Are We Out of The Woods Yet?

Part 17

Aaron never found Liv. She was nowhere to be seen. Rushing back downstairs and cutting through the sitting room, he entered the main pub leaning on the bar beside where his Mum was pouring a pint.

"Mum?"

"Yes love? Here you are." She passed the pint to the punter.

"Keep the change." He told her, passing her the money for it.

"Thanks love." Chas said, opening the till and sorting the pennies from her hand. He nodded then wandered away to his table.

"Liv's gone." Aaron finally found the opportunity to speak up.

"Gone?" Chas closed the till, giving all of her attention to her son.

"Yeah, she's not here. You didn't see her leave did ya?"

"Uh no. But I did say love, it's been very busy in here today." Frustrated, Aaron ran a hand downwards through his facial hair. "Look I'm sure she hasn't gone far. I bet she's at David's again." Chas pointed out, sighing in disapproval. Aaron nodded, starting. "Hang on. Do you want me to come with ya?"

"No, I can deal with her." Aaron told her, going round the bar and over to the door, swinging it open and dashing out. As he walked he tried to think where else she might be because he didn't know Liv that well but in his opinion, attempting to rob David's shop twice wasn't a clever idea or a particularly entertaining one. But it was worth a look.

On arriving at the store, he went inside to find Jacob stood behind the counter. "Heya." Aaron walked over. "You haven't seen Liv have ya?" Jacob stared at him for a second.

"Oh uh. No I haven't, sorry."

"Right...Well thanks anyway." Aaron moved away from the counter and left the shop. He knew Gabby and Liv had connected but worry clouded his common sense. He had no idea where to look now.

The doorbell rang out at Home Farm. Chrissie rolled her eyes, she got up from the chair in the office and headed out of there to see who it was.

"Alright?" A black haired man was standing there. His blue eyes were so cold, Chrissie shivered involuntarily.

"Um, er...Sorry." She tucked some hair behind her ear then proceeded to fold her arms uncomfortably across her stomach. "How can I...How can I help you?"

"Ah, well, you see my car broke down near here and this was the first place containing life that I could find."

"Oh...right."

"Is anyone in?" Joe hurried to say before she made some excuse to send him on his way. He could see from the way she was peering down her nose at him, examining his clothing with judging eyes, that she wasn't about to offer her aid to him without a little...persuasion.

"Just me and my son. Oh and Gabby and Liv..." Joe slid past her in the doorway so he was now inside. He stopped. Liv?... With his back to Chrissie as he walked further into the mansion, he grinned from ear to ear, scrapping the blueprints for plan b. He now had a better plan. Plan C could begin.

"Right. Big family huh?" Joe faced Chrissie now.

"Oh no, no. Gabby isn't mine and Liv definitely isn't." Chrissie blushed, uncertain of why she was talking to a complete stranger in the way that she was.

"She uh...she related to Aaron?" Joe was taking a risk, he was preparing an answer for if Chrissie said no, when she said:

"Yes, unfortunately. I thought one of him was enough and now he has a little sister." She was partially talking to herself and whilst she did so, Joe breathed discreetly in relief, not showing it physically. His eyes would give him away if Chrissie had been looking, however she was trying to avoid his gaze. Joe sensed her discomfort, no, really he'd noticed it a couple of minutes ago but he liked it. Making people cower at his presence. The might and power it brought upon a man could give him a rather awkward hard on. Joe coughed.

"So, can I...use a phone. To you know, call a break down company?"

"Yes...of course." There was a silent beat before Chrissie started to lead the way to the office.

"I'm guessing you know the number off by heart?" They were stood in the office in front of the desk.

"Yes, yeah I do. This car I've got, it's broken down a couple of times now you see. Should probably think about getting a new one really shouldn't I?" He laughed, Chrissie laughed in return, tucking hair that was already behind her ear, again. She began to walk around the room, she viewed the wallpaper as though she'd never set eyes on it before. Anything to stop the nagging feeling that she had been foolish to let this man in. As she looked upon the wallpaper, she saw shapes and patterns she had never seen before. She'd never stopped long enough to study it properly. Suddenly a sharp pain tore through the back of her head. She yelled out, falling to her hands and knees. Her head was spinning and pulsing as she shook her head in confusion, blinking rapidly, trying desperately to get her vision back from the blurry one she was experiencing. The pounding of her heart drummed along-side the echoing sound of footsteps that grew louder as the one responsible came closer. "Don't worry Chrissie you'll be fine." She shivered, it was the stranger. She had been a fool after all.

"Please...don't..." Words flickered in and out of existence in her brain as she begged. "don't...kill me..." She cowered as a cruel laugh fell from the man's lips.

"Kill you? That would be a bit harsh wouldn't it?" Joe held the phone that he'd struck Chrissie with, in his right hand. Holding the keypad in the other. He pressed his strong fingers in to the number pad, selecting the numerals he needed. "Bear with me, just making a call." He told Chrissie. The phone rang twice before the line was picked up. Joe walked back over to the desk, putting the keypad down, stretching the cord that connected it to the phone as he pressed it to his ear. "Ready." Was all he said before putting the phone back down on the rest next to the number pad. "Thanks Chrissie, you've been a great help. My car will definitely get fixed now." Chrissie was hunched up against the wall nearest the door, her whole body shook as she sobbed hopelessly, her head still wildly spinning. Joe was about to leave when he remembered he needed to leave a note. Turning to the desk and casting his eyes over it, he spotted a folded piece of paper and picked it up. He opened it up, it was just some dull letter. "Right." He grabbed a pen and leant on the desk, pressing it down harshly against the paper as he scribbled down what he had to say. "See ya." He said, standing upright and placing the paper on the front, centre of the desk. "Oh and by the way, never put your keys down when there's a stranger in the house." Chrissie had put a bunch of keys down on the desk upon entering. Every breath was shaky as she cursed herself for her absolute stupidity.

Hi guys, thank you for reading. I hope you don't mind Chrissie popping up every now and again. I like her but she won't be a main character in this.

Ps. I am currently writing a short story of Roblivon's short trip to Wales and will be uploading it either tomorrow or Sunday. If you think you will be interested, keep your eyes open. If not, I am fine with that. You've read this fic and I couldn't be more grateful for that. Thank you x