Fightback by Steve Voake Read Free Book Online Page A

the centre was some bread and three small bowls filled with olives, honey and yoghurt. It felt strange to be sitting down for a meal at a time when he would normally be sleeping, but there was something oddly excitingabout it too. The moon was bright, the sky was full of stars and although the sun was on the other side of the world, its warmth still rose silently from the stones.
    Kier watched Chiang put yoghurt and honey into his bowl and then did the same, pouring the honey in neat circles before finally spooning the mixture into his mouth.
    â€˜It is good?’ asked Chiang.
    Whether it was something about the hour, or the things that had happened to him over the past couple of days, Kier couldn’t say, but as the sweetness dissolved on his tongue it was as if he had broken through a hidden wall to touch and taste the world for the very first time.
    â€˜Yes,’ he said. ‘It’s really good.’
    Chiang tore off a hunk of bread and placed it on Kier’s plate.
    â€˜Eat more. You will need your strength today, I think.’
    Uh-oh , thought Kier, wondering what else Chiang had planned. But as the first rays of sunlight began to edge above the mountains, he realised that he was actually looking forward to finding out.
    Â *
    â€˜Mr Jackson tells me you are a trained fighter,’ said Chiang, leading Kier into a room overlooking the sea.
    â€˜Not really,’ said Kier. ‘I’ve done a bit.’
    There was a vase of flowers on the window ledge, sharing the space with a shallow bowl and a water jug. In the centre of the room was a patterned carpet, its once bright colours faded over the years. Chiang walked into the middle and turned to face him.
    â€˜Tell me,’ he said, ‘about your last fight.’
    Kier thought for a moment. ‘Well, there was the fight on the train. But Saskia took care of that.’
    â€˜Then that was not your last fight.’
    â€˜OK. Well, before that, I got attacked by a man with a knife.’
    Chiang’s face brightened.
    â€˜Very good.’
    Very good? thought Kier. What was good about it?
    â€˜And what happened?’
    â€˜I got rid of the knife. Then I ran away.’
    â€˜Show me.’
    â€˜How I got rid of the knife?’
    â€˜Yes.’ Chiang raised his hand as if it held an imaginary weapon. ‘Show me.’
    Kier tensed his stomach muscles, trying not to laugh. He didn’t want to appear rude, but it was ridiculous, this old man pretending to attack him.
    â€˜He didn’t hold it like that.’
    â€˜Like this, perhaps?’ Chiang lowered his hand and moved it forward in a stabbing motion.
    â€˜Yeah. Something like that.’
    â€˜And what did you do?’
    Kier stepped forward and twisted slowly, moving his arm up until it touched Chiang’s.
    â€˜No. Show me properly.’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜You move like a snail in treacle. Show me how it really was.’
    â€˜Well, OK. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
    As Chiang moved his arm forward once more, Kier twisted quickly and made a grab for his wrist, intending to lower him gently on to the carpet. But suddenly the space where Chiang’s arm had been was empty and, before he knew what was happening, Kier hit the floor with a force that knocked all the wind out of him.
    â€˜Thank you for warning me,’ said Chiang, bowing politely. ‘But I think I am all right.’
    Kier rested his head on his knees, waiting for his breath to come back.
    â€˜Perhaps you would like to show me again?’ asked Chiang.
    Kier raised his head and looked at the old man. He was standing in exactly the same spot, armshanging loosely by his sides. He could have been waiting in line to collect his pension.
    But appearances, it seemed, were deceptive.
    Kier got to his feet and regarded Chiang warily. The guy was obviously tougher than he looked. This time, Kier decided, he wouldn’t mess about. This time, he would show