Crossing The Line Chapter 17 by Angharad Copyright© 2022 Angharad

---

(title picture Andrea Piacquadio)

Harry wandered about the house with a face as long as a fiddle he watched with dismay the torrential rain, as the guttering and downpipes around the house, were unable to cope with the volume of water. This resulted in small waterfalls running down the outside walls or windows.

All Harry wanted was to go for a ride with the girl he loved, his Gaby. The weather was saying otherwise. He mooned about the place like a lovesick elephant, listless, bored and irritable.

“For goodness sake, find something to do Harry.” Exhorted his mother, “Don’t just mope about the place. It isn’t my fault it’s raining. Go and tidy your room or something, simply don’t get in the way all the time,” she was trying to vacuum and he was getting under her feet.

Harry muttered something under his breath, which he knew she wouldn’t hear because of the vacuum cleaner, however, she didn’t need to hear it. His whole demeanour told her what he had said, and she switched off the appliance and angrily said to him, “Look, you are just getting in the way, go up and see her.”

“It’s pis…ouring down!” he said correcting his original phrasing.

“Well, you’re not going to melt are you?” retorted his mother, who at this moment, couldn’t have cared if he had. He was being such a pain, his absence would be a bonus.

“What shall I wear?” he asked, not really sure he did want to get wet.

“I don’t care,” answered his mother, “Put your coat on, and borrow your father’s brolly.” She stopped to think for a moment, “And don’t break it this time!” He had broken the previous one, it was parrying the thrust from William’s umbrella, that had done it. It bent the spokes, and when he tried to straighten them, some of them broke. He had to cough up for a replacement, so he was unlikely to pretend he was D’Artagnon in the near future.

Without saying anything in reply, the sulking teen pulled on his waxed cotton coat, and fishing the umbrella from the stand in the hallway opened the front door and stepped out, shutting it with a bang. His mother shuddered for a moment, said, “Let her deal with your moodiness for a change,” then continued with her cleaning.

Harry stood watching the deluge for several minutes from the safety of the porch, then taking a deep breath he took the plunge, almost literally. He stepped in a puddle that was deeper than he thought and water shot up the inside of the leg of his jeans. He swore opening up the umbrella as the first drops of rain lashed his face. It took him slightly longer than ten minutes to walk up the road toward the cottage. He was horrified to see a police car parked in the drive, and the butterflies nearly caused him to turn around and go back home. However, he’d got quite wet now, so he thought he’d just as easily carry on. Besides, he’d see his first love, and if the police were being a pain, he’d do what he could to help.

He strolled up the drive, negotiating the three cars parked there, and trying to avoid any further puddles. He rang the bell. The door was opened by Maddy, How much she looked like Gaby, no wonder they were often mistaken for sisters, even twins, he thought as she stood behind the door.

“Hi,” he said, nonchalantly, or hoped it would sound so.

“Gaby’s not here,” said Maddy, she looked more serious than usual.

“Oh!” exclaimed Harry in surprise, “Where is she?”

Maddy slipped out the door and said in a whisper, he could barely hear over the lashing of the rain, “Dunno. We think she went out on her bike, but she hasn’t come back.”

“Has she had an accident?” asked the boy with a growing sense of alarm.

“Not as far as we know, but she forgot her mobile, so we don’t, like, know where she is.”

“Is that why the police are here?” he asked.

“No. That Meadows bloke has escaped.”

“What!” exclaimed Harry, now very alarmed. “He hasn’t got her, has he? If he lays one finger on her, so help me, I’ll kill him….”

“Calm down, we don’t know anything…..”

The door opened and Jenny looked out at the two teens. Knowing that Maddy would be bringing Harry up to speed, she said, “Hello Harry, look you’re both getting wet out there, why don’t you come in?”

“Hello Mrs Bond,” said Harry embarrassed.

“I take it, that Maddy has told you what has happened?”

“Yes, Mrs Bond.”

“You don’t have any idea where she could have gone?”

“No, Mrs Bond, sorry.”

“Okay Harry, if you can stand the tension, you’re welcome to come in and wait like the rest of us.”

“Thanks, I will,” said Harry not sure if he was doing the right thing or not. Maddy took his coat and umbrella, he followed her out to the kitchen and helped her make yet another pot of tea.

The phone rang, and everyone jumped. Dave nervously stood up and on the instruction of the policeman, picked up the phone on the third ring. His mouth was dry and his palms were sweating. “H…h..hello?” he croaked, “Oh Mum it’s you. No there’s no news. Look just in case she tries to call us, can we ring you back later? Yeah, as soon as we know.” He replaced the receiver, “Jenny’s mum, “ he said to the young policeman, who smiled back at him.

Two minutes later, the phone rang again. “I’ll bet she forgot to tell us something,” said Dave as he blithely picked up the phone. “Hello mu…” he froze and the colour left his face.

The young copper knew what to do, he touched Dave’s arm and mouthed, “Try and
keep him talking,” Dave nodded his understanding.

“The police won’t be able to protect her forever,” Meadows gravelly voice said.

“No, but I will,” Dave spat defiantly, he’d never hated anyone in his life before, but he was going to make an exception for Roy Meadows.

“Ho ho ho, big talker ain’t we mister. I’ll bet you ain’t half as tough as you talk.” Taunted Meadows.

“I’m big enough to do what’s necessary,” said Dave, trying to keep calm and not appear to be angered by the jibes.

“I’m frightened,” sneered Meadows with a pretend quiver in his voice.

“I’m not,” riposted Dave.

“Now I am scared, you a nutter or something? Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, a scumbag named Meadows.”

“Talking tough again, are we?”

“Just keep away from me and my family Meadows, or you’ll find out just how tough I am.”

“I’m trembling,” laughed Meadows.

“Do yourself a favour you shite, turn yourself into the police, because if I get there first, you are in dead trouble,” snapped Dave.

The young policeman was trying to calm him down, but Dave meant every word he said. He’d never met the bloke, had no idea how big or strong he was, but he was angry enough to rip him apart with his bare hands. He was shaking with anger.

“I am so scared, you big girl's blouse,” sneered Meadows, then the line went dead.

“We’ve got a trace,” whooped the young copper, who then apologised to the others. “Don’t let him get to you Mr Bond, and certainly don’t make threats, he could use it against you.”

“Not if he’s dead,” said Dave quietly and with no emotion at all. Jenny gasped, she had never seen him so angry before.

“Now Mr Bond, let’s pretend you didn’t say that…” said the copper.

“You’d better find him before I do…” said Dave quietly, but with a hint of menace that frightened Jenny. This was not her laid-back hubby, this was someone different and it frightened her. Dave pushed past the others and walked up to his bedroom, he needed some space and the weather prevented him from going outside.

Jenny and Carol sat down together, both more than a little shocked by Dave’s anger. Harry, however, agreed with every word, muttering to himself, “If you need any help, just ask.” He followed a bemused Maddy back to the kitchen, where they washed up the dirty cups and began making more tea.

“So, let me get this straight,” said Harry, “Gaby is missing, she went out on a bike ride and Meadows has escaped and is threatening her?”

“That’s about it,” answered Maddy, wiping her hands in a towel.

“But if he had her already, why would he need to phone, except to say where to collect the body? So he probably doesn’t even know she is missing.”

“Hey, that’s a good point, but where is she?” Maddy’s brow furrowed as she racked her brains. “I mean, she could, like, be anywhere.”

“What time did she go out?” asked Harry.

“Dunno. It was before anyone was up. If she’s worried about anything, she goes off on her bike to think it through.”

“So what’s she worried about?”

“Dunno, like, she doesn’t always confide in me. I know she’s worried about the possibility of giving evidence at the trial, aren’t you?” Now it was Maddy’s turn to ask questions.

“Why?”

“Because these top-notch barristers will skin you alive and turn everything you say upside down and inside out.”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that,” said Harry ruefully, “I’d, like, thought I could tell the truth and be done with it.”

“And you think his defence lawyer is gonna stand there and let you convict his client? Come on…”

Wilting under Maddy’s onslaught, Harry began to wish he’d stayed home. “I just hadn’t thought, that’s all. Now I will.” He paused to look out the window, “Isn’t that Jules?” he pointed down the drive.

“Yeah, where’s she going?” said Maddy.

“John’s?” offered Harry.

“Probably, but she was told to stay in, same as the rest of us. If her mum or dad catch her, she’ll be grounded for life.”

“If Meadows catches her, that won’t be too long,” added Harry, shuddering as he said it. “What we gonna do, tell the olds?”

“No, get yer coat, let’s shadow her,” said Maddy.

“Who do you think you are, Sherlock bloody Holmes?” asked Harry, very unsure of this strategy.

“Yeah, if you like, remember, I have worked with the best in the business,” said Maddy, pulling on her own raincoat.

“Who’s that?” asked a confused Harry.

“Catcher of knaves and scoundrels in chief, your friend, and mine, the great Gaby Bond, ta-dah!” After this, they sneaked out of the house and walked across the road from where Juliette was walking. She seemed oblivious to them or too much else, her hormone-driven mind had only one thing on it, and that wasn’t personal safety unless it meant using a condom!

They followed her to John’s house, where curiously, she looked around her before going into the house, she didn’t appear to see Maddy and Harry who were hiding behind the gate post of a large driveway. “Better get back,” hissed Maddy.

“Why are we whispering?” asked Harry.

Maddy shrugged her shoulders, “Cos, that’s what surveillance people do, either that or talk to their watches.”

“You really need to get out more.” Quipped Harry, and jumped back as Maddy pretended to hit him. Jumping back, he fell over and lay on the ground laughing.

“You’ll get soaked,” said Maddy, reaching down to help him up, then as he rose to his feet, he suddenly bundled her behind the gatepost. Not sure if she was more angry or embarrassed, she pushed him away and was about to say what she thought about his familiarity, when he hissed at her to be quiet, and signalled to get down.

She stood and defied him, so he grabbed her hand and pulled her down. “Shut up, it’s Meadows,” he hissed. Her red face turned white and she began to feel she might need a toilet very soon.

“What are we gonna do?” she whispered.

“Keep down, and stay quiet,” was the hissed retort.

“I need to use the loo,” she urged.

“Keep still and shut up, he’s looking this way,” Harry was peering through the gate, which was a large wooden one, solid in the lower part, with decorative scrolled effect in open squares higher up. “Shit, he’s seen us, quick follow me.”

He grabbed her hand and they rushed down the driveway, they stopped at a high wall. “Here,” said Harry, “put your foot in my hands.” He bent with his back to the wall and formed a stirrup with his hands. Maddy lifted her foot into his hands and jumped up as he lifted her. She grasped the top of the wall, which was wet and slippery, then slid headfirst over it. Harry spotting the man running down the drive, legged it around the house with the man in hot pursuit.

Maddy was muddy, very muddy, and smelly. The compost heap, enriched with fresh manure had broken her fall, but at a cost. She rolled off the heap and smelled her fingers, it wasn’t nice. She began to try and wipe the muck off her coat, but it was just spreading it more. She nearly burst into tears, her mum would kill her. Then she remembered Harry, where was he?

Scrambling back towards the road, she saw Harry being frogmarched up the drive by the man. What was she going to do? She saw a large stick leaning against the wall and she grabbed it. Throwing all caution and common sense to the wind, she charged at the man. Harry heard the running footsteps and shouted, “No.” The man looked, and sidestepped Maddy’s rush, he grabbed her and disarmed her.

Maddy flew at the man, “Right Meadows, where’s my Gaby?” she screamed at him, Harry grabbed her as she lunged.

“Stop it, Maddy, this bloke’s a copper. I was mistaken,” said Harry pushing her back.

“What?” said Maddy, “You mean I got covered in muck…like,...for nothing?” Harry nodded, and mouthed, ‘sorry’. “Oh no!” she wailed and burst into tears. “My mum’s gonna kill me,” she sobbed on Harry’s shoulder.

Ten minutes later, Carol and Jenny were reading the riot act to the two teens, then Maddy was sent to shower. Jenny, who was incandescent when she heard about Jules’ absence, went with the detective to John’s house.

John opened the door, his head was still bandaged. “John, I believe my daughter is here,” said Jenny, politely but very firmly.

“Erm, y..yes, Mrs Bond.”

“Please tell her, to get her coat and come back with me now.”

“Has Gaby turned up?” asked John.

“Not yet, please tell her, now,” repeated Jenny.

John turned and walking down the hall, called, “Jules, it’s your mum. You have to go,” he went into a room and loud voices were heard to emanate from within, including a shriek of anger.

“I’m not coming,” called a voice from the door.

“Oh yes you are,” said Jenny and marched down the hallway and in through the door. The detective waiting at the door, cringed as he heard the loud female voices from within, then he thought he heard a slap and tears. A minute later, out marched Jules closely followed by her mum.

“I hate you,” said Jules, holding her face and crying.

“I love you, you stupid child, that’s why I’m here.”

The three then walked in relative silence back to the cottage. Jules was sent to her bedroom and told not to leave the house again, or they would have John arrested. When she queried this, the detective nodded. Jules then, ran up to her room, yelling something that sounded like, ‘fascist pig’ and the door slammed.

“Do you have any children?” Jenny enquired of the detective.

“No, Mrs Bond,” he smiled back.

“Before you do, remember this experience, it might save you lots of time and money, as well as emotion.”

“I’m sure they’re worth it,” he smiled back.

“I suppose so, but I do wonder.” She paused as if to recall something, “No news on my other daughter?”

“Not that I know of…we’ll keep looking until we find her…We will find her,” he tried to reassure her.

“What about that murdering maniac? You had a trace on him…?”

“It was a payphone in Tesco, he was long gone. He was seen, but not after he left the shop. We are questioning shoppers, we might strike lucky…”

“And you might not. Sometimes I wish I’d never heard of Dorset,” said Jenny wistfully.

“Nothing wrong with Dorset, Mrs Bond. One bad apple don’t mean the whole barrel’s off.”

“I suppose not…” she looked away as if not entirely convinced by his philosophising. Then his mobile phone began to ring and he excused himself, slipping out through the door, and was gone. Jenny shut the door firmly.

She picked up one of Gaby’s cycling shirts, the one used in the race. Carrying it to a chair, Jenny sat down and burying her face in the shirt began to cry, “Come home safe my pet,” she whimpered as she sobbed into the shirt.

With Maddy in the shower, Jules in disgrace, and the adults all acting strangely, Harry decided it might be politic to leave while the going was good, besides, it had stopped raining and he could do some searching himself. He told Carol he was going and left. The sun was beginning to shine, his heart lifted, he was sure Gaby had taken to shelter while the rain storm lasted, she’d probably be home within the hour, and if he could decide which direction she was going to come from, he could ride out to meet her. He ran home.

“Harry, just what do think you are doing?” demanded his mother.

“I’m going for a ride,” he rolled his eyes up to the ceiling, couldn’t she see he was wearing cycling shorts and shoes, wasn’t it obvious what he was going to do? Why are mothers so stupid?

“I’ve just got lunch ready.”

“I’ll have mine later.”

“You’ll have it now,” she snapped back.

“Aw muuuuuummm,” wailed Harry, “I wanna go out, like, now.”

“I don’t care what you want young man, and where does ‘wanna’ feature in the dictionary? If going out with that young woman is doing this to your diction, I have a good mind to stop you from seeing her.”

“No way!” Harry spat back.

“Right, you are grounded young man, until I tell you otherwise. I shall lock up that bicycle, so don’t get any stupid ideas.”

“No! No, you can’t do that to me….I mean, like, you can’t…it’s not fair…” Harry stamped and clenched his fists, if it wasn’t for the fact that this was his mother, he would have pushed past her and told her where to go.

“I have just done it. Now go to your room and change and come straight back down for lunch. Go on.”

“Stuff your bloody lunch, I’m not hungry,” he raged at his mother, and then turning on his heel, he stamped upstairs and slammed his bedroom door.

Shaking with rage herself, his mother went to find the garage door keys and locked up the doors, putting the keys into her own pocket. “Your father can deal with you when he gets home,” she said in the direction of Harry’s room, “For two pins, I’d send the bike back. That’s what you deserve.”