‘You can come visit, I’d love to see you again.’
Will knew deep down that wasn’t going to happen. Australia had strict entry rules and suspected his custodial stay wasn’t going to help his cause. Fate shits in his lap once more. He returned her kisses and this time when they made love it was somehow better. He knew now what people with terminal illnesses meant when they said life was improved in some ways. He felt every touch, every caress as though it was the last they would have. He had always had a bad habit of not appreciating something until it was gone. Well she was still here in his arms and this time he was going to savour every last intense moment.
15.00 hrs
A persistent gentle knock at the door roused them from their dozing state and Will slid out of the damp, sweaty sheets and opened the door.
‘I’m going back to get my things. Penny wants me to stay at hers for our last night. I want to as well.’ Aiden looked almost guilty, but he had clearly made his mind up.
He turned round to look at Elaine who had raised herself up on one elbow with the sheet only just covering her modesty.
‘Go and get yours as well.’
Will grinned big time, went over and kissed her hard on the lips. ‘See you in a bit.’
It took thirty minutes to walk back to their huts but in this time Aiden had declared he was hook line and sinker in love and was more animated and alive than at any time Will had seen, even including the time before Freja’s untimely death. Apparently Penny felt the same. They were going to meet up when they got back, it was only an hour on the train after all and neither of them could wait.
Will had a strange combination of emotions running through his mind. A weird happy buzz, tinged with jealousy and sadness. He was happy for his friend though.
He was also happy for Carl. He greeted them from the East European’s balcony, beer in hand. The railing blocked the view of below his belly button but Will suspected he was also naked.
‘Happy days eh?’ he said. ‘Where have you two been?’
‘We’ve been looking for you,’ Will smiled. ‘We thought you had been abducted.’
‘I had, in the best possible way.’
Will explained, from a distance, what they were going to do and why and Carl beamed at them.
‘No worries, I’ll meet you at the dock tomorrow morning for the ferry back to Samui. Ours is at ten, then the flight back to Bangkok leaves there at four, so we have plenty of time.’
‘Have you seen Darren?’ Aiden asked.
‘No, I checked his place and all his stuff has gone. He must have done the same as you. Looks like we all had a pleasant evening.’
37
12th February 2009
09:45 hrs
Will kissed a teary Elaine for the last time and walked up the gangplank. Aiden had found a spot at the side of the boat so they could wave as they left. To say Will felt blue was a gross understatement. He looked at Aiden who was waving like a schoolchild leaving his parents to go to camp. He had no misgivings that things weren’t going to work out for him. He had even said he was looking forward to going home so it would be sooner when he could meet up with her again.
‘Chin up Will, there will be other girls,’ Carl commiserated.
Not like her he thought.
‘It’s probably for the best, otherwise I would have worn my penis down to a small useless stub,’ Will joked, but he didn’t laugh.
‘I feel you buddy, I’m going to have to put my John Thomas in a cryogenic chamber for a month when I get home, see if I can breathe some life back into it.’
There was still no sign of Darren, but that wasn’t unusual for him to do whatever the hell he liked. Their thoughts were on other things and they waved until they were out of sight.
15.00 hrs
They stood outside the airport sweating in the afternoon sun. Carl broke the silence.
‘Come on, let’s go in, it’s his fault if he doesn’t show up.’
Will took a deep breath, but all of a sudden he knew it was the right thing.
‘I’m not going either.’
‘What?’ they both chimed.
‘I’m staying.’
‘But Elaine goes in a few days anyway?’ Aiden said with a puzzled look on his face.
‘No, I’m not going back to her, I’m going to go to Kho Tao. I checked it out. I’m going to do my advanced PADI and if I like it, my Divemaster and be an instructor. I’m not ready to go back. I want to chill in the sun for a while longer. I’ve finally got the money and I’m already here.’
‘Why don’t you come home and leave in a bit, arrange things at home? What are you going to do with your house?’ Carl said with a concerned look.
‘To be honest I’m scared that if I go back I’ll never get the inertia to come back and the chance will be gone. As for the house Aiden, I was hoping that you would rent it out for me while I’m gone. You should be able to get enough to cover the mortgage and then I’m in no rush to come back.’
‘Sure, I’ll do that for you. I’ll miss you Will.’
‘I know Aiden, but this is something I should have done a long time ago.’
‘I’ll rent your house,’ Carl stated. At Will’s frown he continued.
‘I’ve been thinking for a long time that I want to move home. I’m tired of working for someone else and the bonkers hours. I’m going to set up my own accountancy firm. This is a sign.’
‘Cool. Make sure you keep the house in the pristine condition you find it in.’
He watched the others walk into the airport and waved down a Tuk Tuk.
‘I want to go to Kho Tao please.’
‘No problem my friend, I take you to dock, my brother have boat. Very good price for nice guy like you.’
They sped off into the traffic and Will pondered his decision. He crossed his arms and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Nodding his head, he broke into a full grin, it was the right one.
38
24th September 2011
Will looked out of the window as the train trundled through the outskirts of Peterborough. The familiar sites were still there but he could also see new housing estates and roads. He thought back to that Christmas when he had come back, freezing in his seat and worried about getting caught without a ticket. Incredibly it was nearly fifteen years ago. The city had changed, but he wondered had he?
Well he had at least bought a ticket this time and he was relaxed and content. The train carried on surrounded by autumn trees shrouded in amazing colour. He thought of all the times he had been on this train and was sure that this was the first time he had ever really seen them. England was a beautiful place. He felt he had ticked a big box by seeing some of the world but he was ready to come home now. After he alighted he fought his way through the commuters all going the other way to London and felt like an alien seeing a crazy new civilization for the first time. He would not be going back to the nine to five, he knew that much.
However at the back of his mind he could feel a small black spot of worry which whilst miniscule at the moment, he could feel it strengthening. He was worried about what he would do for a job and money and for the first time in his life no longer felt young. He was so glad he had his house back here, because otherwise all he would be returning with was a killer of a sun tan and a pickled liver. He lugged his backpack round to the short stay car park and saw Carl flashing his lights at him, sitting in an elegant, sleek, silver Mercedes. The passenger seat was taken by a perfectly groomed creature who looked young enough to be his daughter, but judging by the kiss they shared as he went round the side of the car, she wasn’t.
He opened the back door and threw his rucksack onto the far seat and slid onto the leather seat.
‘I see business must be tough Carlos.’ He smiled as he said it, noticing Carl looking dapper as usual. The interior of the car was a battlefield between expensive his and her scents which made Will very much aware of his long journey home. He hoped Eau de Thai Airways and
hint of dive bum didn’t invade the war and triumph.
‘It’s tough spending it all William. This is Adele, she’s my secretary.’
He reached through to the front and shook her perfectly manicured hand. It was hard to tell what she looked like, so thick was the make-up, but her smile did at least reach her eyes behind the trendy glasses.
‘So how was it?’ Carl asked.
‘If you read or replied to my emails you would not need to ask that question, but seeing as you are enquiring now, it was awesome, thank you.’
‘I’ve been so busy setting up the business that I’ve barely had time to trump,’ Carl laughed. ‘I saw all your pictures on your Facebook. Trip of a lifetime eh?’
Will smiled thinking back, it had been. Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. He had travelled and worked as a diving instructor through them all. The pay was often accommodation and food but his money had stretched easily. He still had a bit left so he wouldn’t need to work immediately, although he had almost fainted when he had been charged two quid for a water at King’s Cross station. He could have eaten out for that in most places he’d been to and had a cocktail whilst he waited.
‘Aiden is well pleased you came back. He wanted us all to be here. To be honest I hardly see him. I hate to quote Forrest Gump, but they are literally like peas and carrots. They told nobody about the wedding, just returned last Sunday and changed their status on Facebook to married. Gretna Green apparently, maybe homage to his Scottish roots. I guess they didn’t want a fuss.’ Carl drove as he talked, handling the car well. It was smooth and quiet and very different from the shambolic transport Will was used to.
‘Instead they booked a table tonight to celebrate and invited their closest friends. She hasn’t really got any family either bar an absent father. Just her younger sister who is coming I think.’
‘Who else is coming?’
‘No idea, I think he is expecting about fifteen but he said they were invited from all over the place and he wasn’t sure who was going to make it.’
Will immediately thought of Elaine. He had pushed the thought away whenever he thought about the possibility of her coming. It would obviously be great to see her again but if she rocked up with some handsome boyfriend it would be a considerable downer on his return. They had emailed regularly to start with but as the months went by the time between each one lengthened. About six months ago she had hinted at a boyfriend and he had not heard from her since.
‘How is Darren, I heard he managed to make the plane back then?’
‘Yes, he reckoned he was getting some heat from the locals after a fight but was his usual vague self. He went back to the Middle East for a while but he said he’s done with all that now and wants to buy a pub of all things. He is living with some lunatic he has been dating so I don’t see much of him either.’
They pulled up outside Will’s house around nine thirty. Carl laughed, ‘I made up the spare room for you, but Aiden said you can stay at his if you want. It’s good timing you being back Will. I’ve just completed on one of those new riverside flats in town so you can have your house back. I’ll see you tonight at The Peking at seven. I’ve got something to do at the office.’
Will caught the little look between Carl and Adele and shook his head.
‘Aiden is home as he is off work with a dicky knee. He said for you to knock round as soon as you get back.’
Will got out of the car and watched and waved as Carl smoothly drove off. He looked up at his house warmly. He found his key in his pocket but before he could let himself in Aiden opened his door, hobbled over and embraced him in a bear hug.
‘Welcome home mate. Come in, I’ve got the kettle on.’
Will sat on the comfy sofa and looked about the lounge. It was still pristine and striking but there was now a homely woman’s touch about the place. Flowers adorned the window sill and a big photograph of the happy couple sat above the fireplace.
‘Eloped eh?’ Will said, gesturing to the picture.
‘Yes, Penny’s idea really but I was happy to make her happy,’ he said smiling. ‘She couldn’t be doing with the fuss and thought it would be romantic.’
‘Cool. Was it?’
‘Yes, it was brilliant,’ Aiden gushed. His feelings for his wife were written all over his face.
‘So things are great for you then, I’m pleased for you pal.’
‘Not that great actually. I keep having gyp from my knee. No doubt lugging all those heavy post bags on top of all that rugby has left its mark. I’ve got an appointment with the specialist at eleven today but it doesn’t look good. Work have offered me a job in the offices but you know me and paperwork.’
They chatted until Aiden left for his assessment and then Will let himself into his own house. He smiled as he walked around the place as it looked exactly the same as when he had left it eighteen months ago. He felt like a shower but the journey had caught up with him. He had never been able to sleep on planes, so he climbed into the spare bed and was asleep in seconds.
* * *
He woke at about five feeling refreshed and full of beans. He could hear voices downstairs but decided to have a shower. Afterwards he wandered into his old bedroom and checked the built in wardrobes to see if any of his old clothes were still there. It seemed to be the only place Carl had made a mark. The bed was new and freshly made and the hangers all had clothes with expensive labels hanging on them. Never mind he thought, he had brought a new shirt and jeans at the airport. He noticed Carl’s feet were the same size as his and he chuckled to himself as he picked a smart looking pair up and took them with him.
Darren was downstairs and greeted him with the same firm handshake and calculating look he had given him when they had first met at school. However he then slapped Will on the back and picked up a big carrier bag.
‘I got you a present.’ He handed him a heavy parcel which Will opened to reveal a cool looking jacket. He pulled it on and was pleased to find it fit reasonably well. It was a damn sight better than his other options which probably had sand on them. All of a sudden his travelling days seemed a long time ago. No more sandals and shorts and beers in wooden shacks.
Carl gave him a bottle of lager and disappeared for a shower.
‘How are things then Darren?’
‘Great.’
Will deliberately didn’t say anything, wondering if Darren would bring up Thailand. He didn’t.
‘Nice to be back?’
‘Time will tell I guess, but yes it’s good to see everyone. I even missed my family, well, obviously not Nathan.’
Darren laughed and chinked his bottle against Wills.
‘What’s your plan Stan?’
Will took a sip of his beer. He looked at the brand, which was Stella. It was very different to the local stuff he had been glugging, but was refreshing none the less.
‘I’m not sure. Get a job obviously, but God knows doing what. I can’t see me wearing a suit again, but I’m an ex-convict, pushing forty, no qualifications to speak of and a gap on my CV the size of the Grand Canyon.’
‘Come work for me.’
‘It’s a long time since I worked behind a bar and if you forgive my lack of enthusiasm you don’t know anything about running a pub.’
‘You don’t know anything about satisfying a woman yet you still give it a go.’
Will choked on his beer as he laughed. Just like old times.
‘So that little skunk Carl told you did he?’
Will didn’t even want to think what working in Darren’s pub would be like so he changed the subject.
‘I hear you live with a delightful creature?’ It was Darren’s turn to choke on his drink.
‘She is frothing mad. And if that’s me saying it you know it’s bad. I’m going to move out as soon as this pub deal goes through. You haven’t asked where the pub is.’
‘Go on.’
‘It’s the Anne Boleyn.’
Will was dumbfounded. It
was possibly the worst pub he had ever been in. He didn’t want to piss on Darren’s parade so he tread softly.
‘Not the most popular establishment in town, hasn’t it been boarded up for years?’
‘Yep, that’s why I got it so cheap. I’ll do it up and I’m a man about town nowadays so I’ll bring in the business. Think about it, I’ll make you a manager, it can’t be rocket science. You would be good at it. I’ll need people I can trust.’
That last comment hung in the air.
‘I’ll think about it mate. Although it’s nice to be offered anything.’
‘So tell me about all the birds then?’
The mood lightened as Will explained how teaching diving and pulling the students was like shooting fish in a barrel and soon it was time to go to the restaurant.
39
The three of them stepped out of the house at six p.m. and Will noticed a variety of cars clogging up the street. Will knocked on Aiden’s door and when it opened he found himself looking at Elaine. His voice caught in his throat as he huskily said hello.
‘William. Good to see you again.’
She looked different somehow, but before he had chance to ask the myriad of questions that suddenly clamoured to be answered a tide of people swarmed out of the house. Aiden rapidly introduced the people who Will hadn’t met which comprised Penny’s sister and three of her old school friends and their partners. Either he assumed everyone else had met at some point or Aiden was chomping to get going so he just left it at that. The restaurant was an old grain barge situated on the river and was within walking distance so they all set off.
He tried to manoeuvre himself next to Elaine as the group walked along but instead found himself interrogated by Penny’s sister Dawn. Dawn liked to talk.
‘So anyway, when I’m finished Uni, I’m going to go travelling, like you did. Cool uh? Then I want to work in purchasing for a fashion label. I love fashion and fashion loves me. I want to work in the States too. I heard you’ve been in prison, cool eh?’
Lazy Blood: a powerful page-turning thriller Page 25
