Chapter 3: Getting To Know Gwyneth

On Thursday evening Aiden rang Lewis. ‘Ray was at the Crown Court today.’ he said. ‘The Judge had watched your DVD and seen the pictures of Daryl’s mum’s bruises. Jake had previous for violence, so he was sentenced to eight years. Because of Daryl’s age there will be very little reported.’

‘Thanks for letting me know,’ Lewis said, ‘I’ll tell Daryl when I see him tomorrow.’ ‘You’re welcome,’ Aiden told him. ‘I’ll collect you at six tomorrow as arranged.’

FRIDAY

As he was leaving school, he found Daryl waiting for him at the gate as instructed when Lewis had texted him early that morning. They walked part way home together. ‘I just wanted to let you know,’ Lewis said, ‘Jake was in court yesterday.

The Judge saw the pictures of yours and your mum’s bruises. With Mr Kendricks statement, plus he has been in trouble for violence before, he got eight years in prison. There was little information mentioned in court. So, although it’s bound to be mentioned in the local paper, it won’t give any details that will identify you.’

‘So, it’s finally all over.’ Daryl said. ‘Thank heavens I went to the chippy that Saturday.’ He beamed at Lewis, ‘And that you came in behind me.’ he added. ‘I am too,’ Lewis told him with a smile, ‘It gives me a lovely feeling every time I see your happy face.’

They reached their parting point. Daryl gave him a hug. ‘There are no words to tell you how I feel about you for what you did for me,’ he said, ‘But I couldn’t love you more if you were my twin brother.’ Lewis smiled at him feeling very warm inside. ‘I think you just found the words,’ he said, ‘Thank you.’

At six o’clock, Aiden collected Lewis at home. They drove up to the road where the stolen stone had been used. Aiden had told the neighbour he was coming so he was expecting them. He took them into the dining room.

On the table were a selection of photographs. ‘I’ve got the card out of the camera for you with the originals on,’ he told them, ‘But I thought print outs would be easier.’ He went to fetch them a coffee.

Aiden and Lewis looked through the pictures. There was a picture taken through the windscreen of a pickup truck showing the drivers face and the numberplate. The next picture showed the second truck arriving. Another of it backing in, another of it tipping the stone and one driving away. Two of the pictures showed the number plate clearly. The face of the driver of the second vehicle was not seen clearly.

On another paper the neighbour had written a list of the date and the times that the vehicles arrived and departed. More photos taken a week later showed a local firm’s vehicles as the house opposite was stone clad on the front and one side using the delivered stone. Then a few weeks later they returned, this time bringing more stone with them and cladding the third side.

The neighbour returned with their coffees. Aiden thanked him and said ‘These pictures are excellent. Are you willing to make an official statement detailing everything you have told me?’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘But tell me one thing first.’

‘Since you called the first time. I’ve been thinking back. Is the stone in these pictures the stone that was being stolen when the farmer was killed?’ Aiden told him that it was, and his statement and pictures could well bring the person responsible to justice.

‘When do you want me to do it?’ he asked. ‘How about right now?’ he said. ‘I have statement forms with me.’ He sat down and Aiden wrote it out as he related what had happened. He was clear and concise. He quoted times and dates from his notes.

When it was finished, on Aiden’s instructions, he read it through then signed it. Aiden shook his hand and thanked him. ‘I’ll let you know what happens,’ he told him. ‘With all this evidence, I doubt you’ll need to attend court.’

They went from there over to the local police station. Soon they were sitting in the canteen with the officer Aiden had spoken to originally. He introduced Lewis and said, ‘I can’t tell you how, but Lewis was responsible for getting the information I gave you.’

He gave him the photos and the neighbours statement. ‘This is excellent,’ the inspector said, ‘Well done. And you too young man.’ he added with a smile at Lewis.

‘I’ll let you know what develops.’ he told Aiden. On the way back Aiden said, ‘Can you have a word with Clive and ask him if he’ll do a statement including the address that he took the stone to and everything else he told us. Tell him to do it as Gregory Williams and use the address he used at his arrest.’

‘I’m sure he will,’ Lewis said. Aden gave him some statement forms. He had already put the preliminary wording in. ‘I’m sure you can handle it,’ he said, ‘But call me if you need me.’

SATURDAY

The next morning, he went to the shop as usual. They had a busy morning, then at lunch time they had their usual chippy meal. He had only just finished eating when he heard a text come in. It was from Margery.

‘Hi, Lewis,’ she said, ‘Scott and I went out for a meal last night, it was lovely. We came back to mine for a coffee. As we sat on the settee, I told him I was ready and asked him if he would like to stop the night. He asked me several times if I was sure about it.’

‘After the third time he asked, I stood up and gave him my hand. ‘Come on,’ I said, ‘There’s only one way to convince you, come to bed.’ He stood up and took me in his arms. After a lovely kiss he said, ‘Before we go up, I have something to ask you first.’

‘He went down on one knee and proposed to me. I was completely speechless. I had a struggle to find my voice. Then I managed to answer him. I said, ‘Yes.’ I felt so happy. We kissed again, then we went upstairs. You were right, it was the best thing ever.’

‘Waking up this morning and finding his head on the pillow besides me was wonderful. I just lay there and watched him sleeping. I was watching him as he opened his eyes. He looked startled to see me, then a lovely smile spread over his face.’

‘We kissed and made love again. He’s in the shower now, then we’re going into town to get a ring. Thank you so much. Expect a wedding invitation in due course. All my love,’ Margery.

‘You look happy,’ Mike said seeing the big smile on his face. ‘Do you remember Margery that came quite a few Saturdays ago?’ Lewis asked. ‘Vaguely,’ Mike said, ‘There have been so many faces.’ he added with a grin.

Lewis handed over his phone. Mike read the message and said, ‘Another happy couple.’ he said, smiling, ‘All down to you no doubt.’ ‘I may have helped a little bit.’ Lewis told him modestly. ‘A little bit,’ Mike snorted, ‘There can’t be many boys of sixteen who have older women telling him when they’ve made love and how good it was.’ Lewis just grinned.

Just then Mikes phone pinged. ‘It’s Valerie,’ he said surprised, ‘She’s outside.’ He went and let her in. As she came into the back room, her stomach preceded her. Lewis hadn’t seen her for a while and now she was clearly heavily pregnant.

Lewis gave her a hug and a kiss, making sure he didn’t squeeze too hard. ‘Are you ok?’ Mike asked, concerned at her unexpected visit. ‘Yes, there’s nothing wrong,’ she said, ‘But somethings happened that I though you both would like to share.’

She went over and lay down on the settee. ‘Bring a chair over, both of you,’ she said. ‘Sit close.’ She pulled her top up and her dress and panties down to uncover her big lump. ‘He or she has started kicking.’ she told them.

Mike and Lewis rested a hand each on the spot Valerie indicated. Neither of them could feel anything. ‘It doesn’t happen continuously,’ she told them, ‘You just need to be patient.’ The three of them chatted about the difficulties associated with being pregnant.

Then about ten minutes later, they all felt a distinct kick. It was followed by several more. Mike and Lewis grinned at each other. ‘Isn’t that wonderful.’ Mike said. He leaned over and gave Valerie a long kiss. Then Valerie said, ‘You too Lewis.’ so he gave her a long kiss too.

‘That will be it for a while now.’ Valerie said as she stood up and put her clothes back into place. ‘Another three months to go yet.’ she said in answer to Lewis’s question.