Free The Book of Revenge by Linda Dunscombe Page A

special...’ she continued.
    He finally realised that he didn’t want to hear anymore. He turned around and walked out of the room, down the stairs and out of the house.

    The gym was almost empty. Early evening on a Saturday and people had better things to do. Not him. He was running fast on the treadmill. Sweat poured down his face and his chest. He turned the speed up again, faster and faster.
    His mind skipped back to the Rugby club. Andrew and Kevin were on the field. They were young then and surrounded by the rest of the winning youth team. Matt was amongst them. He remembered how he’d reached out to touch the trophy before Andrew grabbed it and held it up high in a triumphant salute. Then showered and changed the entire team had gone to the clubhouse for beer, and lots of it. Nobody cared that a few of them weren’t quite eighteen. They were celebrating and this was the eighties.
    Liz walked into the gym. She saw him immediately. She hesitated; she’d expected to be alone. He spotted her in the mirrors that covered the walls. He slowed down. She walked towards him.
    ‘That was a serious workout.’ She said, taking in the rivers of sweat that stained his top.
    He nodded while he waited for his breathing to return to normal.
    ‘I wonder what you’re running away from.’ She said it lightly, flippantly, but his head snapped up and their eyes locked together. She stepped onto the treadmill beside his and started jogging.

    Matt spent a long time under the shower. Then, dry and dressed he waited outside for her. She wasn’t long. He stubbed his cigarette out as soon as he saw her and smiled.
    ‘Fancy a drink?’ he asked hopefully while wondering what the hell he was doing.
    ‘No.’
    ‘Dinner?’
    ‘No.’
    She walked away making him run to catch up with her.
    ‘Sex?’ in for a penny, he thought at the same time as kicking himself for being so ridiculous. What would a woman like her ever see in him?
    She stopped walking and turned round laughing. ‘Still no.’ she said.
    He must have looked as much the pathetic loser as he felt because she seemed to take pity on him.
    ‘Really I can’t. Not tonight.’
    ‘Tomorrow then?’ he asked, hope restored.
    ‘Maybe.’ She said, before she walked away.
    Matt watched her go and then made his way to the pub. He finished his second pint and knew that if he didn’t stop drinking right then, he wouldn’t stop until he was unconscious. While he was pondering his very limited options, Andrew and Kevin entered the pub. They were already well past the stopping point, especially Andrew, who needed Kevin to support him.
    Matt put his glass down and left.

    Liz and Sam were on the Wii. Sam jumped up when the doorbell rang. ‘It’ll be Craig, he said he’d try and come over tonight.’
    While Sam went to answer the door, Liz continued to play.
    The door to the lounge was pushed open. ‘Come for a thrashing.’ She said, without pausing in her actions. It was a shooting game and she knew she could beat her daughter’s young boyfriend.
    But it wasn’t Craig.
    ‘I’m impressed.’ Matt said from behind her.
    Liz dropped the controller and span around in surprise.
    Sam looked between her mother and Matt, a speculative gleam in her eyes.
    Matt walked into the room and picked up the dropped controller, handing it to her. ‘You’re good at that.’
    Liz shrugged her shoulders casually.
    ‘I’ll make some tea shall I?’ Sam said.
    Liz stood up quickly. ‘He’s not stopping.’
    ‘Milk, two sugars. Thanks.’ Matt said, grinning at Sam, who smiled back, clearly intrigued. With a quick searching glance at her mother she left the room.
    ‘What are you doing here?’ Liz demanded, wondering why despite being annoyed there was a tiny rebellious spark of pleasure at seeing him.
    Matt reached out and took her hand. ‘I couldn’t wait until tomorrow.’
    Liz snatched her hand away. ‘Learn some patience. And how did you find me?’
    Matt looked a bit guilty. ‘I