FIFTEEN
THIS IS NOT A DATE
Alex
So, I was going on a date with Oliver Laker. No. Correction: I was going to a work’s do with my boss. Burns Night was to foster relationships with the local community. Business. It was business, and I needed to remember that.
In which case, I had to ask myself what I was doing in Risk town, about to walk into the little boutique shop called North Tide. I hesitated, my hand on the door, made eye contact with the young woman behind the counter watching me, and felt obliged to enter.
‘Good morning,’ said the shop assistant. ‘Come on in out of the cold.’
‘Morning,’ I said, wiping my feet on the mat.
The boutique was light and airy. The clothes were grouped in colour blocks, running down each side of the shop. In the centre was a large display table with handbags and accessories. Towards the back were more formal-looking dresses.
‘How can I help you?’ She looked to be in her early forties, with dark hair tied half up, while the curls hung over her shoulders. She was giving boho vibes with several ear piercings, bangles, and a long silver necklace with a large heart. She smiled warmly at me.
‘I’m looking for an evening dress,’ I said, casting my eye along the clothing rails.
‘For Burns Night?’
‘Yes.’
‘Here in Risk?’
‘Yes.’
She looked at me. ‘You’re not Alex, the medic, are you?’
‘Err, yes. I guess, I am.’
‘I thought so. Especially as it’s mostly locals who go to the town Burns Night.’ She moved around from the counter, her long dress covering what looked like a petite frame. ‘So, how is John?’
‘John?’
‘John Grainger. How’s his leg? Still in plaster?’
I had never heard anyone call Grainger by his first name, so it took me aback. I should have realised. I did know his name. I’d seen it on his hospital discharge form.
‘He’s fine.’
‘Oh, sorry. You probably can’t say much, can you?’
‘Patient confidentiality,’ I said.
‘Of course. Well, tell him Naomi from the boutique was asking after him. That’s me.’
I nodded and smiled. ‘Sure.’
‘Right, I’d better help you find something to wear. Any ideas what you’re looking for?’
She made her way to the back of the shop, waving me to follow her. I did.
Despite Naomi’s best attempts to convince me to buy a vibrant, flowery dress with huge puffy sleeves and a big bow at the back, I managed to leave the boutique with a rather more reserved navy-blue halter-neck dress with a side-slit reaching just above my knee and some beading detail around the
neckline.
‘You do look stunning,’ Naomi had said. ‘You remind me of a Hollywood film star from the 1950s.’
I took the compliment as it was intended to be, even if I wasn’t entirely sure that was the look I was aiming for. Naomi had reassured me that navy blue was a popular colour for the local tartans.
When I got back to the estate, I went over to find Grainger.
Earlier in the week, when I’d taken him for his hospital appointment, they had removed his plaster cast, mainly because Grainger complained so much about it and threatened to take a circular saw to it and remove it himself.
They had given him a protective boot to wear instead.
I parked the staff car, which was in fact a short wheelbase Land Rover, in the parking space at the side of the gatehouse.
As I carried my shopping bags across the track, I glanced up at the rear gates.
My pace slowed and my fingers tightened around the handles of the bags.
There was a white transit van parked in the lane leading up to the gates, it was half on the track and half on the grass verge.
It was facing away from the gates so must have reversed at some point.
I looked at the grass verges and could see the tyre markers where it had performed a multiple point turn. There were two rear windows, but they were blacked out.
I walked slowly towards the gates, checking the track and the woodland for any sign of someone out of the vehicle. I took my phone from my pocket and opened the camera. It was then I realised a piece of cardboard had been purposely taped over the number plate.
I swallowed and a prickle of tension hit the back of my neck.
I was at the gates now. I checked the padlock and chain were still in place.
The van was about ten metres away. I zoomed in on the wing mirror to see if I could catch a glimpse of anyone in the cab.
There was movement, although I couldn’t see anyone clearly.
Suddenly, the engine roared into life and the van sped forwards.
It stopped just a couple of metres down the track.
I darted to the other side to see if I could get a better view from the driver’s wing mirror, but at the same time a hand reached out of the window and pulled the mirror inwards.
The reversing lights came on, and I thought for a minute, they were going to ram the gates in reverse. But after a couple of seconds the lights went out, and the van sped away down the track.
I stood there looking at the empty track, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Mackenzie had said there was a van in the area, I had to assume that was it. Had they been about to break into the estate, thinking no-one was here?
I realised at that point, how vulnerable Grainger and I were.
I’d started taking things for granted. Started believing I was safe.
Maybe I wasn’t? Maybe the van wasn’t anything to do with the locals or Risk estate.
What if it was me they were interested in?
What if I’d been tracked down? My stomach clenched and my airways tightened.
Breathe in… one… two… three… four. Hold. I repeated the counting. Breathe out. Again, controlled. I repeated this twice more. I could feel the panic subsiding. I was in control. I wasn’t about to freak out.
I pocketed my phone and made my way back towards the lodges. I’d have to call this in. I couldn’t sit on this and pass it off as nothing. That said, I wouldn’t mention my own situation. I didn’t want to draw attention that. The last thing Oliver wanted was someone bringing trouble to Risk Estate
‘You didn’t have to rush back on my account,’ Grainger said as I came through the door.
‘Oh, I didn’t. Don’t worry.’
I put my bags down by the door and hung up my coat. ‘Just saw something a bit odd.’
‘You’ll have to be a bit more specific. That could be anything around here.’
I gave a half-smile and went over to the kitchen area to boil the kettle. ‘There was a van parked in the track by the back gates.’
‘What?’
I quickly explained to Grainger what had happened. ‘And it just drove off.’
‘You didn’t see who was driving?’
‘No. I’m going to check my phone.’ I took my phone from my pocket and replayed the video I’d taken, pausing it to zoom in on the wing mirrors. ‘Can’t see anyone clearly.’ I handed the device to Grainger. ‘You take a look.’
I made us both a coffee and sat down on the sofa. Grainger passed the phone back. ‘I can’t see anything either.’
‘What do you think?’
Grainger considered my question. ‘Could be someone looking to break in,’ he said. ‘Could be poachers. But you need to tell the boss.’
‘And Mackenzie.’
‘Tell the boss first.’
We drank our coffees and went over it again, still not any closer to an explanation.
‘Probably nothing,’ I said.
‘Just keep your wits about you from now on. Just in case.’
‘And there was me thinking about moving out into my own lodge,’ I said, trying to lighten the mood and ignore my own thoughts about the van.
‘You don’t have to change your plans on my account.’
I sighed theatrically. ‘Maybe I’ll stay a bit longer. You know, until the boot is off.’
‘What the fuck? Van or no van, that wasn’t the deal.’
‘Anyone would think you can’t wait to get rid of me.’
I turned and looked at him.
He narrowed his eyes. ‘Are you winding me up?’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’
‘Liar.’
I sat down on the sofa across the other side of the fireplace.
‘Seriously, I was going to move out today,’ I said, adopting my professional voice. ‘You’ve made really good progress, and you certainly don’t need me watching over you all the time.’
‘Correct,’ said Grainger.
‘But I will still be in everyday for physio. It’s really important we stick to that, and you continue to make progress. Your next appointment is in four weeks, and I’m really hopeful you’ll have that boot off by then.’
‘So, you’re moving out today?’
‘If we keep to the physio regime.’
‘It’s a deal.’
I stood up. ‘No time like the present. I’ll be out of here in no time.’
‘In your own place just in time for Burns Night.’
‘I guess so.’
‘Boss will be pleased,’ he said with an angelic expression of complete innocence that didn’t suit him in the slightest. ‘Pleased you’ve settled into your own place.’
‘I’m not sure he will be very bothered,’ I said, doing my best to brush it off.
‘Oh, he’ll be bothered,’ said Grainger.
He picked up his book and opened it. Conversation over, apparently.
I wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily. ‘Oh, by the way, Naomi said hello.’
Grainger lowered his book. ‘Naomi?’
‘Yes. In fact, she said, “Tell John I was asking after him.” Very keen to be remembered to you. I could always arrange for her to pop up and see you in person, if you like.’
‘Don’t even think about it,’ he said, returning to his book.
‘I’ll get my stuff.’
I went off down the hallway, basking in the point scored.
I spent the next ten minutes gathering my things together.
I hadn’t unpacked much. It was easier just to live out of the holdall.
I was looking forward to making my lodge an actual home for me.
I picked up my bags and went out into the living room.
‘All packed?’ asked Grainger.
‘Yep.’
He got to his feet and, with just a walking stick to help his balance, crossed to the door and opened it.
‘Want to make sure you go.’
I couldn’t help laughing. He was the most lovable, miserable bastard I’d ever dealt with.
‘See tomorrow,’ I said.
‘Hey, Doc.’
I turned at the foot of the veranda steps. ‘Yes?’
‘Happy new home, eh? And make sure you tell the boss about the van.’
I gave a salute.
I wasn’t looking forward to telling Oliver.
And for good reason.
‘You shouldn’t have approached it,’ he said. ‘You should have called Mackenzie immediately.’