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Chapter Twenty Six

Gareth

“Ace of spades!"

“Fuck, wait what game are we playing again?" Gareth asked.

“One I made up," Oliver grinned, taking a swig of beer.

“Is this so you can win?" Gareth huffed.

“Basically, but you're winning though."

“I see," Gareth mumbled as he set his cards down and stretched. “I'm surprised you invited me up here and still want to be friends."

“My mum is inviting some of her friends over and I wanted to get out to avoid being sociable," Oliver replied, putting another card down.

“Can't we just play cheat instead?" Gareth sighed.

“That's not as good with two people. Why are you feeling sad, is it the Arseny drama again?" Oliver asked.

“Kind of. I'm still sorry about the way I spoke to you yesterday," Gareth sighed.

Although part of him was still annoyed at the Collie, it also felt good to apologise to his friend.

“It's okay man, you've apologised three times now," Oliver laughed. “I wouldn't have texted you, checked that Arseny hadn't murdered you and suggested we play cards if I was still pissed off."

After hiding in the bathroom at not-dad's house, Gareth had run upstairs and locked himself in his room. Arseny had still been out when his mum had made dinner. Eliza was off somewhere, Gareth didn't care where she had gone. He and his mum had eaten it at the table in silence. He could tell mum was distracted when he tried engaging her in conversation.

“How was your day?"

“Good."

And that was the extent of what they had discussed about each other. Gareth wondered if his mum knew something was up, but as with her previous boyfriends, she didn't want to admit it.

“Mum, are you okay?" Gareth had tried asking.

“Sometimes I worry about whether I've been a good mum," she sighed. “You never seem happy."

“It's not you, it's not-da, I mean Anthony," Gareth had insisted.

“I feel like it's something I do," mum replied. “I just think if we all made an effort to get along."

Gareth thought better of making a point of saying Anthony didn't try getting along with anyone but kept his mouth shut.

The meal progressed in an awkward silence. Those exchanges were nothing new. Whenever one of her ex-boyfriends did something bad his mum blamed herself or asked why Gareth was never happy as if it was his fault.

Gareth knew it wasn't his mum's fault, but it was a frustrating cycle and one he wanted to escape from.

After dinner, Gareth had washed a few dishes before hurrying up to his room. He sent Oliver a text that read Sorry I was a tosser , you're still my best friend. Oliver had replied an hour later with Sorry I also said bad things. You're my best mate. Card game under the tree tomorrow? ;)

He had then checked Instagram and saw from Ralph's page that the Doberman was now in Croatia. His post showed a photo of a wide open beach and there was no mention of Marcus.

“Poor Ralph, I'll help you find love," Gareth had said wistfully before falling asleep.

When the morning came Gareth had cycled to the usual spot to find Oliver waiting under the tree in the field with a pack of cards and a bottle of beer.

“Want to keep playing?" Oliver asked, pulling Gareth back to the present.

“Eh, maybe in a minute," he sighed, glancing down at Marcus' house. Frank's red truck had been parked outside all morning and there was no sign of Ralph's Lotus. “I can't believe he's dumped Ralph for Frank."

“How do you know that's genuinely what happened?"

“Because I checked Instagram last night and he's gone away without Marcus," Gareth explained.

“I did see Marcus yesterday," Oliver agreed. “He was walking around in his little green swim trunks with Frank. They were sniffing about the treehouse."

“Fuck," Gareth sighed. “There goes my hiding place. What if they find the stuff in there and trace it back to me?"

“You never took the sleeping bag away?" Oliver asked. “Damn, that was the one I use for camping."

“Sorry, there wasn't a chance," Gareth sighed. “Great, what if they call the police?"

“Heh, you're fucked!" Oliver laughed. “You'd better crash at mine in that case."

“What, so you can be arrested as an accomplice?" Gareth shot back.

“Fair point, taking your chances with Arseny might be best."

“Ugh, on the run from the law and hiding in not-dad's house," Gareth sighed. “Imagine him gloating if I'm arrested, oh I told you he was a delinquent! See Claire, if only he was like my Eliza and did more community work, no real son of mine would turn out like this."

Oliver laughed as Gareth opened his phone to stalk Ralph's Instagram again. As the app opened the first thing he saw wasn't a post from the Doberman, but Gunnar.

“Nooo!" Gareth exclaimed.

“That's a pretty uncanny Frodo expression," Oliver said. “What is it?"

“Look," Gareth said, pointing at the image. It showed the Elkhound and Ralph holding each other tightly on a beach. Ralph was wearing the blue and white speedo that Gareth had previously appropriated. Gunnar's eyes were closed and there was a smile of contentment on his muzzle. Ralph was nuzzling him between the ears. “Damn, I'm never going to get him now."

“Ya know, I'm not gay but even I'll admit that's a sweet photo," Oliver said.

In spite of the situation Gareth felt surprised.

“You know, weirdly that's a kind thing of you to say," he sighed. “Normally you'd be like eww, gay things."

“Well, I'd rather Penelope Cruz was in the pic, but they look happy together, like they're just enjoying each other's company."

“But this means Ralph isn't coming back," Gareth grumbled. “If he's with Gunnar again, and Marcus now has Frank."

“Heh, Little Hartbrook has never been this interesting, and now it's a soap opera," Oliver laughed.

“It's not funny, and how can I even hide in the treehouse now they know that was my stakeout?"

“Is there any point now?" Oliver asked.

Gareth opened his mouth to say I need to plot to get Marcus and Ralph back together, but he stopped himself.

“I need somewhere to hide from not-dad," he said instead.

“You were okay at your place last night," Oliver pointed out. “But you're welcome at mine."

“True," Gareth reasoned. “You know I don't think it's us he's actually after."

“You don't?"

“I think it might be Frank," Gareth explained.

“What makes you think that?"

“He heard him mention a Francis on the phone, him not being stupid and working things out," Gareth said, scratching his muzzle as he tried recalling everything that was said during Arseny's conversation.

“How do you mean?"

Gareth took a deep breath and recounted all of what Arseny had said, doing an impression of his booming voice while Oliver laughed.

“So, I'm pretty sure he means Frank Trelawney, or at least I think he does," Gareth finished. “How many other people called Francis do we know?"

“Hmm, Frank's house is next to the shrieking shack, so that would make sense," Oliver reasoned.

Gareth glanced down at Marcus' house and wondered what was going on down there now. He thought he could make out Marcus sitting in a chair wearing his green speedos while Frank stood by the back door.

“You slut," Gareth sighed.

I will get Ralph back here, even it means a kamikaze mission into their house.

He then looked over the town and noticed a fox family walking on one of the country lanes close by. Even from a distance he could make out the two parents and two small kits. One of the kits was swinging on the arms of his parents while the other was walking slightly ahead, kicking a football along.

Gareth followed them with his eyes as they turned off the path to a small patch of grass with a view of the sea.

The dad was carrying a picnic hamper and Gareth watched wistfully as he set it on the ground while the two fox kits wagged their tails excitedly.

If only I had that, someone who loved me and a real family.

“Want to keep playing?" Oliver asked, causing Gareth to yelp. “You were winning after all."

“Okay," Gareth sighed. “Where were we?"

“What are you doing in my field?" a voice shouted. “Are you gambling and drinking? That's the devil's work you know!"

Both Gareth and Oliver turned to see a beagle farmer holding a pitchfork.

“Fuck, run!" Oliver shouted, grabbed the cards and the beer bottle.

Both canines scampered down the hill until they reached the gate.

“There goes that space as well," Gareth panted as they climbed over.

“I guess we'd better go to my mum's party then," Oliver sighed.

Gareth grabbed his bike and they walked dejectedly down the trail.

They reached Oliver's place and Gareth left his bike by the gate before Oliver let them into the house.

Gareth could hear the sound of lively conversation from the garden.

“Hello Gareth," Oliver's mum cooed. “How are you doing?"

“Fine thank you Mrs Durrence," Gareth replied.

“Where have you been then?" Mrs Durrence asked Oliver. “Off hiding? That's fair I suppose, hanging out with a bunch of middle aged ladies probably isn't the most interesting activity for you guys."

“Um, mum could Gareth sleep over?" Oliver asked as he set the cards and empty bottle on the counter.

“Of course," Mrs Durrence replied, fixing the beer bottle a suspicious glance.

“Thanks," Oliver said before reaching into the fridge to pull out a bottle of coke.

“Is that a glass of selfish Oliver?" his mum asked.

“Mum!"

“Make sure you serve some to Gareth first," Mrs Durrence laughed.

“Coke?" Oliver offered.

“Yes please."

“Ice?"

“Yes."

“Now, I ought to go and serve some tea to everyone. Did you want anything else Gareth?"

“I'm good thanks Mrs Durrence."

“Good, come outside and say hello when you're ready," Mrs Durrence said before wondering off.

“My mum can be just as embarrassing, it's annoying when they still talk to use like we're puppies," Gareth reasoned as Oliver retrieved ice from the freezer for both of them. “Why do you want me sleeping over here if the police come?"

“Because they'll look for you at Arseny's house first, and I have an escape plan idea, follow me," Oliver said.

He poured Gareth a glass before gesturing for him to follow.

Gareth followed the Collie outside to see Mrs Durrence and a group of her friends sitting around the table.

He recognised Mrs Hinchcliffe and with a jolt of alarm saw Anne Trelawney sitting next to her, sipping a cup of tea. Mr Durrence was sitting at the far end.

“Afternoon boys!" he called.

“Hey dad," Oliver replied.

“What have you been up to?"

Oliver opened his mouth, but thankfully he was saved by Mrs Durrence.

“John, can you help me with something for a moment?"

“Follow me," Oliver whispered as they walked down the garden. “Now, in case the police come, run down the garden..."

However, Gareth tuned out as noticed that the gap into Marcus' garden was still not covered up after Oliver had pushed the board down.

Could I get in there? No, this is a bad idea, don't even think about it.

“So, what do you think of the plan?" Oliver asked.

“Yeah, I like it," Gareth replied, despite not having taken any of it in.

“Good, now let's get back in the shade."

They walked back up to the house and sat on a bench close to where the adults were.

“Have you seen any more of Marcus?" Mrs Hinchcliffe asked. “He hasn't spoken to me since he got back here."

“Oh, keeps himself to himself, I see him sunbathing sometimes," Mrs Durrence replied.

“Sunbathing," Mr Durrence laughed. “In England?"

Oh shit, did they see me too? Gareth wondered. I was shielded from the Durrence's house though.

“He's made a nice habit of it," Mrs Durrence replied. “Oh, and the Doberman in the white sports car was around for a bit."

“He's an actor you know," a female lynx piped up. “What's his name? Richard I think."

“Ralph Rivers, you fool," Gareth muttered under his breath.

He sipped his coke and watched the adults chatting, but his eyes kept glancing over at the gap.

“What was that television show he was in?" the lynx continued. “The one about the diamond thieves."

Gareth wanted to speak up, but he cocked an ear as he heard the sound of a powerful engine coming down the road.

Ralph?

“Oh that's Roger Blanchard's son Steve, he's got a new motorbike," Mrs Durrence sighed. “He's taken to riding it recklessly around here."

Damn.

“I know, he's going to pile it into a nearby fence soon and go flying over the roof, look there he goes," Mr Durrence grinned, pointing at the sky.

“John!" Mrs Durrence snapped.

Gareth drooped his ears as he gulped his drink and felt the fizziness tickle his nose.

The doorbell rang and Mrs Durrence stood to answer it.

Gareth cocked an ear to listen out and then felt his blood freeze.

“Hello there Frank, yes your mum is here. Follow me."

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Gareth felt his paws shaking and the ice clinking in his glass as Mrs Durrence emerged from the house with the black wolf in tow.

Frank glanced over in Gareth's direction and Gareth felt rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do or say. The wolf's face was unreadable, but he turned to Anne who had stood up.

“Hello mum," Frank said, giving her a hug and a kiss on her cheek fluff.

“Hello Frank, I didn't realise you were going to stop by. This is a nice surprise!"

“I was over at Honeysuckle Lodge and remembered you were having tea at Mrs Durrence's today," Frank replied, wagging his tail. “But I've also come to see Mr Durrence."

“Hi Frank, what can I do for you?" Mr Durrence said, getting to his hind-paws.

“I wanted to know if your friend Mr Parkfield was still interested in classic cars and ran his maintenance workshop?" Frank asked. “A friend of Marcus' has an old Lotus, but at the moment the friend is going back and forth from here to Croatia and Threapleton Manor. He texted us just now and wanted to know if there was anywhere local to keep it safe while he's working?"

“Ooh, Threapleton and Croatia, that's quite a mix," Mrs Hinchcliffe chuckled.

“I'm not sure, although the last time I heard he wasn't going to do it anymore and his son was going to take over instead," Mr Durrence replied. “I'll ask around and see if anyone local knows of where an old Lotus can be kept."

“Thank you. He was concerned that when the summer ended it needed to be kept out of the rain and away from prying eyes. Also, where you aware HD-C the building firm had business in town?"

“Not that I know of," Mr Durrence said.

“No worries, I'm doing a bit of digging into something," Frank replied with a wry chuckle.

“Did you want a drink Frank?" Mrs Durrence offered.

“Thank you, but I ought to be getting back. Did you want me to drive you home mum?"

“I think I'll be all right," Anne replied.

“Sure, anyway have a nice day everyone," Frank said. “Oh don't worry Mrs Durrence, you sit down and I'll see myself out."

Everyone said a collective bye but Gareth remained frozen.

He breathed a sigh of relief as Frank walked back into the house and a second later he heard the front door close.

“Awkward," Oliver breathed.

“Yeah," Gareth agreed, but his mind was already scheming.

He's looking for someone who can babysit the Lotus. Hmm…