Time To Play by KA Richardson (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

He glanced at the clock on the wall; he’d have to deal with the mess and the body later. For now, it was time to leave, or he’d be late.

Dive Team HQ, South Shields – 4 November

‘Marlo, wait up,’ came Connor’s voice from behind her as she made her way towards the front entrance of the building.

For a moment she was tempted to just ignore him, but that wasn’t her style. Hopefully, he’d pulled his head out of his arse now anyway. He’d been quiet as a mouse the day before during the training exercise and had been gone by the time she made it back to the office from the nick in Sunderland.

She was already beginning to regret her decision to pop into the centre on her rest day to grab her kit bag. She’d left it there accidentally last night, and it had her personal drysuit in, which she needed for the day’s dive. She’d fully expected to pop in without seeing another soul.

‘Connor,’ she greeted coolly, turning to acknowledge him. Immediately, though, she felt guilty. The lad looked torn up and guilty as hell. Not one for prolonging torture, she added, ‘You OK? What’re you doing here today?’

‘Left my mobile last night. Thought I’d grab it before Bravo Team came in. Need it in case something happens to my mum. She’s erm … well, she’s not too good. You OK?’

Marlo noticed him falter when he mentioned his mum, but she didn’t ask about it. It was obviously something he wasn’t keen on talking about. ‘Am fine, just picking up my kitbag. I’m off up to the Farne Islands to do some diving. You ever been up there?’

‘Once, years ago. Listen, Marlo. About the other day—’

‘It’s fine, we all have bad days. Don’t worry about it.’ Apologies always made her uncomfortable, and she knew that’s where the conversation was headed. She held the door open for him and motioned him through.

‘OK, thanks.’ He nodded at her. ‘If you ever want a dive partner, I wouldn’t mind diving up that way. Heard the wrecks are amazing on a good day.’

‘There’s not much of them left to be honest. On a good day you can see a few joists and belly rails in the sediment, but it’s been a while since it’s been clear enough for good views. I’ll get my shot one day. You’re welcome to come next time I go if you like though.’

‘Great thanks, Marlo. And I really am sorry for snapping. I’ll see you Monday.’

She watched after him thoughtfully as he made his way up the stairs towards the locker room. He’s a funny soul that one, young in age, but he has old eyes.

Reading people was something she did well; she’d grown up having to be able to read the moods of others and understand things children shouldn’t need to know. Foster homes and care homes had a tendency to do that, you practically slept with one eye open. She knew Connor had been genuinely sorry, but she also knew he’d been hiding something. Hate it when people do that. Why can’t they just be honest and say what’s bugging them?

Her mind taunted her with its reply, ‘You should know. You do it.’

Guilt flashed over her: yes, she did hide things. Every day, in fact. Things no one on her team knew about. What right do I have to judge Connor when I hide something so awful? Jutting her chin outwards in defiance, she retrieved her kitbag from the wet room, got back into her car, and turned the music up loud.

Anything to drown out the screaming.

Outskirts of Hetton-le-Hole – 4 November

Elvie strained her ear to the door, listening. She’d heard voices outside her room a few minutes before and wondered what was going on.

Suddenly the key turned in the lock, and she leapt backwards to the bed, curling her knees to her chest as the woman entered.

Elvie sat silently. She knew the woman was from her homeland, could tell by looking at her. The man who had kicked her was there also, following the woman inside. The other driver was there too, his face looking shameful as he glanced up at her and shuffled on his feet.

‘She needs to be taken to Wear Street. Rocko has man there wanting to pay for this one. He pay much. He come at ten o’clock. She must be there before then and she must remain pure.’ The woman sidled a hateful glance at the man who had kicked Elvie.

The woman walked to the bed and sat down beside Elvie, not suspecting for one moment that the girl had understood every word she’d said. Reverting to Filipino now, she spoke to Elvie. ‘Shhh, child, it’s OK. These men will take you to your new home. You will meet your husband there. He will teach you to be a woman and take care of you.’

Elvie knew a response was required, and she knew there was no way in hell she was going home with a man to be his wife. She was only fifteen; even at home it wouldn’t be forced on her like this. But this woman couldn’t know that Elvie knew what she’d said to the men. Forcing tears to her eyes, she nodded slowly at the woman. ‘But why must I go, I want to stay here? This room is bigger than my whole house was at home. Can’t you look after me?’

‘No, child. But you will be fine, I will check on you soon.’

As the woman stood to leave, Elvie heard one of the men snigger. They didn’t have a clue what the woman had said, that much was obvious. But they knew it was a lie.

Wherever they were going to take Elvie, it wasn’t going to be a