Escape From the Country Page 4

  “What happened? Shit! Are you ok?” He pulled some of the boxes away to help him out of the pile of debris the young man was engulfed in, but soon noticed the amount of blood that was staining everything around them. Simon, clearly shocked by what had happened, held his arm as best he could but assured Chris he was ok.

  “My arm’s hurt pretty bad but I think I’ll be fine. I’m so sorry, I must have knocked into the pile trying to find your wife. I’m so sorry, I hope nothing’s broken?”

  “Julie?” Chris questioned. “I didn’t know she was back yet?” He quickly looked around but couldn’t see anything apart from the mess of toppled boxes and a randomly open drawer. He pulled a chair over and told Simon to sit down. The blood was beginning to seep through his grip and needed immediate attention. Chris grabbed a towel from the airing cupboard upstairs and tied it around Simon’s arm. He winced at the pain but the bleeding seemed to slow. “Did you say you saw Julie?”

  “I assume that’s your wife, yeah. I was just finishing up when I thought I saw a woman walk past me. I’m really sorry, this is all my fault.”

  “Seriously, it’s not, I should have emptied those boxes days ago, it was stupid piling them up like that.”

  “Maybe, but I mean I was just trying to be polite. She didn’t know I was here and I didn’t want to embarrass her.”

  “Embarrass her? What are you talking about?”

  “She must have just got out of the shower or something when she walked through, she didn’t have much on. I was just trying to let her know I was here without me seeing, well, you know. I’m sorry, I’m good now I’ll just be off.” He began to stand but Chris urged him to sit for just a moment longer to make sure he was ok. As he was trying to make sense of it all he heard the front door go.

  “Julie, is that you?” He shouted with accusation in his voice.

  “Yeah, what’s up?” Concern in hers.

  “I text you earlier to tell you the electrician’s coming around.” His voice a hush now but the anger still clear. “What the hell?”

  “Wait, I don’t’ know what you mean, what’s happened?” He was sure he’d caught her out but something didn’t feel right. Her reaction wasn’t the same as when he’d caught her before, either meaning she’d got better at lying or she really had nothing to do with it. The anger was too much to handle and he continued his charge at her.

  “You know what I’m talking about. Coming down here with nothing on, “accidently” bumping into the guy and getting off on his reaction.” As the words fell from his mouth he realised how crazy it sounded, but felt justified after everything they’d been through.

  “What the fuck Chris?” She exploded stepping back from her husband. “I’ve been out in the village doing some shopping. Not that you can call it that with only two freaking shops to pick from! I’ve just got back. I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about?”

  The little colour left in his face drained away, leaving him as speechless as he was with the paramedics, except this time he wasn’t even witness to the problem. His aggression faded and his eyes betrayed his guilt. Julie pushed past him and went to drop her things in the kitchen.

  “What the hell happened in here? Shit, are you ok?”

  Simon stood immediately as Julie entered the room, still apologising and began to gather his tools.

  “I’m so sorry, I’d better go. Geoff can send you the bill if that’s ok. I’d be grateful if you wouldn’t mention this, I really need this job. If anything’s damaged please just let me know and I’ll pay for it.” Simon picked up his tools as best he could and started for the front door.

  “Wait, you can’t drive with your arm like that.” Chris said, walking after him trying to stop the young man from leaving.

  “It’s ok, I only live a few roads down. My girlfriend’s home so she can pop back and pick the van up. I’m really sorry.” He turned and hurried past his van and onto the road. Chris tried to chase after him but soon realised the lad just wanted to get away as he disappeared behind the fence. He slowly turned and was met with a deathly glare from his wife. For what felt like an eternity they stood there in the hall, staring at each other, both hurt by what had been said, neither completely innocent. Julie turned first and stormed up the stairs to the bathroom to have a shower. Rubbing his temples, Chris decided to salvage what he could from the day and apologise, hoping to quickly get past whatever had happened. As he approached the closed door he could already hear the shower running. He knocked and called after her.

  “Go away.” She shouted over the sound of the running water.

  “I’m sorry, I over reacted, I didn’t mean it.” Even he could hear his own self defeat and grovelling tone.

  “I don’t want to talk about it Chris. I thought we were over this. That’s why I came to this bloody place remember. Just leave me alone, I’ll talk to you later.” All he could hear was the constant running water, broken by the occasional movement and splash against the base of the bath. Chris decided that maybe a rest might do them both some good and headed straight for his bedroom. He shut the door behind him and laid on the bed. The sun was coming around and shone over half the room through the large windows looking over the back garden. He laid there for a few minutes, staring at the cloudless sky and listening to the summer birds chatter in the trees. As he tried to adjust himself to a more comfortable position he realised how tired he felt and how much his muscles were aching. He hadn’t done anything strenuous, but between the hangover and the recent drama, it was easy to see why he was so exhausted. His eyes became heavy, so much that he gave in to the feeling that comforted him when nothing else could, like a blanket he relaxed into the sensation of oncoming sleep. The room went dark leaving nothing but a man’s voice.

  Chapter Nine

  The sun rose around 5am and beamed through the thin curtains and onto the couple in their slumber. Jack moaned as he realised it was time to get up and seize the day. He pulled the wrinkled sheet from himself with little regard to his wife, sleeping soundly next to him. He gave a grunt as he imagined the work ahead of him whilst she’d continue to lie there for several hours yet. He knew he needed to get as much done as quickly as possible this morning as Charles the wool trader would be round at lunchtime. Jack needed his wits about him and couldn’t have his attention drawn by his usual daily routine. His aim was to be ready by 11am, hoping he wasn’t right in his suspicions but knew deep down he was.

  Once the sheep were fed Jack chose to work in the barn sharpening his tools. He’d easily hear Charles’ car pull up and could time his entrance perfectly. It wasn’t long until he heard the distinctive sound of the car rattling up to the house. He was sure to stay quiet so not to be noticed. He didn’t want to tip off Margaret, although if she had seen him, it wouldn’t matter. It was quite feasible he’d need to sharpen the sheers and other tools ready for that time of year. After ten minutes of waiting his impatience got the better of him. He peered out of the barn door and could see the pair embraced in each other’s arms already, wasting no time in their infidelity. Within a heartbeat Jack burst through the kitchen door, alarming the pair, causing them to break free from each other in a vain attempt to disguise the obvious truth.

  “How dare you come into my home and take advantage of my wife like this!” Jack bellowed.

  “Ok Jack, calm down, I’m sure we can sort this out. Come to some sort of arrangement?” Charles calmly replied whilst adjusting his shirt and tie. The initial look of shock had left him and was now thinking clearly, knowing he still had the upper hand.

  “Calm down? Who do you think I am boy?” Jack’s rage now becoming uncontrollable.

  “I think you’re the guy that needs my father’s business to save this shit tip of a farm. Without me, you’re finished.” Jack paused, frozen in thought. Charles had a point. Times were hard enough and without his father’s business to buy the wool as frequently as he did at such a reasonable price, he could land himself in poverty. He felt his face begin to ache wit
h frustration and his fists clench. As reality hit, his grip loosened as his soul started to die. As he gazed down at his humble workman’s clothes a glint of sunlight reflected off the young man’s pocket watch. The watch’s value alone would feed Jack and Margaret for a month. What chance did he have tackling someone is such high standing? He could tell Margaret was staring at the floor with the occasional guilty glance to her humiliated husband but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her. Perhaps he hadn’t treated her the way a husband should, but in his mind, she was his and she had no right to betray him in such a way. He resigned himself to leave the room and go back to his work in the barn.

  “Besides, it wasn’t like I took advantage Jack. She was there for the picking.” His smug attitude and distasteful demeanour was more than Jack could bear. Before he knew it, his fist had swung and met Charles’ mouth. The young man was down on his back, across the dirty kitchen floor, blood spilling from his mouth and nose. Margaret was in shock. She’d known this was all her fault, anything for a bit of excitement over the dull routine of a farmer’s wife, but she knew she’d taken things much too far.

  “Jack, stop. No!” She yelled, but it was all too late. They all knew what was to come.

  “That’s it Winshaw! You’re through. There’s plenty of other sheep farmers around. My father doesn’t need to deal with a fool the likes of you!” The young man crawled to his feet in the direction of the front door, dabbing his face with his handkerchief, red stains covering most of it, ruining the garment beyond repair. The door slammed with Jack staring after him, realising what his loss of temper would cost him. Margaret started to weep uncontrollably but Jack just stood there, staring as if he could see a vision of his future, penniless and humiliated. Margaret’s sobbing pulled him back to reality and began to grate on his already short fuse.

  “Shut up.” He said mildly at first. “Shut up!” A little louder, but she couldn’t control the floods of tears falling from her face. “This is all your fault! You couldn’t help yourself you whore! I take you in before you become the local spinster, give you a roof to live under and food on the table and this is how you repay me?” His eyes were possessed with fury and his body trembled with rage.

  “I’m sorry.” Is all she can manage between the crying.

  “Sorry? That’s all you’ve got! After the mess we’re in now?” Margaret started to regain some composure and now anger and frustration built in her.

  “Well at least he knew how to treat a woman. Not like you. Yeah, you’ve taken me in, but it’s not like I had any other choice. I didn’t want to be here, it was this or sleeping rough. Maybe I should have turned you down after all.” Her words come spitting from her mouth like venom until she realised what she’d said. Her eyes became wide and then instantly remorseful. “Wait, Jack, please, no!” His entire mass came flying towards her and then all was dark.

  Chapter Ten

  The room seemed duller than before. He put it down to cloud cover as he never drew the curtains before going to sleep. He heard it again, a man’s voice, coming from downstairs. He couldn’t be sure how long he’d been out for but knew he didn’t feel better for it. Groggy and finding it an effort to stand he opened the bedroom door and crossed the landing. For a split second the walls looked different. Old and worn, discoloured and old fashioned. He blinked several times and they returned to brilliant white with their glossy finished skirting boards and clean-cut edges. As he reached the bottom of the stairs he stumbled but managed to catch himself on the banister.

  “You alright?” A half-hearted voice of concern came from the living room.

  “Not really, no.” Chris replied.

  “Look I don’t know what your…”

  “Shut it!” Chris interrupted. “I’ve had it with you parading yourself around like the local whore! I saw you earlier with him, getting close and making yourself feel wanted and chased after.”

  “Chris, what the hell are you talking about?”

  “Did I say you could talk? Did I?” Julie sat their dumbfounded. She’s never seen this side of him before. Sure, he was a bit of a lad when they met, but deep down he was a gentle giant, just one of the rugby lads. She was so shocked she just sat there, shaking her head in bemusement.

  “Good. Now I’m telling you for the last time, you stay away from him and anyone else of his kind.”

  “Who are you talking about?” She dared to ask.

  “Charles of course you stupid bitch!” Julie wasn’t sure of the electrician’s name, so assumed that was who he was talking about.

  “Ok.”

  “What?”

  “Ok I said. I understand. I know I’ve not given you any reason lately to trust me and that’s going to have to come with time. I just want a chance to build things with you again. If you’d just please calm down, I’d really like to tell you about where I’d like to go for dinner this weekend and maybe we could try that date night thing we talked about on the way up here? You know, as if we’d just started seeing each other again? I found a place in the village. It’s not the that fancy but I think it would be nice all the same.” She waited in baited breath, hoping for some positive sign from her irate husband. She knew she’d done no wrong this time, but that didn’t excuse her entirely.

  “Ok, I’m glad you agree.” Chris said with a sign of composure returning to him.

  He sat on the sofa next to his petite wife as she shuffled towards him. She flicked her long blond hair back over her shoulder, a trick she knew would get his attention. Doing her best not to show how nervous she really was, she leaned in tentatively for a kiss. A moment’s pause set her on edge as her lips met his with no reaction. She held fast and hoped for something, anything to show that everything’s going to be alright. He lifted his hand and brushed his fingers through her hair. Before long they were in the throes of passion. Relief flowing through Julie’s entire body, feeling back in control, only to be tugged at sharply by Chris’ unusual aggressive form. Although she’d never experienced this side of his personality, she’d be lying to herself if she thought she didn’t entirely like it. Unexpected and slightly uncomfortable as it felt, she couldn’t help but get turned on by his controlling nature. He lifted her in his muscular arms and carried her across the room and up the stairs to the bedroom. She smiled to herself as she started to liken herself to Jane from a Tarzan movie or a cave girl helplessly taken to be had with however her captor chose. He flung her on the bed and her fantasy continued to play out.

  Later that night Julie laid in bed staring at the clear night sky, hypnotised by the countless stars she could see. So many more than she had ever seen in the city with all of its light pollution. She took a quick glance across at her sleeping husband and then at the red marks on her arms. She’d never been a fan of the S&M scene, but the aggression he’d shown was an exciting new experience, painful as it might have been. She looked back out the window, wondering what other new experiences this new house would bring.

  Chapter Eleven

  Moving in seemed like ages ago even though it’d only been a few weeks. It was most likely the challenges they’d encountered that made their time spent there feel a lot longer than it had been. Chris was now back in the swing of work again and was off to see his first client since moving in. As he hadn’t secured any new work locally, he was still relying on repeat business from back in the city until word spread nearer by. His first appointment was at 9am. With an hour’s drive to get there through the rush hour traffic, he was up and out of the house well before Julie had even noticed he was gone. She was very conscious of Chris’ underlying comments and unsubtle hints that she needed to get a job. She’d never really stuck at anything before which led her to a career in general everyday jobs. She’d tried her hand at office based work once or twice, but couldn’t handle the feeling of being tied down, shackled to a desk all day. As much as she hated dealing with customers, the job that suited her best was in retail, clothing specifically. She’d worked for most major high street shops
but after a year, found herself bored and would move on, sometimes just next door for the sake of a change. Although it’d never paid tremendously well compared to Chris, she hadn’t been dependent on a car, so the cost of living was significantly lower. The occasional bus journey was as much as she had to put up with. Usually she could just walk to work providing the weather would allow it. She did wonder sometimes whether the money she saved on not running a car was just spent on the spontaneous shopping trips she made from being in the heart of the high street. She often thought it was most unfair to be put to the test in such a way by being surrounded by all these new and shiny things constantly.

  Living rurally, travel would cause an issue now and she thought she might be better off looking for a car to buy before venturing for a job. Plus, that sounded like a lot more fun. After a few moments though, she decided against the idea. Spending several thousand pounds probably wouldn’t please Chris as much as it would be earning that much. After she’d got herself together and had some breakfast which could be classed as lunch by now, she sat herself down on the sofa, iPad in hand and started to sift through the job offers on each of the job vacancy apps she’d downloaded. It was another sunny day so most of the windows were open, allowing a nice cool breeze to flow through the house. With all the windows open, it was natural to hear more of what was going on outside. A thud from upstairs shook her from her concentration. She looked at the clock and realised it was nearly one o’clock. It was possible Chris had returned home, although she hadn’t heard him come in.