Chapter 23
Present
Jonathan woke the next morning at four a.m. He wanted to be on the road as early as possible. He did not know of anyone Clare could possibly know who lived in the small town of Glenveal. He had already checked out the various places she could stay, the last thing he wanted to do was call them and ask if she was staying in one of the hotels or B&B’s. He could not trust that someone would mention it to her.
His controlling and sadistic mind had not even entertained the reasons as to why Clare had run away from him, and not just run away but to a point further than just a neighbouring county. His fixation and anger were purely derived from the fact that she had simply left him, she had gone somewhere without telling him.
As he began the long journey, he thought about what he was going to say to her when he saw her. He knew it would be one hell of a surprise. On the other hand, maybe he considered, maybe the dumb cow had done this for attention. For me to drop everything and follow her from practically one end of the country to the other.
He stopped only twice for petrol and to stretch his legs, he had no time to waste. Jonathan was prepared to drag her screaming and kicking into his car when he found her. He was not the least bit interested in any reasons she would give him not to come back, he knew Clare would try to resist.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, he had reached his destination. From here, he knew he would have to do the rest of the legwork, there were no street cameras and Chris was unable to find out anything else.
He entered the small white pub, always a good place to start he told himself. A couple of the locals looked up; they took in the tall man with dark hair, clean-shaven and eyes that looked like they could cut steel. Jonathan took them in, a couple of older men, unshaved with typical flat caps on and a pint in their hands.
They paid him no further attention and continued with their banter. Jonathan strode the few paces to the bar. “Can I help you?” Asked the bartender in a thick heavy Scottish accent.
“I’m looking for a young woman.” Jonathan started. The ruddy faced man behind the bar grinned; one of his front teeth was missing. “Aren’t we all aye lad!” Jonathan was not in the slightest amused at his coarseness. He counted to ten in his head and remained calm.
Slowly he pulled out his mobile from inside his blazer pocket and moved his fingers deftly across the screen. He held it up to the bartender, “Aye she’s a pretty lass. Not seen her in here though lad.” He offered.
Jonathan thanked him, this was not where he was going to find her, he knew Clare would not have even considered coming into a pub, let alone somewhere completely alien to her. He thought about how timid she had become and lacking in self-confidence. “Your best bet lad is Sheila’s B&B down the road.” He told Jonathan.
The few locals sitting around the bar were staring at him. Jonathan just nodded; he would go and try speaking with the woman Sheila. He heard them start talking as soon as he pulled the pub door closed behind him.
“What did you tell him that for Don?” Asked one of the older men, his gnarled hands clutching his tankard for dear life. Don grinned his toothless grin and tapped his nose. “Because Arthur, if he’s looking for the woman, she has gone missing!” He exclaimed speaking very slowly and just slightly louder than necessary.
“Correct.” Replied the old man, Arthur as he adjusted himself in his seat. “So, you should have told him she was in here just yesterday.” Arthur sighed.
“Precisely why not Arthur. If that young woman has come up here and he is looking for her, that means she has run away for good reason.” Don poured another drink for his faithful locals waiting for their refills. “A woman just doesn’t go missing for no reason now does she? And let’s face it, from her voice and his out there, they are not from these areas now then are they Arthur. Do you get my drift old mate?”
Arthur furrowed his brow and nodded his head. “You’re right Don. He looks the slimy bastard sort.” The locals nodded in agreement with Arthur. “There is no Sheila’s either.” Commented another local man, younger than the rest - marginally. His Barbour jacket casually thrown over the seat next to him, his whippet by his feet.
“Precisely Charlie boy. Precisely, but it’ll keep him busy trying to find it won’t it.” The men cackled like old women. “One of us is going to have to get a message to Leon and let him know that some man is up here sniffing around for her.” Don added. He knew a haunted face when he saw one, and the way that Clare had looked yesterday when they all first set eyes on her, was a sad sight to see.
Leon was not feeling too good after his procedure. He hurt almost everywhere throughout his entire body, there was not a nerve ending that was not working away. “Are you going to be alright Leon? Do you have everything you need?” Asked Clare filled with concern.
He nodded at his beautiful sister, if there was one thing Jonathan had not quite managed to take away from her, was her compassion and beautiful spirit. He just wanted to rest and sleep, his mobile remained turned off by his bedside. “I’ve got everything Clare. Why don’t you try to relax he’s not coming for you tucked all the way up here. Trust me sis, nobody will find you.” He smiled the best he could at her.
“How about I pop out to the local shop and get us some nice bits for lunch.” Clare replied, even though she knew Leon had already stocked up the cupboards and the fridge before she had arrived. “No need sis, I don’t think I can face eating anything today. If you’re a little restless though and want to go out, why don’t you take a walk. I’ll be fine and so will you be.” He reassured her.
Clare was not so much restless as helpless, if it had not been for her chance encounter with Jonathan all those years ago, none of them would be in this position now. “I think I’ll go out for a bit of fresh air. I won’t be long Leon.” She kissed him gently on his forehead. Leon nodded and could feel himself drifting off to sleep. Finally, the medication was beginning to work.