15/11/2003

Title: Worst Nightmare
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: One
Rating: PG

Steve and Dora become embroiled in a horse lovers worst nightmare, which helps to push their relationshop forward, but at a cost.

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The truck rolled down the narrow road, its dimmed lights barely piercing the gloom of the night as the smoke from its exhaust spiralled lazily behind it. The cab was in complete darkness, the driver only fitfully illuminated as he drove by the street lamps placed unevenly apart. Like a huge lumbering giant the truck turned slowing into an even narrower alley way, its tires crunching over the edge of the kerb as it quietly left the brightly lit lane for the pitch black ally. The driver tooled it down the narrow gap until it reached the looming wooden doors that blocked its way. Not bothering to turn off the engine, the driver climbed down and walked to the front of the truck, his outline limed by the headlights. With exaggerated caution the man pushed against one of the doors, his efforts seemingly wasted until a gap appeared and widened as the doors slid back noiselessly on their oiled wheels, only a faint hiss betraying their movement.

After pushing back both doors the man climbed back into his cab and edged the truck through until only the red rear lights could be seen like baleful eyes in the darkness of the warehouse. To anyone watching, it appeared that the doors slid shut by themselves, the truck retreating into its lair like a huge beast.

Gurt mopped his brow with a grubby handkerchief, his dark features partially obscured by a flat cap. It had been a long haul and he was glad to be back at the warehouse before dawn spread its revealing fingers along the roads. Stuffing the hanky into his overalls pockets he walked to the end of the darkened garage and fumbled for the light switch. The sudden light blinded him and he covered his face, squinting furiously.

"Douse the light you idiot, do you want to alert the neighbours?"

The voice belonged to a tall, thin man that had appeared to Gurt's left, one hand still on the handle of the door, faint light spilling through the opening. As quickly as the light had come on, it was extinguished, Gurt having to blink to get his eyes used to the faint light coming from behind his employer.

"There's no-one up at this time of the night, or should I say morning," said Gurt, chuckling at his weak joke. The man in front of him didn't smile, just spun around and led the way into the back room.

"Did you get the merchandise ?"

"Sure boss, three prime'uns as you ordered."

"Any trouble ?"

"Nah....the boys managed the job easily. They wanted to know when you next expected to place an order ?"

"I'll contact them through the usual channels. In the meantime I have to leave you to unload them, I still need to get the shop ready, its going to be a busy night."

"What there is left of it," muttered Gurt as he watched the thin man leave. His jaw cracked as he worked up to an impressive spit. Turning, Gurt made his way back to the truck, snagging a large torch from the cab before reaching up to unlatch the side door of the unmarked horse truck. As he lowered the door he caught the unmistakable smell of horse.

"Well, my lovelies, end of the road for you."

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Dora rubbed her eyes and blinked. She grabbed at her clock and noted the time.

"Oh cripes...late again!"

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she scrabbled for her dressing gown and pulled it on, thrusting her feet into her slippers as she rushed from the room. Clattering down the stairs she burst into the kitchen, halting abruptly when three pairs of eyes swung in her direction.

"I was just about to give your breakfast to the cat," exclaimed Slugger, lifting a heavy skillet off the range.

"I didn't know we had a cat ?" said Steve, looking across at Ron in bafflement.

Slugger gave Steve a wink before piling a helping of bacon and eggs on his plate. Ron looked on with disgust while Dora slipped into the chair beside Steve, smiling her thanks as he poured her a mug of tea.

"If we did have a cat it wouldn't last a day on this muck!" grumbled Ron, pushing his food around his plate. Slugger reached over and feinted making Ron dodge before exclaiming "Cheeky!"

"You could always offer to make breakfast for us Ron, that way you wouldn't be able to complain," said Steve, grinning at his workmate.

"What's this, pick on Ron morning or somethin' ?"

"Oh Ron, I don't know why you bother, you know Slugger hasn't changed in all the time you've been here," said Dora, sipping her tea before picking at her plate.

"True, but there's always hope. Maybe ol' Mister Blunt will run out of both bacon and eggs and we'll 'ave to have something different."

"I've been going to Mister Blunt for fifteen years, he makes the best bacon in this county," said Slugger, bringing his own plate over and sitting down. "An' I don't plan of changing anytime soon, so eat up, or go hungry."

The banter continued for the rest of breakfast and Dora was just getting up to go and dress when she heard the phone go in the office. Slugger chivvied her out of the room, telling her to go upstairs while he took the call. Minutes later she was down, pulling a jumper over her head, when Slugger came out of the office and waited for her to get to the bottom of the stair.

"That was the police, seems another 'orse has gone missing," he told her, rolling his eyes. "Why they assume that we 'ave them," he muttered.

"Where did it go missing from ?" Dora asked, while Steve and Ron stood in the doorway to listen.

"Apparently from one of the local riding school. Nice animal from all accounts, chestnut with three white socks. It was in the home paddock but last night it disappeared."

"Stolen or runaway ?" asked Steve, coming to stand beside Dora. Slugger only shrugged. "They didn't say, just that its missing. Keep an eye out, would'ya ?"

"Sure, now lets get moving," said Steve, reaching for the front door, "those stall won't muck out themselves."

"More's the pity," muttered Ron, ducking reflexively from Sluggers raised hand.

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The bustle in the high street drew a small crowd around the front of a freshly painted shop. A ladder was propped against the outside wall and a man was in the process of hanging a replacement sign. Inside the shop onlookers could see several men fitting shelves and painting.

"I wonder what happened to old mister Blunt ?" asked one woman of her neighbour, both of them at the front of the small crowd.

"Well whatever happened to him, I hope the new butcher is going to stock some decent sausages at last!"

The other woman chuckled to herself. "I know what you mean. It'll be funny to have someone else in running the shop."

The women watched as the sign was finally revealed, swinging slowly while the signwriter climbed down his ladder.

" 'Masters Continental Butchers'," read off one of the women. "Supplier of Quality Meats."

"Well it'll be a change at least. Mr.Blunt didn't exactly keep a wide choice, for all his low prices."

"Oh for sure, but my John won't be 'appy," snorted her friend, "he swore by Mister Blunts bacon rashers."

While they watched they saw a man in a pristine white apron approach through the men in the shop, his thin frame at odds with the burly workmen. He walked to the glass front door and stepped outside.

"Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Henry Masters, I will be opening for business tomorrow and I hope to have your patronage. Thank you." He announced to the expectant crowd. Then without waiting for any comments from his audience, the man abruptly turned on his heel and re-entered the shop.

"Well, I don't know," said one of the women, already turning to leave.

As they walked past the shop they saw a sign put up in the window saying "Opening Specials, something for everyone,".

"Well I know where I'll be tomorrow morning, my John is always looking to save on the housekeeping,"

"I bet he is, so he can spend more at the pub!!" her friend called out before walking off down the footpath.

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Sarah lifted the curtain that shielded her window again. She had been woken three times that week by the truck going past. This time she was determined to sit up and see if she could make out who owned the vehicle robbing her of sleep. Her head was nodding before she heard the rumble beneath her window. Lifting the net curtain she peered out and saw the dark horse truck that had paused briefly at the end of the alley opposite. As she watched it groinched into a lower gear and eased around the tight turn into the narrow lane. Despite straining her eyes, Sarah couldn't see any identifying names on the side or back of the truck and the number plate was obscured as well. As she stared out she saw the lights of the truck make their slow way down the alley, stopping briefly before continuing and finally disappearing. At the moment that the tail-lights vanished a light came on over at the butchers shop in the flat above, winking out almost as soon as it appeared. Sarah stayed at her window for several more minutes but no more lights showed and neither did the truck. Looking down she carefully made a note of the day and time, her eyes barely able to make out her pencilled notes against the white page. With a last look out she put the notebook into her bedside drawer and climbed into bed. Pulling the bedcovers up to her neck she rolled over and went to sleep.

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"That makes six horses in the last month," said Slugger, putting the phone down and addressing Dora who leant against the office door frame.

"Six ? What do the police think has happened to them ?" She asked, walking into the room and folding her arms protectively against her chest. Slugger only shrugged, his hand coming up to push back his cap and scratch the sparse hair underneath.

"They don't know. They just ask that we report anything we see that could be unusual."

"Unusual ?" repeated Dora, her pretty face perplexed.

Slugger leaned back in her Uncles chair, his own face reflecting his concern. "Oh, any strangers in the area, any horses going missing, any strange vehicles, that sorta thing."

"Oh, did they say where the latest horse is missing from ?"

"Yeah they did, Hammond's Hotel in fact. Taken right out of the stable block. Apparently no-one heard a thing, happened sometime last night."

"But that's dreadful Slugs, who could be doing this ?"

"I don't know girl, will you tell Steve and Ron, maybe they've seen something ?"

Dora nodded then turned to leave, Slugger following her out of the room.

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