Dark

by Rachel Harley

  Diane’s also kneeling down now and together, we pull the woman to her feet. We have to hold her up at first, her knees knocking so badly that they won’t support her. She’s wearing a pair of filthy ripped jeans and a stained sweatshirt, battered Converse on her feet. I wouldn’t even like to begin to guess her age. She’s no teen, that’s for sure, but I’m sure she’s a lot younger than she looks. She’s evidently led a hard life and I pang with a sudden connection to her.

  Gently letting her go finally and leaving her in Diane’s safe warm hold, I turn my attention to the man that she was running from. He’s sensibly stopped trying to kick off and get away from the grip of the security guards, but as I approach the group, Justin now standing a few feet away from the newcomer, I see him gather saliva in his mouth and twist his head back. Justin’s voice stops him in his tracks.

  ‘If you’re so much as thinking about spitting on one of my staff, you little dickhead, I’d advise you to think again,’ he says, but the steel in his deep voice, his height and physique have obviously shoved some sense into the scrote in front of us. He yanks his arms away from the guards but they don’t step away from him, poised to grab him if he starts again.

  He scrubs his hands through his greasy hair. He looks like a weasel, tiny dark eyes, which are still glittering with fury and a sharply angular face. His mouth is a cruel slash and he has scabs around his nose, a huge cold sore at the corner of his lip. He’s repulsive and I have to force myself not to take a step back from him. I can smell him from here, the stench of rank sweat, drugs and dirt.

  ‘We’re leaving, bitch. Now!’ he barks and I turn my head to see the woman quail in Diane’s arms at his words, her feet automatically pushing herself backwards, away from him. Martin drops a hand heavily onto the man’s shoulder as he takes a step towards her.

  ‘Easy, tiger. You’re going nowhere,’ he says, his deep voice with its broad scouse accent so comforting. Justin turns to the scruffy individual now.

  ‘You’ve got thirty seconds to do one, mate, before I’m calling the Police. Leave.’

  ‘Fuck off! Who the fuck do you think you are, you overgrown prick? She’s coming with me!’ he screams suddenly, his face screwing up into an angry red ball. Justin folds his arms and hoists a brow.

  ‘Is she? Alright then - ask her. If she wants to leave with you – fine, but if not – you’re fucked, I’m afraid.’

  Justin gives the little runt a blinding smile and as I look at them both, I marvel suddenly and stupidly at the lottery of birth. A man and a woman have sex and produce a baby. Some people grow up to look as incredible as Justin Walker and others, like this repulsive toad in front of me, were clearly shit out of luck.

  The little man chews his lip, as if weighing up his options and he squares his shoulders, trying his best to calm down. Though he strikes me as less than average in the intelligence stakes, he clearly has enough sense to realise that losing his shit is going to get him nowhere here and he twists a smirk at the still quaking woman a few feet away.

  ‘Come on Soph – we can sort this out, in private, like? Let’s go.’ The last words are clipped, and he clicks his fingers impatiently, as one would to a dog. Justin’s eyes harden and he turns to the woman in Diane’s hold for the first time.

  ‘Do you want to go with him, sweetheart?’ he asks, his voice soft and she shakes her head violently, pathetic whimpers leaving her again as she shudders into Diane. I see the nurse on duty coming out of the infirmary towards us, holding a blanket as Justin turns triumphantly to the man in front of him. He’s fuming again, his filthy hands clenched into fists.

  ‘I said, come the fuck ON!’ he roars again, going to advance on the petrified woman, but he’s grabbed again by the guards.

  ‘You’ve got your answer,’ Justin says coldly. ‘Leave. Now.’ A pause when the man doesn’t move. ‘Are you deaf?’ he grinds. ‘Get the fuck out of my building.’

  There’s a ghastly smile from the man now, as he stares glassily at the woman in front of him. ‘You’ll regret this, you stupid whore.’ Hawking in the back of his throat, he spits onto the polished tiles at Justin’s feet and I see him clench his fists, holding himself back from punching the little bastard to the floor. He’s probably kill him if he did, given the size and strength of Justin but the guards drag him away now with no further resistance. He’s beaten and he knows it. He’s just wasting his time and as he shlepps out of the building, I get the strangest notion that that isn’t the last we’re going to see of the man.

  Marci comes over as Diane and the nurse start to lead the woman, Soph, over to the infirmary, calling over her shoulder to Steve on reception and asking him to get a cleaner down here. Justin watches them go. We’ll need to talk to her, but she’s in no fit state at the moment, she’s a gibbering mess. I’ll let the staff sort her out, get some food into her, a shower and some clean clothes. Let her sleep. She’s safe here.

  ‘What happened?’ Justin asks Marci and she blows out a breath.

  ‘I’d just come back from the kitchen, Justin and she flew through the doors like a bat out of hell. He followed her in, screaming and swearing at her, but he slipped on the tiles and by the time he’d got to his feet, security had reached him.’

  Justin rakes a hand through his hair, turning to the guards who are back from hoofing the filthy individual out onto the pavement.

  ‘Keep an eye out for a while, okay? We haven’t seen the last of him, no way. He was far too desperate to get his hands on her.’

  He was and I wonder why? There was more to that scene than met the eye. He knew her name, ergo, she wasn’t some stranger that he was trying to assault. There’s a relationship there and I’m going to need to pick the top off it when the poor traumatised woman is capable of course.

  The drama appears to be over for now and Justin and I wander slowly back over to the admin office. I can see his brain churning, he also chews his lip when he’s thinking and I touch his arm as he’s about to open the door.

  ‘Jus, what’re you thinking?’ I’m uneasy too, but I don’t know why and I’d like his take on things. Justin’s incredibly perceptive. He shakes his head.

  ‘I’m not sure, but there was something not quite right about that whole scene. She was petrified of him and he was far too desperate to get her back.’ He smiles now. ‘I guess we’ll learn more when she’s ready to talk.’

  I nod. ‘I’ll go and speak to Bernie in an hour or two, when she’s had a chance to examine her. She might need the Doctor if she’s addicted to anything. She looked like she was.’

  I didn’t see any track marks, but then again I didn’t look for any. She’s malnourished, certainly, lacking in vitamins. Her skin was blotchy, pasty, dark circles beneath her overly large eyes. Poor woman.

  Justin ruffles my hair, which makes me roll my eyes and just as I’m about to follow him into the office, Aaron appears from one of the Rec rooms. He sees me immediately and lopes over eagerly. I sigh, which isn’t unnoticed by Justin and he gives me a questioning look. I smile to tell him it’s fine and he disappears into the office leaving me with an approaching Aaron, who looks pleased as punch to see me.

  I try to decide what to do. I’d made up my mind to talk to him next time I saw him, to tell him about Carter. That I was now in a relationship, which would hopefully make him back off, but now the opportunity has presented itself, I can feel myself chickening out. I don’t want to start talking about Carter for a start, I won’t get him out of my head for the rest of the day if I do and I’m here to work. And now Aaron’s in front of me, I don’t really know what to say to him.

  Hey Aaron, how are you? By the way I’ve got a boyfriend, I’m no longer a virgin and I’ve fallen in love?

  No. I shove it all back onto the rear burner, coward that I am. I’ll tell him when we’re all together on Thursday night for drinks. That’s a better idea. If he gives me any shit, then Donna and Gem will back me up. Feeling relieved now at the reprieve, I beam a genuine smile at him as he reaches
me, but this slides off my face when he puts his arms around me.

  Aaron’s a tactile person, me less so, although I’m not averse to a quick hug from people I care deeply about. Trouble is, there’s more to Aaron wanting physical contact than being affectionate and friendly, he’s using it as an excuse to get a dose of my body, I can sense it in him and it’s no longer appropriate. I’m fine hugging a male friend, Justin, Dan, Dillon… but they don’t want to get into my pants. Aaron does and now Carter’s in my life, I’m not comfortable with it.

  I gently disentangle myself and as he leans in to give me a kiss, I step away. He blinks, before a look of disappointment flashes quickly in his grey eyes. I wish he’d just get the messages, I’ve been as bold as I can without potentially hurting him, but he’s not reading them.

  ‘So, where have you been hiding?’ he says lightly. ‘You’re a ghost on Facebook and WhatsApp!’

  I am – I’ve been too drunk on Carter to go anywhere near social media and I shove my hand through my hair, trying not to lock with his searching eyes. If he looks too closely into mine, he won’t like what he sees in them.

  ‘I know, sorry… I’ve been spending a lot of time with Nelson and I’ve had stuff to do at home.’ I offer and he nods.

  ‘You’re coming on Thursday, aren’t you?’ he asks hopefully.

  ‘Yeah, of course, looking forward to it.’ There’s another bloated pause which becomes uncomfortable when he stares at me intently for long seconds and I cough. ‘Well, I’d best get on,’ I say brightly, turning to the admin office with another smile and he takes a step forward.

  ‘Doing anything tonight? We could have that drink if you’re free?’

  I stop, my shoulders dropping. He’s nothing if not persistent and I wonder again if I should spill the beans now. Put him out of his misery, douse the huge torch he’s still carrying for me. I try one more time to put him down gently.

  ‘Thanks mate, but I’m busy tonight.’ I stop myself from telling him I’m washing my hair. I actually might, but that’s not why I don’t want a drink with Aaron tonight, even as a friend. I’ve got a call booked with Carter Jackson and I’m not missing that for anyone. Even Justin can take a hike tonight if he demands that slot of time.

  Aaron looks crestfallen and he sighs. ‘Sure, okay.’ He gives me a watery smile. ‘I’ll see you Thursday then?’

  ‘You will!’

  I flash another smile and head into the admin office, shutting the door and leaning on it briefly, closing my eyes. There’s no sign of Justin, but Diane gives me a beady look.

  ‘You alright?’

  I nod, hesitating. I suddenly wish Ellen was here, I’m itching to talk to someone about Aaron. The problem with talking to Gemma and Donna is they’re his friends too, and it would almost be like asking them to take sides. Diane’s just looking at me appraisingly, I haven’t answered her and I shake myself.

  No. Aaron works here, knows Diane, it’s inappropriate. I’ll go with my original plan, lay it out for the three of them tomorrow night and let Aaron get his head properly around the situation. I wonder if I should play Carter’s looks down. Sitting in a pub with them all and banging on about incredibly hot he is will do squat for Aaron’s ego and I certainly can’t start telling them about the sex. Not that there’s all that much to tell, at least – not yet. I wish for a second that it would just be us girls on Thursday and I could gleefully spill the Carter beans.

  ‘I’m fine,’ I say easily to Diane now. ‘Just worried about that woman.’

  ‘I know.’ Her flinty eyes cloud for a moment. ‘I didn’t like the look of that little prick.’

  No, neither did I and I hope that Justin’s here the next time he rocks up. And he will.

  The morning ticks by without any further drama and when I’ve swallowed a small bowl of Denise’s pasta, I glance at my watch. I’ve got my clinic appointment in an hour and I need to go and see if there’s any update on our fragile guest.

  Getting up, I power everything on my desk down and shove my phone into my bag. I still haven’t checked it for a reply from Carter but I’m proud of myself that I’m giving him some space to sort out his issues. I sling my bag on my shoulder, poking my head around Justin’s door. He gives me an easy smile.

  ‘Jus, I’m going to check on Soph – and then I’ve got a Doctor’s appointment,’ I say lightly. If I told him what for, he’d fall off his leather chair.

  ‘Cool. See you at home.’ He sits back, swivelling gently and he looks so hot for a moment my stomach clenches. ‘We’re going to get a takeaway tonight, if you fancy?’

  ‘Perfect, thanks Jus. I’ll see you later.’

  He winks at me as I leave the office and calling goodbye to Diane I head towards the infirmary, pushing the door open. It’s quiet, but aside from the poor soul that landed on our floor this morning, there’s no one else at The Guardian that needs urgent medical attention. Within a moment, Bernie comes out of a door at the bottom end of the room, closing it quietly behind her and she comes over to me.

  ‘She’s not in a good way, Pearl. I had to call the Doctor, he’s given her a sedative. I’ve never seen a woman as out of her mind with fear. She kept trying to leave, saying that he’d find her. We had to give her something.’

  Shit. This is worse than I thought and I perch on the edge of her desk, thinking.

  ‘Is she taking drugs?’

  ‘If she is, she’s not injecting. She’s got no track marks, but she’s painfully thin and badly malnourished. Her BMI is points below what it should be for a woman her age.’

  ‘How old is she?’

  Bernie shakes her head. ‘I don’t know. I couldn’t get anything sensible out of her at all, which is why I called the Doctor. Looks-wise, I’d say early forties, but I’ve a feeling that she’s years younger than that.’

  I nod. ‘Thanks Bernie. Listen, if there’s any change in her condition, give me a call, otherwise I’ll come and try and talk to her in the morning.’

  She nods. ‘Will do, Pearl, but I wouldn’t worry. She’s close to physical collapse through exhaustion and lack of food and with the sedative on top, well, she’ll probably sleep for about eighteen hours straight through, I reckon. Don’t worry – we’ll look after her.’

  Thanking the nurse again, I make my way out of The Guardian, pausing before unlocking my Mini and glancing at the time. I wonder whether I should go and tell Justin what the score is, but in reality I’ve got bugger all to impart and it can wait until dinner tonight. Sliding into the car, I make my way to the clinic.

  Within half an hour, I’ve had the injection and I’m out, some leaflets in my hand. I’ll read them later, I’m suddenly anxious to get home.

  Nineteen

  Pushing away the scraped clean plate, I heave a sigh. That’s the largest meal that I’ve eaten for a while, but I can never resist Thai food. Not that I’d had any in my life until a couple of years ago, but now a red curry is my favourite meal.

  Justin leans back in his chair, one eye on the baby monitor sitting on the table as it grizzles for a moment but then settles down and he relaxes. I glance at my watch and then at my phone, sitting dark on the table beside me.

  I’ve heard nothing from Carter, and now, at approaching half eight, I’m getting a bit twitchy. He’s no doubt getting hell on wheels, but I cling to his promise from this morning, that he’d ring me tonight and to stay in for him. I hope to Christ he keeps it. I won’t get a wink of sleep tonight if he doesn’t.

  I drain my glass of wine, Toria suddenly snaking into my mind. I don’t want to start thinking of Carter sitting next to her, talking to her. Maybe even taking her hand, to soften the blow. That he’s not coming back, that he’s met someone else. Me. I shake my head. She might not even be there and I hope suddenly that she isn’t. I don’t want him anywhere near her, at least not without being by his side myself and holding his hand.

  Ellen gets up to clear the plates and I help her, thanking her and Justin for the meal. They never let me
pay for anything, it’s hopeless. I sometimes go to Tesco and blow two hundred quid on luxury food for them, but Justin always scowls when I do. They won’t accept a penny in rent for my lovely attic and they pay me a stupid wage for working as a Counsellor at The Guardian. It’s bonkers, really.

  Justin scrolls through his phone for a moment before looking up at me as I come over to collect his empty plate.

  ‘Did you get anywhere with that young lass?’

  I hand the plate to Ellen. ‘No, Bernie had to call the Doctor and put her under. She was freaking out, apparently. Bernie said she’d never seen anyone as terrified.’

  Ellen looks concerned. ‘What’s happened?’ she asks and Justin fills her in on the events of this morning, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

  ‘I’m going to up the security at The Guardian for a week or so,’ he says. ‘I don’t trust that knob-head not to come back with half a dozen mates, he looked the type. Little man syndrome,’ he says, curling his lip.

  My phone suddenly pings and my eyes shoot to it. A text.

  Carter. About flaming time!

  I pick the phone up and open the text eagerly, swallowing a choked gasp when I see what he’s written.

  Hello, Pearl Harrison. There’s those words again. Are you ready for me?

  Oh God. I need to get upstairs, and now, whilst I’m still capable of walking in a straight line. I throw what I hope is a convincing yawn at Justin and Ellen, getting casually to my feet. I want to pelt across the kitchen and up the stairs like a five year old and I resist the temptation. I need to reply to him, every second that ticks by is one too long and I make my way to the door.

  ‘Early night for me, guys,’ I lie. ‘I’ll go and see Sophie tomorrow Jus, Bernie thinks she might be fit for conversation after some proper rest.’