Vengeful Summer

Chapter 2

For the first couple of weeks after the funeral Michelle had slept badly. Her mind still couldn't cope with the sounds she had heard as the conversation with Charlie had been so cruelly ended. She had spoken to the police three times. Each time she told the same story. Each time she cried. He was SUCH a fool to leave it so late. Why did he take that bloody car? Why did he have to speed so much? Her mind was nothing more than a whirling tumbling confused state. She had needed Valerie more than ever. Valerie had been her rock. The woman at her side. And Callum, Charlie's son, had been amazing. Initially he had shown anger towards Michelle. He blamed her for his father wanting to leave. And ultimately that had caused his death. But she knew, and HE knew that wasn't the case. He had seen his father more happy than he could imagine and knew this lady had been the reason. So once Michelle had calmed, and Callum had made sure of all his fathers arrangements, they went out for a drink. They needed to talk about it. And to both let their emotions out. They had both loved this man so deeply. And found strength in the solace they could offer each other. Slowly, they had formed the bond that would have grown naturally if Michelle had become Charlie's life partner. She had felt that from early on. This man was put on earth for her to be with. And there were no words that could describe how deeply saddened she felt that he had been taken from her. Callum was still angry. He was seeking revenge, for he didnt for one moment believe the police report that the cause of the accident had been excessive speed. He knew only too well his father's capabilities behind the wheel, and, despite him becoming a little older and slower, he still had it. There was no way his dad just "crashed" and died. He had a bloody good idea who had been responsible too. It wasn't a coincidence that Harvey's son had left the business almost as quickly as he had wanted to join. Callum wanted answers. He had told all his fears and thoughts to Michelle. She initially had not believed any of it. Kept saying, "the police found nothing" And that was true. It had been a small country lane, there were no skid marks, no CCTV to view, no witnesses, and the car had ended up upside down, in a field just after a tight bend, which the police concluded Charlie simply had been going too fast to make the turn, had lost control and crashed. The nature of the field meant the car had rolled over, and somehow caught fire. Callum had gone back there several times. He just couldn't believe it. He had even bought an old Saab just like his fathers and had driven it along there. Faster, and faster. Eventually he fell off the road at around 60 miles per hour. The car went through the gate and ended up in the field. But there was no big roll over. No fire. And no matter how fast he had gone, all the way to over 80 mph. Same result. By now three months had passed since the crash. He couldn't let it go. But had to concede, without any proof, and with the reputation Tommy had, unless he was certain, he would have to take his time and find another way.

Valerie and Michelle had spent more and more time together. It was becoming clear that their husbands were perilously close to being out of control. The Amsterdam deal had gone to plan. The club was ticking along more than nicely. And both men were almost arrogant in their attitudes at being invincible. The only saving grace was, they were so busy preening themselves and displaying their prowess like a peacock in full "show off" mode, they had been far too busy to pay any attention to how much time the two ladies had been spending together.

The two ladies had planned another spa day. They were enjoying spending more and more time together, and what had started as an accidental meeting of minds in the ladies, had become a true and deep and indeed close friendship. And one that now was beginning to explore just how far their husbands might have gone.

As Valerie and Michelle entered the steam room at the spa, and hung their robes, Valerie had said simply, "how are you?" Michelle had looked at her. "How do you think I am?" she answered, almost sarcastically. "Well, you best snap out of your pity" Valerie snapped back. "I'm sorry" Michelle returned. "I didn't mean to sound so sarcastic, but my head doesn't want to think about it" "I know" Valerie replied, "and you can take all the time you need, but you ARE going to have to think about you now, and about Callum, and where your life goes." Michelle sighed. She knew perfectly well that her friend made total sense. She just didn't know how to get her mind to focus. Valerie raised her hands to both of Michelle's shoulders. "Come on woman" she said, "I'm here to help, and you need to get your shit together for your own sake, now COME ON!" and she gently shook Michelle. Secretly, Valerie wasn't quite sure she should have pushed so hard, but if it made Michelle at least snap back into the present, it was worth the risk. "I will," Michelle whispered softly. "I'm going to need your help, but I will," she said softly. "Good" Valerie beamed. "Can I tell you what Callum thinks? Michelle said softly. "You can tell me anything Michelle, you know that". "He doesn't think it was an accident" she blurted out a little too angrily. Valerie pretended to look shocked. "He doesn't?" she exclaimed. Valerie wanted to know exactly what you Callum thought. "No" Michelle continued, "he thinks someone caused that crash, he just doesn't believe his dad would have lost control like that. Valerie didn't either, but there was no way she would let on yet. Michelle carried on with the story of how Callum had even gone and bought a similar car and tried to replicate what had happened to his father but to no avail. Valerie listened intently. "And what do YOU think?" she asked her friend. Michelle's eyes grew wet. "I am not sure anymore, I just have this feeling that it was MORE than an accident" she hung her head. "Don't ask me why, I have no proof at all. But something tells me it was. And she sighed. A deep resigned sigh. Valerie took stock. She had no real experience of Charlie's driving, other than when he had taken her out in Jamie's Maserati. But she knew even then this man knew his way around a car. "Well" she said slowly, "if there IS anything sinister going on, we are going to need as much proof as we can find. Because there is no way the police will want to know unless we do. Michelle snapped her head around. "If this is anything to do with Tommy, Giles, or any of that lot," she snarled, "the police will be the last people I involve, now let's go and have a drink" and she grabbed her robe. Valerie smiled, and followed suit. As they made their way to the green room, a voice behind them said "Miss Valerie". Valerie stopped. "Barry" she exclaimed, surprised to see her slightly ageing driver there. "Can I have a word in private?" He shuffled uncomfortably. "Of course," Valerie replied, a note of concern in her voice. And she led him to a small office off the main corridor. "You carry on Michelle" she waved her friend on, "I will catch you up, you know where you are going" and she smiled. Michelle looked puzzled, but did as Valerie had asked. She slipped into the private room, and found the gin. As the ice "chinked" into the glass, and she sank into one of the huge and comfortable armchairs, she reflected on the last few months. Tommy. The drugs. The deals. Charlie. Spain. Valerie. Giles. The circle was toxic. And she needed to get out. Spain was still very real. But also Tommy needed dealing with. Since the crash he had become unbearable. Hit her on numerous occasions, She knew he knew, but wouldn't give him the satisfaction of showing him she was hurting over Charlie. He was still having sex with that cheap slut at the club, and she and Tommy now slept in separate beds, which suited her just fine. He had told her to get out more than once. But she had been strong enough to face up to him. And her name was on the house. When they had first met, she had made sure she would have some rights. And being on the mortgage hadn't been a big deal. So Tommy had gladly agreed. As the relationship had taken its much darker turns, until ultimately she had been ready to leave, he had begun to regret both what Michelle knew, and also what and how she could make things very difficult for him. And only when Charlie had died, did he suddenly see the error of his ways. He should have let her bloody go with him. One way or another, he needed to deal with Michelle. But for now, things were fine the way they were. He had control of her, her money, and though she was spending far too much time with that bitch Valerie, he could say nothing. Giles adored his wife, (at least he pretended to) and Tommy had already been put in his place once before. He needed to tread carefully if he was to deal with Michelle. And right now, he had bigger things to worry about.