Sea Sick: A Horror Novel

“Okay, but if you get fleas don’t pass them on to me.”


“I promise.” He leant over and offered her his hand.“Jack.”

“Claire.”

“Good to meet you, Claire. You here with anyone?”

“My boyfriend and his mates.”

“His mates? None of yours?”

Claire shifted in her seat. “I don’t really have many friends. I spend all my time with Conner.”

“Your boyfriend?”

She nodded.

“I bet you did have friends, though? I mean, before you got with him.”

Claire didn’t answer, just shrugged.

“Well, listen up, Claire. You seem like a nice girl, so I’m going to give you a little bit of advice. I’m older than you, and a police officer, so I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen a lot of nice girls get isolated from their friends and family by a controlling boyfriend. It always happens gradually, so slowly that the girl doesn’t even realise what is happening. My advice to you is to get away while you still can. Find your friends and tell them you’re sorry. They’ll forgive you. Then tell this guy to go take a hike.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, but there was a slither of doubt in her voice.

Jack looked her in the eye. “Am I wrong?”

Claire went silent for a while, but eventually let out a big sigh and nodded. “No, you’re not wrong. He’s horrible to me. Doesn’t let me do anything. But I love him. He’s just young and acting tough in front of his mates, you know? He’ll change, I know he will.”

Jack laughed but he didn’t mean it to be cruel. “You know how many women have said that before you? And how many have regretted thinking it? You shouldn’t have to wait for a man to treat you right. You’re a nice young girl, Claire. One day you’ll see the big differences between men and boys. Not all guys will treat you like Conner. You’re just wasting your life with him.”

The girl seemed close to tears. “But…I can’t leave him.”

“Yes, you can.”

“No, I can’t. I’m…we’re...”

Jack was about to respond to Claire, but before he could, Conner appeared.

Right on schedule, Jack thought ruefully.

The lad tilted his head towards Jack and scowled. “How you doing, mate?”

“I’m good,” said Jack. “Claire and I were just in the middle of a conversation.”

“Oh, really? Well, the conversation’s over, mate.”

Jack stared at Conner, not breaking eye contact for a single second. “Why is that?”

“What you mean, why is that? Because I fucking said so.”

“Can’t Claire make up her own mind? Is she not allowed to have a conversation unless you allow it?”

Conner looked down at Jack as though he was a new species of ape. “You crazy or something? I’ll fuck you up, mate.”

“I’d very much like to see you to try.”

Claire jumped up off her lounger and rushed in front of Conner. “Honey, just leave it. I don’t even know the guy.”

“She’s right,” said Jack. “She doesn’t know me at all. But I know you, Conner. You’re a sad, pathetic, little bully that controls women because you’re so scared of them leaving you. The reason you think like that is because you’re a piece of shit and you know it. No girl would ever stay with you unless you forced her too.”

Claire fought to restrain Conner who looked as though he might lift off like a rocket. She glanced back over her shoulder at Jack and shook her head at him. “I thought you were a police officer. Why are you causing trouble?”

“Police officer?” Conner grunted. “Come on, baby, let’s leave this pig alone. He’s messed up in the head, innit. Not worth getting arrested for.”