Chapter 36
Jonathan’s mouth felt like a sewer he was in desperate need to brush his teeth. He took his water from the cradle and drank from it. His hand wandered to his two-day old stubble. Jesus Christ! He muttered under his breath.
He had waited and watched for a couple of hours but there had been no sign of Clare. He knew that she had to get out somehow, there was absolutely no way out from down the alley, it had only led to some cottages with just gardens backing on to them. Unless she had become a supreme athlete and burglar rolled into one.
He had weighed up his options over and over, whether to knock on a few doors and plead the deserted, mis-understood fiancé with a broken heart, or to continue to wait. He opted for the second option, purely because he could not bring himself to act as if he was wounded and broken hearted, when his veins were filled with anger, blood boiling anger, to the point of wanting to physically hurt her.
His mind raced with all the things he would do when he got hold of her, no one ran away from him. No one!
Tim could not see the car tucked behind the old, unused barn that had seen better days. It had been derelict forever. Jonathan watched the figure aimlessly wandering down the path. He wondered where he was going; it only led to the main road. Bloody idiot! He muttered, fuelled with his own anger for wasting time sleeping. He knew Clare was in one of the houses he had been standing near and he felt more certain now than ever, that she had been hiding in the cottage this man had come out of. He also knew when he was being lied to and from their brief introduction outside the cottage; Jonathan knew Tim had been lying to him all along.
Enough of walking with no purpose in the direction he was heading, Tim turned around. He had to get back to Arthur’s, check on Clare and get her out of Glenveal. He took his mobile out of his inside pocket jacket and dialled Arthur’s number. It rang a couple of times.
Clare almost jumped out of her skin hearing the phone ring. “It’s ok lass, it’s just Tim.” Arthur tried to reassure her. “Aye, aye. Right you are. Well just you let us know.” Was all that Clare could hear Arthur saying.
She had not heard anything back from Leon, and felt torn between trying to make a run for safety back at their home and sitting it out here. The waiting was unbearable. Clare tried Leon again as she waited for Arthur to come off the phone. There was no reply.
“There’s been a little change of plan lass. Tim’s been to get his car and wanted to give it a little bit of time to make sure that man of yours isn’t lurking around.” He paused. Clare wished he would just come out with it.
“He says there’s a woman in the bar, thinks she’s from your part of the world.” Clare looked dumbfounded. What was he jabbering on about?
“A woman, my part of the world.” She repeated. Arthur could sense she was nearing the end of her tether. “Aye lass. Tim said she spoke like you.”
“Do we know what she looks like Arthur?” Clare asked patiently, trying desperately to keep herself together. She needed to get out of Glenveal, she needed to see Leon and speak with him, and none of this was in their plan.
“He says auburn hair and green eyes. Shall I make us a cup of tea while we wait?” Her mouth opened and closed. “Lauren.” She said quietly.
“I don’t know any names lass. I’ll go make that tea and put more sugar in it for you. Tim will be here soon. Don’t you fret, we’ll get you out.”
Clare had stopped listening; the description was the match for her best friend. Quickly she tapped into her mobile. Where are you? She heard Arthur clattering around in his small kitchen. At work of course, about to knock off. Why? Is everything ok?
No, it’s not ok. Jonathan came up, he saw me. I was taking a walk. Leon was resting after his operation and I had to get out and have some fresh air.
Are you safe? Texted back Lauren
Yes, for now but I need to get out of Glenveal. He’s here somewhere. I know he is. Replied Clare, her mouth dry. She swallowed.
Well tell me where you are exactly? Clare hesitated, something held her back. Are you sure, you are at work Lauren? There was a delayed response.
Of course! Why? Clare’s heart missed a beat, she had to know if Lauren was up here in Glenveal and if it really was her, then why would she be? Her mind went through questions rapidly in her mind.
You’re being stupid she told herself. Lauren was her best friend her forever friend, she could trust Lauren with her life. Couldn’t she? I thought I’d seen someone who looked like you.
Not possible Clare, absolutely not possible. Listen you’re under a lot of stress. Just tell me where you are right now and I can help you xx
How can you help me from there? I’m here, trapped with a maniac out there looking for me somewhere. It’s ok Lauren. Listen I’ll message you when I’ve sorted something out.
You need to stick to our plan Clare; we’ve been planning this for the last two years. If you want revenge, we need to stick to it.
I have to go Leon needs me.
Clare put the phone in her pocket. Right now, she did not trust anyone. Her paranoia was in over-drive. She could not believe she had lied to her best friend nor really why. She longed for Tim to come back and get her out of here.
“Come on lass get this tea inside you. We’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”
“Leaving, but where to?” She was bewildered.
“Don’t you worry, we’ve got it all sorted. Clever man is that Tim.”