Brute Force

20

I put my ear to Tallulah's door. I could hear them talking. Either they'd shared a bed or Ruby had crept in during the night or when she woke up.

I called out. 'Room service – any teas or coffees for you ladies?'

'Teas please!' There was a smile in Tallulah's voice. 'And if some toast and honey finds its way onto the saucer as you're passing that would be lovely!'

Ruby giggled. 'Can I help? I'm a waitress!'

'No, no, no – you ladies stay exactly where you are. It's holiday time. Breakfast in bed.'

I ran downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. Fuck knows who or what was out there, but if they burst through the door right now all I had to defend us with was Mr Sabatier's finest.

I put the kettle on and threw some bread in the toaster.

I didn't know if there was a device under the car, but I had to assume there was. I hadn't seen a command wire so I didn't know if it was remote-controlled, but again, I couldn't take any chances. The smart money was on a pair of eyes up the hill, watching and waiting – either for all of us to come and get in the car, or, more likely, just me. Why would these two be the target?

The toast popped up and I took butter and milk from the fridge. The priority had to be keeping Tallulah and Ruby safe, preferably without them even knowing what was happening. They'd had enough trauma and distress to last them a lifetime.

I put the toast, butter and honey on a tray, and poured boiling water over a couple of teabags. There were shouts from upstairs. Ruby was enjoying the whole room-service thing.

'Waiter! Where is my breakfast?'

How would I get them out of here?

I was going to stay. I wanted to know what was under Mr Avis's pride and joy.

I piled the teapot, mugs and a little jug of milk on the tray, and then I picked up the phone and dialled a Dublin number.

'Dom. Nick. Listen, mate, can you come and collect the girls this evening? About five?'

Platinum Bollocks was concerned. 'You argued? They not liking it?'

I just said I needed him to get his arse up here to collect the girls, but only after five.

'Just give me two rings on the phone as you approach, and drive round the back of the house. Stay in the car, engine running, and they'll come out and jump in. Don't ask, mate, just do. I'll explain it all later, OK?'

I put down the receiver and picked up the tray. I carried it upstairs and tapped on the door. 'Everybody decent?'

'Enter.'

They were sitting up in bed, all smiles. I put the tray down in front of them with a flourish.

'OK.' I grinned. 'Not only breakfast in bed, but a huge surprise.'

Ruby looked excited. 'What kind of surprise?'

'You sure you're ready for this?'

'I'm sure, I'm sure!'

'OK, we're in Ireland, right?'

'Right.'

'And you know they do things differently in different countries?'

'Yes.'

'Well, guess what happens differently here? In Ireland, today is Christmas Day!'

They both looked at me like I'd gone mad.

'Yeah, it's a fact. Finish your breakfast, take as long as you like. When you come down, it's present time.'

Tallulah stared at me with an arched eyebrow.

I tried to signal back that I'd explain later, and turned for the door before she had time to react.

They didn't appear downstairs for another half hour. Good. Only another six or seven hours of daylight to go.

'Is it really Christmas early here, Nick? Tally says you're joking.'

'Well, she's right; but the thing is, I can't wait any longer. I'm too excited. I want you to open your present.'

Tallulah shot me another disapproving glance.

I shrugged. 'OK, I'd better break it to you guys gently. It's a terrible forecast, so I thought we should have something to keep us busy. It's going to tip with rain any minute, and pour all day.'

Tallulah went to the window and raised her hand to the curtain.

'No, Tallulah, let's leave them closed. Keep it cosy. Anyway, we'll need to be in the dark in a minute.'

She looked at me strangely, but complied.

'Here we go.' I handed Ruby a badly wrapped box about the size of three stacked DVD cases.

She tore it open and she was so ecstatic I thought the ceiling was going to fall in.