Careful to stick to the trees, he followed Charlie and his friends.
“Where did she go?” said Rob, looking around.
“She can’t have got far, not in that chair,” said Charlie.
“Maybe she went back inside?” said Rob.
“We’d have noticed, surely?” said Charlie.
Sam sighed and kicked at the ground. “I’m cold. Let’s knock this on the head.”
“Surely you want to get some payback for what she did to you?”
“Yeah but…”
“But what?” said Charlie.
“My favourite gameshow will be on the telly soon and I want to watch it with a hot chocolate.”
“Hot chocolate?” sneered Rob. “Are you serious?”
“Well…yeah. Jules didn’t have a problem with me, she only attacked me because of Pat thinking he could nick drugs from her. It was his fault I got beaten up.”
“That woman is a menace and she needs to be stopped,” said Charlie.
“Well maybe I’m not in the mood to hurt helpless women anymore,” he grumbled, looking miserable, shivering with cold. “And where’s Pat? What if he’s been nicked?”
“Have you seen any police cars pull up?” said Charlie. “Or do you think he’s been placed under citizens arrest by the nurses?”
“Who knows? But I don’t like it. I’m off,” he said, heading back the way they’d come, aiming for the gap in the hedge he and Pat had snuck through earlier, failing to notice Steve lurking in the bushes.
“Arsehole,” said Rob.
“I say good riddance,” said Charlie. “He’d only get in the way and now he and Pat have buggered off we get Jules all to ourselves.”
Rob smiled. “Like it.”
They continued on their way as the snow started to fall again.
“She must be in there,” said Charlie, nodding at the pergola. “No way is she sat out in this.”
“I think you’re right,” said Rob with a wicked grin.
CHAPTER 14
Jules peeked out of the pergola, relieved to see Sam was doing the sensible thing and leaving. However it seemed Charlie and Rob were set on coming after her. She was shaking with cold now, despite the shelter of the pergola, her feet and fingertips numb but she didn’t want Catherine coming outside with this lot here.
“No,” she said when she saw the woman herself exit the front of the care home carrying a blanket and rush down the path towards the pergola. Charlie and Rob saw her too and hesitated, torn between running off before she saw them and taking their revenge.
“Bugger,” said Charlie. “We can’t do this with her around.”
“Let’s knock her out,” said Rob, not wanting to turn back now they’d come this far.
“No,” said Charlie when a second nurse exited the building, one with terrifying eyebrows. “Too many witnesses. She’s not going anywhere soon, we do it another time.”
“Fine,” sighed Rob as he and Charlie hurried in the direction Sam had gone before the nurses saw them.
Jules breathed a sigh of relief as she watched them leave, glad they’d done the sensible thing. She spied movement in a bush and was appalled to see a figure crouched there, a gun in his hand. From where she was it was hard to make out his features. How many of the bastards had come for her? It was impossible to know, she’d pissed off a lot of people over the years. Catherine and Leanne were walking towards her, completely unaware of the gunman in the bushes. For once Jules didn’t know what to do. Should she come out and draw his attention off them? But if she did he might fire and they could get caught up in it. Besides, she wasn’t capable of protecting them. Plus, if he was here for her he wouldn’t want to hurt two nurses and draw attention to himself. No, the best thing was for her to remain where she was. Mikey and Jez should be here soon.
“Oh Jules, I’m so sorry,” said Catherine, wrapping the blanket around her shaking shoulders.
“Is…okay,” she said, shivering uncontrollably.
“No it’s not. You shouldn’t have been left outside for so long.”
“F…fire?” she said.
“Just a small one. It’s out now.”
Jules glanced at the crouching gunman then in the direction Charlie and his friends had vanished, frowning. It was clear what had started that.
As Catherine wheeled her out from under the pergola, Lauren walking alongside them, Jules tensed, expecting to feel a bullet slam into her but it didn’t happen. Thank God the gunman was being sensible and not wanting to shoot with other people around. She didn’t even dare glance at the bushes, not wanting him to know he’d been seen. Hopefully Mikey and Jez would track the bastard down before he could do any damage. She felt horrible about leading such danger to this haven full of good, kind people.
Catherine clearly felt dreadful about leaving her stuck outside in the cold, which made Jules feel even guiltier.
“I fine,” repeated Jules as Catherine stripped her of her outdoor clothes, still apologising profusely.
“I took too long. If you fall ill it’ll be my fault.”
Jules touched her hand. “That no happen.”
“It might and if it does I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Relax,” said Jules. “I strong.”
“I know but still…let’s get you back into bed and tuck you up nice and warm.”
“No,” said Jules, very conscious of the fact that in bed she was exposed to the windows. “I like chair,” she said, gesturing to the armchair in the corner of the room, well away from the windows.
“I think you’d be comfier in bed.”
“I tired of bed. Please,” she said, putting on her best pleading book.
Catherine, still full of guilt about abandoning her in the cold, easily caved in. “Alright but you’re being wrapped in blankets.”
“Fine,” she smiled.
Between them, Catherine and Leanne manoeuvred her into the armchair then piled blankets over her legs and around her shoulders.
“Hot chocolate?” said Catherine.
“Please,” Jules smiled up at her.
“With cream and marshmallows?”
Jules couldn’t help but grin. “Lovely.”
“Just don’t tell Sister,” said Catherine with a conspiratorial wink.
“I won’t.”
She watched them leave, dismayed. Although she was away from the windows the gunman could still get her in his sights if he came right up to the glass. Hopefully he’d done a runner by now.
She picked up her phone, which Catherine had placed on the table beside her, and called Mikey.
‘Are you okay?’ he said the second he answered, not giving her time to speak.
“Fine. I back in room.”
‘Good. We’re two minutes away. Are you alone?’
“Yes.”
‘Shit. Just hang tight, please.’
“Trying. Three gone. Just one. With gun.”
‘Oh crap. Mark and Grant are with us. Just leave the bastard to us and stay away from the windows.’
Jules glanced at the windows, actually feeling afraid. If she was at full strength she’d be going on the hunt for the gunman herself and she’d enjoy herself at the same time. Now all she could do was sit and wait for him to come.
‘Almost there,’ said Mikey.
Movement at the window caught her eye and her heart began to thud when she saw a large shape lurking there. They wore a baseball cap, which they removed with a flourish, rolling their eyes when Jules regarded them with a quizzical look. Usually she never forgot a face but since the coma her mental faculties weren’t what they were. He was familiar but she couldn’t place him. He pulled some wadding out of his mouth, which made him look less puffy but still she had no idea who he was, although a vague memory did play at the back of her mind. When she shrugged her shoulders the man puffed out a breath and stamped his foot. Instead he raised the gun to the glass. Jules threw herself to the floor, landing painfully on her right arm, hidden from vie
w by the foot of the bed. There was the tinkle of glass and a bullet ploughed into the wall where she’d been sitting a second ago. Daring to peek out from her hiding place she saw the man running away, looking panicked. It seemed Mikey and the others had arrived. Thank God.
She hauled herself back towards the chair, struggling to push herself upright on her weak, trembling legs. Jules was very proud of herself when she managed to drag herself back into the armchair, her limbs trembling. She flopped back into it, breathing hard, heart pounding, feeling a little dizzy. She pulled the blanket back over her knees, the second blanket still draped across her shoulders. Glancing up she saw a hole in the wall, a bullet embedded in it. She had no way of reaching it or hiding it and all she could do was pray that Mikey and Jez got here before Catherine did with her hot chocolate.
She was embarrassed when she jumped in her seat as the door burst open, relieved when her brother and cousin ran in.
“Are you okay?” said Jez, kneeling before her and taking her hands.
She nodded and pointed up at the bullet hole in the wall.
“Shit, the fucking bastard,” hissed Jez.
Mikey just had chance to place his hand over the hole, making it look like he was leaning against the wall when Catherine walked in carrying a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
“Oh, visitors,” she said, smiling at Mikey and Jez.
“Any more of those going?” smiled Jez, nodding at the mug in her hands. “That looks grand.”
“I’ll see what I can rustle up,” she smiled back. Sensing the breeze she turned to look at the window, surprised to see the small hole there. “What happened?”
“Bird,” said Jules, pleased when this excuse leapt nimbly into her mind.
“Oh dear, the poor little thing.”
All three of them held their breath as she looked out of the window. “I can’t see a bird so it must have flown off. I’ve never known one hit a window hard enough to break the glass though.”
“Big bird,” said Jules.
“It must have been. I’ll get maintenance to sort it out.”
Jules thought of the would-be assassins in maintenance uniforms and shivered. Unfortunately Catherine took this to mean that she was coming down with pneumonia. “Drink your hot chocolate Jules, it’ll warm you up.”
Jules nodded and took a sip to placate her.
“I’ll rustle up you two gents a chocolate each too,” said Catherine before leaving.
“What are we going to do about this?” said Mikey, removing his hand from the wall.
“Dig that bullet out for a start,” said Jez. “Maybe we can put something over it. As long as it stays hidden until after Jules leaves it should be okay.”
Mikey removed the penknife he carried around and began digging the bullet out of the wall.
“Did you see who it was?” said Jez, kneeling before her.
She nodded. “He stood at glass and show face. I know him but I don’t.”
“Eh?” said Jez.
“She means she’s seen him before but she can’t remember where,” said Mikey.
Jules beamed up at him, so grateful he understood.
“Oh, right,” said Jez. “Let’s hope Mark and Grant catch the bastard.”
“What about the other three?” said Mikey.
“Go when nurses come. Had clothes of men who fix things.”
“You mean maintenance?” said Mikey.
She nodded.
“Sly bastards. Did you know them?”
She nodded, praying the names came out right. “Charlie O'Brien, Rob Haynes and Sam Williams.”
“Never heard of them,” said Jez.
“I have,” said Mikey. “Lowlife pond scum. Petty isn’t the word.”
“We’ll sort them out good and proper,” said Jez. “They won’t come near you again, promise,” he said, putting a hand on his sister’s shoulder.
Jules grasped his hand, so grateful for them both.
Mikey’s phone rang and he took it out of his suit jacket. “Grant.” He listened, nodding before hanging up. “The gunman got away.”
“Shit,” said Jez.
“But they saw who it was. Steve Parsons who owns The White Hart.”
“That’s him,” exclaimed Jules.
They all went silent when the door opened and in walked a man in a green maintenance uniform clutching a bit of plywood, a hammer and some nails. He took one look at Jules’s visitors and his eyes widened. “Oh shit.”
He tried to run back out the door but he bounced off Mark’s chest, who happened to enter the room at that moment and he staggered backwards, falling onto the floor, scattering nails everywhere.
“Well, well, well,” said Mark, looming over him. “Pat Evans. What brings you here?”
“He must have come along with the other three,” said Mikey. “He’s usually inseparable from Sam Williams. Were you here to hurt Jules too?”
“Me?” said Pat, dragging himself to his feet and backing away from them all. “No, course not. I work here.”
“How long have you worked here?” said Mikey.
“Err, just a few weeks. The pay’s good.”
“I see. And Sam Williams, does he work here too?”
“Sam?” he frowned, attempting to puzzle out whether his friend had been seen or not. “Yes,” he said slowly.
“So did he get you the job here then?”
“Yeah,” said Pat, feeling more confident with the lie now. “He’s well in with the Sister here.”
“That’s handy for you. The thing is Pat, I know you’re a lying bastard. You see, they don’t employ people with criminal records here and you and Sam both have records as long as your arms.”
“They…changed the rules.”
Mikey thrust his face into his. “No they didn’t.”
They all looked round when Catherine entered the room, carrying a tray with two more cups of hot chocolate.
“Oh my, more visitors,” she said. “And I’ve just used the last of the hot chocolate too.” She looked down at the floor, eyes flaring to see nails scattered everywhere. “What’s happened here?” she demanded.
“Your man here slipped and fell,” said Mark. “We were just going to help him pick up those nails.”
“Oh thank you, that’s very kind. Are you hurt?” she asked Pat.
“Err, I think I hurt my back,” he said, seeing a way out of this mess, making a show of putting a hand to his lower back and stooping. “And I banged my head too, I might have concussion.”
“I’ll take a look at you. Come on.” Catherine looked to Mark and Grant. “I’d be ever so grateful if you two big strong gentlemen could pick up those nails, so Jules won’t get hurt by them.”
“Of course,” said Mark with his best smile, which could be very charming when he wished it to be.
Catherine blushed and giggled. “Come on you,” she said, taking Pat’s arm and leading him hobbling from the room. “Let’s make sure you’re okay.”
“Sly bastard,” said Mikey. “Mark, Grant, cover both exits. He’s not getting away that easy.”
They nodded and rushed out the door.
“If my sister’s life hadn’t been put in danger,” said Jez, stooping to begin the task of collecting up the nails. “That would have been quite funny.”
Jules chuckled. “His face…so funny.”
“Don’t you worry about that bunch of wankers,” said Mikey. “We’ll sort them out.”
Jules touched his hand. “Thank you.”
As they gazed at each other Jez shuffled uncomfortably, feeling like a spare part. “From now on you have a guard on your door Jules,” he said. “Twenty four seven.”
Jules and Mikey released hands. “We can’t spare Mark and Grant, we need them chasing down these arseholes,” said the latter.
“I was thinking Riley,” said Jez. “He did a great job when Jules was in hospital. He worked with that woman, Paula was it?”
“Oh yeah, she was alright,” said Mik
ey. He looked down at Jules. “You’ll like Paula, she’s tough and sassy.”
Jules just nodded, feeling too drained to talk. All the excitement had taken it out of her.
“I’ll speak to Riley,” said Jez, tugging out his phone and dialling. “We’re not leaving here until you’ve got protection.”
Jules nodded again, her eyes already closing.
“You need to go to bed,” said Mikey.
Her eyes snapped open. “I no like…the bed…window…”
“You mean, it’s too close to the window?”
She nodded.
“We can sort that out right now,” he said, looking around the room before dragging the bed along the floor, so it was tucked into the wall away from the windows while Jez talked with Riley on the phone. He moved the coffee table under the window, so there was space to walk through. “Better?” he asked Jules.
“Better,” she smiled, admiring how he’d moved that heavy furniture around as though it were made of paper.
“Then let’s get you tucked in,” he said, scooping her up and carrying her to the bed.
He settled her into bed and tucked the duvet around her. “There, safe now. No one can get a clear shot into the room with the bed here.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he smiled, brushing her hair back off her face.
He looked round when Jez cleared his throat, a disapproving look on his face.
“What?” said Mikey.
“I have to say you two are getting pretty cosy. Something I should know?” Jez raised an eyebrow when they both blushed. “You’re both married. To other people.”
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