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CHAPTER: 20 THE ATTACK
Before Lindsey could respond, a scream went up and everybody made
a dash to get out of the bar.
“ What’s going on?” Jacqui jumped to her feet to try and
see what was wrong. Nearly everyone had made it out, but those left were
been forced back by two men with guns. Lindsey rose and nearly fell back
down. She saw Barry making his way in her direction.
“ Hello Lindsey” he smiled sardonically. A cold look flashed
in Lindsey’s eyes, Barrys' did the same.
“ What do you want?” Lindsey asked in a bitter, icy tone.
“ I was hoping you wouldn't waste my time with such pointless questions,
just tell me where it is” Barrys' stance was one of tension, he didn't
really want his temper to boil over, he didn't want things escalating
out of control, but if necessary he would take Lindsey outside and do
the job himself, but he didn't want a bloodbath.
“ Tell you where what is?” Lindsey asked frowning, her confusion
seemed genuine enough but Barry didn't care.
“ Come here” he seized Lindsey’s arm and dragged her round
in front of the bar so that everyone could see them. “ You know what
I'm talking about, now I don't want to keep repeating my question, where’s
my money!?” Callum heard Barrys' voice as he positioned himself.
He was hidden mostly by the deep shadows but he also had the door in front
of him. He watched carefully through the glass, making sure it wouldn’t
be possible for anyone to spot him. But he needn't have worried, everyone
was focusing on Lindsey and Barry.
Callum took note of who was in the room, at the same time managing to
keep a careful eye on Lindsey. Jimmy, Jackie, Shelley, Mick, Bev, Dave
and Jacqui were all that was left of the party. Callum turned his full
attention back to the argument between Barry and Lindsey.
“ You must be getting desperate Barry” Lindsey had regained
her typical front which was usually turned to Callum himself “ What’s
wrong Barry been caught at last, or are things just going from bad to
worse, or even better maybe your wife has discovered your womanizing ways
and you need the money to pay her off....” before Lindsey could continue
Barry struck her hard across the face, Lindsey stumbled back but did not
fall. Callum jumped, wincing, he was helpless, there was nothing he could
do, Barry was not close enough in his sight or far enough away from Lindsey
for Callum to hit him safely without harming Lindsey. Lindsey straightened
herself, wiping blood from her mouth. Jimmy dove forward, instinctively
wanting to protect his daughter, only to be thrown back by Henderson.
Jimmy looked desperate, he also was helpless.
“ Is that the best you can do? God no wonder you could never kill
Callum” Callum tensed as she mentioned his name “ Christ he
would down you with one shot if thats the best you can do, oh then again
it did take a baseball bat for you to down him didn't it, hah and he still
jumped straight back up, oh and the time after that the only reason you
won then was because you had a gun and he didn't, pathetic isn't it, you
couldn't even fight him one on one without a weapon, it really is sad”
Barry glowered at her, she knew her words were stinging him, but she also
knew they were truthful.
“ Oh and you did so much better, last I hear you had to leave it
to Dave Burns” Lindsey laughed.
“ Oh believe me Barry, if I had my way, I would never have run out
that day” Callum smiled, he knew by her voice what she was saying
and it pleased him. Callum watched carefully for an opening. Barry backed
up a little as Lindsey moved towards him. Callum saw his chance, he crept
forward through the door. Then he froze. Barry seized Lindsey.
“ Yeah and remember this, when Callum had you I came to rescue you,
I saved you, well whose going to save you know!?” Callum came forward
from the shadows, his gun hanging at his side in his left hand.
“ Me” he growled in a low voice. Barry spun to face him, only
to met with a right hook to the jaw. Barry collapsed in a heap on the
floor, unconscious. Henderson and Addams grabbed him and dragged him out.
“ Come on Callum, lets get out of here” Addams called as he
heaved Barry out into the night, dumping him straight into the trunk of
their car.
Callum didn't move, neither did Lindsey. Jackie and Mick were struggling,
holding Jimmy back. He was raging like a bull, he couldn't stand the thought
of this man and his daughter. Shelley watched closely, she turned to complain
to Jacqui who told her bluntly to keep quiet. Jacqui watched Lindsey closely
and knew in that second how glad she was to see Callum.
Lindsey was stunned, she wondered if Callum had heard what she had said
about him. Part of her hoped so, the other didn't want Callum to know
how she felt about him. But as Callum finally gave in and smiled softly,
yet almost cheekily, at Lindsey, she couldn't resist. A warm smile spread
across her face. With that subtle confirmation that she still harbored
feelings for him Callum turned and strolled coolly out of the bar. Jacqui
watched him, he looked almost as though he was laughing. Jacqui then looked
back at Lindsey. She was clearly devastated, Callum had given no hint
that she would see him again, or that he was even going to be in the country
much longer. Lindsey then found herself asking why she even wanted to
see him again. Although she could find no answer to this, she still knew
deep down that she wanted to see him again.
CHAPTER: 21 IN DENIAL
When Callum returned home that night he refused to see Sam although
Sam was clearly worried about something. Callum sat locked in his study.
He sat at his desk flicking through pictures of Lindsey. He shook his
head, the pictures had been took shortly after she had stolen his money,
he had watched her every move intensely, waiting for an opening. After
sometime of watching her Jimmy had finally left her alone. Callum took
a woman with him to help give Lindsey a vicious beaten. Initially this
thought made Callum feel sick, but the more he thought the better he began
to feel. He had put Lindsey through such pain and she had still been willing
to sleep with him. This thought almost convinced Callum that Lindsey felt
something for him. Then with what was almost a scowl on his face he threw
the pictures across the room, how could she feel anything for him? She
hated him, she had always hated him and always would. He must have been
mad to think Lindsey could ever have feelings for him.
Lindsey had left almost immediately after Callum. Jimmy was angry, very
angry and Lindsey was in no state to face another argument. Jacqui was
the only person who attempted to offer sympathy, Jackie was too busy trying
to calm Jimmy. Lindsey though had wanted nothing but to be alone, she
had never felt more confused in her life.
Once home she collapsed onto her bed. How could the man she hated and
wanted dead more than anything confuse her feelings and emotions so much.
As she lay she couldn't decide whether she had been better off hating
Callum or liking him. 'Again there it was 'like', was that all it was?
Lindsey sighed, she didn't know, but what she did know was that when she
saw him, she had felt an overwhelming urge to hold him again, but she
hadn't. Now she didn't know whether she regretted not holding him or whether
she was relieved that she hadn't. Of course I'm relieved she berated herself
If I'd done that I would've only made things worse with my Dad than they
already are. Something struck Lindsey in that moment, she suddenly felt
a wave of memories wash over her. The things she had tried to forget came
rushing back. She realized in that moment that she had done the thing
Callum so chastised her for, she had again let Jimmy and Jackie stop her
from doing what she wanted, she had again worried about what would keep
them happy instead of what would keep her happy. She knew in that moment
why she wanted to see Callum again, he was the one person who actually
forced her to put herself first, he was the one person who made her think
about herself and think about what made her happy. Anyone else would call
her selfish, but not Callum.
Sam was growing desperate as he paced up and down outside Callum’s
study.
“ Come on Callum let me in, look this is really important, I need
to talk to you” he pleaded.
“ You can talk to me tomorrow” Callum muttered in a reply that
was almost inaudible to Sam who stood on the other side of the door. He
knew with a sigh that this couldn't wait much longer, he knew that eventually
he would end up shouting it through the door.
“ Look I don't think this can wait until tomorrow”
“ Why not?”
“ Look Callum its...” Sam sighed, he had to tell him somehow
“ its Barry” he heard Callum’s sudden movement at that
name.
“ What about him?” Callum asked sounding as though he already
knew.
“ He’s-he’s escaped, look I don't know how but.....”
before Sam could finish his sentence Callum had burst out of the door
and was already heading down the stairs.
Jimmy burst into the house not much longer after Lindsey, he was still
seething from the sight of his daughter and a vicious murderer. He could
handle the fact that they'd had a holiday fling, but now it was more than
that, Callum had followed them home, he was still in their lives.
Jimmy charged up the stairs searching like a mad bull for Lindsey. Jackie's
cries and protests failed to deter him, she might as well have been dumb.
Lindsey heard him running up the stairs, but she didn't move, she lay
perfectly still. She heard his angry voice and could tell merely by the
sound of his movements that he was angry. Even when Jimmy finally burst
into her room she didn't move, she closed her eyes and ignored his heavy
presence, looming, framed by the doorway.
“ Get up” he hissed. Lindsey opened her eyes, Jimmy's voice
was low and reeked with an anger she had never sensed in him before, not
even when their Jimmy had died had her Dad sounded or looked so intimidating
and frightening. She began to wonder just why he had reacted so violently
to Callum’s presence, she knew he that he had felt her pain, she
knew that when she hurt, he hurt too, but she had never thought that her
own pain could have affected someone else so much.
“ I know you're awake” he growled “ Now get up” Lindsey
looked up at the man who was her father and found him unrecognizable in
his anger. Lindsey felt a cold shiver run through her, she was actually
scared of her own father, or was it more than that? Lindsey found herself
asking why she was so afraid of facing Jimmy’s questions, what was
it that she was so afraid of? All she had to do was tell him what had
happened between her and Callum, right? Why was she so afraid of telling
him the truth? Thats it Lindsey thought, Callum had once said it wasn't
him she was afraid of, it was what she felt. That can't be it Lindsey
lay searching herself for a better, more reasonable answer, but found
nothing.
She suddenly sat up. Jimmy eyed her then visibly grew smaller as he saw
the state his daughter was in.
“ What do you want to know?” Lindsey suddenly asked, her voice
sounded confidant, but underneath it she was terrified of what she might
finally admit. There’s nothing to admit Lindsey chastised herself
Tell him the truth, you slept with Callum, but that was it, it ended once
you got on the plane Lindsey sighed, she no longer believed it herself,
how would she ever convince Jimmy who already had his own version of what
happened. Lindsey thought about Jimmy’s theories ever since they
got back, he had always accused her of falling in love with Callum, and
now Lindsey thought about it, Jimmy’s version seemed more truthful
than hers all of a sudden. Don't be so stupid! she berated herself You
fell for him, but it was never that serious suddenly she could no longer
even convince herself of the story that she had believed for so long.
“ I think we'd better put the kettle on, its going to be a long story
from the looks of things” Jimmy turned and walked down the stairs.
Lindsey slowly followed, just like she had Jackie a few nights ago.
As Lindsey left her room, she considered what she was going to tell Jimmy,
she couldn't even think of what happened herself, she had been in denial
for too long, it was time to tell the truth.
CHAPTER:22 ALMOST THE DEFINITIVE VERSION
Lindsey sat down as Jimmy placed a cup of coffee on the table for
her. Jimmy on the other hand stood leaning against the bench waiting quietly
for Lindsey to begin. When she didn't he prompted her.
“ So how longs it been going on?” he asked almost inaudibly.
“ It was just in Portugal” Lindsey said her voice sounding strained
as she retained a sudden urge to lash out. She suddenly noticed that Jackie
was not there. She guessed that she wanted to avoid been dragged into
the latest of arguments.
“ And you expect me to believe that?” Jimmy said in what was
almost a sarcastic tone.
“ Yes!” Lindsey half snapped. She didn't want to discuss this,
not now, not after she'd just saw him and was feeling so confused.
“ Oh aye” Jimmy shook his head “ And how longs he been
back now?”
“ I don't know” Lindsey fought to refrain herself from returning
Jimmy's sarcasm, she fought to prevent herself from been too defensive
of Callum, she knew that would make Jimmy worse.
“ Yeah right” Jimmy came round the table so as that he faced
Lindsey full on, his sympathy for her that had showed in her bedroom was
gone, he needed to vent his anger, and although that anger was for Callum,
Lindsey was going to suffer, but Jimmy had clearly forgot that Lindsey
could give as good as she got. “ And you want me to believe that
it hasn't been going on over ere an' all?” Jimmy’s voice was
beginning to rise, but so did Lindsey’s now, she intended to match
Jimmy raise for raise.
“ Yes because I didn't even know he was here” Lindsey now rose
that she didn't feel so small compared to Jimmy.
“ Tell me what exactly did happen then in Portugal”
“ Okay, sit down” Lindsey waited until Jimmy sat before she
did. Once they had they were facing each other across the table, both
staring hard at each other. Lindsey, though, was the first to look away
as she prepared herself for what she was about to say. She hadn't yet
faced the truthful version herself and now she was about to tell Jimmy,
she wasn't sure if she could do that.
“ Do we have to do this?” she asked sighing.
“ Answer me one question, honestly, then we'll let it go, well actually
answer me two questions” Jimmy negotiated.
“ Okay” Lindsey agreed quietly.
“ Do you love him?” Lindsey shot a look at Jimmy, Jimmy wasn't
sure what it was, but he knew that after seeing her face he wouldn't believe
her answer.
“ No” Lindsey finally answered, swallowing hard.
“ Are you still seeing him?”
“ No” this time Lindsey answered straight away and Jimmy was
willing to believe that it was the truth.
“ Right we'll forget it, but one thing we know now” Lindsey
looked at Jimmy wondering what sarcastic remark she was about to receive.
“ And what would that be?” Lindsey asked rising, deliberately
slamming her chair back under the table.
“ We know that he can’t be so in love with you” Lindsey
glared down at Jimmy.
“ And you figure that how?” Lindsey struggled to keep calm,
Callum did love her, that she knew better than anything.
“ Oh come on, he comes all the way over here and doesn’t even
stop by to see how you’re doing” Jimmy replied, the sarcastic
tone becoming too much for Lindsey to bear.
“ No Dad, he didn’t let me know because he loves me so much
that he knows if he sees me again he won’t be able to leave me”
with that Lindsey stormed back upstairs.
CHAPTER: 23 A SECOND ATTEMPT
Callum had instantly panicked the second he discovered Barrys' escape,
and with good reason too, Barry was planning to attack the very next morning.
Callum had sat on watch outside of Lindsey's house all night, taking turns
with Sam of course, but there was no point, Callum could not sleep, he
couldn't even rest. Callum had fought the temptation to approach the house,
but it had burned inside of him. He knew how close he was to been able
to see her, but he didn't dare act on that urge, he was afraid of the
consequences. Even if Lindsey did want more than a night of passion what
could he do, he had to go back to Portugal and she would not leave with
him.
Barry was seething from the humiliation, the betrayal and the failure
of such a simple plan. He knew something was very wrong, he knew how much
Lindsey hated Callum and he knew how much Callum hated Lindsey. He remembered
clearly the kidnapping, Callum’s attempted rape of Lindsey, Lindsey
attempting to beat Callum to death with a wooden plank before he had pulled
her away locking Callum inside the container. Barry could make no sense
of why Callum would want to save Lindsey, or of why Lindsey would say
such things about Callum in an argument, unless she was doing it merely
to wind him up. Now Barry thought about it, Lindsey’s comments about
Callum had wound him up, had made him angry. He was determined now to
take revenge, whether he got his money or not he would kill Lindsey. He
had no intention of asking questions, he was just going to go and fire.
First though he had to make sure that she was alone.
Barry waited, watching, he saw Jimmy leave, then a short while after he
saw Jackie leave. He had not noticed Callum and Sam and they had not noticed
him. Sam was too tired and Callum was too anxious, he was paying no attention
to his surroundings, he merely stared at Lindsey’s house, the thought
of how close he was to seeing her burnt deep into him, but it was no good,
another meeting would only make going home a lot harder. He sank down
into his seat slightly as Jimmy left and then, a little after, Jackie.
Callum couldn't believe it, after last night they were leaving Lindsey
alone. Then again they would be thinking that Callum had dealt with Barry,
he wished now that he had. Suddenly the doubts and questions began to
flow through his mind. He nudged Sam, waking him.
“ What is it?” Sam asked half yawning.
“ Sam what if he goes in through the back?” Callum asked not
looking away from the house.
“ He wouldn't”
“ Whys that?”
“ Because if he did, how would he know that she was alone, he has
to watch the front of the house, theres no one to do it for him”
Callum considered this and knew Sam was right.
“ Okay I suppose you're right, I hope you are” Callum said looking
at him.
“ Callum look!” Sam jumped up instantly removing his belt. Callum
spun, it was Barry.
“ Damn!” Callum removed his belt, seized his gun from the side
of his seat. Callum waited until Lindsey answered the door. Barry immediately
pushed her back into the house. Callum dove out of the car.
“ Callum wait” Sam ran after him “ You can't just charge
in, you'll probably get both of you killed that way” Sam paused next
to Callum “ We have to figure out a way in” Sam eyed the house
“ Can you climb?” he suddenly asked.
“ Why?” Callum looked at Sam a little apprehensively, he hated
heights.
“ Sorry, you don't like heights do you?”
“ No, but if its for Lindsey” Sam looked at Callum and saw for
the first time in his eyes just how much this woman meant to him.
“ Come with me” Sam quickly lead him round the back of the house.
Lindsey stood pressed against the bench, she knew Barry was not going
to think twice, but she also knew that he had no plan. She began thinking
of how to turn this to her advantage.
“ You think it was funny what you said last night, about how I was
so much weaker than friggin' Callum Finnegan, you must have been dying
for the moment he decked me.....” Lindsey cut him off.
“ Yeah well proved my point didn't it” Lindsey hissed as Barry
moved close to her.
“ Huh but did you honestly think that would be the end of it?”
Barry was very close to her now, she could feel his breath on her face,
she turned her head away. “ Don't you dare look away from me you
bitch!”
Lindsey's mind raced, she had to think of a way to turn his aggravation
against him. She thought of her encounters with Callum, how had she turned
his anger against him? Now she thought about it she had never really done
that. She now thought of how she had ever defeated Callum, if she could
out-do Callum, she could out-do Barry. But with Callum she had often had
help. She wished she had help now, even if it was someone like Dave Burns,
it was better than no one, it would buy her time at least. An idea hit
her, something to buy time at least.
“ No actually I didn't” she said staring at him hard, Barry
looked back confused, trying to figure out what she was up to, he knew
she was resourceful. “ You see Barry” she pushed him away from
her slightly “ Callum didn't want anyone else to get their hands
on you” Lindsey only hoped that she was right about the two men working
for Miller and not actually Callum himself “ Callum was depending
on your escape, you see he wants you for himself, he wants to have a part
in, well how can I put it? the kill, if you like” Lindsey allowed
one of her infamous sly smiles cross her face.
Callum successfully managed to ignore his penetrating fear as he climbed
a ladder that had been left in the yard to an open window. He carefully
slipped his hand through the gap and slipped the hook up so that the window
opened wide enough for him to climb through. Once in he realized where
he was, it was Lindsey's room. He glanced round briefly before snapping
back to himself. He turned and closed the window. Sam stared in shock
he was half way up the ladder and Callum had deliberately locked him out.
“ Jesus” he exclaimed “ Callum you stupid son of a bitch”
he added shaking his head as he began to descend the ladder. Callum made
his way carefully and quietly towards the stairs. He paused at the top,
he could hear Barrys' voice.
“ You know something Lindsey you haven't changed, still as sexy as
you were the last time I saw you” Barry began to push up against
her.
“ Yeah and you're still as ugly too, hm what I ever saw in you puzzles
me now” Lindsey retorted still keeping her confidant mask over the
quivering wreck that she actually was.
“ Hmm, just a shame you had to cross to the other side eh” Barry
looked at her and Lindsey knew in that second as she stared back at him
what he was going to do.
Callum crept down the stairs, cursing them for been so noisy. Also cursing
the fact that he had to go so slow.
“ You know what I think it was that attracted you to me” Barry
whispered in her ear as he ran his hand down her thigh. Lindsey cringed
at his touch. “ I think it was the danger, you know, all women like
a bad boy, you liked the fact that I lead a dangerous lifestyle”
“ Yeah, and then there was Callum” Barry stepped back.
“ What do you mean?” he asked glaring at her.
“ Well you were the bad boy, who was nothing to look at and had no
personality, and then Callum came along, a much 'badder boy' than you,
but unlike you, Callum had the good looks and the personality” Lindsey
looked at Barry, she knew her words stung him, but she didn't care.
“ And what kind of personality would that be?”
“ Well you see he's two different people, he's the Callum you know,
evil psycho to be blunt, and then theres the Callum I know, charming,
attentive, doting, totally loyal and completely faithful, oh and a very
good dancer” Barry seized her throwing her to the floor. Lindsey
jumped straight back up, suddenly panicking about the baby, even though
she still hadn’t actually done the test. Callum looked through, there
was no way he could get Barry without hitting Lindsey. He dropped his
head against the wall, it stung but he didn't care. Suddenly they all
jumped as they heard a crash outside, the ladders had fell. Barry moved
for the front door, Lindsey moved to block him but he knocked her down.
Callum heard a tearing sound, he moved for the kitchen door, forgetting
the fact that he didn't have his gun at the ready. He fired a quick shot
as he saw Barry dash out the door. He heard him cry as the bullet cut
into his arm. Barry dropped against the wall before opening the door and
running for his car.
Jackie spotted him climb into the car, but she didn't think it was him,
she believed him dead or very close to been dead now that Callum had him.
Despite this she still ran to her house, she knew Lindsey was at home
alone. Jackie instantly spotted the dark stain of blood on the wall by
the front door. She quickly moved into the sitting room.
Jackie froze. She was faced by Callum holding a gun at her. Lindsey cowered
behind him, clinging to him as though her life depended upon it. Slowly
Callum lowered the gun. Jackie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She watched
as Callum turned back to Lindsey. Lindsey looked deep into his eyes, she
was shaking and her top was torn. Lindsey knew Callum wasn't sure what
to do now that Jackie was there. Lindsey changed that for him as she gently
slid her arms around his waist and let her head sink onto his shoulder.
Callum wasted no time in responding as he dropped his head onto Lindsey’s,
sighing deeply he ran his fingers through her hair, he knew now that it
would kill him having to go home. Callum winced at the thought of going
home now, if he didn't do something soon it would be near impossible.
He pulled back from the warm embrace, Lindsey looked at him confused.
“ I'd better go” Callum mumbled looking down at the floor. Briefly
he looked back up at Lindsey and as he did Lindsey saw in his eyes just
how deep his pain was. Lindsey was about to speak when Callum turned and
walked out past Jackie avoiding eye contact with her. Jackie knew in that
moment after seeing them together that something more had happened.
Continued Next week.......
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