If Only

Mike Holden

Description

This is the third novel about Kim and Ned, who are two very ordinary people but they are the most unlikely pair of friends that one could meet. Nevertheless there is a bond between them. She is Chinese, in her 20's and a qualified and practising lawyer. He is in his 50's and owner of a moderately successful business consultancy. The Chairman of a local football club asks for Ned's help to restructure the club to save it from going out of business. Kim, meanwhile, has been unsuccessful in defending a notorious gang leader who is sent to prison and his brother publicly threatens Kim. Matters don't go to plan for both Kim and Ned with murder and kidnapping resulting. Both of them become embroiled in each other's situations with events unfolding that threatens each of their lives. After further bizarre happenings and personal attacks which force Kim and Ned to re-evaluate their relationship, events come to a fatal and horrifying conclusion in Manchester's most iconic venue, Old Trafford.

Sujets

• Adventure
• Adventure (Guyana)

Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 15 mai 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781782349174
• Langue: English

Extrait

Title Page
IF ONLY

By
Mike Holden



Publisher Information
If Only published in 2013 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.
Copyright © Mike Holden 2013
The right of Mike Holden 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.



Chapter 1
Edward White, known to his friends as Ned, was cogitating about life being good to him at the moment, as he ate his breakfast of muesli, toast and coffee, on his balcony overlooking the English Channel. It was a beautiful early spring morning and the only clouds visible were out at sea on the distant horizon. Yes, life was currently being very fair to him. His business consultancy was buoyant and his relationship with Kim, his young Chinese friend, was as strong as ever even though it was yet again of a platonic nature. His one regret was that the new business was now keeping him busy and was confining him to the Home Counties and the south-east which prevented him from travelling anywhere near the north-west. So his visits to Kim had become less frequent.
However, Kim had received visits from Ermeela Lees, a young girl, now sixteen years old who was saved by Kim from a life of degradation, misery and possible suicide, Ermeela’s words. They had built up a very close bond of friendship between them that both knew was transcending age and time. Both were always keen to see each other but Kim had always been somewhat reluctant to head south. Ned had always kept a watchful eye on Ermeela and her mother, Julie since they had both moved down to the south coast to escape and leave behind their previous lives. Indeed, Ned had, in euphemistic and biblical terms, being seeing Julie particularly when her daughter had not been about and whilst he did not regard their association as any long-term commitment, he placed a certain value on this relationship.
Nothing had ever been said openly but he often wondered if Emmy, as Ermeela was affectionately known, had said something to Kim about him and Julie. He had tried very hard to keep the nature of his relationship with her mother from Emmy. If she knew, she hid it very well. Her phone calls gave away nothing.
*
After finishing breakfast, Ned answered a phone call, the result of which would catapult both Kim and himself once again into a life-threatening situation. Ned answered the phone in his usual cheery manner
“Mr White?” said the other voice on the phone
“Yes” replied Ned somewhat cautiously
“Chalky White?” asked the voice. It came like a jolt from the blue. No one had called him that since his school days, quite to his relief. The nickname bore no malice to the so-called owner although Ned had detested it from the start as he did with all nicknames. He had discovered that the name had no more a sinister connotation than a graphic colour description of his name. He never grew into it
and now someone from his school days was again reminding him all these years later.
“Yes” he answered very slowly and nervously
“It’s Tim Robertson, former schoolmate and now Chairman of Manchester North End Football Club?”
Ned’s interest and palpitations went up a few notches. He was a life-long supporter of the club. He remembered Tim as a steady type of lad who always seemed friendly and was mad about football. He so much wanted to be a footballer, as Tim recalled but had never made it. He made his mark in the carpet industry, firstly as a small manufacturer and then as a larger manufacturer before adding retail outlets for carpets to his empire. At the same time he had shown the local football club his business acumen and aptitude for football administration. Ned had admired Tim Robertson since he had taken over the Chairmanship for attempting to keep the club afloat against all adversities. The club had experienced varying fortunes and currently they were struggling at the foot of the third tier of the football pyramid. He wondered if the call was an invitation to invest.
“How nice to hear from you, Tim. How can I help?”
“I hear that you are something of a whizz-kid in putting businesses back on their feet”
“I wouldn’t go that far but I try my best”
“I’m wondering if you can help this club with your expertise and I’ve never forgotten that you are a loyal supporter.”
So this was not a chance call after all, thought Ned. He was dead chuffed that Tim had remembered him.
“What exactly is your problem, Tim?”
“We need a business revamp, but most of all we need bigger and better revenue streams”
“Tim, I’m not very busy at the moment. Perhaps I could come and chat to you although it seems pretty “run of the mill” stuff.”
“Are you going to charge me a fortune for the visit?”
“Tim, I shall bear into account the fact that the club hasn’t two pennies to rub together and part of my life will come to an end if Manchester North End ceases to be”
“I’m very grateful to you, Tim, but I’m afraid there’s a little bit more to it than that which is best spoken about confidentially”
“Why am I not surprised? I’ll give you a ring once I have made the necessary travelling arrangements”
A visit back to the north-west would give him the opportunity of seeing the two loves in his life, Manchester North End Football Club and Kim, not necessarily in that order.
*
Later that day, Ned, having checked his diary with his commitments and found that he was able to be up in the north in time for the home game against Oldham Athletic this Saturday. He phoned Tim Robertson of his intentions who told him that there would be a seat in the Director’s box for him and a space in the executive car park. He then phoned Kim to let her know he would be coming up this weekend.



Chapter 2
Week 1, Friday
On the Friday before the game, Kim had been in court all day. Her client was a particular nasty piece of work by the name of Irving McGurk. The trial had been particularly unpleasant and unpalatable for Kim, and she had taken an instant and severe dislike to him from the moment she had met him. McGurk had been on trial for a variety of crimes, which consisted of a double murder, against a rival gang member and an informant who, he believed had grassed him to his rivals, grievous bodily harm against more rival gang members and against his girlfriend and her children.
The barrister, Kim’s firm had used, Elizabeth Snodsbury-Mortaine, was experienced in defending the criminal classes but she had struggled with the compelling evidence that the Prosecution had against her client. She knew that he was as guilty as hell but he kept denying it. Apart from some aggressive threats during the police interview, his only other words uttered were “No comment” and he had chosen not to give evidence during his trial.
Miss Snodsbury-Mortaine knew that the odds were stacked up against him and told Kim so whilst they waited for the jury to return. This occurred much quicker than expected and in less than two hours after retiring they were delivering “guilty” verdicts on all charges. This brought a ferocious tirade from McGurk’s elder brother, Anselm, who was sitting in the gallery
“You fucking useless bitches” he boomed at Elizabeth and Kim “You useless pieces of shit. You’re going to pay for this. I’ll have you and I’ll personally kill both of you”
The last sentence was yelled as the court security guards was manhandling McGurk to the exit, a task that four of them undertook with extreme difficulty.
In the barristers’ room, Elizabeth could see that Kim was visibly shaken. As she removed her wig and gown she said to Kim
“Take no notice of him. You get this all the time”
“I’m not normally worried about threats but this family is particularly nasty and as you know, they have a reputation for carrying out their promises.”
“All right” said Elizabeth, “I’ll mention it to the police but I think you could be worrying over nothing.”
As she was leaving, she turned round to Kim,
“But just to be on the safe side, keep a vigilant look-out over the next few days”.
That statement made Kim even more worried.



Chapter 3
Saturday
Ned left bright and early on the Saturday morning as he had been invited to lunch with the Chairman in the club restaurant. Ned’s importance hit him as soon as he arrived at the gates of the stadium, as he was expected by the security guy and directed to a reserved spot in the car park. He was greeted by Tim Robertson before he even reached the Reception. They shook hands
“Good of you to come, Chalky and nice to see you again.” Ned winced.
“You can call me Ned now and thank you for the invite” He hoped Tim had taken the hint.
“Is it all right with you if we talk once the game is over? We can have more privacy and what I have to say, has to be said in total confidence. Have you made any arrangements for tonight?”
“I’m staying with a friend and we’re going out to dinner” He replied, thinking of Kim and their favourite Indian restaurant. “But I have time beforehand”
“Good, then let me show you around”
He was given the guided tour that included the gymnasium, the home and away dressing rooms and the main office before going to the restaurant. It was pretty much as he remembered it the last time he was here some fifteen years ago and its condition had not improved.
Lunch was taken in the restaurant that held over a hundred peop