Strikers Instinct (7 page)

As far as Sue was concerned this was a win/win deal. She and Luke were now extremely wealthy and Luke would now be able to spend more time with the family. However, another bonus was the deal they had made when Lexi was born – Sue was now free to look for another high-profile job! A large salary was no longer a driving force but Sue just wanted one last crack at something big – she wanted to make her mark in the business world before she spent her twilight years in the sun with Luke.”

Harry finally stopped and looked at Ed. “And that, my friend, is where we come in. Sue is a perfect fit for us and she is looking for a new challenge – and it wouldn't do us any harm at all to get Luke on our side.”

Luke sat back in the kitchen of his new house as the silence washed over him. Sue was at work, the kids were at school and the builders had finally left. Silence was a rare pleasure in Luke's life. For many years there had always seemed to be someone shouting for his attention so when he had a chance to immerse himself in peace and quiet he grabbed it with both hands. The only sound seemed to be birdsong drifting in through the open windows.

He gazed around the large, modern kitchen, realising as he looked around that he didn't have a clue what most of these gadgets and devices were for. The kitchen had been designed jointly by Sue and their housekeeper Nell. Actually, the majority of the design had been completed by Nell because sadly Sue wasn't exactly a domestic goddess. Luke shuddered when he thought about some of the meals she had prepared over the years. It was better for everyone that these days Nell made sure that they were always well fed.

Just as he was thinking about Nell, a noise from the far end of the house broke into the silence. Luke sighed, he should have known that it was too good to last. He could hear Nell start up the Hoover and begin her seemingly never-ending battle with the dust left behind by the builders. Luke didn't have the heart to tell her that by the time she had everywhere completely dust free, then the builders would probably be back to work on the rest of the property. On reflection, Luke decided that he would let Sue have that conversation with Nell.

Luke picked up his coffee and walked across to the open patio doors. It was a lovely May morning and he gazed out across the open fields to the woods beyond. He still found it hard to believe that all this belonged to him. More than ever he wished that his father was alive to see all this. Then he laughed to himself when he realised that his father would probably say that all this was too much for one family. Luke sighed again and shook his head. Even after all these years he still missed his father so much.

He turned his attention back to the house. When he had finally decided to sell the business, Sue in turn decided that they needed a new home to use as a base for whatever they planned to do once Luke came home for good. Luke agreed and they drew up a list of essential must-haves and in the months leading up to Luke's return they spent hours searching for the perfect place. They finally discovered a lovely old farmhouse in acres of land surrounded by many outbuildings. Both Luke and Sue fell in love with the place after the first visit and it seemed to tick all the boxes. It was on the outskirts of Wishton, with incredible views over the town but it was still close enough to the kids school and to both Sue's and Luke's mothers. The motorway was only a few minutes away so Sue could easily commute to Manchester.

Sue loved the old red brickwork and the light airy rooms and she quickly drew up a plan which involved knocking down walls and throwing up extensions and a large orangery. Luke agreed with her designs but it was other features of the property that caught his attention. The numerous outbuildings could come in very useful in the future but it was the position of the house that appealed to him most of all. He didn't discuss that aspect with Sue but he wanted to buy somewhere that could be easily defended. If he had mentioned that to Sue she would think he was being melodramatic but then she would probably have become uneasy and wonder why Luke would want to defend the property?

Luke had worked on the fringes of the Security Services for many years and it had slightly altered his outlook on life. He didn't have any big secrets to protect but he would never take any chances with his family so as the work began on the new house he began to incorporate subtle changes of his own into the design. He installed a security gate at the end of the long drive – this meant that callers had to press an intercom before they could gain access. They would then be viewed by various cameras before they were buzzed through. The postman left letters and parcels in a secure steel box by the gate. The exterior of the property was crisscrossed with security devices. There were a couple of obvious, large cameras that looked out on the front and rear of the house – just to deter potential burglars – but there were dozens more hidden devices, cameras, heat and motion detectors.

In addition, each external door had three locks. A traditional deadlock was accompanied by an electronic keypad and was topped off with a biometric fingerprint reader. All these devices were installed in a short space of time by a specialist company who arrive in unmarked vans. The first that Sue knew of this was when she tried to drive up to the house. She had been away for a few days on a conference and on her return she drove up to the new house to check on progress. She was annoyed to find that she couldn't get through the new steel gate at the end of the drive until Luke buzzed her through. Then she was livid to find that her key wouldn't open her lovely new front door.

It took Luke a while to calm her down but he explained that they couldn't take any chances with security and when Sue claimed it was all far too much and that he was playing with “boys toys” – he assured her that within a few days she would be completely used to everything. In fact even Luke was surprised at just how well the family adapted to their new surroundings. After only a few days they already felt completely at home and they loved everything about their new house.

When Luke and Sue had began to earn large salaries they started to invest their money in what some people would consider to be high-risk projects. Luke wanted to do as much as he could to help his old friends in Wishton but Sue was more of a realist. She generally agreed with most of Luke's madcap schemes but she always insisted on some stringent conditions. One of their more sensible projects was to start up a small construction company. To all intents and purposes Wishton Construction seemed to be owned by Bert Knowles but in fact the main shareholders were Luke and Sue.

It was fairly obvious that Wishton Construction would be the company of choice to do the work on the new property. By the time the paperwork on the house had all been completed, Luke was finding that he had more and more spare time on his hands as he wound down his involvement with his IT company. Sue spotted the warning signs and asked Bert if Luke could help out with the construction. Bert had some concerns. They both knew that Luke sometimes became too involved in certain projects but Sue assured him that she would keep Luke in check. Thankfully, Luke's involvement proved to be a roaring success. He worked hard all day long, mainly labouring jobs, such as digging and carrying but he loved every minute. All the men were amazed at how fit Luke was – he still seemed as fresh at the end of the day as he was at the beginning.

The renovation was a big job but on the whole it went very well. There were some very ambitious aspects of the project and some days both Bert and Luke would be scratching their heads. Sue and Luke decided they wanted an indoor swimming pool in one of the outbuildings and Luke insisted on a large space to incorporate a gym. The children were encouraged to add their touches to the new property and they both decided that everything should be as green as possible. That meant that one roof of the barn had to be strengthened to hold a large array of solar panels. In addition there was a lengthy delay whilst research took place to find the optimum site for a wind turbine.

Finally the main house and swimming complex were finished. There was still a lot of work to do with the outbuildings and other parts of the property but Luke and Bert agreed to put that off for a few months so that the family could settle into the house and begin to relax. The builders moved out and the Lindens – together with Nell Grimes moved in. Nell now had her own living space over the triple garage – complete with living room, bathroom and kitchen.

Luke was still looking out of the window when he sensed a movement behind him. On one of the couches was what appeared to be a massive black and tan fur coat. On closer inspection the coat morphed into a very large Alsatian dog. Stretched out alongside the large dog was a tiny Yorkshire Terrier. Within seconds both dogs went from complete idleness to a state of heightened awareness. The Alsatian pricked his ears and a low growl came from somewhere deep in his throat and the Yorkie acted in a similar fashion. At almost the same time Luke heard the intercom from the gate bleeping. “Well done Biff, Bam-Bam.” he said. All that money spent on security and the dogs were still probably the best security device of all.

He moved towards the screen and he saw that the car at the end of the drive belonged to Harry.

“Whatever you are selling we don't want it!” he barked into the speaker.

Harry growled back. “I hate this machine. Anyone would think you were protecting Fort Knox! Hurry up and let me in.”

Luke laughed and pressed the button to allow the large gates to swing open. He also disengaged all the locks on the front door so that Harry could walk straight in when he arrived. Both dogs were now wide awake and keen to see who the visitor was. As soon as Harry came through the door the dogs went mad and flung themselves onto him, licking and crying as they tried to gain his attention. Harry was almost knocked off his feet.

“Flaming dogs!” he protested. “One day they will cause me some serious damage.” then he burst into laughter and started rolling around on the floor with the animals before rising to give them both treats from his pocket.

“It's your own fault, you spoil them!” Luke complained. Actually it was weird, there were very few people outside the immediate family who the dogs would tolerate but they both loved Harry.

“Anyway – to what do we owe this honour?” asked Luke.

“I just happened to be passing and I thought I would drop off the details of the job offer for Sue.” said Harry carefully.

“Rubbish,” snorted Luke, “no-one “just happens to be passing” here – it's on the road to nowhere – that's why we chose it!”

It was Harry's turn to laugh. “Fair point,” he said. “Ed and I really want to get Sue's answer as soon as possible so that we can begin to make plans so I thought I would strike whilst the iron is still hot.”

Luke's expression hardened. “I'm not sure that I trust Ed.” he said quietly.

“Don't worry about Ed.” said Harry dismissively. “His heart is in the right place – he just needs the gentle hand of guidance from time to time. I'm sure that between Sue and myself we will set him on the right path!”

Luke didn't look so sure. “Well, I'll make sure she's takes a look when she gets home. Sadly she seems to be quite excited about the offer so I guess she must have already made up her mind about Ed.”

Harry grinned. “That's great news!” he exclaimed. “Now – what does a man have to do to get a cup of tea in here – I'm dying of thirst!”

Just as he said that the kitchen door opened and a pleasant woman in her mid-fifties appeared.

“Good morning Dr. Green,” she gushed, “it's always lovely to have the chance to have an intelligent conversation! I don't get much opportunity these days.”

“Good morning Nell.” Harry replied, rushing across the room to hug her. Behind her back Luke began to stick his fingers down his throat and pretend to vomit – just as his son had done the previous weekend.

Nell whirled around and caught Luke in the act. All three of them began to laugh and then Nell spoke again.

“Just like two schoolboys when you get together – you'll never grow up!” She walked away shaking her head and smiling. “I'll put the kettle on.” she said.

“Thank goodness,” said Harry, “I'd just about given up!”

Luke glanced across at Harry.

“I don't know what we would do without her,” he said, “we all owe you a lot.”

“Hardly,” said Harry, “the way I remember it – you had a big part in bringing her here.”

Both men fell silent as they thought back to that night almost fourteen years ago.

Christmas 1999 was an unbelievably busy time for Luke and Sue. In early December they had moved to a new house – mainly because Sue was due to give birth to their first child in the early part of 2000. They both decided that they needed more room, especially if they were going to have a live-in nanny who would help Sue cope with the new baby during Luke's long absences.

Luke had almost had enough as far as the subject of the nanny was concerned. When they had first mentioned it to Luke's mother it was as if they had decided to go and ask Mrs. Thatcher to live with them! The older Mrs. Linden had erupted in a fury that had seldom been seen in recent years. She saw a nanny as a betrayal of everything that Luke's father had stood for – she even accused Luke of turning into a Tory! Luke and Sue buried themselves in their work but the row just rumbled on – there didn't seem to be a solution in sight. The argument began to upset Sue and this slowly affected her health – this was when Harry decided that enough was enough.

Sue was under the care of the antenatal team at Harry's surgery and they brought news of Sue's condition to him. He thought about it for a few minutes then went out to his car and drove home. Harry still lived with his mother following the death of his father a few years earlier. Harry spoke to his mother, explained what he needed her to do and then left her to it. A few minutes later Mrs Green left the house, got into her car and drove across town.

She pulled up at the neat terraced house belonging to Luke's mother. Mrs. Linden was surprised to see her but greeted her warmly and invited her in. After preparing the obligatory cup of tea the two ladies sat in Mrs Linden's best room. Although the ladies came from very different backgrounds they were firm friends. Doctor Green Senior had been the Linden family doctor for years and Mrs Green had been a tower of strength for Mrs. Linden when Bob had died and more recently Mrs. Linden supported Mrs Green when her husband passed away. They were almost exact opposites – one small and fiery, the other tall, elegant and calm but they both brought out the best in each other. And of course they had the extra bond that their sons were probably closer than most brothers.

During her visit Harry's mother didn't pull any punches. She explained that Mrs. Linden's actions were causing problems with Sue's health – and in turn this could affect Mrs' Linden's unborn grandchild. Mrs Green skilfully pointed out that this was probably all Luke's fault but that Mrs Linden had to be the bigger person here – for the sake of the baby. She also suggested a compromise – what if Mrs Linden helped choose the nanny? Perhaps a nice local girl? Mrs Linden knew that she was being pushed into a corner but realised that she in turn had pushed her son and his wife too far. She quickly agreed that she would do her best to smooth things over.

“There's no time like the present,” said Mrs Green, “I'll run you over while I'm here.”

Mrs Linden smiled ruefully – she knew when she was beaten.

“I'll get my coat.”

Luke's heart sank when he saw his mother and Mrs Green approaching the front door. Everything was still in boxes and the last thing he needed at the moment was another argument with his mother. However, after a few minutes of pleasant conversation Luke was overjoyed at the change of heart in his mother and he could tell that Sue felt the same – she looked better than she had done in days. The only slight fly in the ointment was that Luke's mother had even offered to help choose the nanny! They would deal with that closer to the time.

The week before Christmas, Harry came round for a meal – cooked by Luke – and he was delighted to see the improvement in Sue. She was radiant and the staff at the clinic had confirmed her well-being. The new house began to look like a home and Luke had put up a tree and lots of decorations. Harry waited until Sue was out of the room before asking Luke about his plans for the weeks leading up to the birth. Luke frowned and kept his voice low.

“We couldn't have planned this birth for a worse time.” he began. “No – don't look at me like that.” he said when he saw the disappointment on Harry's face. “I don't mean that I'm not looking forward to having a new baby – in fact I can't wait.” he said, “it's just the timing.”

“I don't understand,” said Harry, “I suppose there is never the perfect time?”

“True,” said Luke, “but we could have picked a better time than the beginning of the year 2000. It's probably the busiest time it's ever been for anyone in the Computer industry.”

“Ah – now I see what you mean!” said Harry.

“It's been crazy for the last few months,” explained Luke, “everyone thinks the world is going to end at midnight on New Year's eve, we've been rushed off our feet preparing for something that is never going to happen.”

“Are you really so confident?” asked Harry.

“Yep,” said Luke, “it's all a big waste of time but I suppose it does have a silver lining.”

“What's that?”

“We are making a bucket load of money out all this paranoia!” laughed Luke. Then his expression changed.

“Seriously,” he said, “I have hardly had a day away from work in the last 2 months. I managed to make sure that I get the rest of this week off but the day after Boxing Day I will be working round the clock until all this is sorted. Hopefully – if I'm right – it should all be cleared up by January 2nd and then I can take some time off to be with Sue.”

“What if you are wrong?” teased Harry.

“That doesn't even bear thinking about.” said Luke glumly.

Harry looked at his watch and realised that he had to check in at the hospital before he went home. He thanked his hosts for a great night and Luke walked him out to his car.

“Thanks.” Luke said to him.

“What for?” asked Harry.

“I don't know how you did it but you managed to get my mother off our backs – and we are really grateful.”

Harry laughed. “That's what friends are for,” he said, “anyway – it'll probably be my turn to ask for a favour from you soon!”

Harry drove away and Luke went back inside. It was still early so he and Sue settled down on the couch in front of the TV. “We'd better make the most of this,” he said “in a few weeks we'll probably be knee deep in nappies!”

Sue hit him then snuggled into his arms.

An hour later Luke noticed the lights of a car approaching their drive. Frowning he wondered who it could be. Sue was asleep on the couch so Luke opened the front door before the bell rang. He realised that Harry had returned.

“What's wrong?” he asked, “forgot your keys?”

Then Luke noticed that Harry seemed to be in a grim mood.

“I have a problem,” he said, “and I was hoping you could help me.”

“Sure,” said Luke “come on through.”

Their conversation had woken Sue and she asked what was going on.

Harry seemed unsure how to begin.

“I have a patient who has been having problems with her husband,” he said. “To put it bluntly he has been knocking her about.”

“How long has this been going on?” asked Sue.

“Years,” Harry replied, “but she would never do anything about it because they had two kids and she has been protecting them.”

“Was there nothing you could do?” asked Luke.

“Nope,” said Harry. “She forced me to use patient confidentiality – basically all I could do was patch her up every time he used her as a punch bag.”

“So what's changed?” Sue asked.

“The youngest daughter left home recently to join the Navy so both girls are now safe.” Harry explained. “Tonight she told her husband that she had been through enough and wanted a divorce. He didn't take the news very well. He gave her a good hiding and then chased her when she tried to hide with neighbours.”

“Where is she now?” demanded Luke.

“Well that's just part of the problem,” said Harry nervously. “Her name is Nell Grimes and she lives quite close to your mother Luke – it was your mother's house that she took refuge in.”

Luke flew to his feet. “Is my mother OK? What the hell is going on?”

“Calm down,” said Harry, “your mother is perfectly fine, it would take more than a bully to stop her. It was actually her idea for us to come round here.”

“What do you mean?” demanded Sue.

“Well,” said Harry weakly, “she sent me in first to prepare the ground, your mother's in the car outside with my mother and Nell.”

Sue and Luke stared at each other in amazement before they both began shouting at Harry.

“Outside – on a night like this – get them in at once!” screamed Sue.

Both Harry and Luke rushed outside and stood helplessly as their mothers helped Nell inside. Once they were all in the warmth both Sue and Luke gasped when they saw what had happened to Nell. Her face was battered and bruised and she could hardly walk. She was very upset.

“I'm so sorry,” she moaned, “I really didn't want to be a burden but your mother insisted that I come here – she said I would be safe.”

Luke glanced at his mother who was barely containing her anger, then Sue took over.

“Come on,” she murmured, “let's get you upstairs and into bed. We've plenty of room and we can talk more in the morning.”

Sue and Harry's mother helped Nell out of the room.

“I'll follow you up in a second.” said Luke's mother. As soon as the lounge door shut she whirled around to face her son.

“So this is what the world has come to.” she said in a low angry voice. “That thug has been beating her for years and no decent man would lift a finger to help. In the old days your father and his friends would have never stood for it. There are no real men left! Her worthless husband came into my home and tried to finish her off! How dare he!”

Harry glanced across at Luke and saw something in his friend that he had never seen before. Luke's face was a mask of controlled fury. Luke spoke.

“Where is he?”

His mother replied. “At this time of night he'll probably be propping up the bar in the Labour club.”

Just as Luke went to grab his coat the lounge door opened, Sue stood there.

“Where do you think you are going?” she demanded.

“I'm going to look for Nell's husband.” Luke replied coldly. “Don't even think of trying to stop me.”

“Try to stop you?” Sue seethed, “I've just seen Nell's injuries. I want you to make that swine pay!”

Luke nodded at Sue and his mother then he and Harry rushed out into the cold night air.