Let Right Be Done

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Ricky watched as John disappeared to do his bosses bidding, before he turned to speak to Mr Gently.

"What time does the mail train leave?"

"Usually about four a.m. Not much time for you to catch any sleep I am afraid." Gently looked sympathetic

"That's ok I'll sleep on the train. Will you make sure that Alexandra gans home safely? I mean take her there yourself like?"

"Yes of course I will."

"Thanks, I'm not sure I trust anybody else with her safety,"

"That reminds me, I understand congratulations are in order. Miss Kendrick tells me you are to be married."

Ricky smiled broadly.

"Thank you, God that sounds so strange, you congratulating us on getting wed, I've not asked her folks. Alexandra wanted to wait until this was over before I gan see her folks."

"You surprise me, asking permission does not seem your way."

"See Mr Gently that's where you read us wrong. I don't dislike all traditions and values of your world; just the stupid ones."

"One day I'd be interested to hear what you think are the stupid ones. In the meantime there's a cot out the back where you can get some rest for a couple of hours before you need to catch the train." He turned to look at Miss Kendrick. "Take Miss Kendrick with you I'll see you're not disturbed."

"Thanks very much Mr Gently." He was, he admitted, developing a good deal of respect for Mr Gently.

"I'll get the Sergeant to rustle up some tea."

Gently was true to his word they were not disturbed. For a while they just sipped the tea in silence, but then Alexandra spoke.

"I'm not sure I'll ever forget that film. You were right I should have gone home."

Ricky slipped his arm around her gently pulling her towards him.

"I know Lex I'll not forget either."

"It was their eyes Ricky; they looked dead, as if they had lost all hope."

"But we're their hope aren't we? They just don't know yet."

"Even if we find them, how do you come back from something like that?"

"It'll be hard maybe even impossible, but at least we are trying to provide a chance for them. I was going to talk to Mr Gently, about setting up some support service not just for these girls but any abused woman."

"You're a rare man Ricky, you see a need for something, and you want to help."

"Well society wants to hide from things like this; too ashamed to admit that it happens in their town. So they do nowt, bury their head in the sand, and the abused just keep quiet, too ashamed of the stigma"

"Is that what you meant when you were saying to Mr Gently about the stupid values of his world?"

"Aye it's one of them." Ricky tilted her chin up with his hand, his thumb tracing lazy circles on her cheek. "I want people like you and your family to have a place you can go and talk and have space to heal."

"I have a space to heal; it's here in your arms. My pain is soothed by your kisses and I feel secure in your embrace."

His lips lowered to hers, his mouth soft and tender, as he gently explored her mouth. His hands framed her face his thumb gently caressing her soft skin; the movement in time with the soft kisses he was bestowing on her mouth. She loved it when he cupped her face; it was so personal to touch somebody else's face; it made her feel as if they were the only people in the entire world. Although his touch was so gentle she could easily have moved away, but she was powerless to do so. His eyes roamed over her face as if watching her reaction. She lost herself in his teasing kisses and the wondrous caresses of his clever hands.

They lay curled in each other's arms on the narrow cot, occasionally exchanging kisses, until Gently came and told them it was time for Ricky to go and catch his train.

"Ricky, promise me you'll be careful." Alexandra slid her arm around his waist as they walked towards his bike.

"I promise no risks okay?"

"It has to be doesn't it?"

************

The building was going to be round; its cylindrical shape obvious, even while still being constructed. Ricky grimaced it looked like it should belong in America not the Midlands.

"What do you think mate?" A work man strolled over.

"I think that the planner should be shot, but if it is still standing in fifty years some other idiot will declare it a listed building. What in the world is it going to be?"

"It's called The Rotunda mate, it's going to be offices and shops; its part of the new bullring." Ricky shook his head, as he glanced round at the development going on.

"I guess you'm not from round here are you? Geordie, aren't you?"

"Hadaway yous don't say? What gi us away man?" Ricky, broaden his accent with a grin.

The man smiled back.

"You looking for work?" he asked.

"Na I'm gan delivering a parcel. I just stopped for directions. Do you knaa this place?" Ricky showed him the address on the package.

"Yeah it's just off Corporation Street. Down that way, I think Woolies is on the corner." He pointed over Ricky's shoulder.

Ricky nodded.

"Ta mate, I best get meself off or I'll be late with the delivery."

Ricky pulled up in front of the address that was written on the front of the parcel; glancing around he pulled off his helmet. The bloke from the building site had been right, it hadn't been far. The address was a jewellers but it seemed deserted. He pulled up the sleeve of his jacket and looked at his watch; he needn't have bothered though just as he did a clock from a nearby church struck one.

He climbed off the bike and made his way over to the shop. Gently had said policemen would be outside, and the street was certainly busy, but he had no idea who were just ordinary shoppers and who were the police. He pushed the handle down and the shop bell tinkled as he opened the door.

A small man appeared through a grey curtain behind the counter. Remembering what Gently had told him he looked quickly about the shop taking in the layout. The man himself appeared to be his forties, at no more than five feet five he'd be described as short and fat. He had a Bobby Charlton comb over, the look didn't suit him; Ricky couldn't think of a person it did suit.

He placed the parcel on the counter and turned to go.

"Is this girl on the tape again this time?"

Ricky glanced down at the photograph the man had laid on the counter. Disgust, revulsion and pain washed over him. Olivia's smiling face stared back him. It took all his self- control not to knock the man back through the curtain. He wanted to, he wasn't a violent man, but these people made him feel sick.

"I'm just the delivery man I dunna knaa what's in the parcel."

"Well take this and give it to Sanderson tell him we need more with this girl." He slid the photograph into an envelope and pushed it towards Ricky.

Remembering Sanderson's warning about not asking questions, he picked up the photograph and left the shop.

Kick starting the bike, he headed off on the long journey back up to Durham. His mood was grim, for although he now had evidence linking Sanderson to Olivia, he also had to tell Alexandra that she had been in one of those sick films.