The Dust: Book Two - Pursuit by David H Sharp Read Free Book Online Page A

was absurd. Everything had now become absurd. ‘No harm in asking I suppose, I'll try and speak to the woman. The man seems a bit pompous.’
    ‘Come on my beauties it’s time for something to drink and eat, fill your bellies.’ Lonny Gold’s voice made all the women turn their heads. ‘Our hosts have been very kind so please thank them when you collect your provisions.’ He then strode to the large wooden table ahead of Rossiter’s sister Janet and Harry James. A tube of paper cups were placed on top of a plastic table cloth and two large jugs of dark purple cordial were set down either side.
    Harry James then put down two large platters of triangular cut sandwiches, lettuce falling from the sides. He quickly returned with a large wooden bowl piled high with freshly salted crisps.
    The hungry women didn’t need to be asked twice and soon an orderly queue was formed and they tucked in with gusto.
    Charles Rossiter then appeared from the side of the barn and walked up to Lonny Gold who was about to light up a cigarette.
    ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’
    Lonny let go of the lighter and the flame disappeared. ‘Not a fan of tobacco?’ He enquired.
    ‘Naked flames and red hot embers don’t mix with big barns full of hay.’ Rossiter dryly replied.
    Lonny looked at the huge barn and took the unlit cigarette from his mouth.
    ‘Remember, eat up and be on your way.’ Rossiter went to walk off.
    ‘Don’t worry squire, it will be as if we have never been here.’ He slid his cigarette back into the box. ‘And are you sure you haven’t seen or heard any groups of people travelling past?’
    Rossiter turned around. ‘I have told you once, no I haven’t.’
    Lonny smiled. ‘Just asking, squire, just asking.’
    Suddenly, the silence that had replaced the suffocated whispering while everyone ate was broken when Alice came running from the barn clutching Rufus the teddy bear. ‘Uncle Charles? Uncle Charles?’
    Rossiter, who was just about to vanish into the murkiness of the kitchen spun around to see what the hell the commotion was.
    ‘Uncle Charles, Lou has left her teddy bear here.’ She ran past Lonny Gold and the two boys.
    Rossiter instantly looked at Gold, had he heard? Before he could silence his niece she shouted at him once again.
    ‘It must have been when Angel found us in the big barn.’
    Rossiter looked over again and this time his eyes were met by Gold’s.
    ‘Get inside child.’ He said calmly to Alice.
    ‘But what about Rufus?’ She protested.
    ‘Get inside!’ This time Rossiter shouted.
    Archie spat on the floor. ‘They have fucking been here boss, I just heard that little kid say it.’
    Lonny Gold said nothing but walked silently towards Rossiter.
    ‘Now look I don’t have to tell you anything, I have no idea who you are or what your intentions may be.’ Rossiter tried to make himself appear as big as possible and stepped towards the advancing Gold.
    Lonny Gold said nothing but instead caught Rossiter’s face with the back of his huge hairy hand, the rings cut deep into the skin and Rossiter stumbled back and fell onto the courtyard floor.
    Iris tugged at Sarah’s arm when she could see the conflict unfolding. ‘We are in for trouble, go and grab your daughter.’
    Sarah Hardcastle swiftly made her way around the group of women who as yet had noticed what was going on.
    Charles Rossiter wiped the blood from his bottom lip; he couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. ‘What the bloody hell do you think?’
    Before he could finish his sentence Gold kicked him square on across the jaw. Rossiters mouth snapped together with a sickening crack fracturing two of his front teeth and he flew back smashing the back of his head on the hard stone. He cried out in agony.
    Now all of the women had heard what was happening and a few of them cried out disgusted at the display of violence exploding from their makeshift rescuer.
    Gold jumped on top of Rossiter and clasped his hand