Chapter 5: Before I Pop My Clogs

Ashley thought of her dad and his probable reaction to being caught and had to agree that was sensible. ‘Then he’ll be told what he has to do and how he must behave to stop the recording being handed to the police.’ Cliff told her.

‘How do you feel about my suggestions so far?’ ‘You have given me hope Ashley told him, ‘I’ll do anything I can to stop my sister having to go through all that I have suffered. I’ll do whatever you suggest.’ ‘Thank you for your trust.’ Cliff replied.

‘Has your dad been out for the evening every time he has attacked you?’ Cliff asked. Ashley had never considered that, so she had to think for a while. ‘No, come to think about it, I think he had always been home all evening.’ she decided.

‘What evenings does he usually stay in?’ Cliff asked. ‘I’d not noticed until you asked,’ she told him, ‘He’s always at home Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.’ ‘Is there a time when your mum and dad, and preferably Sarah too, are out of the house for an hour.’

Ashley thought hard, then told him, ‘The only time everyone is out at the same time is on Sunday morning between ten and twelve. Mum always goes to church, dad goes to the pub, and Sarah usually goes to help out at a local charity shop between ten and one.’

‘She went last Sunday, so I assume she’ll still keep going.’ ‘Ok, as soon as everyone is out this Sunday, give me a ring and I’ll come round and fit the units. Text me your Wi-Fi code as soon as you can, but the key will do on Sunday.’

‘Now, if we do catch him in the act, we’ll deal with him in Sarah’s bedroom. If that happens, I’ll bring Sarah into you first. Take her into bed with you and comfort her. Assure her it will never happen again and let her stay with you all night. Explain about your plan for getting a flat together.’

‘I’ll run through everything with you again on Sunday,’ Cliff told her. ‘And answer any questions you might have thought of. Then on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, as soon as you think he is staying in, just text me ‘IN’ and we’ll be standing by ready.’

They got up to go. Ashley came to him and pulled him close. As she hugged him, she told him, ‘I’m going away very happy and relieved, Thank you so much.’ She gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then as they parted, she asked, ‘Cliff, when you teach me about sex, would you teach me how to do a proper kiss too?’

‘I’ll teach you absolutely everything you need to know,’ Cliff assured her. ‘You’ll be such an expert, that if your future boyfriend doesn’t know what he’s doing, you’ll be able to turn him into a perfect lover.’ Ashley looked delighted and he saw her out.

SATURDAY - LESLIES SECOND TRAIN TRIP

Leslie had been looking forward to his adventure all week. He decided his flat could manage without a clean for once and at ten o’clock he was on the station. He looked at the sign boards and decided that as his trip to visit Cliff would be a one-hour journey, he would do a trip somewhere in between that, and last weeks.

He finally decided on a visit to Halifax, which was a thirty-nine-minute train trip. Then he discovered that he would pass through Brighouse on the way. That was where he had been last Sunday. He quite liked that idea, and fifteen minutes later he was enjoying the journey.

This time he relaxed and enjoyed it even more, knowing there would be an announcement to alert him before they pulled into Halifax. Twenty minutes into his journey a lady appeared pushing a trolley up the aisle. He bought himself a coke and a chocolate bar.

As he sat eating and drinking whilst watching the countryside speed by, he felt like he was a seasoned traveller. He had bought an all-day return, intending to explore Halifax a bit before he returned. He was even going to have his Saturday treat, a lunch out, in Halifax.

When he walked out of Halifax station, a helpful porter directed him to McDonalds, his usual Saturday lunch venue. He strolled along Horton Street, on to Union Street, along Market Street and turned onto a road called Old Market.

He’d been walking slowly for fifteen minutes, stopping to look at buildings on the way. He saw McDonalds and went in. It was bigger than the one he usually went to, but there’s no mistaking a McDonalds wherever you are.