straight inside as Cathy opened it. Politely he thanked her, but one look at Romero’s face sent Cathy straight out into the hallways to leave him to deal with the situation alone. Cathy stood outside craning to hear - she had never seen Romero look so serious before, she had only ever seen the joking and smiling man who visited her husband at their bar. Right now, there was nothing joking or laughing in his face, he was deadly serious. Cathy hoped she had done the right thing by calling him, ‘but then again’, she thought, ‘he was the one who asked her to go’.

  Romero stood looking around the tiny studio room and pulled the curtains open wide revealing the road below and the intrusive windows of the building across the way. He wrinkled his nose up at the drab décor which had definitely seen better days. “Helen!” Romero called and waited for her to come out of the bathroom.

  “Sergeant Sanchez?” Helen asked through the closed bathroom door, she was surprised to hear his voice.

  “Yes Helen, come out please.” He stood with his hands on his hips as he waited.