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Post by PamA on Aug 23, 2005 17:01:23 GMT 1
Part 11
“For goodness sake Ronnie, I’ll be fine.” George practically glared at Ronnie as she said this. “Apart from anything else, I have Adam here to keep me company, and protect me if it comes to it.” At the mention of his name, Police Constable Adam Reeves looked up from the magazine he was reading. “I promise she’ll come to no harm while I’m here!” he said with a laugh. “Be more than my jobs worth.” “O.k.” Ronnie conceded, “but I’ll be back as soon as I can. You know I wouldn’t go to this dratted dinner if I didn’t have to, don’t you?” George sighed. “Yes Ronnie. I do know. You must have told me about a hundred times that you have to go. It’s all right, honestly. Go. Enjoy yourself.” “You could still come, I suppose. I’m sure they could fit you in with no problem. Someone always fails to turn up.” “Oh and shall I bring Tabitha? Whip my boob out when she needs feeding! I’m sure the Chamber of Commerce would love that!” “Now you’re being silly George,” Ronnie admonished her, “and you’re embarrassing Adam.” “I’m not, am I Adam?” Although the young policeman shook his head, his cheeks had reddened slightly. “Oops, sorry Adam.” George said with a twinkle in her eye and the slightest of smiles on her lips. Ronnie took hold of his wife and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, “What am I going to do with you?” he asked, but the look he gave her was one of great fondness. He knew his dear wife was a great one for engaging mouth before brain and it was, though he was loathe to admit it, actually one of her endearing qualities. “I’d best be off,” he said, letting go of her, “but the slightest thing, well you know what I mean, you call me, right?” “I promise. Now go on or you’ll be late.” George tweaked Ronnie’s bow tie and gave him a resounding kiss on the lips. “My but you look handsome in your DJ’s!” she exclaimed, then under her breath whispered, “Be off before I drag you upstairs!” Ronnie laughed and in a low voice replied, “Later.” Once Ronnie had gone George went to prepare supper for her and Adam. “Will an omelette and salad be okay?” she called from the kitchen. “Washed down by a nice glass of fresh orange juice.” “That’ll do me fine.” Adam appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Anything I can do to help? I’m a dab hand in the kitchen.” “Well, you could make the salad,” George suggested, “You’ll find everything you need in the fridge. Oh, and you can put it in this.” She pushed a glass bowl across the kitchen worktop. They worked in companionable silence until the meal was ready and they sat down to eat. “Bet Ronnie doesn’t get as good as this tonight!” George said laughingly. “Bet he doesn’t!” Adam replied. When they’d finished George loaded the plates into the dishwasher. “Go and sit down,” she said to Adam, “and I’ll bring in the coffee.” “If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer a cup of tea.” Adam looked almost apologetic as he said this. “Tea it is then.” George agreed as she filled the kettle. George stopped what she was doing. “What was that?” “What was what?” Adam asked looking puzzled. “I thought I heard a noise outside. Sounded like someone scratching on the window.” George answered. “There it is again! You must have heard that.” The young policeman put his finger to his lips to signal George to be quiet. They listened intently and, for a few seconds, heard nothing. Then suddenly the noise came again. Adam pointed to the light switch and George nodded to indicate that she understood what he meant. Very quietly he made his way over to the kitchen window and gingerly lifted the corner of the curtain, enough to make a small gap to peer through. “Can you see anything?” George asked in a low voice. Adam shook his head. He beckoned George over. “I’m going to pop outside and have a quick look round,” he whispered, “I don’t think it’s anything but best be sure. Lock the door after me, and whatever happens stay inside. I’ll knock to come back in.” “Be careful,” George said as he slipped outside. He looked back at her, smiled, nodded his head and signalled for her to lock the door. George did as told and stood pressed against the backdoor listening for any sound from outside. All seemed quiet. She could just about hear the sound of Adam Reeves moving softly across the patio in the direction of the window. She thought she heard a slight thud but was unsure, and her heart was beating so fast that it was sounding in her ears and making it difficult to know what she was truly hearing. It seemed to take forever before she heard a knock on the back door signalling that Adam was back, and she opened the door breathing a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness,” she exclaimed as she opened the door but, to her horror, it wasn’t Adam standing there. She tried, in vain, to push the door shut on the man who’d emerged from the shadows, but he was far too strong for her. She ran across the kitchen towards the door that led to the hall, thinking only of Tabitha and her overwhelming need to protect her; but he was too close behind. He grabbed her placing a cloth over her face and nose. It smelt of something sickly sweet and though she struggled hard not to breathe in the fumes, there came a moment when she had to take in a breath and, as soon as she did, her body went limp.
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Faith had no idea how much time had passed since he’d left. She’d struggled to stay awake and was beginning to lose the battle when the door opened, and he appeared carrying a sleeping George in his arms. “Company,” he said as he lowered George to the floor. “What have you done to her?” Faith asked anxiously. “Oh she’ll be alright. She’ll wake up soon and you’ll have someone to talk to while I’m away.” As he spoke he was tying George’s hands together. “Oh, and before you ask,” he continued as he tied her feet together, “I don’t know how long I’ll be. Depends on how well Miss Finch co-operates!”
to be continued.................................
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Post by PamA on Aug 29, 2005 15:50:00 GMT 1
Part 12
Ronnie had just finished eating the most delicious dish of Beef Wellington he had ever had in his life, when one of the bar stewards came over and told him there was someone to see him in the lobby. He stood, mumbling apologies to those sitting around him, and made his way out of the banqueting suite towards the hotel lobby. When he saw Sergeant Grayson standing waiting for him, he knew at once that his worst fears had come true; something had happened to George or Tabitha or, worse still, to both of them. “Doug,” he said as soon as he drew near to the waiting policeman, “what’s happened?” Ronnie and Doug’s paths had crossed frequently in the courtroom and a friendship had grown between the two men but, in some respects, it made it harder for Doug to have to inform Ronnie of what had happened that evening. “You’d best sit down,” he replied, gesturing to the comfortable armchairs that littered the hotel lobby. He steered Ronnie towards two chairs that were a discreet distance from the reception desk so they wouldn’t be overheard. “The Maguires decided to pay a surprise visit to your wife this evening. They knew you were out and thought she might enjoy the company. Anyway, when they got there they rang and rang on the doorbell but got no reply. They were a bit bothered, though, cause they could hear the baby crying – well, screaming actually they said, didn’t sound right to them, George leaving the baby to scream like that. So, Mac went round the back to see if he could see George in the kitchen, found young Adam Reeves unconscious on the patio, the back door wide open and no sign of George.” Ronnie was strangely silent, looking into the distance as if in some kind of a trance. “Did you hear that, Ronnie?” Doug Grayson asked. Ronnie shook his head as if to clear it and rubbed his hands together in a gesture of despair. “Tabby?” he finally asked, “Is she alright?” “Julia Maguire’s with her. We had to go and get some formula for her. Poor kid was starving.” “George won’t like that.” Ronnie said with a wry smile on his face. “She won’t like Tabby having formula.” “Ronnie, we had no choice. We had to give her something.” Ronnie nodded, “I know,” he said. “How could he have taken George from under the very nose of the policeman you’d left with her?” Ronnie asked, a note of anger creeping into the tone of his voice. “We won’t know that till young Adam comes round. An ambulance was at your place when I left to see you so he’s probably in hospital by now.” “He will be alright, won’t he?” Ronnie’s mood had swung from anger to concern. He knew Adam wouldn’t have willingly put George at risk. There was no doubt about it, whoever was doing these things, whoever had George and Faith, was extremely cunning. “I expect so,” Doug replied, “though it was a nasty bang on the head. Could have fractured his skull. Another charge to lay against our friend when we get him.” “When being the operative word,” Ronnie sighed, “He seems to outwit us all the time. Where’s he taken her? How the hell are we going to find her when we don’t even know who we’re looking for!” “Come on,” Doug said, standing up, “let’s get you back to your house.” Ronnie stood and, as he did, Doug laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find them,” he said, “I promise you we’ll find them.” “How? Just how do you propose to do that?” There was a hint of disbelief in Ronnie’s voice, as if he were already resigned to the fact that he would never see his beloved George ever again.
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Faith felt that she waited for hours for George to wake up, but in reality not much time passed before George slowly came to. It was dark outside by now, and the only light in the room came from a low level light bulb that hung on a short flex from the ceiling, and in this dim light she at first found it hard to focus on her surroundings. Gradually, though, she realised she was not alone and almost wept with relief to see that it was Faith who shared her captivity, a Faith who was very much alive and, as far as she could see, unhurt. “Are you alright?” she asked, “We were all so afraid of what might have happened to you.” “A bit concussed,” Faith answered, “but other than that I’m fine.” They spent a few minutes telling each other how they had come to fall victim to their captor. “I can’t believe I was so stupid to open the door to him!” George said angrily, “I was just so scared and so relieved to believe Adam had returned that I didn’t think. And my poor little Tabby! Oh Faith she’s all alone in the house.” Tears began to roll down George’s face. “How could he do this to us? How could he do this to Tabby? We weren’t that awful to him, were we?” “I rejected him, said he made my flesh crawl, and you told him to get out and never show his face again. He must have carried a grudge against us ever since.” Faith replied. “And it was Sarah who intervened and told him what a little creep he was!” George exclaimed. “That’s why it’s been we three who have been his targets!” “He’s working out a way to get Sarah. We’ve got to get out of here George! We’ve got to stop him before it’s too late.” They sat in silence for a few moments, thinking of how to get out of their plight. “I think I can wiggle over to you,” George said at last, “Then we can try and untie one another.” Slowly, painfully, George inched her way across to where Faith sat tied to the pipe. Faith turned herself round as far as she could and tried desperately to loosen the cords that bound George’s hands, but it was to no avail. The knots were too tight. “It’s no good,” Faith said, “I can’t untie you and what’s more I’ve broken a nail!!” George didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Faith’s outburst. “We’re tied up and at the mercy of a madman, and all you can worry about is a broken nail!” George said, the tone of her voice tending toward hysteria. “Oh Faith,” she continued in a calmer voice, “What are we going to do?” They looked at each other, despair written on their faces, and tears welled up in their eyes, as they realised the hopelessness of their situation.
to be continued.............................
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Post by PamA on Sept 2, 2005 11:11:47 GMT 1
Part 13
“I know it’s hard,” Julia said, “but the bottom line is that this is a Doctor’s practice and we have to keep going.” They were all seated in the staff room having coffee before morning surgery began. Julia and Mac had filled them in about the events of the night before and a gloomy silence had descended upon them all. First Faith missing, now George had been taken. Each one of them knew how difficult it would be to concentrate on patients or on their job not knowing the fate of their friends; but they all knew that Julia was right. The nature of their job meant they had to keep going no matter how worried they felt. “An agency nurse is coming in to fill in for Faith. She should be here soon.” Julia looked at her watch as she spoke. “I’m afraid she’s going to be a bit snowed under until she catches up with Faith’s lists of the past two days. Well, two and a half days to be exact. Sarah try and not book in too many patients for her this week.” Sarah nodded her head, “Right. Just one thing though – what do we tell patients if they ask where Faith is?” “That won’t be a problem after today.” Julia answered her, “The police are going to be putting her picture, and presumably George’s, in the papers in the hope someone will have seen them or know something. If anyone asks fob them off. Say you don’t know, no-one’s told you, or something like that. Any other questions?” No one spoke. “Right, well let’s get back to work.” Slowly, and almost reluctantly, they stood one by one and made their way back to their rooms. As Helen made her way to the door, Julia stopped her. “Are you going to be alright?” she asked. “The woman who is practically my best friend is missing, and you ask if I’ll be alright?” Helen glared at Julia. “Of course I’m not going to be alright. I won’t be alright until she’s found safe and sound.” “Sorry,” Julia said, “I didn’t mean to be tactless.” “I know,” Helen replied as she left the room, turning briefly to give Julia a half-hearted smile. “But you were.”
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“She seems nice doesn’t she?” Sarah said to Julia as they stood side by side at the reception desk. “Who does?” Julia asked in an absentminded way. She was busy sorting the post and only half listening to Sarah’s chatter. “Belle. Isabelle – the agency nurse.” “Um, yes. She seems o.k.” Julia replied still concentrating on the task in hand. “Well that all seems in order.” Julia moved the post to the end of the desk. “I shall be glad when we can stop worrying about the mail.” She looked around at the waiting area, at the Christmas tree and the decorations and said, her voice full of despair, “It wasn’t so long ago we were putting the tree and decorations up. Remember how excited we were, Sarah? Seems years ago now, doesn’t it? Then all those things started to happen: the letter bomb, the doll and that thing with your Dad, and now Faith and George both missing, what else is going to happen?” Sarah sighed. “I’m sure it will all be fine in the end.” “Do you really think so?” Julia said looking at Sarah and Sarah was shocked to see how much Julia had appeared to age over the past few days. “Positive.” Sarah smiled and reached her hand out to give Julia a reassuring squeeze. “They’ll find them and everything will be back to normal before you can say Jack Robinson!” “I wonder who Jack Robinson was?” Julia said quizzically. “I wonder if whoever he was knew that one day we’d use his name the way we do? Enough of that!” Julia admonished herself, “Back to work.” Sarah suddenly let out a little squeal. “What is it?” Julia asked and looked across at Sarah who was pointing to something on the desk. “Oh it’s only a spider!” Julia remonstrated, moving across and brushing it onto the floor where it promptly scuttled away into a distant corner. “I don’t mind spiders,” she said, “ what I can’t stand are snakes or worms. They make my flesh crawl. Just the thought of them.....” Julia shuddered as if to demonstrate the effect they had on her. “I know what you mean,” Sarah began and then looked at Julia in puzzlement. “Say that again,” she said. “What? That I don’t like snakes?” Julia asked. “No the other bit. The bit about your flesh.” Sarah persisted. It was Julia’s turn to look puzzled as she answered, “I said they make my flesh crawl.” For a moment Sarah stood in silence, her face screwed up in concentration. “Julia,” she finally said, “call the police. I remember now. I know who he is!”
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Faith had lost track of the time she’d spent in captivity. Although less than three days had passed, it seemed much longer. Her captor had returned twice, briefly untied her and taken her to a dilapidated bathroom. She’d been given nothing to eat or drink and had consequently gulped greedily at the discoloured water that came out of the tap over the sink. She was sorry that George had been brought here; she had hoped that he would have failed in his mission to capture her, but it was good to have company and someone to huddle up to. There was no heating of any kind in the room and the coat she wore was fashionable rather than practical. The blanket they’d been given was worn thin with age and barely big enough for the two of them to share. She was cold, very cold, and George’s body heat gave her a brief relief from the chill that seemed to radiate from her very insides. George was concerned about Faith’s state of health. It was obvious that she wasn’t seriously concussed; yet she was clearly unwell and, in George’s opinion, verging towards hypothermia and probably borderline dehydration. She did her best to keep Faith’s spirits up and to keep her warm, but she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if help didn’t come soon Faith’s condition would deteriorate further.
to be continued....................
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Post by PamA on Sept 6, 2005 16:43:13 GMT 1
Part 14
Nicholas Davis sat in the Letherbridge tearooms staring at the cup of tea in front of him. He’d been sitting there so long the toasted teacake he’d ordered had gone cold on the plate. The tearoom had been there since time immemorial. Once the waitresses had dressed in neat black frocks, covered by crisp white aprons, now the young girls that served and cleared the tables, wore tight black trousers and even tighter black tee shirts, and the frilly white aprons had been replaced by aprons of bleached cotton. The tearooms were, as usual, busy. It was a popular venue for shoppers needing a well-earned rest and a queue of young mums and pensioners had begun to form at the door. Nicholas was oblivious to this fact. His mind was turning over and over as he tried to form in his mind a plan of action. Everything had gone so wrong. All he’d wanted was to witness their fear, now he held two of them captive and that had never been a part of his plan. He couldn’t let them go, of that he was sure, for they’d both recognised him; and how long would it be before Sarah realised who it was that had been making their lives so very miserable? How could he lure Sarah into a trap? Oddly enough Sarah was the most practical of them all. Oh, yes, she might look the dizzy blonde, but behind that facade was a very astute young lady. She was sure, by now, to have police protection and they would all be particularly vigilant. Then, of course, there was the problem of what to do with them. He knew that if he were caught now he would be in serious trouble but, he reckoned, if there were no one to positively identify him, if there were no evidence, then what could the police do? Yes, he decided, first he would have to devise a very devious plan to lure Sarah into his trap, and then he would have to deal with the three of them to make sure that none of them would ever be able to point a finger at him.
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“His name was Nicholas Davis and he was sent here by the agency when Tasha was in hospital,” Sarah was sitting in the staff room with Doug Grayson and Lizzie Knight. “He was a creepy individual. I don’t think any of us really took to him.” “So what happened?” Lizzie asked, “What has he got against Faith and Dr. Woodson and you?” “There was an incident,” Sarah said slowly, “I think that might be what it’s all about.” Sarah paused and looked around as if trying to work out how best to explain. “He was a really boring little man, you know what I mean, the sort you try and get away from. He was always going on about how his wife had run off with the man from some shop or other. In the end I think we all tried to pretend he wasn’t there and that was pretty easy. He kind of blended into the walls, if you know what I mean.” Lizzie nodded. “Anyway, what we didn’t immediately realise was that he’d taken a bit of a fancy to Faith. The whole set up of the surgery was a bit weird then, you know, we were working from here and from The Haven as well. Riverside had been almost destroyed by the fire. It was all a bit odd really.” “So what happened?” Doug asked, anxious that she wouldn’t deviate from the story she was telling. “It was late one night.” Sarah continued, “everybody had gone home apart from me and George, that’s Doctor Woodson, and Faith. I was just about to go when Nicholas turned up saying he needed to speak to Faith about a patient. He didn’t like being called Nick by the way, said his mother had called him Nicholas and that’s what his name was. Anyway, he went off to Faith’s room and I was just about to go when I heard Faith call out. I wasn’t sure if she was calling me or what, so I went up to her room. The door was closed so I tapped on it and called out to her but she didn’t really answer, just made a noise.” She stopped and took a deep breath. “Take your time Sarah,” Lizzie said softly. “I’m o.k.” Sarah said reassuringly, “it’s just that it happened a long time ago and I don’t want to tell it all wrong.” She paused again and looked up at the ceiling then, with a brief sigh, she continued. “I went in. He’d got Faith pressed up against the wall and was all over her. I could see Faith was frightened and, well, disgusted too, if you know what I mean. She was trying to push him away but she couldn’t get him off her. She said, afterwards, that he was incredibly strong for his size.” “So, what did you do?” Lizzie asked. “I hit him,” Sarah replied, “just hit him on his back and said something like `get off her you creep’, or something like that.” “And then?” Doug asked. “George came running in. She’d heard me shouting and knew something was wrong. By then he’d let go of Faith and he’d got hold of me, kind of by my wrists. Like this.” Sarah grasped her left wrist in demonstration. “And George yelled at him to let go.” “And did he?” “Oh yes. George can be quite authoritative at times.” Sarah laughed. “Anyway, he made to leave the room and George told him to get out and not come back. Said she never wanted to set eyes on him again or something like that.” “And did you ever see him again?” Lizzie enquired. “Oh no. He never came back and I’m pretty sure Julia had a word with the agency about the incident.” “We’ll check that with Julia and the agency.” Lizzie jotted something down in her notebook. “With a bit of luck, this whole thing will be over soon and Faith and Dr. Woodson will be back here before you know it.”
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He stood in the Practice car park, watching. There had been considerable activity there since he’d arrived just before lunchtime. Two uniformed policemen stood at the entrance of The Mill and another uniformed officer and a young woman, presumably from CID, had gone inside. He needed to think, to watch and observe, follow and wait for that moment, which had to come, when Sarah would be vulnerable. Then he would strike.
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Post by PamA on Sept 12, 2005 11:49:44 GMT 1
Part 15
Sarah left the surgery at her normal time accompanied by one of the uniformed officers that had been standing guard at the entrance to The Mill all afternoon. Nicholas followed at a safe distance, holding back in the hope they would not realise he was tailing them. He assumed that she would go straight home, and this assumption proved to be correct. The police officer didn’t leave her when they reached her home but accompanied her inside. Nicholas sat for a while watching her house wondering whether she would go out again or remain in her house all evening but, even if she did, he knew her police escort would not be far from her side. He was curious, though, to know if he had been identified and with this thought on his mind decided to pay a visit to his home to see if there was any police presence there. From the corner of his road he could see three marked police cars parked alongside each other outside his house, so he quickly reversed round on to the main road and drove back to Sarah’s address. He had to get her, somehow he had to get her, he told himself over and over again. Faith and George could be easily dealt with. No one would find them, of that he was sure, but Sarah, well Sarah was a loose cannon, and he wasn’t prepared to let her get away. Some time passed before Sarah made an appearance and, as he thought, the policeman was staying close by her side. He watched as the officer checked over her car and scanned the road on both sides. They were obviously taking no chances with Sarah’s safety and Nicholas gritted his teeth in anger as he realised that the chances of her being alone were so slim as to be negligible. Still he followed them as they drove away. After all, George had dropped her guard, and taking her had proven to be much easier that he’d ever thought possible. Maybe there would be a moment presented to him, a moment that might mean him having to act swiftly but a moment, nevertheless, when she would be his. They hadn’t driven very far when it dawned on him that they were heading towards Helen’s house. He remembered that Sarah had frequently been called upon by Helen to do some babysitting and guessed that this must be the case again. He slowed the car down as Sarah pulled into Helen’s driveway, switching off the lights so that he wouldn’t draw attention to himself. He waited a while, watching them as they entered Helen’s house. The door was closed for no more than a few minutes when it opened again and Helen appeared, pulled the front door shut, got into her car and drove away. Nicholas edged his car along the road until it was parked as near as he dared to go to the driveway of Helen’s house. He switched off the engine and, leaving his car unlocked in case he needed to make a swift getaway, made his way to a clump of bushes that grew haphazardly a mere 2 metres from the front door of Helen’s house. He crouched down, blending in to the shadows cast by the shrubs, and waited. Time passed. On several occasions he had to stand up to get life back in to limbs that were cramping up from the squatting position he’d adopted. He was feeling tired and cold and ready to go home when he heard the front door open and Sarah’s voice calling back towards the house. “I won’t be a minute,” she cried. He adjusted his position so that he could get a better view of what was happening. Sarah was apparently going to get something from her car and, as far as he could make out, the police officer was standing in the open doorway watching her. There was no way that he could get to her without being seen. Something was happening, though. He craned his neck to get a better view. The police officer appeared to be going back into the house. It was now or never! Nicholas took a deep breath and sprang forward as fast as he could. Before Sarah could scream out his hand was over her mouth and he roughly manhandled her to his waiting car and pushed her into the back seat. Sarah kicked and hit out at him until, without thinking, he punched her hard in the jaw and she fell quiet. By now the policeman had appeared at the entrance to Helen’s drive. Nicholas jumped in to the driver’s seat and drove away as fast as he could.
***************************** Helen was sitting drinking coffee with Mac, Julia and an extremely anxious looking Greg. She looked at her watch and, with a sigh, said, “They should be gone by now.” “I don’t like it,” Greg said, “I don’t think we should have let her do this. It’s too risky.” “It was her choice,” Julia pointed out, “She was very keen to give it a go, and it could be the only way to find George and Faith.” “The police weren’t that keen. I think Sarah almost forced them in to agreeing.” Mac added, “She’s a brave girl alright.” “Weren’t you worried Helen?” Julia asked, “About using your house for the set up?” “Not really. I mean it’s not like the kids were really there. We were pretty sure he’d be watching Sarah all day, so he wasn’t to know that Louise picked the children up from school and they’d be spending the night there.” Helen replied, “We knew that Nicholas knew Sarah often babysat for me so it seemed the obvious choice of evening activity for her. Now all the police have to do is follow the signal of the homing device they’ve put on her and, well, that should be it!” “What if it goes wrong though?” Greg persisted, “What if he doesn’t take her to the others or, um, the device doesn’t work or gets broken or something?” “Don’t be such a pessimist,” Helen remonstrated with him, even though, deep inside, the same thoughts were occupying a corner of her brain. “We have to think positively. She’ll be fine I’m sure. Our Sarah is quite a resourceful girl.” “Greg’s right though,” Mac added, “Things could go wrong. I’m surprised the police agreed at all. We know he hasn’t got them at his place so they could be anywhere.” Mac paused and the sudden thoughtful look on his face made Julia ask, “What is it Mac?” “You know what,” he answered, “I think I may know where he’s taken them!”
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Post by PamA on Sept 16, 2005 9:10:41 GMT 1
Part 16
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense Mac. Where?” Julia said, the expression on her face one of total disbelief. How could he possibly know where Nicholas had imprisoned George, Faith and Sarah? “Mrs. Davies, Nicholas’s mother, used to be one of my patients. A right old tartar she was,” Mac shook his head at the memory of her. “She was Matron up at the old Cottage Hospital, you know the old derelict hospital along Gunners Lane.” They nodded their heads to show they were familiar with the building. “When she retired as matron they let her and Nicholas live in the old porter’s lodge by the gates of the hospital. Dad had done a disappearing act when Nicholas was a baby, mind you if you’d known Violet Davies you’d have known why! Anyway,” Mac continued, “the hospital was closed down when St. Phil’s expanded and the land was sold to developers. Violet was told she had to move but about that time her health went downhill and Nicholas had her moved to a nursing home. He was married by then and I remember his wife adamantly refusing to have her live with them, which I think would have been Nicholas’s choice. Now, as you all know the old hospital and the lodge are still there. I think the developers had problems with planning permission so nothings ever happened.” “And you think he might have them there?” Greg asked hopefully. “Well, it’s as good a place as any. There’s nothing, apart from the hospital, along the lane. He could come and go and not be spotted.” Mac explained, “I know on the few occasions I did home visits to her all I ever saw was the occasional dog walker.” “Well come on,” Greg rose as he spoke, “what are we waiting for!” “Shouldn’t we leave it to the police.” Julia sounded concerned, “They’ll be on their way there by now and we’d just get in the way.” “Oh Julia, we’ll just be there for our friends. We’ll let the police do the real work,” Greg reassured her, “ I need to be there. I think they’ll be glad of a few friendly faces.” “Should we call Ronnie?” Helen asked, “I think we should let him know. He’s been worried sick about George.” “Good idea,” Julia said in agreement, “I’ll do that now. I’ll tell him we’ve had an idea but I won’t raise his hopes up too much.” Julia left the room and while she was gone the others put on their coats and got ready to leave. “We may as well all go in my car,” Mac said, picking up his keys. “Have you got a torch in there?” Greg asked, “It might be useful to take one.” “Yes. I always keep a torch in the car, but I think I’ll bring a spare just in case.” He left the room just as Julia returned. “Ronnie’s on his way there. It’ll take him a bit longer from his place so he’ll meet us there. He sounds dreadful.” “Poor Ronnie,” Helen murmured. Mac came back bearing a torch and a golf club. “I don’t think there will be time for golf!” Julia exclaimed, looking at her husband in bewilderment. “It’s not for playing,” Mac explained, “Thought we might be in need of some protection.” He swung the club as if he was hitting someone over the head with it. “Good idea.” Helen said in agreement, “I’d quite like to be the one to use it!” “Helen!” Julia looked at her in astonishment, “I’m surprised at you. Anyway,” she paused and with a wry smile added, “if anyone’s going to hit the swine – it’s me!” “Enough talking. Let’s get going.” Greg said as he made for the door, and the rest followed after him.
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Sarah was feeling slightly dizzy. The blow to her chin had taken her by surprise and although it hadn’t been hard enough to actually knock her in to oblivion, it had certainly made her feel a little dazed. It had made it very easy to fake unconsciousness. It hadn’t crossed Nicholas’s mind that she may have been pretending; he was so intent in getting as far away from Helen’s as possible that he was just relieved that Sarah was quiet. Sarah guessed that they been driving for no more than 15 minutes when the car came to a sudden halt and, before she knew it, she was being dragged from the back of the car and carried through a door and down two flights of stairs. She was finally deposited on a hard stone floor and roughly tied up. “There you go Miss Finch,” Nicholas said harshly, “You sit there while I go and make my final preparations.” He laughed as he continued to speak, “Not too sure you’re going to like them though!” He left the room, closing and locking the door behind him. She could hear him, making his way up the stairs and laughing at some joke known only to himself. When she was able to gather herself together she realised she was not alone. To her immense relief, in the dim light she could see, sitting opposite her, a very subdued George and a seemingly sleeping Faith. “Welcome to the house of fun.” George said wryly. “We were hoping that you’d be the sensible one.” “It’s going to be alright George,” Sarah assured her. “The police will be here at any moment. You’ll be out of here before you know it.” Sarah glanced across at Faith. “Is she alright?” She asked, nodding her head in Faith’s direction. “She will be as long as we get out of here soon.” George answered. “I hope you’re right and the police are on their way.” “I’m wearing some kind of tracking device,” Sarah explained. “I had a job to convince them to let me get myself captured, but they finally agreed so.....” “Shhh!” George interrupted, “He’s coming back.” Sure enough they heard Nicholas’s footsteps coming back down the stairs and stopping outside the door of the room where they were held captive. “What’s he doing?” Sarah whispered. They could hear him moving around outside but he didn’t come in. “What’s that smell?” she asked, but even as she spoke realisation dawned and she and George, almost in unison, said, “It’s petrol!”
to be continued...............................
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Post by PamA on Sept 26, 2005 17:06:48 GMT 1
Part 17
Mac’s car drew up outside the open gates of the abandoned hospital. Gunners Lane was in pitch darkness. No street lights graced the sides of the road and there were no lights to be seen in the hospital grounds. “Thought the police would be here by now,” Mac commented. “It was only a hunch of yours,” Julia point out. “The police could be somewhere else altogether” “True,” Mac said in agreement. “Greg why don’t you call one of your pals at the station and find out if they’ve found the girls.” Greg took out his mobile phone. “Damn,” he exclaimed, “no signal. I’ll have to take a walk till I can pick one up. Can I have one of the torches Mac?” “Sure,” Mac said, passing one of the torches over to him. Greg left the car and the others watched as the light from the torch moved further and further into the distance until they could no longer see it. “Shall we have a look round while we’re waiting?” Julia suggested. “Best stay here,” Mac replied, “Wait for Greg to come back. And Ronnie should be here soon as well. We don’t want him to come and find an empty car and not know what’s happening. Poor chap’s had enough worry without us adding to it.” A few minutes later Greg came back to the car, out of breath from running. “It’s not good news,” he panted and paused to enable himself to draw in a deep breath. “Have they found them? “ Helen asked anxiously, “ Are they hurt?” Helen didn’t want to add the thought that was uppermost on their minds. News that wasn’t good may mean they were seriously injured or, even worse, dead. “They haven’t found them,” Greg continued, “The tracking device was on the pavement near Helen’s house. It must have fallen off when he took Sarah to his car.” He paused again to take another deep breath. “The police are on their way here. They think Mac may have a point. In the meantime we’re to wait in the car till they arrive.” They looked at each other and with the slightest of smiles said “As if!!” and quickly tumbled out of the car. “Right, we’d better pair off. Julia, you’re with me, and Helen you stay with Greg. We’ll check out the lodge first and if we have no joy there, well, I guess that will mean searching the hospital.” “Can you get in there?” Helen asked. “It’s pretty derelict. Plenty of broken windows and most of the doors are hanging off their hinges,” Mac told them, “so I don’t think we’ll have any problems getting access.” They had barely got inside the hospital gates when Helen exclaimed, “Look, I’m sure that’s Faith’s car!” In unison they moved closer in the direction that Helen indicated. It was, indeed, Faith’s car. That Helen had noticed it in the dark was a minor miracle, as the car was shielded from the road by a thick and almost impenetrable mass of shrubs and brambles. “How on earth did you see that?” Julia asked in amazement. “Torch light reflected off it. Luck really,” Helen said modestly. “Well, it looks like Mac’s hunch is right,” Greg whispered, “so lets get hunting!” They made their way over to the old lodge house where Nicholas and his mother had once lived. The door was hanging of its hinges making entry easy. “I think it’s unlikely that they’re in here,” Helen said, her voice full of concern. “I don’t think he’d choose a place that was so easily accessible. He could have been spotted by anyone walking along the lane, and I don’t think he’d want that.” “I’m inclined to agree with you, but I think we’d best check it out just to be on the safe side. Julia and I will check upstairs, you and Greg look around down here.” It didn’t take long for the four of them to agree that the building, apart from a few mice that scampered away at their approach, was completely empty. “I guess we’ll have to check out the main building, but that will take us forever.” Julia pointed out. “ Maybe we should wait for the police after all.” “You wait if you want,” Helen said indignantly, “but I’m going to start searching even if I have to do it on my own!” “Well, I suppose we could make a start.” Julia was less than enthusiastic but realised that the others would search the building regardless of anything she had to say on the matter. “Same as before,” Mac confirmed, “We’ll split into two parties - me and Julia, Greg and Helen. Right troops, let’s get searching!” Together they moved forward in the direction of the main entrance of the old hospital. It lay in total darkness before them – no signs of life, nothing to indicate that anyone could be hidden inside. “Hey, you lot, wait for me!” They turned in unison to see Ronnie running up behind them. “I take it you’re going to search the hospital.” They quickly told him about finding Faith’s car and the futile search of the lodge and that the police would be arriving any moment. “The police told us to wait in the car,” Julia told him, “but this lot decided to take the law into their own hands.” “They’re here somewhere and they’re in danger,” Helen informed him, “I feel it in my bones.” “So what are we waiting for?” Ronnie asked. “Come on. Let’s find them!”
to be continued.........................
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Post by PamA on Oct 3, 2005 12:42:46 GMT 1
Part 18
The Cottage Hospital had served the inhabitants of Letherbridge for many years, but as the town had grown in size it had become obvious that the hospital was far too small to serve the ever-expanding community. St. Phil’s had been built and gradually the Cottage Hospital had been allowed to run down until it was no longer in use. The hospital consisted of a mere four wards, plus some small rooms once used for outpatients, a few offices and the kitchens. It didn’t take long for the five of them to establish that the hospital was empty. Rats and mice were now the sole occupants of the abandoned building and had caused all of them more than a few heart-stopping moments. “What now?” Greg asked. “It looks like he just used the grounds to hide Faith’s car.” Mac sighed. “They could be anywhere, but I still think it was worth establishing that he hasn’t got them here. It did seem the most likely place.” “No-one’s criticising you Mac. I guess we’re all a bit disappointed, that’s all.” Greg reassured him. “Wait a minute,” Helen said, her face screwed up in concentration, “What about the radiators?” “Radiators?” Julia reiterated, “What on earth are you on about? You think he’s hidden them in a radiator or behind one, maybe?” “For goodness sake Julia, I’m hardly likely to think that!” Helen practically spat her reply out. “What I’m thinking is that if there are radiators there must be a boiler room somewhere. I don’t recall seeing one, did any of you?” Murmurs of “no” echoed around the entrance hall where they were standing. “The basement!” Mac exclaimed, “What’s the matter with us! There’s a basement to the building. We missed the entrance to it somehow. I wouldn’t mind betting, though, that there’s access to it from the outside. Come on you lot.” They quickly moved outside and began to make their way around the perimeter of the building. In the distance they could hear the wail of police sirens and guessed that they were heading towards the hospital. For a moment they hesitated, wondering if they should wait for police presence before going any further but a sharp, “Quickly, don’t wait!” from Helen had them moving with even more haste. “Look,” Greg exclaimed, “There’s some railings sticking out from the building.” Sure enough the light from his torch was highlighting what looked to be some kind of enclosure, but as they got closer they realised that the railings surrounded a flight of steps leading downward. “Can you hear that sound?” Mac asked, for he’d become aware of a low persistent humming noise coming from close by. They listened, heads cocked to one side. “I think it’s some kind of generator.” Ronnie said. “I think you’re right. I remember being in an operating theatre once when there was a power cut and an emergency generator came on. It sounded just like that.” Greg said in agreement. “You know what that means.” Mac exclaimed. “They must be here. Why else would a generator be going in an empty building? No, they must be here. Come on.” They moved almost in unison to the top of the steps that led down into the basement. “What’s that smell?” Julia asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Smell?” Helen repeated, at first noticing nothing out of the ordinary. “I don’t smell anything.” She sniffed the air again. “Why, yes, I do smell something. I think its petrol!” Greg shone the torch he was holding down towards the bottom of the steps. “It’s no good, I can’t see anything,” he said, “The steps go off at an angle to a second flight. We’ll have to go down before we’ll be able to see anything.” With Greg in the lead, closely followed by Helen, Mac, Julia and Ronnie, they made there way down to the top of the second flight of steps. “I still can’t see anything,” Greg whispered. “I can,” Helen said, pushing Greg aside, “There’s someone there. I saw something move.”
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Nicholas, the grey man, leant back into the shadows. His heart was racing so fast that he felt sure it would burst forth from his chest. He’d heard the voices of the Mill staff coming from above him, seen the light of a torch, and he’d heard the sound of sirens signifying the arrival of the police. In his hand he held the box of matches. All he had to do was strike one and George, Faith and Sarah would be dealt with permanently. He took out a match and with shaking hands prepared to strike it.
to be continued.......................
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Post by PamA on Oct 10, 2005 11:31:13 GMT 1
Part 19
Helen snatched the torch from Greg’s hands and began shining it around until it highlighted the figure of Nicholas Davis pressed deep into a recess next to a wooden door. It didn’t take a moment for Helen to register the matches he held in his hand. “Put those down you little creep and open that door.” Helen snarled at him but her words only served to make him hold the match defiantly against the striking surface of the matchbox. “You heard me,” Helen continued. “You’re not going to get away with it now so why make things any worse. Give me the matches.” She held her hand out towards him but Nicholas pulled away from her. “You come one step closer and I’ll, I’ll...........” “You’ll what?” Helen asked. “Kill me as well? Then what? Kill Mac? Julia? Greg? Ronnie? Oh, and then there are the police who are just about to come and arrest you. Kill them too? Have you got enough matches? Or perhaps you’d like to borrow my torch?” The others stood open mouthed, hardly able to believe their ears as Helen launched her verbal attack on Nicholas. Greg felt an overwhelming urge to laugh at Helen’s last comment and despite trying valiantly to control himself a small chuckle began to erupt from his throat. It acted like a catalyst to the taut nerves of his companions, for the chuckle spread from one to another and grew into a loud and almost hysterical laugh. Helen, for a moment, forgot Nicholas and in bewilderment turned to look at her colleagues. “Stop it!” Nicholas shouted. “Stop laughing at me. I’ll show you, I’ll show you I’m not to be laughed at!” He made to strike the match but in his haste fumbled and dropped the box on to the ground. Helen hastily bent down and retrieved it. The others had, by now, stopped their laughing and moved forward towards where Helen stood trembling in delayed shock. “What was all that about?” She asked them angrily. “It wasn’t funny!” “You should have heard yourself,” Greg told her, putting an arm round her shoulders and giving her a squeeze. “I think, though, any psychologist would recognise it as nervous hysteria. We were all pretty tense. I’m sorry though, Helen, it was me that started it.” “You nearly finished it too!” Helen said sharply. “He came very close to....” “I know,” Greg said. “I know. Thank God he was as nervous as us. Where is he by the way?” “We’ve got him here,” a voice said from above. They looked up to see Sergeant Grayson standing with Nicholas between himself and another police officer. “Take him away,” Doug Grayson said and Nicholas was led off to a waiting police car. Doug came down the steps. “That was a really foolish thing you lot did,” he said, “particularly you.” He pointed at Helen. “You’re lucky he didn’t set the place on fire. Now let’s get this door open.” With no more than a kick the door gave way and they burst in to the room where their friends were imprisoned. Three anxious faces stared back at them. “George,” Ronnie cried, running across the room to her, “Are you alright?” “Not bad,” she replied, “but I think you should call an ambulance for Faith.” “I’ll see to that,” Doug said and immediately radioed for one. “That should be here soon,” he assured them. “Now let’s get you lot untied.” In no time at all Sarah and George were standing shaking their arms and legs to get their circulation moving. Ronnie took George into his arms and, with a sigh, she laid her head upon his chest. “I was so scared,” he whispered into her ear, “I thought I’d never see you again.” “I was alright,” she reassured him, “but really angry with myself for letting him get me. I still can’t believe I was so stupid. Ronnie, where’s Tabby? Is she alright?” “She’s with your mammy,” Ronnie replied, “As soon as she knew what was happening she came down to be with me. Luckily you’d left enough milk frozen to feed a dozen babies!” “I want to see her, Ronnie. I have missed you both so much. I know it’s not been long but it feels like, oh I don’t know, weeks! Please let’s go.” “I think you should be checked over first before going home,” Mac said, “just to make sure. In fact, you should all be checked.” “Sorry Mac. I’m going home and right away. I feel fine and I need to feed Tabitha before I explode!” “I’ll come with you,” Helen offered. “I can check you over at your place. Then, if Ronnie would be kind enough, I need a lift to Mac’s to pick up my car.” “No problem,” Ronnie assured her, “And Doug, I know you’re going to need a statement off George but can it wait for a day or so?” “That’s fine,” Doug answered him, “I don’t think our friend is going to be able to wriggle out of this one anyway. Come when you ready. I trust you.” Helen, George and Ronnie left, closely followed by Greg and Sarah. It wasn’t long before the ambulance arrived and a paramedic led Faith to the waiting ambulance. It was decided that Julia would accompany her and Mac would take Sarah and Greg to St. Phil’s in his car. Mac took one last lingering look around the room that had been a prison for three of his staff members and, with a shrug of his shoulders, made his way out of the building.
to be continued...............................................
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Post by PamA on Oct 16, 2005 15:55:42 GMT 1
Epilogue
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la. Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
“I think we’ll turn that off for a start!” Julia said as she entered the staff room. “We’ve not exactly had much to be jolly about.” “I don’t know,” Helen retorted, “it’s not been that bad.” “Three members of staff abducted, one member of staff a victim of a letter bomb, one recovering from concussion – no, not that bad!” Julia said sarcastically in response. “But they’re all safe Julia and no long term damage to anyone. Paula’s already back at work and Faith will be back after Christmas.” Greg reasoned. “I’d be back now, if you’d let me.” Faith muttered under her breath. Julia turned to face her. “You’re lucky we even let you here for our pre Christmas drinks, young lady!” Faith smiled. She knew how fortunate she was that she’d come to no more harm than she had done; and she knew how fortunate she was to have such good friends as these. Julia and Mac had been absolute angels, taking her in and looking after her as soon as the hospital had declared her fit to leave the day after the rescue. She would be spending Christmas with them, at their insistence, and knew that she would never be able to repay them for their kindness to her. “Did I tell you that I’m getting a special commendation from the police?” Sarah asked. Each and everyone raised their eyebrows and sighed. “Only a few times!” Helen replied. “Isn’t it funny? You put yourself at risk by setting yourself up to be abducted and that’s brave. I disarm our friend of his matches and save you all and that’s considered foolhardy.” “Does seem a bit odd.” Mac agreed. “Did you want a commendation, Helen?” “Not really,” Helen said with a smile, “I just want the everlasting gratitude of those I saved!” They all laughed. “Have I missed something?” George said, entering the room. Behind her walked Ronnie carrying baby Tabitha in her car seat. “Nothing of importance.” Julia said laughingly and, holding her hands out, added, “Now let’s have a cuddle with that gorgeous baby of yours while you help yourselves to drinks and nibbles.” “How have you been?” Mac asked George. “Alright really.” George answered. “A few bad dreams but it helps that we can talk about with each other, doesn’t it girls?” Sarah and Faith nodded in agreement. Tabitha was removed from her car seat and handed over to Julia. “Actually,” George continued, “it’s all beginning to seem a bit unreal, like it never happened or it happened to someone else.” “Wish I could agree with that,” Faith said, “It still seems very real to me!” “And me!” Sarah agreed. “Me too.” Ronnie said with a laugh, “I don’t think George has any idea of how frightening it was for the rest of us, not knowing where they were or how they were.” “Well, perhaps we should change the subject for now, after all this is meant to be our Christmas party – not quite as grand as the first one, but nevertheless, a party!” Greg reminded them. “Greg’s right.” Mac agreed, “We need to put it all behind us. So, um, let’s talk about, er...” “What’s everyone doing for Christmas?” George interrupted with a little trill of laughter. “Well, I’ve got Louise and her lot coming over Christmas day. That’s it for me.” Helen sighed. “I always imagine Christmas is going to be a lot more exciting than it usually turns out to be.” “Mum’s staying down with us till the New Year. Other than that we’ll be doing the same as everyone else – eating too much, drinking too much and watching the telly.” George pulled a face as if the whole Christmas business was going to be a total anathema to her. Then, visibly brightening, added, “And, of course, it is the lovely Tabitha’s first Christmas, so it will be really special, won’t it darling?” Ronnie nodded in agreement. “Yes, it will be very special.” He looked lovingly at his wife then across to his daughter who slept peacefully in Julia’s arms. “I’m on call,” Greg told them, “so I won’t be going far from my flat.” “Why don’t you join us for the day?” Julia suggested. “I don’t like to think of you sitting all alone while we’re stuffing ourselves with turkey. As long as you’ve got your pager it won’t be a problem.” “Are you sure?” Greg asked and when Julia smiled, nodded and confirmed that they’d be delighted for him to join them he gratefully accepted the invitation. “And,” Helen said, “the children and I would be delighted if you would join us for lunch on Boxing Day. Nothing fancy. Cold turkey and salad, followed by a nice long walk and afternoon tea.” “Sounds good to me,” Mac smiled. “And me,” the others all said in turn. “You know, going back to what you said earlier, Helen,” Julia said, “things aren’t that bad, are they? I propose we have a toast. Has everyone got a drink?” They held their glasses aloft so Julia could see that everyone had something to toast with. “Here’s to The Mill and to all who work here,” Julia looked around at her friends and colleagues, “and I hope we all have a very merry Christmas and a simply fabulous New Year!”
The End
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