Strikers Instinct (8 page)

As they sped across town in Luke's large black 4x4, Harry looked anxiously across towards the driving seat.

“Luke, are you OK?” he asked, “you're not going to do anything stupid are you?”

“C'mon Harry, you know what I am going to do – and that's exactly why you came to my home tonight. Don't play the innocent with me. You brought trouble to my door – to my pregnant wife's door and now I'm going to do just what you and Sue and my mother want.”

Luke fell silent and Harry realised he was right. He had known that Luke would not sit back when he discovered that in addition to Nell being cruelly beaten, his own mother had been threatened. Harry began to grasp just how serious the situation was and for once he realised that he was in above his head. They approached the dark terraced streets around Luke's former home and soon they pulled into a car park behind Wishton Top End Labour club.

“OK Harry, it may be better if you stay in the car.” Luke said quietly.

Harry looked shocked. “What the hell kind of man do you think I am that I would ask you to do this alone. No way am I staying out here.”

Luke shrugged his shoulders.

“Anyway,” Harry continued, “It's pretty spooky out here by myself.”

In spite of the circumstances they both laughed then started to walk towards the club. However, by the time they reached the light of the front door Harry noticed that there was no trace of mirth remaining on Luke's face. He looked grim and determined – and very scary – but Luke also seemed frighteningly calm.

The two friends walked through the small foyer and on towards the sounds of muted conversation from the games room. As they walked through the door Harry could only compare the sensation with two strangers entering a saloon in the wild west. Conversation ceased and around twenty pairs of eyes settled on the two of them. For a few seconds no-one spoke then a voice rang out.

“Good grief, it's Luke Linden. You must be really slumming it tonight.”

Luke glanced across towards the speaker.

“Hi Bert, it's nice to see you too.”

Bert Knowles replied, “I had almost forgotten what you looked like – it's been so long since you graced us with your presence – we thought you had forgotten all about the little people.”

Luke replied in similar barbed tones, “I've been busy working so that I can pay my taxes to keep the country running.”

The group of middle aged men around Bert snarled and some started to rise from their seats.

“Calm down,” Luke said, “I apologise for that crack but I came here looking for someone and I'm not in the best of moods.”

“Who do you want?” demanded Bert.

“I'm looking for Jimmy Grimes.” Luke replied.

As soon as he mentioned the name, most of the occupants of the room glanced at each other and began to squirm in their seats.

Bert rose and approached Luke and Harry. “He's not here yet but knowing that sod I'm sure he won't be long. Be careful Luke – he's a handful.”

Luke opened his mouth to reply but just then the door crashed open and a large figure lumbered through.

“That's him.” Bert said quietly as he returned to his seat.

Luke watched closely as Jimmy Grimes surged towards the bar.

“Pint and a chaser and make it quick.” he snarled, throwing some change on the bar.

The barman quickly served him and Jimmy threw back both drinks.

“Again!” he snapped.

As the barman was pouring the next round of drinks Jimmy turned to look around the room. He noticed that all conversation had ceased and that everyone seemed to be looking at him. Even the game of snooker had stopped.

“What's up with you lot?” he shouted, “You'd better mind your own business or I'll rip your heads off!”

“Jimmy Grimes?” a low voice asked.

“What's it to you?” he snarled at a tall young stranger.

“I don't think we've been introduced,” said the younger man, “my name is Luke Linden and earlier tonight you threatened my mother.”

The atmosphere in the room changed abruptly. Some of the men muttered angrily when they heard Luke's words – but they were nowhere near as angry as Jimmy Grimes. He turned puce and his eyes flashed with rage. Luke raised his hand to still the growing noise in the room.

Luke continued to speak. “My mother was protecting your wife – you had just used her as a punch bag and you were trying to drag her home to hide the evidence.”

Harry realised that Luke was deliberately goading the other, larger man into action but even he was surprised by how fast Jimmy sprang towards Luke. The only person in the room who didn't seem surprised was Luke. he allowed Jimmy to almost reach him, then, just as Jimmy threw a punch towards his face, Luke moved his body slightly and the punch slid by – just barely connecting with Luke's cheek.

Luke spoke again. “I'll be calling on all of you as witnesses that this piece of scum attacked me and forced me to defend myself.”

Jimmy looked puzzled but when he looked at Luke's face he finally understood that he was in big trouble. What happened next was something that no-one in the room would ever forget. Luke seemed to become a different person – almost machine-like. He didn't utter another word but began to move around Jimmy like a lion with its prey. Jimmy roared again and threw himself back towards Luke but this time Luke hit him in the chest with a punch so hard that everyone in the room heard the crack of broken ribs. Jimmy staggered but before he could react Luke had hit him with two more body shots – both of which caused Jimmy to scream.

Luke continued to work on Jimmy's torso – strangely enough he didn't aim a single shot towards his face. The onslaught had only lasted 30 seconds but Jimmy was finished and tried to slide to the floor, however, Luke wasn't letting him off so easily. He forced Jimmy back until he was propped up against the snooker table. Another flurry of punches hit Jimmy in the arms and chest. Suddenly Luke stopped and aimed one final punch towards his opponent. Harry knew what was coming – he had seen it before.

A right arm flew out towards Jimmy's throat – so fast that most of the room didn't see it. Jimmy then sank to the floor in agony. Luke motioned towards his friend. “Harry – put him in the recovery position.” he said simply.

Luke then turned back towards the other occupants of the room. “Someone needs to call an ambulance and the police.” he said. Then he helped Harry up and they started to walk towards the door. Suddenly he stopped and turned back to Bert and his friends.

“What's happened to all of you? What's happened to this place?” he asked them sadly. “When my dad was alive you would never put up with scum like Grimes. It would have been stamped out before it got to this stage.”

He shook his head and began to walk away when a roar halted him.

“Who the hell do you think you are talking to?” Bert raged at him. “You have no idea what our lives are like these days. We've no work, no money and precious little pride left. We don't need posh, rich kids like you coming back here to remind us how crap we are. We already know it. So get back into your big car and sod off back to your big house.”

Luke was stunned. For once in his life he didn't have an answer. He walked away with Harry following close behind. When they were back in the car Harry turned to look at him.

“Are you OK?” he asked.

“No, I'm not.” replied Luke.

Harry became concerned. “Where does it hurt?”

Luke frowned irritably and shook him away. “I'm perfectly fit,” he replied, “but I've just made a terrible discovery.”

“What discovery?” Harry asked again.

“I've let them all down.” said Luke miserably. “But most of all I've let my dad down. I've lost sight of what matters.”

Luke and Harry drove back in silence to Luke's house. Once inside, neither man would talk about what happened in the club – all they would say was that everything was sorted and that Jimmy wouldn't trouble Nell again. Harry went upstairs to check on Nell He was back in a few minutes.

“She'll be fine.” he said. “I've given her something to help her sleep and I'll call back in the morning. Are you sure you will all be OK?”

Luke assured his friend that they would be fine and Harry took both their mothers home. When Harry arrived home he called the hospital and spoke to a friend. By the time he put down the phone he was ashen-faced. Jimmy Grimes had arrived at the hospital and they had diagnosed numerous injuries – two broken arms, broken ribs, damaged spleen and crushed larynx – but the amazing thing was that there was hardly a bruise on his body. Harry poured himself a large whisky. He estimated that it took Luke less than a minute to inflict that damage – and when he had finished he wasn't even out of breath. What the hell had happened tonight?

Back at the Linden home Sue had gone to bed and Luke had also poured himself a large drink. He didn't go to bed until well into the early hours – he had a lot of thinking to do.

Luke woke in the morning to the smell of bacon cooking. His first thought was that his mother had returned and he groaned – he couldn't face her so early in the day. Luke quickly showered and left Sue sleeping whilst he followed the smell of cooking bacon. He was very surprised to find Nell Grimes limping around the kitchen with her arm in a sling.

“My God!” he exclaimed. “My mother and Harry will kill me if they see you having to cook your own breakfast.”

Nell smiled at him. “It's not my breakfast – it's yours.” she said. “Sit down”.

Luke continued to protest but she forced him down into a chair and then pushed a full English breakfast towards him. Luke didn't realise how hungry he was and he wolfed the food down.

“Unbelievable,” he sighed with satisfaction. “I haven't had a breakfast as good as that since I left home.” Then he quickly glanced around. “But please don't tell Sue that!” he added with a worried grin.

They both laughed. “It'll be our secret.” said Nell.

Luke suddenly became more serious. “What do you plan to do now Nell?” he asked.

Nell shrugged her shoulders. “I've no idea.” she said sadly.

Luke thought for a moment. “Well – the first part's quite easy. You can be our guest over Christmas.” he said holding up a hand to stop her protests, “no – I don't want any arguments. You need to get well and whilst you are doing that we can help you plan your future.”

Nell smiled and grudgingly agreed to stay for a few days. “But what about Jim?” she asked.

Luke's smile disappeared. “Don't worry about him.” he said. “He won't bother you again.”

Harry soon reappeared to check Nell out and seemed satisfied with her condition. He was very pleased that Luke had invited her to stay for Christmas and then listened intently as Luke outlined a plan to him. Harry smiled and agreed to meet Luke at the hospital later that afternoon.

Sue came downstairs – apologising for sleeping so late but Nell waved away her excuses. “No need to apologise – in your condition you need as much rest as possible.” She said.

“I could say the same thing about you.” Sue replied with a smile.

Both women laughed and Luke was happy that they seemed to be getting on well. He broke into the conversation. “Nell – I'm going to check on my mother – I'll call round at your house and ask mum to pick up a few things for you if you like?”

Nell seemed relieved at Luke's suggestion. “Luke, that's a wonderful idea,” she exclaimed. “ I haven't exactly packed for a holiday!”

This time all three of them laughed. Luke went on, “I have to make some phone calls first but just write down a list and then I'll be on my way.”

Nell's eyes glistened with gratitude. “I can't thank you enough.” she whispered.

Luke quickly left the room before everything became too emotional, then he made a few calls and was soon back in the kitchen. He found Sue and Nell gently arguing about who was going to make Sue's breakfast – both women insisted they were fit enough to take care of the job.

He asked if the list was ready and she produced it from her pocket. Luke hesitated, then spoke again. “Nell, I hate to ask you a personal question but do you and Jimmy own that house?”

“Yes we do.” she answered. “We still owe a bit on the mortgage but most of it is ours – not that it matters any more. I won't be going back there. I'm filing for a divorce as soon as possible.”

Luke nodded then kissed Sue and left. He drove round to his mothers and asked her to go round to Nell's house with him. She readily agreed and they drove the short distance around the corner. When they arrived at the house there was already someone waiting.

“Mr Linden?” a young woman asked.

“Yes.” Luke replied. “I take it you must be Sally Evans?”

She nodded her head. “My boss is a friend of Dr Green,” she explained, “he told me to drop everything and get round here to meet you.”

Luke's mother seemed confused. “Mum,” said Luke, “this young lady is from the Estate Agents, she is going to value the house for Nell.”

Mrs. Linden didn't seem convinced but she took Nell's list from Luke and as Sally walked through the house making notes, Luke's mother filled a suitcase with the items on the list. After a few minutes both women had finished and Sally wrote a figure on a piece of paper, then handed it to Luke.

“That's a fair market value figure,” she said, “please don't hesitate to call if you need anything else.”

Luke thanked her and then he drove his mother home – avoiding all her questions.

“Patience mum,” he said, “all will be revealed as soon as possible. For the moment let's just say that last night I learned a valuable lesson.”

After dropping his mother off, Luke drove into the town centre – he didn't know it at the time but he was laying the foundations for the future.