A Secret Schemer (21 page)

After a short silence he
replied. ‘We all have our dreams darling, I mean you’re living
yours, in fact I have made a little headway towards my dream.’ He
attempted a grin.

‘Oh do tell me how?’ I
probed.

‘That darling would spoil the
surprise for you.’

‘Really and when am I going to
get this surprise then Tim?’ I ask bluntly.

‘On my fortieth birthday babe,
be patient.’

‘Mm, so getting back to the
weekend, where did you spend yours?’ I think maybe he thought I’d
forgotten about his hasty exit from the bar on Friday night. Plus I
hadn’t seen or heard from him until today. The change in his face
showed his apparent anxiety.

‘I was at the pub darling,
playing computer games’ He lied.

I knew he was lying as I’d been
in his room on Friday night, so he must have gone somewhere that
night at least.

‘Tim are you seeing someone
else?’ I asked bluntly. I watched his reaction to my question, he
seemed startled, flustered even.

‘Lucy whatever makes you think
that.’ He mumbled.

‘Lots of things actually Tim, I
rarely see you, you never socialise in the bar and you seem to come
in and out of the pub at odd times.’

‘I realise that I’m crap at
keeping in touch, I’ve spent so much time living alone I guess I’ve
become selfish. Because you have to work long hours I tend to carry
on in my normal way I suppose. I’m so sorry babe I don’t mean to be
so difficult.’

I noticed his eyes glistened
with unshed tears, and once again my heart went out to him. Maybe
he does have harrowing memories from his past that disturb him; I
perceive that each time I have a confrontation with Tim and I end
up feeling sorry for him. If Jena was here with me now she would
say ‘get a grip Lucy Ross.’ Although I can be a tough cookie I also
know I’m a sucker for tears….I wanted to say to him that Andy copes
with Jena working long hours, although he’s the supreme social
butterfly. He spends many evenings in the bar happily chatting to
the locals and helping out wherever he can. I decided not to
mention this as Andy and Tim are like chalk and cheese. The silence
between us was distinct, and Tim looked uneasy so I felt the need
to clear the air. ‘Why don’t we take a walk and perhaps go for a
coffee.’ I said cautiously. As soon as my proposal reached Tim’s
ears, he showed immediate response with a deep sigh (of relief
probably). So we sauntered along slowly in the spring breeze, and
after a couple of minutes I felt Tim clasp my hand, giving it a
gentle squeeze.

Tim hadn’t mentioned the fact
I’d been in his room on Friday night, although he must have known.
Even if he’d missed the clothes I picked up or the case lid being
closed, there was no way he’d have missed the duvet being folded
neatly across the bottom of the bed. For reasons best known to him
he had evaded the issue. However he’d made me feel during our
afternoon discord, I knew that I would still continue to contrive
my plan of action. When I’m in Tim’s company I feel totally
different to how I feel when he’s not around, and that is what
bothers me most. In my opinion if you are in a loving relationship
with someone, trust and respect are paramount. Therefore if those
two aspects are in place, the rest should all come naturally and
there is nothing natural about our romance….

Much later as I lay in bed,
once again reflecting on the events of the day I heard movement and
to my surprise Tim slipped into the bed beside me. He seduced me
sensually, though silently and kept me wrapped in his arms until I
fell asleep. However I’d feigned sleep as I was desperate to know
how long he stayed with me, within minutes he’d crept out of the
bed and almost soundlessly left the room. I find it unusual, in
fact quite bizarre that he refrains from staying all night. Is it
his same alleged problem that he’s spent so much time alone? I’m
afraid I find that incredibly hard to swallow, as from previous
encounters with the male species, given half a chance they would
stay all night. Why? Sex in the morning is steamy and salacious and
that’s just my lustful opinion….

Chapter 27

When I opened the kitchen door
on Monday morning I was somewhat surprised to see so many people,
Kate, Jodie, Mary, Lucas, Grace and Jena. I did notice that Archie
was missing; obviously Jena had arranged that for a reason. As it’s
normally Kate’s day off I realised she’d brought Jodie in as Jena
was going to the doctors with her. ‘Good morning have I overslept?’
I ask tentatively.

‘Not really Lucy, we’re all
just getting organised for the day.’ Jena explained.

Mary handed me a mug of
steaming tea, what an angel this women is. In fact Lucas had spent
time the other morning describing her life. Mary insists on working
every day because the Frog and Toad has become her second home. Her
husband left her a couple of years ago and having no children, all
the gang at the pub had become her family. This had made me realise
how important her job is, and how significant our friendship is to
her. Mary has worked hard throughout her life and to find herself
alone in her sixties with no immediate family must be difficult and
lonely. Also I feel that Mary has probably been a great support to
Lucas, as it’s always comforting to have someone to chat to.

After Jena and Jodie had left
for the doctors I asked Kate what her plans were for the rest of
the day. ‘So will you wait at home for Jodie then Kate?’

‘I was thinking about staying
here Lucy and serving lunches, that’s if it’s ok with you. I’d
rather be occupied if you see what I mean.’

‘Of course you can stay, I’m
sure Grace will appreciate you being here. What time is the
appointment?’

‘Oh it’s not until eleven
o’clock, and they may have to wait. I think we were all a tad too
eager this morning.’ Kate explained.

As I was about to reply there
was a knock on the back door, which Kate answered straight away.
‘Hi Tom I guess you want my signature again.’ Kate Laughed.

‘I certainly do Kate, in fact
twice this morning.’ Tom teased.

‘Have you time for a cuppa?’
Kate asked.

‘Unfortunately not Kate, I seem
to be bogged down with parcels today, maybe tomorrow.’

‘OK have a good day.’ Kate
added as he left.

Am I imagining things or did I
spot a little spark between these two, well there’s a thought Kate
and the postman. I kept my thoughts to myself as I didn’t feel it
was apt to tease Kate today, under the circumstances. It’ll keep
though.

Jena and Jodie arrived back
around one o’clock, clearly they’d been held up, so I hastily made
drinks and found a table at the back of the restaurant for us to
chat. Kate was anxious to hear the outcome. ‘So what’s the result
Jodie?’ Kate asked fervently.

‘Mum I’d rather Jena explained
everything to you, she’s much better at it.’ Jodie said.

‘Why can’t you tell me love?’
Kate probed anxiously.’

‘Please mum let Jena tell
you.’

For a moment I though Kate was
going to insist, however I could see she realised she was only
holding up the conversation. So she nodded towards Jena.

‘The doctor asked Jodie all the
relevant questions, asking about her menstrual cycle and any other
possible body changes through that time. She explained that she’d
missed two monthly periods and a third one was due now, and she’d
had no normal signs. A nurse was called in and Jodie was examined,
they also took a urine sample and blood tests. Jodie is not
pregnant. However after an extensive chat of all the relevant
details prior to the night of intimacy, the doctor deduced that her
periods had stopped due to stress, caused through bullying.’

Kate immediately raised her
voice. ‘What bullying?’

‘Throughout the whole situation
Jodie had been constantly bullied by school friends.’ Jena
attempted to explain.

‘So why didn’t you tell me
Jodie I would have gone to the school.’

‘That’s why I haven’t told you
mum, because you’d have made it worse.’

This was all becoming too much
for Kate and the tears were streaming silently down her cheeks.

‘Kate please don’t distress
yourself, Jodie made a terrible mistake which she’s paid a high
price for. Think back to school days and how mates egg you on to do
things. Hence the text messages and photographs that Jodie sent to
Archie, her so called friends were having fun at her expense.
Fortunately a pregnancy has been avoided and a hard lesson has been
learnt.’ Jena struggled to find the right words without being too
explicit.

‘Mum I won’t do it again, and
like Jena suggested I’ll change my mobile number and delete these
girls from my face book page.’

‘I still don’t understand why
you couldn’t tell me.’ Kate sobbed.

‘Because I love you too much
mum and look how upset you are now. It was much easier talking to
Jena and the nurse because we’re not close.’

‘Kate honey Jodie has had a
lucky escape like she says she’s learnt her lesson. Maybe now it’s
time to try and move on.’ I offered.

‘There’s one more thing I need
to do mum, and that’s apologise to Archie.’

‘No way Jodie after what he did
to you.’ Kate exclaimed.

‘Yes there is mum, because I
was a total pain in his side and I threw myself at him, if I don’t
apologise and make friends with him, I’ll never get past this.’

‘Kate, Jodie is right she needs
to do this to get closure on the whole affair.’ Jena added.

Kate continued to sniffle, I
guess this has all been rather overwhelming for her; she doesn’t
know all the details, which is for the best. With Jodie offering
Archie an olive branch so to speak, maybe we can all get back to
normal. Even though I don’t have kids of my own I do empathise with
Kate as Jodie is still her baby. I urged Kate to come back into the
kitchen and sort lunch out for us all, while Jena went to locate
Archie, so she could persuade him to meet Jodie in the restaurant.
A problem solved without disastrous misfortune we hope…what comes
next?

Later in the evening I grabbed
Jena for a chat, I needed to describe yesterday’s adventures with
my elusive guy. We decided to go up to Jena’s lounge just in case
there was anyone lurking in the hallway upstairs. As Andy was
playing pool with his workmates we should have a couple of hours to
gossip. So with a bottle of chilled wine ready to pour, plus an
assortment of nibbles it was time to talk. We sat either end of the
comfy sofa. ‘How did the meeting between Archie and Jodie go?’ I
asked Jena cautiously.

‘I briefed Archie first; to be
honest he wasn’t impressed, he can’t believe that she could
possibly have changed that much in a couple of days. As he said it
was just a few days ago she was alleging she was up the duff. He
also divulged that when she turned up at his place on Christmas day
she was wasted and high on dope. It took some persuasion to get him
to meet her at all; I could see where he was coming from. Anyway I
asked him to just accept the apology for me.’ Jena explained.

‘Well I guess you can’t blame
him having reservations, as he wasn’t aware she’d been bullied.
Nevertheless bullied or not she was way out of order.’

‘I make you right, anyway he
just nodded when she apologised and said he was really busy and had
to get back to the bar. I then glossed over the status quo and
Jodie left the pub in what seemed a fairly contented state. To be
honest Hun I truly hope it’s now sorted, plus I trust she’s been
honest with me as I’ve stuck my neck on the line for her.’ Jena
sighed. ‘Anyway spill, I want to know how Sunday was with you and
the mystery man.’

I relayed the events of Sunday
afternoon on the Embankment, how I’d confronted Tim and how the
sorrow was so apparent in his face.

‘OMG Lucy Ross you’re telling
me you actually fell for that line once again. The guy deserves an
Oscar for his acting, have you seen his Equity card?’

‘I knew you’d think that, but
honestly Jena his eyes were filled with unshed tears. He also told
me that I had a surprise coming on his fortieth birthday. You know
how he’s always cracking on about becoming a millionaire and all
that, well he said he’s found a way of making something towards
it.’

‘What way would that be?’ Jena
probed.

‘Oh he didn’t say, I mean he
was hardly going to tell me, maybe a little gamble on the
internet.’

‘Oh my lovely trusting friend,
when will you ever see him for what he is?’ Jena implored.

‘Oh I do intend to check him
out more; I’m devising a plan in my head I promise.’

‘I suggest Hun that next time
you catch him doing a moonlight, ring me straight away and I’ll
follow him, then while he’s out you can sift through the room
again. In fact we can both do it. Also Lucy would you give me his
parent’s address?’

‘I agree with you following him
and us both searching the room, two heads are better than one and
all that. However why would you want his parent’s address; you
wouldn’t go knocking on the door would you?’

‘No of course not, just to suss
out the building and the road, sometime’s you can judge a lot
externally. Me and Andy could take a drive over there, just for a
look that’s all.’

‘Ok I’ll send you a message
later, any chance of another glass of wine, for some reason I have
the urge for refreshment of the alcoholic type?’

‘So do you think that’s the end
of the Jodie syndrome?’ Jena asks.