Chapter 40: Elliot - The Foster Child

To be honest the last thing I want to do is go out. I don’t want to mix with Scott too much, especially since I found out that he used to be a policeman, but Cora really wants to go and we turned them down last time. So I agree. I can tell that she’s worried about me and I’m trying to act as normal, but how can I when Rocky’s murderer is on the loose and threatening to come after me? I’m worried for Cora’s safety too. I’m the target but what if she gets injured in the crossfire? I know I should go to the police, but if I do they will probably charge me with Rocky’s murder. There doesn’t seem to be a way out. I just have to wait and be ready to defend myself.

‘Ready?’ Cora asks. She looks gorgeous in an emerald-green knitted dress with a black buckled belt, three-quarter black faux fur jacket and black boots. I’m glad I changed into my dark brown cords and a cream collarless shirt.

‘I just need to grab my jacket,’ I tell her.

* * *

A few minutes later we set off for The Wandering Sheep. As Gabby told us, Thatchbury does Christmas in a big way and the streets are illuminated with twinkling lights and sparkling Christmas trees in what seems to be every house window. The pub is all decorated up and there’s a log fire burning in the lounge. I now realise what I’ve been missing all the years going abroad for Christmas.

Gabby and Scott are sitting at a table in the corner and wave to us when we come in. Scott has a pint on the table in front of him and Gabby is sipping a cocktail.

‘How are you feeling? Any problems?’ I ask Scott as we take our seats.

‘All good. I have to be careful not to eat on that side, but that’s a minor inconvenience. I’m very grateful to you for seeing me at such short notice, especially as I wasn’t a client at the time,’ he replies. ‘I was worried about leaving it over Christmas, apart from the pain I didn’t want it to infect my gums. My nan lost her teeth that way.’

‘Well you don’t have to worry about that now, it’s out and your gum is fine,’ Elliot told him. ‘And I’m delighted to have two new clients on my books.’

‘Well tonight is on us. Order whatever you like.’ Scott raises his hand, palm outwards. ‘And no argument.’

‘That’s very kind of you, thank you,’ I say.

‘I’m drinking a Jingle Fizz, it’s delicious. Want a taste? I’ve only drunk out of this straw,’ Gabby says to Cora. There are two black straws in the glass.

‘Thanks.’ Cora takes a sip and nods. ‘I’ll have one too.’

The waitress interrupts us to take our drink order and leave a menu with us. She returns a few minutes later with the drinks and takes our food order. Cora chooses salmon, she’s not a massive meat eater, as does Gabby. Scott and I go for steak.

The two women are soon chatting and giggling together leaving me and Scott to make small talk. I like Scott but I don’t think we have a lot in common and am happy to let him do most of the talking.

‘You’ve got an impressive dental clinic,’ Scott says. ‘You and your partner must be doing very well.’

‘We get by. We’re hoping to expand in the new year,’ I tell him.

‘Have you always been a dentist?’ he asks. ‘It takes a few years to train, doesn’t it?’

I take a sip of my beer then nod. ‘Yeah, I worked all sorts of jobs to see me through uni but it’s the only career I ever wanted.’

‘I was like that with the police. Signed up as soon as I left school,’ he replies.

The waitress brings our food, interrupting any further conversation for a while. Then Gabby starts talking about their Christmas plans and thankfully Scott doesn’t ask any more questions.

It’s actually a pleasant evening and we all walk home together, me and Cora arm in arm as are Scott and Gabby.

‘Thank you again for treating us,’ Cora says when we reach their gate. ‘It’s very generous of you.’

‘It’s a pleasure,’ Scott replies.

‘We must meet up again some time over Christmas,’ Gabby says.

‘That would be great. I’m sure we’ll see each other before then though. You’re going to the village carol service, aren’t you?’

‘I’m going with Rea and the children, but Scott will be at work,’ Gabby replies.

‘We’ll see you there then,’ Cora says.

We wave and carry on up the hill to Virginia Cottage.

A slight unease comes over me as we get closer, wondering what we’ll be greeted with. But thankfully everything is fine.

Cora thinks that it was Caleb and he’s decided he’s done enough. But I know it isn’t. It was Rocky. I’ve no idea who it is now though. And that terrifies me.

I go into the kitchen to make a drink while Cora nips to the loo. And a good job too because there’s a Christmas card propped up on the kettle. My mouth goes dry and I stare at it. Someone has been into the cottage and put it here. Why didn’t I get an alert from the doorbell camera? They must have bypassed the system somehow. Which means that they can get in anytime. We’re not safe. Not even when we sleep at night.

My hand trembles as I pick up the card, wondering what the bastard has written this time. I hear Cora come downstairs and quickly open the garage door and slip the card in there. I can’t risk her finding it.

* * *

I open it later when she’s gone to bed. It’s a condolence card. My stomach heaves when I read the message.

YOUR FINAL WEEK.