“No, don’t do that. I don’t want to touch that.”
“Then please just get dressed. If I was going to hurt you I could have done it by now; don’t you see?”
Ever watchful she clambered to the floor and scuttled, bent at the waist, her hands protectively crossed on her chest. She dragged open the wardrobe door. She glanced back and he had turned away.
Her heart began to settle. She took in a calming breath. He had turned away to allow her privacy, dignity.
The wooden hangers rattled across the rail causing him to hiss in frustration and so with greater care she grabbed some clothes, jeans and a warm sweatshirt, and dragged them over her shivering limbs.
“Where’s your bag? Your phone?”
“All stolen. They were on the beach.”
“Shit. What was in it? What was on the phone? Oh, don’t worry. Tell me later.” He reached and took hold of her hand.”
“There was nothing. It was all blank. I was hiding.”
“Of course. Well that’s a blessing. Come on.”
“Where… where are you taking me?”
“We have to just get out. My cover is blown and they know where you are.”
“How? I haven’t told anyone anything. I didn’t tell Dolly.”
“I know, I know. It’s somewhere else. A leak. I don’t know yet but we have to go.”
“What about Dolly and Jim?”
“I’ll contact the local force when we’ve gone. They’ll take care of them.”
Down the darkened staircase and out into the fragrant dawn. He gripped her hand, guided her to a car hidden in the field gate and held the door as she slid inside. As they turned to the road the sun tipped the horizon with faint pink light and a new day began.
Chapter 37
“Pete, where are we going? What are we doing?”
“I’m making you safe. There’ll be a place.”
“What sort of place? I haven’t got any stuff with me. How long will we be there? What am I going to do afterwards? Pete, I’m scared.”
He didn’t turn. The roads were tortuous and wet, illuminated in places by the rising sun. Moisture evaporated in the warming air and a small mist formed. Clouds of vapour floated several feet from the ground. The way was bordered by deep hedges and walls. In full daylight, at leisure, it would have been difficult driving; now it was perilous. They were travelling so quickly and though he seemed a good driver, confident and calm Pauline gripped the door handle, her fingers tight around the plastic.
“I know Pauline, I am so sorry about all this. You must be confused and I understand that you are scared, but just bear with it. I do have a plan,” he gave a short snort of a laugh and shook his head, “Well… sort of.”
“Oh, great! Well, that gives me a lot of confidence I must say!”
“No, no really I do. It’s fine. Look, you can help. Open the glove box.” She leaned forward and clicked open the lid. Dim light gleamed in the grey space.
“It’s empty… oh no, wait, there’s an instruction book for the radio. Oh well that’s good, we’ll be able to have music.” The flippant comment caused Pete to glance at her and his teeth flashed in a grin.
“I like you Pauline. I do.” A ridiculous glow of warmth spread from her belly and she was glad of the darkness for she was sure she was blushing. The unaccustomed emotion unnerved her, caused her to snap at him.
“Oh that’s good to know. That makes a huge difference.” Again the little snort of laughter.
“Can you look right at the back, down in the left hand corner there should be a bit of fabric. It just looks like a bit of the lining sticking up. Can you see it?”
The seat belt cut into her shoulder as she leaned towards the dashboard. Her fingers feathered along the back of the compartment and found the tag. It was little more than a thread. “I’ve found it I think… but what is it? it’s just like a bit of cotton.”
“Yeah, that’s it. You should be able to pull it and the back will come loose. You have to do it slowly or it twists and that’s a bugger.”
“Well, if you keep throwing the car around the bends I can’t even keep hold of the thing. Can you slow down a bit do you think?”
“Okay, okay. Have you got it now?”
“Yes, yes it’s coming.” The plastic panel slid out and she held it on her knee and peered back into the expanded space. The dull gleam of metal unnerved her. If he was going to ask her to touch the gun he was on a hiding to nothing. She hated them and nothing would entice her to take it from its moulded rubber housing. “I’m not passing you that. Is it loaded? God that’s two guns you’ve got! What the hell is this all about? I thought you were with the police?” As she spoke the words a cold chill ran down her spine and took her breath. He registered the gasp.
“Don’t panic. Really Pauline, please don’t panic. I’ve told you I’m not operating in the open. I promise you that you are in no danger from me. Truly.
“Look to the right there should be a phone in a little box. Can you see it?”
“Yes, oh yes, I have that.”
“Great. Take it out and turn it on would you.”
The little machine beeped cheerfully as tiny pinpricks of LED lights sparkled under her hand.
“He glanced away from the road for a moment and the thud of tyres and judder of the car coaxed a squeal from her throat. “Shit, shit, sorry. Hedgehog.”
“Oh no.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she turned to peer backwards to where the tiny body lay on the tarmac, its life ended by a moment’s inattention.
“I’m sorry Pauline. It would have been quick.”
She couldn’t speak but simply nodded dumbly and bowed her head to concentrate on the phone, opening the contacts screen.
“There’s only one number on here Pete.”
“Yup. Can you pop it into the hands free cradle and connect for me.
“Shit, another of the spiny little sods, what’s the matter with them. It’s okay, I missed it.”
As she grabbed for the dashboard to steady herself Pauline found herself smiling. “Well done.”
“Yeah right. Can we make the call now do you think?”
“Sorry, okay. She poked at the button and the call tone buzzed faintly. After two rings a voice filled the car. “Pete?”
“Yeah. With one other soul. I need a bolt hole.”
“Hold.”
For long minutes there was nothing, though she could feel the tension in his body and sensed impatience from the increased rate of his breathing. Was he afraid? If he was then what could the future hold for her? For both of them? As one thought followed the next a worm of fear writhed in her gut. How had she managed to find herself in this bizarre situation and then, would she have been better staying with George? Should she have settled for that life as miserable as it had been rather than this? At least back then the danger and violence were familiar; not this unlooked for dread, this rising fear and unforeseen threat.
She glanced at the solid form of the man beside her, the man who had promised to keep her safe and she leaned back against the seat. Let it be, she thought. Just let it be.
Chapter 38
A disembodied voice filled the car. The reception was rattly and faint, perhaps the banks and hedges obstructing the signal. After a brief conversation, most of which was unintelligible to Pauline, Pete rolled his shoulders and his grip on the wheel seemed less tense.
“Is it okay now?” She couldn’t even imagine what “it” or “okay” might be but felt desperate for reassurance.
“Yeah. I know where we’re going. It’s about two hours. Can you take the phone out of the thing?”
“Do you want it back in the glove box?”
“No, you need to open it up. Can you do that?”
“Well of course I can. I’m not stupid.”
“No, I know, that wasn’t what I meant. Oh whatever, just open it will you.” So there it was. The short fuse. It was a clear indication that, no matter what he said, things were far from
okay.
“Okay, now what?”
“Take out the SIM, fling it through the window. Then the battery, then the phone. If you can break it up a bit first that would be even better.”
Cold air took her breath and her hair swirled in the draught. She flung the plastic bits as far as she could. “Okay. That’s gone.”
“Well you might as well settle back if you can. There’s nothing more we can do now except cross our fingers.” All that was left was to hand over her fate and her future to Pete. So, she pushed back in the seat and turned her head to watch as the wakening world flew past to be lost behind them as he drove on to whatever their fate would be.
After another half an hour they hit the motorway. Now they were simply one more in an never-ending trail of cars and lorries thundering through the landscape. The ride became more even. In spite of everything, Pauline felt her head begin to nod and as clouds filled her brain she reclined the seat a little and let herself drift off.
“Pauline, come on. We’re here.”
She’d had no idea what to expect. All there was to imagine was from films and television; she had thought maybe a grimy flat, a fortress somewhere in the country, or even perhaps a police station.
Peering through the car window she was surprised to see a neat semi. A young mum pushed a buggy along the pavement and a ubiquitous parcel delivery van was parked just a little further along the road. It was ordinary, normal and in fact rather boring.
“Where are we?”
“Uh… I guess you could just say ‘somewhere’. It’s not that important and actually it’s better if you don’t know too much. Just in case.”
“In case?”
“Well, you know, it’s a sort of secret and well…” She fixed her gaze on him but he couldn’t look at her and glanced away awkwardly.
“You mean in case I’m forced to tell someone don’t you? You think I’m going to be caught or something and they’ll… what? Torture me? Bloody hell. Just what have I got myself into here? I wish I’d left that bloke where he was, in the ditch.”
“Yeah, to be honest so do I.”
It wasn’t his fault though, was it. It wasn’t his fault and he was doing his best. “Oh come on, let’s get on with it.” She swung open the car door and uncurled onto the pavement. Her muscles still suffered from the damage inflicted in the cave and on the rocks so she stretched her arms above her head, easing the stiffness.
Pete came round and took hold of her arm, “Hey come on, let’s get inside.”
“What am I going to do about clothes? How long am I going to be here? Pete?”
“Hmm.” He was crouching now retrieving a key from under a flower pot.
“I can’t believe that. You’re not supposed to do that. Don’t you know that’s the first place they look, criminals and so on.”
He grinned at her. His smile creased the weathered skin around his eyes and lifted the muscles of his face. Blue eyes sparkled. “I know. Quite right. Though in fairness these will only just have been put here.”
“Right.”
“Did you want to ask me something?” He had pulled her into the narrow hallway and now turned back to the door. There was a bank of bolts and locks which he spent time securing and she noted that the glass, though pretty and ornamental from the outside was reinforced on this side by a metal grill.
Now that they were inside Pauline was overcome by a sense of intimacy, a wave of shyness. She dipped her head, clasped her hands in front of her. She unfolded them and let them hang at her sides. Her arms didn’t know what to do; she folded them across her front. “I, erm… I just wanted to ask… Will you be staying with me? Well, what I mean is… you’re not going to leave me are you? I don’t want to be on my own.” She raised a hand; the need for human contact, for a reassuring hug was overwhelming.
He tipped his head to one side, moved a half step closer. His hand brushed her arm and then her fingers were folded in his great, bear like paw. “Don’t worry Pauline. I’ll be here. I’m staying.”
The gentle tug was all that she needed to take her into the fold of his embrace and as the heat from his body soothed her aching muscles his presence soothed her aching soul. Her heart juddered, part delight and part sadness, for this wasn’t real. This closeness was fleeting, but it showed her what had never been hers and she grieved for the loss of what she hadn’t had and now never would have; a man, kind and careful of her, just another person to be with.
Chapter 39
They moved through the quiet rooms. Pete’s hand stretched behind him, silently holding her back. He had taken out the small gun and as he scanned the empty spaces Pauline had to bite back the urge to giggle. It was fear and nerves of course, but this was all so unreal it felt silly. Some strange play-acting reality divorced from the real world of Pauline Green. It was so much outside her world of gardens and shopping, of endless lonely walks and bitter mornings after nights of violence. This was a joke, surely just some outrageous comedy that had inadvertently drawn her in.
In time he had walked into every room downstairs. “Okay, seems fine down here. I’m going up so you stand in the hall and be ready to move.”
She cracked; it was all too much. She raised her voice to cry out, “Hello, anybody up there? Pete’s got a gun and he’s coming to get you!”
He hissed at her and spun on the step. “What the hell…”
“Oh come on. If there’d been anyone there they’d have come and shot us by now!” She pushed past him and stomped up the blue carpet. “Come out, come out!”
All he could do now was laugh. In truth he had to acknowledge that some of the performance had been for her benefit. The thought shamed him a little and he felt heat rise to his face. He ran up the stairs after her. It felt good to laugh but he had to make sure that she understood the danger.
“Okay, okay, very funny. But really, you have to listen to me. We have to be careful until this is sorted.”
For her part Pauline had surprised herself. Really it was so unlike her but she had taken all that she could of continual tension. If there had been gunmen, gangsters or whatever hiding in the bedrooms she would have been responsible for heaven knows what carnage but the whole ludicrous situation had pushed her to the edge and she had leapt over. It felt good. She felt free and actually a bit brave and carefree.
Since her marriage she had lost the girl she used to be, the one who rode her bike at breakneck speed down the hills near home. She had swum in open lakes, canoed in white water rapids, enjoyed rock climbing and had camped on her own in the hills. She hadn’t been afraid. The fear had begun the first time George had raised his hand to her and increased with each blow and every new betrayal.
A fizz of confidence bubbled through her and she found herself grinning as she turned to watch the solid figure join her on the landing.
“Okay, bedrooms. Pick one. There should be some basics in the bathroom and some food in the kitchen. How about if we make a bite and then we can talk about what comes next. How would that be?”
“Yeah. I don’t mind which room.” As she spoke Pauline pushed open the doors, there were three rooms equipped with beds, wardrobes and dressers. All were fairly basic but clean and the beds were all made up ready to be used. “I’ll take this one, it has twin beds. I think you might be more comfortable in the double, you’re bigger than I am.”
“That’s kind. Thanks. I have to say it’ll be nice to have a decent bed to sleep in for once.”
“Right. This one has an en suite bathroom. Oh yes, and there are toothbrushes soap and stuff. Crikey, there’s even a dressing gown! Is this what my tax money pays for?”
“Uh, I guess so. I’d never thought about it… but yeah, I suppose.”
“I’d love to have a shower. Do you think the water’s hot?”
In answer he pushed past her to turn on the washbasin tap. After a few seconds steam began to rise from the white porcelain.
“Brilliant. I’ll have a shower and then see what I can cook u
s to eat. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, great. In the meantime I’ll pop out into the back garden. There’s a shed out there and though I know you think it’s all a great laugh I do need to check it out.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that it all seemed to be so very dramatic. It’s not the world I live in, not really.”
“Well, maybe I was going just a bit over the top. I was trying to impress you. The least you could have done was fainted.”
With a grin he turned and she heard his feet thunder down the stairs and then the rattle of locks being drawn back.
The rush of water from the shower head drowned out any other sound as she stepped under the hot torrent and felt the tension melt from her muscles.
Chapter 40
There were sachets of shampoo and conditioner, tiny single use bottles of body balm and a small tube of toothpaste.
As she rubbed herself with the surprisingly fluffy towels Pauline mused anew at the strange events that had brought her to this moment. The bath robe was cheap and thin but it was clean and still in the manufacturer's bag. She tore away the polythene and then wrapped in the warm softness she made her way back into the bedroom.
Using the hair dryer provided, with the aid of a brush from her handbag she was able to give her short hair some body, though wished she had thought to push her own toiletries into a bag to bring as they left the farmhouse.
Was it less than a day ago since the tense drive, the poor dead hedgehog?
In the drawer she was amazed to find some cheap knickers, still in the packet and a T shirt which she could use for sleeping.
In spite of it all, the shower, the time to herself and the normality of standing in the simple tiled space had done much to raise her spirits. As she made for the stairs a smile lifted her lips and brightened her eyes.
This felt incongruously like a stolen holiday. It was a small adventure. Though the way here had been nasty and frightening, with Pete to look after her and his promise that it would be over soon she felt optimistic. She would be ready to cross the Channel on schedule or at the very most a few days late.
Leaving George Page 12
