“It’s too late for sorry. I grew up in the Brazilian favela, the slums. There were no police there. You had to fend for yourself. I worked up from there, fighting my way to the top and I didn’t care who I hurt on the way. I’ve met gold-diggers like you before. Bitches who thought they didn’t need to work, people who thought they could sleep their way to success. I broke all of those who stood in my way and I’ll break you also. I want you out!”
“What?”
“You heard me… Slut!” She shifted her foot, placing the sole of her designer shoe onto my neck, starting to push down with all her weight, I struggled but was unable to break free. “I want you gone. I’m taking Edward to London where he can be supervised and I want there to be no trace of you when I return. And don’t let me find you. Do I make myself clear? Speak up, bitch!”
I was struggling to breathe as she crushed my neck beneath her foot, let alone speak. I tried grabbing for her leg but she just increased the pressure on my neck. I gasped, spluttering, pinpricks of bright light in my vision.
“I think I have made myself clear and you understand. And, if you think you can sell your story, don’t. I know people. You would just become one more missing person.”
She laughed, releasing the pressure on my neck, walking back across the yard. I rolled into a fetal ball. As much as I was scared and frustrated, there was a part of me that was impressed by this powerful woman. Impressed, and just a little turned on.
* * *
I watched the car leave, despite being hidden in the shadows I could see her looking out towards me. She had left me with an issue. I had wanted to play more with my new companions, draw out the torture for just a little bit longer. I had started to really enjoy Hilary’s suffering; it was delicious after all the times she had put me down. However, now I needed to change my schedule if I needed to be gone in just three days, my opportunity for long term suffering was gone. It was a shame, but I guessed this could become a positive.
I could sort this out, go and find somewhere else to go. I wouldn’t need to rush, I had already decided to clear out the tack room when I left, some of those five-thousand-pound saddles would make enough second hand for me to not have to rush to find a new job straight away. I deserved a short break, so I could lie low for a bit. I was sure that the lady of the house could afford new ones, just call it a going-away present to a well-loved and respected groom.
So, I had to decide what to do with Hilary and Kate, tomorrow would have to be the day and I so wanted them to suffer as I had done. A couple of glasses of good whisky would give me the inspiration I needed.
32
Things to do…
I rose early. It was a delightfully sunny day; the horses could enjoy some time in the beautifully maintained paddocks. All things considered; it was better for them to be out of the way for the day’s activities. I didn’t want to hurt them. I wasn’t a monster. People were fair game, but I would give my life for my horses.
In the end, the idea which struck me was so beautifully simple, it would solve my problems and allow me to get away with a little tack theft unnoticed, to be honest, I was surprised I hadn’t thought of it earlier. I crossed the yard with a spring in my step, I had things to do.
* * *
“Are you awake?”
I opened my eyes, nodding to Hilary. I’m sure I looked as bad as she did. Her face filthy and gaunt, her eyes sunken, her features scratched and bruised. Her clothes were torn, covered with dried blood and dirt. Her hands covered in scratches where she had tried to claw at the door to escape.
The stink from the bucket set up in the furthest corner of the room was overpowering, but we had somehow become used to it. I no longer wanted to cry, I had gone past the point of emotions, even the pangs of hunger that had tormented me seemed to have passed.
I struggled to a sitting position. I was awake but I wished I wasn’t.
Over the last, hours? Days? Who knows, the time had all merged into nothing. We had tried to escape, tried to shout for help and tried to reassure ourselves we would be alright. There would be people looking for us, we would escape.
We’d given up on such futile thoughts now. The only thing in our mind was how we kept going until the inevitable happened.
“What the hell happened to Sally?”
“Kate, I don’t know. She was always a lovely person and such a caring groom. She’d seemed a bit distant in the last few months but, I could never have seen this coming. I always cared for her, I made sure she was well paid, I wanted to make sure her cottage was comfortable and we often had nights out together to thank her for what she did for me. I used to tell her how vital she was, how I couldn’t compete without her, but it seems she didn’t get that feeling. I thought that we were friends. Oh, God, how could she have turned against me like this and I just didn’t see it coming? I blame myself. I must have been so self-absorbed, maybe I wasn’t making enough time for her? How could I have missed this? I’m sorry Kate, you’ve been
