Weapon of Desire

by Brook, L M

  “Yes that is the plan.” I’m squirming in my seat as the whole table seems to join the conversation. I look up across to Daniel registering his solemn eyes. I hate doing this to him, I feel as though I’m literally sticking a knife in his stomach.

  “Then I want to have lots of babies.” Anthony grins down at me “I’m not getting any younger!”

  “One will be enough!” I reply smiling at Mum and Anthony.

  “We always talked about lots of kids, didn’t we Darcey?” Daniel cuts through the joviality and the table sinks into silence.

  “Daniel you’ll make a great Dad one day but you’re still young and so busy with your career right now. The time will come.” Mum smiles sweetly at him and I know he’ll not try to throw back her kindness.

  “Yes Rosemary you’re right I’m still young, there’s no rush… I can wait.” Daniel grins at Anthony who is button lipped and still firmly holding my hand.

  Starters are placed in front of us and lighter conversation resumes around the table. I discuss Dubai with Colonel Garner as I tuck into my crayfish and lobster bisque.

  The remainder of the meal passes quite pleasantly apart from a niggling concern that Daniel is drinking excessively. The Chairman takes to the stage to welcome everybody confirming that the Mayor and other special quests will be joining him shortly to kick off the prestigious event. Waiters frantically clear away empty plates, cutlery and crystal glasses and I decide this is my opportunity to escape to the Ladies’ room.

  Anthony is deep in conversation with Richard and Lesley and acknowledges my discreet exit as I slip away quietly. Standing at the basins I take a deep breath, wow what an evening this is turning out to be. I roll my neck to release tension and remove my gloves staring down at the nurse’s handiwork. My hands look like a patchwork quilt. The cool water dispels the heat in my palms and I decide to go without the gloves, stowing them away inside my clutch bag.

  Exiting the washroom I bump into Daniel who is leaning against the corridor wall.

  “Ah Darcey there you are, I thought you were trying to avoid talking to me.” Daniel looks heavily under the influence of alcohol and stands directly in my path. “You look absolutely ravishing tonight.”

  “Daniel I think you’ve had enough to drink, remember you’re reporting in your role as a journalist tonight.” I step back as he gets closer.

  “Darcey, don’t worry about me I’m fine.” His hand wanders up to my face to stroke my cheek, “God, I still love you.”

  “Daniel please can we not do this, I care for you but you’re making it very difficult for me this evening. I just want to enjoy the awards.” I remove his hand from my face and he notices the scars on my palms.

  His face becomes distort and angry “Who the fuck did this to you?”

  “Daniel please don’t make a scene, I’ll talk to you when you’re not drunk.” I try to push by but he grabs my arm.

  “Did Anthony do this? I’ll kill him.” He grips tightly not letting me go.

  “Let go of her arm now.” Anthony stands behind him. “Daniel I suggest you stop this or I’ll have you thrown out and report your behaviour to the newspaper.”

  “Did you do this to Darcey?” Daniel releases my arm.

  “Of course not!” Anthony holds out his hand to lead me away. “Sober up Daniel, I’m warning you!”

  Returning to the table Daniel is quiet and everyone ignores him listening to the Chairman hosting the event.

  Proceedings get underway with speeches from various long serving Headteachers or Inspectorate with awards for Excellence in the Arts, Outstanding ICT initiative, Research Project of the Year, Outstanding Leadership and Development are among many of the titles. Finally it is the award for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Contribution to Education.

  Marie takes to the stage in all her elegance looking confident and relaxed.

  “Good Evening, for many years I’ve felt humbled to work with schools and be involved in numerous fund raising initiatives improving the education and lives of many children. I’ve seen the courageous work and devotion of tremendous people making a real difference without realising the immensity of their achievement.

  Tonight I’m here with my story of one little girl who grew up with her family in various countries experiencing first-hand the effects of war on children. The disruption and devastation felt when families are torn apart when fathers fail to return home from service. This little girl and her family struggled with military life until their guardian angel showed them the way forward.

  Throughout the years a bond has formed between this strong, young woman and her close friend, together they’ve changed the lives of many military children providing a stable, loving and nurturing environment where they can feel safe and of course be children.

  Ladies and Gentleman may I welcome Darcey Brooks and Lesley Pope to the stage for their innovative and entrepreneurial contribution to Education.”

  My mouth is dry as the whole table stands to applaud us, Mum and Lesley are hugging and tears are tumbling down their faces. I slowly stand aware of the whole room on their feet and thousands of faces smiling in our direction. Lesley stands and holds out her hand to me as we make our way to the stage. Marie steps back from the podium clapping and grinning affectionately.

  Lesley moves forward to speak “As you can see I’m not the young girl….” The audience laughs and settles back down. “I wouldn’t call myself a guardian angel but when I saw Darcey with her young brothers and a struggling, widowed mother in desperate need for help, how could I turn my back? I suppose I see my reward as watching this beautiful young woman blossom and grow into a successful businesswoman who has in turn helped hundreds of children just like her.

  Military families all over the world are still grieving and hurting but together we’ve tried to make a difference at Dorton Airfield School.” Lesley chokes back tears and holds my hand tightly. “So sorry…. thank you for this recognition which is hugely appreciated but feels as though I’ve not performed a remarkable feat but only my duty as a human being.”

  Lesley steps back as the room erupts into further applauds. I move forwards taking a deep breath and smiling out to the many faces waiting to hear me speak. My original speech is ditched as I begin to speak from my heart.

  “Lesley was my guardian angel, I remember Mum crying for hours and I kept thinking she wasn’t well so I’d try to make her jam sandwiches and tea so that she’d feel better. Nothing worked which was most probably because aged only six, my sandwiches were awful.

  Anyway taking control of two troublesome brothers, a despairing mother and a little girl who thought she could run the house and make everything ok must’ve been the work of an angel. Lesley managed to stop my Mum crying, taught me to make a decent sandwich and introduced me to my childhood. I’ve a lot to thank Lesley for and I’m sure we wouldn’t be all together today if we’d not met.

  I’m now proud to watch the success of Dorton Airfield as children enjoy their childhood and do what they are supposed to do instead of running a household and keeping the family together. Thank you for this amazing award and hopefully one of our pupils will be on this stage one day for taking our work further. Thank you.”

  We leave the stage in floods of tears holding on to one another as everyone stands at our table to greet us with hugs and kisses. The footman pops the corks on waiting bottles of chilled champagne and Daniel offers his sincere congratulations as Melissa snaps away with her camera.

  The final award of the evening is for Lifetime Achievement which is presented to Dr David Finch who campaigned for several causes throughout his career as a Special Needs Teacher, Headteacher and also a Lecturer in Child Psychology.

  Live links to well-wishers and those he has helped; thank him for his support and hard work.

  As the awards draw to an end a band begins to play “what a wonderful world” with the dance floor beginning to bulge with swaying couples. Anthony pulls me to my feet and tightly enfolds me in his arms �
��Come and dance with me.”

  Following his lead, I press my face up against his warm chest listening to his heart which seems to be in rhythm with the song. “Darcey you make me so happy, I don’t ever want to lose you.”

  “I don’t intend to go anyway without you, so stop worrying!” I press my lips against his as we are rudely interrupted by Richard and Lesley.

  “Come on you two, you’ve been in each other’s arms all night long.” Richard drags me away with a twirl as Lesley steps in to dance with Anthony. “So when do you fly to Dubai?”

  As Richard twirls me again I spy The Chairman dancing with Mum. “Saturday morning we leave so I’m afraid I won’t see you for a while.”

  “I hope I get an invite to the wedding?” He looks down at me with a cheeky smile.

  “Of course,” I’m quite relieved when Marie interjects.

  “Darcey they want to take your photograph on the front steps.” She stands beside us as Richard rolls his eyes.

  “I’m sorry Richard but I’m going to have to stand you up.” I pull away from Richard looking across to Lesley. “Marie I’ll just let Lesley know.”

  “No need Darcey, she had her photo taken earlier, they just need yours.” Marie smiles sweetly linking her arm in mine as she playfully waves behind to Richard, directing me outside.

  I can see Anthony over my shoulder enjoying a chat and dance with Lesley and therefore decide to not disturb him as to my whereabouts. Reaching the front of Gresham Hall we stand alone apart from two couples making their way down the steps to meet their waiting cars. The autumn evening has a chilly bite as I shiver turning in my tracks to face Marie. “Where is everyone?”

  “Darcey I’ve a confession, I lied to you so you’d come outside. I’ve a surprise for you.” Her grin seems almost forced.

  I’m in two minds as to whether I play along or return to the hall. “Marie we shouldn’t be out here alone it’s not safe.”

  “Come on Darcey, it’ll only take a couple of minutes……please?” Her pathetic plea has me grinning and perhaps with champagne ruling my better judgment I give in far too easily.

  “Ok two minutes.” I smile as Marie tugs at my hand leading me down the steps and out into the darkness of the open grounds at Gresham.

  I can hear a whooshing sound in the distance and a constant breeze is blowing the curls across my face. “Is that a helicopter I can hear?”

  “Come on.” Marie laughs and drags me faster across the lawns until a sudden blaze of headlights stops me in my tracks. I can see the outline of a man as I curiously turn to Marie who is beaming with delight. “Surprise!”

  Stepping slowly forwards I cover my eyes from the beam of light and instantly recognise him as I recall his sinister promise to return for me if Anthony didn’t respond. I stumble backwards in my heels bumping into Marie and then frantically spin pulling away from her grip. Her smile is replaced with a serious, angry snarl. I run as fast as I can in four inch heels until I feel arms link around my waist from behind and lift me up high off the ground. I thrash around, kicking, punching and screaming as I spot Anthony and Nick walking down the steps of Gresham Hall.

  “ANTHONY…...!” I yell at the top of my voice. They can both see me and instantly run towards us across the driveway. I’m carried backwards towards the helicopter which sounds louder with gusts of wind blowing from behind.

  I can hear Marie nearby “Hold her still!”

  There is a sharp stab in the top of my thigh and then suddenly I feel like a ton of lead. My whole body relaxes as I hang in his arms, my head droops and I can see Anthony and Nick running across the lawns getting closer. Then everything is black.

  My gradual consciousness alerts me to a gentle humming sound with vibration through my hands. Mumbling voices surround me as my eyes become focused. I’m no longer inside a helicopter but now seated on a small plane. Under the dimmed lighting Marie and three burly men are in direct view, seated opposite on comfortable cream leather armchairs. It’s still dark outside as I look down from my slightly reclined position feeling the weight of cuffs at my wrists.

  Realising I’m awake they converse in German, Marie stands as another man leans forward displaying a gun that is tucked inside his jacket. “Good Morning Darcey or it is nearly morning. Would you like a glass of water?”

  I shake my head sternly as I try to assess what they’ve done to me; I’m not in pain apart from a dull ache in my thigh and the cutting sensation at my wrists from the metal cuffs.

  My head feels fuzzy as though I’ve slept for days but by my calculations it’s nearly dawn so I’ve been unconsciousness for about five hours. “Where are we going?”

  “We’ll be landing in Berlin shortly.” Marie sits back down. “A storm delayed our take off but we’ve made good time.”

  They speak again in German and one of them rises and moves towards the cockpit.

  “Is that where the bank vault is?” my thoughts are becoming clearer and joined up.

  Marie smirks “So what do you know about the vault?”

  “That Philipp Von Beust stole from German families and hid the stash.” My eyes remain emotionless and my speech firm.

  Marie leans forward as the poison in her words spill out “did you know that Anthony’s Grandmother Anna murdered Philipp and stole from him?”

  “Yes and I would’ve done the same if he’d beat me senseless!” My voice is raised and my hands clench inside the cuffs.

  Marie jumps to her feet as her fist slams into my cheek. “My Grandfather made her what she was, she was nobody, came from a poor French family and she repaid him like that!”

  My face smarts but my anger roars “So she should’ve accepted his brutality with gratitude?” Another fist smashes into my mouth and I can taste blood on my lip. I want to cry but breathe in to hold my nerve as tears well in my eyes.

  Marie’s face hangs inches in front of mine with a venomous tongue. “You think you know everything don’t you Darcey? Anna had no right to take what didn’t belong to her and now Anthony will give it back!”

  I can’t restrain my rebellious behaviour, “you Bitch, Anthony trusted you.”

  Her fist rises above me as I flinch closing my eyes waiting for the blow. Nothing comes as I slowly open them to view her standing over me. Her hands grasp around my throat, squeezing tightly as I struggle. “Darcey you’d better keep your mouth shut or I’ll make sure that Anthony has a wasted journey when he comes to collect you!” She releases her hands and sits back down staring across at me.

  She’s like a Jekyll and Hyde character, one minute praising me standing in front of hundreds of people on a stage, the next she’s trying to strangle me. Amazingly she must be a powerful figure as the men stand back and watch. I know when I’m beaten and decide to remain silent for the remainder of the flight.

  The plane starts its descent into Berlin and everyone sits in their seats buckling up for landing. Marie exchanges a few German words with the men who look at me and then gaze out of the windows. The sun is slowly rising over the horizon and if it wasn’t for the company right now I’d be enjoying the sight. The landing feels a little bumpy but perhaps that’s because I’ve never flown in a small private jet before.

  “Darcey, you’ve two choices, you can either walk to the car without making a scene or we’ll put you back to sleep and carry you?” Marie smiles sarcastically “The choice is yours!”

  I stare out of the window unimpressed with her sarcasm “I’ll walk.” The plane comes to a halt on the tarmac.

  “Good” she throws a small bag into my lap. “Go back there to the bathroom and clean up your face, it’s a mess!” She turns to instruct the guy I’ve become more and more familiar with “Frederick uncuff her.”

  He takes a key from inside his jacket pocket and leans across to remove the cuffs. Rubbing my sore wrists I pick up the bag and make my way to a bathroom at the rear of the plane. I lock the door behind me and stare into the mirror as I pick up a face cloth, drenching with water and
dabbing at the cuts on my cheek and lip. I want to kill her and I know that there’s no way of escaping them here at this airport.

  Sitting down on the toilet seat I try to gather my thoughts as to what to do next. How can I get away and contact Anthony? There’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll kill me and not keep her word. I hear a bleep below me and stretch to one side to investigate further. I can see a mobile phone beside the base of the toilet; it must have fallen out of their pocket.

  Closer inspection reveals it’s mine, my heart leaps for joy as I notice it has just enough power to make a call. I switch the phone to silent and speed dial Anthony praying he will answer.

  His phone rings twice and then he answers.

  “Darcey?” I listen to his voice as I fill up with overwhelming emotion at the thought that he’s there at the other end of the phone.

  Swallowing back tears I whisper “Anthony.”

  “Have they hurt you?” He sounds almost ready to break.

  I pull myself together and murmur “Nothing I can’t handle, I found my mobile but the power is low. Can you track my locket?”

  Anthony seems remorseful “we are right on your tail, I’ll find you and god help them when we get there. Be strong for me baby.”

  I jump as someone bashes on the bathroom door. “Hurry up!”

  “I have to go Anthony, I love you.” I listen to his sigh and close my eyes.

  “I love you too Darcey.”

  Ending the call I hide the phone inside my dress and retrieve the wash bag before opening the door. They are all standing nearby waiting.

  “Ready?” Marie scowls at me. “Any drama and Frederick will put a bullet in you, is that clear?”

  I nod as the cabin door is opened revealing steps down to the tarmac. Marie exits first followed by Frederick and myself and then the others. The sun is coming up over an eerily quiet airfield where just a handful of security guards surround two cars and the solitary jet. We walk slowly towards a Silver Phantom Rolls Royce and a black Range Rover. I’m in the middle of nowhere, what chance have I got of running from them here?