Spider Page 8

  ‘Narcifer, behave,’ the older woman said, and the Jelvia stopped and turned towards her with a sheepish look on his face.

  His entire ‘bad Jelvia’ façade vanished on the admonishment, and all at once, he looked boyish and approachable.

  Beth’s mind was whirling. Humans could have Jelvias as friends? Maybe influence them? But it was clear Macy wasn’t the only one with the influence. It was this older woman, too. Courtney’s mum.

  ‘You've seen her before?’ Courtney asked the Jelvia, glancing at Beth like she was a piece of rubbish.

  ‘She was at the scene,’ Narcifer said. Beth tried to pull away from his tight grip as he spoke, but she wasn’t going to be able to go anywhere. ‘What has she told you?’ he asked the other women as if Beth wasn’t in the room.

  ‘Nothing really, just that she needs Macy to help her,’ said Courtney’s mum. ‘Something to do with her sister being kidnapped.’

  ‘Kidnapped by Jelvias,’ Beth added, at which the Jelvia squeezed her wrist painfully.

  ‘She’s been stalking Macy,’ Narcifer said as if she hadn’t spoken. ‘She’s been snooping inside London Echo for Macy’s address. She even knew your name.’

  ‘My name?’ Courtney said, her eyes rounding in alarm.

  ‘I’m not a reporter!’ Beth risked her wrist being squeezed again.

  ‘Get her out of here, Narcifer,’ Courtney’s mum said tiredly.

  ‘Your wish is my command,’ he said, and Beth had no choice but to leave the room with Narcifer. Her feet skidded on the buffered floor as she tried to hold back. ‘Want me to throw you over my shoulder?’ he warned her as she tried to grab the door.

  She let go and miserably allowed him to lead her out of the room and down the corridor.

  ‘I’m just a barmaid at the Dog and Gun,’ she protested.

  He glanced at her over his shoulder. ‘I believe you. No reporter would go to the lengths you’re going to—well, not unless they’re Macy Shaw!’ He grinned at her, and she relaxed slightly.

  Maybe he wasn’t going to kill her.

  They reached an exit and Narcifer took her through it. He led her towards a bench beneath a tree on a small patch of grass. He sat down, pulling her next to him.

  ‘Talk,’ he said.

  This wasn’t how she had envisioned telling someone about Lara and Yash. She’d thought it would be in a cosy kitchen, drinking coffee or wine, with her and Macy becoming allies.

  ‘What do you want to know?’

  ‘Where do you live?’

  ‘Brixton.’

  ‘And? Come on, Beth, you wanted to spill your guts to Macy a moment ago.’

  ‘I-I’ve told you! Yash is blackmailing me. If I sleep with him, he’ll return my sister. He’s abducted her.’

  Narcifer sighed. ‘And you expect me to believe that?’

  She nodded.

  ‘How do you know Yash?’

  ‘I was working in the Dog and Gun where a man was killed b-by a Jelvia—by Yash. It was in the news!’

  ‘So your sister’s missing, you had a traumatic incident involving Yash, and your mind has put the two together and come up with a crazy answer. Babe, Yash has not kidnapped your sister—nor has any other Jelvia.’

  Beth rubbed her temples. ‘No, it isn’t like that.’

  ‘Then tell me what it is like!’

  ‘He—’ she said, swallowing heavily, ‘he said he’d help me find Lara, b-but at the cost of-of my control. I can only assume he means if I sleep with him. Bondage or something.’

  Narcifer seemed to be studying her, and the silence made her feel uncomfortable. She shifted on the bench. He wasn’t holding her anymore, but she didn’t think he’d let her leave until he was satisfied she wasn’t a danger to Macy and the other women.

  Then, he laughed.

  Beth glared at him, her face prickling in heat.

  ‘Sorry,’ he said, but he gave another chuckle.

  ‘You don’t believe me?’ She dived into her handbag and brought out her mobile. She scrolled to Yash’s message and shoved her phone beneath the Jelvia’s nose. ‘There!’

  He took the phone and read the message, then handed the phone back. ‘I never said I didn’t believe you. How old is your sister?’ he added, surprising her.

  ‘Seventeen.’

  ‘And you think Yash is holding her somewhere?’

  ‘Yash or someone else. It was all captured on CCTV. Lara was walking along the street, and you could see a group of Jelvias. She was passing them, and then never seen again. The police—’

  ‘Ah, the police. The police have filled your head that we’ve taken your sister, am I right?’

  ‘You did take her!’

  ‘Was there actual footage of Jelvias taking her?’

  Beth shook her head. ‘No, but—’

  ‘But nothing. Jelvias did not take your sister. Yash hasn’t abducted your sister.’

  ‘So why is Yash demanding I sleep with him?’

  ‘You’ll have to ask him that.’ His mouth quirked in sudden amusement and Beth thought he was laughing at her again. ‘I researched a little into you, Bethany Roberts—’ she jumped at his use of her full name— ‘of the Dog and Gun. It’s an establishment where hookers meet with their clients. I’m not suggesting you are a prostitute but are you sure Yash knows that you’re not? I’m sure he’d not pressure you into doing anything you didn’t want to do, but if he thought finding your sister was payment enough for you sleeping with him…?’

  He allowed his question to trail off. The big Jelvia wasn’t going to help her—neither was Macy. She hung her head.

  Narcifer sighed, and when she looked at him, he was looking at her. ‘I haven’t any headspace for you at the moment. None of us has,’ he said, and he soundly genuinely regretful.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Beth said.

  ‘Are you?’

  ‘Yes, of course I am. I saw Macy fall from the car. It was awful!’

  ‘And she might have life-changing injuries because of it.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said again. ‘My liaison officer said that Macy might be able to help, although she didn’t know how to contact her. I tracked her down because she’s my only hope.’

  Narcifer stood up. He looked down at her.

  ‘I’d put my faith in Yash,’ he said. Her face must have shown her disgust because he looked like he wanted to laugh again, then he turned from her and Beth watched him walk jauntily back into the hospital.

  What was it like to have that confidence and self-assurance? She’d never had that much self-belief.

  She stood up and headed back to her car. She sat miserably inside and thought over Narcifer’s words. He’d almost said she looked like a common hooker. Beth pulled the sun-visor down and stared into the mirror. She lifted her chin so she could see the nick on her throat where the man had held a knife against her flesh. It was strange—that little nick, still visible, no longer hurt, yet the marks on her bottom, now gone, still felt heated. She lowered her chin, still staring at herself. Her hair was lank, the black roots clearly showing through the yellow-dyed hair. She never wore makeup, unlike the prostitutes she knew at the Dog and Gun. She never had the time to apply it. Her skin was pale and lacklustre.

  In short, she looked a sight. She flicked the sun visor back up angrily.

  Her mobile rang, saving her from her piteous thoughts. It was her mum. Alison had a simple mobile, and Beth’s and Steven’s numbers were pre-set selections. Alison only used her phone in emergencies, so Beth answered the call quickly, her mind immediately switching to horrific scenes that would explain her mum using her phone.

  ‘Mum? It’s Beth, are you okay?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Alison answered easily.

  Beth slumped back in the car seat and rubbed her forehead. She didn’t think she could take much more. ‘Mum,’ she said into the phone. ‘How’s respite?’

  ‘I didn’t go. I didn’t want to leave Steven on his own.’

  ‘Mum! Dad is alway
s on his own on Sunday because I’m at work. You love respite and seeing all your friends.’

  ‘When are you coming home?’ Alison asked.

  ‘Soon, okay? I’ll probably be back in time for tea tonight.’ Beth wanted to ask her mum if Steven had been drinking, but knew it wouldn’t be a good idea. Alison would probably go and ask him while she was on the phone. ‘How’s, er, Dad?’ she asked instead.

  ‘He’s bought a turkey. We’re going to cook a roast dinner for you tonight.’

  Turkey was her favourite meat, and it also sounded like her dad was sober. ‘Sounds delicious. I can’t wait.’

  ‘I’ve drawn you a picture. Steven said he’ll frame it.’

  ‘I can’t wait to see it. Hey, did Dad get you to call me?’ she asked suddenly.

  ‘Yes, I did!’ Steven came on the line. ‘I knew you’d not answer if I called you. What’s happening down there? Have you seen Macy?’

  ‘I told you I wasn’t going to contact her.’

  He snorted. ‘And a kangaroo is living in the yard!’

  She laughed; the sudden humour surprised her. ‘I’m going to take a last walk on the beach, buy you and Mum a box of Cornish fudge, and then come home, how’s that?’

  ‘Okay, love, drive carefully. Keep to the inside lane and—’

  ‘Dad! I’ve been driving for almost ten years. I’ll see you soon, okay?’ After a few more goodbyes, Beth rang off. She sat in the car, staring out of the window at nothing and feeling homesick. She loved her family, however dysfunctional.

  Feeling lonely, she turned the radio on. It was the news, and the broadcaster was talking in a monotone about the protesters camping outside Downing Street. Beth could hear them in the background shouting their familiar chant:

  Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!

  She shoved the keys into the ignition.

  FOURTEEN

  Beth dropped her small holdall on the settee and followed the aroma of cooking food into the kitchen. Alison was stirring gravy, and Steven was slicing roast chicken. He looked up as she came in and smiled. Beth looked for the tell-tale signs of inebriation. There didn’t seem to be any.

  ‘Hello, love,’ he said, and Alison turned around, almost upsetting the pan of watery gravy. She beamed at Beth and then enveloped her in a huge hug. Steven hugged her next and, strangely, Beth felt tears prickling at the back of her eyes.

  Alison tugged on Beth’s arm. ‘Want to see my picture?’

  ‘Of course! I can’t wait,’ Beth said.

  Alison pointed to the pantry door where a colourful picture of a forest with a carpet of bluebells hung.

  ‘Wow, Mum, that’s really good,’ she said, and Alison, looking slightly pink with pleasure, went to collect the cutlery.

  ‘Painting by numbers,’ Steven said. ‘A nurse at Caring Hands suggested it would help with her anxiety, and it seems to work.’

  ‘Has she been bad while I was away?’

  ‘Just a little worried about you. She refused to go in today.’

  Beth gave him a rueful grin. ‘Sorry, but I hope you agree my trip was worthwhile. I’ll get cleaned up and tell you what happened over dinner,’ she shot over her shoulder as she walked away.

  When she came down, both her parents were sitting on the settee with their plates of food on their knees. Her food was plated and waiting on the coffee table. Beth poured gravy over her food and picked up her knife and fork.

  When she was settled, her parents began tucking into their food; even though they didn’t have a dining table anymore, table manners were still in force. The TV was on and showed the news. The protesters were again marching in London. In fact, it’d spread to the Midlands with different marches protesting about Jelvias. Several carried placards, which all said the same thing:

  WAKE UP!

  Alison was transfixed and, while she was glued to the screen, Beth took the opportunity to speak to her dad. ‘I met Macy.’

  ‘Will she help?’ Steven asked in a lowered voice.

  Beth took in his hopeful expression with a heavy heart. ‘Macy was involved in a car accident, and she’s in the hospital. She’s okay,’ she said quickly as his face dropped, ‘she’s talking and, er, everything.’

  But Steven looked crestfallen.

  ‘Dad, it’s okay. I’m sure she’ll help once she’s back on her feet. It was bad timing on my part, that’s all.’ She was good at lying, good at masking her real feelings. ‘Her friend, Courtney, was there with her mother in the hospital when I visited. They were very friendly, nice people.’

  ‘Can’t be if they’re on the side of Jelvias,’ he muttered. Beth recognised the signs: He had been drinking. Alcohol always made him melancholy, and he was pushing his food around his plate without eating.

  ‘Dad, they’re going to speak to the Jelvias who are responsible for taking Lara,’ Beth said. It was an outright lie, but the devastation on his face was breaking her heart. She realised he’d been relying on her coming back with good news, maybe with information on Lara’s whereabouts. She’d been foolish to tell him what she was up to.

  He moved forward and put his plate on the coffee table.

  ‘Back in a minute,’ he muttered.

  ‘Dad, we’re in a better position than we were a few days ago!’

  He didn’t reply, just disappeared into the kitchen. A moment later, Beth heard the back door open as he went out into the yard and the shed where he’d drown his disappointment in vodka.

  ◆◆◆

  It was Monday, the day Yash had told her he’d call.

  One night between the sheets with him wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Not if it got her Lara back, and she’d do it in a heartbeat if she trusted Yash, but she didn’t trust him. And as for Narcifer’s advice to put her faith in Yash… no way.

  She was a coiled spring by the time she was back from her cleaning job. She showered off her morning and went downstairs to the kitchen. Her phone beeped with a text and Beth reached for it gingerly, but it was only Colin. He’d texted her to say the pub was open as usual today, but added that he needed to speak to her privately before the other staff arrived, and asked her to come in earlier.

  She hoped it wasn’t anything too heavy. She didn’t think she could cope with anything else to think about—not with Yash’s phone call yet to happen. She walked to work. It was less than two minutes away and, as the Dog and Gun only had a small carpark which was already squeezed with Colin’s big van parked there, walking was easier.

  Colin was at the kitchen sink, and he turned as Beth came in, wiping his hands on a tea towel. Tossing it to one side, he came over and enveloped her in a hug. It was so unusual that Beth feared the worst.

  ‘You’ve bad news, haven’t you? What is it? Has somebody died? Are you ill?’ she asked with her nose pressed against his shoulder. She could feel him shaking.

  ‘No, no, nothing like that.’ He let her go. ‘Last week was the worst week of my life, and that’s even including my wife leaving me. The Jelvia rampaging through my pub like that…’ He stopped and ran a hand through his greying hair. ‘I thought he’d killed you!’

  ‘Hey, Col, it’s okay. I was fine.’

  ‘Fine? Bloody hell, Beth, it wasn’t fine at all! The Jelvias are out of control.’

  ‘The Jelvias are so in control, believe me,’ she said. Colin’s face was a strange shade of green. Like most of the public, he was terrified of the Jelvias. Usually, when he could, he’d pretend they didn’t exist, but now, he’d been forced to witness their presence. ‘And the Jelvia let me go. He wasn’t interested in me.’

  ‘I know… you said,’ he said. He’d heard her garbled fib the night PC Barns brought her out of the pub. ‘Look, sit down. Coffee or tea?’

  ‘Coffee, please. Then what, Colin? Can’t you afford to pay me for the days we were closed?’

  ‘Beth, no, I’m going to pay you. It isn’t that. It’s something else.’

  ‘Something else? You’re firing me?’

  He stared at her in frustr
ation, then pointed over her head towards the large wooden table and chairs. ‘Sit.’

  She sat dutifully. His laptop, on the table, was still open and she couldn’t help but see a website showing a Majorcan beach. Before she could overthink it, Colin came over with an unopened packet of chocolate biscuits. The kettle boiled behind him, and he turned to make the coffee. Finally, he placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of her, and one next to his laptop. Beth had already opened the biscuits; she took one and dunked it in her drink as he sat down opposite her. He closed his computer and folded his arms on top of it.

  He sighed. ‘Look, Beth, there’s no easy way of telling you this. But I need to explain that the Jelvia coming into my pub the other day scared the shit out of me. Plus, the pub’s draining me. It’s full-on hard work, and new trendy bars are popping up all over the place. I just can’t compete. I think it’s time I moved on.’

  Beth felt a ripple of shock course through her. Whatever she had expected Colin to say, it wasn’t this!

  ‘You’re leaving? Colin, no! It-it’s a backstreet pub. It’s not meant to compete. What about your regulars, Col. I can’t see them in trendy bars!’

  ‘I know, but it’s not the regulars that bring in the money. Look at this place! Just look,’ he said, and swept his arm around. ‘It’s a knocking shop. And out there—’ he pointed through the kitchen door out towards the bar ‘—I turn a blind to the drugs being bought and sold. And last week I threw out a pimp who demanded I set you up with him.’

  Her mouth fell open.

  ‘It’s because you hang around with Tarty Tina—’

  ‘I don’t hang around with her! I’m just friendly, that’s all. I’m friendly with everyone. It’s my job!’

  ‘Okay, don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’m just telling you that this guy, who I know is a pimp, offered me fifty quid if I arranged a meeting between him and you. And that’s not the first time!’

  ‘What do you mean?’ she asked. She remembered Narcifer telling her that Yash probably thought she was a prostitute.

  Colin sighed, long and heavy. ‘You’re a good kid, and you could do so much better than this place.’