Page 103 of Loving Netta Wilde

‘What? Who the fuck are you?’ said Byron.

Doogie walked up to Byron until he was within inches of him. Netta was reminded of that time Frank had said he was sinister. ‘Doogie Chambers. Mate, I think you’d better go and take your missus with yer.’

Arianne gasped. It must have been the name. She would have known it well. ‘He tricked me, Byron. He forced his way in. Hit him.’

Doogie flexed his fists. ‘You wanna try it, fella?’

Byron didn’t look so sure. ‘I’m a black belt in Ju Jitsu.’

Doogie looked him up and down. ‘Let’s give it a go then. I reckon I could knock you out with one punch, but even if you did manage to Ju Jitsu the fuck out of me, Frank here’ll finish you off. Or those two behind you.’

Chris and Neil were in the kitchen now. Merrie was behind them. Byron was looking a bit unsure. ‘You shouldn’t go forcing your way into other people’s houses.’

‘It’s my house. I pay the mortgage,’ said Colin. ‘I can come and go as I like.’

‘But I thought… Babe, is this true?’

Arianne was clearly trying to force out a tear. ‘It’s as good as mine. I’ve earned it, having to put up with him.’

The big man threw his hands in the air. ‘Fucking hell. I did not sign up for this. I just wanna quiet life. Do what you have to do, man. I’m outta here.’

‘Byron, come back. Byron. Byron.’ Arianne’s begging was fruitless. Her man was gone.

It looked like phase three of Operation Reclaim was going a lot easier than the previous two phases. They just needed to bundle Arianne out the door and that was it. Job done.

But then Netta saw that Frank and Doogie were lunging towards her. Neil, Chris, Liza and Merrie were doing the same. A horrible rasping shriek rang through her ears. She turned towards it and saw Arianne coming for her. Then she saw the glint of metal. Arianne was just feet away now, the blade close enough to see her own reflection in it. They weren’t going to make it in time. Netta knew she should back away but she was frozen. Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone grabbed Arianne’s arm. It broke Netta’s trance. She almost fell backwards into the man who’d saved her.

Colin finally let go of his grip on Arianne’s arm when Frank took over and Doogie prised the knife out her hand. He sank back onto a tall stool and hung his head.

Netta slipped her fingers between his. ‘Are you okay?’

He lifted his head up. ‘Are you?’

‘Yes. I think it’s time to call the police.’

He glanced over at Arianne who was still screaming and fighting. ‘Yes. It is.’

58

AN OUTBURST OF THE CHOUX PASTRY KIND

The police had taken Arianne away. It was over, although in reality, it was just the start of it. There were statements to be made, charges to be brought, possibly even court appearances. But Colin couldn’t think about that right now. He was still reeling from the thought of what had just happened and what might have happened if his brain hadn’t engaged in time to stop Arianne. He was shivering. The whole of his body felt ice cold. Netta was still holding his hand, and he realised he was gripping it too hard, but he couldn’t let go.

Geraldine filled the kettle and switched it on. ‘I think we all need a cup of tea to calm our nerves.’ She was taking charge. Everyone else was too shell-shocked to speak. Even Doogie was looking less together than normal. He was talking quietly to Merrie, a protective arm around her. Colin looked on enviously. He’d like to be that sort of father again, strong and wise. If he ever really had been that kind of father.

On the wall behind them was one of Arianne’s many “Important Things to Remember” slogans. This particular one was a hoot, given her recent behaviour:

‘It is important to be kind.’

She’d printed them out and laminated them after listening to a series of crappy podcasts by some self-styled lifestyle, well-being and spiritual guru. There were loads of them stuck around the house covering a broad spectrum of witless theories. You couldn’t even have a nice sit down on the toilet without being informed about the importance of having regular bowel movements.

Geraldine was opening and closing cupboard doors. ‘Where do you keep the tea, Colin?’

‘I’ll get it.’ Liza opened the cupboard where the tea was usually kept. A packet of biscuits fell out. She gave him a guilty look, as if it was her fault they were in there.

Colin noticed they were triple chocolate chunk cookies. His favourite. He used to buy them for a treat before Arianne went loopy. He thought of all the times she’d told him they were poison and were not under any circumstances allowed to pass their lips. He put on a smile. It was important not to let these things get to you. ‘At least we’ll have something to eat with our tea. I’ll get the milk.’

He opened the fridge door and was as glued to the spot as Netta had been when she saw Arianne hurtling towards her with that knife. The fridge was literally stuffed with all the things Arianne had been denying him for longer than he could remember. Meat, fish, cheese, butter, cream cakes, proper wine and beer. It was bursting with them. The cookies were bad enough, but this? He closed the door. There was another slogan on the front telling him that it was important to keep your body free of toxic food and thoughts. Well bollocks to that. He was going to explode. For one day only, Colin Grey was going to fill his boots with toxic food and thoughts.

---