Breaking Britain (Completed)

Chapter 57

  57
Sunday 6th January 2030
07:30

           Richard John awoke to the smell of bacon frying from downstairs. He glanced over at the empty pillow next to him. He stretched his arms out, resisting the urge to rub his eyes. He pulled back his covers and rolled his legs off the bed. He took his time to lift himself from the bed, his tiredness still lingering within him. When he eventually raised from the bed, he saw his naked form in the full length mirror attached to the wardrobe door. He instinctively massaged his semi-erect penis, while walking over to the window. It was still dark outside, but he still drew back the curtains. The clouds had turned the sky grey and the drops of water on the window, showed the evidence of a rainy night.

             After a minute of looking out into the streets, which showed no signs of the previous days drama, he searched round for his discarded clothes, which were not where he dropped them. Instead, he opened his wardrobe and grabbed a knee length jacket, as his dressing gown was nowhere to be seen.

           Richard followed the scent of breakfast, to the kitchen, where he found Michelle, with her back to him, leaning over the stove with a spatula. He came up behind her, planting a kiss on her neck. Michelle flinched and then sank into his embrace. Richard moved his hand round her, through the gap of the dressing gown, finding her left nipple, which he encouraged to bounce between is separated fingers.

            'Not at the stove, Richard', she said turning her head and kissing him gently on his lips.

            'You going to work, today?', Richard asked, retreating his hand down to her waist.

            'Yes. I could phone in sick, but I get the feeling we'll be short staffed today'

            Richard had decided to put the events of the previous day out of his mind. Making love to Michelle had helped, but the reality was, as much as he tried to pretend nothing was happening, it was.

           'No. You should go', he said kissing her on her cheek. It occurred to him, he should drive down to Carla's and check that Junior was safe. If he was being honest to himself, he also wanted to make sure Carla was fine. 'What time do you start?'

           'Have to be there at nine, I'm opening the shop today'

           He parted from her, stepped to the counter and switched the kettle on, Michelle had everything prepared for them, water in the kettle, two mugs out with coffee and the appropriate sugar.

          'You keep yourself safe out there', Richard said, concern in his voice, as he took the milk from the fridge.

          Michelle turned to him, after taking the bacon off the pan and switching the stove off. 'Don't think I have to worry about that, but I don't think you should go out today'.

            Richard watched the steam rise from the kettle. 'I should ring Junior', he said changing the subject slightly, to avoid telling her, he would be going out.

            'Okay. Breakfast's ready. I'll finish making the coffee'

            He nodded, walked out of the kitchen to the lounge where his LAN line was. He dialed Junior's mobile phone, he knew it off by heart.

            Richard resisted his urge to switch the television on, knowing he was likely to be subjected to news headlines, relaying the events of the previous day.

            The phone rang for two minutes before going to voice mail.

            'It's dad, can you ring me at home, when you can'

            He didn't have to wait long. He was just about to head back to the kitchen when the phone rang, he answered it urgently.

            'Dad?'

            'Junior...you okay?'

            'Yes dad. I'm at Clarise house...', Richard was about to ask who Clarise was, but didn't get the chance, as Junior didn't take a breath, but continued, 'Justin's grandmother's dead, Billy's dead, mum's at the hospital and I'm worried for her. I've been shot at, nearly burnt and Justin.....', Junior stopped, breathing heavily.

           'Jesus Junior', Richard said in shock, up to that point, everything seemed to be separated from his life. It wasn't any more and he didn't know how to handle it. 'Where are you, I'll pick you up'

           'No dad, go check on mum. I tried ringing her just now, but didn't get any answer.'

           'Okay son. I'll see to it. Are you safe?'

           'Yes dad. You remember Clarise, Justin's girlfriend. Well, I'm at her house. I didn't want to go home by myself'

            'You did right son', Richard was a little disappointed he hadn't thought to come round to his house, but at least he was safe. 'Give me the number there'

            'Hold on', he could hear Junior asking someone for their number. He then relayed it over the phone.

            'Okay son. I'll check on mum'

            'Thanks dad. Be safe'

            'I will. You too'

            They hung up. Richard turned to see Michelle standing there.

            'You're going to see Carla', she said daring Richard to lie to her.

            'Yes. She may be in trouble', he said rising and walking to her, he could see she was ready for an argument. 'It's for Junior. It's you I love'. He took hold of her hand and leant in to kiss her. She pulled away. 'I have to do this'

             'Do what you want. You always do', she swung away from him, closing her dressing gown, that had started to fall open. She ran up the stairs and Richard wasn't sure whether to follow, so he didn't.

              Richard sat on the arm of the sofa. He was reminded that it was Carla who had introduced him to Michelle. When he started the affair, he excused himself, with the thought that his wife was never around, that she was always at the hospital. He remembered taking Carla out for a meal, in the attempt to seduce her to bed, Michelle was there with some friends from her boutique. One which Carla frequented regularly. Michelle came over to say hello to Carla, Richard was immediately attracted to her, it would have taken a blind man, not to be, she sat down at their table for a drink, when Carla got an emergency call and had to run off to work. Richard was going to leave, but Carla insisted he stay and finish his meal, which they were still awaiting the main course of. Michelle stayed and ate with Richard. They got on really well that night and had flirted badly with each other. At the time it hadn't meant anything, later it would progress into a relationship.

             'I'm going. Breakfast is in the kitchen', Richard turned to see Michelle dressed.

             'Don't go, Michelle'

             Michelle just looked at him, a sour expressionless face, she turned and left.