Chapter Thirty-Four: Short Fuse

"You're being so unreasonable!" Shona was shouting by the time Gail and Martin returned.

David had chucked a bag full of her clothes down for her remark. He really was serious and insisted she couldn't come back until she retracts what she said about Audrey, Stephen and Clayton. Sarah and Bethany coming out of the flat with Harry on hearing the ruckus. Martin meanwhile had a black eye from that punch from Stephen, they looked a mess.

"Did he punch you?" David asked his father from the window with disbelief.

"Yes. He punched me...Look, David. Shona is right about you being unreasonable, she only said that Audrey needs time to process it. Me and your mum have now spoke to them all, Stephen and Gabrielle are both putting all sorts into her head we think. She chose him over Gail because she's been made to feel guilty over lost time. That's unreasonable as well" Martin answered as he stood by his daughter-in-law.

"Being plunged into a canal as a child and having nightmares for years due to it was unreasonable. Losing the woman I love...Losing my wife to a murdering thug was unreasonable. So don't go talking to me" David paused as he watched Shona pick up her bag..."Yeah go on, run away; can't face the truth. You and gran can go both go picketing outside court together soon!"

His wife was close to tears as she walked towards the cafe and let herself in. Not knowing where else to sit and muse.

"David! Don't go ruining your marriage over this...She doesn't approve of what Clayton did. She was as disgusted as all us...You know this, that's why you married her!" Sarah reminded him from the street.

"I thought so too Sarah until she went on a 'We love our sons no matter what' speech. Well guess what, I don't need to listen to that. And until I hear a sorry from her, she's not coming back for a while" David responded.

Craig briefly walked past as this was going on. He stood by his ex-girlfriend and friend Bethany. He was currently in the police but was trying to keep his work separate from his personal life but the lines were now blurred now the main suspect's great-niece and friend of his had returned to help out the family. How could you square the two in that situation?

"Hi Craig...Please don't listen to any of this" Bethany pleaded with a sad smile.

"I'm not on duty, Bethany. I don't have to but if there's anything you need or any information. I'm obliged to advise you all to talk to the police. Does Martin want to press charges?" Craig was heard asking.

"Erm no...Martin does not!" Martin shouted over as he crossed his arms.

"Why doesn't Martin want to press charges? That's going to get him banged up for a night at least. Get him really scared that would!" David piped up from the window.

"We don't want to just get him scared though, do we? We want the rest of the truth to come out but the police are acting really slow...Wait a moment, Craig. Can we request a welfare check on Audrey Roberts? We already been down there but maybe if they are caught off-guard. It might do something...Gabrielle, Stephen's missus; she was saying how they got this plan. Is he on the flight risk list at least?" Martin suddenly began to question as things just popped into his head.

He walked over to him with Gail following behind. Craig sucked under his beath, he couldn't really give out that information but this was the family. He just gave a shrug as if to say he wasn't really obilged to but maybe he could tell them something about the investigation.

"The bottom line is this. Leo's autopsy is still being done but we found out it was foul play. We know it was foul play but we haven't found anything. Stephen's fingerprints aren't on our database. But...If you do press charges on him for assaulting you. We could get them" Craig told him before adding..."Just speaking as a family friend and all that"

"Really? I don't know how I feel about that" Gail spoke up sadly.

"I understand this is personal and everything. I really do...But sometimes families are the best options for stopping the criminal. You're already thinking about a welfare check so you must be concerned for Audrey. You press charges, Martin. And we will probably get him for Leo. If nothing else" Craig further explained.

Bethany and Sarah looked at one another. Martin just nodded as he agreed to press charges after all.

...

Suitcases were already packed in 'Grasmere Drive' that night. They had no idea yet about Martin pressing charges. It didn't even cross their minds at this point in time as Stephen was so use to getting away with the minor offences. So when the door got knocked on. The trio looked rather unsettled, Gabrielle being the first to get up again as she told them both to calm down and if it is the police. Just tell them nothing and that they have a minor family dispute. She remained at the door longer enough for the officers to knock again and she opened it. They asked for Stephen and she had no choice but to say he's in.

"Is this about Martin? I wouldn't listen to him...He's a total fruitcake. Had it out for Stephen since the 1990s" Gabrielle insisted as they followed her into the living room.

"Stephen Reid?"

Though this question asked by the officer got no response. He just sat there in quiet discontent. Not daring to comment as he knew what was coming next, Martin dobbed him in for that punch. And all he wanted to do was punch him even harder now. Gabrielle could see he was quietly angry and she just gave a sigh, thinking he will make things worst again.

"Stephen Reid?" the officer asked again; Audrey looking at her son with nervousness.

"This isn't fair. He's...He's recovering from an overdose and a stab in the leg. You're going to make him ill" Audrey dared to speak up.

"I didn't do anything" Stephen finally said.

Gabrielle just giving another sigh as both her husband and mother-in-law were making things difficult. The police though went on to say give him his rights and he was arrested for the assault on Martin Platt. Both women followed them outside as they took an exasperated Stephen to the police car. He was indeed arrested and taken in to the police station.

"What if he talks? This isn't fair...His head's a mess" Audrey tearfully explicated to an equally as concerned Gabrielle.

"I know. Martin likes sticking the boot in, doesn't he? Look, he'll be fine. Okay? He can talk his way out of this if he sticks to the family domestic part" Gabrielle insisted with her arm around Audrey as she led her back inside.

"Oh but he won't. You seen how easily he gets riled up these days and everybody is provoking him. Like it's a sick game...He's poorly, it's clear as day"

"I know he is. To be honest, I don't know if we should help him escape. He's unpreditable nowadays. And I know what I said" Gabrielle paused before leading Audrey back to the couch and added..."I know what you know"

"You know what?"

"Everything. He told me everything when you kicked him out the first time. But please don't think I kept it to myself lightly. I didn't-"

"You know about the accidents?"

"Accidents. Murders...Whatever makes you feel better, Audrey. But yes, I know about them. Including Malcolm but that doesn't change my feelings towards him. I know he only did them out of desperation"

"That makes sense"

"What does?"

"You coming back. You don't want him to tell the police that you watched Malcolm die with him. I knew you were quite cold, Gabrielle. But not this cold, I don't know if one night of passion is going to swing it though" Audrey uttered.

Gabrielle just scoffed as she looked away. Getting up as she entered the kitchen and got out some of the leftover whisky. Audrey knew what her game was and it was her own fault. She just didn't think her mother-in-law would put two and two together but she supposed the old woman had nothing else to think about. Audrey followed her into the kitchen.

"You just listen to me, Gabrielle. I still want to help him get away, they won't be able to keep him in at the station forever. I want to help him get safely into Canada, away from you and every other bad influence"

"You really don't know your son if you think I was the bad influence. I begged for him to ring an ambulance for Malcolm. I walked in on him mid-heart attack after they had an argument. I went to call but he knocked the phone from my hand and told me not to ring for help. That Malcolm had to die before he had time to change his will. I felt sick and couldn't sleep for days"

"Really? Well there's two sides, Stephen was obviously upset about his dad's death"

"Not that upset. He didn't lose any sleep but I'm sure maybe he was a little upset. You know it was Joyce who he loved the most. His dear other mom, did you ever meet her?"

"Yes. She spoiled him rotten I remember...Gave him everything I couldn't"

"She did spoil him rotten and this made him rotten. He always spoke highly of her and how she wouldn't have let him down on anything. How Malcolm apparently wasn't always that great to her or to him. Joyce didn't teach him right from wrong because he was always right. She's a bit like Rebecca, isn't she?"

"What's your point?"

"My point is that Stephen has been getting everything he wanted from day one. Now he's lost it and he can't handle it. I admit that I use to help him with everything and it was okay for a bit. But it got rather tiresome watching him mess things up, only for me to have to clean it up"

"You're still trying to clean it up"

"Yeah I know. What mugs me and you both are-"

"Just stop right there. I'm helping him with or without your support. All I need is the tickets"

"Fine. It's your life...I'll help you two to the airport and everything. Look, I still love Stephen but too much has gone on. He just scares me sometimes and for what it's worth. I'm sorry for trying to steal your money from under you, I only went along with it because my business was almost on it's knees"

"I don't care about the money anymore. All I care about is Stephen's welfare"

...

"I pressed charges yesterday. I don't know if I should have done it but if it gets his fingerprints on the record books. It's worth it. That's what Bethany's friend in the police said and so I only hope it works. At least then we will know" Martin was saying to his old friend Kevin as both men sat in the garage.

"I can't believe it, mate. Must feel like déjà vu to ya"

"Well yeah it does. But he's a lot less put together...He and Gabrielle are really pushing my buttons though. They keep bringing up Katy to spite me and they will carry on doing so for as long I provoke them"

"Maybe don't provoke them. Look at what he did to ya face"

"Yeah. I told Robyn and she went spare at me...don't go getting into fights with the freak she said. And she's right, I shouldn't because I won't win. I just hope I done enough because I really don't want to run into him again"

"No. I don't blame you, Martin. I mean you said everything you wanna say to him now, just stay clear. He's bad news"

"I don't know what to do, Kevin. I can't stay here for too long because I'm needed back in New Zealand as well. Thankfully work understood it was a family emergency but it can only last for so long. Now I'm stuck in a stupid feud with my old brother-in-law because that's exactly what I wanted to do this year" Martin replied with sarcasm while shaking his head.

"I mean. Most people wouldn't spend their time away from work battling with Stephen Reid but you do you" Kevin replied with a small wink.

"Thanks. That's very helpful...I do miss the days though when my biggest problem with him was his smug little 'look at me, I'm so rich' face" Martin paused as he could see Kevin was now looking behind him as opposed as to at him, he looked rather spooked.

Martin turned back around to see Stephen himself. Clearly having been to the police station and let out again that morning. Martin just put his hand up as if to say he didn't want round two. He wasn't going to provoke him a second time as he was now convinced it was a waiting game before he gets arrested again. Stephen looked tired but quietly angry.

"Why are you here? I'm not bothering you so you shouldn't bother me" Martin nervously uttered.

"You rang the police on me"

"Yeah alright but you punched me pretty hard. And I don't really take to that...Look, Stephen. I'm over whatever this is, let's call it quits"

"Oh but it's just getting started. I was surprised to hear you in here though...What with your dead ex-girlfriend having killed her dad in this garage and all that"

"Say one more word about Katy-"

"Or what?"

"Look, I don't want to fight with ya. I'm calling a truce...I'm sorry for what I said last night about you being a failure and all that. I clearly crossed a line and I won't cross it again, okay?"

"Stephen. Just walk away from my garage...Martin's sorry and that's it" Kevin piped up as he came to stand by his friend (who was clearly on edge).

"No. I'm not done here...Come on Martin, let's go outside and have a chat outside. Because this is a very tight space. But then again, your friend did smash up my car. Maybe I could smash up his in return-"

"Alright. I'm coming out but I don't want a scrap or anything" Martin nervously uttered as he reluctantly followed him out of the garage.

With a very concerned Kevin following behind them. Martin began following Stephen outside but he was clearly on edge about this. What did he want? Did he just want to toy with him or something? Martin spoke up again...

"This is getting stupid now. Just say what you want to say"

The two men paused as Stephen stopped near 'Street Cars'. Kevin standing by Martin again as the two men wondered what the Hell Stephen was playing at. Steve McDonald and Tim Metcalfe came out of the office to see what this was all about as they could sense tension.

"What are you doing bringing him here, Martin?" Steve asked from the side with Tim.

"I didn't bring him here! He came here himself...Look, Stephen. I'm sorry, I said some things I shouldn't have said. You punched me and I deserved it. Did I go too far by ringing the police? Maybe yeah but it doesn't need to go any further, this isn't fair on the family. I'm calling quits" Martin spoke up again as he desperately tried to diffuse the situation.

"Says the guy who cheated on my sister a couple of times. And now you're here to save the day. From what? Me?" Stephen questioned with a scoff.

"I made mistakes. And I regret them...David wanted me back, okay? He could lose his one source of income and I wanted to talk to you. That's all, I'm not here for a fight. I'm just here for moral support"

"I need those businesses! Call it payback for all that money I gave you lot in holidays and support throughout the years"

"Okay. If that's how you feel, I'm not going to argue with ya on that. Just calm down and go back to your wife and mother, okay?" Martin responded as he backed down even more in hope of Stephen giving up.

Silence followed this as Stephen's goading had failed and he knew it had. This did seem to anger him still as he wasn't getting what he wanted. Martin was backing down for his own benefit. If he did anything to him again, it would just further make Stephen look guilty.

"Just don't ever come back to the house again!" Stephen hissed.

"Okay. Point taken" Martin answered back with his heart beating in his chest.

Tim found himself seeing red as he watched the man who hit his mother getting somebody else to cower. He went over finally...

"You want a scrap, Stephen? I'm willing to give you a scrap" Tim spoke up.

Steve just sucking under his breath as he watched his friend put his two coins in again. Stephen just looked at him with pure contempt, he disliked Tim early on. He didn't even wish to converse with him. As it was Martin that he wanted to cower and make run scared. He had no use for Tim now and he didn't want a spell with the police so he resisted.

"You're pathetic. Any excuse to argue with me, isn't it? Well guess what, you don't even come into my mind anymore. And if you land one punch on me, you're going to get your own visit from the police!" Stephen shouted at him.

"Yeah? Well I really don't care right now-"

"Tim! Leave him now...He's not worth going to the station over" Steve tried to say as he quickly walked over.

Stephen scoffing as he walked away down the cobbles. Presumbly not knowing where he wanted to go, he just seemed to be wandering around with no clear purpose. Knowing he's going away soon anyway if he can help it, his presence causing the occasional double take from passers-by. Martin was notably keeping his distance as he didn't follow him. He was just talking to Kevin in disbelief about what just happened. He even laughed in pure relief. Stephen himself was walking around past the pub and he stopped again, this time outside the factory. He just stood there for a while. Not flinching at the sound of Kevin and Martin again as the two men had turned back around again...

"I'm going inside until he's gone. See ya later, Kev" Martin was heard saying as the two men went their own ways.

Martin paused himself at the Platt household door. Wondering what his old brother-in-law was thinking. He watched him for a good minute, he really did want to talk to him again but he didn't want to give him any more ammunition either. He just hoped the fingerprints from his assault charge would be enough. So he left and went back inside the house.

...

"Oh sweetheart, you're back...What did the police say?" Audrey asked as Stephen returned to his mother's hours later.

"Enough to make my need to leave more urgent. That stupid Martin pressing charges meant I had to give up my fingerprints. And so, it's only a matter of time before they find out about the accident" Stephen responded in panic.

"Oh. Well, Gabrielle has the tickets. We need to tell her to bring them forward-"

"Where is she?"

"She's in the bath"

Stephen thus made his way upstairs and barged in the bathroom. She shot her head up with a slight shock before going back down. Covering herself with the bath water as she gave a scoff. Who did he think he was? She knows he's seen it all before but that's hardly the point.

"Do you mind? Get out please...Let me bathe in peace" Gabrielle spoke while rolling her eyes.

"Don't be coy all of a sudden. I just want to let you know how urgent this whole running away business has gotten now. Martin pressing charges has meant I had to give out my fingerprints. It's only a matter of time...Do you understand that?"

"I do. Look, let me finish up here. And you and Audrey can get on a plane tonight to Milan. I can then book from there to Canada. Go and tell your mom, pack your bags and we'll go" Gabrielle assured him.

He just nodded before leaving the bathroom again. He went downstairs again and told his mother to pack. If she's coming, she has to come now. They will be getting the first flight to Milan. Audrey just nodded, she understood and she seemed content on spending the last years with her son nowadays. Audrey began a rather sad search as she picked up her photograph album and phonebook. Taking them upstairs with her and packing light as advised. She packed some of her warmest clothes, the photograph of Alf Roberts and the family photograph that they took last year. She heard Stephen ripping up the floorboards in the spare bedroom and chucking a notepad into his bag. Gabrielle not even having time to dry her hair as she put on the nearest clothes she could find. Coming out of the bathroom and expecting them to hurry to the airport before Stephen gets put on a non-flight list. If he isn't already...

"Audrey. Passport?" Gabrielle asked her mother-in-law from the doorway.

"Y-Yes" Audrey answered as she held it up.

Her daughter-in-law gently taking her bags from her. She hurried up Stephen, watching as he slammed the floorboards back down. His notepad was hidden under his clothes in his travel bag. They were going to be travelling very lightly, no suitcases to arise suspicion. Stephen grabbed his own passport and thus the three of them left 'Grasmere Drive'. Audrey taking one look back as she didn't expect to be back. Gabrielle letting her in the front seat while Stephen took the back. Trying not to be seen as he avoided looking out any windows.

...

The trio arrived at Manchester airport a bit later. They all followed Gabrielle behind to the front desk. No suspicion has been raised yet. Gabrielle asking for three tickets to the next plane to Milan. Three first-class tickets to be exact as she still had the money to do that and she wanted Audrey in some comfort for this. To everyone else, it looked like an elderly mother just having a nice holiday with her son and his wife. The next plane would be leaving in an hour and they had to take it. Audrey grabbing onto Stephen's arm as her nerves were shattered.

"Don't worry, mom. I would have already been questioned by security the minute I stepped inside if I was in trouble" Stephen spoke very quietly to her.

"Thank you, it's a last-minute holiday for my mother. I live in Milan you see, so we don't need big suitcases" Gabrielle spoke as she tried to make casual chat with the ticket officer to look all innocent.

The ticket officer looked Stephen and Audrey down briefly before passing over the three tickets to Gabrielle. Directing them to where they need to wait and where the checking in office is. Thus the trio moved on, Stephen grabbing Audrey's bag from Gabrielle as his mother locked arms with him. She never felt so exposed and she was the one who was sweating the most. They moved to the boarding office began to que up, every announcement and walkie talkie had them on edge. Audrey trying to look less nervous but it was hard not to. She's never done anything even remotely dodgy before in all her life.

"Gabrielle. What if they find us in Milan? They will know where you live" Audrey quietly reminded her while keeping a tight grip on her son.

"Yeah I have thought about that but it's only going to be for a night. By the time they even know you and Stephen are out of the country. You will be on another flight heading to Canada" Gabrielle responded just as quietly.

"How sure are you? What if they try and ring tonight?" Stephen asked up.

"It will already be too late by tonight. You will be gone early in the morning, you have to be" Gabrielle answered.

The trio moving up the line with everybody else. By the time they reached the desk, the hour had turned into half an hour. Audrey already felt her feet hurting from this standing up and rushing about. Gabrielle passing over the tickets and the three passports. Once again, the officer looked them all up and down. The polite smile soon followed as she instructed them to the boarding area.

"You'll be able to sit down there, mom" Stephen reminded her.

"Oh good. Come on then, let's go. I'll be calm when we land in Italy and get to your home, Gabrielle" Audrey replied with a faint smile.

She was still trying not to cry as she knew she has left her family behind. But she had a choice this time. Stephen or Gail? She just made up her mind based on the fact that she had thirty years with Gail without Stephen. That's what made her decision on and the fact that she thought he needed her more than Gail did right now. It was an impossible choice but she had to make it.

"You can have my bed, Audrey. It's got very comfortable quilts and pillows and it's very easy to fall asleep on. I have a power shower as well and a very nice kitchen. I'll make sure you're comfortable" Gabrielle began to explain as they walked further into the airport and close to customs.

This was the final hurdle and once again. The trio had to pretend as if nothing was going on. They passed on uneventfully, Stephen even gave a smile to himself as he knew he had at least passed the first stage. He wasn't on a flight risk plan yet and they picked the best time to escape. The trio managed to get on the plane too and relaxing in first-class, they went to Milan.

...

TBC