One Of Us by Rachel McLean

Author:Rachel McLean [McLean, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-01T20:00:00+00:00

28

“You have to report it,” said Sarah.

“There’s no point.”

She stared at the dark patch on the doormat where he had cleaned it up. The smell was in her nostrils, sharp and hard. It felt as if it would never leave the flat.

“Who do you think it was?” she asked.

“Same person who threw that brick through the window.”

She looked towards the window. He’d patched it up with a piece of rough wood while she’d been at the school. It didn’t look as if it would withstand much.

“I hope so.”

“Why?”

“Because if it isn’t, that means there’s two people victimising you.”

“It could be anyone,” he said. “They all want rid of me.”

“No they don’t. Stop talking like that.”

He stared at her. “I'm putting you at risk.”

When he’d first said this, it had been endearing. It had shown how much he cared about her. But now, she was beginning to tire of his paranoia. If her mother had integrated herself into the community after all they’d been through, why couldn’t Martin?

“Stop saying that. We just need to go to the council, that’s all. Find out who it was, and make sure they’re punished.”

“You think they will be? How can you be sure it isn’t someone off the council?” He twisted his lips into a sneer. “Ben, for one, hates me.”

She said nothing; Ben would take longer than most to accept Martin’s presence here. After all, Martin had accepted the man’s hospitality and then stolen his wife away in the middle of the night.

“Look,” she said. “Let’s lock the door tonight. Cover up the letterbox. We can deal with this in the morning.”

“I can’t stand to keep the windows closed. It stinks.”

“It stinks of vinegar more than anything.”

“I can still smell it.”

“I know. I can too.” She looked at the dark patch again, and shuddered. Who would do such a thing? And was it human excrement, or from an animal? The village kept pigs, but it hadn’t smelt like it came from them.

“We haven’t got much choice,” she said, trying to breathe through her mouth. “I’ll go and see Mum, see if she can help.”

“I don’t want her to know.”

“She’s part of the council.”

“I know.” His brow was creased. “But it’s so humiliating.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “I know. I’m sorry.”

They stood like that for a while. She tried to ignore the smell that engulfed the flat, but it was impossible. She had to tell someone. He couldn't let them treat him like this.

“Look,” she said. “I told Mum I'd spend some time with her tonight. I won't be long.”

“OK.” He glanced towards the door. “Don’t tell her about this. Not yet.”

“She might be able to help.”

“I just want to keep it private.”

“Martin—”

“Please?”

She sighed. “Alright. Not tonight. But you can’t keep this secret forever. What if they hurt you?”

He said nothing.

“You need to accept help.” She put a hand on his arm. It was stiff.

“I’ll lock the door. You go to your mum.”

“I’ll be back soon. Before lights-out.”

“Be careful. Please.”

“Sure.” She kissed him on the cheek, then let him pull her to him and fold her in a hug.

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