As they approached the country pub, Stuart, Emma, and the quartet of bodyguards, noticed there were a handful of people inside through the cottage style window in front of them. Not wanting them to see her wearing her trainers, they stopped before the entrance to give her a chance to change her footwear again. Again she was leaning on Stuart for support, but the pebbled pathway had ended and she was able to put her heels back on again.
In front of them stood a stone building. A thatched roof sat above a wooden beam, as a period feature of what was once a cottage. An oak door had a little frosted glass square three-quarters of the way up, and a spherical door handle. Jack opened the door allowing them to pass through. Stuart and Emma approached the bar area, while Jack and the others went to organise two tables of four. One would be for the four of them to keep a relatively close watch on events, the other, a little further away, was to be where Emma would be sitting.
“What can I get for you?” asked Steve, the star specialist barman. He spun a few bottles in his hand while Emma replied, “Just a martini for me.”
“And for you sir,” Steve looked Stuart up and down. “You’re not a celebrity, are you?”
“No, I’m not, but I am here at the request of Miss Howard here,” Stuart pointed to Emma. “I’ll just have a scotch on the rocks.”
“A whiskey man, you have good taste,” Steve had the drinks prepared within moments. “And whom may I ask are you awaiting, Miss Howard?”
“Just a close personal friend of mine who also happens to be a star in their own making,” she replied. “I’m not sure if you’ll have heard of her yet, but she’s meeting me here in approximately fifteen minutes.”
“These are on the house,” Steve winked at them. “My shout.”
Steve was a forty-five year old, bleach blonde haired, pot-bellied landlord. He lived and breathed the pub lifestyle, and had been located here for around six years now. Old fashioned by nature, he was slicker than the young upstarts who had tried to impress him with their tricks, and had grown to know a number of famous names gracing his business, which was that far off the beaten track, it would be nearly impossible to find for the general public. So far in fact, that not even journalists had stumbled upon it in their quest for every word or action that the celebrities had been saying or doing. It was a homely retreat, and a much needed breather when the stars had been overworked by press conferences or award ceremonies or even just a standard night out in the more expensive VIP treated clubs.
“Lets go take our seats,” Emma led the way. “Look, there’s a table right there.” She pointed to a four seater, as the two seater tables were already taken and a host of other stars were also in attendance. Just like Emma, they all had personal minders and bodyguards who were grouped in conversation.
As they pulled out their chairs to sit down, the door opened wide. All prior conversations halted abruptly, as a glimmering metallic blue frock dazzled in the rays of light entered, being worn by a style icon in the fashion industry. Anita had arrived, sporting her latest creation, and Emma realised who it was.
“Anita, my darling,” she called across the silent room. “How lovely it is to see you again!”
Anita was just a couple of years older than Emma. Apart from their stylists, they could have been twin sisters, they looked that similar. The only glowing difference was Anita’s longer legs which gave her frame extra elevation. Emma’s heels made up the difference because she preferred to wear the bigger variety.
“Well hello again Emma,” Anita called back. “It’s ok people, as you were,” Anita spoke to the rest of the room, before conversations started back up again. Walking around to the table with them, Anita was followed by her long term partner Jason.
“You remember Jason, don’t you Emma?” asked Anita, with a grin.
“I sure do,” Emma responded. “He hasn’t changed much since I last saw him.”
“Hello Emma,” Jason’s slightly high-pitched voice reverberated off Anita’s dress. “It’s a pleasure as always.”
“Always a pleasure Jason,” Emma’s face broke into a wide grin.
“I don’t believe I know this one,” Anita was a little uncertain, looking at the sharply dressed Stuart.
Answering in a definite tone, he reacted with assurance. “I’m Stuart. I’ve been invited along by Emma.” Taking Anita’s hand in his, he placed a gentlemanly kiss on the back of her hand before continuing, “It is an honour to meet you.”
Jason scanned Emma for a reaction. “Known him long?” his eyes suggested.
“Oh Jason, I’ve only met the guy last night, give me a break,” Emma chuckled. “He was actually working then he found himself sharing a dinner and night with me.”
“Really?” Anita was taken aback. “You’ve changed a bit then by the sounds of things,” she said in shock, furrowing her brow.
Emma hadn’t anticipated that. “Yes really. And no, I haven’t changed that much,” she sighed. This was going to be a little bit harder than she anticipated. Before anything else could be said, Steve popped up along side them and asked, “Hello Anita. What would you like to drink?”
“Martini for me,” she replied, “and just a coke for him. He’s on driving duty today.”
“Surely one wouldn’t hurt,” Jason frowned. “Hasn’t done before.”
Stuart sensed there was a little extra tension and found a voice. “Right, rather than spoil a perfectly good lunchtime, how about we look at the menus and see what’s available. How long do we have for conversation? I’m sure there will be time for you to get to know me and vice versa.”
Stuart pulled out a chair for Emma, Jason followed suit for Anita. The guys took their seats and the tension eased.
Ducking into the shop, Gary scuttled out the back towards the indoor stairwell. Taking care not to disturb any of the boxes of products, he acknowledged Sachin with a cheerful wave, before climbing up to his flat. When he got there though, he was in for a nasty surprise. His previously tidy flat was a mess. Paper was everywhere, and a number of clean and recently pressed clothes were strewn about the couch and floor. Unsure as to what exactly had gone on, he looked around for his precious few personal items that he had recently purchased. His laptop, was still there, as was his keyboard and guitar. He was really bemused. It hadn’t been left that way, and he had barely been out for little under an hour. Gathering his clothes up, he realised what it was that had been taken. A picture he had kept hidden inside a drawer that was hanging open, had disappeared. Knowing that it was his most prized possession, he pulled out his phone from his pocket, and dialled the emergency number.
“Police please,” he shook a little as he asked the operator. When connected the officer at the other end of the line replied, “Police service. How can we help?”
“I’d like to report a theft,” Gary was nervous. “I’ve had a small picture of me and my son taken from inside my flat.”
“Ok, what time would this have been likely to have occurred?” the officer fired the question robotically.
“Sometime in the last hour. I left my flat tidy around eleven, and met up with someone about eleven-thirty at the nearby Starbucks coffee place,” Gary’s words were a little frustrated.
The officer was duly concerned. “We’ve collared a group of youths, we’ll interrogate them as they are all fugitives at large, wanted for a variety of petty incidents,” regardless of confidentiality, the officer believed it could be a linked situation. “We could send someone round in a few hours as we’re stretched at the moment.”
“A few hours?” Gary repeated. “I’m likely to be elsewhere.”
Handing over his mobile number so he could be contacted while on the move if necessary, or at least traced, he hung up.
Having turned off her alarm, Angela stumbled into the bathroom. It was a little before three in the afternoon, and she had her girls to go and pick up from her mums. Within a few minutes she at least looked reasonable. Popping her head into the spare room where Jackie was, Angela thought she was fast asleep and thought it would be best to at least leave a note to say what she was doing.
‘Make yourself at home. Help yourself to food and drink if you want, I’m just picking up my girls. Should be back before six-thirty this evening.’
Hanging the note on the door handle, she closed the door behind her quietly, making her way down the stairs to undo all the locks on the front door.
Jackie heard the door open and then close again. Hearing the key in the lock she felt a touch safer, and quickly found the note that had been left for her. Closely inspecting her fresh wound, she changed the tissue on it and flushed the bloodstained piece away. It was still seeping a little with trickles of blood, but it wasn’t anywhere near to as bad as what had been happening. She knew that she would have to eventually go and see someone about it, but didn’t know who or where at the present time, given that she was locked in a strangers house. Being in unfamiliar situations made Jackie really nervous, but she wasn’t as bad having been treated respectfully by her hostess.
Making her way down the carpeted staircase, Jackie had a little head rush. She hadn’t eaten for a couple of days since the traumatic incident had taken place. Popping her head into the fridge she noticed it was relatively bare. Half a pint of milk was sat in the doorway, and a small slab of cheese was sat on the top shelf alongside some butter. Thinking there wasn’t enough there for her to help herself to, she quickly closed the door and decided to look in the cupboard instead. There were a couple of tins of beans, a sachet of soup, a variety of sauces and spices, and some bread. Certainly not a lot in the way of food, that was all on the middle shelf. She felt guilty for wanting to eat so she decided against it.
Drake was pacing up and down. Violet, Lauren and Jake were huddled on the settee. “All I want is my Jackie back,” Drake sounded distraught. “I really hope they find her.”
“We have to trust what these other guys are doing,” Violet was stern. As the oldest of the group she had to try and remain calm during her brother’s breakdown. At that minute Jake heard a knock that was so silent it was barely audible. Jumping up from the settee, he ran to check that it wasn’t a passing kid being a little prankster. As he got to the door there was a slightly louder knock. Opening the door he found a dark haired plump woman. “Hello,” she said. “Is Violet or Drake about?”
She didn’t recognise him, but presumed that he must know of the two as he was in their house. Jake called through to the sitting room, “Violet, someone’s at the door for you.”
“Who is it?” Violet’s voice called back.
The woman hushed Jake and stepped inside. “It’s only me,” she said. “Andy’s told me what’s happened.”
Jake closed the door and pointed towards the sound. “They are through there,” he was a little sceptical, but this woman knew the names of the siblings so he assumed she was a relative. She led him back into the room with Drake still pacing and Violet and Lauren in a little conversation of their own.
“Mum!” cried Drake.
“You’ve heard about Jackie’s disappearance?” Violet quizzed.
“Yes I have. Andy phoned me to let me know that he along with a couple of others had gone to the police station to report her missing,” Patricia responded. “I’ve left your father at home in case there is any more news.”
Not looking her age, Patricia was a sprightly sixty-four year old, not a greying hair in sight. Rather large around the waistline, she hadn’t been able to remove the excess that had built up after giving birth, and that was a fair while ago since Drake had been born.
“Any introductions,” she pointed to Lauren and Jake, who were now sat together holding hands.
Violet answered, “Ah yes. You might remember Jake, he’s Neville’s nephew.”
Her mother cut her off, “Oh my, what a handsome young fellow he’s turned out to be. It’s been a while since I was last down here. And how about the young lady?”
“I’m Lauren,” the girl holding Jake’s hand replied. “I’m new to this village. I work with Simon in the post office. Would anyone like a drink?”
“A shot of whiskey for me,” Drake finally spoke, still pacing. “I need something to calm me down.”
“Just a white tea, no sugar for me dear,” Patricia said.
“I’ll have a coffee, white, two sugars,” Violet replied.
Jake got up with Lauren. “I’ll come and help you,” he said.
As they went to the kitchen, Patricia turned to Drake and said, “Son, it’s time to sit down. I am aware that you are missing her and frustrated that you can’t do anything to help.”
Drake was tense. “I don’t want to sit down. I don’t know if I’ll be able to rest while she’s not here.”
“Drake, you shall do as you are told or I shall call your father over,” Patricia’s tones were warning. Her husband, and the father of the trio, had been involved in the military for almost fifty years before his retirement two years previous. He had gathered an immense amount of knowledge, and Drake had been on the receiving end of a couple of army style punishments.
Finally relenting, Drake perched upon one of the chairs.
At that moment, the group returned. Andy, Simon, Derek and Chris all entered the house while Neville parked up. Hearing the sounds of the kettle Derek popped his head in the kitchen. “Hey Lauren, can we have five strong black coffees. All with no sugar, just bring the tub in with a couple of spoons so people can add their own.” he asked.
“They’re all in the sitting room,” she replied. Jake pulled out another five cups from the cupboard and proceeded to set the cups up ready.
Andy led the way into the sitting room. “Hello mum,” he said. “Glad you could make it.”
“Hey Pat,” Simon’s tones bounced off all the walls.
“Hello Derek, Simon, Chris.” Patricia acknowledged them in age order. “And of course, hello Andy. Where’s Neville?” she added enquiringly.
“Just parking up,” Chris replied.
“So, what’s the score?” she continued to quiz the guys.
“Well, we gave them as much info as we had,” Derek said. “And the case is being dealt with by my former school pal, Sergeant Manning.”
Patricia thought for a moment. “Wasn’t he the one that seemed to be more trouble than he was worth before he chose that career?”
Derek chuckled. “He sure was a handful.”
Jake brought in the first supply of drinks as Neville entered.
“Hello Pat,” Neville approached the crowd that had formed. “I see you have Drake seated at last.”
“I want to find her!” Drake was impatient.
“We all do,” Derek was stern and forceful. Not something that was usual for him and all mini conversation had stopped. “None of us want her to be hurt. But there’s a procedure. If we were to locate him, you’d probably do time.” he continued, looking straight at Drake. Knowing he was right, Drake had no reply. Knocking back his whiskey, he got up to go get another, as silence filled the room.
Waiting until everyone was asleep, Drake patiently lay awake in his room. Chris and Violet were in one room, Andy was in another, and in the final room were Jake and Lauren. Patricia, Derek, Simon and Neville had all parted ways moments before the others had come up to bed. The lights seemed to take forever to go out, for he was just clock watching. He knew what he intended to do, but whether he would go through with it was another matter.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the last light eventually went out. It was only two in the morning, and there was barely any sounds. All doors had been closed, and the only sound he could hear was that of Andy’s snoring. Creeping as quietly as he could down the stairs, he went to the kitchen. Opening the alcohol cupboard, he searched for the whiskey he’d been drinking and found half a bottle there. Rifling through the rest of the bottles, he located a hidden stash of three more bottles. Laying them all out on the table in front of him, he opened the half bottle and started drinking.
After he’d finished that bottle, he heard a door open. Motionless on his chair, he waited. A moment had passed and the sound of a flushed toilet echoed inside this house. Click. The bedroom door had closed. Sighing with relief he continued to drink his way through the first of the unopened bottles. Halfway through the second bottle, he decided to look through the cupboard for whatever pills he could find. Paracetomol, Ibuprofen, Cocodamol. He found a number of unopened boxes, and decided, in his alcoholically warped mind, to take as many as he could. He finished the second full bottle of whiskey and started to develop a headache. Without warning, he passed out on the kitchen worktop, before slumping to the floor.
Light began to filter through the windows at the back of the house. Jake was the first to awake. Nudging Lauren, he giggled, “Morning babe.”
“Morning,” she replied, in a sleepy voice.
“Want a coffee?” he asked.
“Not yet, I need a little more sleep,” she groggily responded, before rolling over and pulling him closer. Accepting that sleep would be ideal, he hugged her tightly and drifted back off himself.
Andy was the next to awaken, even without the light filtering through his window as brightly. A quick shower later he was dressed for the days events. Trying to be quiet whilst going down the stairs, he trod on a nail which had come loose. “Ow,” he whispered to himself. “That’s painful.”
Rubbing his sleepy eyes as he headed for the kitchen to find a plaster, he awoke fully with a shock. In front of the medical cupboard was a slumped body, and on the table were three empty and one full whiskey bottle. That wasn’t the only thing he noticed, he also spotted a mixed variety of painkiller packets, all gone, alongside. The pain in his foot was insignificant, as he hobbled around the table to see who it was. It was Drake.
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