Seven. Elly
After the surprise meeting with Clifford at the police station Elly and Nan were finally allowed to see Elly’s mum. They were led into the back of the station to where the holding cells were. Elly held on tight to Nan’s arm as they passed several grey doors with small grills in the top; a few voices called out as they passed, shouting to be let out or demanding to speak to a solicitor.
Elly’s mum was in the last cell, the policeman opened the door with a large key and the door swung open. Rita Barrett was sat hunched up on a single metal bed, the cell was bare apart from a stained toilet in one corner and a bare light bulb overhead.
“You’ve got five minutes.” Said the policeman, “I’ll be right outside.”
“Mum…” said Elly nervously, “Mum, are you all right?” Rita raised her head and looked at them, her face was white and pinched and she had a large purple bruise on her cheek.
“Elly,” she whispered hoarsely, “Mum, Elly, have they said…”She swallowed and took a shaky breath. “Can I come home?”
Elly ran over to her mum and hugged her tightly. Nan was staring at her daughter’s face.“What have they done to you?” Nan asked, “your face, has someone hit you?
”Rita shook her head and gently pushed Elly away; she stood up and touched the bruise on her cheek.“I resisted arrest apparently.” She said. “One of Clifford’s men tried to get me out of the tree, I’d chained myself to it you see, to stop them…”
“We know,” said Elly, “it was on the news.”
“Well, during the struggle I kicked this man in the face, it was an accident, I didn’t mean to kick him. But now Clifford has told me this man is pressing charges, assault charges. Unless I swear to stop ‘meddling’ as Clifford put it; if I promise to have nothing more to do with the protest all the charges against me will be dropped.”
“What did you say?” Asked Nan, “Did you agree?”
“What choice did I have? Clifford made it very clear what would happen to me if I didn’t.” Replied Rita. “I didn’t fancy going to prison, losing my daughter…”
Elly looked at her mum in disbelief. “He threatened to have me taken away? How, how could he do that?”
“Clifford’s got his fingers in a lot of pies.” said Nan, “he thinks he can get away with anything. He managed to get in here didn’t he; no wonder he looked so smug.”
The policeman came back into the cell. “Times up.” He said jangling his keys.
Rita looked desperately at him. “Please, can’t I go home now? I’ve said I’ll do what he wants, isn’t that enough?”
“Mr Clifford likes things in writing, no lose ends. Once you’ve signed on the dotted line you’ll be free to go, until then you’ll have to enjoy our facilities a little longer.”
Elly hugged her mum again and fighting back tears left the cell with Nan, she looked back and caught a last glimpse of her mum’s face before the cell door banged shut. The policeman locked the door and closed the security grill, he didn’t speak to them as he led them back to the waiting room.
*
As they walked home, each of them lost in their own thoughts, they passed the lane that led up to Ellingham forest. A black Mercedes roared along the street and with a squeal of brakes turned into the lane. Elly saw the number plate, it read ‘CLIFF 1’. Nan didn’t appear to have noticed the car, she was completely distracted.
“Nan, I don’t feel like going home just yet, I need to go to the library to get some books for my coursework; is that ok?” Asked Elly.
“Yes, of course; but don’t be too long, I need you at home in case your mum calls again.”
“Thanks Nan, I’ll be really quick.” Promised Elly, who had no intention of visiting the library. She was more interested in finding out where Clifford was going, her mum might not be able to ‘meddle’ any more but no-one had warned Elly to stay away from the forest or the protesters. And after checking that her Nan wasn’t looking back in her direction, Elly set off up the lane.
*
When Elly arrived at the edge of the forest, Clifford had got out of his car and was talking to some workmen in yellow coats. Elly crept around them until she was within earshot but hidden from view.
“The big stuff will be arriving later today, just make sure you keep that lot,” Clifford gestured towards the group of protestors, “well away from it, understand Evans?”
“Yes Mr Clifford, there won’t be any more problems.”
“There better not be, any more foul-ups and you and your crew will be joining the dole queue, understand?”
“Yes Mr Clifford, absolutely.”
Clifford turned and started to walk into the forest, “Just checking the perimeters.” He shouted to Evans who nodded and said something to his workmates. Elly couldn’t hear what he had said but they all started laughing and Elly thought it was good news for Evans that Clifford hadn’t heard what he’d said either.
Making sure she stayed out of sight, Elly followed Clifford deeper into the forest; “What is he doing?” she muttered to herself. A few minutes later Clifford approached a man who appeared to have been waiting for him, and Elly found herself being pulled to the ground by Nick.
* |
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Hi Tracey
Written by jean.day (2279 comments posted) 29th September 2007 | Good chapter with a cliff hanger at the end, and you are getting Nick and Elly together again, for what is probably a more positive encounter.
I don't know why your formatting does it, but the last word in many sentences gets chopped off. It doesn't obscure the meaning, as it is usually obvious what the word is - but it just looks wrong, if you know what I mean.
There are a few misspellings, but nothing major. One thing my creative writing teacher told me - was to use far less "she says and he says" in dialogues. Usually it is obvious from what is said, who is saying it. Also, when you are putting in those words, the proper way to do it, is to put the speech with a comma or question mark after it, then quotation marks, and then says or asked whoever, with a small s or a.
Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
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Written by Fledermaus (3281 comments posted) 30th September 2007 | A good story, although in some of the later chapters I missed the drama from chapter one. What happened to bully Nick btw, he seems so much quieter. He should still be mean, even though we now know somewhat more about him 
A very enjoyable story.
I would have another look at three and four if I were you however, for there you might want to replace some Nicks and Ellies with he-s and she-s... | Thank you
Written by tpowell (105 comments posted) 30th September 2007 | Thanks Jean and fledermaus for your reviews, I will look back and act on the issues you raised.
Nick isn't as mean as he seemed in chapter 1 but he's not a wimp either! You'll get to see him in action soon I promise.
thanks again
Tracey |
Written by gshelme (152 comments posted) 1st October 2007 | Just caught up from chapter two. This is developing into a very enjoyable story, each chapter leaves me wanting more. Well written, can't wait for next chapter.
Gill |
Written by tpowell (105 comments posted) 1st October 2007 | Thank you so much Gill, I'm made-up that you're enjoying it - hope you like the rest of it as much.
Tracey |
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