The phone buzzed on the table and Steve ignored it with a practiced wave of his hand. The number flashed again. His wife Jenny sighed and nodded toward it. “You could have won your dream home, you know,” she said.
“Yeah, that’ll be it. ”
The call rang off. Then it started again. “Leave it,” Jenny said.
But Steve picked it up anyway. “Hello. Yeah, love, no, listen, I think you need to amend your database, because we live on a barge. My chemical toilet needs emptying.
Okay, bye. ”
He hung up and shook his head. Jenny laughed. “What are you on about?
You need to get out more. ”
“You know what? It’s not a bad idea. They should be allowed to withhold the numbers when they call.
”
Jenny smiled and changed the subject. “What time are you two setting off? ”
“When Madame here has had her nap. ”
“Hey,” Jenny protested, but she was laughing.
“This time next week you’ll be driving patients around. ”
“Yep. And then back to paramedic training in September. ”
“I’m so pleased you’re keeping your hand in, kid.
”
“Patience will be all,” Steve said. “Thanks. ”
Jenny stood up, gave him a quick kiss, and headed for the door. “Right, listen, honey.
I’ve got Gemma and Summer in the shop. So please make sure you don’t rip up the ground on the way out. ”
“Bases are covered. Go and have a blast.
”
“Thank you. I think it’s going to be long walks and log fires and hot chocolate. ”
“Sounds perfect. ”
“Not without you.
I’d ask you to come with. ”
“No, no, no. Never in a million. She needs some alone time with her dad.
”
“Thank you for always understanding. And I will be back by Wednesday lunchtime. ”
“Right. Where’s my phone?
”
“It’s Carl,” Jenny said, glancing at the screen. “Oh. He knows. He probably wants a rematch.
”
Steve answered the call with a lightness he didn’t quite feel. Carl, his half-brother, was a sore subject with Jenny. She’d never approved of the way Carl moved through life, and Steve had started to think she might have a point. Later, Steve was standing in the corner of the café with his friend Tim, nursing a coffee, when Tim decided to give his opinion on the situation.
“So, what’s this with you and Carl? He’s the Weatherfield bike, you know. Everyone’s had a go. ”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Steve said.
“Well, what’s in it for you? You deserve someone nice. Honorable. At least pretend to value yourself.
Tell him it was a one-off. ”
“I think you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be single. ”
“I remember what it’s like to be in the wrong kind of relationship. And there’s nothing lonelier.
You’ll fall for him, he’ll run for the hills. He’s got form. ”
“I know what you’re saying. So come on.
Spill. What have you said? ”
“Sorry, babe. Not feeling it.
See you around like a donut. ”
“And how does that feel? ”
“Can’t lie. Pretty damn good.
”
Tim’s phone buzzed and he grinned at it. “Is that your new boyfriend? ”
“It’s just a little bit of post-match analysis. ”
“Yeah?
Well, you were texting all day yesterday. Should I be worried? ”
“I am loved up in hetero heaven. But yes, I am enjoying a bromance.
He’s very dry. And he says I’m very funny. ”
“Well, he’s right there then. ”
“I mean, Tim’s my homie, you know.
But he can be very clingy. ”
Tim pulled a face. “Oh, so this will be Ben now, I suppose. Well, I’d better give you a bit of privacy.
”
Steve waved him off and answered the next call with a professional lilt. “Hello, Ben Driscoll’s office. How may I direct your call? Oh, sorry.
Yeah, Steve speaking. What can I get you? ”
The voice on the other end was cold. “Bernie saw me.
”
Steve clenched his jaw. “Ah. I hurt your feelings. ”
“No chance.
Life’s too short for birds who blow hot and cold. Fly away to go, please. ”
“Birds,” Steve muttered after hanging up. “They’re fairer and superior sex.
”
Across the café, Bernie was dealing with her own drama. She’d been helping in the shop, minding her own business, when a woman nearly knocked over a display with a careless shove of her trolley. “Watch what you’re doing, you clown. That thing’s lethal,” the woman snapped.
“I’m sorry. I’m sure,” Bernie said. “But there’s no need to bite my head off. ”
“She’s a feisty one.
”
” You call that an apology? Roy’s expecting me. You can’t go swinging a metal box around like an idiot. ”
“Cheers, Bernie.
I’ll see you around like a donor. ”
Bernie turned to whoever was near and grinned. “He’s mad about me. ”
“He shouldn’t mess with people’s feelings.
Should mean what you say and say what you mean. ”
Bernie shrugged. Then her face brightened. “So, where’s the dry cleaners?
You don’t suppose you’ve seen my book? ”
“What? ”
“You know, the one I had in the white tights book. I’ve searched high and low.
I spent a few quid on that, you know. More than an early edition Wilkie Collins does not come cheap. ”
“Well, maybe it’s just fallen into someone’s delivery bag or something. ”
“Possibly.
To say some of them are slapdash would be an understatement. ”
“Look, I can’t see someone robbing it by accident. ”
“Me neither. That would be spiteful.
I mean, cigarettes beeps, chocolate that I could understand. But a moldy old book. Nah. Kill me now.
”
“You’ve remembered where you’ve left it, haven’t you? ”
“I think I know where I might find it. ”
Over at the café counter, Roy was being patient with a nervous man who kept looking around as if expecting an ambush. The man’s name was Malcolm, and he’d been a regular for a while.
Roy knew him as a quiet, polite customer, but today he seemed different. “Everything okay? ” Roy asked. “Fine.
Fine. Just a bit of business, that’s all. ”
Roy didn’t push it. But when Malcolm reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded letter, Roy caught a glimpse of a name he recognized.
“Is that Steve McDonald’s name on there? ”
Malcolm’s face reddened. “That’s my business. ”
“I think it’s my business too, if it concerns my friend.
”
Malcolm stuffed the letter away. “I’m just a bit of a mess. I’ve been trying to forget something, that’s all. ”
“Forget something, or forget someone?
”
Malcolm looked at him for a long moment. “You know what it’s like when someone gets under your skin and you can’t get them out? ”
Roy said nothing, but his expression shifted. “I’ve been in love with someone for a long time,” Malcolm went on.
“I thought I could move on, but I can’t. I see her every day, and I can’t say what I feel. ”
“Her? ”
“Him,” Malcolm corrected, and Roy’s eyes widened.
“I think you need to be careful,” Roy said. “I’m just saying, a man can’t live his whole life pretending. You know what that’s like, don’t you? ”
Roy let out a long breath.
“I think I do. ”
The next morning, Steve got a message from his sister Debbie. She wanted to meet for coffee, which was unusual. Debbie didn’t do casual coffee.
When they sat down, she looked thinner than he remembered, and her eyes were sharp. “I need to ask you something,” she said. “Go on. ”
“Do you have the money to lend me two grand?
”
Steve blinked. “That’s a lot of money. What’s it for? ”
Debbie looked at her hands.
“It’s for Carl. ”
“Carl? ” Steve’s voice hardened. “Why would you give Carl two grand?
”
“Because he’s in trouble. He owes someone. A landlord named Rick. He’s put me down as his guarantor.
”
“Can’t you just tell the landlord it’s fraud? He forged your signature, surely. ”
“Then they’ll have to get a handwriting expert. And who’s going to pay for that?
Just tell the landlord you’ve had legal advice, get Adam Barlow to write you a letter. This Rick sounds like a right thug. He wants his money. He’s got my name.
He’s got my address. He’s got my flipping blood group. It’s like something out of a horror film. ”
“Well, why would you have signed anything for him in the first place?
”
“Because he’s my son, Steve. Whether you like it or not, he’s my son. ”
“He’s a con man, Debbie. He’s more than damaged, he’s wrong.
And you might be feeling the love for him, but it’s a one-way street. Believe me. ”
“You don’t know him. ”
“I know exactly what he is.
”
Debbie’s voice shook. “Can you transfer the money or not? Yes or no? ”
“Look, I didn’t want to tell you this.
He tried to ruin you. Him and his associates, they had their sights set on the Chariot Square Hotel. ”
“Can you be any more vague? Just stop the character assassination and do what I’m asking.
”
“You just don’t know who you’re dealing with. ”
“Yes, I do. My son. ”
Steve stared at her.
“Debbie, he’s not your son in anything but name. You’ve only just met him. ”
“When I was away, he had no one. My mom and dad stepped in, but it wasn’t the same.
He always felt like he didn’t belong. And that’s because of me. I abandoned him. ”
“No, you’re rewriting history.
”
“Maybe. But it’s all I’ve got. ”
Steve sighed and pulled out his phone. “How much did you say?
Two grand? I’ll transfer it now. ”
“Don’t know how you do it,” Debbie said, her voice soft. Steve shrugged.
“Must be that whack-a-mole job I do with my head. Goes in thick and fast. It’s a walk in the park compared to looking after the quads. ”
Debbie smiled weakly.
“I’d love to meet him. If you want to get off, I’m sure Roy can drop it through your door. ”
“Right. Here’s your hat.
What’s your hurry? ”
“I know Roy’s an honest broker. Thanks for the coffee and the company. Second to none.
”
Debbie left, and Steve sat alone for a moment, staring at the empty chair across from him. That afternoon, Roy’s café had an uncomfortable interruption. Malcolm came in, looking determined. He locked the door behind him, and Roy, standing at the counter, felt the temperature drop.
“Bear with me,” Malcolm said. “Come on now. You need to stop this nonsense and unbolt the door. ”
“I just want to talk to you, Roy.
”
“I know what you want to talk about. ”
“You do,” Malcolm said. “Good. Then you know I’m not a threat.
You know that about me, right? ”
“I know you, Malcolm. I’ll have your guts regardless. ”
“I think about you all the time.
I’ve got all these feelings for you, and I don’t know where to put them. ”
“I’m happily married,” Roy said firmly. “You say that, but three weeks ago? ”
“Three weeks ago, I was off my face.
That’s what you mean, isn’t it? ”
“Twenty-five days and thirteen hours ago, before you popped that pill, we kissed. ”
“I never kissed you back. ”
“Oh, Bernie,” Malcolm said, mocking him.
“Come on now. You’ve done this all out of proportion. We kissed, that’s all. ”
“We kissed, and I counted one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi.
”
“You are a force of nature, Malcolm. A magnificent woman. But this is not happening. ”
Later, Steve found Roy cleaning a spill with more force than necessary.
“All right, Roy? ”
“Fine. Just a bit of nonsense. ”
“Who was that I saw leaving?
”
“No one. Just a customer with an overactive imagination. ”
Steve let it go. The next day, Brian received a visit at his house.
He was surprised when he opened the door and saw his daughter Hope’s boyfriend standing there with an old book in his hand. “Er, afternoon. I just wondered if you’d accidentally taken my book. ”
“What’s this about?
”
“Ah, inadvertently borrowed it, I mean. It’s one of my most prized possessions. Wilkie Collins, early edition. ”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree.
Hope, have you seen this man’s book? ”
Hope appeared behind him, looking offended. “I ain’t touched a stupid book. ”
“No need to be rude,” the boy muttered.
” Mr. Pek, if you don’t mind,” Brian said. “And no, we don’t have your book. You should have told me if she’d robbed it.
What made you think of Hope? ”
“We had a frank exchange of views, that’s all. ”
“Right. Well, I’ll not keep you any longer.
”
After the boy left, Brian closed the door and turned to Hope. “Who else is on your list of suspects? ”
“He thinks someone in his delivery bag took it,” Hope said. “Honestly, Dad, I’m pretty shocked.
That’s a serious accusation. ”
“Well, you’re a resilient young lady. I’m sure you’ll bounce back. ”
Hope rolled her eyes and went back inside.
At the café, Steve caught up with Debbie again. “You going to log on to that online thing, then? ”
“What for? ”
“To find out more about Carl.
You need to know who you’re dealing with. ”
“I already know who I’m dealing with. ”
“No, you don’t. You know a version of him.
There’s a difference. ”
Debbie was quiet. Then she said, “He’s a private investigator now. Did you know that?
”
Carl had changed career paths, apparently. He’d set up a small office above the dry cleaner’s, and he was advertising his services on a little board by the door. Steve saw it when he walked past. “Private Investigator,” the sign read.
“Discreet. Reliable. Affordable. ”
Steve snorted.
“Discreet. That’ll be the day. ”
Inside, Carl was sitting behind a desk that looked too big for the room. He spotted Steve through the window and waved him in.
“Steve. Come on in. Take a seat. ”
“I’ll stand.
”
“Suit yourself. What do you want? ”
“You know what I want, Carl. I want you to leave Debbie alone.
She gave you two grand. That was it. That was the goodbye present. ”
“It wasn’t a goodbye present.
It was an investment. ”
“Investment in what? Your new career? ”
Carl smiled.
“You’d be surprised how much people pay to have their secrets kept. ”
Steve stared at him. “You’re a con man. You’re always going to be a con man.
”
“Are you still doing that paramedic course? ” Carl asked, changing the subject. “I heard you were. Good for you.
You still want to play the hero. ”
“There’s a difference between playing a hero and being one. ”
“Is there? You work in the weatherfield, you drive your little car, you save a few people, and everyone thinks you’re wonderful.
But you’re the same as me, Steve. You just wear a nicer uniform. ”
Steve turned and walked out. The café was busier than usual that afternoon.
Bernie was behind the counter, and Roy was trying to keep the queue moving. Then Malcolm walked in, marched straight to the counter, and said in a loud voice: “Drink a man’s mini bar dry. Slip out to buy drugs. Pump up the volume.
Slither and slide all over him. Drive him to distraction. And then guess what? Turns out she’s not interested.
Greasy little tart with bacon fat in her hair, who had her tongue down my throat for three Mississippi. Folks, turns out she’s not interested in a committed relationship. ”
The whole café went quiet. Roy looked up, his face pale.
“Malcolm, please. ”
“Hello, Bernie,” Malcolm said, ignoring him. “Are you in? On top?
Hang on. I’m sorry about that. I just had to do something. ”
Bernie looked at the counter, then back at Malcolm.
“Everything okay? Can I get you a coffee? ”
“A coffee. Yes.
Long coffee coming up. ”
He stood there, trembling, until Debbie walked in. She took one look at Malcolm, then at Roy, and said, “What’s going on? ”
“Just a customer with a complaint,” Roy said.
“Put yourself in Debbie’s shoes for a minute,” Malcolm said. “Anyone would feel guilty to a point. But she’s convinced herself that Carl had a terrible childhood and she’s a terrible person. That’s not true.
He’s just a crook. But there’s a bigger picture. This two grand is just a start. It’s the tip of the iceberg.
He’ll bleed her dry and then he’ll just disappear. ”
” That’s enough,” Steve snapped, walking in. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. ”
“I’m not talking about your family, Steve.
I’m talking about my own. ”
“Your own? ”
“Catherine. My wife.
She was just like Ernie. She thought she could fix him. She couldn’t. He took her house, her savings, and her dignity.
Then he disappeared. I’m just warning you. ”
Debbie looked at Steve, her face white. “Let me find Carl for you,” Malcolm said.
“Let me help you. ”
“Why would you want to help me? ”
“Because I know what it costs not to. ”
Steve looked at Debbie.
“We’ll find him. We’ll track him down and make him pay. ”
“How? ”
“Private investigators,” Debbie said, looking at Carl’s sign through the window.
“You mean, hire one? ”
“Three heads are better than one, aren’t they? ”
“What about your mates in the regiment? ” Steve asked.
“They’re bound to be on social media. ”
“We’ll look for him. We’ll find him. Bish, bash, bosh.
”
“Go team Steve,” Debbie said grimly. Later that night, Steve was sitting on the barge, phone in his hand. Jenny was still away, and he hadn’t expected to hear from her. But then his sister Tracy called.
“Hey,” Tracy said. “It’s your fave sis. How about we watch Bridesmaids tonight? We could crack open a bottle, order in, tell Didi it’s girls only.
What do you reckon? ”
“I can’t,” Steve said. “I’m already in for the night. ”
“Jeremy’s caved then.
Even better. So you’re home in time for a bottle and a binge. What do you say? ”
Steve looked around the empty barge.
The lights were low. His phone lit up on the table again. Carl’s name. He let it ring.
“No,” he said. “I’m knackered. I could do with an early night myself. ”
“Sure?
”
“Yeah. ”
He ended the call. Then his phone buzzed with a text. It was from Carl.
Since when did he have his number saved like that? Steve opened it. It was a message from Carl’s ex, forwarding a voicemail. “You need to ring me,” the voicemail said.
“It’s about Carl. He’s in hospital. ”
Steve stared at the screen. Then he called his sister back.
“Who was that? ” Tracy asked. “My dad’s ex. ”
“Your dad’s ex?
What did she want? ”
“I don’t know. She said Carl’s in hospital. Since when?
Was he all right? I don’t know. ”
He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. “I’ll ring them right now.
Thank you. Okay. Thanks. Bye.
”
Tracy was saying something, but Steve had already stopped listening. On the way out, his phone buzzed one more time. A new voicemail. He pressed it, and a familiar voice filled the cabin.
“Steve. It’s Carl. I found something you need to see. It’s about Debbie.
It’s about what actually happened with Rick. And it’s not what you think. ”
Steve stood in the dark, rain starting to fall outside, and pressed the number back. The call rang once.
Twice. Three times. The line clicked, and Carl’s voice came through, hoarse and weak. “Steve.
I’m at the Royal. Room 214. Get here before it’s too late.
”
The line went dead.