Beth shivered as she remembered the fear and helplessness she felt yesterday when they had been caught under the pier.
‘I know I said we should stay together but this is a better idea,’ he added.
‘Well I want to go with you!’ Dan said defiantly.
‘What good would that do Dan?’ Bill asked him kindly. ‘No I’m sorry but this is the only way,’ Bill said, climbing to his feet awkwardly and brushing himself down. ‘So you think he went after his pack?’ he asked Beth.
‘It’s a possibility,’ she replied sighing and remembering the look on Nick’s face. ‘Something must have happened.’
‘So I’ll go there first,’ he told her. ‘Back to the hotel we stayed at. It can’t be all that far from here.’ He looked at Dan. ‘Please mate,’ he said. ‘Stay here and help Beth look after the girls. If Nick is out there I’ll find him.’
‘The hotel is just across the park. You’ll see the sea and then it’s up the hill a bit,’ Beth told him.
‘Ok, I won’t be long then.’ Bill smiled. He knew that he didn’t have to tell her what to do if he didn’t come back. ‘Is that ok with you then Dan?’ he asked the boy. ‘Somebody's got to take care of the girls.’
‘Spose,’ Dan said sulkily, sitting back down. He wasn’t happy about it though and he resolved to himself silently that if Bill didn't come back soon he would go out and look for Nick himself.
‘That’s it settled then,’ Bill said, leaning down and picking up a fresh bottle of water. ‘I’ll be back as quick as I can.’ he told them all, then looked out of the window. ‘Oh that’s just typical,’ he said disgustedly. ‘It’s started to bloody rain.’
Andrew had known yesterday that the strangers would go into hiding, so when the call came through to search the town on foot he sighed with relief. At last someone was making some sense. He was sitting with his team in their black Range Rover just near the park. They had already been out searching the shops all morning but it had begun to rain so they had decided to take a break.
‘Hey Andrew,’ Gareth said from the back seat. ‘Did you say that one of those people looked like a bloody great giant?’
‘That’s what Brett told me,’ Andrew replied. ‘Why?’ he asked, pulling open a bag of cheese and onion crisps.
‘Do you think that might be him?’ Gareth smiled. Andrew turned to look out of the back window. At the sight of Bill heading right towards them through the rain he dropped his crisps and they went everywhere.
‘Jesus yes!’ Andrew started brushing crisps from his legs. ‘That’s got to be him.’
Bill had looked out of the shop window for a few seconds before leaving, shaking his head. He hated rain but he hadn't seen anyone out there, so he had walked out onto the street and headed straight for the park entrance. His massive t-shirt was completely soaked by the time he had got halfway towards it and he wasn’t feeling very happy. The chance of getting killed was one thing but he really didn’t like getting wet. In the downpour he didn’t notice that the black Range Rover parked near to the entrance to the park was full of men.
Andrew spoke to his men calmly. ‘Ok everybody please remember that there’s to be no violence. We only want to talk to him. He is going to be spooked by what happened yesterday with Brett but we will need to stay calm. I will get out on my own. You lot stay in the car no matter what happens.’ With that Andrew opened the door and stepped out into the downpour.
Bill was walking hunched over against the rain. Being wet seemed to make all of his injuries hurt more and his mood was bad. He had decided that he would just get to the park and wait underneath a tree until the rain slowed down a bit. He had just walked carefully around a particularly big puddle when he looked up and noticed a movement in front of him, then a car door opened and a man stepped out into the rain.
‘Bollocks!’ He shouted angrily then stopped and stood up straight, his anger overwhelming the pain from his recent fights. ‘You just get back into your car and fuck off little man. ‘You really don’t want to get in my way today!’ The rain was getting even harder now, making it difficult to see properly, and he was completely soaked. It was not helping his mood at all.
Andrew held up his hands. The rain immediately started to run down the sleeves of his coat. ‘I would just like to talk to you!’ he shouted back. The few seconds out in the rain had completely soaked him.
‘About what?’ Bill bellowed
‘Please,’ Andrew shouted at him.’ Can we just get out of this rain?’ He pointed to a bus shelter nearby. ‘Can we just talk under there?’
Bill looked over at the bus shelter. He had to admit that this was getting pretty ridiculous and he really did want to get out of this rain. He looked at the man for a second.
‘Ok then,’ he shouted back. ‘Lead on little man.’
Andrew jogged over to the bus shelter and then he turned to watch as the big man stomped towards him. He had to admit that he was a feeling very nervous. Apparently this man had helped kill two of Brett’s men only yesterday.
‘I fuckin’ hate the rain!’ The giant said as he finally came under the shelter. ‘So what’s on your mind little man?’
Andrew looked up at him. In the small bus shelter he looked even bigger. He also looked battered and bruised but Andrew didn’t think that would stop him from squashing him like a bug. He took a step back and he didn’t waste any time. ‘Your friend Nick is safe back at our hotel. Our governor wishes to apologise for our men’s behaviour yesterday. They were acting independently and not under orders. Our governor would like you to come back to our hotel and meet with him,’ he said quickly.
‘You’re fucking kidding’ me!’ Bill said. ‘You’re staying at a hotel? And we thought we were acting stupid yesterday, pretending that we were on holiday!’
Chapter twenty six
After Andrew had explained some of the situation with Brett, Bill relaxed slightly, but he was still not totally convinced that he was being told the truth. He knew that it could still be a trap and he wouldn’t involve the girls and Dan unless he was completely convinced.
Andrew finally came up with the idea of getting Nick on the radio. ‘He will confirm everything that I’ve told you is true,’ Andrew told him earnestly. ‘And why would I lie to you now? I have four men in that car with shotguns.’
‘Are you threatening me now little man?’ Bill suddenly glared at him.
Andrew took a step back, holding up his hands in defence. ‘No! Of course not. I’m just making a point. If we had wanted to, we could have shot you while you were dodging puddles out there a minute ago.’
Bill slumped down onto the bench inside the bus shelter and Andrew sighed with relief. For a moment there he thought he was going to get his head pulled off. He remained standing and looked at the big man. With him now sitting, their heads were roughly the same height. It was a relief to his wounded neck.
‘Ok then little man, I have a plan,’ Bill told him.
‘You do?’ Andrew asked worriedly.
‘Yes.’
Andrew looked at him curiously. ‘Is this plan something that you would like to share with me?’
‘Don’t get funny with me little man. I’m just seconds away from pulling your arms off!’
‘I’m sorry,’ Andrew said patiently. ‘I shouldn't have been flippant. Please tell me your plan,’ he said, thinking that it was a lucky fluke that let him and his team find this bloke. He couldn’t imagine any of the other teams having the patience to deal with him like this.
‘I’m still thinking it through,’ Bill told him bluntly.
‘Ok.’
‘Right! First of all get all your men to leave the shotguns in the car and then get them out of it.’
‘Ok. And then?’
‘Then get them to bugger off back to your hotel and take the rest of the day off.’
‘Fine.’ Andrew nodded.
‘Then I go and get in the driver’s seat of your car!’ Bill studied the man’s face for any reaction to that but there was non
e. This could still be a really complicated trap, Bill thought, but he was starting to think this man might just be telling the truth. ‘Then you come and get in the front seat and we go for a drive,’ Bill finished. ‘Just you and me!’
Andrew sighed deeply. David definitely owed him for this one. ‘Ok if that’s what you want,’ he said and made as if to leave the shelter of the bus stop.
Bill held out a massive arm to stop him. ‘You can shout to them from here,’ he told him.
It then took a lot of shouting from Andrew to get his men to understand that everything was ok and that they were to get out of the car. They finally got out though and began walking off up the street grumbling about the rain. They threw the odd confused glance back as Bill went over to the car. He opened all the doors in case anyone was still hiding in there. Noticing the two shotguns in the back, he pulled each one out unloaded it and then threw the shells over the wall into the park. After that he cranked the driver’s seat right back then climbed in and turned the ignition, starting the car. He turned the heating up to full then wound down the window before beckoning to Andrew to come over and get in. Once Andrew was in the now very steamed up car he pulled away slowly.
‘May I ask where we are going?’ Andrew asked as the vehicle started to move.
‘Nowhere in particular,’ Bill told him. ‘Now get on that radio.’
Andrew called the hotel and explained the situation to the radio operator. It took some time before Bill finally heard Nick’s voice coming out of the speaker. By then he was almost dry and in a much better mood.
‘It’s good to hear your voice Nick,’ Bill said.
‘You’re supposed to say over when you’ve finished speaking on a radio,’ Nick told him.
Bill had to smile. ‘You crazy bastard we thought you were dead.’
‘I’m fine Bill. It’s good to hear your voice too. How are the others?’
‘Everyone’s ok Nick. Dan sends his love.’
Nick laughed at that.
‘Kate said to say hello too Nick?’ Bill told him.
‘What are you talking about Bill?’
‘Just checking mate,’ Bill answered. He guessed that everything must be ok then. He knew that Nick was sharp enough to notice the test.
‘Nice one Bill. Go pick up the others. I think they will like it here.’
‘See you soon Nick. Over and out.’
Bill drove back to the department store to pick up the others. They couldn’t believe the quick change of events and Beth sagged in relief. Dan was ecstatic at hearing that Nick was ok and the girls jumped up and down in excitement. They all got into the Range Rover, and Bill followed Andrew’s directions back to the hotel.
Once they were there Andrew took them straight up to the top floor. On the way up they all stared around in dis-belief. The sheer amount of people in the large hotel was daunting to them after so long on their own. They were taken to Nick’s room and Bill glared at the two men sitting on guard outside the door. Andrew noticed the look and explained to him that it was more for Nick’s protection than anything else. He then asked one of the men to unlock the door. He told Bill that he would be back soon, and that other rooms were being prepared for them, then he left them alone to greet Nick. He then went immediately to David’s room and knocked on the door. He heard it being unlocked before it was pulled open. David nodded to him as he walked in and sat straight down.
‘Locking your door now I see David.’
‘Yes. Brett has developed a bad habit of just walking in on me.’ David went to sit behind his desk.
Andrew nodded at him before saying, ‘well that was an extremely difficult situation.’
Back in Nick’s room there were smiles and laughter.
‘We thought we had lost you Nick,’ Beth told him after they had all eventually settled down.
‘You nearly did,’ he said, sitting back on the bed.
‘What happened to you? How did you end up here?’ She asked, sitting down beside him.
Bill sat down heavily in the only chair. He was near the end of his endurance now and he was the only one not smiling. ‘I bet he has made a deal,’ he said.
‘A deal? What kind of deal?’ Beth asked, looking worried again now.
‘It’s nothing Beth. Don’t worry about it,’ Nick said, nodding towards the kids. They were all looking out of the window and laughing together.
‘What kind of deal?’ she whispered to him.
‘I’ll tell you all about soon,’ he answered her quietly, nodding towards the kids again.
She frowned at that but didn’t say anything else as the kids turned away from the window.
‘Can we go and look around mum?’ Kay asked her. ‘This is a really big hotel.’
‘Yeah there’s loads of people here,’ Sammy added.
‘Soon girls, but we have to wait for the man to come back first.’
‘Are we locked in then?’ Kay asked.
‘Only for a little while I think.’ Beth looked at Nick questioningly.
‘I suspect that David will be along any second. I’ll get him to let you out. They are getting rooms sorted for you all,’ Nick told them.
They were all looking at him now. ‘Why are we locked in?’ Dan asked.
‘Yeah,’ Sammy asked as well. ‘Why are we locked in Nick?’
‘Listen, it’s a bit complicated but don’t worry. We can leave any time we want. The door is locked so that nobody can bother us,’ Nick told them. ‘When you get to your rooms it will be best if you lock the doors there as well.’
‘Why?’ Sammy asked.
‘It’s just safer Sammy,’ Nick told her.
‘Stop bothering Nick now darling. We will just have to wait for the man to come,’ Beth told her.
They didn’t have long to wait, because a few seconds later the door opened and Andrew walked in with David.
‘Hello everyone, it’s nice to meet you all,’ David said, smiling at everyone. ‘Is everything ok Nick?’
‘Everything’s great David, but I think it’s time to let them out. They don’t like being locked in.’
‘Of course, that’s not a problem. You know that the men outside are only for your protection,’ David said with another smile.
‘Yeah,’ Nick said, raising his eyebrows.
‘Protection from what?’ Beth asked, frowning again.
Nick stood up abruptly. He was tired and all the questions were giving him a headache. ‘Ok everyone listen to me for a second.’ He waited until they were all quiet and looking at him. ‘This man is called David.’ He pointed at David. ‘He is the leader of this community. They all looked at David and he smiled at them again. ‘What happened to us yesterday was not supposed to happen,’ he told them. ‘Now David is going to let us stay here for as long as we like. We are not prisoners and we can leave any time that we want.’ Nick paused to think for a second, trying to find the right words. He didn’t want to worry any of them, but he had to tell them something. He could tell from Bill’s expression that he had probably already guessed what was happening but the others didn’t really need to know all of the details. ‘What I suggest you all do is go with these men. They will take you to your rooms and bring you some food and water.’ He looked at David. ‘I assume that you will have Bill and Dan in one room and the girls in another?’ he asked him. When David nodded he carried on. ‘Ok. Have a rest, eat some food and chill for a bit,’ Nick told them. ‘You are allowed to leave your rooms but don’t forget all of the lessons we have learned over the past few days. Keep together and stay out of trouble.’
‘I want to stay with you Nick?’ Dan said.
‘Maybe later Dan, I have some things that I need to do for David. When they are done we can talk about what we are going to do next.’ Nick looked at David again. ‘Do you remember what I said David?’ he asked him.
‘Of course I remember Nick,’ David assured him. ‘They are completely safe here.’
‘Good.’ He glanced around at his friends.
‘Now will you all just go with David? I need to get on with some stuff.’
Beth looked at him suspiciously, but Bill stood up. ‘Come on then everyone let’s leave Nick in peace for a little while,’ he said.
Nick sighed with relief when the door was finally shut and locked again.
Chapter twenty seven
That night David went to Nick’s room and told him that Brett was in a rush to finish this. He had only managed to put off the event until Thursday evening.
‘He wanted to do it today,’ he told Nick.
Nick just shrugged and had to be reminded that today was Tuesday. David said that he had the whole of tomorrow and most of Thursday to prepare himself. Nick just smiled and said thanks. He then spent the next two days just sleeping and eating.
After speaking with David himself, Bill reluctantly told Beth about what Nick had agreed to do. She wasn’t very happy about it, and said that it was a stupid risk, but Bill explained to her that if Nick hadn’t agreed to do it then things could have been a lot worse for them. Nick would still be tied up or most likely dead, and who knows what would have happened to them by now. This way they would all be safe and then be allowed to leave under good terms. He told her that David had also agreed to supply them with vehicles, spare fuel and all the supplies that they could carry. Beth was worried that Nick could get hurt though, possibly killed. Bill assured her that if Nick could beat his brother, he would do fine against this Brett. He also reminded her about what Nick did on the pier. She nodded reluctantly, but they agreed that they wouldn’t tell the kids what was being arranged.
The three kids were having a great time. There were a few other kids in the community and they spent most of their time roaming the hotel and getting into trouble with them. There was only one thing that the girls didn’t like very much about the hotel, and that was the toilet arrangements. When they were shown the latrine built in the rear gardens of the hotel they were nearly sick, but the latrines were the only way to allow this many people to live together.
New World: Nick Smith Book one (Nick Smith Series 1) Page 17
