“Funny, thought you’d be desperate for a decent drink.” The bottle Ryan had left was almost empty.
“What the fuck Ryan.” Len’s words came out in a rasp, barely audible. “Let me go,” he pleaded.
“No. Still got stuff to do but it won’t be for much longer.” Ryan circled the wheelchair and leant in close to Len’s ear. “Jesus, you stink.” Ryan recoiled and realised that Len was sat in his own filth.
“Please son, what... why...”
“Told you. Keeping you quiet while I do a bit of business.” Ryan walked over to the outside tap and filled a bucket of cold water. He carried it back across and tipped the contents over Len’s head. As the sudden onslaught of freezing cold water hit him, he yelped and tried again to move. Ryan took a step back and laughed. Len started to shiver, bone-deep shivering that caused his teeth to chatter and shake uncontrollably.
“P...p...please Ryan, stop. Help me. What have I done to deserve this?”
“What have you done? You’re joking right? Len the big man, pillar of the community. Didn’t stop your bullying though did it? Didn’t stop you punching mum and me. Not Molly though, eh? Golden girl Molly?”
“B...but... that was years ago. Why this, why now?”
“Cos for once I’ve got a chance of escape. A real chance of pissing off and never coming back and I don’t want you or anyone getting in the way.”
“I don’t understand.” Len’s head fell forward onto his chest, exhausted.
Ryan dropped to his knees so he could look his dad in the eye. “You’re a fucking joke.” Ryan pushed himself away from the wheelchair in disgust, turned, walked out of the barn and locked it securely behind him.
Hoping for a few quiet snifters, he pulled a bottle of whisky from the bar and headed up to the flat. No sooner had he sat down and poured a drink than his mobile rang.
“For fuck's sake! Yeah?” he snapped into the phone.
“Ryan? You OK?” It was Kate.
“Yeah, fine. Sorry, just locked up. Long day.”
“Sounds like it. Sorry to ring so late but I wonder if I could ask a favour?”
‘Again,’ he thought but didn’t say. “Sure, go on.”
“On your way over tomorrow could you call in and check on Jack. He didn’t show up again today and I can’t get a hold of him. I’d go but Fiona arrives tomorrow, so I’ll be tied up for most of the day.”
“Yeah, no bother.” He ended the call and sank further into his seat. It was turning into a shit show. He knew he had to pull plans forward, but he needed Daz to do the same. He’d worry about the whole Jack situation later. Maybe checking on him would give him the perfect excuse for finding his body. Having settled it in his head, he leaned backwards, downed his drink and refilled his glass.
24
Kate felt she was losing her mind. Three days had gone by and there was still no word from Jack. At first she thought it might be down to the cross words they’d had over Ryan but it had gone on too long, and Jack wasn’t one for sulking – as far as she knew anyway. They had never had an argument before, but Kate felt she knew him well enough to know that much.
“Joe! How many times do I have to tell you, no climbing on the furniture.” The café hadn’t even opened yet and Kate already felt her stress levels going through the roof. Kate had managed to recruit a local student in the café and Mairee was starting today. On top of all that, Ryan still hadn’t shown to pick Joe up. She finished applying her make-up and corralled Joe downstairs. After switching all the lights on, unlocking the door, and starting the ovens, she reviewed the bookings that were due in. Thankfully Gill was also due any second so she could at least offload some of the work. She left the list as she heard the familiar tinkle of the bell above the door. Tying her apron around her waist she went into the front of the café.
“Hi Mairee, hope you’re ready for a busy day?”
If Kate was truly honest, Mairee had been the best of a bad bunch but she had come across well in her interview, chatting away as though they had known each other for years. Mairee was young, well eighteen, which in Kate’s view was young but she was keen and enthusiastic, so Kate took a punt and decided to give the student a chance.
“Aye. I’m all ready. Bring it on,” said Mairee with a beaming smile and a spring in her step.
‘Let’s see if you’re still so cheerful by the end of the day,’ thought Kate. “That’s great to hear. Come on and I’ll show you round.”
The next hour was taken up with introductions and Kate passed Mairee over to Gill to learn about the inner workings of the kitchen whilst she started to take the few breakfast orders. It was 10:30am before Ryan showed his face, looking worse for wear.
“What happened to you?” asked Kate as he greeted her with a kiss. “You smell like a brewery.”
“Aye, too many last night.” Ryan rubbed his face and ran his hands through his hair. He felt like shit and had woken later than he intended. He’d wanted to check on Len but had no time.
“Here, you look like you need this.” Kate poured him a coffee. “Did you call in to see Jack?”
‘Shit,’ thought Ryan. It had been his first thought on waking but he’d totally forgotten to call into the cottage. “Aye, no answer when I chapped the door.” Kate followed him as he went to sit over by the bay windows.
“This is so unlike him. I just can’t understand it. I’ll take a walk up later. Mairee started today and Gill’s in so I should get time. What are your plans with Joe?” She waved him over.
Joe left his books scattered on the floor and came running. “Ryan’s looking after you today sunshine. I was just asking him what he’s got planned.” Kate ruffled Joe’s hair as she spoke. He pushed her hand away and smoothed it down with a look of disgust.
“Ach, well I’m needed at the pub so I thought a day of gaming?”
Joe nodded enthusiastically. Kate looked perplexed. “Ryan. You know I don’t like him at a screen all day. We’ve had this planned for ages.”
“Aye, well things happen. Can’t help it.” He finished his coffee and passed the cup to Kate. “And this one doesn’t mind, do you wee man?”
“Err... No. Can we play Sonic? I’ve got a new high score.”
“Sure, sure. Go get your coat.” Ryan made his way to the door. Kate kissed them both goodbye and turned her attention back to the café. Mairee was in amongst the tables, taking orders and chatting away with the customers.
‘At least that’s one less thing to worry about,’ she thought as she headed to the kitchen. “Gill, I’m just popping out before it gets busy. Mairee seems to have everything in hand, you don’t mind do you?”
“No hen, you go ahead. Are you off to see Jack?”
“I thought I might. Ryan said he went this morning but there was no answer. I’m worried to be honest.”
“Ach, he might just have gone away for a few days. You never know.” Gill pulled a tray of fresh-baked sausage rolls out of the oven. The smell made Kate’s tummy rumble, reminding her she hadn’t yet eaten breakfast.
“True. I won’t be long.” Kate grabbed her coat and headed for the door. It wasn’t a long walk, and it was a pleasant day with just the loch breeze blowing her hair gently. Approaching the cottage, she looked around to see if anything was out of place. She couldn’t see anything untoward but noted that the curtains to Jack’s bedroom were still closed. She knocked several times but no answer. Next door’s cottage door opened, and Mr Wheeler came out onto the doorstep.
“Morning Kate. Everything all right?” he asked.
“Not sure. Have you seen Jack recently?”
Mr Wheeler scratched his chin. “Come to think of it, no, haven’t seen him for a couple of days.”
“No, I haven’t either and I’m just a bit worried.” Kate walked over to Mr Wheeler’s garden wall that separated the two houses.
“Hold on, let me ask the wife.” He disappeared inside. “No, she has nae seen him either.”
“I don’t suppose you have
a spare key to his house do you?”
Mrs Wheeler came out and joined them on the garden path. “We do as a matter of fact. Let me go get it.” She trotted off and returned a couple of minutes later. The three of them walked around the short path that led to Jack’s front door, and Kate let herself in. She turned back to the couple and gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
Entering the house, she called out his name but there was no answer. His coat and hat were hanging in their usual place, and his boots were by the front door. She walked into the living room, calling his name again. She spotted a tumbler of whisky on the small side table and an icy finger of fear crept along her spine.
“Everything alright hen?” called Mr Wheeler from the doorstep.
“Not sure, give me a minute.” Seeing the remains of the glass of whisky had freaked Kate out a little. ‘There’s no way Jack would waste a drink,’ she thought. She looked around but didn’t see anything out of place or disturbed. She crossed the room and entered the galley kitchen. It looked as though someone was making a cup of tea. The teapot was on the worktop, along with two cups. She lifted the kettle. It was full. As she turned around her eye caught the ever so slight gap in the door to the larder. Sensing that something was wrong, she shot over and pulled the door open. She saw the trail of congealed milk and flicked on the light. She looked down the cellar steps and saw Jack’s crumpled form lying at the bottom. She screamed his name and raced down the stairs.
Alerted by the scream, Mr Wheeler dashed inside the house and followed the sound of Kate’s cries for help. He reached the top of the cellar steps and saw Kate looking up at him, face strewn with tears whilst she cradled Jack to her.
“He has a faint pulse, call an ambulance,” she shouted up.
Mr Wheeler used Jack’s landline and dialled 999. He turned to his wife.
“What’s happened?” she asked, twisting a hanky round in her hand. He took hold of her, feeling her shaking.
“I’m not sure but it looks like Jack’s taken a nasty tumble down the cellar steps.”
25
Kate followed the ambulance in her car. She swore as she struggled to find a parking space and ended up ditching it in the drop-off bay, vowing to move it once she knew how Jack was doing. She raced into Accident and Emergency, giving his name to the receptionist.
“He’s in resus’ and the doctors are with him at the mom…”
She didn’t get to finish her sentence as Kate quickly looked around for the resuscitation area. She began making her way over when Mr Wheeler stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
“He’s OK, he’s OK,” he said. “They’re taking a look at him now. Here. Sit down, you’ve had one hell of a shock.”
Kate fell gratefully into a seat. Mr Wheeler sat alongside her and took her hand. “They haven’t said too much but it looks like he fell down the cellar steps.”
“How long had he been there?”
“I have no idea. I’m sure the doctors will be along to update us soon.”
Kate had never felt so guilty. Why hadn’t she checked on him sooner. She had known something wasn’t right. Had she really been so busy that she couldn’t have spared ten minutes to check on her old pal. What had been so important that she couldn’t find the time to just pop her head in and see that everything was alright. All these thoughts whizzed through her mind. With her head in her hands she let out a sob.
“I should have checked on him.”
“Now come on. Don’t go blaming yourself. It was an accident. He’s not getting any younger and a slip is easy enough on those stairs.” Mr Wheeler rubbed Kate’s hand reassuringly.
“But when he didn’t turn up at the café I should have known,” Kate continued to beat herself up.
“Why? We live next door and we didn’t think to check. And you’ve had all that business with Joe as well as keeping the café open. I’m sure Jack would rather you kept the business open than running around after him.”
Kate figured that was probably true, but it didn’t take anything away from the regrets she had. Jack had been so good to both of them. She owed him so much. Had she really been so self-absorbed that her only friend might die? She let out another sob and rummaged in her pocket for a tissue.
“Jack Bruce relatives please?”
Kate and Mr Wheeler stood up and approached her. She greeted them and showed them into the family room.
“Can I ask how you’re related to Mr Bruce please?” she asked, clutching a clipboard.
Kate looked at Mr Wheeler. “We’re not relatives, just close friends and neighbours.”
“Oh. OK then. Does he have any family?”
Kate again turned to Mr Wheeler. “There was a brother once but I have no idea where he is now,” he replied.
“That’s OK. Well just to keep you up to date. As you know, Jack had a nasty fall. He’s been left with a broken leg, a couple of cracked ribs and a nasty bump on the head.”
“But will he be OK?” asked Kate, leaning forward.
“I don’t see why not. The injury we’re most concerned with at the moment is the bump on the head. Jack’s still unconscious but that’s to be expected. We’re taking him down for a CT Scan. You can wait in here until there’s more news if you prefer?” The nurse made to leave the room. “Do you have any more questions?”
“No. I don’t think so. Thank you. Thank you very much.” Mr Wheeler followed the nurse to the door. “I’ll go fetch us a wee cup of tea.” He left Kate alone and wandered off to find the vending machine.
Kate tried to pull herself together and get her head around what was going on. She felt useless. She should have insisted on making time to visit Jack. She should have made Ryan check on him sooner. She needed to speak to him and let him know what had happened.
Mr Wheeler returned with two cups of tea. “I’ve put sugar in it, didn’t know if you had any but it helps with the shock.” He passed the insipid-looking brew to her. She placed it on the little coffee table and stood up.
“I need to move my car and let Ryan know what’s happened.” She felt a twinge of guilt at leaving for even a short time. “Are you OK to stay here?”
“Aye, of course. You go do what you need to.”
Kate left the family room and headed to the car park. As she sat in the driver’s seat she saw the yellow ticket on her windscreen. “Great, a parking ticket.” She got out and tugged it from the window, scrunching it up and putting it in her pocket. She reached into her bag and pulled out her mobile phone, Ryan’s number was at the top.
“Hey, it’s me,” she said the second the call was answered. “There’s been an accident.”
“Hey, what kind of accident. Are you OK?”
“Yeah, it’s not me. It’s Jack.”
“Oh no. What’s happened?” asked Ryan, hoping the concern sounded genuine.
“Not sure. Looks like he fell down the cellar steps. He’s broken a few bones and has a bump on his head but that’s all they know at the minute. We’re just waiting for the CT scan results.” Kate started to cry. “I feel so responsible. I should have checked on him the other day. God knows how long he’s been down there.”
Ryan let go of the breath he was holding. “So will he be OK?”
“I’ve no idea. Oh Ryan I feel like such a shit friend.”
“Hey, come on, you weren’t to know.” Ryan walked outside and lit a cig. “Where are you now?”
“I’m at the hospital. I don’t know how long I will be. Are you OK to keep Joe for a while?”
“Yeah, yeah that’s fine. Don’t worry about us. Janice is fussing over him.”
Kate’s tears started falling again. “If only I’d checked on him. What happened when you called round?”
“Me?” Ryan had flashbacks to the moment he saw Jack tumbling. “Oh, there was no answer so I didn’t hang around to be honest.” He paused. “Maybe I should have done.”
“Oh Ryan, don’t go blaming yourself,” Kate sniffed.
Ryan smi
led to himself at the irony in Kate’s words. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess it could have happened at any time.”
“I guess so. Look I need to get back inside, I just wanted to let you know, and to hear your voice.”
“No worries. Will you let me know when he’s awake?”
“Yes. Yes of course.” Kate was touched by Ryan’s concern.
Once she was back inside, she rejoined Mr Wheeler in the family room and waited for more news.
26
“Kingfisher.”
“Ryan, it’s Molly.”
‘Great,’ he thought. “Hi, what can I do for you?”
“I rang yesterday about dad, you didn’t ring me back.”
“Yeah, been a bit busy.”
“So where is he?” Molly had very little time for Ryan. He had caused nothing but hassle for their parents over the years and she could never forgive him for walking out when he was 15.
“Who?” Ryan loved goading his sister. She thought she was so high and mighty with her stuffy husband and clutch of brats. Her lack of ambition pissed him off.
“For God’s sake Ryan, cut the crap. I’ve had Jack from the café visiting, thinking Dad was recovering here, and Janice didn’t seem to know much about it. What is going on?” Barely controlled anger crept into Molly’s voice and he pictured her pacing the floor of her posh kitchen.
“How would I know?” He’d rehearsed this but knew he couldn’t play it too cool.
“Seriously Ryan. I KNOW you picked him up from the hospital. Where the hell is he?”
The Lie She Told: All Kate wanted was a peaceful life, all Ryan wanted to do was destroy it. (Thornes series Book 1) Page 10
