Devil's Den by Andy Griffee

Author:Andy Griffee [Griffee, Andy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

I stopped at Magic Meg in case Nina had remained with Heloise and sure enough, Nina’s bike was on the stern tiller platform and Eddie barked as soon as I called out. My little dog bounded out to say hello followed by the two women.

“How did you get on?” asked Nina anxiously.

“Did you find Nick?”

“Yes. I found him in The Anchor. We chatted it through over a pint and he’s changed his mind. He says it’s fine for me and Nina to come tonight. We’ll meet you here at 11 o’clock as arranged.” I tried very hard not to look smug, but probably failed.

Heloise looked genuinely shocked. “Really? Are you sure? Nick doesn’t change his mind very easily.”

I smiled at her. “I’m sure he doesn’t. I won’t pretend he’s overjoyed about it – but he’s accepted that we’re coming.”

Nina was smiling broadly at my news. “Oh, well done Jack!” She skipped across the towpath and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

‘All hail the conquering hero’, I thought to myself with satisfaction. “Come on. Fetch your bike. We’ll get back to our boat now.” The two women embraced even more affectionately than before, and Heloise watched us cycle away with Eddie in the vanguard.

Nina quickly pedalled up alongside me. “How did you do it?”

“I tried being nice. I even bought him a drink. But that didn’t work. So, I blackmailed him.”

“What? How? What did you say to him?”

“I just told him to honour the deal you made with Hel or I’d reveal his little money-making scheme to his bosses, or the police, or the media – or all three.”

“Jack!”

I gave her the best shrug that you can whilst riding a bike. “He’s a piece of work. It was the only way to get through to Nasty Nick in the end.”

“But did he say why he didn’t want us to come?” asked Nina.

“No. That’s what’s so strange. You think he’d be happy with another four hundred quid for Hel. And I’m sure he’ll be taking a hefty cut too. But no. All he kept saying was that they couldn’t take any more people. Obviously, he doesn’t like me. But even so. Maybe he just doesn’t like his girlfriend making decisions without his agreement.”

“I’m sure he’s very controlling,” said Nina. “I did try to suggest to Hel that he might be gaslighting her.” We slipped into single file to pass another scowling fisherman. “He does sound a bit of a bully,” she said as she returned to a position alongside me.

I looked up to see Eddie sprinting back towards us in some distress. His tail was firmly tucked between his legs and his ears were flat and pointing backwards. He stopped every few metres to paw his nose. “What’s wrong with him?” said Nina in a panicked voice.

We both dismounted quickly and knelt down to check him over. I couldn’t see anything but guessed the problem. “It’s that bloody hornet’s nest. It’s just up ahead, isn’t it? He must have put his nose into the hollow of the tree.

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