- Author
- 11/25/2019
- 1,532 Words
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- 24 Comments
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
The Boot - Three Years On - 13. Chapter 13
Chapter warning: - There is some mention of abuse but there is no graphic detail, if this may offend or cause upset please read with caution.
Keep the kleenex handy, just in case.
Ian and Kevin were walking through Piccadilly Gardens when they spotted a familiar figure going into the convenience store by the bus station, glancing at each other they nodded then broke into a sprint. As they entered, they spotted the familiar figure talking to the assistant asking for a bottle of single malt.
“Are you sure you want this sir? You don’t look that well to me and I can see you’re upset.” The assistant looked concerned as he spoke.
“Yes, I’m sure and don’t worry I have money to pay for it.” The reply was an angry one, spat out as two ten-pound notes were slapped onto the counter.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to imply anything.” The assistant turned to reach for the bottle, he heard the trembling voice of a young man speak to his customer, he left the bottle and turned back.
“Pop what are you doing? You don’t need that, come home please.” The upset and desperation could be heard in Ian’s voice.
“You… you… you don’t need me there, getting in your way and causing arguments between you both.” The Major, although upset was determined.
“You’re not in the way or causing arguments, now come home please.” Ian was ready to beg if he had to.
“No, I can’t, it’s your home and I’m in the way.” The Major’s stubborn streak was showing through.
As Kevin went to speak the assistant raised his hand to stop him. “Let me.” He fixed his gaze on The Major and decided to camp it up. “Now listen to me Pop, these two lovely young men, who make a gorgeous couple by the way, want you to go back home with them and I suggest you do just that. If you don’t I might if they’ll have me, but I think they need their Pop more.” He stopped and swallowed as if he were holding back on his emotions. “Don’t do to them what my dad did to me, go home, they love you, they need you. Something tells me that you’ve not been well, and I’d like to see you again when you’ve regained your health, maybe we could have dinner and chat.”
The Major looked flustered, he glanced at the lads and just nodded, as he bent to pick up his bags Ian beat him to it, together they started out of the store.
Kevin approached the assistant and read the name on his badge. “Peter, I can’t thank you enough, he means the world to us.”
“You just have, now take him home and look after him he needs it. I’ve seen him around here before when he had no-one and no where to call home, now he has you and the family he deserves. He’s a good man with heart of gold, I’ve seen him share what he has with others when he needs it more. They call him The Major, don’t they? I’d love to know his real name and get to know him.” Something in Peter’s voice told Kevin that he genuinely cared and admired The Major.
“Alex, his name is Alex but don’t let on that I told you. I’m Kevin and,” pointing at Ian, “he is Ian, my boyfriend. I’ll come back soon to talk with you, is that okay?” Kevin was smiling as he spoke.
“I’ll be looking forward to it Kevin.” At that Kevin rushed out to catch up with Ian and The Major.
******
Danny was down and sullen, he sat at the table with his meal in front of him. He wasn’t eating, he didn’t feel as though he could, just pushed the food around with his fork. There was a lot going on in that young head and he felt the tears slowly form before they trickled down his cheeks.
“Danny… Danny, I know you’re upset but try to eat something, you’ll feel better for it. You need to be strong for JJ, he needs your friendship, I know you have feelings for him.” It was just Kate and Danny at the table, Steve was needed at The Boot that night.
“I guess you’re right, but why can’t he come here to live with us? I’ll look after him, I promise, and we wouldn’t give you any trouble.” Danny was desperately trying to understand why JJ couldn’t live with Kate and Steve too.
Kate’s heart went out to the boy as she placed her arm around his shoulders and pulled him into her. “I know honey, but JJ needs some special help to deal with what he’s been through and that’s going to take a bit of time. When he’s ready then we can talk to the social worker again, but like she said they may not be able to place you together. Remember she did promise that he wouldn’t be going back to that home again and you can still see each other.”
“I know but it sucks.”
“Hush honey everything will be okay, it may take a little time, but it will work out for the best.” Kate was hoping that she was right, she didn’t like to see Danny upset and she didn’t like the thought of JJ going into a Child Psychiatric Unit.
******
Steve sat alone in the office, he had spoken to Andy and Christian about the days events and thought it best that he got on with the admin leaving others to do the practical stuff. Beccy and Jim had been in to share their good news and he needed to see what help he could arrange. He had hoped to speak to Jeff, but he had been called to some urgent business earlier that day and needed to take some time off.
Everyone at The Boot was happy for Beccy and Jim, news like theirs was welcome it re-enforced hope, something that at times was lacking at The Boot. Some were giving decorating and furnishing advice, even though there were some impractical and outlandish ideas they were all taken in good spirits. Through all of it there was also an air of upset as everyone knew what had happened to Jason/JJ, many had taken to the outwardly happy youngster and were grateful to him for helping to provide the mobile phones and laptops that they could now use at The Boot. There was one who’s absence wasn’t missed, nobody had seen Bill since Friday, it was like he had disappeared from the face of the earth.
******
In the Blackley district two police vans and a dog unit drew up next to a patrol car, the younger of the two officers in the car had radioed through for assistance following a report from a concerned passer-by. He was out walking his dog when he had witnessed two older men carrying what appeared to be a body into the woods of Boggart Hole Clough. When he showed the officers the entry site and signs were seen of disturbed undergrowth the call had been placed.
A sergeant from the first van took charge. He instructed the dog unit to take the lead, the hope was that the dog would get a scent and follow it, the remainder of the officers were to follow at a distance spaced out, ready to surround whatever was found.
It didn’t take long for the dog to react and the officers followed, with the dog straining at the leash the handler ran with him, hearing movement ahead he gave out a warning before releasing the dog. Within moments he heard the dog growl and voices just ahead. Giving instructions to remain still he approached his dog. Two men were trying unsuccessfully to climb a tree with his dog just a few feet away. The other officers heard the handler and started to catch up, when they saw the handler and his dog, they formed a circle around them. With the dog now on his leash the sergeant approached, catching his foot on something in he fell landing on a warm inanimate body.
Startled and using his flashlight he checked out what, or who, he had landed on. He looked at the breathing but barely conscious half naked body of a young man, he couldn’t find any obvious injuries but instructed that he must not be moved until paramedics arrived. The two men were handcuffed and arrested then dragged to the vans and taken to the police station. Paramedics were quickly on the scene and checking out the young man, finding no injuries he was strapped to a stretcher and carried to a waiting ambulance which left with blue lights flashing and sirens blaring.
The sergeant followed in the patrol car and received several messages via his radio on the journey. Although not talking one of the arrested men had been identified as a William Matthews, known to the police and wanted for breach of parole. Arriving at the hospital the sergeant asked to speak to the doctor in confidence. As part of the investigation and due to the circumstances that the young man was found, an examination for sexual assault should be carried out and a blood test was required for drugs, specifically Rohypnol.
Thank you to all who are continuing to read, especially those who have left their reactions and comments, they all mean a lot to me and are valued so please leave your comments, I do take notice of them.
I have written this without the aid of a bets reader or editor as that is my choice so any errors are all mine, let me know if you spot any and I'll correct them as I can.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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