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  ‘A glass of Sauvignon Blanc, if they have it.’

  ‘Good, now sit down, I'll be back in a minute.’

  I sit on the edge of one of the claret coloured velvet chairs surveying the room. It looks more like a club than a living room, there's a buffet and bar at the far end, small tables are scattered at the edge and in the centre is a small space for dancing.

  Nick's talking to a couple of guys over at the buffet, the Major's introducing Helen to some of his cronies. I can tell by her face she's been taken in by him, he's cooing all over her and she’s loving it.

  Then the music starts. Out of the corner of my eye I can see a tall guy with a huge beard heading towards me. I quickly get up, turn towards the bar and bump into Nick holding our drinks.

  ‘Careful,’ he laughs. He places the drinks on a nearby table and holds out him arms. ‘Do you want to dance?’

  Before I can answer the lights dim and the next thing I know his arms are around me. There's a whiff of whisky on his breath, mingled with the French cologne he always uses. He pulls me close, I gently push him away, but he pulls me even closer. We're like this for a couple of minutes until the music stops. Then he says he's going to the buffet and I'm left staring after him. What was that all about? How very strange.

  Helen comes over, a wicked smile on her face, she nods in Nick's direction, I roll my eyes, she laughs. We head over to the buffet table which is laden with goodies. Miniature sandwiches stuffed with salmon, tuna, cheese and egg, bowls of nuts, olives and breadsticks. At each end of the table are two large roast turkeys on silver trays, beside them two large fresh salmon decorated with caviar.

  We find somewhere to sit then Nick comes over and joins us. Helen gives me a wink and smiles at him sweetly; he asks her to dance. I sit watching them. Is he going to pull her close as he did with me? But I don't have time to see what happens. Out of the corner of my eye I see the guy with the beard walking towards me. I get up and go in search of the ladies.

  It’s such a large house and beautifully furnished. I wonder if the Major’s married. I didn’t see him with anyone tonight, maybe she’s in London in their town house or apartment.

  Half an hour later it's finally over, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, at least we were out of the house for a while and I stopped thinking about things.

  On the way back Helen sits in the front with Nick, I'm in the back. I thought he was coming onto me earlier tonight but maybe he always dances like that.

  The car skids to a halt, I jump out. Helen follows.

  ‘Not inviting me in for coffee tonight, Beth?’ he asks, poking his head out of the car window.

  ‘Sorry Nick, but we're both tired, see you tomorrow.’

  He grins and drives off.

  ‘Dickhead,’ I mutter, closing the front door.

  Helen looks surprised. ‘I thought he was very nice, why do you say that?’

  I shrug.

  ‘You're too hard on him Beth, he was lovely tonight and so was the Major.’

  I start closing the blinds. Maybe I am being a bit grumpy, but I think I'm right about the Major.

  12

  BETH & HELEN

  ‘Good morning Beth, working already?’

  I look up startled to see her up so early. ‘Morning Helen, I was just looking for furniture for the living room, Mum and Jamie will be back soon so I must make a start on getting it ready for them.’ I was really looking for information on attacks in the area, but I don't tell her. ‘Did you sleep well?’

  ‘Like a log. I forgot how peaceful it is in Oxford.’

  She sits in the chair opposite me watching as I pour her a mug of steaming hot coffee.

  ‘Here, you'll probably need this after last night, sugar’s in the bowl if you need it.’

  ‘Yes, I didn't realize how much I'd drunk, how do you feel?’

  ‘I'm okay, I didn't drink much. I have to be in the right mood and last night was a bit of a pain.’ I walk over to the window and lean out. ‘What a lovely day, it's too nice to be cooped up in here, where shall we go?’ I glance over at Helen, she's busy flicking through her phone. ‘I’ll make breakfast then we can go for a drive, maybe have lunch by the river, what do you think?’

  She quickly looks up. ‘I'd love to, but I have to pop out for an hour or so, we can go out later, when I come back.’

  I place a plate of croissants in front of her. ‘So, where are you going?’

  ‘Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm meeting the estate agent, at the house. It won't take me long; I'll be back soon.’ She breaks off a piece of croissant, chews it slowly then washes it down with a gulp of coffee.

  ‘But Mum's car is outside, I can drive you there.’

  She shakes her head. ‘It's best you stay here, especially after what happened, I won't be long we can go out later.’

  ‘But Nick installed a tracking device on my phone, he can track wherever I go, didn't I tell you?’

  She doesn’t reply, just carries on chewing.

  ‘Oh, come on Helen, it's a lovely day, don't let that creep ruin it, he attacked me in the field behind your house, not in your house. Do you think he's watching me?’

  She shrugs which only makes me more irritated. ‘Do you think he's going to follow me to your house?’ I snort. ‘The little shit's probably laying low or done a bunk. He knows I gave the police his description, it was in the local paper, if he shows his face around here, the police will catch him.’

  Reluctantly she agrees and goes to get ready.

  The estate agent's car is outside when we arrive at Helen’s house. I know how much she’s been dreading coming here and I can tell she wants to get it over with as quickly as possible.

  ’Look, I’ll let you get on with it,’ I say, as we both get out of Mum’s old car. ‘I'll be in the garden if you need me.’

  ‘Sure you're alright?’ Helen asks, peering at me.

  I nod. ‘Of course, I'm alright, I'll check my emails and give Mum a quick call.’

  ‘Okay, I'll be out in a minute.’

  She disappears upstairs, I make my way down the narrow garden path. The scent of roses and honeysuckle fill the air. Weeds and small flowers poke their heads from every nook and cranny. It’s a bit overgrown but I love it. We used to live just a five-minute walk from here, I wonder who lives there now? Mum and Dad rented it for a couple of years then we went back to Athens.

  At the far end of the garden is the table where we used to do our homework, it's under a huge weeping willow tree so quite hidden and very shady. I walk over and sit down, first I’ll call Mum and Jamie, then I’ll check my emails.

  I go to take my phone from my shirt pocket and freeze.

  A large hand is clamped over my mouth, I try to push it away but can’t. I’m being hauled over the low stone garden wall which surrounds the house. Then I’m on the ground, someone’s knee is in my back holding me down. Something's stuck over my mouth, then something’s wrapped around my head. A van door creaks, I'm shoved inside, I fall to the floor, the door closes quietly.

  I lay stunned for a few seconds. Then I remember the tracking device on my phone. Where’s my phone? With a jolt the van moves quickly away, I try to get a foothold but it's useless. I'm rolling around, then I feel something hard pressing against my breast, it's my phone.

  Suddenly the van stops.

  I must get this thing off of my head so I can see what’s happening.

  But there’s no time. The door opens quickly. I’m hauled out, someone slaps me hard. I’m pulled along, grass tickles my feet. My shoes must have fallen off.

  A door creaks open, I’m pushed inside, my chest feels tight, I can hardly breathe.

  ‘Go outside,’ someone says. ‘Check nobody's coming.’

  A few seconds later the man comes back. ‘It's okay,’ he mumbles. ‘There's not a soul around, get her over here.’

  Their voices are muffled, they sound distorted. One of them touches me, I try to kick out. I’m hit then thrown face down over something
hard. I'm icy cold all over, I wish I had my Glock. I was trained in Krav Maga but …

  ‘Get her pants down, quick.’

  I can hardly breathe, the stuff over my mouth is choking me. I must focus, breathe through my nose, try to keep calm.

  My trousers are wrenched off, then my pants are pulled down. Their hands are all over me.

  ‘Let me have her, move over.’

  ‘I want to make her suffer, get me that plunger.’

  ‘Okay but let me have her first.’

  They’re both breathing heavily.

  ‘Get a move on,’ one of them shouts. ‘Give her a good fuck, then let me have a go.’

  I can hear zips being pulled down.

  It’s the only chance I’ll have, I must be quick.

  I push back and turn, then with one almighty kick, I catch one of them in the balls. Someone yells - I keep kicking and kicking, trying to hit them.

  ‘Fucking bitch, grab her I'm going to kill her.’

  There’s a noise outside, it's a car. All goes quiet. I hear the window open, they're getting away.

  Someone shouts. ‘Come out with your hands up, we know you're in there!’

  I can't believe it; it's the police and the bastards are getting away.

  The door crashes open. ‘I’m Police Constable Felicity Bell. Shit!’ Something’s thrown over me, probably a jacket. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get this off your head,’ she says.

  She carefully removes the thing from my head and the tape from my mouth.

  ‘Are you alright?’

  A young PC with red hair is staring at me. I nod, grab my pants off the floor, she passes me my trousers. ‘We must get them,’ I growl, pulling on my pants and pointing to the window. ‘They escaped through there.’

  We run around the back, but nobody's there.

  Suddenly I hear Nick shouting.

  ‘Beth, are you alright?’

  He comes running around the shed, then Helen appears. She runs over and hugs me. ‘Oh Beth, I'm so sorry, what happened?’

  The sound of an engine starting up makes us swing round. ‘Didn't you see a van,’ I gasp.

  Nick runs to his car. ‘I'll get them,’ he shouts. ‘Come on!’

  But they're too far ahead. By the time the PC gets in the front of the car and we get in the back, we've no chance of catching them, they've disappeared. ‘Bastards, we should have got them!’

  Helen's staring at me with her mouth open. ‘What happened, Beth?’

  Nick looks at me in the overhead mirror. ‘Yes, what happened, Beth?’

  PC Felicity Bell's talking on her phone, so he lowers his voice.

  ‘I thought I told you to stay inside, it was just for a couple of days, now do you see why it was so important for me to add the tracker to your phone?’

  Helen looks at Nick, then back at me. ‘It's my fault. I should never have let you come with me today.’

  ‘It's not your fault,’ Nick groans. ‘If Beth had stayed at home, none of this would have happened.’

  I don't say anything, what's the point. We sit in silence for a few minutes then PC Felicity Bell tells Nick there's been an incident at the White Horse pub and to drop her off.

  The PC gets out, Nick asks me to get in the front with him.

  ‘What did they do to you?’ he asks, as soon as I get in and start buckling up.

  So, I tell him. Helen gasps with shock, Nick looks angry.

  ‘I'm taking you both back to my place then we can decide what to do.’

  ‘No, Nick, I want to go home.’

  I can tell he's not happy, but he drives us to Mum's house. Helen goes to make tea, I ask her to get out the brandy, I need something strong.

  Nick grabs me gently by the shoulders.

  ‘Are you sure you'll be okay, it's no problem having you both stay for a while, I have plenty of room.’

  ‘Look Nick, I told you before, I can take care of myself, they don't know who they're dealing with.’ I'm shaking with anger and kick the kitchen door. ‘When I get my hands on those bastards.’

  ‘Are you out of your mind?’ Nick yells, looking at me as if I'm crazy. ‘You think you're so tough, but you don't know who you're dealing with.’

  ‘And I suppose you do? I thought you didn't know who they were, Nick.’

  His eyes nearly pop out of his head when I say this.

  ‘Of course, I don't know who they are...’ His voice trails off. It's as if he's struggling to control himself then he turns and walks to the door. ‘If you need me, you know where to find me.’ He turns on his heel and leaves.

  Through the window I can see him talking to the young police officer, then he gets in his car, winds down the window and looks over at me.

  ‘Remember what I said, Beth, don’t go out.’

  13

  Helen comes over and hugs me. ‘I don't know how you do it, if it were me, I'd...’ She shakes her head and squeezes my hand. ‘You've been through a lot Beth, but this has got to stop.’

  I know what she means but say nothing.

  ‘Is there any brandy or something strong?’ she mutters, looking around the kitchen.

  I point to one of the kitchen cupboards. ‘It’s up there, the one on the right, can you reach it?’

  She nods. ‘I wish I didn't listen to you. I should've gone to the house by myself. It's the second time it's happened.’ She grabs the bottle, picks up two glasses from the draining board and unscrews the cap. ‘You're in terrible danger, next time you won't be so lucky.’

  ‘Don’t be so dramatic Helen.’

  She fills the two glasses to the top, hands one to me, I gulp it down.

  ‘I know what you mean, this time was different. The first time, I managed to get away, but this time, it was planned, there were two of them.’

  I sit staring into my glass trying to remember, it was something in the local paper. Then I remember. It was a terrible case which was headline news in Oxford - young girls were raped and abused for years by a gang of men, nobody believed them, not even the police.

  ‘Are you alright, Beth?’ Helen asks, shaking me gently. ‘Maybe you should see a doctor?’

  ‘I'm fine, I was just thinking about something, nothing to do with this.’ If Helen knew she'd shit herself with worry, so I'm not going to tell her.

  ‘Beth, promise me you'll leave it to the police, it's their job, they'll find them.’ Then she grabs my hand. ‘Shouldn’t Nick have taken you to be examined, you know, in case they found… Well, for forensics.’

  ‘It didn’t get that far, Helen.’

  ‘I just thought they might find something.’ She goes to top up my glass, I stop her.

  ‘I need a shower and some fresh air, I can't stay in here.’

  ‘But you can't, you heard what Nick said....’

  ‘I don't care what he said, it will do us good to get out of this place.’

  I race upstairs, stand under the shower, I want to wash every trace of their filthy hands away.

  I rub myself dry, get dressed and run downstairs.

  ‘Are you ready, Helen?’

  She sits staring at me.

  There's a knock at the front door.

  She rushes to open it.

  In comes Nick.

  I grab my jacket and head for the door, Nick stands in my way.

  ‘Beth, I don't want you going anywhere.’

  ‘Who asked you?’ I growl, pushing past him.

  He grabs my arm and shakes me. ‘Calm down, the police are guarding the house, but if you go outside how on earth can they protect you?’

  I shake off his arm. He grabs me again.

  ‘What are you doing, Nick?’

  He looks nervous and worried.

  ‘Has this happened before Nick? What aren't you telling me?’

  He looks startled for a minute then shakes his head. ‘It's better if you don't know, these men are dangerous.’

  So, I was right. ‘Tell me, Nick, I want to know.’

  He says nothing, just
stands looking at me, a strange look on his face.

  Helen comes over and puts her arm around my shoulder. ‘If you know something Nick, you must tell her, she has a right to know.’

  ‘Okay, if you must know there have been a few attacks in the area, but we're onto them. If you stay inside, you'll be alright.’

  I clench my fists thinking about those girls I read about, how they suffered for so many years, it's only recently that those guilty of abusing and raping them were finally brought to justice.

  ‘Tell me about it, Nick, I need to know.’

  His lips are set in a thin hard line, his eyes search my face then he looks away. ‘You said one of them was vicious, he wanted to…’ His voice cracks, he swallows. ‘The torture intended for you was used on this woman.’

  I feel sick, is it possible that another group, just like those horrendous men who were recently jailed are out there doing the same thing?

  Helen has a look of horror on her face. Nick's pacing around the kitchen.

  He swings round and looks at me. ‘Do you still want to go out, Beth?’

  I nod. ‘I can't stay in here, I don't feel safe, we'd be better off in a hotel.’

  He looks at Helen, then at me. ‘Right, get a few things together, I'm taking you back to my house, there's plenty of room.’

  I start to say something, but he cuts me off. ‘Beth, you'll both be safe with me. It will give us time to sort something out.’

  Before I can say anything, Helen's running upstairs.

  ‘I'll get some things together for us.’ She stops and looks at me. ‘We can't stay here.’

  Nick opens the back door, pulls out his phone and talks to someone.

  A few minutes later, we’re in his car.

  ‘Don't worry, I've arranged for two armed officers to be outside my house, you'll be perfectly safe.’

  He's driving fast down the country lanes – he’s going faster and faster - I hang on tight - every time we go around a bend, Nick's thigh presses against mine.

  ‘Slow down Nick,’ Helen shouts, from the back seat.