A Secret Schemer (17 page)

‘She’s a pretty tough cookie
though babe.’ Andy said bluntly. ‘Do you honestly think she won’t
check it out?’

‘Oh she can be tough alright;
trouble is when emotions are involved she can be far too
vulnerable.’ Jena explained. ‘Having said that if he did cross her
and she caught him out, I wouldn’t fancy being in his shoes.’

‘I’m sure she’ll keep a close
eye on the situation love.’

‘Not necessarily Andy she’s
hooked on the guy.’ Jena declared.’

‘What the way you’re hooked on
me.’ Andy teased.

‘Get out of here.’ She laughed.
‘I’m not as soft as Lucy; anyway some of us have work to do.’

‘Yeah you don’t get rained off
in here do you babe.’ He jested. ‘See you later darling.’

Jena went in search of Lucy as
she was eager to know if Tim had given her the address yet. ‘Hello
Kate, any idea where Lucy is?’ Jena asked as she walked into the
kitchen.

‘Yes Hun she’s gone to get her
brolly as she’s going to the bank.’ Kate replied.

‘Tell her to wait for me please
Kate; I’ll just nip up for my coat.’

‘No problems.’

‘Blooming heck love it’s not
stopping to rain.’ Jena shouted as she shared Lucy’s brolly.

‘Whose idea was it to walk?’ I
laugh. ‘We could have come in the car or even caught a bus. I think
we deserve a coffee after this.’

‘Sounds good to me.’

After queuing in the bank
dripping wet, we nipped into the nearest café for hot drink and a
gossip. Once we had our drinks and muffins we both took off our wet
coats and sat down for a cosy chat.

‘So Lucy Ross did the mystery
man leave you the address?’ Jena inquired.

‘I know you couldn’t wait to
ask me that.’ I laughed. ‘Yes Hun he did and a phone number
too.’

‘Well that’s a turn up for the
books. Do you think it’s legit?’

‘I checked the address out on
Google maps and to my amazement found it was a flat?’

‘I’m so pleased you’ve checked
it out, however why are you surprised it’s a flat.’

‘You know how you build a
picture in your mind of things; well I’d expected it to be a
Victorian style house.’ I explained. ‘I mean I have no idea what
age they are, although for some reason I feel they may be quite
old.’

‘What gives you that idea,
Tim’s only forty this year.’

‘Again I’m not sure, maybe
because he doesn’t say anything about them.’

‘So you’re convinced this
address is for real then?’ Jena asks.

‘Why not, be pretty stupid if
he gave me someone else’s address. It shows up as real on Google
maps. We’ll only find out should I need to use it I guess.’

‘Lucy you’re way to trusting,
I’d have to check it out.’

‘Well I have Hun, what more can
I do?’

‘With Tim’s background so far,
I’d be on my way there now and knocking on the door.’ Jena declared
between mouthfuls of muffin.

‘If I can’t trust him love I’d
just as well end it now, I have to give him a chance.’

‘Mm another chance Lucy, how
many chances does he get?’

‘Oh this is the last one Jena I
promise.’

‘You don’t have to promise me
Hun, I just don’t want to see my best friend get hurt.’

‘I know you don’t and I
appreciate it, he’s taking me out for a meal tonight, so I’ll try
and pick his brains about his family stuff.’

‘Good luck with that then.’
Jena added grimly.

Thinking about my conversation
with Jena, I do realise how she perceives Tim, maybe others feel
the same way. I’ll have a chat with Lucas he’s easy to chat to and
I trust him. I intend to quiz Tim about his past tonight; I believe
it’s only fair that I should know something about him. My life is
an open book, whereas his is so clandestine.

Tim had certainly pushed the
boat out as he’d made a reservation at Memories of China in
Belgravia. The food was delicious and Tim seemed relaxed, so as we
ate I began to probe a little. ‘So Tim have your parents always
lived in Orpington?’

‘No Lucy they’ve moved about
quite a lot due to my fathers work.’ He replied guardedly.

‘Is your father still working
Tim?’ I ask tentatively.

‘No they have both retired
now.’

‘Was your father into IT like
yourself?’

‘No he was a civil servant.’ He
added as he scanned the dessert menu.

I got the feeling that he
definitely wasn’t comfortable with my questions, even so I pressed
on. ‘I don’t even know where you were born Tim, or if you have
brothers or sisters.’ I watched him closely as I spoke; he didn’t
give me eye contact as he replied. ‘I was born in the Midlands
darling and no there are no other siblings, so we’re not a very
interesting family I guess. What’s been happening in the Frog and
Toad over the past few days, I’m sure you have far more interesting
things to tell me?’

He couldn’t have made it more
obvious that he had no desire to discuss his family life, there
could be many reasons, so for now I accepted the fact I wasn’t
going to learn any more about the Carter family tonight. We both
ordered ice-cream for dessert which we ate in silence. As I hate
uncomfortable silences I brought him up to date with the events in
the pub, without going into detail. Let’s say I just skimmed the
surface.

‘I’m working on a rather
complex job at the moment Lucy, we tend to get them from time to
time.’ He disclosed.

‘Mm can I ask what it’s
about?’

‘Oh darling it probably
wouldn’t mean much to you, unless of course you understand computer
data as I do.’

‘Gosh no, I’m a bit of a techno
phobe, in other words pretty hopeless. Nevertheless Jena is far
better than me, so between us we cope.’

‘So Jena is the technology
expert then?’ He asks.

‘I wouldn’t say expert,
although she’s extremely discerning, I’ve always said she’d be a
brilliant asset in the force. However I don’t want to let her go
and she’s truly happy with Andy.’

‘Yes they do seem to get along
well.’

How he’s figured that one out
baffles me, as he hardly ever sees them.

‘Would you like coffee
sweetheart?’

‘No thanks not for me Tim;
maybe we could have a drink in the lounge as long as you’re not
having another early night.’ I add with just a hint of sarcasm.

‘That sounds great babe, I was
hoping we could both have an early night, if you get my drift.’

‘Sounds good to me, shall we
walk back?’

‘Definitely not it’s a taxi in
style for a gorgeous lady.’

As we left the restaurant, once
again Tim had charmed the pants off me, what is it with this guy,
he is mystifying….

Jena was working the bar with
Archie, during a quiet moment Archie called Jena to one side. ‘Take
a look at this text message Jodie sent me today.’

As Jena scanned the message she
was momentarily taken aback at the content, which said ‘you’re the
daddy.’ While she absorbed the three words, the full extent of
their meaning became clear. Was this an attempt by a naïve teenage
girl to cause needless anxiety to a guy for selfish reasons? Or
could there possibly be any truth in the content, if so this could
have dire affects on several people’s lives. Jena handed the mobile
back to Archie. ‘Have you replied to her?’

‘No I wanted to ask your advice
first Jena, I actually thought we’d got past all this.’

‘OK if I were you Archie I’d
ignore it for now, let’s wait and see if she sends any further
messages.’

‘Surely she can’t be pregnant;
she said she was on the pill Jena.’ Archie said anxiously.

‘You’re dealing with a young
girl mate, one who got carried away and took her crush to another
level. Did she lie about the pill, in a word possibly?’ Jena
endorsed. ‘Anyway leave it for tonight and let’s sleep on it.’

Jena couldn’t get the message
out of her mind, she wanted to tell Lucy, but as she’d gone out for
a meal with Tim, she knew she’d have to leave it until the morning.
Was Jodie playing games again or could she be pregnant, Jena hoped
with all her heart that she wasn’t, as this news would just about
finish poor Kate. Jena was aware that Archie had changed his life
around since his brief involvement with Jodie. The guy, who had
been a fun loving player, had settled into a relationship, that’s
the affect Jodie had had on him. Jena had the feeling that Jodie
was wilful and headstrong, unlike her mother who was a sensitive
caring lady. As Jena locked the pub up for the night, then ran
upstairs, her fingers were crossed tightly behind her back.
Nevertheless she knew this gesture wouldn’t make a jot of
difference to the outcome, whatever will be will be….

Chapter 23

I awoke with the glow of early
morning sunshine bursting through the window, I was alone again. I
know I hadn’t dreamt that Tim had come to bed with me, and we’d
made love until the early hours. I recalled our meal in the Chinese
restaurant and mulled over the conversation, he had been cagey
about his family. Maybe I’m expecting too much from him, perhaps
his childhood wasn’t brilliant and he’d rather not discuss it. I
should stop probing for a while and give him a chance, at least I
have his parents address and phone number now in case of
emergencies. My musing takes me back to my childhood and family,
which was secure and cosy. I wouldn’t class us as a particularly
close family, although my parents who both thankfully enjoy good
health, are a loving couple, they took early retirement and moved
to Spain a few years ago. We keep in touch and if there was ever a
problem we would be there to help and support each other. My older
brother lives in New Zealand, neither of us are great at keeping in
touch, which is ridiculous in this modern world of technology.
Nevertheless the support network would always be there if required.
One day we may all get together and have an amazing catch up. Jena
doesn’t have a notably close relationship with her parents either,
they divorced and both having new partners moved out of central
London. However if the need arose they would always be there for
each other. I guess both me and Jena could both be classed as
independent women, unmistakably a modern trend. Kate though comes
from an extremely intense family unit; she even has a flat in the
same house as her parents. I believe that is why Jodie’s fiasco has
hit her so hard. Let alone with being dumped by Jeff, she seems to
find it difficult to cope with deep emotions. I guess we all manage
problems in a different way, and when something unforeseen occurs
it’s virtually impossible to know how it will affect us. So with
all these thoughts in mind, I feel I should clearly stop perturbing
Tim about his family. The abrupt sound of my mobile vibrating on
the bedside table brought me out of my reverie. A text message from
Jena saying she needed a fairly urgent chat, had me heading for the
shower in double quick time. Jena greeted me at the kitchen door
holding two mugs of steaming coffee, and ushered me into the
restaurant.

‘I can tell by your face
there’s a problem honey, whatever’s wrong?’ I ask cautiously.

‘Could be something or nothing;
anyway pin back your lugs Hun while I explain.’ Jena then repeated
the conversation she’d had with Archie last night, and the content
of the text message he’d received from Jodie.

‘OMG if this is for real, it
will totally destroy Kate. How did you leave things with
Archie?’

‘I advised him to sleep on it
and not to reply, I said I’d chat to him again today. I’m sure if
there’s any substance in the message Jodie will be back in touch
sooner rather than later.’

‘When is Archie in today?’ I
asked anxiously.

‘This afternoon about three
o’clock, as it’s Lucas’s night off.’ Jena replied. ‘You’re not
thinking of mentioning it to Kate are you Lucy.’

‘No way Hun not at this stage,
that girl is proving to be a real minx, so unlike Kate.’

‘Probably takes after her
father.’ Jena added. ‘Do you know much about him Hun?’

‘No nothing really, although he
can’t have been that good or Kate would still be with him.’

‘As soon as I’ve spoken to
Archie I’ll fill you in with any further details.’ Jena muttered
between swigs of coffee. ‘By the way how was the meal last
night?’

‘Good, we went to the Memories
of China in Belgravia, food was yummy.’

‘That’s a turn up for the
books, so the meal was tasty, how was the conversation?’ Jena
quizzed.

‘Ok really I got to know a few
bits about his parents, nevertheless I get the feeling he’s not too
family orientated. So I’ve decided that now I have his parents’
address and stuff I’m going to stop my constant questioning for the
time being.’

‘Lucy Ross you’re so easily
pleased.’

‘Not really love, I got to
think that maybe he didn’t have such a great childhood, anyway only
time will tell. He has to be worth another chance.’

‘You and your chances Hun,
you’re so generous with them.’

‘At the moment love I’m more
worried about Kate, with that in mind I’ll have a chat to her,
because if she has a hint of this it’ll be written all over her
face.’

‘I make you right there Lucy,
I’ll catch up with you this afternoon.’ With that Jena went into
the bar and I walked into the kitchen just as Kate arrived. I
couldn’t have timed it better. Looking at her expression I could
tell she had absolutely no idea about the text message, so I gasped
a little sigh of relief, for now anyway.

‘Hi Kate, how are you this
morning?’ I asked as chirpily as I could manage.

‘Not too bad Lucy, how did your
meal go last night?’

‘Fine thanks Kate.’ As I spoke
there was a knock on the back door, Kate went to open it and the
postman came in carrying a bundle of mail.

‘Good morning ladies, who’s
going to sign for this one?’ He asked holding out a package.