Midnight (14 page)

Time alone would tell whether he’d made the right decision.

Just before one o’clock Jack drove to the little café in Bletchley, impatient to tell Molly the news. He was apprehensive as to how she would take it, now it was a done deal. Would she understand? Maybe overnight she had thought about it, and was ready to give way on her decision. He hoped so. Either way, for him there was no going back.

The café was a small, family-run business, with home-cooked food and a smile served with it. Jack found it a welcome oasis in the storm of life. He ordered a coffee while waiting for Molly to come.

‘Well, here you are again, Jack – deep in thought as usual,’ said Maria, the friendly waitress. She glanced about. ‘No girlfriend today, then?’

He returned her smile. ‘She’ll be along shortly.’

‘Same as usual, is it?’ She got her pad and pen ready. ‘Or would you rather wait for the young lady?’

‘I’ll wait,’ he decided. ‘Meantime, I’d love one of your special coffees.’

After two cups of coffee Jack realised that Molly wasn’t coming. With a sinking heart he paid the bill, and left.

En route to the office, he wondered if he should try to get hold of her at her workplace. Or maybe he should call Pauleen again. Perhaps she didn’t tell Molly he’d called earlier. Or maybe Molly just wanted to make him suffer.

Once inside the office, the manager approached him. ‘You’re late back from lunch again, Redmond. Don’t think you can start taking liberties, just because you’re leaving.’

‘Sorry, Mr Branagan. I got caught up, but I’ll make up the time, as always.’

‘See that you do.’ With a face that told its own story, he stomped off.

‘He’s jealous as hell because Curtis Warren likes you.’ Eagle-eyed Jan didn’t miss a trick.

Once inside his own office, Jack called the estate agency where Molly worked.

‘Banbury’s Estate Agency, Julie Hart speaking.’

‘It’s Jack here,’ he answered. ‘Could I possibly have a quick word with Molly?’

‘Sorry, Jack. Molly rang in to say she wouldn’t be in today.’ Julie gave a knowing little chuckle. ‘I don’t know what the pair of you got up to last night, but she sounded somewhat the worse for wear.’ Seeming to have suddenly realised something, Julie paused to ask, ‘Didn’t you already know she wasn’t coming in to work?’

‘No. I had an urgent meeting, so I had to leave early,’ he lied, to allay her suspicions.

‘Well, I’d give her a ring at home if I were you.’ She tutted. ‘Our Molly did
not
sound a happy bunny.’

Jack went along with her chatter. ‘You’re right,’ he said pleasantly. ‘That’s what I’ll do. Thanks, Julie.’

‘You’re welcome.’ There was a click and the phone line went dead.

Throughout the afternoon, Jack was run off his feet, but the minute he got a break, he rang Molly’s mother again, only this time it was her father who answered. ‘Hello, Ted. Is Molly there?’

‘No, she is not. And from what Brian just told me, she’s in no fit state to be anywhere. I’m sorry, Jack, but don’t you think it’s about time you and Molly sorted your differences out, once and for all?’

‘That’s why I want to speak with her,’ Jack answered honestly. ‘I’ll try to contact her at Brian’s. Thanks, Ted. Sorry to have bothered you.’

He rang Brian’s landline number. ‘Is Brian there, please?’ he asked. He suspected it might be wiser to speak with Brian before he asked for Molly.

‘’Fraid not. He’s in a meeting at his office this afternoon. I’m Malcolm Salter, his business partner.’

‘Oh, I see. The thing is, Malcolm, I need to speak to Molly. She is still there, isn’t she?’

‘Yes.’

‘Could you ask her if she’ll come to the phone, please?’

There was a pause, during which Mal seemed to be considering Jack’s request. Then he said, ‘OK. I’ll go and get her.’

After a few moments, Jack was relieved to hear Molly’s voice down the line. ‘What do you want, Jack?’

‘I want
you
, sweetheart. I need you to come home. I’ll try to get away early from work. I can come and collect you, if you want?’

When she gave no answer, he was hopeful. ‘I’m sorry we had that row. I love you, Molly. You know that, don’t you?’

‘Have you turned down that promotion?’ she asked sharply.

‘No. I’ve accepted it. You knew I’d made up my mind.’

‘So, everything I said, everything I feel about this business – none of it meant anything to you?’

‘Of course it did – it does! I know the score. I want to go and you want me to stay. But we’re intelligent, mature people. Surely we can find a middle way. We need to sit down and thrash it out, or we’ll never find a solution. Please, Moll. Come home. Let’s try again.’

‘I’m not coming home, Jack. We’re finished, you and me.’

‘Don’t say that! You can’t mean to throw away everything we’ve built up, just because I accepted the promotion?’

Suddenly Molly launched into a screaming attack: ‘It’s never just been about the promotion anyway – it’s the fact that you don’t care what I think! Look, Jack – I mean what I say. Some time tomorrow, when you’re at work, I’ll come and get the rest of my belongings, and that’s an end to it. I don’t want you calling me, and I never want to see you again. You’d better believe it, Jack. No more contact; no more talking. I don’t want you any more. It’s over. Have you got that?’

Before he could answer, she slammed down the phone, and he was left with her harsh words ringing in his ears.

Molly ran back up the stairs and into the bedroom. Concerned for her, Mal followed and he was surprised when Molly instantly wrapped her arms round his neck and drew him down onto the bed. ‘Make love to me,’ she urged, tantalisingly straddling him, ‘I don’t need him when I’ve got you.’

Mal held her off for a moment. ‘Do you mean that, or are you just saying it because you’re angry with Jack?’

She laughed out loud – a harsh, spiteful sound. ‘I’m angry, yes. But not because of Jack.’ Her tone softened. ‘I’m only angry that I ever left you in the first place.’

That was all the encouragement he needed. ‘You’re really never seeing him again?’

‘Never!’

‘If you really want him, Molly, you know I would step aside.’

‘You’d better not!’ She pressed her body into his. ‘I’m yours now, Mal. And don’t you ever forget that.’

Mal heard only what he wanted to hear. He adored her, and she knew that. But even then, for the sake of Molly’s happiness, he really would have let her go, although it would have crippled him to do so. He prayed she was not lying to him, like last time, when she broke his heart. He had to trust her now, because life without her was too empty.

But Molly had no conscience. No shame. Jack was still her priority. Yes, he needed bringing under control, but she already had that in hand. Emotional blackmail was a powerful thing.

In her arrogance, she truly believed that now Jack had been given a glimpse of what life would be like without her, he would give in and abandon his plans. Like all men, he would lick his wounds, then he’d be all over her, begging her to come back. Meantime, she would enjoy Mal and his puppy dog devotion, in every way possible. Live for the minute, that was her motto.

When she now suddenly responded to Mal’s touch with a crazed, sensual energy, he foolishly believed it was his own prowess that had aroused her in such an exciting way.

But then, that was exactly what she wanted him to think.

Chapter Nine

H
AVING WORKED A
week of four-hour shifts to cover for another woman who was taking a short holiday, Libby was thankful when Friday afternoon came.

‘Glad it’s the weekend are you?’ asked Madge Lovatt, the supervisor. A smart, single woman in her late fifties, she had ten years of dedicated service under her belt. Well respected by all the staff, her fair-minded manner brought out the best in people.

‘Yes, I’m off now,’ Libby replied as she walked between the aisles towards her.

‘I see you’ve got your mother’s ginger biscuits, then?’ Madge gestured to the package in Libby’s hand. ‘I must admit, I’m rather partial to a ginger-nut myself.’

‘I’d be shot at dawn if I went home without them,’ Libby joked. ‘The minute I open that gate she’ll be looking for these biscuits. She’ll have them out of my hands before I know what’s hit me.’

‘Does Thomas still look after her?’ Like most of the staff at the supermarket, Madge knew of Libby’s burden, and she was filled with admiration. The young woman’s dedication to her ailing mother was commendable.

‘He does, yes.’ When Libby entered the staff cloakroom, Madge went with her. ‘D’you know what, Madge – I really don’t know what I’d do without Thomas. He’s such a good man – the best friend ever. I can leave Mum in his care and be content that no harm will come to her.’

Madge was impressed. ‘That’s wonderful.’ After several disasters involving the opposite sex, she had long ago lost her trust in men. But from what she’d heard about Libby’s neighbour, he was obviously an exception to the rule. ‘How old did you say he was?’

Libby gave her question a moment’s thought. ‘I’m not altogether certain. He’s never really let on, but I reckon he’s in his late sixties.’

‘Ah, that’s a shame. I’m looking for a good man – and for a minute there I thought I’d found him, but late sixties . . . hmm.’ She gave Libby a comical glance. ‘A bit wrinkled round the gills, is he?’

Libby laughed. ‘No, actually, he’s not! In fact, he’s not a bad-looking man at all. He’s tall and well built, with a smile that would melt snow. Added to which, he has a heart of gold, and a mountain of patience.’

‘So, a man like that – he must have a wife tucked away somewhere.’

‘No – not as far as I know, anyway.’

‘How’s that?’

‘Sad story, really. His wife packed her bags one day and cleared off, without so much as a by your leave.’

‘Got family, has he – children and the like?’

‘No. He’s all on his own.’

‘No baggage then, by the sounds of it.’ Madge glanced about to make sure no one was listening, as she asked with a twinkle in her eye, ‘You say he’s well built?’

‘That’s right.’ Intrigued by the other woman’s curiosity, Libby went on, ‘He likes walking, and he has an allotment. I expect that keeps him fit.’

‘Mmm . . . a good-looking, active man who grows his own veg – it gets better and better!’ Leaning towards Libby, she asked confidentially, ‘D’you reckon he’s fit’ – she blushed – ‘down under, if you know what I mean? Or has it been dormant for so long, it’s neither use nor ornament?’

Shocked and amused, Libby collapsed into a giggling fit. ‘How would
I
know?’ she chided. To even mention Thomas in that way, was embarrasing.

‘You do understand, I wasn’t being smutty,’ Madge assured her. ‘It’s just that, well – if you must know, I’m on the lookout for a fella, only they all seem withered and brain-dead, or they’ve got a face that would frighten a horse.’

‘Well, I can promise you, Thomas doesn’t fit any of those descriptions. He’s just a regular bloke who keeps himself to himself, and he’s got a kindly heart. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to work. That means Mum wouldn’t get her little treats, and life would be less comfortable financially.’

Madge was impressed. ‘He sounds very interesting, your Thomas. Obviously, your mother enjoys being with him while you’re at work.’

Libby smiled. ‘Mum adores him. Thomas makes her laugh, and he’s always got some outing planned – like a trip to the shops, or a walk in the park. Apparently, they talk about when they were young, and if Mum is having one of her forgetful days, he reads the signs and treats her gently.’

Madge thought it over. ‘D’you reckon he fancies your mother?’

‘Don’t be daft!’ Taking her jacket out of the locker, Libby shrugged it on. Fastening her buttons as she walked, she assured Madge, ‘He’s just a really good friend, to me and my mother both.’

‘Ah, but your mother is a good-looking woman. When you brought her in here the other week, we all thought she must have been a stunner when she was younger.’

‘Yes, she was.’ Libby had seen the photographs, and was struck by how attractive her mother had been as a young woman. ‘She’ll always be beautiful to me,’ she said, a little wistfully.

‘I’m sure she will.’ Madge understood. She could only imagine how hard it must be for Libby to deal with the current situation. ‘I meant no offence, talking like that about your friend Thomas. He sounds like a really decent bloke.’ She gave a weary little sigh. ‘They’re few and far between, I can tell you.’

‘It’s all right, Madge,’ said Libby. ‘No offence taken.’

‘So, what have you got planned for this weekend?’

‘Well, if it’s warm enough, I’ve promised Mother a picnic in Corporation Park.’

‘Oh, how wonderful! It’s so lovely there, and peaceful. You can always find a quiet spot by the man-made lake, where you can feed the ducks and watch the children playing. Or there are plenty of quiet little nooks in the gardens, where you can while away the time, listening to the birds.’

‘You can meet up with us, if you like.’ Libby had always assumed that Madge preferred her own company, but after this conversation, she was not so sure. Maybe the reason she had never married was not because she didn’t want to, but because her standards were too high. Maybe Madge was not prepared to settle for less than the perfect man.

‘Thank you, Libby. I appreciate that, but I’m on duty here tomorrow. I have some urgent paperwork to be getting on with. See you on Monday – have a great weekend!’

But after Libby was gone, her thoughts returned to Thomas. ‘By the sound of it, he’s a man with a heart. I wouldn’t mind a man like that,’ she sighed. ‘A man who would love me and take good care of me.’

She rolled her eyes at such dreams and fancies. ‘You’re an idiot, Madge,’ she told herself. ‘You’re long past all that now, so get used to it!’

As Libby walked home, she thought about what Madge had said, about Thomas fancying her mother. She chuckled to herself. If Thomas were to make advances to Eileen, her mother would probably clip his ear.

At that very moment, Thomas emerged from his kitchen with a tray of goodies. Taking them out to the garden where Eileen was waiting, he told her, ‘We’ve got a couple of cheese sandwiches and a piece of Battenberg cake. How’s that?’