Jealous Storm, Jack Stroke [best sci fi novels of all time .txt] 📗

wanted him because she knew I liked him.”

She was aware how foolish she sounded, and yet it was still a struggle not to cry.

Joan let out a long sigh. “Amber, if this boy really liked you…”

“That’s what she said. If he liked me, why was he kissing her? I’ll tell you why, because I went to the bathroom and she put her tits in his face and her tongue down his throat. Sorry, Joan, but she did. I don’t even think she liked him. She was just trying to get at me.”

Joan stood. “Well, I think you are both very silly. And drinking that much can only lead to trouble.”

“Sorry, Joan. Sorry we woke you.”

“It’s all right.”

The older lady kissed the top of Amber’s head. “Go to bed. You probably won’t even remember this in the morning.”

“He was really cute, Joan. And funny and nice. I really liked him.”

“There are plenty of cute guys out there, Amber.”

“Not like this one. His name was Ellis.”

20

At the Half, Amber stared at Ellis, mouth open, momentarily paralysed.

“Good to see you, Amber,” he said, patting her shoulder. It burned like a hot poker. Ellis moved around the table and kissed Megan. Megan never took her gaze from Amber, the glint in her eye, Amber still unable to move.

“How you doing, buddy? I’m Ellis.”

“Vaughan.”

The two men shook hands, and Ellis took a seat.

“Are you right, Amber?” Megan asked.

She wasn’t. Not at all. Ellis scooched his chair up close to Megan, who put an arm around his shoulder. Very much a couple.

“This is Vaughan. Amber’s boyfriend.”

Ellis raised his eyebrows. “Hey, good for you, Amber.”

“Yeah, bit of an age gap, but you know.”

Megan was enjoying herself. Everyone waited for Amber to say something. She still couldn’t speak. Vaughan glanced about, waiting for more information. None came.

“So… Ellis. You’re Megan’s new man?”

They looked at each other and giggled.

“You’re half right, mate. I’m Megan’s man, but not new. We were childhood sweethearts.”

Megan whacked him. “No, we weren’t.”

“We weren’t?”

“Not childhood. Teen or something. Barely that.”

“Okay, geez. In trouble already. We’ve known each other for a while is the point.”

“Vaughan,” Megan said, like this was the most obvious thing in the world. “This is Ellis. Ben’s father.”

The spell snapped. Amber could move again. But move how? Dive across the table and strangle Ellis? Smash a bottle of beer over his head? Probably not all that wise. She stood.

“Excuse me,” she tried to say, except it came out more like a random garble of letters. Megan and Ellis smiled up at her like a pair of hyenas.

“You’re okay there, Amber?” Ellis asked.

Amber didn’t respond.

“Amber… Hey, Amber. Stop!”

She was almost back to Grubby’s car by the time Vaughan caught up with her.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Why… What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Amber…”

“Vaughan. You’re either coming with me or you’re not.”

“But we haven’t paid for our food.”

“Keys.”

“What?”

“Keys.”

He handed them over. To her mind, Amber had given Vaughan ample opportunity, although realistically she probably went a little quick. She climbed into Grubby’s car and sped out of there, leaving Vaughan in her dust, no clue what had just happened.

Amber drove back to Paradise Cove far too quickly, her mind a mess and yet thinking nothing at all. The speed didn’t matter; it was Grubby’s car. There wasn’t anyone about anyway.

The owner’s cottage was all dark. Amber pounded on the door. Nothing. Should she simply let herself in? It wasn’t the most secure building in the world. Amber had broken in before. Her mind refused to clarify whether breaking and entering was the right thing to do or entirely stupid. She bashed on the door again, louder this time. Finally Joan appeared in her tattered old nightie.

“Amber… It’s late.” She screwed up her face, sniffing the air. “What is that awful pong?”

Amber pointed. “I was in Grubby’s car.”

“Why have you got Grubby’s car?”

“Joan, he’s back.”

“Who? Grubby. He never left, did he?”

“Ellis. Ellis is back. He is at the Half with Megan right now.”

Joan stiffened. “Oh, Amber. You’re not going to start being silly again, are you?” Her tone lacked its usual compassion.

“You knew.”

“Amber…”

“And, what, you think this is okay?”

“You need to just leave it alone is what I think.”

Amber stared at the plump old woman, unable to form words in her mind. She had a million arguments for this. Why couldn’t she think of a single one?

“It’s late, Amber. I’m going to bed. I suggest you do the same.”

The door shut and the lights went off again. No invite in, no offer of a hot drink or consoling hug. Amber stood staring at the door frame, unable to move.

21

“Champagne?” Shake asked.

They were in the jet, soaring through the air, high above the clouds. On the whole, Shake wasn’t a lot more chatty than he had been in the Tesla.

“No. Thank you.”

“This is nicer champagne than you’ve ever had before.”

“Okay.”

“Why don’t you want any?”

“I don’t know where we’re going. Or what we’re doing. I want a clear head.”

“Probably wise.”

Shake poured himself a glass and sipped slowly, focusing out the window. Ben waited until he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Where are we going?”

“You ask a lot of questions, you know that?”

“I haven’t, at all. Besides, it’s how you learn things.”

“It’s one way. Sure. There are plenty of others.”

“You don’t like answering questions?”

“No, I’m fine answering questions. This is more for you. Part of your training. What is it you think we do at DL?”

“DL?”

“Diamond Logistics. Come on, Benny. Keep up.”

Evidently he took too long to respond.

“Come on, it’s not a trick.”

“Umm, assassins?”

“It’s very simple. We do what we are told to do. That’s the key factor. Whatever we are told to do. That’s what being a good agent is. Questions are often the wrong path. Steps away from where you need to be going. Questioning instead of taking action.”

Ben nodded.

“Since this is your first job, I will allow you three questions.”

“What, now? Or in total?”

“Hah. You’re funny… Think carefully.”

“Where are we going?”

Shake rolled his eyes in his overly-theatrical manner. “See? That’s a terrible question. Come on. Use that big