Me. Her. Him - Chapter 76

Background: Angela is shocked when William, an old friend from her past, who she hoped never to see again, comes back into her life, after he applies for a role at her work and successfully secures the job. William’s sudden reappearance puts Angela on edge. She’s terrified he’s discovered her secret, which she needs to protect her family from. William’s convinced Angela knows what happened to his former girlfriend, Caz, who hasn't been seen for twenty years, and that something terrible happened to her. The only person, who can help Angela, is her once best friend, Michelle, but Angela hasn’t seen Michelle for more than a decade. Faced with the threat of William’s return, they know they’ll need to work together to save their future, even if this does mean reopening old wounds, and revisiting a past they'd rather keep buried.

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It’s a month before Michelle contacts me again, as I knew she would do, once enough time had passed, but even I had been expecting the wait to be longer. In my head I’d been expecting it to be six months at the earliest, that’s what I was gearing up towards. But it’s okay. I’m ready.

The police have issued a few more appeals, but the last one was two weeks ago now. It appears they’re no further forward with their investigation. I wonder if Michelle’s changed her appearance in anyway.

She wants to meet. She texted me last night, and asked if we could have a chat this evening, after dark.

I swallow as I ready myself, making sure I have everything I need. I slip on a pair of gloves. We’re creeping into November now, and the weather’s turned distinctly chillier. We had our first frost last weekend, and Rebecca’s even going on about getting the Christmas decorations down.

‘I need to pop out for an hour or so, just going to meet Kirsty,’ I lie as I step into the hallway, trying to keep my voice bright.

‘Is she gigging tonight?’ Paul asks. ‘You never mentioned.’

He’s standing in the hallway now. Please go away. Go and sit down, make a cup of tea. I’m frightened he’s going to ask if he can join me.

I shake my head. ‘No, we’re just going for a drink.’

I realise I’ve used Kirsty as an excuse so many times recently. I’m glad we have patched things up between us now, after everything that went on a few weeks ago. She’s going to be so important to me now, going forward.

‘Okay, have fun,’ he says.

I smile and slip out of the house, wrapping my coat tight around me. It’s still too risky for Michelle to meet me in a public place. With the case still fresh, there’s every chance that someone might recognise her, if they had seen her on the night the van was set fire to.

I drive at a steady pace, my foot shaking on the clutch as I make my way to Hanningfield reservoir. I wondered why she suggested the reservoir in the first place, considering that’s where William held us hostage for a few hours only a few short weeks ago. It’s crazy how quick that time has gone. It feels like yesterday and months ago at the same time.

Gravel crunches under my wheels as I pull into a layby. There’s a red Vauxhall ahead of me, and someone’s sitting inside. Dread curls within me at the thought that this could all go wrong. What am I thinking?

I turn off the car ignition and step out, the cold air prickling my dry skin. I rub my hands together, even though I’m wearing gloves.

The figure sitting in the red car also gets out and at first glance I stop. Michelle holds out her arms and smiles at me. She’s wearing a thick blue duffle cut, but she –

‘Like the new look?’ she asks and gives me a little twirl.

I blink rapidly. She’s no longer wearing glasses. Her ponytails gone and her hair’s now at shoulder length.

‘Are you wearing contacts?’ I ask, speaking the first thought that popped into my head.

‘Thought I’d give them a go.’ She grins. ‘I should’ve tried contacts years ago, you were right all along. So what do you think?’

A lump bobs in my throat. ‘You look great.’

‘Thank you. So, how’ve you been keeping?’

‘Okay, I guess,’ I say, shrugging my shoulders.

‘How are Paul and Rebecca?’ Michelle asks.

‘They’re both well, yes.'

Michelle frowns at me. ‘Okay, so what was their reaction when you told them that I wanted to be part of your lives again? I want all the details.’

I rub the back of my neck. ‘I haven’t actually told them yet.’

‘What? You need to, Angela. I want us all to have what we once had before.’ Her face has crumpled.

‘I will tell them, of course I will, but it’s been hard to get my head straight after everything that happened, like with you abandoning me like that.’

Focus. Stay calm.

‘I’m sorry about that, Angela, I am, but I had to . . . I couldn’t risk the police.’

‘It’s okay, I know,’ I say.

She smiles at me. ‘But I’m here now, Angela. You don’t need to worry anymore; we can be as close as we once were again.’

No.

I talk to her for the next half an hour, and do my best to focus on each word she says. She hugs me when we’re finished and I breathe in her lily scented perfume.

‘We will see each other soon, Angela. We can all see each other soon.’ Michelle squeezes my hand as she speaks.

As her neck rests on my shoulder, I lift up my knee and force it hard into her stomach. I watch as Michelle’s eyes widen and she stumbles back. She manages to remain steady.

Before she has a chance to react I throw myself at her, knocking her to the ground. She cries out. I position myself on top of her chest, holding firm, and place my hands around her throat. The one thing I knew I would have was the element of surprise. Her hands are flapping about wildly and every ounce of energy inside her is fighting to push me off. My breath comes out fast. I squeeze harder, digging my thumbs further.

‘You will never see my family again,’ I hiss. I continue to hold. Part of my brain is urging me to let go, while another part urges me on. Kill her. Finish her off. ‘You should know by now, that I will protect them to the ends of the earth. This is for Caz.’

Michelle’s strength begins to fail. Her arms go limp. I let out a gasp and fall backwards, my chest rising and falling. I blink furiously back at the tears. I want to be sick, but I manage to hold it down.

I stare at Michelle’s lifeless body, and think of the first day I met her. I wipe my eyes. I remember the way how she hugged her books tight to her chest; her nerves clear for everyone to see. I wish I’d never collided into the back of her that day, I should’ve just handed her books back to her and continued on my way.

Had fate been kinder that day, this would never have happened.

I gulp back a sob. For a scary moment I think Michelle might come round, but she remains still. I listen to the sound of the water rippling across the reservoir and press the palms of my hands into the gravel. I remove my glove and wipe my eyes. Paul and Rebecca’s faces fill my mind and it gives me the strength to pick myself up. I did this for them. To protect them.

Knowing now, that Caz didn’t die in the accident I caused, that everything that happened, was all because of Michelle, makes me feel as though I can start living my life. And I have no regret at all in what I’ve just done. None.

At last I'm free.

The End

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Character List:

Angela Watkins - Protagonist 

Paul Watkins - Angela's husband

Rebecca Watkins - Angela's daughter 

Michelle Blake - Angela's former best friend 

Kirsty - Receptionist (Angela's friend) 

Olivia - Angela's boss

William Harris - Angela's former friend 

Caroline (Caz) - Angela's friend 

Hayley - Angela's former friend

Lauren - Angela's former friend