Games Lovers Play (6 page)

Connie walked over to her friend. ‘Thanks a bunch!'

‘I'm just being a pal, that's all. Now I've seen Sam I hate to see you mixed up with that lecherous bugger even more. When he's finished with you, he'll drop you without a second thought. Had you stayed with him, you'd be devastated. Get out now! Move on with Sam, he's a lovely bloke. Don't be silly or you'll lose both of them!'

When John Baker walked into his house that evening, Kay, his wife, took one look at his expression and remained silent. If he'd had a bad day at the shop he would tell her over dinner; if he said nothing, then things were not going well with his new affair! She had no illusions about her husband. When first they met she knew he was a flirt, but she'd fallen deeply in love with him and when he'd proposed she didn't hesitate to accept.

For the first few years, they'd been ideally happy, and when Susan had been born, their happiness was complete. But a new baby was tiring, and Kay had been too weary to respond to his advances in bed for a while. During that time, she knew he'd taken a lover. However, she was certain that his real love for her hadn't diminished, and as the affairs escalated, she had to make a decision. Should she shut her eyes to it all? After all, he was always attentive, indeed more so during such liaisons, and his love for his daughter was without question. If she put her suspicions into words, what would happen to their marriage? His adultery never lasted for long, so had no real meaning to him, and he always made sure the bills were paid and that she had a personal allowance. She had decided that, with a child, she couldn't jeopardize this security and so shut her mind to his philandering. But as the years passed it was becoming more difficult to accept. Who was it this time, she wondered.

John took Susan up to bed and read her a story, as was his habit whilst Kay prepared the meal. Kissing Susan goodnight, he went downstairs, poured himself a drink and sat at the table as his wife served the meal.

‘Had a busy day?' she asked.

‘No more than usual, how about you?'

So it was a woman, she thought as she told him about her day. As she did so, she studied the man whom she'd married seven years ago. He was good looking, well dressed and he'd always had an air of sophistication about him, even as a young man. Yes, she could see how attractive he would be to other women, but that was no excuse for his infidelity. How would he feel, she wondered, if
she
took a lover? The very thought amused her. All her life she'd lived by the rules even as a child. She believed in her marriage vows … what a pity her husband didn't feel the same, and she wondered for a moment what it would feel like to be held in another man's arms.

‘What are you smiling at?' John asked.

The sudden interruption to her train of thought brought her back to reality. She hadn't realized she'd smiled at the thoughts of her own adultery and she started to chuckle. ‘Oh, it was just something Susan said today that amused me.' And the moment passed.

There was to be a major race at Silverstone a month hence and Sam and his mates were working hard on his Riley Pathfinder in their new premises, with the added help of Jimmy Murphy, who turned out to be a good mechanic. The race was over sixteen laps with a good pot for the winner at the end. Sam was working on the engine, fine-tuning it to produce the maximum speed that he'd require to beat off the competition. There was also a lot of work to do on the interior to make it safe and secure should there be a crash. The three men worked in silence each concentrating on the job in hand. Eventually, stiff and sore from so much bending, they took a break. All stretched their cramped limbs, before sitting down with a cigarette and a cup of tea.

‘Heard anything of Jake Barton?' Sam asked.

Tom shook his head. ‘No, he's keeping a low profile these days. His garage is always under lock and key, door shut. I know because I wander past from time to time. We don't even know what type of vehicle he'll be driving.'

With a grin Sam said, ‘Well, it'll have to be something special to beat this baby,' and he patted the door of his car.

Nodding his agreement, Tom remarked, ‘He'll have a bloody fit when he sees the speed you can reach now we've worked on the engine. He won't like it.'

‘He'll have a good view of my tail lights all through the sixteen laps. By the end he'll be as sick as a pig!'

‘I don't trust that bugger,' muttered Harry. ‘If he can't win by fair means, he'll look for another way. We need to watch our backs.'

Sam discounted their concerns. ‘We've managed so far. He hasn't realized we've moved the workshop so he can't tamper with the car. His only chance is to take me out on the track and I'm all ready for that; after all, he's not very subtle about his driving, is he?'

‘True,' agreed Harry, ‘but even that bastard can get lucky.'

Getting to his feet Sam urged his mates to return to their work. ‘Barton can take his chances with all the others,' he said. ‘I'm the one who's going to stand on the winner's podium if I've anything to do with it!'

That evening he waited for Connie, and they walked along the waterfront on to the pier and sat on one of the benches, drinking coffee. He told her about the forthcoming race and how important it was.

‘If I can win this one, it'll be a step up in my career,' he told her. ‘The racing authorities will have no choice but to recognize me as a major driver.'

‘My dad was telling me you already have made a name for yourself on the racetrack,' she said proudly.

‘Did he?' He looked pleased. ‘Well, without sounding big-headed, he's right, but I want to be among the big boys, not a big fish in a small pond. This takes time and success. You're only as good as your last race, I'm afraid.'

Connie frowned. ‘Don't you feel scared when you're tearing around a track with other cars trying to take you out?'

Shaking his head he said, ‘No. Waiting on the starting line for the flag to go down, adrenalin is pumping through your veins and all you want is to go, then it's total concentration until the finish. Then if you win, it's euphoria you feel, not fear. If racing scares you, it's the wrong thing to be doing.'

She didn't look convinced.

He tried to explain. ‘I feel nervous, of course, so does every other driver, but that's a different thing, Connie. I know my car is safe because I and my boys have made it so – so the main danger is from the other cars in the race, or rather the drivers of the other cars.'

‘Why, because they aren't any good?'

He chuckled. ‘Oh no! They all know what they're doing, it's the way that they do it. I'm afraid there are some who are villains at the wheel who have no scruples at all as to how they win a race, but you needn't worry about them. I know who they are and am always aware of them around me.'

She gazed at him with concern in her eyes. ‘I would hate anything bad to happen to you, Sam.'

He gently stroked her face. ‘What a lovely thing to say, but don't you worry, sweetheart. I've been in this game too long to take stupid chances. There are always tricks of the trade, whatever it is – and I know them all. Come on, I'll take you home.'

Outside her house Sam took Connie into his arms and kissed her. ‘You are very sweet,' he said ‘and I love the fact you are my girl. I like knowing I'll be seeing you regularly, holding you, kissing you … wanting you.'

‘Do you want me, Sam?' she asked, snuggling into him, her hands beneath his jacket, stroking his back.

‘Oh yes, Connie, I do. But you're very precious to me and I'd be a heel if I took advantage of you.'

‘Even if I agreed?'

Tipping her chin upwards, he looked at her with an intensity that she found thrilling. He was fighting his need for her, and she wished so very much that he wouldn't because she wanted him to make love to her.

‘I want you too Sam,' she said, and she kissed him passionately.

No man could resist her invitation, and he returned her kisses with a fervour, exploring her mouth, his hand caressing her breast until he pulled away.

‘You're not playing fair!' he said, holding her firmly away from him.

‘But don't you see, if I want the same thing, you won't be taking advantage of me. I want you to love me.'

He studied her face, wondering if she meant what she said and saw the longing in her expression. ‘Very well, sweetheart. When we race next month, you come with us. We'll stay overnight in a hotel after the race … if that's what you
really
want.'

She wound her arms around his neck. ‘More than anything.'

Connie didn't tell Betty of her conversation with Sam and their plans. She wanted to keep that a secret between her and her boyfriend. For her it was something special with no complications. Sam didn't have a wife in the background, and he considered her youth, whereas John Baker hadn't. He was the one who'd taken advantage of her, had carefully taken her down his path until in Bournemouth he'd achieved his aim. It was true she'd not fought off his advances but he certainly was no gentleman to have encouraged her. Now perhaps she could find the courage to let him go.

She needn't have worried about Betty. Her friend was full of the trial of Ruth Ellis, who had been found guilty of murdering her boyfriend and had been sentenced to hang.

‘You need to be careful, Connie! What if Mrs Baker finds out about you and her husband?'

Connie glared at her. ‘Don't be ridiculous!'

‘I'm only warning you,' her friend insisted.

Kay Baker was in the town shopping and, feeling weary, decided to go into Tyrell and Greens for a coffee, then after she'd see if she could see her husband and find out what he wanted for his dinner as she had yet to buy the food for that evening.

She left the restaurant and wandered around the store, looking at the goods on the ground floor, then made her way up the stairs to look for John. She saw him in the distance and started in his direction. He was walking towards the haberdashery, a set expression on his face. She immediately thought that a member of the staff had displeased him and watched to see what would happen.

She saw him waylay a young woman behind the counter. There seemed to be a heated conversation going on between them in low voices. Oh dear, she thought, she's in trouble. He grabbed the girl by the wrist, but she snatched her hand away, said something to him, then walked off. It all suddenly fell into place, and Kay was shaken. This was his new amour! For God's sake the girl was years younger than he was! What did he think he was playing at?

Connie was fuming! Her lover had demanded she wait for him after work, and she'd refused. She said she was meeting her boyfriend, and he'd been furious. She rubbed her wrist where he'd held her. He had no right to tell her what to do. Cancel her appointment with Sam! Not likely. She'd told John to get lost, and she thought he was going to have a fit. Well, serve him right. She looked up as a customer stood before her.

‘Can I help you, madam?'

Kay Baker looked at the girl and said, ‘I need two yards of two-inch elastic, please.'

‘Certainly,' Connie said and went to find some.

Kay watched her. Yes she was pretty, had a good figure, nice hair … and she hated her! This girl was coming between her and her marriage. She'd never seen any of her husband's lovers before and was astonished at the strength of her feelings. She wanted to slap her, tell her she had no right to mess up her life. As Connie returned with the elastic, she took a deep breath to try and calm down.

‘Is there anything else, madam?'

Kay's eyes flashed with anger. ‘Yes. Leave my husband alone!'

Connie was startled. ‘Pardon?'

‘I am the wife of John Baker. Leave my husband alone … is that clear enough?'

Connie paled and her hands shook. ‘Yes, madam – er, Mrs Baker.'

‘Good.' Kay walked quickly away, shaking with anger, and astounded at her own actions.
Oh my God! What have I done?
she asked herself. Nevertheless, she didn't regret it one bit. She'd had enough. She decided no longer would she turn a blind eye to her husband's shenanigans.

Connie watched her go, still trembling. Bloody hell! That was such a shock. To actually come face to face with a wronged wife –
and
for her to know that she was seeing her husband. Betty's warning rang in her ears. Connie suddenly felt sick and rushed away to the ladies room and threw up!

That evening, Connie left the store, still suffering from shock, and when she saw Sam standing waiting for her she flew into his arms and clung on tightly.

He held on to her, feeling her shaking in his arms. ‘Connie! Whatever is the matter?'

How could she tell him? She couldn't. ‘I've just had a bad day,' she hastily lied. ‘My boss bawled me out and I was upset. That's all.'

‘It must have been pretty bad, sweetheart. Look at the state of you. What on earth had you done?'

‘I'd just priced some goods up incorrectly and sold a few under the price.' She was amazed how quickly the lies flew from her mouth. ‘But I'm all right now you're here.'

‘No one has the right to cause this kind of reaction. I'll have a word with him!'

How hilarious would that be, she thought. Then looking at Sam she smiled and kissed his cheek. ‘My Mr Knight in shining armour! Where's your white horse then?'

Chuckling he said, ‘Over there,' pointing to his motorbike. ‘Come on, let's eat and then you can tell me all about it.'

‘No, just let's eat and you can tell me about
your
day.'

She climbed on to the back of Sam's bike and put on the helmet he handed to her, placed her arms around his waist and leaned against him. How comforting it was, she thought. With Sam she felt safe.