Shimaura

By Leslie Charles

On an uncomfortable late night shopping trip with his wife, Edward Patterson is the victim of a hit-and-run driver.

After a spell in hospital, they find themselves in a better position financially and their life seems to be getting back on track but Edward is experiencing strange after- effects and Debbie, his wife, has her own secrets.

A stranger approaches Edward with answers but they seem too unlikely to be true. Meanwhile, Debbie has issues she needs to resolve without Edward knowing.

As their lives,individually, start to spiral out of control they seem to be pulled apart by forces beyond their control.

And what does happen to those people who disappear?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leslie Charles
• Release date: May 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463612477

Leslie Charles

Born in London to a nuclear family with Mum, Dad and a sister, Leslie enjoyed reading from an early age and has always wanted to write a bookJust over 50 years later, Shimaura was the result.Although he has held a number of different jobs, Leslie has mainly worked in IT, first in London, then Suffolk and more recently in Sheffield.​He now lives in Chesterfield with his partner, Jayne.

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Shimaura

By Leslie Charles

Copyright© 2019 by [Publisher]

Copyright is held by the author; all rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

DEDICATED TO:

My late father and my mother – simply the best parents I could have wished for.

Chapter 1 - Before

Part 1

Looking into the passenger door mirror, but seeing nothing in particular, Edward Patterson was brought back to reality by the Vivaldi ringtone on his mobile phone. By the time the thought of needing to change it to something more up-to-date had passed through his head, the usual cold, tense feeling was running along his spine, through his stomach and around his body.

If it wasn’t his wife, Debbie, currently shopping in the supermarket he was parked outside, it would be one of the companies he was negotiating with about payment schedules without her knowledge.

Unknown Number was on the screen and Edward decided not to answer it, fearing his wife’s early return. He pressed the red ‘Dismiss’ button, took a deep breath and threw the phone onto the dashboard, only to see it slide down the sloped edge, bounce off the centre console and land in two pieces by his feet.

Bloody hell Edward muttered to himself as he picked up the pieces. Glancing at the driver’s door mirror, he saw a boy-racer style hatchback screech to a halt at the Give-Way markings at the end of the parking lane, two rows back.

Bloody kids he mumbled, making a note not to shop at this particular supermarket late at night in future. That hadn’t been an option this time, because the Gas Company’s Direct Debit was due tomorrow, and there wouldn’t be enough funds in the account for shopping. His wife’s embarrassment at having to leave the groceries on the counter because the card wouldn’t validate, would have been too much for their relationship to handle – better to accept another bank charge, and the call from the Gas Company when the payment bounced.

Edward retrieved the phone and the dislodged battery cover, thankful it was nothing more serious. Sitting up with a sigh that summed up his life at the moment – a pay cut at work (all of you accept a small pay cut or some of you will have to go), a mountain of bills and a relationship that was on the brink. They couldn’t even do the weekly shop without an argument, which was why he was waiting in the car while Debbie was inside.

As he clipped the battery cover back on, Edward heard the car behind him wheel spin and looked back into the mirror to see smoke rising up from the back wheels. The car leapt forward, and he followed it’s progress from his drivers mirror, across to the passenger mirror and out of sight. Tossers!

After checking that the anonymous caller hadn’t left a message, Edward placed the phone more carefully on the dashboard. Looking toward the shop entrance, he saw Debbie coming out and decided to earn bonus points by driving over to save her a bit of a walk. On second thought, by the time he got the car moving, she would be half way back, so he decided to meet her instead.

Edward climbed out of the car, slammed the door and walked over toward Debbie – just as his phone started to ring again, which Edward didn’t hear because of the sound of the revving engine of the boy-racer car coming towards him, or more precisely, towards his wife.

Edward looked toward the sound as he started to run to Debbie, shouting for her to be careful and get back on the pavement. It seemed a slow motion race against the sound of the engine, but it was a race he lost.

The car slammed into him, throwing him into the air. Before Edward hit the ground, his peripheral vision caught the car speeding away. He felt himself crash into Debbie, sending her and the shopping skittling across the road, then realised he was going to end up head first on the tarmac.

When he hit the floor, there was darkness, but he would experience plenty of pain later. And that blow to his head was to change his life in an unimaginable way.

Part 2

Debbie Patterson was at her husband’s side in the hospital as he slowly regained consciousness.

She’d spent the first three days there all the time, dozing off in the uncomfortable chair, until Dr Shepherd had explained they couldn’t say how long Edward would be in this state, and even if Debbie stayed for six months, Edward could wake up a minute after she left.

So Debbie visited for another three weeks, hoping she would be there when, if, her husband finally woke.

Unlike in the movies, Edward wasn’t hooked up to a bank of machines that bleeped his condition to a waiting medical team, so the first sign Debbie saw was when his eyes started flickering more than usual, and he made a low moaning noise. She hit the ‘Call Nurse’ button straight away, knowing deep down that this was the moment.

Debbie hadn’t even noticed what the medics did as Edward came round, her excitement focussing entirely on his face, waiting for that moment of connection.

Edward’s version, if he could have expressed it, was a little different. As he gradually regained consciousness, the room was floating around, and the anonymous faces seemed to slideshow across his field of vision. The low moaning noises became screams as pain kicked in.

And despite Debbie’s excitement, Edward didn’t notice her for at least 10 minutes, although he would tell her he saw her as soon as he woke.

Chapter 2 - Tuesday

It was ten more days before Debbie was allowed to take Edward home, and it actually wasn’t until they were driving home that the reality of the situation brought back the familiar cold feeling inside Edward, and the questions started running out of control in his mind.

What had happened about the debts? Did he still have a job? Well, at least he knew their relationship was intact! He didn’t dare ask as they stopped on the drive, and Debbie leaned over to kiss him gently on the cheek saying, Welcome home.

Although Edward still got throbbing pains in his head from time-to-time, at this moment, he felt okay and walked from the car to the house, where Debbie had already opened the front door. After entering the front room, his face showed the surprise he felt, because sitting on the sofa was his boss – or was that his ex-boss. Welcome back, Edward. How are you feeling?

I..I’m okay, Doug. I’m a bit confused, though, what are you doing here? Debbie, you didn’t say anything...

It was a surprise, darling. Doug has been great, and he wanted to be here to welcome you back. Sit down, Debbie said, pointing to the second sofa, I’ll make us a cuppa and explain.

Don’t worry, Ed, it’s all good, said Doug as Edward took his seat. I’ll let Debbie explain, but first things first, have you managed to keep abreast of the footie? The two men went back a long way, which had made the recent pay cut situation even harder, and football was their joint pleasure. When Debbie returned with the tea, Edward was up to date and ribbing Doug about the team he followed, who were going through a bit of a bad patch.

Good to see you back to normal, Ed, Debbie laughed as she came back with the drinks, sitting on the sofa, next to Doug. When she sat down, there was a moment of silence, and Edward noticed Debbie and Doug glancing at each other.

Okay, he said with a sigh. What’s going on? If you’re having an affair, just tell me and get it over with.

Debbie and Doug burst out laughing, which took Edward by surprise because he had just experienced worry, fear, doubt, anger and resolve, all in the space of ten seconds, but hadn’t expected that. What? he asked, half with relief, half in annoyance.

Debbie and Doug looked at each other again. Go on, you tell him, said Doug.

Well, she began, a few days after your accident, I was going through the post and found a few unexpected letters about us owing money.

Edward cringed.

Obviously, I’d told Doug about the accident, and he happened to pop round at just the right time to see how I was. I didn’t say anything directly about the money, but he could tell I was upset and eventually, I broke down and explained what was going on. Go on Doug, you take it from here.

Happy to, said Doug with a smile. Ed, remember that proposal you sent to McMillans?

Yeah, Edward replied, I spent a long while on that one.

It was time well spent. They liked your proposal and contacted us, the day after the accident actually, to give the go ahead. They negotiated a bigger discount for paying the up-front costs in full, but that still left plenty of commission for you. All I did was advance Debbie your commission to tide her over.

And some said Debbie, we’ve actually got cash in the bank."

But you’re not retiring on it, mate, said Doug. I’m expecting you back as soon as you’re well enough. Funny thing, though, Bob McMillan tried to contact you the night of the accident, but you didn’t answer. Guess you were, otherwise, occupied.

I can’t believe it, Edward started to laugh. He picked up his mug of tea from the coffee table, and Debbie and Doug followed his cue.

Cheers, said Doug.

Cheers, echoed Debbie and Edward simultaneously, raising their mugs to the air.

For the next half hour or so, they reverted to friendly chitchat, but Debbie could see a sort of vagueness in Edward that she thought could be the drugs, or maybe shock from the good news he had just received. In fact, Edward was realising how much in love he was and after just thinking he might have lost her he was appreciating how good she looked.

In her late forties, Debbie was still slim, her shoulder length brown hair was clipped back in way Edward thought was a pretty sexy way, and her eyes seemed to have an added sparkle. Maybe, it was the relief about the money, maybe, she was excited about him being home. All he knew was he hadn’t looked at his wife in this way for a long while, which was probably his own fault. And that was going to change.

After Doug left, around 6.30 in the evening, Debbie sat next to her husband. You look tired love she said, Why don’t you go and lie down for a bit?

Think I will, he said.

Come on, let me walk up with you.

I’m okay .

I’m sure you are, I’d just feel happier, if I was there with you on the stairs.

Okay, thanks.

Edward climbed the stairs with no difficulty, Debbie following close behind. He undressed and crawled into bed, sliding over to the usual side away from the door while she put some clean washing away. Edward laid on his back and closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the clothes rustling, and the doors and drawers opening and closing.

The covers moved on Debbie’s side as she climbed in beside him. Edward looked toward her, still laying on his back and saw she was laying on her side facing him. Gently, Debbie stroked Edward’s hair, then his cheek. I thought I was going to lose you, Ed. I’m glad you’re back. Then she moved her hand down his arm, across his chest, down to his stomach and, slowly, further.

His day had been good so far and now, he thought, it was getting even better.

Chapter 3 - Wednesday

Edward slept like the proverbial log all the way through until 7am. He hadn’t noticed that Debbie was restless and had woken around 11:30, rising to make herself a drink and watch some TV. She’d also called a friend who was surprised to receive a call at that time of night, but after hearing what was going on in Debbie’s life, could understand why the need to talk.

Cuppa? said Debbie as Edward came down the stairs.

Love one.

What do you want to do today? Thought maybe we could go out and get some fresh air.

Sounds good. I need to speak to Doug about when he wants me to start back, though, do you mind if we pop by the office?

No, that’s okay He seemed alright about it yesterday, so I don’t think you’ll have a problem with a bit more time off.

No, but I don’t want to vegetate. I’ll probably say I’ll have today, tomorrow and Friday off then go back in on Monday. I’ve got to go to the doctor’s on Friday, anyway.

I’ll come with you if you like. I’ve got to work tomorrow morning, be back about 1ish, but I’m all yours today, so get yourself ready, we need to pop to the shops for a few bits. Do you think you’re up to a slow walk across the park?

Yeah, I’ll just have a shower and get dressed, you’re not in any rush are you?

No, like I said, I’ve got all day. I’ll just tidy round a bit before we go.

As Edward climbed the stairs, he looked out of the small landing window to see what the weather was doing.