Читать книгу Billie Jo - Kimberley Chambers - Страница 14

‘MUM, I’M GOING for a walk. I need to get out of the house, it’s doing my head in. Ring me immediately if you hear any news.’

Billie slammed the door without waiting for a reply and walked aimlessly along the road. Stopping to check her appearance in the wing mirror of a car, she was shocked to see how ill she looked. Her eyes were puffy and red raw from crying. Her dark hair looked greasy and unkempt and she seemed to have aged ten years overnight.

Sitting herself down on a nearby wall, Billie took deep gulps of fresh air to help subdue her panic. She took her phone out of her pocket and dialled her dad’s number again. A hundred times she must have tried him in the last couple of days. Hearing his answerphone message, Billie put her head in her hands and sobbed like a baby.

Her dad had been missing for two days now and not a soul had heard a word from him. Yesterday, when she’d been trying to get hold of him, his phone had been ringing and ringing. Today there was just his answerphone message.

Billie knew deep down that something bad had happened to him. It must have as he would never go away without telling her. He would never just leave her, no way in a million years. He loved her far too much to just up and go, she was sure of that. His disappearance was a total mystery and Billie racked her brains as to what had happened to him.

Unsurprisingly, her mother was no help. All she’d done the past two days was knock back wine, cry and swear blind that he’d run off with some old tart. Her nan and aunt had been slightly more helpful. They’d contacted the local hospitals, but her dad wasn’t there.

Billie had casually asked her mum if she had Jade’s mobile number to see if she knew where he was, but Chelle didn’t know it. It didn’t help that her dad had no address book. He knew all his numbers off by heart and the ones he didn’t were stored in his phone, so that was that, there was no way of contacting anybody.

Her mum knew Davey Mullins’ number and had tried to contact him. He hadn’t answered, so she’d left messages for him to call her back urgently. Dave was on the missing list as well. Her mum had called his bird, Lisa, but she hadn’t seen hide nor hair. The thought that Dave was with her dad comforted Billie slightly. At least wherever he was, he wasn’t alone. Billie had suggested to her mum earlier that they should call the police and report him as a missing person, but her mother was adamant that she didn’t want coppers round the house. Her exact words were, ‘I don’t want them tossers coming round my house. Nosy cunts they are, wanting to know the ins and outs of a maggot’s arse.’ If he didn’t show up by tomorrow though, her mum had promised to call them.

Taking a slow walk towards home, Billie let herself into the house. ‘Any news, Mum?’

‘Not a dickie bird,’ Chelle slurred.

It was only half eleven in the morning and Chelle had been drinking since eight to calm her nerves. Pearl was rocking to and fro on the sofa sobbing uncontrollably, whilst praying for Saint Anthony to find her boy. She was being comforted by a two-sheets-to-the-wind Bridie, who had been knocking the wine back with Chelle.

Billie looked at her dysfunctional family and decided she couldn’t sit in the room with them one minute longer.

‘I’m going up to my bedroom, Mum, to have a lie down. I’ve got a terrible headache.’

‘OK, Bill.’

As Billie walked up the stairs she heard the loud shrill of the phone and rushed back down as fast as her legs could carry her. Her mother had the blower in her hand and was rambling away, talking shit.

‘Where is he, Dave? If he’s with some bird you can tell me you know. I know he’s got a bit on the side, you must know where he is?’

Realising the caller was Davey Mullins, Billie snatched the phone off her mother.

‘Let me talk to him, Mum, you’ve had too much to drink and he won’t be able to understand you. Dave, it’s Billie. Have you been with my dad? We haven’t seen him since Boxing Day and we don’t know what to do.’

Dave sounded shocked. ‘I was in a pub with him Boxing Night, Bill, but he left early and I stayed there. Ain’t he been home at all?’

‘No, Dave, and we’re so worried about him. Can you ring around anyone who might know where he is for us and let us know if anyone has seen him?’

‘He definitely said he was going home when he left me. Bill, listen, don’t worry, I’ll have a ring around and then I’ll come round to you. Give me about half an hour.’

‘Thanks, Dave.’ Billie was relieved. At least Dave would know what to do for the best, which was more than could be said for the rest of her useless family.

Hearing the doorbell go twenty-five minutes later, Billie rushed into the hallway and let Dave in. Gesticulating for him to follow her to the kitchen, so she was out of earshot of her mother, Billie shut the door.

‘Look, Dave, I know about Jade, Dad told me recently. Do you think he could be with her?’

Dave shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, girl, but I’ve just been on the phone to her. Jade hasn’t heard from him either and she’s worried sick. He left her a message on Boxing Night, but she’s heard nothing from him since.’

‘Bill, what you doing? Bring Dave in here,’ came her mother’s coarse voice.

‘Coming, Mum. I’m just getting Dave a drink.’

Sitting in the living room, Dave relayed the events of his night in the pub with Terry to his family. ‘So I can’t remember exactly what time he left, but it must have been about midnight and he definitely said he was coming home.’

‘Where have you been for the last two days then, Dave?’ Chelle slurred. ‘Only Lisa said that you hadn’t been home either. You sure you’re not just covering up for him?’

Dave looked at Chelle as though she was a piece of shit he’d just stepped in. ‘Don’t be so fucking stupid, Chelle. As if I’d lie at a time like this. For your information, I went on a bender and stayed at Maxie’s boozer.’

This was partly true. Dave had spent twenty-four hours shagging the old slapper he’d pulled and the following day back in Maxie’s pub doing his best to catch Colombian flu.

Billie could feel the tears spilling from her eyes again. ‘I just know something bad must have happened to Dad. What are we going to do, Dave?’

Dave put his arm round her and hugged her tightly. ‘Don’t worry, Bill. He’ll be fine, you’ll see,’ he said, not really believing it himself. He also now felt that something bad must have happened to Terry.

‘Oh, stop blubbing, Bill, for Christ’s sake,’ Chelle piped up.

Dave looked at Chelle in horror. ‘Don’t have a go at her. She’s a kid, and her dad’s gone missing. She’s got every right to be fucking upset.’

‘Whatever,’ Chelle replied in a stroppy tone.

Pearl started to howl like a wounded animal. ‘Jesus, Mary and holy Saint Joseph, you’ve taken my wonderful husband from me, please don’t take my firstborn son.’

Chelle gave her mother-in-law daggers. ‘For fuck’s sake, Pearl, don’t start Bible-punching. Give it a rest. Your wonderful husband used to knock the living daylights out of you, or have you forgotten that?’

‘You are one nasty piece of work, Michelle. My Terry could have had any woman he wanted, and what he saw in you I’ll never know.’

‘Why don’t you and Bridie fuck off upstairs or go for a walk or something? This is my house and I’ve suffered you long enough, so get out of my sight.’

Pearl stood up and looked at her daughter-in-law with pure hatred. Grabbing Bridie’s arm, the pair of them marched upstairs out of harm’s way.

Dave sat opposite Chelle and Billie pondering what to do next. ‘I know Terry wouldn’t want us to, but I think our only option is to phone the Old Bill.’

‘I don’t want them coming round here,’ Chelle slurred.

‘Well, I’ll go down the station and report him missing then,’ Dave replied.

Chelle was just about to answer, but was silenced by the doorbell.

Billie jumped up as quick as a flash. ‘I’ll get it, Mum.’ As she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of two sombre-looking policemen.

‘Hello, love. I’m DC Adams and this is PC Fortune. Is your mum there please?’

Billie noticed her whole body shaking from head to foot. ‘Mum,’ she said, her voice quivering as she spoke. ‘There’s some policemen here to see you.’

Davey Mullins dashed into the hallway and led them into the living room. Chelle felt an all-round chill of fear as she stood opposite the two coppers.

‘You might be better sitting down, love,’ DC Adams said, removing his hat. ‘I’m afraid I have some bad news for you and your family, Mrs Keane.’

Michelle could feel her body give way as she collapsed onto the sofa. ‘Go and get me a bottle of wine out of the fridge, Bill. I need a drink.’

Billie ran out of the room and sprinted into the garden. She sat on the bench sobbing hysterically with her hands over her ears. She couldn’t be in the same room if bad news was about to be told. She looked up to the sky. ‘Please, God, just make him be OK. Even if he’s seriously injured, please make him be alive,’ she whispered.

Michelle looked at the two Old Bill. ‘Look, before you tell me anything bad, I need to get a drink.’ After retrieving her wine from the fridge and downing half the bottle in one go, Chelle sat back down. ‘He’s dead, isn’t he?’ she asked.

PC Fortune put a comforting arm around her. ‘I’m so sorry, Mrs Keane. He was involved in an accident. We don’t think there are any suspicious circumstances, it’s just one of those unexplainable things. His car was found this morning at the bottom of a ditch by a man walking his dog. He was already dead when we arrived at the scene. Due to the extent of his injuries we would advise you not to see the body, although we will need someone to formally identify him.’

Dave nodded. ‘I’m his best friend, I’ll do it.’

Michelle sat in a daze. She felt like she was in the middle of a bad dream and would wake up any minute. Dave was distraught, Terry was his best pal, his mucker, the whole thing was a fucking nightmare. After sitting there for a further half-hour offering words of comfort, the two Old Bill got up to leave. Michelle sat in silence, unable to take in what had happened.

DC Adams spoke directly to Davey Mullins. ‘We can see Mrs Keane is in a state of shock and we’ve still got a few things on the case to sort before we can wrap it up. What we’ll do is send somebody around tomorrow to have a chat and maybe sort out some counselling for the family. There will also be some of her husband’s belongings to be returned, but we can’t do that until the case is actually closed.’

Dave thanked the officers, saw them out and shut the door. Pouring himself a large brandy, he sat down opposite Chelle. ‘You better go upstairs and tell his mother, Chelle. I’ll go and find Billie and break the news to her.’

Chelle topped up her glass. The shock had sobered her up. ‘I’m not in the mood for that old cow. You go and tell his mother and I’ll tell Billie.’

Dave would much rather have been the one to tell Billie, but he could hardly argue with Chelle. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he went upstairs to break the news to Terry’s mum and aunt. Their blood-curdling screams could be heard half a mile away!

Chelle found Billie sitting on a log down at the bottom of the garden. Looking fearfully at her mother she asked the dreaded question. ‘Is he OK, Mum? He will be all right, won’t he?’

Billie knew the moment her mother put her arms around her that her father was dead. Her mother had never cuddled her in the fifteen and a half years she’d been on this earth, so she immediately knew bad news was to follow.

‘It was a car accident, Bill. He was already dead when the police got there. Let’s go inside, love. It’s freezing out here and you’ve got no coat on. You’ll catch pneumonia sitting out here.’

Sobbing, Billie shook with shock. ‘It’s not him, Mum, it can’t be. They’ve made a mistake, they must have. It’s not Daddy, it’s not him. I know it’s not him.’

Michelle wandered back into the house and poured herself and Dave another drink. Pearl was still upstairs with Bridie, screaming blue murder. Handing Dave his brandy, Chelle sat opposite him at the kitchen table.

‘You’re going to have to sort out return tickets or a hotel or something for them two upstairs. I can’t have them round me no more, Dave, and they probably won’t want to go back home till after his funeral.’

Dave looked at Chelle and realised just what a callous bitch she really was. Her husband had just died and she hadn’t even shed a tear. All she was bothered about was getting rid of the two old biddies upstairs. Keeping his thoughts to himself, Dave decided to take Pearl and Bridie to a local hotel first thing in the morning. They’d be better off away from Chelle; at least that way, they could grieve in peace.

Dave’s main concern was Billie Jo. He felt so sorry for the poor little fucker, her old man had been her life. ‘Where’s Billie, Chelle?’

‘She’s in the garden. She wanted to be on her own.’

Dave found Billie staring lifelessly into the swimming pool.

‘Billie, I’m so sorry, love. I really don’t know what to say to you. He idolised you, your father, and I want you to know, whatever happens, I’ll always be about for you.’

Sobbing, Billie threw herself against the hardness of Dave’s chest.

‘My dad was the best dad in the world. Why did this have to happen, Dave? I don’t believe in God any more. He doesn’t exist, I know he doesn’t.’

Trying to find the right words to comfort her wasn’t easy for Dave. All he could do was try his best.

‘Life ain’t fair, Bill. I loved your dad. He was my best pal and I’m gonna miss him big style. You’ve got to be strong, girl. He loved you more than anything and you have to be strong for his sake.’

Sobbing, Billie pulled away from him.

‘I can’t. If he’s dead, I want to die too. I can’t live without him, I just know I can’t.’

Lost for words, Dave squeezed her hand.

Taking off his jacket, he put it round her shoulders and made her sip some of his brandy to warm her up. Leading her back into the warmth of the house, he sat her down and suggested that she go and stay at Tiffany’s. He knew without a doubt that she’d get far more love and kindness there than she would in her own home.

Dave rang Tiffany’s parents and explained the situation. He was relieved when they welcomed Billie with open arms, insisting that she could stay as long as she wanted. Dave dropped Billie off early in the evening, and then he took Pearl and Bridie to a nearby hotel. They’d insisted on going straight away, as they’d both said they couldn’t spend another night under the same roof as Michelle. Popping back round to Chelle’s, Dave was relieved to see that Hazel, her best mate, had come round to stay with her. Clocking they were on the piss, Dave felt he’d done his duty and said his goodbyes. ‘I’ll pop round tomorrow, Chelle. If you need anything before then ring me.’

‘Thanks, Dave.’ Chelle didn’t know how she felt as he left the house. She was glad Hazel was there, as while she had company she wouldn’t have to examine her true feelings.

Michelle knew that she’d truly loved Terry and even though their relationship had been on the rocks for a long time, her heart was with him, it always had been. An awful part of her felt relief. She wasn’t silly and knew that in time he’d have left her and she’d rather him be dead than suffer the humiliation of being publicly dumped.

The gruesome task of identifying his best pal’s body left Dave heartbroken and shellshocked.

Sitting in his Shogun, he rested his forehead on the steering wheel and cried. He’d had to be strong all day for everyone else’s sake; now it was his turn to grieve. Terry’s injuries had looked dreadful and Dave had heaved as he’d left the mortuary. Dreading what he had to do next, Dave scrolled through his phone. Jade had to be told and he was the only person in a position to tell her.

He’d rather have told her face to face, but he was fucked if he was driving all the way to Somerset.

Pacing up and down the room, Jade looked at the clock. The past couple of days had been just dreadful and she knew something had to be wrong. Being in Somerset wasn’t helping. At least if she was at home, she could have searched for him herself.

Her gut instinct told her something awful had occurred. Terry would never blank her calls or not contact her. As she turned to her parents, she prayed that there was a simple explanation.

‘Will you take me home first thing tomorrow? I need to be local in case something’s happened to him.’

Mary and Lenny glanced at one another and nodded. They feared the worst but didn’t want to comment.

Jade picked up her mobile and dialled Terry’s number for what seemed like the thousandth time. His answerphone, yet again. Wondering if the police had finally caught up with him, she sat down, put her head in her hands and cried.

Hearing her ringtone, she leapt up full of hope. Recognising the number, she spoke silently to God as she answered.

‘Dave, is that you? Have you heard anything yet?’

‘I think you’d better sit down, Jade.’

Jade felt the colour drain out of her face as she sat on her parents’ armchair. ‘What’s happened to him, Dave? Please tell me he’s OK, he is isn’t he?’

‘I’m really sorry to have to be the one to tell you, Jade, but he was involved in a fatal accident Boxing Night. The police reckon he probably died instantly. He was found early …’

Jade collapsed before Dave had finished the sentence.