to

It was when Laura told Ian that she was finished with the disk, that he knew she had in fact viewed it.  He wouldn’t tell Kevin.  He couldn’t, in fear Kevin would resort to silencing Laura from ever breathing a word of what she knew.  He wasn’t going to bring it up again from this moment on.  Hopefully, it would just fade away and everyone would just do his or her own thing. 

Drained with worry, he entered the office kitchenette to prepare a coffee when he hoped he misheard the words that Laura so quietly spoke.

‘What was that?’ he asked her expressing concern while turning to see her seated at her desk.

‘Ian, I think I should be making plans to return home for a while. I have so much to deal with and I would have to go back sooner or later. I just assumed it would be better if I were to do that now.’ Laura choked back the tears that hid within her words.

It was not what he expected to hear at that moment, or Kevin to know for that matter.  The last thing he wanted to do was to discuss the contents let alone having her leave and to tell her why it wasn’t such a good plan with poor timing.  He knew he couldn’t stop her, but she wasn’t aware that Kevin might be onto her also. If that were the case, it would take nothing for Kevin to order her dead.  Kevin would know soon enough of her plans to depart and that had Ian worried. 

It was settled before it was ever discussed.  Ian had no choice but to accept it though it hurt him deeply to think of her leaving him alone once again.

‘I don’t imagine I can change your mind?’ he asked her.

‘Why put off the inevitable?’ she said with a saddened tone.

Ian could see how it pained her to tell him.  If anything, it was the end of her fantasy she had just thrown away.

Walking over the where she sat, he placed his hands on her shoulders, motioning for her to stand.

‘Oh, let me give you a big cuddle sweetheart.’

They held each other there in the office.  Ian felt the lump in his throat, as he’d found himself holding back the pain and the thought of saying goodbye, just as they had done not so long ago at the airport in Canada. He closed the centre door to give them a moment.  Emotions ran deep when Laura couldn’t restrain her feelings and the tears arrived.

Ian wanted to be the one to inform Kevin of Laura’s intentions, hoping that maybe he would be able to veer Kevin away from Laura.

The pair met for a pint with no particular purpose in mind and Ian staged the moment to deliver the news to Kevin.

‘Laura needs to return home for a period.’ Ian began, ‘She’s worried about her house and being away for so long.’

‘Thought she would have made arrangements to sell it by now with the way you two are getting along.’ Kevin remarked.

‘Yeah, well, it was a hasty decision for her to come abroad when she did.  I can’t really blame her Kevin.’ Ian defended her.

‘Perhaps your right, the phone bills will increase again. I’m glad they’re yours and not mine’ Kevin chuckled.

Ian felt he had done some good in the protection department but

with news of Laura’s plans of departing England and heading back to Canada, Kevin took the liberty of requesting her presence in joining him for a farewell drink at the Drop Inn. 

Feeling gloomy that she would soon be leaving this beautiful country, the people she’d become so fond of, and unsure if she’d have this opportunity again, she gladly accepted his invitation.  With Ian, being away at the gym, working out tonight, she couldn’t foresee any concerns and knew he would have insisted she go out and socialize anyway.

She wore her common Canadian garb of blue jeans and tee-shirt and took care in her makeup.  Her dark brown hair, though short, wet looking and messed was the style she wore before coming across the ocean was one that remained with her during her stay.  Casually making her way to the pub, she checked to make ensure that she hadn’t missed any calls on her mobile and upon seeing she hadn’t, replaced it in her purse and continued walking.  The train station, now quiet, had relieved itself of the work traffic and was slowing down to a relaxed pace.  The majority of the working class were home with their families and would return to repeat today’s procedures.

The Drop Inn came into view, and aside from being a local watering hole for the regulars it possessed background of history. 

The white, rough-textured walls exhibited a black and white framed photograph that dated back to the early 1900’s and that refreshed the minds of the older patrons.  Each photo depicted a time to where sidewalks outside or a market down the street were nonexistent.  With technology creeping up to take hold of them in their everyday jobs, the pictures forced them to reminisce to when life wasn’t so fast and the days much longer.

During the weekends, the traffic within, were a mixture with some accepting the Drop Inn as their new weekend home of entertainment while others, their getaway from the quick pace of high-rise offices buildings. 

The music was of high volume but consistent with the blend tonight.  Being Friday, the crowd was varied in age and yet the tunes were of the seventies.  Most bodies stood in small groups chatting and moving slightly to the rhythm while others were settled at the round tables and conversing.  Some were loud with voices outdoing the bands volume while others were seated at corner tables gazing into each other’s eyes.

When Laura entered the pub, she noticed Kevin was waiting at a table on the high side.  She smiled in his direction, took her place at the table and proceeded to settle in, placing her purse on the floor next to her feet and lighting a cigarette.

Kevin ordered a drink for Laura and lit a cigarette for himself.  Looking at her now, he knew his friend Ian was going to miss her terribly after she left.  He liked Laura and what she’d done for his friend and knew he too, would miss her energizing personality in this small town.

‘So you’re really leaving us, are you?’  Kevin opened the conversation.

‘Yeah, I still have responsibilities back home.  They won’t get taken care of unless I do it myself and it’s not wise to leave them wide open this way for so long.’  She’d told him innocently enough.

‘Think you’ll be back?’ he asked her.

‘Don’t know Kevin, I can’t be sure.  Depends on what I’m going back to.  It’s gorgeous here, but it’s hard to just leave what you know best and say you’re not returning.  It’s almost like losing an arm.  I do miss my home and my gardens.  Now that I know what I will be missing here, it may help me to decide what I truly want to do.  However, I won’t know that until I get back home, will I?’

‘No, I guess not.  Did you enjoy yourself while you were here?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, I have.  Everyone is great.  I’ve learned so much here.  It’s a different culture yet we’re all so much alike.’  Laura admitted.

‘What’s going to happen with Ian?  He’s gonna miss you terribly you know.  You’ve got him motivated, the business actually interests him once again and the two of you deserve one another.  You’re both nuts.’

‘I know but I have to go Kev.  I have too much back home, you know?’  She insisted.

Laura was indeed upset about leaving.  It wasn’t supposed to be this way and so sudden but she felt inside that she didn’t really have a choice.  She was more concerned about her own safety.  With the information she was now aware of, it was more than upsetting.  It was more terrifying than anything and she would never be sure that Ian didn’t suspect that she’d witnessed it.  No, she thought, it’s best for everyone that she carries out her plan. 

It grew quiet for a moment then.  She took a drink and ashed her cigarette in the ashtray when Kevin broke the silence.

‘Couldn’t be you’re leaving because of the disk could it?’ he slammed the question to her as bluntly as he could and awaited her reaction.  Asking the question in a normal tone and never expressing a change in mood or attitude, made it twice as frightening for Laura.

‘What disk?  What are you talkin’ about?’  Laura asked him with a nervous tone.

‘I know you saw it Laura, Ian told me he left it on the desk and you never asked him for the proper one, in fear he’d find out that you knew what was on the one he’d left.’

Laura knew then that she’d been found out.  If this was her opportunity to get educated, she was going to take advantage of it.

‘Yes, I saw the disk.  It’s disgusting Kevin and even though I don’t know all the details, I certainly don’t want anything to do with it or the people responsible for it.  Yes, you’re right, the disk is my reason for leaving.  Innocent people were killed in the name of money and that hasn’t left my thoughts since I saw it.’  She replied scornfully.

‘That’s what we do Laura.  It’s an income and a means of survival for those of us who have responsibilities just like you have in Canada.  Do you think I enjoy what I do?’

‘Yes, I do Kevin, or you wouldn’t be here making petty excuses as to why you condone it.  I think it’s appalling to even associate with the likes of you, knowing what you do.  When you say ‘that’s what we do, who are you referring to Kevin?’

Laura had made her point but not completely.  She still needed to know what Ian’s role was in this business.

‘What about Ian?  Is he part of this too?  Is Ian responsible for the deaths of some of these people?  Is he Kevin?  Is he just like you underneath his smooth, romantic shell?’

Angry with tears she couldn’t stop.  Her feelings just kept exposing themselves one after another.  Kevin allowed her to continue until he felt it was time to put it to her straight.

‘You don’t understand and that’s not important now.  It makes no difference who’s involved, the question is, what happens now.  So, I’ll tell you what’s going to happen from here Laura.’  He said gruffly and began to explain his point, as only she would understand it.

‘You’re not going home.’  He said bluntly.

‘To Hell with you Kevin, I am going as scheduled and neither you or Ian will prevent that.’

‘I wouldn’t be so sure.  If I drop a coin in the phone box, you’ll be picked up within hours.’

‘I’m not listening to one more word of your bullshit Kevin and I think it’s time for me to call it a night.’

Rising from her chair, Kevin latched onto her arm.

 ‘You’re one of us now Laura.  It’s just that simple and if you would kindly take your seat and quit making a scene, I’ll explain.’

‘What are you talking about?  I will never be like you or anyone like you.’

‘I beg to differ with you sweetheart.’

Picking up his glass, he sipped his scotch as he waited for Laura to compose herself.  Laura returned to her chair and seated herself closer to the edge.  She was ready, she’d thought, In case Kevin decided to get out of hand.  Immediately, he began to inform her about what she wished she’d never heard.

‘Remember Mr. Alan Hughes?’  Kevin asked Laura.

‘No, should I?’ she said sarcastically.

‘You should, I have you on the surveillance tape speaking to him on numerous occasions.  I also have phone records confirming calls to his house made by you.’

‘Give Kevin, what’s all this about?  So I spoke to the man, so I called his residence once or twice, so what?’  Laura said in her own defence.

‘Did you sell him a phone Laura?’

‘Maybe, why?  What’s any of this have to do with anything?’ she said impatiently.

‘Mr. Alan Hughes is dead Laura.  His phone was programmed with a detonator and you sold him that phone.  It was your name on the paperwork.’  Kevin sat back in his chair and took another drink while he watched Laura’s colour fade in her cheeks from shock.

‘Not only that, but Mr. Hughes is on the list Laura.  The list on the disk.’

‘What are you telling me Kevin?’

‘I’m telling you, that you are in this just as much as Ian and I, or anyone else you think you can put a finger on.’

‘I’ll deny everything.’  Laura told him nervously.

‘No you won’t because you’re not going to say anything.’  Kevin said sharply

‘Why’s that?  What makes you so sure that I won’t?’

‘Britny, your daughter, she’s a beautiful girl.  I would hate for something to happen to her.’

There was no question as to whether Kevin was capable of such an act.  The contents of the life-sentencing disk spelt blood in seventy percent of the cases and trickled on those who didn’t comply with the rules.  In this particular case, no set amount of money could free Laura of the knowledge she learned and it was apparent that she too would be serving a sentence.

Outraged with Ian, for leaving the wrong disk in the first place, she began to heat with anger.  Wishing she’d never set eyes on the damn thing, she knew this was serious now.  With Kevin proposing to include her daughter in this chaotic predicament, made her wild with rage.  The idea of Britny being punished for something she’d done was too unravelling for Laura and she blew.

‘Fuck you Kevin.  Don’t you even consider it.’

The conversation was heated now and Kevin knew if he didn’t calm her down, he would be forced to make her a statistic like all the others who refused to comply with the rules.

‘I don’t want to harm your daughter or you for that matter.  I need to think on this one but I warn you, one word and you’ll be doing time in the nearest prison and the flowers on your daughter’s grave will be crying for water if you can’t be there to see to them.  It’s just that simple.’ 

‘Why don’t you just kill me Kevin?  Wouldn’t that just fix everything?  Wouldn’t that shut me up?’  Laura asked him sarcastically.  Frustration and resentment mixed her emotions as she spoke with Kevin.  Crying wasn’t an option and tears wouldn’t work with Kevin for he was much too clever and heartless. 

‘Nah, can’t do that Laura.  That would have to be a last resort.  This contract doesn’t need to be signed in blood if you just do what I tell you.  You don’t seem to understand that this isn’t just about me.  There’s others involved needing protection, and normally, it would be easy enough to just waste you but I will think of another way to deal with this.  In the meantime, for the safety of you and your daughter, I only hope that you’ll work with me on this and say nothing. Once I get my head around it, I’ll call you and we’ll meet again.  If you don’t hear from me, you just carry on as planned.  I’ll catch up with you later.  Is that understood?’

That’s how it was left.  After saying his piece Kevin rose from his chair and walked toward the bar, stopping briefly to turn back in Laura’s direction.

     ‘By the way, as far as Ian’s concerned, we never had this conversation.  Am I clear enough?’

     Laura nodded to confirm she understood.

     Waving goodnight to his friends at the bar, Kevin disappeared through the front door of the pub and into the night.

Laura sat alone in silence at the table.  Deep in thought, she knew she had but two options.  She could remain in England or make a run for Canada but it would be Britny who would pay for a clumsy decision and almost instantly, she knew that fleeing was not an option.  If Kevin were clever enough to locate Britny in Canada, even when she was unable, he would certainly have no difficulty in pinpointing Laura if she ran.  If only he would do that, it would buy her some time but with her daughter used as the pawn, she couldn’t take any risks.

Ian popped into her thoughts just then.  Why wasn’t she able to discuss to Ian, the conversation she’d had with Kevin?  Could it be that Ian may have wanted Kevin to eliminate her and Kevin was trying to help her?  She couldn’t be sure on that one.  It was decided then, she would say nothing to anyone until Kevin gave her the word.  Her flight day was less than a week away.  She anticipated that Kevin wouldn’t return to her regarding the subject.  Feeling misplaced and exposed, she desperately longed to return home to Canada and work in her gardens as she was used to.

That night, Laura was sleepless, with all that was in play now.  Wanting urgently to seek some method of release regarding her situation only brought thoughts of Britny to mind and she shuddered to think what may happen if she were to breathe one word to anyone. 

Ian, instead of being a godsend had developed into her worst nightmare.  On more than four occasions that first night, she woke and paced the floor of her flat with cigarette in hand.  Constantly wondering what she should be doing next and contemplating any foreseeable obstacles that might hinder her path, the sound and thought of Kevin Chambers, merely invited trouble and she wasn’t ready for any more. 

It was difficult to work with Ian after Kevin’s meeting.  Harder to focus on a lasting relationship with him now, she had to be on guard but not too obvious until flight day.  The upcoming days in the shop would be quiet ones with little humour or joking.  This was the first and foremost thing that Ian sensed and was feeling her tension.  Aware that she was leaving England was one thing but to have her shut down this way was devastating to their friendship and he certainly was in fear of losing that. 

Across from his desk, Laura sat in deep in thought.  With her blue eyes focused on the grey filing cabinet in the far corner of the office, it was certain her concentration wasn’t joining her views and formed a distant stare that placed her elsewhere.  Ian established her diversion to be the desire to be Canada bound and wanted desperately to wish it away and have her remain with him. Nothing was as it was before.

Ian watched Laura closely, trying to keep her in his sight not only for protection but also for his personal reasons.  It was complicated when she didn’t really care to be spied on and that’s exactly what she thought was taking place.  When Ian suggested plans for the evening, she politely excused herself with a headache and left for her flat.

Broken hearted and worried, Ian drove his car in the direction of home.  Laura, however, waited until he was out of sight and made her way down the stairs. She had, on few occasions gone for a pint solo in Trussel’s Wine Bar next door to the shop.  The countless conversations she’d had with John Trussel, the pub’s owner, made it obvious that he could be trusted. Tonight, she would need someone to confide in and John would be her target. Once inside, she took her place at the bar. With only one other patron to serve, he stood opposite and greeted Laura.

‘What brings you in here tonight?’

‘Dunno, bored I guess.’ She lied in a forlorn manner.

‘Mmm.. that doesn’t sound good.  Want to talk about it?’

‘Does it look that obvious?’ she asked with raised eyebrows.

‘More than you know.’

Though only thirty-two years old and much younger than she, John had a manner about him that guaranteed a credulous friendship. They could discuss anything or anyone and Laura knew it was secure with him.  It took little persuasion to get her talking but he was learning more regarding her feelings and fears than Ian would ever imagine.  Her suspicions were shared with John over a pint of lager and he listened intently as she expressed fright for herself and her daughter Britny.

Normally John made it a habit to shrug off the struggles of other patrons.  He was constantly overwhelmed with their predicaments and woes but Laura’s situation was tremendously dissimilar.  The details, the set up of the picture taken from her flat and the entrapment with the videotape were definitely methods used by Kevin Chambers.  John was well aware of Kevin and his techniques. His attention was locked to Laura with every word spoken.  Incoming patron’s were put on hold while John was picturing the scenario she was painting with her plea for help.

‘Are we gonna get served over here sometime today John?’ Slappy the local drunk slurred.

‘Hey,’ John snapped. ‘Can you not see I’m talkin’ to the lady here?’

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ Slappy apologized. ‘I just thought..’

‘I’ll be right there.’ John started. ‘Oh, hell..’

He went to pour a pint for Slappy to shut him up. Slamming it on the bar, John made it clear that Slappy was rude.

‘That’ll be £ 2.40.’

Slappy became quiet then.  He took his glass to the corner table and sat quiet by himself.  As he drank, he fell deeper into his sorrows and his purpose for drinking. 

‘John, I’m not sure what to do here.’

‘When is your flight again?’

‘It’s next Friday at 10:00 pm.’ Laura told him.

‘Come back her on Tuesday and see me about 6:00pm. I will have someone working the bar and we’ll talk.  In the meantime, find a place to stay in Canada where you won’t be found.  You do know that you can’t go home, don’t you?  He’ll find you there.  You’ll need to hide for a while. Do you know anyone you can trust in Canada that can find you a place?

‘No.’ Laura was regretful.

‘Well, Kevin’s resources are too unique for the UK, you can’t remain here.  He would have a harder time finding you back in your own country. You’ll have the up on him, knowing how your system and laws work. I need till Tuesday.  Can you give me that?’ John asked.

‘I’m concerned about my daughter Britny.’ Laura stressed.

‘I forgot about that.  Leave me work on this till Tuesday, ok?’ he requested.

‘My life is in your hands.’ Laura felt useless.

‘In the meantime, act normal.’

‘I can’t John.’

‘Why’s that then?’

‘I’m not sure if Ian is in on this.  I was told by Kevin not to mention our conversation to Ian.’

‘Hmmm. I wonder why?’ John thought. ‘Maybe Ian is who I should be fearing the most here.’

‘Could be.  He’s the one who fucked up and left things for you to see. Look, I’ll try and be as normal as possible.’

‘Do you think you’ll be okay till then?’ He questioned.

‘Should be.’ She answered.

‘If you have any trouble or foresee anything out of the ordinary, you find me.  Here’s my mobile number, use it Laura if you need to. Oh, and I need you to drop a picture of yourself in to me tomorrow. Will that be a problem?’

Handing her the paper with his number, his expression was one of dependability.

‘No, of course not, but why?’

‘Don’t ask what you don’t want to know.’ He warned her.

After their conversation, Laura left the pub and returned to her flat. Sitting on the sofa, her monitor was located on the table in front of her.  Booting her computer, she began typing a document in the Word program within her computer.

This whole mess is like a nightmare and I really wish to wake up now.  I’m not a stupid person but how in Hell’s name did I get myself involved in this.  It wasn’t supposed to be this way.  This was my fantasy and someone else has taken my writing tool. I must either find a way to get it back or leave the vision.  I believe I’ll take the latter. 

It hurts not to have Ian on my side now.  I want so much to trust him but am unsure why Kevin wouldn’t want him to know what’s going on.  If it were just about me, I would risk asking, but with Britny part of this menagerie, I can’t take the chance.  Someone’s at my door.. I must close now.

The writing became an attachment in her mail program and before answering the knock at the door, Laura pushed the send button and the message was then Canada bound to her home computer.

At the door stood Ian’s tall frame with an expression of desperation in his eyes. Looking down at the floor briefly she raised her head to welcome the man that was once capable of sweeping her off her feet and possibly still could, had she given him the word. 

‘Can I come in?’ he acted surprised at her delay.

‘Yeah, sure.’ She said, opening the door wider to accommodate his frame.

The unusual stillness and lack of excitement upon his arrival was further proof of what he feared most.  

‘Comon’ Laura. What’s up with you?  If we can’t talk, then what on earth will we do?’ Ian pleaded with her.

Having second thoughts about Ian and wanting so to just be held close within his powerful embrace, she suddenly began to remember Kevin’s meeting where he mentioned that Ian had told him that he left the disk on her desk and that she may have viewed it.  It was Ian, she thought, that put her in this state.  It was Ian who was afraid of her going to the authorities. It was Kevin who could have had her finished immediately but chose to let her run free till he could sort this out.  She had to come to terms with this and Ian wasn’t the one to do it with.  She would wait for her meeting with John on Tuesday.  Until then, she could trust no one.

‘There’s nothing to do Ian.  I have my ticket to go back home.  Why make this harder on ourselves by trying to be reachable when in a few days we will be apart again?’

‘Is that how you feel?’

The mood was quite different then.  Laura’s tone wasn’t soft, but firmer as she tried to avoid physical contact with Ian.

‘Yes.  I have no choice in the matter.  I need to go back. I need to settle things at my end and get my head in order as to where I want to be for good.  Right now, I know I can’t stay here and I have been gone far too long already.  So, why don’t we quit kidding ourselves?’

‘Okay then.’ Without one more word, a broken hearted Ian headed for the door.  Laura stood fixed and felt nervous until he left and once the door closed, she laid upon her bed and cried herself to sleep.

It would be Monday tomorrow and after work each night she decided she would pack a little bit more till there was nothing left except her computer and suitcases. Just leaving necessities available for the few days she was to remain in her flat, everything else was packed.

She had slipped out, Monday, during lunch telling Ian she was going to the News Agents for cigarettes when in fact she dropped the requested picture in to John. No words were exchanged, no expressions were seen, just a passing from one hand to another and she was gone.

 After work Tuesday night, she waited for Ian to leave.  Once the way was clear, she made her way to John at the pub.  He motioned for her to wait for a moment until he briefed his bartendress and he walked toward Laura.

‘Can we go to your flat?’ he whispered.

‘Yeah, okay.’

They walked upstairs and once inside, Laura made coffee for them.  John pulled out a slim black wallet from his shirt pocket and handed it to her.

Taking it from him, she stood in the middle of the living room and opened it.  Inside, she saw a Canadian Passport including her picture, a Canadian Drivers License, a credit card and nearly £1,000.00 cash. She became speechless.  Trying to talk or make a noise was useless.

‘Don’t say a word. Just listen.  Take that credit card and book yourself a flight out of her for Thursday.  Forget your Friday ticket, it will throw them off.  Take the money and find yourself a place to stay in Ontario.  Don’t tell me where because I don’t what to know.  You’ll notice you have a new name.  Get to know it.  Pack anything under your old name into your suitcases and get rid of them.  I don’t care where. Act normal, don’t get in touch with anyone and don’t try to call.  I mean it Laura.  These guys aren’t playing games.  Kevin has no intentions of letting you leave here on Friday.  I heard them talking in the pub earlier this week.  He won’t touch Britny until you screw up.  The first sign of the heat he feels will be your end.  Buy yourself time by staying out of sight. Understand!’

‘What about Ian?’ She sobbed.

‘He wasn’t in the pub but I wouldn’t trust him right now either.  On Thursday, arrange for a cab to pick you up and make sure no one sees you leave.  Get on the plane and go.  Don’t come back.  That’s all I can do for you.’ 

He stood silent then staring at Laura.  She was shocked and scared and couldn’t believe she would be forced to carry on this way.  Staring carefully into the wallet she saw her picture beside her new identity and she knew it was going to difficult.

‘Well, I have to go now.  Do you have any questions?’ John said with a long sigh.

‘Yeah.’ She said quietly. ‘John, will I ever be able to go home?’

‘I dunno.  Don’t think about that now.  It’s better to be alive right now.  Just be careful. Okay?’

Laura hugged John tightly and thanked him for all he had done. She never expected anyone to come through for her as he just had.  Kissing him lightly on the cheek, she promised him that he wouldn’t go forgotten for all he’d done.

With that, he left the flat and returned to the pub.  Laura stayed behind to sort the details out in her head.  She spent the remainder of her night on the Internet searching for rental real estate in Ontario Canada.  Once she saw she had options, she began to focus.

‘This shouldn’t be too difficult.’ She thought. Once in Canada, she could get to her bank account there and draw extra cash but quickly decided against it. It may be traceable and she didn’t want to risk it.

 Each day she was ready for work and each day she sat across from Ian. There was no joking, no laughs, no disputes or arguments just work and more work.  The room was quiet except for the music of the radio. She could see him occasionally look over at her and she periodically checked him out.

On Thursday morning the shop was opened as scheduled. Ian and Laura never talked much and with Laura scheduled to leave on Friday, Ian felt they should go out and celebrate.  About noontime, Kevin appeared through the shop door and was greeted by Ian.  Laura noticed him staring into the back room at her and she immediately left his eye contact and began working in the file cabinet. 

‘What’s he doing here?’ she asked herself. ‘Is he coming to give me further instructions or simply do a head count?’

The two entered the back room and Ian began the conversation.

‘What do you say we all go out for a pint tonight?’

Laura looked up quickly at the two of them with a look of surprise.

‘I mean it is your last night in England; we should have a going away party.  Whatcha reckon Laura?’

‘Sure, sounds good.’ She said slowly.

‘Ok Kevin, it’s settled.  We’ll meet you at the Oxford House oh, about 7:00?  I want to take Laura for her final Curry.’

‘Sounds good.’ Kevin replied.

Kevin’s eyes met Laura’s one last time and he disappeared out the front shop door.

The afternoon was busy with customers and she was grateful to not have to sit quiet with Ian.  What would they talk about?

At 5:30 pm, Ian locked up the shop.

With Ian busy talking to John at the pub next door and a bit of time to spare before the Oxford, Laura collected all her personal items and deleted personal messages and mail in her computer. Cleaning her temporary files, reminders, cache and shortcuts, she make sure there was nothing remaining on the hard drive that would have anything to do with her. Looking around the office, she looked for any notebooks she may have written in, jotted numbers on loose papers or anything that contained a phone number from either Canada or England that she may have written for future reference. Once she was satisfied that the shop had been cleaned, she moved upstairs to her personal computer.  The same procedure was carried out, leaving merely program files and nothing more.  Quickly and wasting not a moment, she freshened her makeup and reached for her purse. Looking at the clock now, she saw it was 6:45 pm and like clockwork, there was the rap upon the door that she was expecting.

‘Be right there!’ she yelled to Ian through the door.

From there they walked to their favourite Curry restaurant.

‘Kevin won’t be joining us for Curry tonight.’ Ian said as a matter of fact.

‘Why’s that then?’ Laura asked and stopped suddenly.  Thinking about what had just left her lips, she was in surprise at how her language was changing and so unexpectedly.  Ian laughed at her then and her expression shifted to the humour he’d found.

‘Would you like to order first?’ he asked Laura still laughing.

‘No, you go ahead and order for the both of us.’

‘The usual for you?’ he asked quietly.

‘Yea, that would be fine.’

‘He has other things to take care of and will meet us in the Oxford later.’

‘Oh, ok then.’ Laura said quietly.

The dinner conversation was silent with Ian trying desperately to create a form of dialogue whether it be friendly, funny or even an argument.  Anything would have been acceptable at this moment.  Each time his questions were answered with a one word reply and the attempts were going nowhere. When their dinner was finished, they made their way to the Oxford House to meet Kevin.

Inside the pub they got separated.  Kevin walked up to Laura and asked her to follow him.  At a table on second level he directed her to a table and she sat.

‘You’re not leaving Laura. Not yet.’

‘Why not? What about my ticket.’

‘I’ve cancelled your ticket.  I just thought I should tell you before you go for nothing.’

‘Great, and now what have you got planned for me Kevin?’

‘Tell Ian you’ve had a change of heart and you wish to remain for a while.  He will be happy with that.’

‘I’m so pleased that everyone is happy.  Everyone except for me!   

Wanting to lose her temper badly, she bit her tongue.  To threaten him would only make things worse.  After all, he did have more power and experience than her. It would take a mere phone call and she would end up a statistic with no one even knowing why.  She couldn’t give him that satisfaction.

‘So how long am I to do as I’m told before I get my life back?’

‘Listen, I could end this quickly, but I think we may be able to find an alternative.  If you don’t wish to work with me, than you’ll leave me no choice.  I don’t know yet, but I want to meet with you next week and I’ll let you know then.’

Getting up from the table without a goodbye told Laura that she’d pissed him off greatly.

Looking at her watch, it was 8:30 pm and she would have to make her exit soon. Walking up to Ian, she whispered in his ear.

‘I’m not feeling very well.  Do you mind if I go home to bed?’

‘What’s the matter sweetheart?’

‘I think it’s the food, I’m not sure but I don’t feel to be here.’

‘Do you want me to go with you?’

‘No, I will be okay; I just need to lie down. You don’t mind do you?’

‘No, you go ahead darling.  I will check on you later okay?’

Walking over to Kevin, she pulled him to the side and with a smile on her face, as Ian watched she quietly said,

‘I’m ill, do I have permission to go home to bed now?’

With a snide look on his face and glaring into her eyes he replied.

‘Don’t get ignorant.  I’m trying to help you here. Yes, if you feel ill, then by all means, go home.’

With that she walked out the front door of the Oxford House and with her mobile phone she promptly called a cab to pick her up at her flat.

Upstairs, she searched for anything she may forget and hurriedly packed it into her suitcase. Locking the large case, she remembered she had packed her old purse inside that contained everything concerning ‘Laura Brown’.  With a new purse now on her left shoulder, she was somebody else and would have to remind herself from here on in.

The cab pulled up front of the shop and beeped its horn.  Taking her two suitcases and carry on bag she fled to reach the car before he left.  Inside the car the driver asked for a destination and she told him ‘Gatwick Airport please.’

Checking her watch, she was right on schedule with the car ride occupying her thoughts.

  Mary Hanson was scheduled to board Air Transat flight T-28 at Gatwick that would fly her abroad to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From here on, everything she executed and planned was to be done with perfection and without oversight.  The flight was tedious but allowed her thoughts to move ahead as to what move was to follow.  She slept lightly and knew she would continue to do so until a form of security could be restored.

When the plane landed in Pearson Airport in Toronto, she quickly and quietly made her way to the Ladies Washroom.  Brushing her hair and freshening her makeup in the bathroom mirror, she recalled the details of John’s conversation only days ago.

‘Pack all items from your old name into your cases and get rid of them. I don’t care where.’

Looking at her luggage on the floor behind her, she walked over and moved her bags closer to the trash container and slightly out of sight.  Taking a final look in the mirror, she headed out into the busy terminal hallway.  Everyone had a destination and showed no interest in anyone or anything except getting on with their own plans.  Outside the terminal door, she stood with only her purse on her shoulder and hailed a cab.

‘I need to find a room for a day or two.  There’s been an illness in the family and I am only here visiting.  Can you suggest something that’s not too fancy that would help me out?’ she asked the cabbie.

‘Sure, there’s a place not far from here.  Shall I take you?  I don’t think they’re expensive.’

‘Yes, why don’t you do that?’

Laura watched out the cab window at familiar landmarks, signs of Canada, Ontario licence plates on vehicles and a breath of fresh air went through her. ‘I made it.’ She sighed.