The Party Girl's Invitation (7 page)

Jazz stared irritably at a blank computer screen. Did nothing work around here? He’d been given every excuse from ‘the water table’ to the ‘Cotswold Hills’ for his lack of reception, but he really wasn’t buying it. This was the twenty-first century, internet communication and telecoms links could connect via satellite to every remote corner of the world these days, they even had a fully functioning webcam on the South pole, surely London to Bath couldn’t be that complicated?

He’d had so called ‘experts’ in here by the barrow load, and still they’d not fixed the problem. When he asked the staff, they all looked shifty and muttered in broad ‘West Country’ accents about the lead lined walls and historical ‘problems’ with the boss’s office. It was well known that things would switch themselves on and off at the most inopportune moments and papers often seemed to temporarily ‘disappear’ only to turn up again later in the day, once the current crisis was past.

He’d never heard such rubbish, and he wasn’t impressed. If they thought they were going to disrupt his day with their prophetic ramblings, then they were sorely mistaken. The computer screen suddenly pinged into life, without him touching anything.

He frowned and kicked at the junction box under his desk, must have a loose wire or something. He’d get a new power breaker installed tomorrow, fluctuating power supply could cause chaos with sensitive electrical equipment. He rummaged in his desk drawer for a screwdriver.

What a mess. The whole lot looked like it had been dumped out onto the floor and then given a shuffle before being stuffed back in the drawer again ‘any old how’. Who had been going through his things? More importantly, how was he supposed to find anything in here?

He didn’t have time for this. It would be easier to just call someone else in to do the job for him. The box of condoms, tucked in with his business cards caught his attention. He picked the package up, and smiled. Now there was a story. He wondered what else had been lurking there, in the back his drawer, forgotten.

Maybe he’d just take five minutes to re-organise his life. He’d dated a yoga freak for a while, who’d been into macrobiotics and minimalism. She’d taught him to de-clutter and de-stress. Then she’d run off with his gardener, they felt an affinity with nature, or some such crap. He found the screwdriver in with the flash drives and pen lights, someone had made a right mess here. He frowned, there was only one other set of keys to this office, other than his own.

Ten minutes later he picked up the phone and buzzed his secretary, “Verity, find Jeremy will you, and send him in here,” he barked.

“Yes, sir.” Verity replied to a line that had already gone dead. She rushed out of the office in a panic and bumped into Jeremy outside in the corridor.

“Jools, the boss wants you.”

Jeremy consulted his watch.“I was on my way to see you actually, the sales meeting isn’t scheduled for at least another twenty minutes. I thought we could have a coffee before I get started, otherwise if the meeting over-runs I probably won’t see you tonight at all.”

“Nice idea.”She shook her head, dark auburn curls bouncing, “I wouldn’t keep him waiting if I were you. He’s in a foul mood, has been all day. He should have been out of here hours ago. He has a swish reception to attend in London this evening but he just got me to ring the latest girlfriend and cancel it. She wasn’t very happy. Said she’s already bought a new dress to wear. Then when she rang back to speak to him a moment ago he wouldn’t even take her call. I reckon she’s on her way out, poor girl.”

She smoothed down her black trousers, the motion causing the smooth material of her slim fitting cream shirt to pull tight across her breasts. She looked up at Jeremy under her lashes, secure in the response that the action provoked. His eyes were drawn to her best assets, pushed up on show in an outrageously expensive piece of Janet Raeger lingerie. She pretended not to notice.

“I quite liked her, if I’m honest,” she offered. “She was always nice to me on the phone and didn’t talk down at me like most of them do. West Country girl, I think.”

Jeremy watched the rise and fall of her chest. She was a lousy secretary, by all accounts, but she sure knew how to display her assets. Snapping his mind back to the task in hand, he trailed a finger down her cheek, “Into the lion’s den, then. Keep it warm. I promise we’ll have dinner tonight,” he whispered, totally refuting his earlier claims.

“Took you long enough,” Jazz barked, the second that he stuck his head around the door. He pressed the intercom, “Verity, stop painting your nails and start typing, I need that document before the meeting at three o’clock.”

He turned back to Jeremy. “Bloody internet is on the blink again. I’ve had people in here by the dozen. Verity said that you know a guy who does computers? New guy, straight out of college? Any chance he can fix this?”He didn’t wait for a reply, “I need a power breaker too, this one is on the fritz.”

Jeremy let out a sigh of relief. So the sales figures stood up to scrutiny then, he wasn’t about to be fired, after all. Good old Crystal. “His name is Brad and he’s good with computers. I have to contact him for my sister later today, so I’ll ask him if he can fit in a visit here too, if you like. I know he’s quite busy these days, but he’ll probably be able to fit it in, as a favour.”

Jazz proffered the handset, “Ring him now. I’m back up to town in the morning, once I get this work here finished. I’ve just cancelled my date for tonight because of this. The lady concerned is not too pleased with me.” He rustled a few papers on the desk. “So, what does Crystal need a computer guy for then,” he asked.

Jeremy looked surprised, “You’ve met Crystal? She’s only been back a couple of days.”

Jazz smirked. “Let’s just say that we ran into each other.”So, she hadn’t told her brother, interesting.

Jeremy began to plug the numbers into the keypad on the phone. “She’s changed her mind about going back to the States, she’s going to be working here from now on,” he started to explain.

“Not in the factory, she’s not,” Jazz expostulated, before he could help himself.

Jeremy furrowed his brow. What had upset him now? “Why would she want to work in the factory?” he asked. Then before Jazz could reply, “Not that she’d have any trouble with any of the jobs they do in there, she’s not just pretty, she’s talented too.”Jeremy felt compelled to defend. “When mum and dad moved into the new factory we all did our shifts, it took back breaking work from all of us to expand the business and get the latest line off the ground. Of course, we still had the core business to support us, but don’t think it was easy, because it wasn’t. All of the children’s ranges were designed and marketed by Crystal and mum together, and they are some of our best sellers now.”

Jazz grunted. “What did Crystal major in at uni then?” he wanted to know.

Why the sudden interest in Crystal, Jeremy wondered. There was no way she would involve herself here, long term, so he had nothing to worry about on that score.“She didn’t do uni, she went to college in London,” he answered. “Marketing qualifications. She had the pick of the jobs in the capital a few years ago.”

Jeremy switched his attention back to the telephone. The mobile number went on to answerphone, so he waited while the message played out and then added his own greetings, “Brad, hi, it’s Jez. Call me back, I’ve got work for you and my sister’s back in town. Wants to meet up, needs help. Cheers.”He turned back to Jazz, “That should do the trick, Brad can never resist a damsel in distress, he’ll ring me back for sure now.”

“Don’t use you sister as bait,” Jazz snapped, before he could help himself. Then he tacked on, “It’s ungentlemanly.”

Jeremy was distracted by the mobile going off in his pocket.

“Brad? Hi, that was quick.”

He chuckled. “Yes, mate, I only have the one sister, fortunately. Yes, Crystal is back, all grown up too. I thought that part of the message might get your attention.”

There was a pause, then “Don’t worry, I’ll set up a date. No, actually I need some technical support in the office. Dad’s old office has been re-fitted with some high tech kit but no-one seems able to make the stuff work properly. They have had experts crawling all over the place since it was installed, but no luck. I wondered if you could give it the once over for me. It’s a bit of a rush job though.”

He listened intently. “My girlfriend won’t be pleased, I’m supposed to be taking her out to dinner, but if it’s all you’ve got, we’ll take it.”

There was a second’s delay, “Thanks mate, really appreciated. I’ll see you onsite. If I’m not here, you know where the office is?”

He nodded his head. “Yup, security has been stepped up these days.”He looked across at Jazz who was tapping his foot aggressively, face like thunder.

“There will be someone here, on site to let you in,” he offered.

He laughed, “No, I will not send Crystal. Not with you around, you bum.”

Another pause. “Cheers, mate. See you soon.”

He turned back to Jazz. “He’s fully booked, but willing to do an evening shift for an old mate. He’ll just charge us standard rates, but he can’t get here ’till eight o’clock tonight. I said there will be someone onsite to let him in. I’ll do it myself if you need me to?”

“No, that’s fine. So long as I get this done today, then the time won’t be wasted. I’ll stay on myself, I want to meet this Brad, see what he’s like.”He looked a bit less grim.“Good work Jeremy, and thanks, it’s appreciated.”

Chapter 4

An Organisational Nightmare

The market was in full flow as Crystal approached the centre of town. The traffic was dreadful and she slowed the vehicle to a crawl. Jeremy had loaned her the Land Rover for the day and she already felt as if every bone in her body was bruised and sore. The ancient old Series III, was something that Jeremy refused to be parted from and it had a charm all of its own. He’d shelled out several thousand pounds in repairs on the vehicle which her been her father’s pride and joy, and it was only family sentiment that kept the thing running these days. As durable old work-horses went it was a stunner, but for comfort and practicality it was a non-starter.

Parking it would be her next challenge, it was not the most manoeuvrable of vehicles. She glanced at her watch, she was already five minutes late. She hoped that Brad would wait for her. He’d agreed to meet up with her in the market square, there was an old pub there called ‘The Chough’, which he remembered from his student days, he said they could grab a nice lunch there and get re-acquainted, whatever that meant. She hoped Jez hadn’t been playing cupid again. His taste in ‘suitable’ boyfriends had always been a disaster. Not that her own choices had been much better, now that it came down to it, she supposed.

They had been barely out of high school when he’d introduced her to Carl, the nerdy guy with pimples, who was a top London barrister now, incidentally. Then there had been Rupert, ‘call me Rupe’, who had been ‘into’ new age and all things hippy. His dad had turned out to be a High Court Judge and he’d taken the silk too, all in his own good time. She was a bit apprehensive where Brad was concerned. She had him down as a ‘beach boy bum’ the last time she’d met him, and she’d not heard anything in the intervening years to change that opinion.

She finally skittered into the pub ten minutes late, having abandoned the Land Rover on double yellow lines, right outside. It wasn’t registered in her name, so she wouldn’t get the ticket. It was easier than trying to park the thing, anyhow. She stared around in the ‘courtyard’ style interior, trying to recognise her ‘date’.

Her eyes fastened on the rear view of a guy with head of golden hair, tied back in a ponytail and accompanied by brawny muscles and a perma-tan. Was that him?

“Crystal?”

She spun around and almost collided with a tall, lean, rangy guy wearing well washed levis and an old college sweatshirt, faded and washed pale with age.“Brad?” she stuttered. She’d recognise those eyes anywhere. ‘Come to bed’ eyes, her friend Babs had called them, and she wasn’t far wrong.

He stepped forwards and held out his hand, very formally.

His palm was dry and warm, with just the right amount of flesh and muscle for a firm and warm handshake. Her knees began to buckle. What was wrong with her these days? Since she’d walked out on Phil, it seemed like her body and her libido had come out of some year-long hibernation or something. Her tongue stuck firmly to the roof of her mouth.

“Wow, don’t look at you, all grown up.”He whistled softly under his breath. “Jez sure kept you out of my orbit. He said you’ve been away for the past year or so, America?”

“Um, yes.” She didn’t know which part of the question to answer first. In the end she settled for, ‘likewise’, meaning that he’d grown up too. It seemed the most complimentary, under the circumstances.

He directed her towards a table, set aside from the rest and laid out simply with rustic cloth, cutlery and candle. “I’ve appropriated a table, I wasn’t sure what time you would get here, so I’m already on my first pint. What can I get you?”

She looked out at the Land Rover, causing an obstruction outside. “Just a mineral water for me, I’ve got the car, I’m afraid.”

He propelled her towards the table he’d indicated and then cast a glance at the bar. Within seconds a waiter arrived to take their order. Nice, he’d planned ahead, she liked that in a man.

Once they’d ordered, he got straight down to business, professional and courteous. The Brad she’d met in her younger days would have been more obvious, less restrained, he’d grown up a lot from the guy she remembered. She found herself responding to his lazy manner and pertinent questions. Quite a heady combination. She was watching the light reflecting off of his single discreet St Christopher, worn lazily slung around his neck, when he touched on the serious stuff.

“So, Crystal, why are you back home and starting out again?” he wanted to know.

She felt as if he’d punched her in her solar plexus, she had no glib answer, ready to trot out at a moment’s notice. She decided, then and there, to ‘offload’, as her American friends would say.

Looking up into clear blue eyes, the colour of a summer’s day, she replied, “My boyfriend was a lying, cheating bastard, married with regulation show-biz wife, who worked the system and then when he got caught he laid me out to dry to save his own skin. Not only that, he did it publicly, in the full glare of the media spotlight, on prime-time American TV.”The second that the words were out of her mouth, she wished that she could retract them. Why she’d chosen to blurt that out now, she’d no idea.

“Ouch. That must have hurt. Do your brothers know?”

“No, and if you breathe a word, I’ll knee-cap you,” she promised, already regretting the outburst.

“Hah, now that sounds like the Crystal that I remember,” he quipped. Then, “So, down to business. What exactly do you want?”

By the time that Crystal had finished outlining her plans, it was time for Brad to go back to work. He’d only had a couple of hours to spare, in-between jobs, and he was very busy these days, business was good.

As they parted in the foyer of the pub, where the flower seller had set up her stall, he whipped a long stem red rose from the bucket at her feet, and stole a kiss. He was an expert kisser, and his embrace was warm and seductive, he soothed her demons rather than inflaming them. She liked him, she decided.

Crystal had closed her eyes as Brad’s lips descended upon her own, and now, she opened them to glimpse just a fleeting glance of Jazz’s glacier stare. He was right on the opposite side of the square, and seemed to have his gaze fixed on her own, but as she turned her head, to look full in his direction, he spun on his heel and stalked off.

She blinked a couple of times, wondering if she’d imagined the whole scenario, and came back to earth with a bump as Brad stroked her cheek.

“Penny for them?” he asked.

“I was just wondering what you are doing the weekend after next. The Friday evening,” she improvised. “Would you like to be my date?”

He’d swaggered out through the door, two feet taller, and she was sure that he punched a ‘high-five’ in the air, when he thought she was out of sight.

Either way, she now had a proper date for the party, now all she had to do was get the rest of the arrangements under-way.

The Land Rover was sporting a nice yellow and white ticket, flapping away happily in the stiff Northerly breeze, by the time she returned to it. Hardly surprising really, Crystal left it exactly where it was, and decided to make the most of the parking fee that Jez would unwittingly be expected to pay on her behalf.

The market was spectacular. Crystal took her time, the weather was cold and inclement, but she’d wrapped up in extra layers to counter-balance the Land Rover’s dodgy heating, so she was warm as toast in her new fur lined Ugg boots and drainpipe jeans. She had a large fitted jacket, the colour of warm chocolate pulled down low over her thighs and she was at peace with the world.

Ten minutes later she’d revised her opinion. Seated in the bank, opposite an earnest ‘twenty-something’ loan advisor, she was losing her patience fast. All she wanted was a table of interest rates and some kind of indication of when her request for finances might be considered. She didn’t want a lecture on how to put together a proposal or what to include in a budget, she’d learned all that years ago. Unfortunately the bank clerk was either too thick-skinned or too stupid to pick up on her mood. Either way, it took her twice as long as she had wanted to conclude the appointment and she still didn’t know what it was they wanted to see in order to advance her the money.

Then she walked slap-bang out of the branch and into the path of Jazz and Verity. What on earth were they doing here together? Wasn’t he supposed to be in London?

She realised that they hadn’t seen her yet, they were walking along, heads together and engrossed in conversation. She slid in behind a poster on the bus shelter and waited until they had passed by. Was this some kind of clandestine affair, or had they just bumped into one another unexpectedly, she wondered. Jez would not be impressed. Did he know that Verity was out with the boss?

On the other side of the square, completely obscured by a display of bath towels and hiding behind a man with a large umbrella, Lolly surveyed the scene. She’d not missed a thing. Jazz, Verity, Crystal and Brad had all been shadowed and their movements recorded. A consummate worrier, she wondered what it all meant.

Several hours later, Crystal dropped the keys for the Land Rover into the fruit dish in the hallway and wondered if she should leave a note or not. Maisie ‘did’ for her brother and had been happy enough to let her in, but she was ready to go now and wanted to lock up. Crystal wondered guiltily if she should tell him about the parking ticket. She’d already purchased a bottle of her brother’s favourite tipple as a special ‘thank you’ for loaning her his car, and she’d had to change over the last of her American dollars at the bank to fund the purchase, so she guessed that the gesture would have to be enough. She didn’t think that a note saying ‘thanks for the car and sorry about the parking ticket’ would go down too well. She could put ‘thanks for the car and I didn’t crash it’, but then he’d only worry in case she had crashed it and hadn’t told him. It was a tricky one.

Maisie rattled the keys in the hall.

She was out of time, so she tipped over one of the envelopes that the postman had delivered today, and scrawled ‘thanks’ with six kisses on the back of it. That would do. He’d know where to look for the keys.

“Thanks, Maisie,” she called, as she attempted to sidle past her on her way out.

“Miss Crystal,” Maisie hailed her, “I need a word with you.”

Blast. That was the last thing she needed, right now. She waited.

“There’s something I need to know,” she started.

Uh-oh. “Mmm…?”Crystal replied.

“My Gordon says that you’re back in charge of the Hunt Ball. Is that true?”

Crystal breathed a sigh of relief. Those kind of questions she could answer.“Yes, Maisie, it’s true. Gran and Lolly asked me to help. Gran has her hands full since the accident and Lolly ran into a few problems last year, so they thought I might be able to point them in the right direction.”

“Oh, thank goodness for that. There are several members of the hunt who’d left off buying a ticket, ’cos of the (problems),” she said the last bit from behind her hand.

Crystal smiled. “Well, rest assured that the ball is moving on at great pace now, and it will be the grandest ball yet. It’s going to be a wonderful affair, and I’ve booked a surprise too, something for everyone to enjoy, so ask your husband to pass the word around for me please. It will be a great night. Don’t forget, it’s fancy dress, as always, so they’ll need to get their costumes booked, and they can buy the tickets online this year, so there are no excuses. We need final numbers by this time next week, the Wednesday at the latest, so there’s just over a week left.”

“So, a week this Friday then, for the ball. Is everything booked now? I went past the farm the other day, on my way into Bath and that grass in the paddock looks a bit long for a marquee. Is everything OK?”

“It will be,” Crystal replied, fingers crossed behind her back.

“What about, him,” she jerked her head, “Up at the factory? What do you make of him then?” Maisie’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Ah, so this was the real reason for the conversation then. She should have seen it coming really, she supposed. “Jazz? Well, the board seem to be very pleased with his progress, so we shall have to wait and see.” She inched a couple more footsteps closer to the door.