The Lie She Told: All Kate wanted was a peaceful life, all Ryan wanted to do was destroy it. (Thornes series Book 1)

by Catherine Yaffe

  Kate made a move towards the teacher, and Ryan thought she was going to slap her. He quickly stepped in between them and thinking fast he spoke next. “It was me,” he said. Everyone turned to look at him.

  “What do you mean?” asked Kate. “What was you?”

  “It was me that gave Joe the extra money. I didn’t want the kid to go without...”

  “Ryan! You shouldn’t have done that.” Kate looked at him affectionately, all the pieces seemingly falling into place. “I did wonder when I emptied his backpack where the new books were from.”

  Miss Watson visibly let out a huge sigh of relief, all the attention being taken from her.

  “I’m sorry Kate, I just wanted the boy to have a good time.”

  Kate was torn between being furious at Ryan for not telling her, understanding his affection for Joe, and desperation to know where the hell he had got to.

  “Kate. Leave it with me. Let me look for him and I promise I’ll bring him back to you.” He held Kate to him, feeling her shaking and kissed her on the forehead before heading out of the door.

  18

  ‘Well this wasn’t part of the fucking plan,’ thought Ryan as he made his way along the harbour path. He called Joe’s name every so often but to no avail. Part of him did wonder if Daz had somehow double-crossed him but dismissed it as unlikely. He didn’t have a release date yet so what would be the point. He pulled his fags out of his jacket pocket and lit one as he sat on the bench, trying to figure out his next move.

  If he found the boy Kate would be eternally grateful, and he might even be seen as a bit of hero. ‘I could live with that,’ he thought, stretching his legs and crossing his ankles in front of him. For once it wasn’t bloody raining, in fact it was quite a pleasant day. If it wasn’t for the fact that his entire future depended on the lad being found he would have sat there longer, enjoying the sun on his face. He sat up and flicked the remains of his cigarette into a nearby plant pot. He started to give some thought as to where the boy might be. He figured he wouldn’t have gone far and was probably just doing it for a bit of attention; God knows Ryan had done it often enough when he was seven. Where was Joe’s favourite place? The place where he spent loads of time with Jack? It hit him like a bolt of lightning. The Harbour. Everyone else was looking up by the main road and around the park, so Ryan walked in the opposite direction. He picked up his pace and headed towards the moored boats. As he got closer he slowed down and quietly called Joe’s name.

  “Joe?” No answer.

  “Joe, it’s only me.” Still no answer. Ryan wandered over to the pleasure boats, the ones used to take eager tourists out to see the dolphins and whales. He lifted a couple of tarpaulins as he passed them, until he reached the glass-bottomed boat.

  “Joe? Are you hiding in there?” Ryan bent down and looked under the covering. A small figure moved forward, and a little face appeared; tearful and scared.

  “Ah, there you are. Good hiding space. Are you OK? I mean, you’re not hurt or anything?”

  Joe shook his head. “Am alright,” he sniffed, climbing further out until he was level with Ryan on the edge of the boat. Ryan made no attempt to move. Instead he opened his arms and Joe moved in for a hug.

  “Everyone’s looking for you, you know.”

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “You don’t have to be sorry. You’re safe and that’s what matters but Joe, why did you run away?”

  No answer, just a fresh onslaught of tears.

  “Hey, come on. You know you can tell me and I won’t tell anyone. Was it something to do with the trip to Applecross?”

  Joe nodded slowly.

  “Did you take the money out of the money box?”

  Hic. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Mum was really busy and had forgotten to give me any spends and I wanted ice cream.”

  “Ah Joe. You know you shouldn’t have done that, right?”

  A slow nod of the head.

  Ryan hunkered down so he was face to face with the seven-year-old. “It’s alright pal, I’ve covered for you.”

  Joe looked at Ryan. “What do you mean?” Sniff.

  “Well, I said that I gave you the money.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, I didn’t want you to get into trouble and we’re mates right? That’s what mates do.”

  Joe looked confused. “But won’t mum go mad with you?”

  “Don’t you worry about that, it can be our secret, yeah?”

  Joe nodded and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his coat. “OK.”

  “Right, shall we go back home now?” Ryan stood and took Joe’s hand. “And not a word to mum, right? We’ll just say you thought it would be fun to hide in the boats.”

  Joe took Ryan’s hand and walked alongside him. They saw a couple of locals along the way back to the café who were relieved to see the little boy safe and sound. They congratulated Ryan wholeheartedly with handshakes and slaps on the back.

  By the time they had reached the café word had got back to Kate, and she threw herself at Joe as they came through the door.

  “Joe, where have you been?” Joe would have answered but his mum was smothering his face with kisses. She released him and knelt down, brushing hair away from his face and wiping his tears away with her fingers.

  “I’m sorry mum,” came the quiet reply.

  “You’re home and you’re safe that’s what matters.” Kate stood up. “Ryan, how can I ever thank you enough? Where was he?”

  “Hiding in the boats. Thought it would be fun apparently.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. “Thank you so much.”

  He gave her a quick hug, eager to make his escape now that his plans could continue. “No bother, as long as the lad’s fine.” He ruffled Joe’s hair. “I need to go.” He said his goodbyes and left the café.

  Kate turned to Miss Watson, “Thankfully he’s safe. I’m sorry if I snapped at you.”

  Miss Watson had never been so relieved to see one of her pupils in all her twenty years of teaching at Gairloch Primary. “It’s fine. I’m just glad he’s safe and home. Are you OK Joe?”

  Joe nodded, a bit overwhelmed with all the attention that was being paid to him. He wished he hadn’t taken the money now. He knew it had been wrong, but he didn’t want to miss out and it had seemed to be the only way. He wouldn’t do it again, that was for sure. Ryan had confused him. Why hadn’t he been mad? Why did he say he had given him the money? Joe liked Ryan a lot. He was good fun, had taught him all sorts of new games, and was always showing him new places to play, places that mum would definitely not let him go. Suddenly he felt very tired. All he wanted was to go to bed, or even better eat crisps and watch cartoons.

  As everyone left the café one by one, there was only Kate and Jack left. Kate sent Joe upstairs whilst she locked the café early.

  “Thank God Ryan found him,” said Kate, rinsing the cups and passing them to Jack to place them in the dishwasher.

  “Aye, stroke of luck that,” he said as he took a cup from Kate. Kate caught the disparaging tone in Jack’s voice.

  “Jack, will you give it a rest. What is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing. I just said it was a stroke of luck, well it was wasn’t it?”

  “It was the way you said it.”

  “Ach, Kate. Look I don’t want to fall out with you. I think we’ll have to agree to disagree where that Albright lad is concerned.”

  “You still don’t trust him?”

  “It’s not that. I remember him as a kid, and he was always out for himself. Even Len, his own father, doesn’t trust him.”

  Kate shrugged her shoulders. “Do you know what. I’m too tired for this right now. You’re right. We’ll agree to disagree.” She stormed off and left Jack to lock the doors behind him.

  Not knowing what else to do, Jack grabbed his coat and headed off. He was too long in the tooth, too old and battle-scarred, to not know trouble whe
n he saw it and he was convinced that Ryan Albright was just that – trouble.

  19

  “About fucking time. Where the hell have you been? I’ve been waiting ages for you.”

  “Nice old man, nice way to greet your son that.”

  “Oh, get to feck. Just get me home.”

  Ryan took the handles of the wheelchair and wheeled his dad over to the car. With much huffing and puffing and moaning from Len he finally manoeuvred him in. Ryan stood back and looked at him, lain prone across the back seat, completely helpless. He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.

  “What the fuck are you laughing at?” growled Len. “I’m in pain here.”

  “Aye. That you are. Here.” He passed his old man the painkillers and a bottle of water. “Take these for the journey.”

  “I’m not taking jack shit from you.” But he took them anyway, knowing he was in a position of weakness and didn’t have the strength to argue.

  Ryan watched him swallow two of the pills, collapsed the wheelchair into the boot and climbed into the front driver’s seat.

  Twenty minutes into the journey and the painkillers had clearly kicked in.

  “What have you been up to?” came the slurred words from the back seat. Ryan adjusted his rear-view mirror so he could see his dad’s face.

  “What was that? What have I been up to? Who says I’ve been up to anything?”

  “Aye. I know you lad.”

  Ryan shook his head and concentrated on the road. Len had closed his eyes and Ryan hoped he would sleep for the rest of the way. He’d almost made it when Len roused.

  “Where are we going?” he asked.

  “Home. Where else?” Len drifted off again. Ryan pulled into the Kingfisher car park and drove around the back. He’d given Janice the day off so he had no worries about being seen. He trundled down the dirt road that led to the barn, pulling up just in front of the door. He’d fitted new locks and a sliding bolt for extra stability and security. As the car halted, the jerky movement woke Len who did his best to push himself up and see what was going on. With his knee heavily bandaged his movements were restricted, and the painkillers had made him drowsy. Just the effort of lifting his head exhausted him so he collapsed back against the passenger door. Ryan walked round the back of the car, unlocked the barn then turned and opened the car boot. He assembled the wheelchair and opened the car door that Len was leaning against. He tipped backwards, almost hitting his head on the hard ground. Ryan found something really comical about it and had to pause whilst he stopped laughing. The air was blue with Len cursing his son and every sinew of pain that ripped through his body.

  “What the fuck!” he yelled. Ryan pulled himself together and made an attempt to sit Len upright. “What the hell are you doing?” demanded Len.

  “Shut up old boy and help me out. I’m trying to get you in your bloody wheelchair.” Ryan hooked his hands under his dad’s armpits and pulled. Len objected to being hoisted like a sack of coal, and he screamed as his legs hit the floor unceremoniously with a sickening thud.

  Len screamed again. “Get the fuck off me.” He thrashed about as Ryan dragged him to the chair then thrust him into it.

  “Come on old man, give us a hand.”

  “I’m no giving you anything. What the hell are you playing at?”

  “Shut up.” Ryan was losing his patience and realised that he hadn’t really thought this through. Len was a tall man at 6ft 4in but he’d lost weight and his muscle mass was zero. He continued forcing his dad into the chair as Len struggled against him. Ryan drew back his fist and thumped his dad square in the face. Len’s head snapped backwards and hung there. Thankful for the silence, Ryan began taping his hands to the arms of the wheelchair with industrial strength duct tape. He extended the footplates and bound his legs tightly, avoiding the bandaged knee.

  Dazed, confused and in pain, Len lifted his head and tried to move. He was well and truly secured to the wheelchair, and Ryan was pushing him towards the old barn. Every bump and rock they hit sent a jolt of pain through him and he continued to cry out. He was scared. He knew his son was dangerous but this was a whole new level of danger.

  “What are you doing son, what’s all this about?” Len’s voice wavered.

  Ryan continued to push and drag the wheelchair until it was in the middle of the barn. Len looked around him. He hadn’t visited the barn in years and was surprised to see it still standing. He could smell the years of decay hanging in the air. His nose throbbed where Ryan had punched him, but he could still move his head. Nothing had changed apart from the gaping holes in the roof.

  “Ryan. Please. Stop. Think about what you’re doing.” Sweat broke out on his forehead.

  “I have, and you’re best here for now.” Ryan retreated and went back to the car boot. He carried bottles of water and energy bars. He stacked them on a stool next to Len.

  “I’ve got shit to do and I don’t need you interfering.” Ryan twisted the top off a 2-litre bottle of water.

  “But I wouldn’t get in your way son. I promise. It’s none of my business.” Len was pleading with Ryan now.

  Ryan had to admit he was getting quite a thrill out of his old man being so reliant on him. For years he’d taken the verbal and often physical abuse. It was payback time and he delighted in telling his dad so.

  “When? When have I stopped you doing what the hell you want? You always would anyway.”

  “All. The.Fucking.Time,” Ryan emphasised his words. His patience was nearing its end. He dug the bottle of pills out of his pocket. “Now, I need to disappear for a while so you’re going to take these before I go and you can have a nice sleep.” He spoke to him like a five-year-old child, “Are you going to be a good boy and take them?” It wasn’t really a question. Ryan walked to the back of the chair, forced Len’s head backwards and popped four of the tablets into his mouth. He followed it swiftly with a blast of water from the bottle. Len choked but finally swallowed. Once Ryan was sure he had swallowed them he pulled off another strip of duct tape and pressed it over Len’s mouth. He withdrew a knife from his jacket pocket, ordered his dad to keep still and made a slit just wide enough for a straw to fit through. He placed the water bottle in Len’s lap with the straw bobbing in the water. Ryan stood back to assess his handiwork. Satisfied that he could do no more, he turned and left.

  “Sweet dreams old man,” he said as he secured the barn door and climbed into the car.

  20

  Jack couldn’t understand it. He’d made the trip to see Len in hospital only to be told that he had discharged himself a week ago. After much to-ing and fro-ing with the unhelpful administrator on Len’s ward Jack had finally seen the discharge papers. By all accounts, his daughter Molly had been the one to collect him and her home address was on the discharge sheet. Jack was perplexed. He was certain that Len had told him he would be returning to The Kingfisher, and he had a vague recollection of Janice saying the same thing. He’d puzzled over it for the last couple of days and vowed that the next minute he wasn’t needed in the café he’d take a trip over to The Kingfisher to find out what was going on. As it was, he barely had time to lift his head up from the day-to-day running of the café. Joe had broken up from school for the summer holidays and Kate had reduced her hours to part-time, as was usual in the school holidays. This left himself and Gill running the show most days, and it just wasn’t working. Thanks to Kate’s two-for-one promotions and local marketing efforts they were busier than ever. He decided he was getting too old for this caper and that they should look at getting someone else in to cover the holidays. He’d passed that job on to Kate, and she was currently interviewing potential candidates in the café. He briefly poked his head around the kitchen door and saw that Kate was making her way over to him in the back.

  “Any good?” he asked, not holding out much hope from the look on Kate’s face.

  “Nope. No previous experience and never used a coffee machine.” Kate was frustrated with the quality of peopl
e who had applied to the advertisement in the post office window. Usually these kinds of positions were filled word of mouth by the locals, but they had left it late and most of the local students had taken summer work in Inverness.

  “So, what next?” asked Jack.

  “I’ve no idea Jack, to be honest. I’ll sort something out.”

  Jack went back to his work in the kitchen whilst Kate shouted Joe and told him to put his shoes and coat on. They said their goodbyes and headed off to the local park for an hour’s fresh air and to burn some energy off the overactive seven-year-old.

  Kate had heard nothing from Ryan all weekend. She’d tried his mobile a few times, each time it went to answerphone. Typical, she’d thought, remembering his past record of disappearing for days on end. She’d hope to catch him today and maybe they could all go into Inverness to the cinema and go for pizza afterwards. Perhaps she’d do that later, for now she was just glad that Joe had bumped into some of his school friends and they had started a game of football. As she sat idly passing the time, her mind wandered back to the last few weeks. Ryan had become such an intrinsic part of their lives that she couldn’t remember a time without him. She was grateful for the friendship and they had easily resumed the playful nature of their earlier time together. She didn’t believe Jack when he shared his thoughts that Ryan had an ulterior motive for being there. She had asked Ryan outright and he’d answered her honestly. God knows, she’d been lied to enough in the past to spot a player when she saw one. No, Ryan’s reasons for being here were genuine and his feelings toward her, and Joe, came with no hidden depths. She acknowledged to herself that he could be snappy at times, but couldn’t everyone? Especially when he had the added pressure of running The Kingfisher and keeping Janice in order. She was perfectly aware that Ryan sometimes came across as a bit sharp, a bit rough and ready, but his heart was always in the right place. Jack’s fears and worries were completely unfounded and based on a Ryan he knew from years ago. Life and all that entailed had softened him, and her ex-husband had played no small part in that. She didn’t believe for one second the lies that Darren had made up and spread around about him. The very thought of Ryan being wayward with kids was laughable. She shook her head and sighed. Shouting lifted her out of her reverie, and she left the park bench to wander over to the impromptu football match. Even though it was summer Joe was still covered in mud, had grass-stains on the knees of his jeans and his little face was bright red from all the running around. She had been scared senseless when he went missing. For those few hours her whole world had stopped, and she was right back in the house in North Leeds. The worry, fear, and anxiety every time Darren had taken Joe away from her, wondering when or if she would be able to see him again. She knew that Darren had used Joe as a weapon to get to her and it worked every time. She would rather take several more beatings than lose her son. He was her life, her reason for being, the reason she had had to break the cycle and escape the nightmare. She would have risked anything, everything, to create the happy life they now had.