The silent midwinter, p.16
The Silent Midwinter, page 16
I throw a few packs of sandwiches into my basket without overthinking what fillings to choose and quickly head to the crisps. Again, I grab three packs of anything and head to the next aisle to look for a packet of biscuits. He follows me. I see him at the end of the aisle watching me. He’s not looking at the products; he’s watching me. I grab the chocolate digestives and hurry to the till. I choose the woman at the till over the self-serve as if she could offer me some protection. I tap my card and glance up and yes, he’s there. My heart is racing, and I need to get back to the girls. harper
I run back across the road this time, taking a risk with the fast-approaching cars. I make it, look back and he’s close behind. I run across the car park to the entrance of the park, with people in view as well as my stepdaughters. I rummage for my phone. It’s in my hand ready, but the man has caught up and he grabs my arm. His grip hurts.
‘Don’t scream,’ he growls.
‘Who are you?’ I yelp. I can’t look at him; I’m frantically trying to keep my eyes on the girls.
‘They’ll be safe if you listen carefully.’
‘Get off me! I’ll call the police.’
He takes the phone from my hand. ‘I said “Listen carefully.” You work at Standington. We need you to do a little something for us and if you don’t, the next girl to disappear will be yours.’ He nods towards Harper and Fizz.
I can’t believe this is happening, what he’s saying. ‘Did you leave Sophie Banks at my house?’
‘To show we mean business. It will be Harper next.’
‘How do you know—’?
‘Shh, listen up. Jason Sawyer. His appeal is due soon. You need to stop that going through. Plant something on him. Do something to harm his appeal. We don’t want him getting out.’
‘I can’t. I don’t know how. It’s not that—’
Harper looks over at me and waves.
‘Think of something and just do it. We’ll be in touch.’ He points over at Harper who is back to pushing Fizz on the swing. ‘She’s a pretty one.’ He strides away. I watch him get into a silver car and he drives away. He actually followed me here.
My knees buckle and I just about make it to the bench before bursting into tears. I’m now certain that this is all down to me. It was my visit to Jason and Anna’s house. It’s too much of a coincidence that I go there, a picture of me is captured and it’s Jason Sawyer that I’m being blackmailed to sort out. But why? Why would Anna West want to keep Jason inside? I’ve read her letters to him. She loves him, unless Carla is really Carla and not Anna. Who is Jason to Carla? Carla wrote to him with my photo. The letter was friendly enough, just asking who I was. There was another guy there that day – Andrew, I think his name was. Who was he? I’m desperately trying to piece everything together. I want to kick myself. I gasp for breath as the enormity of what’s just happened sinks in. How did they find me?
I frantically wave the girls over.
‘Are you okay?’ Harper asks me, slightly out of breath from running.
She can see I’ve been crying. ‘Perhaps I’m not so brave either. C’mon, let’s eat.’ I hand out the sandwiches and both girls sit either side of me.
They feel like my walls, my protectors, and I’m in the middle, vulnerable, helpless. It shouldn’t feel like this. We’re sat on mine and Fizz’s bench. The bench we met on like we always do. Our favourite bench; the bench where it all started. I gained a family, love and security. Even with the downs, I wouldn’t be without them and now here I am sat on this sacred-to-me bench feeling like I’ve put my little family in danger and I’m ripping us apart. The day Jon met me, he couldn’t have foreseen this day coming. He was in awe of me. Fizz connected with me and then so did he. He put me up on a pedestal and even though that pedestal hasn’t felt secure for a long time now, he will never ever forgive me for putting his daughters in harm’s way like this. He’s going to hate me.
I have to think but I don’t know where to start. My head is spinning. If I go to the police, the chances are that man will get to us before the police get him. We’re being watched. The thought makes me look around the park. I’m suspecting everyone. If I call the police then there’s no going back. The truth comes out and I’ll lose my family. I could try and handle this on my own, but what do I smuggle into Jason’s mail – drugs? It’s not possible; I wouldn’t know how to get drugs. We’re searched regularly. I’ll lose my job. I’ll lose my family. Isn’t it worth the risk to keep Harper and Fizz safe? Isn’t that what parents do for their children? I imagine Harper as the girl battered and terrified, lying dumped on the ground and my blood runs cold.
‘Shall we go home?’ I try to control my voice shaking. ‘I think I’m too tired after all.’
‘Who was that man you were talking to?’ Harper asks.
‘Don’t know, he was just chatting about the weather. Ready Fizzy?’
She scrunches her empty sandwich packaging up and nods. The urge to get them home to safety is overriding my thoughts. I need to step up and come up with a plan. Now is not the time to feel like the vulnerable one. I have to sort this mess out. I’ll do anything it takes to keep my girls safe.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Gregg
Gregg toys with the butter knife at the table. He’s sitting across from Charlie Coleman, thinking how he’d like to damage that disgusting grin of his. Carla is pacing around, waiting for Brian to return. Gregg didn’t think that Brian was the best choice to go and threaten the woman; he’s conspicuous with his big ugly face. Picking him out in a line up would be a piece of piss. But Gregg knew that he wasn’t the best choice either. The two girls, Harper and Felicity, had seen him before. They know his face. Little did Gregg know that when he dropped the two girls at home, Carla had plans this big.
Gregg did help dump the blonde girl at the Midwinter’s property. He tutted when he saw the mess of the girl’s face. So much for a more classy, upmarket operation. Charlie Coleman is a disgusting man. It’s like Charlie can read his thoughts; he winks at him across the table. Cocky bastard. Gregg knows they have him over a barrel and he’s been dragged into this mess, but he wants Sawyer to stay locked up more than anyone. He killed Michael. Carla was also waving a lot of cash at him and that always talks the loudest. Always. He just hopes that Brian, the ugly muppet, has done enough to get the message across to the Midwinter woman. He’s about to find out because Brian is at the front door.
Charlie lets him in and Carla wastes no time.
‘Well?’ she asks.
‘Oh, she’ll cooperate,’ Brian sneers. ‘No question about that.’
‘I want their house watched constantly. Gregg, you don’t go near the house. Is that clear? The girls know you. But if it comes to it, you need to be ready to do what you do best.’
Gregg mock salutes Carla. He knows that if the Midwinter woman doesn’t deliver or she tries to pull a fast one, he’ll be ready to act fast in taking Harper. Should that not be needed, he may just take her anyway. The money he’s making from this job should be enough to get a deposit down on a flat up north. Start again. Take the girl with him and make sure that Carla and none of her minions can find him.
Carla opens a bottle of whisky and pours herself a measure before passing the bottle to Charlie. She takes a large swig.
‘When it comes to it, I want you to take the younger Midwinter too. Take both of them,’ she says, draining the remaining whisky.
‘Whoa, I ain’t takin’ no little kid. C’mon Carla, she’s too young. The kid don’t speak. She’s disabled or something. The older sister is enough.’
‘You’re taking both of them.’ Carla pours another measure.
‘Thought you welcomed new business opportunities,’ Charlie says. ‘Whole new market right there. And what’s more perfect than a kid that doesn’t shout back.’
Carla laughs and clinks glasses with Charlie, ‘Bet she’s still a screamer though.’
‘You’re disgusting,’ Gregg spits.
‘Oh, wind your goddamn morals in,’ Carla snaps. ‘We need both girls hostage that’s all. We’ll be giving Kate zero options but to do what we ask. Besides, it might not come to it at all if she hurries up and gets results.’
‘Calm your nerves and have a dram,’ Charlie says, passing Gregg the whisky.
Gregg stands, pushing his chair back with force. All he wants to do with that bottle is smash it into Charlie’s face. He sees Brian smirking and imagines smashing the glass into his face too, not that it would have an impact on his looks. Ugly prick.
‘Just call me when you need me,’ Gregg says to Carla. ‘I’ll see myself out.’
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Harper
Harper shuts herself in her room and puts her earphones in, turning the sound up loud. She needs to drown the outside world out. Her dad said that he’s arranged to be at home for the rest of the week, telling work there was a family emergency. This disappointed Harper to begin with; she was looking forward to a week of independence, for quality time with her little sister. She enjoyed their trip out together yesterday, feeling like the responsible one, the big sister. She couldn’t help but get her hopes up that Felicity would start talking to her the more time they spent alone together. She knew she couldn’t push it but she felt like the chance was there. Despite all of this, she did have to admit that perhaps she was glad to have her dad around now. The world feels that bit scarier.
Thinking about yesterday’s trip out, Harper wonders if Carla will still pop round this weekend like she said. With everything that’s going on, perhaps she should tell Kate about Carla visiting. It might not be great timing. At least Kate can get in touch with her and cancel her coming until another time. It would be a shame to ruin the surprise but with everything that’s happened, Kate might not like it. But then again, her stepmum could probably do with a friend. She has Mala, but you need all the friends you can get when times are difficult. It might be just what she needs as a distraction – a fun surprise visit from her old school friend. There is also how angry Kate might be with her for sneaking out with Felicity to see Carla in the first place. With how stressed Kate is at the moment, Harper doesn’t want to add to that right now. She decides to keep quiet and just wait and see if Carla turns up.
Harper rips her earphones out. The thought of needing your friends makes her desperately miss Callum. She picks up her phone. She doesn’t want to interrupt his holiday but she needs to hear his voice. She hits his name and calls. Please answer.
‘Hey Cal.’ Harper grabs a cushion and settles back on her bed when her friend answers.
‘Hey Harps, you missing me?’
More than you know. ‘I’m missing your ego and how awesome you think you are.’
‘Look, you know it and I know it. How’s Bracknell?’
‘How’s Devon, that’s more exciting?’
‘The arcade here is massive. It’s pretty cool. And I’ve met someone. We’re hooking up to hangout again later.’
‘What? You’ve only been there a few days. Fast mover, aren’t you? What’s she like then?’ Harper felt her chest tighten. This is not what she wanted to hear.
‘Being here has given me some head space. I’m just going to say it. I’m gay, Harps. It’s a guy.’
Silence.
‘Harps, you there?’
‘Sorry, you’ve thrown me. Why didn’t you say before?’
‘Did I have to?’
‘No, but I’m your bestie. You can tell me anything.’
‘Just needed time to tell myself first, I guess.’
‘Does this guy know what a loser you are?’
‘I do love you, you know, Harps.’
Harper catches the lump in her throat. It was painful enough that Callum didn’t have feelings for her but this revelation made it more impossible. She knew for certain that Callum would never be hers.
‘Harps, talk to me, stop going quiet. Don’t fall out with me.’
‘I’m not.’ Harper sucks in a big breath. ‘Something happened, I’m scared. You know that missing girl on the news – Sophie Banks? The kidnapped girl? Well, she was found in the middle of last night, on our driveway. She was dumped there. She was unconscious and beaten up. Forensics have been here and everything.’
‘Holy shit, now I’m lost for words. Tell me everything.’
Harper fills her friend in on all the details and how she was questioned by a detective. She told him about the rock being thrown through the living room window and how she didn’t know if it was all connected.
‘Please don’t put this on social media or anything,’ she adds.
‘What do you take me for? I’m home Friday, alright? I’m all yours. Just call me if you get scared or anything. I’m always here for you.’
‘Thank you.’
‘It’s what best friends are for. I know, I’ll take you shopping. I’m gay so apparently I have to like that now.’
Harper manages a chuckle. ‘Loser.’
‘Love you.’
‘Love you.’
‘I’ll call you later.’ Callum hangs up.
Harper places her earphones back in, curls up into the foetal position and bursts into tears.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
‘I’m not going to yoga,’ I tell Jon for the tenth time. I shouldn’t have told him that Mala had text me asking if I was still up for going.
‘Isn’t it meant to be relaxing though?’ Jon says. ‘Just go; it’ll do you good.’
‘I’ve not slept, I’m knackered, and I’m not leaving Fizz this evening.’
‘It’s only an hour, isn’t it? Go. I’m here for her.’
He’s pushing me away again. Last week, he was making me feel irresponsible for going out and about and now he’s practically pushing me out of the door. I know he believes deep down that I am somehow responsible for all of this, that it’s something to do with my work. He’s right; he just doesn’t know for sure. Yet.
‘We need CCTV,’ I say.
‘I’ve already been looking online,’ Jon says.
‘The sooner, the better.’
The thought of someone watching the house gives me shivers. I walk over to the window and peek out. I can’t see anything unusual.
‘Is there something you’re not telling me?’ Jon asks.
‘No, of course not,’ I snap.
I would have thought getting CCTV would be obvious and he shouldn’t have to read into me suggesting it. If we had caught the two men on camera leaving the girl on our driveway then they would be behind bars already and I wouldn’t be in this terrifying mess. I rub my arms and take a deep breath.
‘I’ll go to yoga.’
Jon nods to me and I go upstairs to get ready. Whoever we’re dealing with are clearly dangerous and mean business. The girls need protecting but if I tell Jon everything he’ll want to go straight to the police. Of course he would. I’m not putting the girls in more danger. I have to play it my way and hope I can come up with something quickly. I need to do what that man told me to. I need to hinder Jason’s appeal, but how? I need a plan and I need some space to think. I reassure myself that nothing will happen tonight because whoever these people are at least need to give me a chance to get to work tomorrow to put something into action. And Jon is right; he is here at least. I’ll go to yoga. I need my best friend.
‘You okay, Fizzy?’ I say, seeing my youngest stepdaughter enter the bedroom.
‘I think I heard Harper crying,’ she whispers.
‘I’ll go check on her. Are you okay though? Do you want to talk about anything?’
Fizzy shakes her head. ‘The police were scary. Are you and Daddy in trouble?’
‘Oh my goodness, no. Never. We’re just helping them.’
‘I remember Daddy speaking to the police when mummy died.’
‘You remember that?’
Fizz nods.
‘You were so small,’ I say. ‘It’s amazing. Do you remember much?’
My stepdaughter shrugs. ‘Just him crying.’
‘Come here,’ I say, giving her a big hug. ‘You are so brave. But I promise you there is nothing bad happening and everything is fine.’
‘It’s okay. I’m not scared when you’re here.’
I’m overwhelmed with love for this little girl and have to catch the lump in my throat. She looks up to me and look at what I’ve done. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to her. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
‘Right, I’m going to take a cup of tea into Harper. Check she’s okay before I head off to yoga.’
‘I bet it’s boy trouble,’ Fizzy chuckles.
Moments later I’m heading into Harper’s room with a hot tea and a couple of chocolate digestives. She’s stretched out on her bed with her earphones in and her eyes do look puffy.
‘Your dad’s buying CCTV if that helps you feel better?’ I say.
‘It’s not that,’ Harper sits up and takes the mug of tea. ‘Callum’s gay. I thought we might be more than friends one day, but no chance now.’
‘Told you it was boy trouble,’ Fizz pipes up, listening in from the doorway.
‘Scram, you!’ Harper shout’s but playfully.
I smile gently. It’s not like Harper to disclose what’s wrong. I’m not being shouted at to mind my own business. I knew she was close to Callum and did wonder if there would ever be romance. Jon was convinced there would be.
‘Oh love, I can’t think of anything much worse than loving someone you can’t have. But he’s still Callum and still your best friend and he always will be. Better he’s in your life than not at all.’
‘I guess… but it just sucks.’
‘There’ll be the right person out there for you. I know you hate me saying it but you’re so young and yet to meet so many people.’
Harper rolls her eyes and sips her tea. ‘You can go now,’ she says.
