12
The Morning After The Night Before...
“Good morning all!”
“Is it?” Sue rubbed her eyes. “I feel like shit…”
“You were all fast asleep last night.” Sue expressed surprise. “I came back for my phone. I saw you all, dead to the world.” I smiled. “It’ll be all that wine.”
“Mandy, I think I had half a glass, none of us had much as it tasted terrible and then, well, I don’t remember we all woke up on the sofas.”
“Sue, I am sure you have a lot more than just half a glass if I know you!” Sue’s serious face told me that she was not joking. “Come on, I’ll muck out for you. Go and have a brew…” She nodded her thanks as I went to grab a pitchfork and barrow.
***
“I’m worried about the girls Anne.”
“Why?”
“I came back here last night. I’d forgotten my phone. They were all zonked, fast asleep, but Sue said they didn’t drink much.”
“She’s lying Amanda.” She sighed. “They were drunk, I left them to it.”
“Oh, you were here too were you?”
She frowned. “I don’t have time for this.”
“And what was that delivery? I saw them dumping something on the muck heap. It’s twice the size today…” Anne grabbed my arm, dragging me to the tack room. “Ow! Anne, you’re hurting me.” She shoved me down on the bench seat.
“Right you!” She snarled. “If you know what’s good for you, just forget what you saw.”
“What did I see?”
“Nothing…” Anne rubbed her eyes. “Oh shit! Amanda. I don’t want you involved in this.”
“What? What’s happening?”
“I can’t tell you…” Anne grabbed my shoulders. “Oh God, I wish I could. Please, Amanda, for your own good, your own safety, say nothing, especially to your boyfriend. I know you don’t understand, I know you think I’m being stupid, but please.”
“Okay, Anne.” I slither free of her vice-like grip. “I get it, I saw nothing. You want to take delivery of muck, fine. It’s none of my business.”
“Yes… Thank you… I’m so sorry.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “I try everything to protect you, but I’m letting you all down.” She sniffed. “I’m sorry…”
I watched, confused as she walked out of the room. I had no idea what she was talking about. Anne was everything to me, to all of us. She was the closest thing I had to a mother. The thought chilled me. I’d not thought of mum in so long, I could hardly remember her, my mind corrupting what she looked like, how she had hugged me. I shook my head. I needed to keep going.
***
“I’m just suggesting that you should not be involved with the girl.”
“Patrick…” Edwin fought to keep his voice calm. “The girl, as you call her, is called Amanda. She is charming and innocent and…”
“And what?” Patrick squealed. “Oh for God’s sake, don’t say it… Don’t tell me that you love her. Have you forgotten what is happening at the moment? You can screw anyone you like once this deal has been done.” He didn’t see Edwin reach out, but as the blow struck he felt the impact which knocked him from his feet. He fell heavily, rubbing his jaw.
“Don’t you dare tell me what to do…”
“And, don’t think you can frighten me, Edwin.” Patrick stood up slowly. “I know everything and control every operation. I’m doing this for your own good.”
“You don’t control me…” His voice was a strained whisper. “Get out!”
“Fuck you, Edwin!”
“Get out before I have you killed!”
“Brave words… I do hope you don’t live to regret them…” Patrick slammed the office door as he left.
***
“You’re tense…” I rubbed his shoulders, I could feel every muscle was taut. “I can help.” I ran my hand over his shoulders and onto his chest. He stood up quickly, throwing me off. I landed on my bum heavily. “Edwin!” I gasped.
“Shit!” I saw a flash in his eyes, his face softened. “Oh, Babe I’m sorry…” He picked me up gently. “I had a crappy day, but I shouldn’t take it out on you…”
“Do you want to relax…” I started to slowly unbutton his shirt, slipping his jacket from his shoulders. “I can help you relax…”
“Oh, babe!”
****
“Another…”
“Anne, are you sure?” The barman held the bottle. “I know what I need Dave.” She grabbed the vodka bottle filling her glass, knocking it back in one gulp. “I have to do something…”
“Sure Anne…” He smiled. “But first, have a nights sleep and please, have a shower…”
***
I lay tangled in the sheets, Edwin in my arms. The tension in his body had gone and he was yawning. I smiled and kissed him gently. He pulled me towards him and kissed me deeply.
“I have something for you. Something I want you to look after.” He reached down and handed me a small box.
“Jewellery…?” I looked inside. “Ah… no… What are these?”
“I just want you to keep them safe. Do me a favour, when you get back to the stables tomorrow put them somewhere safe in your bedroom there. I just need to make sure that they are protected, just in case of any problems.” He paused. “I trust you more than you can know and I want you to trust these with your life.”
“Okay…” I dropped the box on the bedside table. I would put in in my old boot with the money I still put aside with every pay packet.
“You want jewellery?”
“Well… I would love to have a ring…” I joshed.
“Ah… You wait and see…” He embraced me in his arms.
13
In The Dead of The Night
Detective Inspector Willoughby sat down heavily. “No…”
“You haven’t heard what I have to say.” Tracy Jackson shrugged.
“No… I don’t want to know what you have to say. I want to have a coffee and sit here for a moment and wonder why my life is
