Should Have Known Better

by A J McDine

  Chloe shook her head. ‘It’s not like that. We’re friends, yes. But we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend. You're not -‘

  ‘Not what?’

  Chloe’s hands closed around the seatbelt. Cool it off, Annie had said. And Annie was right. She didn’t need this right now, not with Christmas a week away and her mocks looming. It wasn’t her fault Ben had latched onto her like a drowning man clutches a lifebuoy. She didn’t need the aggro. She took a deep breath.

  ‘You’re not my type.’

  Chapter Ten

  CHLOE

  Ben flinched as if she’d hit him.

  ‘W-what?’

  ‘I’m sorry Ben. It’s not you, it’s me. But I don’t want to go out with you.’

  ‘But you said… ’

  ‘That it would be fun if we both went to the same uni because we’d have someone to hang out with. As friends.’

  ‘You let me believe it was more than that. You led me on.’ His expression turned ugly. ‘There’s a name for girls like you.’

  She hung her head. ‘I know. I’m sorry. I do care about you, honestly I do, but not like that.’

  He snapped the ring box shut and leant over her. For one horrible moment she thought he was going to try to kiss her, but instead he opened the glove box and flung the ring inside.

  ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said again.

  A muscle flickered in his jaw. He fastened his seatbelt and turned the engine on. Mirror-signal-manoeuvre. He swung onto the road and put his foot down. The engine growled as he worked his way up through the gears. Soon the trees were a blur as they raced along the road. Chloe picked at a strip of loose skin on her thumb.

  ‘Please slow down, Ben,’ she whispered.

  Ignoring her, he started mumbling to himself. She had to strain to hear him over the guttural noise of the engine.

  ‘I should have fucking known. Every fucking time. First Mum, then Lucy. Now Chloe. They all fuck off in the end. I’m a worthless piece of shit. I’m better off dead.’

  He stamped on the accelerator and the car sped up. Chloe let out a small yelp and grabbed the edge of the seat with both hands.

  ‘Ben! Slow down. Please!’ she cried.

  He eased his foot off the accelerator and she exhaled slowly.

  ‘You know who you remind me of?’ He didn’t wait for an answer. ‘My mother. You even look a bit like her. She was beautiful, too.’

  ‘Was?’ Chloe croaked.

  ‘Still is, for all I know. She fucked off when I was a baby. Packed her bags one afternoon while I was having a nap and walked out leaving me in the house on my own. Dad said I was hysterical by the time he came home from work.’

  Chloe’s mouth fell open. ‘That’s awful, Ben. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Are you? Really?’

  ‘Of course I am.’

  ‘Yeah, well, shit happens. Dad and I do OK on our own.’

  ‘You never hear from her?’

  He shook his head. ‘If she did try to get in touch I’d tell her to fuck right off. The bitch.’

  The car lurched to the side as Ben accelerated around a tight right-hand bend. The contents of Chloe’s stomach roiled unpleasantly.

  ‘Who’s Lucy?’

  He laughed without humour. ‘The proverbial girl next door.’

  ‘She, like, literally lived next door to you?’

  Ben nodded.

  ‘Was she your girlfriend?’

  ‘No. We were “just friends”, as you would say.’

  This time when he drew quote marks in the air he took both hands off the steering wheel. Chloe gasped as the car veered left, following the camber of the road. Ben, apparently unconcerned, seized the wheel with one hand and righted it before it hit the verge.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘You don’t want to know.’

  ‘I’m not like Lucy. I’d like to stay in touch.’

  ‘You would?’ The undisguised hope in his voice filled her with shame. She’d meant it when she’d told Annie she hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings.

  ‘Of course. We’ve a great thing going. As friends,’ she added firmly.

  She gazed out of the window as they passed the wrought iron gates to a country estate. They were fifteen minutes from home. Ben seemed less agitated, and her heart rate slowly began to return to normal.

  And then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a reddish-brown blur racing through the trees.

  ‘Ben!’ she cried. ‘Look out!’

  It took a second for Ben to register the massive stag hurtling towards them. He wrenched the steering wheel to the right, causing the car to lurch towards the verge. The stag was so close Chloe could see the whites of its eyes. Ben hauled the steering wheel to the left in a desperate attempt to straighten the car. But in his inexperience he overcooked it and the Audi span out of control.

  The last thing Chloe remembered before they left the road was the sound of an explosion and the impact of the airbag on her sternum, knocking every ounce of breath out of her.

  When she came to the car was nose down in a ditch twenty metres from the road and the stag had long gone. Ben was groaning quietly. She tapped him on the shoulder.

  ‘Are you alright?’

  He struggled to focus as he stared at her blearily.

  ‘Think so.’

  ‘Thank goodness.’ Chloe felt as though someone had slammed a sledgehammer into her chest, but to her surprise she was clearheaded and purposeful. ‘Ben, listen to me. We need to get out of the car, OK?’

  Ben nodded. Chloe unclipped her seatbelt and tried the door handle. It swung open. Wriggling out, she staggered around to the driver’s side.

  ‘Come on,’ she said, pulling the door open. As she bent down to undo Ben’s seatbelt a wave of dizziness hit her and she had to grip hold of the roof to stop herself from keeling over. She breathed slowly, in through the nose, out through the mouth, until the dizziness passed, then released the seatbelt and hauled Ben out.

  Once he was settled on the side of the ditch a safe distance from the Audi, she strode over to the road and gazed left and right. It was a grey ribbon of emptiness. Chloe pulled her mobile from her pocket and held her thumb over the home button. The phone sparked into life and she hit three nines.

  There was a click and a man’s voice asked, ‘Which emergency service do you require? Fire, police or ambulance?’

  She glanced over her shoulder. Ben was sitting with his legs crossed at the ankles and his head in his hands. His whole body was trembling. ‘Ambulance, please.’

  She held her breath as she was transferred to the control room.

  ‘What’s the telephone number you’re calling from?’ a woman asked.

  Chloe relayed her number. ‘We’ve had a car crash,’ she said. ‘We need an ambulance.’

  ‘What’s the exact location of the incident?’

  ‘Um. Forge Lane, just past the gates to the Thornbury Estate.’

  ‘Can you tell me what happened?’

  Chloe pictured the hulking mass of the stag as it flashed past the windscreen. ‘A deer ran out in front of us and we hit a bank when we swerved to avoid it.’

  ‘How many vehicles were involved?’

  ‘Just ours.’

  ‘Make and model?’

  ‘It’s a grey Audi TT.’

  ‘How many casualties?’

  ‘One. He lost consciousness for a while. That’s why I was worried.’

  ‘But he’s conscious now?’

  ‘Yes. But I think he’s gone into shock.’

  ‘We’ll dispatch a crew to you as soon as we can,’ the woman said.

  ‘When will that be?’

  ‘Call volume is high but we hope to be with you within the hour.’

  ‘An hour? But people die from shock!’ Chloe could hear her voice rising. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.

  ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine,’ the woman said briskly. ‘But if you want to help him you can lay him down with
his feet elevated and keep him warm.’

  ‘Of course. I’ll stay by the road so I can -’

  A hand snaked around her side and grabbed the phone from her hand.

  She yelped. Ben loomed above her, his face rigid with anger. He stabbed the end call icon and hissed, ‘Who the hell were you calling?’

  Chloe took a step backwards but he moved even closer.

  ‘You better not have been phoning the pigs.’

  ‘W-why?’

  ‘Why d’you think, you stupid cow?’

  The penny dropped. ‘Because you’re not insured.’

  ‘That’s right, because I’m not insured,’ he mimicked. ‘They’ll crucify me.’ His voice cracked and he rubbed his face with his hand.

  ‘Anyway, I wasn’t,’ Chloe said. ‘I was phoning for an ambulance. You need to get checked over, Ben. You were out stone cold for a while.’

  ‘You definitely didn’t ask for the police?’

  ‘I didn’t, I promise.’ She held out her hand. ‘Can I have my phone back?’

  Ben shook his head. ‘I need to phone my dad.’

  Yes, Chloe thought. Adam would sort it.

  Ben turned his back to her and stabbed a number into the phone. Cocking her head, Chloe heard the ring tone, a click, and a man’s voice saying, ‘Who is this?’

  ‘Dad? It’s Ben.’

  Chapter Eleven

  CHLOE

  Dusk gave way to darkness as they waited in silence for the ambulance and Adam to arrive. Ben was still shaking but refused to lay down, and when Chloe tried to drape a coat over his shoulders he waved her away with an impatient hand.

  Chloe paced back and forth between the ditch and the road. It kept her warm and used up some of the nervous energy zipping through her system. Occasionally they would hear the distant rumble of a car and Ben would stiffen, his head cocked to one side as it approached, only slumping down again once its headlights had disappeared.

  ‘How will your dad know where we are?’ Chloe asked.

  ‘He'll find us,’ Ben muttered.

  ‘How long will he be?’

  ‘Don’t know.’

  ‘My mum will be getting worried. I’m usually home by now.’

  Ben staggered to his feet. ‘For fuck’s sake, do you ever shut up?’

  Chloe took a step back. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘Text her you’re going to be late.’

  ‘And say what?’

  ‘I don't know. That the bus broke down, or you stayed late at school, or you met a friend for coffee. You’ll think of something. But please don’t tell her what really happened. You owe me that.’

  Ben’s voice caught, and he crumpled to the floor. Guilt heavy on her chest, Chloe took out her phone.

  Popped round to Annie’s after school. Her mum’s going to give me a lift home. Be back about 6. x

  She didn’t have to wait long for a reply.

  No worries, but don’t be too long. Uncle Rory’s here, and he can’t wait to see you! x

  ‘I’ve done it,’ she said tonelessly.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘What now?’

  Ben stared at her with haunted eyes. ‘We wait.’

  Chloe’s hopes rose when headlights approached. She stepped into the road and waved her arms frantically.

  ‘Shit,’ she muttered when the car indicated right and turned into the Thornbury Estate. She traipsed back to Ben. ‘D’you think I should call the ambulance again? It’s been nearly twenty minutes.’

  ‘No,’ Ben said through chattering teeth. ‘Dad’ll be here soon.’

  Chloe resumed her pacing. A rustle in the undergrowth made her stop. Something big was moving through the trees, snapping twigs and swishing fallen leaves. Probably another deer, she told herself. But when a shadowy shape stepped out of the trees, she shrieked.

  ‘Chloe,’ the figure said, holding out a hand to quieten her. ‘It’s me, Adam.’

  Her hand dropped to her side. ‘Sorry,’ she said, feeling foolish. ‘I couldn’t see in the dark. Where’s your car?’

  ‘I parked down the road. Where is he?’

  ‘Over there.’

  Adam approached her, his figure a silhouette in the soft glow of the Audi’s side-lights. His face was in shadow as he took in the tyre marks that had sliced into the soft earth; the stoved-in bonnet; the tears streaming down his son’s face.

  ‘Jesus Christ.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Dad.’

  ‘Sorry? I should think you’re sorry. You took my car without my permission - without insurance for Christ’s sake - and you almost killed yourself. Not to mention Chloe. How the fuck would I have explained that to her mother? Jesus.’ He ran his hands through his hair. ‘I suppose you were showing off. Giving it all that in front of her.’

  ‘I wasn’t.’ Desperation had squeezed Ben’s voice an octave higher. ‘It wasn’t my fault, Dad. The accident, I mean. It was a deer. It ran out in front of us.’

  Adam looked to Chloe for confirmation.

  ‘He’s right,’ she said. ‘There was nothing he could do.’

  ‘Are either of you hurt?’

  Chloe shook her head. ‘I’m fine, but Ben was out cold for a few minutes after the crash. I think he must have hit his head. But don’t worry, I’ve called an ambulance. They should be here soon.’

  ‘What did you tell them?’

  ‘Only that a deer had run out in front of us and we hit a bank.’

  Adam massaged his temple. He glanced at the Audi and then back towards the road. ‘And that’s all? You didn’t give them your names?’

  ‘I was cut off before they asked.’

  The distant wail of sirens sliced through the gloom and Adam raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Talk of the devil. Chloe, go and sit with Ben. I’ll handle this.’

  Chloe’s legs sagged as relief flowed through her and she collapsed on the bank beside Ben. The sirens grew louder and blue lights flickered through the trees. Ben gave a sharp intake of breath.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Chloe said.

  ‘You bloody bitch. I thought you said you didn’t call the police?’

  Chloe flinched, stung by the vitriol in his voice. ‘I didn’t,’ she stammered. ‘I promise.’

  ‘So why are they here?’

  Chloe watched in horrified fascination as a police patrol car crunched over the loose dirt and came to a stop yards from the wrecked Audi. Two officers emerged, their faces inscrutable as they pulled on their hats. The taller of the two pulled a notebook from his top pocket while the other murmured into his radio.

  ‘Evening, sir,’ said the taller officer, nodding at Adam.

  ‘We were expecting an ambulance, not the police,’ Adam said.

  ‘The ambulance control room informs us of all injury accidents, sir. It’s standard procedure. Speaking of which,’ he waved a hand at his colleague. ‘Baz, check the ambulance ETA, can you?’

  Adam smoothed his hair. ‘I fear you’ve had a wasted journey, officer.’

  The officer licked his thumb and flicked through his notebook. ‘Control said the car collided with a bank when you swerved to avoid a deer. Was the deer hit?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because if it was badly injured, we’d have to call out an armed response team to put it out of its misery. It’s…’

  ‘Standard procedure?’ Adam said.

  The police officer’s eyes narrowed. ‘Yes. So perhaps you’d like to tell me what happened?’

  ‘It’s all very boring, I’m afraid. The deer wasn’t injured. My son and his girlfriend are both fine. No other vehicles were involved, and I’ll phone my insurance company to arrange recovery. All’s well that ends well, eh?’

  ‘Apart from the car,’ the officer said.

  ‘Apart from the car,’ Adam agreed. ‘But it’s only aluminium and steel. It could have been worse.’

  Ben walked over to his father and tugged at his sleeve.

  ‘I don’t need an ambulance, Dad.’

  The off
icer looked at Chloe. ‘What about you? Are you hurt?’

  Chloe scrambled to her feet and joined them. ‘I’m absolutely fine. The airbag was brilliant.’

  ‘Would you like us to cancel the ambulance?’

  They all nodded.

  ‘D’you hear that, Bazzer? Scrap the ambulance.’ His colleague nodded and muttered into his radio again. The taller officer produced a pen. ‘OK. I need to take some details then we can all be on our way. Registration number, please.’

  Adam reeled it off, and the officer jotted down their names and addresses and the time of the accident.

  ‘Just for the record, sir, who was driving?’

  Silence for a beat, then Adam smiled. ‘I was.’

  Chapter Twelve

  CHLOE

  Chloe felt as if the ground had disappeared from beneath her feet. What was Adam thinking, lying to the police? Had he lost his mind? She had to set the record straight. She stepped forwards, the truth on her lips, but before she could say anything, Ben put an arm around her shoulders and pinched the underside of her arm so hard she gasped.

  The police officer stopped writing and looked at her with concern. ‘Are you all right, miss? Are you sure you want us to cancel that ambulance?’

  Chloe glanced at Ben. Beads of sweat lined his forehead even though she could feel him trembling with cold. Their eyes met for the briefest moment.

  She swallowed. ‘I’m OK.’

  ‘Are you sure? Only you looked as though you wanted to say something?’

  Ben increased the pressure on her arm, but she took a breath and kept her voice neutral. ‘Honestly, I’m fine. I just felt a bit dizzy for a second.’

  The officer nodded. ‘If you’re sure.’ He turned back to Adam. ‘Where were we?’

  Ben steered her back towards the Audi while the officer finished taking details of Adam’s insurance company. Minutes later, the two officers were climbing back into the patrol car and driving off. Chloe’s heart thudded as the tail-lights disappeared into the night.