An Impossible Dilemma: A Psychological Thriller Novel, page 20
"That will make things easier for you," I said.
"Yeah, it will, and you'll have a fit young man on hand if you need it. We're not much cop in that department nowadays are we, Dave?”
Dave shook his head.
"Oh he's gonna love that isn't he? You donating his services to the neighbours." I smiled.
"He's a good boy, had his own farm in Ireland. They've sold it now and split the profits. She's gone on her merry way with her fancy man. I said it all along, didn't I, Dave?"
Dave nodded.
"She's a trollop. I'm just glad they didn't have any kiddies," Lyn continued, off on a tangent now.
"When did you last see him?" I asked.
"Three years ago, when we went over there for a long weekend. He rings every week, though. I spoke to him just this morning."
"It'll be exciting to see him, then. When's he arriving?"
"Next Saturday. Yeah, it'll be strange to have him here. He left home when he was eighteen years old, almost twenty years ago now."
"Wow."
"I know." She laughed. "We have plenty of room here—we don't have to get under each other's feet. Our Ronnie has always lived no more than five minutes away, but she's been pregnant more often than not over the past five years. And as you already know, Vic, she doesn't have an easy time of it."
"Yeah, I know. I don't know if I'd ever have another if I suffered as much she does." I grimaced.
Chapter 29
"Can I put the angel on top?" Emily asked staring up at the Christmas tree.
"Do you have a pair of stilts?" I asked.
"What are they?"
"Two long sticks that you stand on so you can reach the top."
She looked at me, her eyes screwed half-closed and her head cocked to one side.
"Never mind." I laughed. "How do you intend getting up there?"
"You can lift me up."
"You must be joking. It's too high, and you’re too big."
"I can lift you up," Alex said as he walked into the room.
"Oh hello, Alex. How's things with you?" I smiled affectionately.
"Good, thanks. I'm just checking what time we're leaving tonight."
"The taxi will be here at seven-ish. Is that all right?"
"Fine. Right, where's that angel?"
Emily jumped up from her spot underneath the tree and placed the red baubles on the coffee table before digging the tatty old angel out of the box.
"She's a little past her best, isn't she, Em?" I asked. "Maybe we need a new one."
"Aw no, Mummy. I like her."
"Okay then, we'll keep her this one last time but she won't make next Christmas." As I said the words, my stomach did a twirl, realising she might not be the only one not around by next Christmas.
Emily’s slurring was worse and she’d been lethargic in the afternoons this past week. I was determined to make this Christmas the best I could. Who knew what the New Year would bring.
Alex lifted Emily up so she could put the angel in pride of place. Then he left to get ready for tonight.
Frank and I were taking him and Steph to The Bells for our Christmas bash, and we’d also invited a few of our more important clients.
Lynette was coming over to look after Emily for a couple of hours and I was quite looking forward to letting my hair down for a little while. Well, figuratively. It was still too short to put up.
We finished decorating the tree and I had a shower while Emily had a bath. I agreed to let Lyn put her to bed.
***
The taxi arrived bang on time. Stephanie looked amazing in a sparkly green off-the-shoulder dress.
I wore my old faithful black trousers and jazzed them up with a turquoise sequinned blouse I'd bought a couple of years before. I found a pair of flashing Christmas earrings in with the decorations and wore them instead of my gold hoops, surprised they still worked.
We were doing a secret Santa and I had an awkwardly shaped, terribly wrapped gift under my arm.
"Ready?" I called as I walked into the lounge in search of Frank. I found him chatting with Lyn. "Come on, mister, the taxi's waiting. Time for bed, Em."
"Auntie Lyn said she'd read me a story."
I glanced at Lyn, who nodded.
"Okay, but then it's straight to sleep."
"Okay, Mummy. You look pretty."
"Thanks, baby. Goodnight." I kissed the top of her head. "We won't be late, Lyn."
"Take as long as you like. I'm looking forward to watching exactly what I want on TV. I've got two of the buggers flicking channels at home now."
"Oh, of course. I forgot Michael's home."
We all shuffled into the hallway where we met Steph coming down the stairs.
The restaurant was full of party revellers, and the atmosphere was pumping.
We'd pre-ordered a set menu of with the choice of pâté and melba toast or prawn cocktail to start, followed by a traditional turkey with all the trimmings, and a choice of Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or trifle.
Sam and Angela Anderson were already sitting at our table.
"Hello, you two. Sorry we're late," I said, kissing them both before sitting down.
"You're not late. We're early, as per usual." Angela laughed, gazing pointedly at her husband and raising her eyebrows.
"I'd rather be too early than late." Sam attempted to defend himself. "Who else is coming?" He nodded at the empty chairs.
"Cathy and Martin Coombes from Sedgewick Farm, and Steve Allen and his current squeeze."
Steve Allen was the local Lothario. He'd gone through all the single women in the area—and some not so single—and broken many hearts. He owned a deer farm which had a venison butchery and shop on the premises.
Cathy and Martin Coombes were popular with all the young girls in the area. Cathy was a riding instructor and they owned a pony trekking business.
As we spoke, a suave-looking Steve Allen walked in with a blond beauty on his arm. She must have been half his age, if that. I smiled as he approached us.
"Steve, glad you could make it."
"I'd never stand up a pretty woman," he said, bending to kiss me.
I groaned. "Cheese alert!" Everyone laughed.
"Don't be like that, Victoria. You could hurt my feelings." He feigned injury.
"Shut up and introduce your guest." I smiled, extending my hand to the young girl at his side.
"This is Sally-Ann. Sally-Ann, this is Victoria Lyons, our very own wonder vet."
Sally-Ann gripped my hand with surprising strength for such a little thing. I introduced the rest of the guests to her as we sat down.
A couple of minutes, later Cathy and Martin arrived with their arms full of gifts.
"What's all this?" I asked. "You're supposed to bring one each, that's all."
"We've got a few goodies for Emily. You're still planning on her taking riding lessons in January, aren't you?" Cathy asked.
"If she's well enough, yes."
"Then she'll need these. I'll leave them here under the table—don't forget them."
"That's so nice of you. Thanks."
Martin shuffled around the back of the table and sat next to Frank.
We began pulling crackers, putting on the silly paper hats and reading out the corny jokes.
The waiters were told to keep the wine flowing, and by the time the dessert was being served, the table was in a raucous state.
Alex seemed to be the worst. Wine obviously wasn’t his drink of choice, and it had gone straight to his head. His alter ego emerged as a confident and extremely funny young man.
Sally-Ann was clearly smitten with him and laughed as Alex and Steve bounced off each other all night, like a double act. My jaw ached from laughing.
Stephanie sat opposite Steve and they flirted blatantly, although Sally-Ann didn't seem to notice because she only had eyes for Alex.
I stopped drinking after a couple of wines. After eating too much food, I couldn’t face it, but I didn't want to be a party pooper. I loved seeing Frank enjoy himself, catching up with his old mates, David and Martin. They’d all had a good go at the wine and were now hitting the whisky. Angela and Cathy were also putting the world to rights.
After the dessert, we went through to the bar. "One more, and then I'll ring a taxi," I said to Frank.
He nodded. "Aye, lass, it's well past my bedtime."
"Oh well, you can have a lie-in tomorrow."
"Chance would be a fine thing," he said. "All those years as a farmer messed me up for lie-ins."
Once in the bar, the group rearranged. Alex and Sally-Ann sat together and so did Steph and Steve.
I noticed a woman in her fifties trying to catch Sally-Ann's eye. Sally-Ann cringed and gave her a small wave.
The woman approached the table.
"Get ush a drink Shal."
"Leave me alone, Mam," Sally hissed.
My ears pricked up. Sally-Ann was a pretty, slim, well-dressed young woman. But her mother was as rough as they come, with rank, yellowing grey hair stuck to her head. Her clothes were smelly and stained.
"Aw, don't be like that wiv ya own mam."
By now, Steve had noticed the exchange and put two and two together. "Is this your mum, Sally-Ann?"
She hesitated, then nodded. All eyes on her.
"Get her a glass then, and pull up a chair."
"No, she's okay, aren't you, Mum?" Sally-Ann eyeballed her mother. "Haven't you got things to do? Come on, I'll get you a drink." Sally-Ann got up from her seat and ushered her mum to the bar.
I raised my eyebrows at Angela, and she swiped her brow with the back of her hand and laughed.
I nodded and smiled.
Alex began chatting to a group of girls on the next table.
Angela and Sam stood up to leave.
"I've had a wonderful time. Thanks, Vic." Angela said.
"Aye, lass. Thank you." Sam kissed me.
Sally-Ann came back to the table, having bought her mum a pint of something then left her at the bar.
Stephanie and Steve were engrossed deep in conversation, so Sally-Ann sat next to me.
"Are you okay?" I asked her once Sam and Angie had left.
"Yeah, sorry about that. She does my head in."
"Oh dear. Do you not get on?"
"Are you joking? Just look at her. She's a right pain in the neck."
I didn't know what to say. I felt awkward, so I focused on the hysterical laughter coming from the next table. I smiled at Sally-Ann and rolled my eyes.
She looked at Alex longingly, then at Steve and Steph. "I think I'll get going. Thanks for the meal. Would you tell Steve I had a headache?"
"If you're sure," I said.
"Yeah, she won't leave me alone now. Once she's necked her cider she'll be back over. I don't think Steve will even notice I've gone."
"I'm sure he will."
"No, and anyway, I wouldn't foist my mum on my worst enemy. She'll be mithering you soon, and you're too nice."
"Don't let her ruin your night."
"It's too late. I bet you think I'm a terrible daughter, don't you?"
"No, I don't. You obviously have your reasons."
"She's always been a pain, but since my brother went missing, she's even worse. She drives me mad."
"Your brother?"
"Yeah, our Shane. He was another scumbag, to be honest with you. My family's full of them. What? Don't look so shocked. I know what they're like."
"I'm not … I mean …" my heart clattered against my ribcage.
She laughed. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Don't worry, I'm used to it."
"How did you turn out to be so lovely?"
She shrugged. "My mum gave me away when I was two. My Auntie Kath brought me up."
"So how come you’re back here?"
"Auntie Kath died last year and I had nowhere else to go. I don't intend to stay around. I'd have already gone if it wasn't for Shane vanishing. Mum's been distraught and I felt rotten leaving."
"What do you think happened to him?"
She shrugged. "Honestly, I think he's probably dead. But he could be anywhere. If there was a few quid to be had, Shane would be there. So long as it’s illegal, that is. God forbid he'd get himself a real job. Anyway, he was partial to every drug going, and was also a dealer. He’d do anything for the price of a pint."
"Oh, right."
"Do you know him?"
"No. I don't think so."
She pulled a leaflet out of her bag and handed it to me.
My breath hitched in my throat as I stared into the cold eyes of Shane Logan.
"You know him?" she asked again.
"Seen him around. But no, I don't know him." I passed the leaflet back to her.
"Keep it—I've got hundreds. My mum makes me hand them out."
I folded the paper and shoved it into the side pocket of my handbag.
Sally-Ann hugged me and got up to leave. "Thank you for dinner. It was lovely and very nice to meet you."
"You're welcome," I said, standing up. I gripped both of her elbows. "Sally-Ann, I'm sorry if I'm speaking out of turn, but if I were you I'd get away from here, from your family, and try to make a decent life for yourself. They'll just drag you down."
She smiled, there was a pained expression in her eyes and she sighed deeply. “I have nowhere to go," she said.
"Call me next week—the number's in the book. I might be able to help you."
I don't know why, but I felt compelled to help this lovely young woman. She had the most awful family and I could clearly see that she wouldn't amount to much if she stayed around them. She would end up just another disgusting drunk if left to her mother's devices.
"Thank you, Victoria, I will." She smiled and walked quietly away.
"Pretty young girl isn't she?" Cathy said.
I nodded. "Such a shame to have …" I cocked my head to the side, indicating Sally-Ann's mum.
"I know. All of them are trouble. She doesn't seem anything like the rest."
"She just told me her aunt brought her up, until she died. She's done a marvellous job with her too. Shame all that hard work will be undone by that lot."
"You're so right," Cathy said. "Poor girl."
I glanced around at the dwindling party. Frank was still chatting with Martin. Steph and Steve looked as though they’d completely zoned everybody else out, which surprised me. Steph had heard all the stories about Steve being a male slut. I hoped she realised what she was doing.
Alex came staggering over and sat down next to me. The table of girls seemed relieved he'd left.
"Are you okay, Alex?"
"I'm wonderful, and I want to tell you that you and your family are the best ever."
"Thanks." I smiled.
Cathy's eyes twinkled.
I shook my head at her and laughed. "Are you ready to go home, Alex?"
"Nah, I want to go dancing with some friends."
"Where are they?"
He looked around the room. "Where's Sally-Ann?"
"She left."
"Wha—"
"Come on, let's get you home."
I stood up and asked the girl behind the bar to order a taxi.
"Are you almost ready, Frank?"
"Aye, lass. Ready when you are.”
“We'd best get Alex home before he throws up." I laughed, glancing at Alex who had turned a greenish colour and leaned against the bar.
I placed my hand on Steph's shoulder and she started. "We're gonna head off, Steph. What do you want to do?"
"Oh, I'll come too."
Steve glanced around. "Where's Sally-Ann?"
"She left—she had a headache."
"Oops." He shrugged, and they both laughed. “In that case, do you fancy going on somewhere?" he asked Steph.
"Okay." She smiled, her eyes sparkling at Steve.
We all made our way to the front door. Steve helped us get Alex in the back of the taxi and we said our goodbyes to Cathy and Martin.
"Emily's presents!" Cathy and I said at the same time, and then laughed.
I ran back into the restaurant and retrieved the pile of gifts from under the table.
Back outside, I saw Steve's black Aston Martin drive away with a wide-eyed Stephanie in the passenger seat. I waved but they didn't seem to notice.
I slid into the taxi beside Alex, who promptly began snoring.
Once home, I paid the driver who helped get the parcels into the hallway while I helped Alex.
"You check on Emily and let Lyn go, Frank. I'll get this one to his room." "Can you manage?"
"I should be able to."
Alex was upright but leaning on me. By the time we got to the garage, he’d found his second wind, wanting to dance and sing. He tried to make me put my bag down but I swung it away from him, laughing and the leaflet I’d got off Sally-Ann fell to the floor.
"Whoops, you dropped something," Alex said, bending to pick the piece of paper up. He glanced at it then sat heavily on the bottom step of the spiral staircase.
"I got it off Sally-Ann. It's her brother. He went missing ages ago."
"I know him." He was a lot more sober than he had been a few seconds ago.
"Yeah, you probably do—he's lived round here all his life."
"No, I mean, I saw him here."
Chapter 30
I stood stock–still, staring at him, suddenly struck dumb.
He attempted to get up. "I need to tell the police."
"Wait, what are you talking about? He's never been here."
"Yes, he has—twice that I know of. The first time I told Jonathan about it and we chased him from the property."
"Jon didn't tell me."
"No, he said not to. Said you'd freak out."
I sat beside him on the step with a huff.
"Then I saw him the night of Jon's funeral."
"You must be mistaken. What would he want round here?"
"That first time we saw him Jonathan told me he was bad news and probably casing the joint."
"I need a drink," I said.
"Now you're talking," he said, standing up and heading for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"With you, for a drink."
I sighed. "Come on then. One, mind you, then bed."
We walked back towards the house as Lyn's car disappeared down the driveway.
