The Place That Never Existed Read online

  Christina took another step closer to Paul. “Look, this has all been a big misunderstanding. I get that. Come with us now, and let’s be the family you’ve always wanted. What can she offer you? She couldn’t even give you a baby, could she? I did. She’s just a worthless—”

  Debbie suddenly appeared and threw a punch that connected directly with Christina’s face, knocking her on her backside and almost down the couple of steps.

  “Don’t you fucking dare!” Debbie screamed. “After the shit you’ve put us through!”

  For a second, Christina looked shocked, but then she regained her composure, her face contorting into rage. “And what about you, with your long fucking legs and bouncing tits. Couldn’t wait to jump into bed with my man, could you? But tell me, princess, where was your man last week, huh?”

  Debbie threw a glance at Paul, but the look on his face said it all. The guilt was there to see, but he was already looking back with pleading eyes, “Don’t listen to her, Debs. She wants us to fight.”

  Christina got to her feet slowly. “Look her in the eyes then, Romeo, and tell her you weren’t with me last week? You can’t, can you!”

  “Just shut up, Chrissy!” Paul spat. “Look Debs, I did go and see her last week, but it was to warn her to stay away. I didn’t want anything to spoil the day—our day.”

  Debbie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Paul had lied to her or had deliberately not told her, which amounted to about the same thing, didn’t it? It was too much, and her head felt like it was floating away in a sea of helplessness.

  “Debs, listen to me.”

  But Debbie struggled to understand. This woman was as crazy as a bucketful of badger’s balls, but she appeared to be crazy about Paul. She was an attractive woman, so what man wouldn’t want her? Plus, the two of them had had a long history. A history that was years longer than theirs of the past two years. They had been to functions, parties, family dos, not to mention travelling, snuggling up together, sharing their dreams, and a whole host of episodes of sexual exploration. She couldn’t hold a candle to this woman with her smooth-skinned, Mediterranean good looks, and her athletic beach body. She was petite and feminine, perfect to be picked up and held by her handsome prince. In comparison, Debbie felt huge and Amazonian. She was above average height with a few podgy bits. She was what men put up with, resigned to the inability to get what they really wanted. She was the “make-do”, the close-your-eyes-and-fantasise-about-someone else. A short-term rebound to use and abuse. She suddenly felt utterly worthless, the way a woman on her honeymoon should never have to feel.

  Christina sensed her opportunity and calculatingly said, “Think about it, Debbie. When Paul came over to mine, and I was wearing nothing but my underwear, do you think he left or stayed? Given the opportunity, why would he not want to fuck this?”

  “It’s…it’s not true!” Debbie said. She looked at Paul who shook his head and pleaded.

  “That’s not what happened, Debs. Think about it.”

  “He couldn’t wait to lay me on the bed. He told me that you didn’t know how to treat him in bed. He remembered all the things I used to do to him! He even—”

  “No!” Debbie screamed and ran past them both and out up the lane towards the woods.

  Then they heard the child crying from the car.

  “Look what she’s done now!” Christina yelled and stomped off to the car.

  Paul stood there, numb. His whole world seemed to come crashing down around him. He didn’t know what he was meant to do. Should he run off after her? Of course he should, that’s a silly question, but will she calm down enough to listen to him? He had gone over to Chrissy’s house last week. It was a desperate act, he knew that. But it was a deliberately desperate because he wanted her to stay away and promise she would let it all go now. He had no intention of anything happening, and even when she removed her shirt, he thought of nothing but getting out of there as quickly as possible.

  Of course, he had left quickly without anything happening, but the fact she had wanted it to happen had filled him with guilt. Even though he’d done everything in his power to make things right, the irony was, it may well have done the exact opposite.

  “You’re not going to come and see her?” Christina said in a soothing voice. She was a scary woman, suddenly euphoric in inflicting pain onto another human being and wallowing in the destruction left by her actions and words.

  “Maybe later. I need to find Debs.”

  “So you admit she could be yours?” She smiled wide. Out of sight, her right hand played with the barrel of the gun. “Go and find that bitch, but don’t forget who you have a child with, huh? We have a tighter bond than the two of you could ever have. Marriage is a bit of paper, but a baby is blood.”

  “I don’t know what to think…” His words trailed off as he walked away.

  “I wasn’t lying,” she called after him. “I have not slept with anyone since you, so that speaks for itself, I’d say!”

  He had a lump in his throat as he broke into a half jog. “Debbie!” he called in several directions, his voice breaking a couple of times.

  It was starting to get dark now, the atmosphere too.

  THE PLACE THAT NEVER EXISTED

  Chapter Forty-Two

  J ez and Kim stood outside the house in the middle of nowhere. It felt slightly eerie, like they’d wandered onto the set of a horror movie. There were a number of high-end vehicles parked out in a place that would normally be considered highly improbable. The house was not grand by any stretch of the imagination, and even the description of ‘doer-upper’ suggested a little more potential than a wrecking ball and construction crew could give it.

  “This looks unusual,” Jez said. And coming from him that was saying something. “Like some sort of movie.”

  “Eyes Wide Shut,” Kim said, “That weird Kubric movie with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in.”

  “Loved that movie. Lots of naked women as I recall.”

  “There was a bit more to it than tits and ass, so there was. I’m not sure them words were ever considered for the full synopsis, or even the tag line, no? Kubric was a strange fooker though.”

  “He knew his stuff though,” Jez said nodding, before adding. “So, you think that there might be some sort of masquerade going on here?”

  “It’s unlikely. You be wanting me to strip naked anyway?”

  Jez reddened. “Uh…” he then realised that she was joking. “Ha ha! Good one!”

  “You’re odd, Jeremy. So you are.”

  “How do you know my full name is Jeremy?”

  “Simple guess.”

  “Really Kimberly!”

  “Wrong. It’s Kim, you can check me knickers if you want, me name’s in them…”

  “I probably won’t,” Jez said, pretty sure that she was joking again.

  “No, Jez, you will most certainly not be looking in me knickers none.”

  They walked towards the front door where a single bulb shone out. It rocked gently. There was no bell, so Kim pushed Jez as hard as she could from behind. Surprised, he fell into the door with a loud thump.

  Inside, voices could be heard. There was a discussion going on, perhaps they were all taking a vote to see who would answer the door. It might be an Introverts Anonymous Group, so this might be a huge thing…

  Suddenly the door was wrenched open.

  “Who’re you? What d’you want?” A guy with a bit more than a five-o’clock shadow asked.

  Jez looked around but Kim had silently disappeared.

  “Hi,” Jez started. It was always good to remember your manners. “I was looking for my friend Paul and his wife Debbie. Are they here?”

  The guy looked rueful and glanced behind himself before adding, “Where are you from?”

  “Swindon. I’m from Swindon. They are too, I have to see them though.” He was babbling now with nervous energy.

  “Did you say Paul and Debbie?”

  Jez nodded. “From Swi
ndon?” Jez grinned, his nodding getting ever more enthusiastic. “Sure, they’re inside, come on in!”

  Jez walked in, suddenly noticing how run down the place was, and was met by a number of faces looking at him like he was from another planet. “Guys, this is…” he turned to Jez. “Sorry, what did you say your name was?”

  “Jez.”

  “Jez, from Swindon. He knows Paul and Debbie!” Some nervous glances were shared. Jez noticed an older lady looking a little uncomfortable, and a young guy alongside her who was also not looking overly enthusiastic to see him. There was an older guy stood up with a drink in his hand, and out through a door was one that looked stereotypical of a prison thug. “Where have Paul and Debbie gone?”

  The older guy then spoke up. “Ahh, those love-birds have nipped downstairs to get themselves a drink and some nibbles. If you wait a minute or so they’ll be back up… or, you could of course go and get something yourself?”

  Jez did suddenly feel hungry. He’d had that burger back at the services, but that was a couple of hours ago. Kim can go and hide in the woods for all he cared. She could’ve been in here too, enjoying the catering. Serves her bloody right!

  “I wouldn’t say no to a little light refreshment!”

  “Good lad,” the grey-haired old guy said, showing him the way. They walked out through the door towards where the hard-nut bloke was stood. He nodded what could’ve been a greeting but one with as much warmth as a bare ass on an ice rink.

  “Have you got cake?” Jez commented.

  “Sure,” the guy replied without feeling.

  “Chocolate?” A little excitement had crept into Jez’s voice. He had a weakness for chocolate cake. The way it looked. The sweet smell. The rich taste. This was going to be awesome.

  “If you wish. The guy opened the door, and Jez walked straight in. “Thank you,” he said not wondering why there was only a dim light from below. Then the door was shut and locked behind him. “Hey!” he shouted, “I think the door’s locked!”

  That wasn’t the worst thing though…

  THE PLACE THAT NEVER EXISTED

  Chapter Forty-Three

  S am had been sore when they had finished in the hotel room. His kisses had stopped well before he’d entered her, and the only time his face was near hers was when he was panting and making grunting sounds like he was punishing her. When he was done, he looked almost triumphant. He no longer wanted to cuddle and laughed whilst tracing lines over her breasts and flat stomach down to the wisps of the line of her short pubic hair.

  He’d been quick to grab his clothes, and as he dressed in silence, his phone rang. He had skipped off to the bathroom with it before answering, assuming it was somehow soundproofed. Sam listened, but he had said very little, and in fact seemed a little concerned.

  He came out with a sheepish look and suddenly sprung on her the meeting and the meal, saying that as an apology for seeming distracted, he would take her out on a nice date. She’d agreed, knowing that a free meal around other people was better than nothing. She then remembered that she was due to go out with Ginny that night and had tried to make excuses. He’d of course been adamant, suggesting she call Ginny from the restaurant when they got there.

  In another time and place, she would’ve been able to send a text, but here in Huntswood Cove, the mobile phone signal was too weak. She pictured Ginny’s sweet face and felt sad. She felt sad at the thought of Ginny waiting for her, and she felt sad about how desperate this situation had become. She didn’t love him, so what was she really doing here?

  It was high time she was honest with herself over exactly what she wanted.

  The car trip had been short. The town of Huntswood Cove was not very large. He’d remained silent throughout, only speaking when suddenly admitting the meeting was at the old Dudley House.

  “Why there?” she’d asked.

  “The meeting’s about that place,” he’d said, and they’d arrived before she could think thoughts of jumping out of a moving vehicle.

  Once the mayor had begun his speech, and specifically the dressing down of Rupert, she knew the outcome would be bleak. Her world grew darker.

  He was never going to defend her; she knew this, and of course he didn’t disappoint her.

  She stood in the cellar completely overwhelmed. She could not believe the sight before her. It was nothing like she’d ever seen before. In the same way that a Magic Eye picture, or some other visual illusion, can con and make your eyes play tricks on you, so could this apparition in front of her.

  At once it became clear this was what the clandestine group were hiding, but their motive appeared unclear. They surely felt they held the power and the upper hand, but against who? And why?

  Sam was afraid to move a muscle. It looked at her. It was in front of her, but it also seemed to be in her mind. She could feel it all around her.

  Someone had constructed a prison. That was the best way to describe it, but the door was open. Sam had a feeling this thing before her was no more captive than the guy that had sent her down here.

  So why were they still here?

  She felt numb. Her mind was trying to move her limbs, but they were stiff and immobile.

  A whisper tickled her ears and said, “Look at me. Take me in.”

  She had no option but to comply. Her neck was stiff, and she felt vulnerable stood on the stairs, a feeling of falling was waving over her like a sudden bout of vertigo.

  And then she heard a whistle. Faintly at first, but it came from over to the side in the darkness.

  With all of her willpower, she turned towards the sound, and stepping out into the light, she saw him.

  His brown face and cheeky grin. Benji, the strange lad that wandered tirelessly around the town was beckoning her over to him, and suddenly a wash of relief spread over her. How, when faced with this in front of her, she suddenly felt almost at total ease with a small child, was beyond her.

  The whole of this bizarre scene was beyond her.

  She walked slowly and purposefully towards Benji who smiled even wider at her. Whilst most things appeared old and covered as if forgotten, she noticed a metal rack that was covered in large one-pound bags and a whole load of small ounce bags, all filled with white powder. Drugs.

  So here was the reason Rupert remained in Huntswood Cove. A life of power elsewhere brought with it responsibility and hard work, but here with the help of the council and the police force, they could control the harbour with shipments in and out.

  Benji held out a small hand, and once again, Sam noticed the large star tattoo on the back of his hand in red. It appeared to be filled with hundreds of small numbers. She had never been this close to it before, and while she had noticed it previously, it had not occurred to her how strange this would be on a child well below the legal age for a tattoo.

  There was a muffled sound from above, and then they heard the door open…

  THE PLACE THAT NEVER EXISTED

  Chapter Forty-Four

  E ven as a small boy, Bobby had wanted to be a policeman. Sure he had flirted momentarily with being a superhero, but he was always suspicious of how the logistics of getting in and out of such a tight costume would work. To use any powers to help costume changing seemed almost an act of abusing your abilities. No, he decided that a uniform with a badge and a belt was all he needed.

  His dream certainly never had this strange scenario in it though.

  Bobby had not felt this uncomfortable since his first day as a policeman. That was expected, and he knew the camaraderie that was visible in others would soon filter down to him.

  But since the now infamous incident, things had taken a backwards step.

  He’d not known who she was, and his weak defence was that he really couldn’t be held responsible for everything that had happened.

  A few months ago, he’d been out drinking with his new buddies on the force. He was a moderate drinker at best but, to save face, was hitting it hard. His pints of South Star bitter
had at some point turned into many glasses of Plymouth Gin from the local distillery, and it wasn’t long before the world was swaying, and his vision a couple of drinks from being kaleidoscopic.

  He had been a single guy who was neither considered good looking nor repulsive but somewhere in the vast pool of descriptions of the in-between. The police training kept him fit, so his body was fairly trim and this naturally gave him a boost of attractiveness, even if his self-confidence was well behind. However, South Star & Gin had suddenly become his silent wingmen, whispering into his ear chat-up lines that at best were embarrassing and at worst illegally disrespectful. Bobby’s saving grace was some dimples and a fresh face that softened his performance to being a “cheeky-chappie” rather than a drunken misogynistic arsehole.

  His target that night stood at the bar with some friends, and it was only when her friends had gone to grab a table did Bobby think he was a reincarnation of Don Juan and had drunkenly slid in next to her. At the time he had felt good. Really good.

  “You look lonely,” he slurred, his eyes already at half-mast.

  She’d raised her recently shaped eyebrows and rolled her twinkling eyes. “That the best you got?” she had taunted.

  “Not by a long shot, m’lady,” he said. “What are ya drinking?”

  “I don’t need you to buy me a drink,” she replied, slightly amused that a guy half her age would even try it.

  “I wasn’t offering. I was enquiring as to your tastes.”

  “You’re interested in my taste?” she said and was taken back by him lunging in and kissing her directly on her lips. It was only when hands were pulling him away that he stopped.

  Some say she was pushing him away also, while others say she was enjoying it and had even slipped a hand around his head, which was not the action of a woman who wanted him to stop. But they all agreed it was a bad move. A very bad move. Not that she was anything less than attractive. And not even his gung-ho gin-fuelled idea of romance. No, the general consensus suggested that kissing the chief inspector’s wife, whether new to the force or well established, was not considered good form. It was career defining and definitely not in a good way.