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If anyone was ill at ease, it was Tony. He looked down at the bouquet of flowers he was still clutching, and his face turned red, since his intentions towards Ellie were now perfectly clear.

Alan turned to Ellie, took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. ‘I brought the balance of your wages, and the holiday pay you’re owed, Ms Beckworth.’

‘Oh, thank you, Mr Alan – that’s very kind of you,’ said Ellie, grateful that he’d quickly assessed the situation and slipped into ‘boss’ mode. ‘But, really, there was no need for you to bring it in person.’

‘No trouble at all,’ Alan said smoothly. ‘I knew I’d be passing by on my way back from the company solicitors in London, and I thought I could save you the journey to collect it.’

‘Would you like some tea?’ Ellie ventured, aware that they were both performing for Tony’s sake, yet sensing that it would sound polite to make the gesture.

‘No thanks, Ms Beckworth – I’ve got to get back to the factory for a meeting, so I need to be on my way.’

‘Well, thank you once again,’ Ellie said, glancing at Tony to see how he was reacting.

He was still standing there as though frozen, looking awkward, and still holding the bouquet of flowers.

‘Tony, can I give you a lift back to the factory?’ Alan asked, rather pointedly.

Tony was torn by indecision. He looked from one to the other and, seeing no encouragement on Ellie’s face, he sighed, silently handed her the flowers and nodded to Alan.

‘Okay, thanks, Mr Alan,’ he said, defeat written all over his face. He turned to Ellie, with a tortured look. ‘Goodbye, Ellie – maybe I’ll call to see you again?’

‘Thank you for the flowers, Tony – they’re lovely,’ Ellie said, ignoring his query and smiling noncommittally. Tony seemed to accept that he’d lost the battle. Sighing again, he followed Alan out to his car.

After giving Tony a lift back to the factory, Alan returned, carrying a large bouquet – a much bigger and more expensive one than Tony’s had been.

‘Here are the flowers I couldn’t give you earlier, my love,’ Alan said, grinning. ‘I had to leave them in the car and tell Tony that they were for my wife! Luckily, I had a few unused wages envelopes in the glove compartment, and I was able to stuff one of them with the other envelopes to create a bulky package – were you impressed by my ability to improvise?’

Laughing, Ellie hugged him. The close call added even more passion to their lovemaking. Without any preliminaries, he took her with a ferocity that delighted her – he seemed to be re-establishing his right to her body. ‘You’re mine, all mine,’ he whispered repeatedly, as though he could wish away Tony’s intentions towards her.

Afterwards, they laughed at how well they’d performed their roles, and how close they’d come to disaster. Then Alan looked serious.

‘I can understand why Tony fancies you – what man wouldn’t?’ he said, his voice husky with desire. ‘But if he starts calling regularly, it could make things difficult for us.’ Then his face clouded over. ‘Unless, of course, you fancy
him
?
If you do, I’ll back off. After all, Tony is a good man, and a hard worker –’

Ellie smiled at him tenderly, feeling cherished by his concern. ‘Don’t be silly, love – you’re the only one I want,’ she confirmed, tweaking his nose as they cuddled up together. ‘Besides, we’ll be together eventually, won’t we?’

He nodded, still looking worried. ‘Sometimes I feel bad that I can’t give you what you want,’ he said sadly. ‘In fact, I can’t promise you anything for quite some time. I’ve incurred huge debts just to keep the factory going, and it’ll be a while before they can be cleared. Worse still, my debt is to my wife Sylvia’s father. Tony could at least offer you marriage straight away. Are you sure you want to wait? I’ll understand if you don’t –’

‘I’m sure,’ she replied, kissing him passionately.

Now that she’d found the man of her dreams, every breath she took seemed to be just for him. The loss of her husband just over a year ago had seemed like the greatest tragedy at the time, but his death had inadvertently given her another chance to find Mr Right. And she’d definitely found him in Alan.

She smiled to herself as they snuggled up together, watching Alan as he dozed. No other man could dazzle her the way that her beloved Alan could. When he’d repaid the loan to Sylvia’s father, he’d be free at last. Then they’d be together forever.

C
HAPTER
7

K
erry was surprised to hear Laura’s voice over the apartment intercom, and instantly buzzed her in.

‘I’ve brought the wedding photos,’ Laura told her as she reached Kerry’s apartment. ‘I collected them on my way home from work, and they’re great! Everyone seems to have had a good time.’

‘Well then, let’s get a bottle of wine opened!’ Kerry declared, heading for the kitchen. ‘I don’t think I could cope with all those pictures of you and Jeff drooling over each other without at least a glass of wine to fortify me!’

While Kerry went to get the wine, Laura took out the photographs. She was looking forward to sharing the memories of her wedding day with her closest friend. Without Kerry, she’d never have survived the death of her family and the upheaval of moving away to live with her grandfather. Although the pain of loss was always there, she’d learned to come to terms with it. Now, she was on the threshold of a new and exciting life with Jeff. Laura felt a surge of affection for her friend.

She smiled, noticing the small, plastic model of the Eiffel Tower on Kerry’s mantelpiece, alongside a collection of iridescent shells they’d acquired on holiday together two years earlier. How well she remembered both those holidays, but for very different reasons …

When Kerry entered the room again, carrying an opened
bottle of wine and two glasses, Laura pointed to the plastic Eiffel Tower.

‘I’m amazed you’ve kept that old thing – it’s awful, isn’t it? But I was only eleven when I brought it back for you.’

Kerry smiled. ‘I remember missing you so much while you were away with your family, and wishing I could be there too.’ She grimaced. ‘I suppose it’s also a symbol of happier, carefree times …’

‘Yes, that was the last family holiday Mum, Dad, Pete and I ever had,’ Laura said softly. She glanced at the shells. ‘And I’ll never forget that scuba diving holiday either – if it hadn’t been for you, I’d definitely have drowned.’

Kerry shook her head, looking slightly embarrassed. ‘It was nothing – anyone would have done what I did.’

‘Well, thank goodness you were there – I don’t know why I suddenly felt so weak and disoriented that day, but if you hadn’t realised something was wrong, and guided me back up to the boat, I wouldn’t have survived. You saved my life.’ Kerry smiled, sitting down on the sofa beside her. ‘Well, that’s what friends are for. Anyway, what’s made you feel maudlin all of a sudden?’

‘I don’t know,’ Laura admitted. ‘I have this uneasy feeling that I just can’t shake off – maybe I’m afraid that something’s going to happen to Jeff. I love him so much, Kerry! I’d die if anything happened to him.’

Kerry smiled, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. ‘Maybe those rose-tinted spectacles of yours are over-developing your psychic abilities,’ she teased. ‘I can just see you – Madame Laura, the world’s greatest psychic! Perhaps you should give up the day job and get yourself a crystal ball instead?’

Laura grinned, leaning across to give her friend a playful dig. ‘Very funny. Okay, I’m probably just being paranoid but, as the saying goes, that still doesn’t mean they’re not out to get me!’

Kerry looked suddenly serious. ‘I’m sure that fear is part and parcel of being in love with someone,’ she said gently, thinking uncharitably to herself that if Jeff vanished off the face of the earth, it would be the best thing that ever happened to Laura. But she didn’t dare give voice to her opinion.

Noticing tears in Laura’s eyes, she reached out and hugged her. ‘Oh, cheer up, you old worrier,’ she said affectionately. ‘Nothing’s going to happen to Jeff! Why not look forward to the meal he’s taking us for tomorrow night? By the way, I’m wearing my new red dress, so don’t you dare wear anything that’ll clash with my outfit!’

Laura nodded, making a visible attempt to cheer up. ‘Okay, I’ll wear my blue dress. And yes, I’m really looking forward to Chez Jacques – it’s Jeff’s favourite restaurant. They’re aware of his allergy there, so he can depend on them to make sure his food is peanut-free.’

‘It’s pricey too, isn’t it?’ Kerry said, grinning. ‘But then, I guess stockbrokers make lots of money! I love a night out when someone else is paying!’

‘Well, Jeff wants to thank you for all the help you gave us organising the wedding,’ Laura told her. ‘You’ve been a marvellous friend, and Jeff really appreciates your kindness, too.’

Does he now, Kerry thought sarcastically to herself. She was well aware that Jeff didn’t like her any more than she liked him, and it would have been Laura who’d urged him to make the gesture. But she accepted the compliment as Laura intended. ‘I was glad to help,’ she replied.

Pouring wine into the two glasses, Kerry passed one to Laura. ‘Now, let me see these wonderful wedding pictures – I hope the photographer didn’t catch me in any compromising situations?’

Laura smiled. ‘I wish he had – I’d be delighted to think you’d met someone to be in a compromising situation with!’

Kerry smiled mischievously. ‘Well, one of the waiters
was
rather cute –’

Smiling, Laura unwrapped the pile of printed photos and spread them out on the coffee table. With their glasses now full, Kerry leaned forwards, clinking glasses before they began. Within minutes, both women were laughing and happily reminiscing over the events of Laura’s special day.

In the restaurant the following evening, Jeff was at his most charming. ‘I’m the luckiest man in the world, being here with two beautiful women!’ he purred. ‘And I’m happily married to this gorgeous creature beside me –’

As he leaned across to kiss Laura, his insincere flattery was not lost on Kerry. But she could see that Laura was lapping up the attention, her cheeks pink with pleasure.

As the headwaiter approached their table to take their order, Jeff beckoned him to come close and spoke softly in his ear. ‘I presume I don’t need to remind you about my allergy –’

The little man smiled obsequiously. ‘Of course, Monsieur Jones. As a regular, esteemed customer, you can be assured we will always take the very best care of you.’

Jeff nodded, looking pleased. He seemed to be enjoying the familiarity with which the waiter addressed him, and the idea of having a top restaurant knowing who he was. He looked over at Kerry, happy that she’d witnessed the exchange.

Having selected their main courses, all three sat back and sipped their wine. The restaurant was full, with tables in a semi-circle around a small dance floor. Behind the dance floor, on a small dais, a trio of musicians played a mixture of jazz and blues. The lighting was subdued and romantic, changing colour with the tempo of the music. A few couples were already on the dance floor.

By now, Jeff had removed his jacket and hung it on the back
of his chair, clearly intending to take to the floor. As the combo began to play a slow set, he looked at Laura, a question in his eyes, and as one, they stood up. ‘Do you mind if we leave you?’ Laura asked, looking guilty at Kerry.

‘Of course not – you go ahead,’ she replied cheerfully. ‘I’ve got two left feet anyway – I’d rather sit here and watch you two make idiots of yourselves!’

As Jeff and Laura stepped out onto the small dance floor, Jeff leaned down and pressed his cheek to his wife’s. As Kerry watched, she wondered about their future. As far as she was concerned, Jeff was a loose canon, and the sooner Laura got rid of him, the better. But despite her misgivings, she had to concede that they made a very attractive couple, both willowy and blond and clearly besotted with each other.

After a while, the slow numbers ended and the tempo of the music increased, and Jeff and Laura returned hand in hand to the table. At that precise moment, the waiter arrived bearing their main courses. With a flourish, he placed their chosen dishes in front of them. Laura and Kerry had both ordered a chicken dish, but Jeff’s steak looked a great deal bigger and more appetising.

‘Ooh, yours looks nicer than ours – can I steal one of your chips?’ Kerry asked Jeff, as his plate was placed in front of him. Nodding, he allowed her to lean across and take the biggest chip on the plate. As Kerry munched, she closed her eyes in sheer delight. ‘Hmm, this is gorgeous! Jeff, I think you made the wisest choice this evening!’

Jeff seemed flattered that Kerry approved of his choice of main course. She also suspected that he wouldn’t have been quite so eager to let her take a chip from his plate if Laura hadn’t been present to witness his generous gesture.

As the women began eating, Jeff topped up their wine glasses and re-filled his own. Then he began to tackle his enormous
steak, and both women paused politely, waiting to hear his opinion of it. As he chewed the first piece, he nodded to them enthusiastically. ‘Lovely,’ he murmured. ‘It’s done exactly as I like it. The texture is –’

Suddenly, his eyes started bulging, and Kerry was instantly reminded of the film she’d seen of
The Incredible Hulk,
in which the man’s appearance altered drastically right before the viewers’ eyes. The same seemed to be happening to Jeff – he was now clutching his neck, and his lips and face were swelling rapidly. He seemed to be gasping for breath as he thrashed about, overturning several chairs as he fell to the ground.

‘His pen, his pen!’ Laura screamed, jumping up from the table and overturning the bottle of wine. The red stain spread all across the white cloth as she frantically grabbed Jeff’s jacket and began searching in the pockets. ‘I can’t find it!’ she screamed, ‘It’s not there!’