Monica. Ch21.

The police close in, but the stalker gets away.

Chapter 21

Friday evening I left work and caught the bus to the stop near Anne's parents' house. It was still a long walk from there to the squat where Anne lived and after a tiring day plus the walk I was looking forward to a relaxing hot drink and a chat with my friend when I got there. When I arrived it was Dave that answered the door looking unwashed, unshaven, and generally unhappy.

         "What's up, Dave, she hasn't left you again, has she?" I began to laugh, but by the look on his face I thought I might be right.

         "I chucked her out. I think she's been lying."

         "When did this happen?" I said.

         "She's back at her mum's. I threw her out on Wednesday and I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't been seeing each other since we moved in. All that shit about going to the bingo."

         "Well, I'd best get off then, I need to see her."

         Dave stepped back into the passage and pushed back the door. "Got time for a coffee then? I've just put the kettle on and I need someone to talk to, so I can maybe get all the hurt away. You're not back with Alan again are you?"

         "No, I'm not back with Alan, but I can't stop anyway, I need to get going."

         "What's up, don't you trust me or something?"

         "It's not that," but I knew it was. Alone in the house with me, I could trust him about as far as I could carry an elephant. Anyway, I was eager to hear Anne's side of the story. "I've things to sort out with Anne and it's getting late."

         "I can drop you round in the van after, save you walking. Just come in for a drink."

         "I'll see you, Dave, and I'm so sorry to hear about your news." I hurried off feeling fed up because I had passed Anne's house on the way and now I had to traipse all the way back again.

         Anne was in surprisingly good spirits when I arrived and we sat chatting in the front room of the house with Anne filling in all the bits that Dave left out.

         "So, no more gravy train," Anne said.

         "If you want, I'll ask at The Burger Bar to see if he'll give you your job back."

         "Nah, sod that. I'm starting full time as a barmaid at The Fountain on Friday."

         "I thought you weren't gonna do bar work again?"

         "Changed my mind. Anyway, it's like a night out with pay, ain't it. The dinner times can be a bit tedious though. Still, never mind boring jobs. How's the karate going?"

         "I've changed clubs you know."

         "Yeah, I heard. You finally decided to give Alan the elbow. He was messing about, wasn't he?"

         "Sort of, I don't know really, maybe."

         "Blokes ay. Can't trust any of them. As soon as they get a stirring in their pants they're off like rampant dogs and all morals go out the window. Then afterwards when they've been found out they're all apologetic and looking for forgiveness like little puppies that have just shit on the carpet. Well, bollocks to them, if they want to behave like dogs then that's how we should treat them."

         "I'm at the same club as Eddie now."

         "Eddie, how is he?"

         "He's fine. He's started to give me driving lessons."

         "Oh, getting quite close to my ex are you?"

         "You don't mind, do you?"

         "Course not, but don't forget, you know what he is more than anyone. You saw him at Joy's."

         "Yes, but he said it was a mistake and he would never do anything like that again."

         "And you believe him, do you?"

         "Yes, I think I do."

         "No man would pass up the chance of a one night stand with an attractive girl if he knew, or even thought he would get away with it, no man."

         "I think you're wrong. I think Eddie has changed."

         A large grin suddenly spread across Anne's face. "Have you done it with him?"

         "Pardon?"

         "You have, haven't you, I can tell by the contented smile on your face."

         "It's not like that, we're just friends."

         "So you've not had sex with him?"

         "No!"

         "Wow, you wait till you do, have you got a treat in store." Anne began to laugh teasingly.

         "He just took me out for a driving lesson, that's all. We're going again on Sunday and we'll probably call for a drink after, but that's all. It's only for the driving lessons, might even get an hour after the karate on Monday."

         "Sunday. That's bonfire night. If you're lucky the Guy Fawkes displays won't be the only fireworks you see."

         "There's nothing like that going on between us."

         "Well, why have you gone all red?"

         "I've not."

         "You bloody well have, girl."

         "I'm warm that's all. It's a bit hot in here."

         "So you're definitely not girlfriend boyfriend sort of thing?"

         "Not really, no."

         "Positive?"

         "Of course, and who knows I might even get back with Alan after I've let him stew for a bit."

         "Phew, that's a relief I can tell you. I need to have a talk with Eddie. You know a shoulder to cry on and despite everything we're still quite close, me and Eddie. I can really talk to him, you know what I mean? The same as you and Alan I suppose. You can't just block out all the closeness and intimacy that's gone before can you?"

         "No, but you can talk to me, can't you?"

         "I know that, but it's not really girl's talk, it's more of a girl-boy thing."

         "So what's happening, are you thinking of getting back with him?"

         "Would you fall out with me if I did?"

         "Of course not, why should I? Like you say, he is your ex and we'll always be good mates whatever happens, but what about the baby?"

         "I think Eddie still loves me and he's the kind of bloke to accept the baby as his. Anyway, who knows what the future holds, I might have a miscarriage."

         "That's a terrible thing to say."

         "We all have to face facts. I don't want a miscarriage, of course I don't, but these things do happen, don't they?" Anne gave a smile as if she had won the war without a battle. "So, what's the hunky instructors like at your new gym? Got your eye on anybody yet?"

* * * * *

         I set off for home feeling a little depressed because Anne had re-developed her interest in Eddie. I felt as if my relationship with Eddie was over before it had even got properly started and then I thought of my driving lessons. Would Anne allow them to continue if she got back with Eddie? I regretted not telling the truth that I was more than interested in him and I had already developed feelings towards him. I should have told her, should have stood my ground and told her to keep away from him, but Anne was a good friend and I didn't want to fall out with her.

         My thoughts changed as I suddenly realised how dark it was because some of the streetlights were not working. I thought of the man who had been pestering me and of the attack at Scarborough. I became a bit scared and I quickened up my pace. A car was approaching from behind, a slow-moving car. I wanted to turn and look, but I was fearful of what I might see. I began to take deep breaths as my veins began to pump. The car passed and I glanced over at the elderly couple in a Morris Traveller. I smiled and felt foolish and then wondered if they were out looking for a quiet spot. I laughed at the thought that elderly people might behave in the same manner as younger people, perhaps they were not even married. Did older people have bits on the side?

         The thought amused me and I had just begun to feel more at ease when I heard a man's footsteps behind me. I kept walking fast, but he remained behind me, neither gaining nor losing any distance. It was still quite a way to the main road and he would be sure to attack me before I got there. What if he did have a gun? What if it were him that had attacked the couple in Scarborough? Should I turn to confront him or should I start running. I had to make a decision. I realised I had made a mistake by wearing my platform boots so if I tried to run in them he would chase after me and might just catch me this time. Then again, if I stopped to try and get my boots off then he would be on me just the same. I couldn't just let him come up behind me. I remembered the cut-throat razor and the thought terrified me that he could pull my head back and cut my throat. I thought again of my training. I must not think of what he may do to me. I must concentrate on my attack and disable him so he can cause me no harm. Yes, I would do it; I could do it.

         I turned to face him and began walking in his direction as if I was going back for something I had forgotten. He was a big man, he was middle-aged, but I was not sure it was him. He smiled as we passed and although he may have been a little puzzled by my sudden change of direction; he seemed to be unconcerned. Again I felt relief as I watched him walking off. I crossed the road and began walking on the other side towards the main road again. I kept looking over at the man and felt somehow safer that there was someone about who may assist me if I were attacked.

         Home at last and I went in feeling, perhaps under the circumstances, it wouldn't be wise to call at Anne's house again if it meant walking back in the dark on my own.

         "Hello, darling," my mother said. "You've got a visitor."

         I was excited as I made my way to the living room. Maybe it was Eddie, just popped round to see me. Then again it could be Alan, and I would act as if I didn't really want to see him, although I was not sure it was true and I sometimes wondered if I had been a bit hasty leaving the karate club. I walked in and looked at Policewoman Oakes sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea. "Oh! Oh hello."

         "We were just about to send out a search party for you."

         "I was just round my friend's house. What's up, have you got him?"

         "We know who he is. I followed up on the information you gave me that he may have been given a ticket and it proved right. We called at his flat across from the back of your house, but I'm afraid we missed him."

         "Last night, over at the tower block. Is that what all those flashing blue lights was about? Does he live there, just over there?" I pointed towards the back of the house.

         "Yes, he does."

         "That was you, last night. You waved to me. Is that his flat, is that where that pervert lives?"

         The officer just looked back at me and nodded.

         I looked over at my mother. "He's been up there, watching me, looking down at me all this time. It makes my flesh crawl to think of it, it makes me want to heave." I shook my head a few times before looking back at the policewoman. "So where is he now?"

         "He's gone off somewhere, but don't worry, now we're on to him it's only a matter of time till we get him."

         "You're gonna get him, but it's not to stop him from getting at me, is it? He is the one, isn't he? The one at Scarborough, you want him for the shooting?"

         "We had a warrant to search his flat. When we got in there was evidence in his flat linking him to Scarborough at the time of the attack, but until we get him and interview him we can't prove for sure he's the man we want."

         "He knows I told you. He'll be after me, won't he?"

         "He's probably miles away and, like I said, he knows we are on to him so I don't think he'll come anywhere near his flat. All the same, we will have someone watching out for him here and over the flat. For now if you do go out make sure someone knows where you are and who you are meeting, and try not to go anywhere on your own."

         "You do, you think he's after me, don't you? He's gonna try to get me, isn't he?"

         "I don't think he'll come anywhere near you. It's just a precaution."

Monica. Ch22.  (18+) Friction builds up between Monica and Anne. #1998237 by Bruce.