Jay’s Story
Night
“Yes, I know
Bethany Earl she’s in one of the year 6 classes. Why do you ask?”
Mark looked
over at his wife Yvonne and said “Well, you’re going to have to take care of
her this weekend.”
“She’s not
coming here to Oh. I know you’ve thought about her father before, but why now?”
“Because” Mark
said as he sat back in the chair, “I happen to know he has a rather large
deposit in the main accounts he manages at the bank and we’ve been asked to
obtain it before it goes somewhere it will be used for other purposes.”
“Well, if that
is the case, I am sure we can manage. When do we start our visit “
“FILM NIGHT!”
Bethany Earl
shook her head as she took off her puffa jacket and made her way to her
bedroom, while her three older sisters carried their purchases into the front
room.
“I’ll bring you
up a drink in a little while,” Jenny said as she put her bags down, unwound the
woollen shawl from her neck, and removed her jacket. She was the oldest girl at
nineteen while Gail was seventeen and Holly sixteen. Jenny and Gail had long
light brown hair, which fell over the shoulders of their jumpers, while Holly
had her hair up in a knot on her head, with a thin gold headband. All three
girls were wearing sweaters, jeans and ankle boots, as Holly said “I’ll go and
make some coffees,” and headed to the kitchen.
“Well, what are
we going to watch tonight,” Jenny said as she threw herself into an armchair.
“We can decide
later once Bethany has gone up to bed, and the oldies have gone out for the
evening,” Gail said as she sat herself down. “I, for one, am in the mood for a
horror marathon.”
“Just because
it is Hallowe’en next Tuesday?”
“Precisely
although we could make it comedy horror if you wanted.”
“So not a girly
night in,” Holly said as she laid a tray with three steaming mugs of coffee on
the low table.
“They can be
girly films as well” Jenny said as she threw a cushion at her younger sister.
“Well,
whatever,” Holly said as she sat down and picked up a mug, taking a sip before
there was a knock on the door. “Now who on earth can that be Mum and Dad are
not due back for a couple of hours yet.”
“I’ll go and
look,” Jenny said as she stood up and walked out of the room, the other two
sisters talking to each other until Holly looked up and said “what the “
Jenny walked
back in, but she was not alone six people were with her, wearing blue boiler
suits, black gloves and boots and black balaclava masks over their heads,
leaving only their eyes and mouths visible.
One of them
came forward, a shotgun in his gloved hands as he said in a Geordie accent “well
now you must be Gail and Holly.”
“Who are you,”
Gail said quietly.
“My name is Jay
Edwards my friend and colleague, Mrs McPhee.”
“Ahn whur is
yer sister,” the masked woman said as she held a bag in her gloved hand.
“Upstairs hang
on I know you. Alicia Holderness told us about you one day in school with Jenny
Craig “
“Our reputation
once again precedes us,” Jay said with a laugh. “Your younger sister is
upstairs? Mrs McPhee?”
“Aye,” the
masked woman said as she walked off, Jay looking at the three teenagers as he
said “now, first things first hand your mobile phones to my friend, and then
put your hands behind your back “
Mrs McPhee
walked along the corridor, listening in doors and checking rooms and then she
found Bethany in her own room. The eleven-year-old had long red brown hair held
back by a hairband, and was wearing a denim top with the sleeves rolled up to
her elbows, light grey pants and black shoes. She turned as the door opened,
and said “what the “
“Hullo,” Mrs
McPhee said as she walked in and closed the door. “Mah name is Mrs McPhee. Ahr
ye Bethany?”
The young girl
nodded as she said “why are you wearing a mask? Are you a robber or something?”
“Aye, ah ahm,”
she said as she put her bag on the bed. “Me ahn my friends whant yer daddy tae
do somefihn fer us ahn that means ye and yer sisters, and the rest of yer
family, need to be kept safe here.”
“Does that mean
you are going to stop me moving or talking?”
“It does,” Mrs
McPhee said as she opened her bag and took some rope out, “but dinnae be scared
ah’m no gonna hurt ye.”
“But you are
going to tie me up?”
“Mah friend is
doing this tae yer sisters as well,” the masked woman said, “ahn we’ll go tae
them once ah hae ye ready. Can ye put yer hands behind yer back?”
Bethany slowly
nodded a she turned round and felt the masked woman’s leather gloved hands on
her wrists as they were taken behind her, and then the rope on her bare skin as
they were secured together. It happened so fast, she had no time to really
worry about what was happening, before Mrs McPhee passed more rope around her
body and pulled it tight, forcing her upper arms against her sides as she
formed two bands to make sure they stayed there.
“Disane hurt,
does it?”
“No it’s
actually not that bad,” Bethany said as she twisted her upper body round. “So
what is going to happen now?”
“Well, fuhrst,
ah need yer phone Bethany.”
The young girl
looked to the table in the room, Mrs McPhee nodding as she opened the purse and
then took out the iPhone. Switching it off, she put into her own bag, and then
said “noo, we go tae yer sisters but fuhrst, ah need tae keep ye quiet. Can ye
purse yer lips?”
Bethany nodded
as Mrs McPhee took a roll of white tape from her bag, and peeled a length free before
she tore it free, and then pressed it down over Bethany’s mouth, making sure it
stuck to her chin and face as well.
“Stay calm, ahn
cum wi me,” she said as she picked up her bag, Bethany nodding as she walked
out of the bedroom and down the stairs. As she walked in, she heard Jenny say “Beth
are you all right?”
She nodded as
she saw the masked man kneeling at her oldest sister’s feet, passing the rope
round them and puling it tight as another masked man pressed white tape down
over Gail’s mouth. Holly was already gagged, all of them with their hands
behind their backs and ropes around their arms and chests.
“Sit with your
sisters,” one of the men said as Mrs McPhee walked her over and helped her to
sit next to Gail, and then taking more ropes from her bag before she started to
bind the young girl’s ankles together. She could see her sisters also had rope
round their legs below their knees, and knew what was coming.
“So, you stay
here nice and quiet until your parents come home we can put a film on for you
all to watch.”
“Well, I guess
we don’t have a choice, Mr Edwards,” she said as the rope was tied off below
her knees.
“No, not
really,” Jay said as he tape gagged her, and then turned the television on. “Gentlemen
make sure there is no way to get a message in and out of the house, and then
keep a watch out for arrivals. Mrs McPhee and I will make sure these fine young
ladies come to no harm.”
Bethany felt
Gail nudge her, and turned to look as she said “uhhlrhhttkhd?”
“GThsssh hrth?”
“Hskdhdlhthr,”
Gail said as the film started, and they all settled into their situations
“George,” Donna
Earl said as she looked out of the windscreen, “tell me that is not your mother’s
car in front of us?”
“I wish I
could,” George Earl said with a weak smile, “but it is. What on earth does she
want now?”
“Well,
hopefully, it is a quick visit,” Donna said as she adjusted the collar of her
light blue blouse under the grey jacket, “We have that dinner reservation
tonight, and I know the girls have plans.”
“Even Bethany?”
“Jenny looks
after her,” Donna whispered a sshe adjusted her matching skirt and looked at
her husband. George was in his early fifties, and was wearing a grey suit with
a white shirt underneath, the red tie knotted under the collar. Both cars
turned into the driveway of the house, stopping next to each other as George
stopped the engine. He opened the car door and stepped out as his mother exited
from the Lotus. Una Earl has short greying blonde hair, and was wearing a lurid
pink velvet jacket and skirt with a cream-coloured camisole, with matching pink
shoes.
“Mother,”
George said with a sigh, “and what can I do for you today?”
“Oh don’t
worry, Georgie,” Una said with a light laugh, “I only need to discuss some
minor business matters with you. Donna, Darling!”
“Una,” Donna
said with a sigh as she walked to the front door, “come on in, I’ll get some
coffee arranged but we do have a reservation at the Lodge tonight.”
“Relax, I’ll be
out from under your feet in a few minutes,” Una said as they walked in, and
George called out “girls we’re home?
“Anyone?”
“They are being
very quiet,” Una said a sshe walked into the front room, and they both heard her
say “Ah.”
“Ah?”
“I I think you
had best come in here,” Una said quietly, George and Donna looking at each
other as they walked in and heard Bethany say “hllmhmhnddhd.”
“What the “
“Good evening,
George please, all of you, keep those hands where we can see them for now.”
George heard
the Geordie accent, and slowly turned his head as he said “No “
“Yes. As you
can see, your family is already cooperating please, for their continued health
and yours, do the same.”
“George,” Donna
said quietly, “what is going on who are these masked people, and why have they
tied up and gagged our daughters?”
“Hssjhhdwhrds,”
Jenny said, Gail and Holly nodding in agreement.
“This This is
Jay Edwards,” George finally said, “and that means you must be Mrs McPhee. Did
you do this?”
“Fer wee
Bethany, aye but mah friends took guid care o the offers,” the masked woman
said in a Scottish accent.
“Jay Edwards?
Well, this is exciting,” Una said, George and Donna looking at her.
“Mother, the is
an armed robber, a home invader, a “
“Are you scared
girls?”
All four shook
their heads as Donna’s eyes widened. “Una, you do know what they are going to
do?”
“I guess we are
all going to be bound and gagged as well,” Una said, “and we have no choice in
the matter. Right?”
“Indeed
gentlemen, please make these tow ladies secure while I take George and have a
little chat with him.”
Two od the
masked men went behind Donna and Una, taking their handbags and placing them to
one side before they guided their hands behind their backs, Jay taking George’s
arms behind his own back before he felt the rope forcing them together.
“Come with me,”
Jay said as he took George out of the room, Mrs McPhee saying “Dinnae worry it
will be fine.”
“I believe you,”
he heard his mother giggle, as both men walked into the kitchen. Jay placed
more ropes on the table, as he said “sit down.”
“Let me guess
you are going to take me back to the bank later?”
“Indeed my
associate will take you, and you can transact some business on my behalf there.
In return, I assure you your family will be taken care of if restrained and
silenced.”
“I know my
older girls were going to have a movie night,” George said, “but Bethany “
“I think Mrs McPhee
will make sure she is happy as well, with her mother and grandmother,” Jay said
with a smile. “Be assured do as we say, nobody comes to any harm.”
“I don’t get it
how do you keep them so calm?”
“It’s a gift,”
Jay said with a smile. “My turn your mother?”
“My mother is
more of a free spirit than me,” George said as he looked round the room, “I
think she will keep the girls calm as well but my wife “
“Will be all
right trust me,” Jay said as he stood up and walked behind George, uncoiling
the rope and then using it to secure his arms to his sides. “I have your word
you will cooperate?”
“I have your
word you will not harm my family?”
“You do now,
shall we join the others?”
George nodded
as he stood up and walked back with Jay, entering the front room as he saw
Donna sitting on a small couch, and Una in an armchair, the four girls
wriggling round on the long couch.
“Are you girls
all right,” he said as he sat down, watching as one of the men knelt and
started to bind his ankles together, while his wife and mother had tape pressed
down over their mouths. They all nodded a she said “Well Jay has promised you
will not be hurt, and we will all eat later. For now, stay calm and I guess we
watch the news together.”
“Hefhlmnht,”
Holly said as she looked over.
“Oh, I have an
idea of how that can be done,” Jay said with a smile. “I regret that popcorn
will not be available, but it will be fun.”
“Whthbhhtmh,”
Bethany mumbled.
“Och, ye, yer
mahm and yer granny are all going tae have fun togefer wait hnd see,” Mrs
McPhee said as Jay tape gagged their father, and then nodded as she left the
room
“I know you
head off to bed and call me when you arrive tomorrow. I’ll tell you what they
said then,” Una said, “enjoy the flight and give my love to Raleigh.”
She nodded as
Jay took her mobile phone from her, and then saw as he switched it off and put
it to one side. She then looked round the table as the family looked back, Mrs
McPhee placing the plates of food in front of them. They had been untied and
the tape gags removed, waiting until Mrs McPhee said “there ye go eat up all o
ye.”
“Thank you,”
Donna said as she looked at her daughters. “Girls -are you sure you are all all
right?”
“We’re fine,
honestly Mum surprisingly fine,” Jenny said as Holly and Gail nodded in
agreement. “So we are going to have our movie night?”
“Yes on which
note, “he said as he looked at the two masked men, “please make sure everything
is ready in Jenny’s bedroom for them.”
Both me nodded
as they walked out, and Bethany said “What about me?”
“You,” Jay said
with a smile, “are going to have a Disney story night with your mother and
grandmother you will see later.”
Donna and Una
exchanged a glance, as Una said “well, this could be fun. May I say, Mrs
McPhee, for a masked robber, you cook a very nice casserole. Do you cook at
home?”
“Tha would be
talling,” Mrs McPhee said with a smile, “eat up now dinnae let it get culd.”
“I need you to
do what they say,” George said as he looked round the table, “and I will talk
to all of you tomorrow.”
“We know,
Daddy,” Holly said, “And we know you are going to do what thewy tell you to do.
We’ll be fine.”
“Well, I am
very proud of all of you,” George said as he sipped from his glass, “very proud
indeed “
“I will expect
your call every half hour,” Jay said to the masked man as he stood with George.
The family were now in the front room, watching as Gorge said “Stay safe” and
then left the house. Donna had her arm round Bethany as Jay said “Well now, we
need to prepare for the evening.” Looking at Jenny, Gail and Holly, he said “I
want you three to come with me and these two gentlemen. Mrs McPhee, perhaps you
can discuss what Bethany would like to watch with the rest of the family?”
“Aye,” the
masked women said as two of the men picked up their holdalls, and escorted Jay
and the three older girls up the staircase.
“Now, each of
you, go to your rooms and change, and then come back here,” Jay said, the three
girls looking at each other as they went into their bedrooms. Jenny was the
first to come out, wearing an orange vest top, pink bottoms and blue slippers.
Holly appeared next, wearing a pink vest top and candy-striped bottoms with
pink slippers, and finally Gail came out, wearing a yellow vest and pink
bottoms with white slippers.
“Excellent,”
Jay said quietly, before he and the masked men held two half sponges in their
hands. “Hold these, and make fists with your hands, then hold them out.” The
girls looked at each other, and then grabbed the sponges, their fingers sinking
into them as they watched the three masked men cover their fists with silver
tape, and then pull a pair of socks up over their hands, before using white
tape to cover the tops on their arms.
“We’re not ging
to go anywhere, are we?” Jenny said.
“Guess not,”
Gail said as the men walked behind her, and then crossed their covered wrists
before they felt the rope pulling their wrists together. They looked at each
other, and then gasped as the ropes were pulled round their bodies, forcing
their arms against their sides as two bands were formed that framed their
chests.
“Does this feel
different,” Holly said as her binder took the rope under one arm, pulled it up
and round the back of her neck, and then under the other arm.
“Yes, but how “
“IT is designed
to keep you secure,” Jay said as he opened Jenny’s bedroom door.
“We’re watching
films in here,” Jenny said as the three girls walked in, and Gail saw the large
screen television at the end of the bed and the pillows arranged at the foot of
the bed.
“Lie down,” Jay
said, “with your heads on the pillows.”
“Well, guess we
get to watch the films like this,” Gail said as they lay down, then watched as
Jay and the two men crossed and secured their ankles together, and then secured
their legs together below their knees. Each of them was then heled to roll onto
their stomachs, before their ankles were pulled back and secured to their chest
ropes with another length.
“So we’re going
to be kept quiet,” Holly said as she raised her head.
“Indeed - each
of you, pleases open your mouths.”
Each of them
fell the compressed sponge expand in their mouths as they were gently pushed
in, and then heard the white tape as it was peeled away from the roll, and then
wrapped round their heads, covering their lips as their hair was pressed
against the back of their necks.
“Shwwhdhewwhwhsh?”
“Start Scary
Movie for them,” Jay said with a smile, “and stay to keep them guard.” The
masked men nodded as the three girls looked at each other, and then at the
screen.
“Where are
they,” Donna asked as Jay came back into the room.
“Well, they are
having fun,” Jay said with a smile. Mrs McPhee, would you kindly take Bethany
and her mother to get changed, and then bring them down here.”
“And what about
me,” Una said.
“We are going
to have a chat,” Jay said as he sat down, Donna standing and taking Bethany’s
hand before they walked up the stairs with Mrs McPhee. As they passed Jenny’s
door, Donna heard the muffled laughs, and then they went int her youngest
daughter’s room.
“So,” Mrs
McPhee said, “A Disney fihlm? Change intae sumfihn cumfy tae wear.”
Donna nodded as
Bethany went to a drawer, and took out a light blue fleece onesie, both women
watching as she hanged into it and turned round. Mrs McPhee smiled as she saw
the picture of Elsa and Anna on the front, before Mrs McPhee said “huld these
fer me.”
Bethany took
the two half sponges and watched as Mrs McPhee wrapped the silver tape round
her fists, then pulled a pair of white socks over them before taping the ends
to her arms.
Donna then
watched as Mrs McPhee took some rope from the bag she had brought in, and bound
Bethany’s wrists tightly together behind her back, before she used longer ropes
to make sure her arms stayed by her sides, forming two bands.
“Well, now we
know what happened to your sisters,” Donna said as Mrs McPhee tied the ropes
off. “So what now?”
“Yer turn,” Mrs
McPhee said as she open the door, Donna following Bethany as they went to the
master bedroom. “Now, I invite mummy tae wear sumfhin suitable ahn select
sunfihn fer yer gran tae wear.”
Bethany grinned
as Donna laid a blue nightshirt on the bed, and then changed into a grey short
sleeved top with a picture of Sleeping Beauty on the front.
“If we are
going to do this, I do it right,” she said, her daughter nodding as Mrs McPhee
covered her hands in the same way, and then bound her wrists and arms, Bethany
watching as the ropes were taken under one arm, up and around the back of her
mother’s neck, and then under the other arm.
“You didn’t do
that to me,” Bethany said with a pout.
“Aye ye get
this,” Mrs McPhee said as she took two shorter lengths of rope and tied them
round the bands between the young girl’s arms and body. “Noo bahk doon the
staihrs.”
“Well, you look
different,” Una said as the two bound captives walked back into the front room.
“So will you,
Granny,” Bethany said as Jay helped the older woman to stand, Donna taking a
seat on one end of the couch before Mrs McPhee helped Bethany to sit next to
her. They then both watched as she took more ropes, and secured their ankles
together, and then their legs below their knees.
“What happens
if I fall asleep,” Bethany said as she twisted her legs round.
“Ah put ye in
yer bed, fer sleep,” Mrs McPhee said, Bethany nodding as the masked woman
compressed a sponge ball in her hand, “fer noo, open wide.”
“Mummy?”
“Just do as she
says we will be the same,” Donna said, Bethany nodding as she opened her mouth
and the sponge ball was pushed in. As she closed her lips together, the white
tape as then wrapped tightly round her head, keeping her quiet before the same
thing was done to Donna.
“Well we are
not going to be saying much, are we?”
“Nhgghrhnnhe,”
Bethany said as she looked at Una. She was now earing the blue nightshirt, with
light blue flowers on it, and a large picture of Stitch on the front. Her arms
were already behind her back, and they both saw the bands of rope that framed
her chest, and the band going under both arms.
“Sit down,” Jay
said as Una sat down nudging Bethany as she rubbed her head on her grandmother’s
arms, and then watched as her own legs were secured in the same way.
“Open yer moof.”
Una felt the
sponge pressing her tongue down, and then the tape sticking to her cheeks as it
was wrapped tightly round her head.
“Now, given
your choice of clothing,” Jay said as he looked at Bethany, “we start with
Frozen. You can try and sign along if you like.”
“Bhthhtchnhthlk,”
Bethany said.
“You cahn try
anywhe,” Mrs McPhee said, the young girl nodding as she watched the film start.
Donna and Una looked at each other, and then placed their taped lips on the
young girl’s head as they started to watch.
Jay nodded and
then stepped outside, taking his phone from his pocket.
“This is Jay
Edwards.
“Tell him they
are being very cooperative the transfer is ready to begin?
“Good call when
it is completed and he is secured.”
He ended the
call and then looked in as Bethany tried to sing the first song, her mother and
grandmother smiling under the tape...
“Aww, the puir
wee fihng,” Mrs McPhee said as the second film ended, Bethany’s head against
her mother’s arm. Jay nodded to one of the masked men, who lifted the sleeping
girl and carried her out of the room, Mrs McPhee following.
“Now, we need
to make you both comfortable,” Jay said, Una nodding as Donna said “lhhttmhshhtrhghrls.”
“Of course -
both of you, stand up, and we will help you to get to the bedrooms.”
Both women were
helped to stand, and then shuffle along the floor, before they were carried up
the staircase. They stopped at the top, panting through their noses before Una
was helped into another bedroom. Jay helped Donna to jump to Jenny’s room,
opening the door as Donna looked in.
“Hlhlhmhm,”
Jenny said as she looked over. Holly was on her side, her eyes closed as her
chest rose and fell, while Jenny and Gail were watching another film.
“Hrruhhllrht?”
“Whrfhfhn
bhfhnhe?”
“Hslhp,” Donna
said as the other two nodded. Jay then helped her to jump to Bethany’s room,
and she saw Mrs McPhee rolling her onto her side, her feet tried to the foot of
the bed with more rope as she mumbled.
“Fhnkuh,” Donna
said as Jay then escorted her to her bedroom, helping her to lie on her bed
before he pulled her ankles back and secured them to the ropes round her chest.
“Fhnkuhfhrkhhhnhsshf
“
Jay nodded as
Donna’s eyes slowly closed, and he turned the light off, closing the door as he
walked down and looked in the other bedroom.
“Comfortable?”
“Hsshchnbh,”
Una aid as she wriggled on the bed, her own ankles now secured to the chest
ropes behind her back.
“I thank you
for accepting the situation. Sleep well.”
Un a slowly
nodded a she turned the light off and closed the door. “Check them every
fifteen minutes,” he said, Mrs McPhee came out of the youngest girl’s bedroom.
“Ahnhe wurd?”
“All progresses
as planned let us go and clear up downstairs “
It was at seven
in the morning that the cleaning staff found George Earl in his office, tightly
bound to the chair and gagged as he raised his eyebrow and screamed into his
gag.
As he was
found, Donna mumbled “whhthtdhrhmmm” and then opened her eyes, looking at the
sunlight starting to come through the curtains. She also realised her ankles
were no longer secured to her ankles, as she looked own and saw her legs
stretched out.
“Ntthhdhrhhm,”
she mumbled a sshe manged to get to her feet, and then slowly jumped to the
door, turning and managing to open it before she jumped to Bethany’s bedroom.
“Bhhf?”
“Mhmhmhwe?”
She pushed the
door open to see Bethany siting up, wriggling in the ropes as the tape kept her
quiet. She jumped over and sat down, Bethany putting her cheek on her mother’s
chest as she said “heetthshthlhr?”
“Nhh
whnhdhdthwht “
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