Page 36 of Loving Netta Wilde

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THE TASTE OF DEAD AND ROTTING THINGS

Colin had spent the whole of the way with his heart in his mouth. Only when they parked up at the allotments, did it begin the journey back to its rightful place. He’d survived the drive in one piece, despite having to go against the instruction not to say another word when they’d missed the turning. Not that Chambers had threatened him with violence, but you never knew with him, did you? Back in their uni days, Chambers hung around with the sort Colin’s mother would have called the wrong type, the lowest of the low. Mind you, in Mother’s eyes, most people were the wrong type, including Netta. And as far as Colin was aware, Chambers didn’t do anything shady, unless you counted the drug taking. But then, at least half the student population were doing that. Even he’d tried it once. No, the main thing about Doogie Chambers, his USP, was that he was tough. The kind of tough that didn’t need to do anything to make people wary of him. The kind that made timid types, like Colin, crap their pants with just one look.

Arthur was out of his car looking all bright eyed and bushy tailed. ‘It’s a fine day for it.’ The man was a veritable fountain of optimism. Nothing ever seemed to bring him down.

‘For what exactly? What thrills do you have in store for us today?’ Colin caught a warning shot from Chambers and decided it would be safest to park the sarcasm.

Arthur laughed. ‘Wait and see. I’ll show Doogie round. You can come too if you want to, or you can wait for us over there.’

‘Thanks, but I already know where the compost bins are.’ Shit, he’d succumbed to sarcasm again. He could feel Chambers’s eyes boring into him. He tried to pull it back with an inoffensive smile. ‘I’ll go straight over.’

The path took him past Ursula’s allotment. She was there, prodding the dirt between rows of something vegetable-like. Today, she was wearing cut-off shorts and a jade-green vest, showing off tanned, sinewy limbs. It occurred to him that she moved like someone who was used to being in the spotlight and he wondered what she’d been in her past life. It also occurred to him that Chambers was like that too. Ursula, with her bright clothes, seemed to embrace it. Chambers on the other hand was much more low-key. When they were young he’d worn the kind of clothes that were subtle, timeless, and understated. From what Colin had seen of him in the last few days, his style hadn’t changed that much. He still dressed like someone who didn’t want to stand out. It was a waste of time though. Chambers was the sort who always got noticed. Not just for his good looks which were still very much evident, unfortunately. It was everything about him, from his graceful, straight-backed elegance to his restrained menace. You couldn’t not look at the bastard without wishing you had just an ounce of his magnetism.

Colin registered no shock in Ursula’s expression when she saw him. Arthur must have told her what to expect. ‘You’re back. Good.’

‘Yes, Arthur the Great’s roped me in again I’m afraid.’

She laughed. It was girlish but natural. ‘I’ll come over with you.’

There’d been some work done in the two days he’d been away. The first allotment was clear now and a little path was visible between that and the neighbouring patch, a small corner of which had been dug.

‘Samuel’s patch is looking good. Nearly ready for someone new to take over.’ Ursula sounded almost sad as she said it.

‘It looks pretty much done.’

‘Not quite. We have to clear the shed first.’ She pulled out a key from her pocket. He expected her to unlock the door, but she sat down on a chair, the key still in her hand.

He sat down too, remembering the few hours he’d spent with her the last time he was here. ‘I enjoyed it the other night. Watching the sun go down. It was so nice and peaceful.’

‘So did I. The thing that happened to your face, was it after you left me?’

He nodded.

‘Who did it to you?’

‘I’d rather not say.’

‘Okay. We should watch the sun come down again soon, don’t you think?’

He looked at her serene face and in spite of everything, felt as if he were floating on a sea of calm. He wanted to stay here watching that face. The stillness of it. The wonderful, wonderful stillness.

But all too soon, Arthur was here with Clyde and Chambers. Clyde pushed his straw trilby back. ‘Man, what a sight. I hope you don’t have any hot dates lined up, boy, because they’s gonna run a mile from you. We got some more help, Ursula.’

Chambers stepped forward and smiled. ‘Hi. I’m Doogie.’

‘Hello. I’m Ursula, in case you haven’t guessed.’ Ursula was transformed. The serenity was gone. She was aglow. Fuck. She fancied him.

‘You got the key?’ said Clyde.

‘Yes.’ She held it up. ‘Ready?’

Clyde nodded. She put it in the lock. It turned fairly easily but the door was stiff and neither Ursula nor Clyde could move it. Colin stepped forward but Chambers got there before him. One hard shove from him and it was open. Chambers and Clyde stood aside to let Ursula go in first. She hesitated in the doorway, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and stepped inside. A minute later she was back out, cobwebs in her hair. ‘It’s just as he left it.’

Clyde put his head around the door. ‘With a lot more mess. Samuel liked to keep it clean and tidy. He’d be mad as hell to see it in such a sorry state.’

‘We’ll soon get it cleaned up,’ said Arthur.

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