A Secret Schemer (22 page)

‘Hopefully, I feel Kate’s had
more than enough of it all.’

‘I thought she was a tad angry
with me at one stage.’

‘No I don’t think so Jena, she
was upset that her daughter hadn’t been able to talk freely to her.
By the way did I mention I’m pretty sure there’s a little sparkle
between Kate and Tom the postman? Next time you’re in the kitchen
when he calls, check it out and tell me what you think.’

‘That would be great if anyone
deserves a break it’s Kate.’ Jena adds.

When I slipped into bed later I
reflected on my chat with Jena, I know she only has my best
interests at heart. I don’t know what I’d do without her support.
She can obviously see things that I can’t where Tim’s concerned,
probably because she’s not emotionally involved. So next time I see
him go walkabouts in the evening we must put our plan in action,
just to clarify there is nothing unforeseen going on. I closed my
eyes and within minutes I’d drifted off into a world of dreams.

I’m following Tim along the
road, a road that I don’t recognise. He’s walking fast, so I have
to hurry to keep up with him. The darkness and mist are compelling;
it would be so easy to lose sight of him. Swiftly he turns to his
right and I can see him mounting a flight of concrete steps towards
what appears to be a large house. As I approach the building I can
see a tall archway with a name etched above, the words were
unclear, hazy even. In fact the entrance was quite obscure; I
followed him up the stone steps, at the top the door had been
wedged open, so I hastily entered. I could see him hurrying along a
passageway, stopping at the end and opening a door to his right. I
glided in behind him unnoticed; he was embracing another person who
once again was concealed from me. They were speaking, though I
couldn’t hear their voices they seemed to be in deep conversation.
The other face stayed hidden from me.

Tim placed his laptop onto a
table and they were both gripped by whatever was showing on the
screen, again I couldn’t see. After what seemed an endless amount
of time, the other person left the room. Tim closed the laptop,
removed his jacket and kicked off his shoes then stretched back
casually on the sofa. The other person returned to the room
carrying two drinks, after the drinks were placed on the coffee
table the person sat next to Tim. However hard I tried to focus the
other person remained a total blur, I can only liken to a ghostly
image. Without warning they both stood up and Tim followed the
other person towards a door on the far side of the room, they both
went into the room closing the door behind them. I made my way
towards the closed door, although I never reached it, something was
stopping me.

I jumped in my sleep, waking
with a jolt and fleetingly wondering where I was. I struggled to
recall the dream, fatigue overwhelmed me and once again I was
engrossed in my reverie…in his bedroom once again.

As always the room was in a
state of disorder. In fact everything looked the same, apart from a
sheet of paper that he’d attempted to screw up which was lying
across the top of the waste bin. It could be a bank statement as
all I could see were numerous amounts of figures. I couldn’t pick
it up, so once again I tried to focus on the writing, although it
became a blur. Out of the blue I heard a key turning in the lock, I
froze on the spot, and he walked past me and went over to the far
corner of the room. He crouched down with his back towards me,
there was a box he was looking in, and I tried to move closer so
that I could see what was inside. I needed to see what was in that
box. Turning round slowly I was stunned to see the other person was
lying in the bed.

Again I jumped and woke to find
I was dripping with perspiration. What was happening to me what did
all these dreams mean. Was Tim affecting me that much? Glancing at
the clock I could see it was four thirty, another restless night.
Jena’s right I do have to sort this out sooner rather than later. I
slipped out of bed and took a cool shower; the thought of sleeping
was making me agitated. I need to sleep, so wrapping myself in a
robe I took myself into the lounge and curled up on the sofa,
gradually I dropped off into a dreamless sleep….

Chapter 28

In the morning I remembered to
send Jena a text with Tim’s parents address, I couldn’t see the
harm in them checking the road out. However it would be best if
they went to suss out the address when I knew Tim was either at
work or in the pub. Suddenly a thought sprang to mind; actually I
have no idea where Tim works, something else to be resolved during
my plan.

For a couple of weeks Tim has
kept to his promises and contacted me regularly, creeping into bed
with me maybe twice a week. I had learned to accept that, as
perhaps he has a low sex drive (surely that was feasible)? He has
taken me out for a meal to a plush restaurant in Chelsea. During
the times we spend together he is good company, amusing and
verbally affectionate. The only problem was those times were rather
few and far between. As my occupation demanded the majority of my
time, I felt I hadn’t given the thought much consideration. All I
seem to have focused on has been his misdemeanours, which at
present I couldn’t clarify either way. So with my plan waiting to
be contrived, maybe I’ll be able to come up with a satisfactory
solution to this elusive guy. Meanwhile the next time we meet I
must remember to ask him where he works, as it seems rather odd
that he’s never actually mentioned his workplace. He’s rambled on
about how hard he works and he has important projects to deal
with….although where this all takes place I haven’t a clue. Surely
he doesn’t do it all in the disorderly bedroom?

I’ve just received an email
from Charles Emerson the area manager at the brewery, booking a
table for twelve in the restaurant on Thursday evening. He’s
requested a choice of three menus, so I need to get my backside in
gear and head down to the kitchen to have words with Kate pronto.
As I skidded into the kitchen I realised I was about two hours
early for Kate and Mary and Lucas both laughed on my hasty
entrance.

‘Is something on fire darling?’
Mary asked with a grin.

‘I’m sorry guys I need to see
Kate and didn’t realise I was far too early.’

‘Anything I can help with
Lucy?’ Lucas asked.

‘As a matter of fact Lucas you
will be able to help with this.’ I explained to Lucas about the
brewery booking and asked if we had sufficient stocks of wine, as
when the brewery big wigs are out celebrating the wine flows as
liberally as the tide.

‘If you give me a copy of the
menu choices I’ll select a variety of wines, we have a good stock
of most Lucy anyway.’ Lucas added.

‘Sounds perfect, I best get
started I think.’

Me and Kate discussed the menu
choice for Thursday, giving them three alternative starters and
main courses, with desserts from our normal menu. I went into the
office and sent Charles Emerson an email, also asking if they had
any wine preferences. In his rather prompt reply he said he would
leave the choice of wines to me. That pleased me and I left that
decision with Lucas, who would be serving the wine on the night.
Jena and Jayne were going to wait on table and I would run the bar
with Archie, phew all sorted, and it was only Tuesday. I received a
text message from Tim asking if I could meet him for a meal later
this evening. Well that’s certainly a turn up for the books, so I
responded saying I would be able to meet him around seven o’clock.
I made a mental note to inquire where he worked, which would be
easy to slot into our conversation. He’s certainly being very
attentive at the moment, is this going to last….I wonder where
he’ll take me tonight, posh or pizza or maybe fish and chips?

Later in the evening I was
waiting in the kitchen for Tim, he turned up about thirty minutes
late and looking rather stressed. ‘I’m sorry Lucy I had to finish
an urgent job.’ He muttered breathlessly.

‘Never mind let’s get going I’m
starving.’ By the look on his face he was probably hoping I’d
cancel no chance.

We began to walk in silence
heading in the direction of Victoria; I’m beginning to feel this is
going to be a quickie meal. Tim slowed down outside the little
noodle restaurant, me and Jena had eaten here a few times, basic
though tasty. So without a word I followed him inside and we found
an empty table for two at the back of the restaurant. Checking the
menu out in silence, Tim placed his copy back on the table. ‘I
think I’ll have the chicken noodle stir fry, have you decided
babe?’

‘I’ll have the same, it’s
rather tasty.’ I replied.

‘Sounds as though you’ve been
here before?’ Tim asked.

‘Yes it’s one of mine and
Jena’s guilty pleasures when we’re shopping.’

‘Do you fancy a glass of wine?’
Tim asked casually.

‘Yes, why not let’s go mad.’ I
added with a touch of sarcasm, which appeared to have been lost on
him, as he seemed to be pre-occupied.

While waiting for our meals to
be served I deemed this would be an excellent time to explore his
employment records. In other words where the hell does this guy
spend all his time? ‘So you had to work late tonight then Tim?’ I
probed.

‘Yes an urgent job to finish
I’m afraid.’

‘Do you realise you’ve never
told me where you work, or even which company. Please tell me
you’re not involved with the secret service?’ I watched him closely
while I asked the question. And before he responded, if I’m not
mistaken, he looked a tad anxious.

‘It’s one of those big IT
companies in the city you know what I mean.’ He replied
moderately.

‘No actually I don’t know,
undoubtedly they have a company name.’ I queried.

‘I doubt it will mean anything
to you darling, the company is called Randall and Hartley, although
they have several subsidiary companies as well that I do work
for.’

‘Well that wasn’t so difficult
was it?’ My sarcasm continued, whether he was aware or not, he kept
a low profile. Our meal turned up, so we both ate silently for a
while. I kept glancing at him and he certainly seemed engrossed
with other things. (You know when someone is with you in body, but
definitely not in mind.) As he placed his fork back onto the plate
he looked up and smiled. ‘I want you to be really patient with me
until my birthday Lucy, as I have so much work on. I promise you’ll
have a big surprise coming on the day though.’

‘What are you saying that I
won’t see you before your birthday? I’d like a clue about this
surprise if you don’t mind.’

‘Of course you’ll see me, if I
give you a clue it will ruin the day.’ He smiled.

This guy can certainly change
his moods within seconds, what the hell makes him tick. Oh well
until your birthday it is fella, because if this weird relationship
doesn’t improve after that we could be saying au revoir. Patience
is not one of my best points, and I feel I’ve been extremely
patient with this guy. I love being in his company when he’s in a
sociable mood, but hey ho he is pushing his luck at the moment
seriously….However after disclosing all of those thoughts, I have
to admit this guy has got under my skin and I guess the fact he is
so indefinable makes him all the more beguiling. So bring on this
mammoth birthday of his and the revelation he has in store for me…I
can’t wait.

I received a further email from
Charles Emerson this morning giving the complete order for starters
and main course for Thursday evening, this will help Kate
tremendously. So I raced down to the kitchen to give her the good
news.

‘That is helpful Lucy; I’ll
come in early tomorrow anyway to make sure everything is as perfect
as possible.’ Kate added gratefully.

‘You’ll have plenty of help
love as Jena and Jayne will wait on table and Lucas is in charge of
the wine.’

‘Can you spare the staff?’ Kate
asked.

‘No problems, I’ll run the bar
with Archie and Andy is always around if we need him.’

‘I could always bring Jodie in
if you need her.’ Kate suggested.

‘No we’ll be fine Kate thanks.’
The last thing I needed was Jodie making another appearance, let
sleeping dogs lie is what I say. To be honest the further that girl
stays away from here the better, nevertheless I don’t want to upset
Kate as she’s an angel. I’m not sure if Kate is aware that Jeff is
still seeing Jayne, I tend to keep quiet over these issues so as
not to cause an unnecessary atmosphere. As I was musing Lucas came
into the kitchen and an idea sprang to mind. I gave him an update
on the meal. ‘Do you have anything planned this morning Lucas?’ I
asked tentatively.

‘No I was only going to read
until my shift starts, did you want some help Lucy?’

‘Come in the office I’d like to
show you something.’ I didn’t want to ask in front of Kate and
Grace, as I’m sure everyone’s opinion of Tim is pretty inferior
anyway. In the office I briefed Lucas on Tim’s place of work,
giving him the name of the company. Knowing how clued up he was on
computers I though he maybe able to find out more about the
company, as it would take me ages. ‘Would you mind doing a little
research for me Lucas?’

‘No problems Lucy, I’ll be
pleased to take a look.’

‘It’s just that he was so cagey
about disclosing the information, you must think I’m over
reacting.’

‘Not at all, after what
happened to me, you can never be too careful. I’ll go upstairs and
use my laptop.’ Lucas assured.