Page 160 of Too Close To Home

Where are you, big sis?

Was she still out there? Had she been there all this time? Somewhere in that stretch of land he could see from where he now drank Eileen’s brew? Buried beneath it. Lost to it. Was she alone? Or…

Did she have another young girl keeping her company now?

“It’s really nowt?” Eileen cut through his thoughts.

“All looks sound.” Jake brushed his hand down his trousers, smearing dust into the fabric. “Insulation’s doing what it should. No gaps I can see.”

“But the noise?”

“Could be summat shifting further along. Sound travels funny in these places. Especially through loft space.”

Eileen sighed, wrapping her hands around her mug. “We can’t afford to move. That insulation were supposed to block it out.”

Jake nodded, taking another sip. Not much he could do about that. He was skint himself. And yet was here, taking payment in tea.

“How’s your mum, love? She alright?”

“She’s alright. Same as.”

Eileen gave a small, sympathetic hum. “Always feel for her. My boys upped and left years ago. One’s in Australia. Sydney. Hate him being that far away.” She shook her head. “Still… least I can pick up the phone.”

Jake drained the rest of the tea in one go, the heat catching in his throat. Then he pushed off the counter, ready to leave when a van pulled up hard outside. Right behind his. “Oi—” Jake stepped closer to the window.

He watched as a man climbed out. Mid-forties, maybe. Stocky. Work gear. He opened the back of the van and hauled out a load of stuff. Bags, something bulky. All from the local B&Q rather than the trade shit he got.

“Who’s that, Eileen?”

“Oh, that’s Mick. Lives next door.”

“Git’s blocked me in.”

“Oh, has he?” Eileen joined him at the window, peering out. “That van’s new. Hired. He usually drives a little Focus. But he’s been back and forward with that van for a week now. He’ll move it in a mo.”

Jake glanced at her. “He moving house?”

She shook her head. “Not that he’s said. Nowts gone to the tip. Was hoping he’d get a skip in. Could throw Ron’s golf clubs on it.”

“Shouldn’t do that, Eileen. Means he’ll be under your feet all day.”

“Aye, that he will.”

“What’s he do? Next door?” Jake angled his head towards the van blocking him in. “He a trader?”

“Works down the steel place. Same as most round here. My Ron included. So maybe he’s moving stuff for them? It’ll be gone in a minute. He comes back, then goes as quick.”

Jake stayed where he was, watching the house, waiting to see if the bloke came back out.

Then…bang.

Sharp enough to rattle the glass.

Eileen flinched, splaying her hand on her chest. “Oh, blimey. There, y’see. That’s one of them noises.”

Jake turned his head towards the stairs and glanced up at the open loft hatch above.

“Think that answers it.” He angled his head. “It’s next door.”