More Careless Talk

David Barry

Description

The sequel to Careless Talk, in which Dave Whitby's new relationship turns sour as Mary's ex husband begins terrorising and stalking her, and Mike's hair cutting is compromised by his drinking and his marriage goes belly-up. All his customers relationships go from bad to worse, but henpecked Ted, the railway guard finds a new life that has always been denied to him.

Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 10 juin 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781781663240
• Langue: English

Extrait

Title Page
MORE CARELESS TALK
More Secrets And Lies In A Town Near London


By
David Barry



Publisher Information
More Careless Talk Published in 2012 by
Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.
Copyright © David Barry 2012
The right of David Barry to be identified as author of this book has been asserted in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyrights Designs and Patents Act 1988.



Dedication
To Ann and Marie and members of Katapult



One
‘Right!’ exclaimed Mary. ‘This is it! Action stations!’ She waved a wallpaper scraper threateningly at the living room wall. ‘I’ll be glad to see the back of this hideous paper.’
` Dave came in carrying two mugs of coffee. ‘Time to break for elevenses,’ he said, poker-faced.
Mary gave him a withering look. ‘It’s not even half-nine yet.’
‘I know, but...’
Mary took one of the mugs and put it down on the bare floorboards. ‘You lazy so-and-so. You can’t put it off any longer, you know.’
He sighed miserably and blew on his coffee. ‘I know. But all this disruption.’
‘It’ll be worth it. God knows how you managed to live with this paper all these years.’
‘I never used to notice it. Much. And I’ve never been one for D-I-Y.’ He sneaked a look at his watch. ‘I’ve ... er ... just got to pop out for ten minutes. Soon as I’ve had this coffee.’
Mary glared at him.
‘It’s all right: I’m not putting a bet on. Honest. I won’t be that long. Then I’ll come back and get started on this room.’
‘Where are you going then?’
‘I’ve got to photocopy my songs and send them to the musical director in Blackpool.’
Mary dipped a sponge in a bucket of hot, soapy water. Although she had her back to Dave, he could tell by her demeanour that she was far from happy.
‘I’ve got to do these gigs,’ he explained. ‘The money’s not bad and it could lead to more work.’
‘And what do we do while you’re away? Just as the children are getting used to you.’
‘Well, I’m sorry, but it can’t be helped. It’s what I do for a living. How many more times do I have to explain?’
‘But why Blackpool of all places? And for six whole weeks.’
‘Because that’s where the work happens to be.’
‘There’s no need to shout.’
‘I’m not shouting. It’s just that you’re so irritating. I’ve got to do it, and that’s that. So I may as well get on with me photocopying. I’ll see you in a bit.’
He slammed his mug down and left the room. As he squeezed his way past all the living room furniture stacked in the hall, the letter box rattled and an air mail letter fluttered on to the mat. He picked it up and saw that it was addressed to Mary. Curiosity getting the better of him, he returned to the living room and handed her the letter.
‘Who do you know who lives in Florida?’ he asked.
Her hands trembled as she took the letter. ‘Oh my God! It’s from him. My ex-husband. How the hell did he find out where I’m living now?’
He saw very real fear in Mary’s eyes.
‘Ronnie’s a twisted bastard. About as dangerous as you can get. I’m sure he’s got a screw loose. A real psycho.’
***
The doorbell chimed and Nicky panicked. ‘It’s Jason. He’s early. And I’m not ready.’
Vanessa laughed unkindly. ‘Let him see you as you really are. That’ll put him off.’
Nicky looked pleadingly at her sister and asked if she would let him in.
‘No chance. I don’t even know him.’
‘Please, Nessa.’
‘Tell you what: you let him in and I’ll make the coffee while you get dressed.’
‘Yes but...’ Nicky began to protest, but seeing the wilful look on her sister’s face, she dashed out to answer the door as the doorbell chimed again.
Vanessa smiled to herself, picturing Nicky’s discomfort as she greeted her new boyfriend in her dressing gown. Nicky’s high-pitched, panicky voice brought the contempt she felt for her sister bubbling to the surface. Nicky was such a baby. So un-cool.
While Vanessa switched on the kettle, Nicky hurriedly showed her new boyfriend into the kitchen. ‘This is Jason,’ she burbled nervously. ‘Jason, this is Vanessa.’
‘Hi, pleased to meet you.’
He waved a hand at Vanessa. She acknowledged his greeting with a nod, surprised at how attractive he was, although she had seen them both together in the shopping mall. But close up he looked even dishier. Slim, dark and rather intense looking. He looked like he might be an actor or a model.
‘I’ll leave you two to get acquainted while I get dressed,’ said Nicky. ‘My sister’ll make you a coffee, Jason. Shan’t be long.’
Nicky scurried away, ashamed of the way she looked. Vanessa smiled at Jason, who said, ‘Nicky never mentioned she had a sister.’
‘Oh?’
‘Course, I can understand why now.’
Vanessa raised her eyebrows enquiringly and guessed what was coming.
‘It must be because you’re so attractive. No wonder she keeps quiet about you.’
Pleased with the compliment, Vanessa tried not to let it show, and got the jar of instant coffee out of the cupboard. She could feel him staring at her, undressing her.
‘What do you do for a living?’ she asked.
He grinned confidently. ‘Central heating engineer. I’ve got my own business.’
She tried not to show her disappointment either.
‘I had a job to finish off this morning. That’s why I thought - as I had the rest of the day clear - I’d take Nicky out. But I wish...’
He deliberately left the sentence unfinished, hoping Vanessa would take the bait.
She did.
‘What do you wish?’
He moved a little closer to her. ‘I wish it was the other way round. I wish it was you I was taking out.’
Vanessa tried to conceal a smile but her eyes said it all.
‘I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Do you?’
‘Because of Nicky? We don’t have to tell her.’
‘Tell her what?’
‘About us going out together one night this week.’
Vanessa laughed nervously. ‘You’ve got a nerve.
‘I can’t help it. I’ve never been so knocked out by anyone before. So how about it?’
Deeply buried resentment of her older sister being the treasured favourite of their father flashed through Vanessa’s mind. She made a snap decision and felt a surge of triumph, coupled with revenge.
‘Okay,’ she whispered. ‘I’m not doing anything on Friday night.’



Two
Tears ran down Mary’s face. Her hands shook as she read her ex-husband’s letter. ‘Oh no!’ she pleaded. ‘Please, Ronnie! No!’
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Dave, stifled by the inadequacy of his question. But there was no mistaking the genuine concern in his voice and Mary looked up from the letter momentarily, love and gratitude in her expression.
Thoughts of the club bookings in Blackpool and the north west struck him, worried that he might have to make noble sacrifices. A sob caught in Mary’s throat and he chased away the selfish thoughts and gently touched her hand. He spoke softly but his voice was uncomfortably resonant in the empty room.
‘Are you going to tell me what’s up?’
Mary recovered slightly, wiped her eyes, and wet her lips before speaking. ‘Listen to this - see what you make of it.’
She read from the letter.
‘“My darling Mary, I still think of you as my darling, you see, babe. The fact is I can’t get over you. I know it’s been a long time and we’ve both had other partners since we split up but - who knows - we might give it another go. Because this here’s the good news. I’m coming home. Things didn’t work out with me and Sharleen. Or with her kids. Yankee brats! And blood’s thicker than water, as they say.
‘“I know I treated you badly, but I never stopped loving you, babe. Until death us do part. And that goes for my kids as well. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again. They’ll like it over here. Tell them I’m looking forward to taking them to Disneyland. I’ve got a great job now, hon, selling hush-hush equipment for an electronics company. So I’m going to be doing a lot of commuting across the pond. My first trip is in October sometime, so here’s lookin’ at you, kid. Love you, babe. Till death. Ronnie.”’
Mary stared at Dave, begging for reassurance, protection. He shrugged helplessly.
‘I’m not sure. I ... I mean, why are you so upset?’
‘Because I thought I’d seen the last of him. That’s why.’
‘But surely he’s got a right to see his children.’
Mary shivered involuntarily. ‘The man’s dangerous. He lives in a fantasy world.’
‘Lots of people do.’
‘Not like Ronnie. Believe me, he’s dangerous.’ She thrust the letter into Dave’s hand. ‘Take a look at the last line.’
Dave squinted, holding the letter away from him. ‘He’s underlined “death” with a red pen.’ He frowned at Mary. ‘Why?’
‘Because he’s a sick bastard, that’s why.’
‘Dave put his arm round her, protectively. ‘It’s baking hot but you’re shivering. You’re frightened of him, aren’t you? I mean, I know he put you in hospital that time, but ... has he ever done anything to scare you before?’
‘Loads of times. He saw me staring at this good looking black guy in a pub one night. He didn’t say anything. Just went quiet and moody. When we got home, he stripped me off, making me think we were going to make love. Instead, he smacked me hard with his open palm, slowly, over and over in the same place, so it hurt but it wouldn’t show.’
‘I know this is probably a stupid ques