Doctor Who_ Warchild - Andrew Cartmel [35]
‘They all read negative for human life.’
Roz guided the women off the pavement and towards the narrow alleyway that led between the clusters of small houses. Once they were through that they’d be on the open concrete of the podium. Exposed but close to their vehicle.
‘They’re empty?’
‘I said they read negative for human life,’ said Redmond.
His voice was tense. ‘I did not say they were empty.’
Chapter 13
They were going to have an argument. Not just an average argument, but one of those major explosions which occasionally erupted into their marriage like a tropical storm.
After all these years together Creed recognized the signs. His spirits sank.
Standing in his backyard he suddenly felt the whole hot weight of the day sinking on to his shoulders. It had been a luminously beautiful summer’s Saturday and he’d been the guy taking his daughter for a swim. But now he felt the day being redefined. Suddenly it was a sweltering Saturday in the dog-days of August, and he was the poor schmuck who was about to get chewed out by his wife. The obedient little suburban husband.
Creed’s resignation began to change into a smouldering hostility towards Justine.
She had been smiling and laughing with the kids, happy and carefree a second ago. Now, like throwing a switch, she’d turned off the smile and the laughter. She’d deliberately ditched her good mood as soon as he strolled in.
Justine was obviously spoiling for a fight.
Well, if she wants a fight... thought Creed.
Justine strode past him, catching his eye. ‘Got a second?’ she said in that over-polite tone she always took when she was seriously pissed off with him. Creed shrugged and followed her into the house.
Justine chased the girls outside and they stood alone in the kitchen. They opened beers in a tense silence. They could hear the girls in the backyard running over to the car, annoying the boys.
‘So, what did you want to talk about?’ said Creed. He knew he should take a moderating tone, but to hell with that.
‘Did you go to the school to talk about Ricky?’
Creed began to relax. At least he now knew what the argument was about. He realized that he’d been dreading something else.
Justine accusing him of —
Creed had a momentary incandescent memory of ice crystals on blonde eyelashes. He repressed the thought and concentrated on what Justine was saying.
‘Did you speak to the principal?’
‘Sure.’
‘You spoke to him yourself? You’re sure it was Mr Pangbourne?’
Creed felt a flash of irritation. ‘You think I might have got the wrong guy?’
‘Well, according to Mrs McCracken you mistook the principal for the school gardener.’
Creed rubbed his forehead. It was starting to throb painfully. That bitch. ‘What else did she say?’
‘That someone else was there.’
Creed’s anger suddenly changed to a hot guilty flush.
‘Who?’ he said.
‘Amy Cowan.’
‘Amy?’ said Creed innocently. But he knew immediately that he’d made the wrong move.
‘Mrs McCracken says she left the two of you at the school together.’
‘Gee. How unlike Mrs McCracken to stir up trouble between a man and his wife.’
‘In this case she doesn’t have to do much stirring. I’ve seen how you look at that girl.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh, come off it Creed. You just about have to winch your tongue back in your mouth every time she walks past you.’
Creed laughed. ‘You’re imagining things. She’s a nice kid.’
‘Don’t take that stomach-turning paternal tone when you talk to me.’
Creed felt himself losing his temper. He fought to retain it, taking deep breaths. ‘You know, this really is a shame.
Because before you waded into me I was just about to suggest that we call a baby-sitter and take the evening off.
Hit a restaurant and then hit the sack in some low establishment. Make it good. Make it nice between us.’
Justine looked at him. ‘Am I supposed to be grateful?
You want a roll in bed, Creed? You feel an itch and you want to spend it on me and I’m supposed to be grateful? All because you got worked up talking to a young piece of ass in the school parking lot.’
Creed’s thoughts blazed with