“They’re okay. They’re asleep. Come on, we haven’t time for this. Get some clothes on.”
“No, no… I’m not going anywhere with you. How do I know who you are? I only know what you told me. I’m staying here. Get out, leave me alone! I don’t want to be a part of this, any of this.”
“I know,” he sighed and stepped back from the bed as she swung her feet to the floor, unwilling to be disadvantaged by her position. “I know, but please, I need you to come with me.”
“No.” She opened her mouth, drew in a deep gasp of air. As he perceived her intent to yell he flicked a hand behind his back. The gleam of dull metal and the unmistakeable shape of the weapon petrified her. Sweat trickled down her back and her stomach lurched.
“I’m sorry Pauline. Shit. Look, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m trying to make you safe. You really need to trust me. You can trust me.” As he spoke he stretched his hand towards her and flipped the gun around, offering her the handle. “Here, take this.” Shuffling backwards across the narrow bed she shook her head and held up her hands warding off possession of the killing thing.
“No, don’t do that. I don’t want to touch that.”
“Then please just get dressed. If I was going to hurt you I could have done it by now; don’t you see?”
Ever watchful she clambered to the floor and scuttled, bent at the waist, her hands protectively crossed on her chest. She dragged open the wardrobe door. She glanced back and he had turned away.
Her heart began to settle. She took in a calming breath. He had turned away to allow her privacy, dignity.
The wooden hangers rattled across the rail causing him to hiss in frustration and so with greater care she grabbed some clothes, jeans and a warm sweatshirt, and dragged them over her shivering limbs.
“Where’s your bag? Your phone?”
“All stolen. They were on the beach.”
“Shit. What was in it? What was on the phone? Oh, don’t worry. Tell me later.” He reached and took hold of her hand.”
“There was nothing. It was all blank. I was hiding.”
“Of course. Well that’s a blessing. Come on.”
“Where… where are you taking me?”
“We have to just get out. My cover is blown and they know where you are.”
“How? I haven’t told anyone anything. I didn’t tell Dolly.”
“I know, I know. It’s somewhere else. A leak. I don’t know yet but we have to go.”
“What about Dolly and Jim?”
“I’ll contact the local force when we’ve gone. They’ll take care of them.”
Down the darkened staircase and out into the fragrant dawn. He gripped her hand, guided her to a car hidden in the field gate and held the door as she slid inside. As they turned to the road the sun tipped the horizon with faint pink light and a new day began.
Chapter 37
“Pete, where are we going? What are we doing?”
“I’m making you safe. There’ll be a place.”
“What sort of place? I haven’t got any stuff with me. How long will we be there? What am I going to do afterwards? Pete, I’m scared.”
He didn’t turn. The roads were tortuous and wet, illuminated in places by the rising sun. Moisture evaporated in the warming air and a small mist formed. Clouds of vapour floated several feet from the ground. The way was bordered by deep hedges and walls. In full daylight, at leisure, it would have been difficult driving; now it was perilous. They were travelling so quickly and though he seemed a good driver, confident and calm Pauline gripped the door handle, her fingers tight around the plastic.
“I know Pauline, I am so sorry about all this. You must be confused and I understand that you are scared, but just bear with it. I do have a plan,” he gave a short snort of a laugh and shook his head, “Well… sort of.”
“Oh, great! Well, that gives me a lot of confidence I must say!”
“No, no really I do. It’s fine. Look, you can help. Open the glove box.” She leaned forward and clicked open the lid. Dim light gleamed in the grey space.
“It’s empty… oh no, wait, there’s an instruction book for the radio. Oh well that’s good, we’ll be able to have music.” The flippant comment caused Pete to glance at her and his teeth flashed in a grin.
“I like you Pauline. I do.” A ridiculous glow of warmth spread from her belly and she was glad of the darkness for she was sure she was blushing. The unaccustomed emotion unnerved her, caused her to snap at him.
“Oh that’s good to know. That makes a huge difference.” Again the little snort of laughter.
“Can you look right at the back, down in the left hand corner there should be a bit of fabric. It just looks like a bit of the lining sticking up. Can you see it?”
The seat belt cut into her shoulder as she leaned towards the dashboard. Her fingers feathered along the back of the compartment and found the tag. It was little more than a thread. “I’ve found it I think… but what is it? it’s just like a bit of cotton.”
“Yeah, that’s it. You should be able to pull it and the back will come loose. You have to do it slowly or it twists and that’s a bugger.”
“Well, if you keep throwing the car around the bends I can’t even keep hold of the thing. Can you slow down a bit do you think?”
“Okay, okay. Have you got it now?”
“Yes, yes it’s coming.” The plastic panel slid out and she held it on her knee and peered back into the expanded space. The dull gleam of metal unnerved her. If he was going to ask her to touch the gun he was on a hiding to nothing. She hated them and nothing would entice her to take it from its moulded rubber housing. “I’m not passing you that. Is it loaded? God that’s two guns you’ve got! What the hell is this all about? I thought you were with the police?” As she spoke the words a cold chill ran down her spine and took her breath. He registered the gasp.
“Don’t panic. Really Pauline, please don’t panic. I’ve told you I’m not operating in the open. I promise you that you are in no danger from me. Truly.
“Look to the right there should be a phone in a little box. Can you see it?”
“Yes, oh yes, I have that.”
“Great. Take it out and turn it on would you.”
The little machine beeped cheerfully as tiny pinpricks of LED lights sparkled under her hand.
“He glanced away from the road for a moment and the thud of tyres and judder of the car coaxed a squeal from her throat. “Shit, shit, sorry. Hedgehog.”
“Oh no.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she turned to peer backwards to where the tiny body lay on the tarmac, its life ended by a moment’s inattention.
“I’m sorry Pauline. It would have been quick.”
She couldn’t speak but simply nodded dumbly and bowed her head to concentrate on the phone, opening the contacts screen.
“There’s only one number on here Pete.”
“Yup. Can you pop it into the hands free cradle and connect for me.
“Shit, another of the spiny little sods, what’s the matter with them. It’s okay, I missed it.”
As she grabbed for the dashboard to steady herself Pauline found herself smiling. “Well done.”
“Yeah right. Can we make the call now do you think?”
“Sorry, okay. She poked at the button and the call tone buzzed faintly. After two rings a voice filled the car. “Pete?”
“Yeah. With one other soul. I need a bolt hole.”
“Hold.”
For long minutes there was nothing, though she could feel the tension in his body and sensed impatience from the increased rate of his breathing. Was he afraid? If he was then what could the future hold for her? For both of them? As one thought followed the next a worm of fear writhed in her gut. How had she managed to find herself in this bizarre situation and then, would she have been better staying with George? Should she have settled for that life as miserable as it had been rather than this? At least back then the danger and violence were familiar; not this unlooked for dread, this rising fear and unforeseen threat.