Resentments and Revenge Page 13

  “This is unreal.” I stomped up and down the room. “Who does she think she is? All I did was alter the wording to take in the new legislation on health and safety — a couple of paragraphs, that’s all.” Susan nodded. I had put her in a tricky situation, and it showed. “I’m sorry Susan. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I know but you do like to control things sometimes. With her being new, maybe she needs to get used to your way of working.”

  “What? You think I’m controlling?”

  “I think you like things done your way, yes.”

  “Well, doesn’t everybody?” She shrugged her shoulders.

  “That was all I could think she meant. I know you’re not a bully.”

  “Bully? Has she accused me of bullying her?”

  “She has implied it, yes.” I put my hand up to my head and shook it.

  “I don’t believe this is happening. I will speak to the boss before this gets out of hand.” I went to move towards the door. Susan took hold of my arm.

  “Sophie, Sophie, don’t be too hasty. I’d have a quiet word with Karen first. I’m sure it won’t escalate if you clear up any misunderstanding.” I sighed and nodded.

  “Okay, I’ll do that and thanks for your advice.”

  I marched back into the office and scanned the room. Karen wasn’t at her desk.

  “Where’s Karen?” I asked in a short sharp tone. Pauline and Miriam looked at each other. Pauline spoke.

  “She had to go home. She has a migraine.”

  “Very convenient. I hear she’s been talking about me behind my back.” No one spoke. Susan came back into the room. She stood behind me.

  She turned to the others and said, “I’ve told Sophie what she said. My advice was they need to speak with each other and keep the rest of us out of it.” The other two nodded. The boss walked into the office.

  “Is everything okay here?” she asked.

  “Everything’s fine,” I said, slumping my shoulders and sitting back at my desk. This could wait until another day.

  Most people would probably go home after a problem at work and treat themselves to a nice glass of wine. I’d lost the ability to do that because in the past I’d done it to excess. So now I dealt with my stress levels in a more positive way. I went for a run or I talked about it.

  The incident with the car had unnerved me enough to keep me away from running for now, so, I gave Joyce a ring. As my AA sponsor and an older and wiser counsel, she was always good to talk to when I was troubled. Her suggestion was to pray for Karen. Somehow, I didn’t think that would help on this occasion. Karen was doing all she could to create trouble for me at work and I didn’t know why.

  After speaking to Joyce, I took a shower. As the hot steamy water flowed, I rubbed the shower gel in my body and tried to put all thoughts of Karen aside. The lather foamed up as I massaged it in my skin. My birthday was only a couple of weeks off and this year it would be over the Easter weekend. I doubted Jack would have any free time to get away. Maybe we could do something nice together. I’d discuss it with him later.

  I rinsed the soap off and stepped out of the shower, reaching up for one of my nice fluffy towels that had been warming on the towel rail. I shook my hair out, dried myself and popped on my white fleecy dressing gown. I went to lie on my bed, closing my eyes for a few minutes and tried to block out any interference. I’d drawn the curtains so lay there in relative darkness. Reaching over for my body lotion, I opened the top just as the bedroom door opened. My body almost went into spasm as I jumped up from my supine position. Jack stood in the doorway.

  “Do you want me to do that?” he smiled.

  “I didn’t hear you come in?”

  “I shouldn’t have sneaked up on you but now I’m glad I did.” He had a big grin on his face.

  “I wasn’t expecting you yet.” I smiled. I still felt excited in his presence. My body tingled.

  “Why? Have you got your lover hiding in the cupboard?”

  “You’re my only lover, Jack North.” I laughed.

  “So, aren’t you pleased to see me?”

  “Of course, I am.” I waved him towards me, and he came over and lay on the bed next to me. He leaned up on his elbow, bringing his body close to mine and narrowing the distance between us.

  “Would you like me to put your body lotion on for you?” he asked, smiling, his eyes gleamed.

  “Would I?” My pulse raced. My mouth felt dry. I moistened my lips with my tongue not taking my eyes off him. He gently removed my dressing gown and looked over my body then pushed me over onto my stomach. I heard him shaking the bottle of lotion.

  “I hope my hands aren’t too cold,” he said as his fingers stroked my back.

  “Oo, I don’t mind.” My head nestled on the pillow with my hands by my sides. Slowly, he massaged my body, first my back and then my legs. His touch was blissfully sensual. I was in heaven. He sat on top of me and leaned forward. His hands came up to my shoulder, and he nuzzled my neck. My whole body tingled with delight.

  He ran his fingers through my hair then turned my head around. His lips met mine and fire exploded inside me. I opened my mouth and his tongue pressed inside it, probing, caressing me. I turned my body and slowly undid the buttons of his shirt. Helping me, he pulled it off. I slid my hands around his hard torso.

  His hands were all over my body. Every touch of his fingertips filled me with desire. I pushed him over to lie on the bed and I kissed him. Reaching down, I undid his jeans, and he helped me with the belt. He quickly slid off his pants, and we rolled together on the bed.

  He gathered me into his arms and kissed me, with one hand in my wet hair and the other caressing my back. I kissed his neck and chest and allowed lust to take over. I felt weak with passion. My heart raced in anticipation. Our bodies entwined. I was lost in a sea of uncontrollable desire. Our lovemaking was just the antidote I needed to get over Karen and her behaviour at work. I felt so content lying there next to Jack that it no longer seemed important what an awful day I’d had at work.

  We lay together in bed. I breathed in the odour of his aftershave. There was nothing that could take away my contentment. Well, maybe just one thing. Jack turned to me and stroked my cheek.

  “I’ve found something out,” he said.

  “Oh?”

  “The car you saw while out running.”

  “Yes?”

  “It belongs to Dom Duggan.” My heart sank. This was bad news.

  Chapter 25

  Jack

  Pubs had changed over the years. Even the smell was different now. It used to be cigarette smoke that clung to my hair, clothes and the furnishings. Nowadays, it was strong, overpowering aftershaves and perfumes mixed in with the pungent scent of body odour. There was no mistaking the booze though. At one time, I could get euphoric breathing in stale beer when I walked in a place, but not anymore. Today, it knocked me sick, both thinking about it and whiffing it.

  I arrived at the pub where Barry worked. This wasn’t one of those establishments where the brewery spent money modernising it, nor was it pristine and more like a restaurant. It was a proper pub full of the great unwashed. This was the sort of place you bought your knocked off gear, from joints of meat to joints of cannabis, it was all here. I could guarantee there’d be a deal taking place at any given moment — TVs, trainers, sports gear, ladies’ underwear, replica designer wear. This was why the British High Street was going under. Nothing to do with your big malls opening.

  It was also the kind of place where you met the most unsavoury of characters, the great criminal hangout. They could put pictures on the walls of the most notorious scoundrels from these parts now doing time. I imagined half the old regulars were now banged up inside over one thing or another. From debauchery to alcoholism, drug dealing to fraud, this place, like many similar establishments, had it all. Let the MPs spend an hour in here. They’d soon find out what life was really like for the locals. No one came in here with anything wholesome in m
ind. You wouldn’t find any do-gooders around this area.

  I listened to the sound of glasses clinking as I walked towards the bar. It was busier than the last time I was here. Pool, darts, quiz nights and karaoke had so far saved this one from going under like many of the other local pubs. There was a darts match in progress and laughter overpowered the jukebox. I heard the humming of conversations. The first time I visited, I thought it wouldn’t be long before the bailiffs came and shut the place down. Tonight, was totally different, a hive of activity.

  There were some younger people in. Not just the local drunks stood in the corner. A gang of lads hung around the bar, back slapping and laughing. I watched as a woman in her thirties in a figure-hugging dress moved from one guy to the next, working the small crowd. She flashed a smile from her heavily made-up face and in an instant as if by magic a bar stool was put in front of her. She gracefully popped her petite derriere onto the seat and slowly crossed her legs, dangling a high heeled stiletto and flashing her thighs.

  I’d give it an hour before this convivial atmosphere turned into something much darker. It would start with a few wobbly customers slurring their words, building into boastful comments, followed by several choice swear words, then threatening behaviour, a push and a shove and before long I could guarantee a fight would break out. I reckoned it happened most weekend nights in places like this. You had to be one tough cookie to control this crowd.

  I glanced over at Barry, busy serving someone. He looked like he could handle himself. The hubbub and the jostling didn’t faze him. I jockeyed for position at the bar and caught his eye. He nodded recognition. Two orders later, he stood in front of me.

  “You’ve not come in for the darts. To what do we owe this pleasure?” he asked.

  “It’s your good self I’d like a word with when you’re free.”

  “Oh, I see,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “Well, it won’t be tonight. As you can tell, we are very busy,” he called out above the noise. He held the palm of his hand out and swept it in front of him.

  “No, I appreciate that. Just let me know when you’re available, so we can have a little chat.”

  “Sounds ominous.” I didn’t reply. I glared at him. He looked down.

  “I’m off tomorrow lunchtime. Meet me in the Hark to Dandler up Walmersley Old Road. That’s my local.”

  I nodded and took his number to confirm. I wasn’t staying around to enjoy the merriment the rest of the clientele were soaking up. I went home to a night on my own, just me and my laptop, surfing the net and catching up on paperwork.

  A sense of déjà vu hit me when I walked into the warm friendly pub the following day. It evoked memories of days in my youth when I was with my ex-wife and we came out somewhere nice for a pie and a pint. That was a long time ago now. Gallons of beer had flowed under the bridge as well as much troubled waters since then. My line of work took me to many establishments such as this. I was grateful that I didn’t need to succumb to drinking the booze in any of them anymore. I’d done enough damage wrecking my life on that score.

  This pub couldn’t have been more different from the one Barry worked in. The clientele here were farmers, businessmen and ladies who lunched. I doubted they’d be offering any Rolex watches for a fiver in here. Barry stood at the bar with his back towards me. He was easy to make out with his heavy frame and dark hair tied back. He wore a short-sleeved polo shirt which showed off his vast array of tattoos. I watched as he took a drink of his pint of whatever amber liquid he was testing today. He looked a real ale drinker with his rugged features, so it was no surprise he hung around somewhere like this on his day off. With its selection of as many unknown concoctions of beer as you could imagine, this was the place to come to sample new beverages.

  My feet padded on the carpet as I crossed the room to the bar. It still had that smell that new carpets have. The woman in front of me ordered two Bacardi Breezers. I’d never tried one of those, and thankfully I had no desire to. Barry spotted me and ordered me a coke and we took our drinks through into a quieter area. I wasted no time explaining the reason I wanted to talk to him.

  “So, did you think you’d get away with keeping information about yourself from me?” His smile changed to one of shock. From the look on his face, he hadn’t expected this visit to be about him. He looked at me with his mouth wide open. “Surely, you knew I’d find out before long?” His already reddened cheeks brightened up a notch and the crimson colour filtered down his neck.

  “Err, what is it we’re talking about?”

  “Well, you tell me what you’ve kept from me and then I’ll let you know what I have on you.” He frowned, then his eyes narrowed, and his lips thinned while he thought. He pointed his chin towards me, looking at me side on.

  “Is this about Jade?”

  “Oh yes, Jade’s told me a few little nuggets about you and her and Carmen, cosy little threesomes, eh?”

  “No, it wasn’t like that.” Barry coughed and spluttered after putting his pint down.

  “So, what was it like Barry?”

  “Who’s going to turn down an easy lay when it’s offered on a plate?”

  “And are the police aware of your bonking sessions with both of them?”

  “Erm, not exactly. I couldn’t have them thinking I’d done anything shady. I mean I didn’t murder the woman, so I didn’t want them suspecting me.”

  “And you don’t trust the police to make the right judgement call on you, given your dodgy behaviour. Is that right, Barry?” Barry screwed his mouth up and stared at me.

  “You don’t have to tell them, do you?”

  “It depends if you can help me in any way.” He looked across at me, rubbing his chin.

  “How do you think I can help?” he asked.

  “What do you know about the Russian guy who pals out with the Duggans?”

  Who, Vladimir Popov?” He raised his eyebrows.

  “So, you’ve met him then?”

  “I know he hangs around with them.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I’d tread carefully there. I don’t think he is someone you want to mess with.”

  “And why do you say that then?”

  “Only that I’ve studied tattoos and I know the ones he has are like badges of honour.”

  “Oh?”

  “He has a leaping stag on his left arm that symbolises time spent in one of the northern labour camps.”

  “Interesting.”

  “The three crosses on his knuckles show he has been to prison three times.”

  “I see.” I nodded.

  “On his other arm, he has a knife wrapped in chains. That means he has committed a violent crime whilst in prison.”

  “Right.”

  “If you looked at his body, any crimes he has committed will be told as a story through his tattoos. It’s a way of solving any crime.”

  “Well, I’ve learnt something today. I never knew that.” Barry smiled. He seemed pleased with himself.

  “If there’s anything else I can help you with let me know. And, I’m sorry for not being upfront about Jade and Carmen.” I nodded and finished my drink. I leaned forward and spoke quietly.

  “I’m happy to keep my mouth shut for now if you help me out, you know, an eye for an eye.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “Just to keep your nose to the ground and if you hear anything relating to any of that crowd, especially Dom Duggan, give me a buzz.”

  “Okay, it’s a deal.” Barry shook my hand. I’d let him off lightly but then he may come in useful in the future.

  Chapter 26

  Sophie

  As much as I wanted to forgive and forget with Jack, especially after his recent attack, my mind still filled with nagging doubts about him and Caroline. The mistake he made contacting her worked in my favour though as he had been extra nice to me. In the past, he hadn’t involved me much with his kids. That tapped into my insecurities because I convinced myself it was b
ecause he couldn’t see any future with us, so kept us apart. Now, walking into Nando’s together, the four of us looked like a cosy family group.

  As usual, the restaurant was full. The high street casual dining chain had brought peri-peri flavours to the masses, and the crowds flocked in, week in, week out to sample the flame-grilled spicy selection of chicken. Teenagers loved it here. It was for them what McDonald’s was for the younger kids. This was the next stage up in their gastronomic journey and had been a complete culinary success story.

  We were shown to our table by a young blonde-haired girl in her early twenties. The branch in Bury had upmarket furnishings. A lot nicer than some of the other restaurants I had been in. The gold velour seating and animal patterned chairs enhanced the rest of the bright relaxed décor. With the long wooden tables and tribal art paintings, the South African influence was evident.

  Megan sat next to her dad and Ryan sat by my side, his legs unable to reach the floor, they swung back and forth. Megan had turned into a pretty little girl having reached puberty and looked much older than her years. She wore a white t-shirt and black jeans with a denim jacket. Her long brown hair had been straightened and her head was topped with a black fedora. Her attention had veered from dolls to boys. According to Jack, Ryan focused more on Formula One racing these days rather than superheroes. His obsession with Batman appeared to be waning. He too wore the staple jeans and t-shirt with a baseball cap he refused to take off. I implored Jack to leave him be. I didn’t want a scene in the restaurant, but Jack insisted on getting his way.

  The last time the four of us went out was nothing short of disastrous. It was a lesson in how not to bring your kids up. Jack was so embarrassed by their behaviour. The kids had straws in their drinks and discovered that if they blew out the liquid and aimed it at Jack, he would go ballistic. They found it highly amusing. The first time they did it, it made me chuckle but by the twentieth time, my patience wore thin, as well. By then Jack had gone purple with rage. So, when Ryan knocked his drink over all hell let loose.