A Secret Schemer (31 page)

The bar was busy and neither me
nor Lucas had much time to speak, however I’d planned to pour us
both a drink at the end of the session. I had to smile at one stage
when old Harry Giles came up for a drink. ‘It looked like there was
a police car outside the pub today darling.’ He boldly
declared.

‘Really.’ I replied with a
frown. It only takes one to see the boys in blue have been calling,
at this stage I chose to ignore it, as I’m certainly not prepared
to start discussing my private life with the punters. By the end of
the evening I wasn’t sorry to lock the doors, Jena and Andy came
into the bar to join us for a nightcap and of course a chat. When
the drinks were poured we all chinked glasses.

‘Tomorrow is the first day of
the rest of your life Lucy Ross.’ Jena stated with a grin.

‘Thank you all so much for all
of your help today guys, I would never have got through it without
you…

‘What are friends for?’ Jena
interrupted.

‘Will you all make me a
promise, as soon as you hear anything on the news, or read
something in the paper please let me know?’

‘That goes without saying.’
They all said in unison.

‘I wonder if they’ve caught up
with him yet.’ Andy asked.

‘Let’s switch the twenty four
hour news on. Jena added.

After a few minutes sure enough
a bulletin announced that the police were looking for a man who had
used his girlfriend’s identity fraudulently to obtain money.

‘There’s your answer then Andy,
they still haven’t found him.’ Jena remarked.

‘They said they’d let me know
when he’d been found.’ I added.

‘I daresay they’ve been
searching through the computers for all the relevant information.’
Lucas suggested.

‘Well shall we have one more
for the road?’ I asked with a smile, although inside I was dreading
going to bed as I was certain the dreams would return.

‘Why not.’ Jena replied as she
went behind the bar to get the refills. ‘Lucy if you have crap
dreams again, promise you’ll ring me whatever the time, and I’ll
come up and sit with you.’

‘Hey I’ll be ok love.’ I said
with a lot more confidence than I felt. We all sat quietly while we
finished our drinks; no doubt all our minds were on the same
person.

‘I’ll lock up Lucy, don’t worry
I’ll scan the paper in the morning.’ Lucas offered.

‘OMG I’ve just had a thought,
he still has keys to the pub!’ I said bluntly.

‘I don’t think in a million
years he’d attempt to get in love. Leave it to me Lucy I’ll make
sure the back door’s secure, then tomorrow I’ll change the lock.’
Lucas assured.

‘Give me a shout if you need a
hand mate.’ Andy added.

‘Cheers Andy will do. Goodnight
guys.’

Lucas went behind the bar to
put the dirty glasses in the machine ready for the morning, all
he’d wanted to do was hold Lucy in his arms and tell her he’d never
let anyone ever hurt her again. He knew he wouldn’t sleep much
tonight as her safety to him was paramount. Putting the alarms on
he went into the kitchen to secure the outside back door, as it
opened inwards fortunately it wasn’t a problem. If anyone tried to
get in he’d hear them straight away. As he went upstairs he stopped
and listened, just to make sure all was quiet, before setting the
alarm on his mobile for six o’clock, and then he could get the
first Sunday papers.

Exhaustion had taken over as I
crawled into bed, I even pulled the duvet up around my neck, I
think the tiredness was making me feel cold even though it was
June. What an emotional day, I’m still floating in cloud cuckoo
land, my thoughts swirling like clouds, sometimes dark and
sometimes light. All I longed for now was to sleep….peacefully. I
was so lucky to have such wonderful friends, they had all been a
tower of strength to me today….slowly I drifted into oblivion.

I woke to the sound of my
mobile ringing, it was Lucas. ‘Hi is everything ok?’

‘Yes did you sleep Lucy?’

‘Mm yes I had a good sleep
thanks.’

‘I’ve got the papers, just
wanted to let you know they’ve located him and he’s been taken in
for questioning.’

‘That’s a relief; put the
kettle on and I’ll be down in five.’ I replied then ended the call.
I donned a robe, nipped into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and
splashed my face with cold water. Then I rushed downstairs to check
out the papers.

Mary and Lucas were sitting at
the kitchen table with a pot of steaming tea and a plate of
buttered toast ready and waiting for me.

‘Good morning, I hope Lucas has
put you in the picture Mary?’

‘Lucy darling I’m so sorry
you’re having such a terrible time, you don’t deserve any of it
love.’ Mary remarked quietly.

‘Well today’s his fortieth
birthday Mary and seems he’s spent the night in a police cell, not
quite what he’d planned.’

‘By the end of today Lucy I’m
sure he’ll be spending a lot more nights inside.’ Lucas added.

‘I wonder where they picked him
up.’ I probed.

‘That’ll all come out in the
news eventually love.’ Mary added.

‘Yes I guess I should prepare
myself for a tad more in tomorrow’s papers.’ I was trying
vigorously to sound logical, as though I’d accepted what had
happened and now I was no longer fazed by the ordeal. Of course
this was completely untrue as I felt intimidated, terrified beyond
words. What the hell would the outcome be, my career, my personal
life. I would be a mocked for being such a fool, why hadn’t I seen
what he was up to. Why had I given him the benefit of the doubt so
many times? I knew why, because I genuinely felt his reactions
could be due to his childhood, plus the fact he’d lived alone for
years. Others wouldn’t see it that way; they would believe I acted
illogically. My thoughts once again were tormenting me, what would
the tabloids reveal tomorrow. The disgusting pictures, would I open
the paper and see a vile photograph that he’d doctored of me. The
very concept of this is excruciating, there’s only one resolve to
this I would have to go away. I’d transfer the pub to Jena, and
make a written apology to everyone, especially the brewery, and
then get a flight to Spain to see my parents. Turning this into
reality in my mind now was breaking me heart.

‘Lucy are you alright, you’ve
gone very pale.’ Lucas roused me from my daydream.

‘Oh I’m sorry Lucas.’ I replied
diffidently.

‘Lucy I can’t even begin to
imagine what you’re going through, please don’t keep your concerns
to yourself, we all want to help you.’ Lucas assured. ‘I’m a good
listener Lucy, and as they say a trouble shared.’

‘I’m sure you don’t want to
listen to this silly woman’s thoughts Lucas.’ I added.

‘Hey let’s meet up this
afternoon, have one of Kate’s tasty lunches and then you can share
your hopes and fears with me.’

‘Putting it like that, how can
I refuse, how about three o’clock in the restaurant.’

‘Perfect I’ll look forward to
it.’ Lucas added.

I went into the office to put
the books in order; suddenly realising I was still wearing a robe.
So I made my way upstairs for a quick shower and change. To save
constantly disturbing Charles Emerson, I decided on a daily email
to keep him updated on my impending status quo. Hoping there would
be no more shock revelations from the media today, I headed down to
the office to continue with my paperwork.

I met up with Jena in the bar
about half past twelve. ‘The punters are starting to ask questions
Hun.’ Jena remarked.

‘Who Jena, what are they
saying?’ I asked nervously.

‘Don’t fret Lucy, evidently
some one saw a cop car outside yesterday, so at the moment it’s
just gossip.’

‘Oh that was old Harry, he
mentioned it last night, and I just blanked it.’

‘You know what they’re like
Lucy, rumours spread like fire in a haystack.’ Jena added. ‘For a
while honey you’re going to have to turn a deaf ear, it’ll soon
pass.’ Jena assured.

‘Sometimes Hun that’s easier
said than done.’ I said anxiously.

‘You Lucy Ross are made of much
stronger stuff than that, plus you have rock solid support behind
you.’

‘Thanks Jena, by they way I’m
meeting up with Lucas later for lunch and a chat, why don’t you and
Andy join us?’

‘Oh we would have, but we’ve
decided to go to the movies, Jayne’s on the bar until seven and
we’ll be back by then.’ Jena added.’ Anyway honey Lucas is a great
guy and he talks a lot of sense.’

‘Yeah you’re right he has
become a good mate and he’s helped me so much over Tim. I best get
on, enjoy the movie and catch up with you later.’

As Lucy left the bar Jena
realised how close she’d come to telling her that Lucas loves the
very bones of her. Nevertheless Jena knows it’s the wrong time, as
Lucy’s in the middle of an emotional crisis. She also knows just
how anxious Lucy is about the media getting hold of her story. Andy
had suggested them going to the movies as he thought it was far
better for Lucy to talk to Lucas, than the four of them covering
old ground. They would always be there to support her whatever this
case drags up, however Jena knows her reactions better than anyone,
and today she feels Lucas will be her best company.

Out in the kitchen Lucy asked
Kate to save a couple of roast beef dinners for later.

‘How are you feeling today
love?’ Kate enquires. ‘Have you heard any more from the
police?’

‘No Kate, only the bit that was
in the paper this morning to say he’s been taken in for
questioning. How I wish I knew where they’d caught up with him.’ I
responded.

‘I expect his photograph was
circulated.’

‘Well I only had the one on my
mobile which I printed off for them, seems they’ve found him
though.’ I added. ‘Doubt we’ll ever know where he was.’

‘Oh I wouldn’t be so sure of
that love, once the media get their teeth into something.’ Kate
regretted those last words as soon as she’d said them, as the last
thing she wanted was to scare Lucy. ‘Mind the police will only
handover what they want them to know, bloody paparazzi.’

‘I’m in such a muddle over it
all Kate, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. Anyway how are
things going with Tom?’

‘Brilliant Lucy, I feel as
though I’ve met my soul mate at long last.’

‘Good for you girl, I’m
thrilled for you.’

At three o’clock I went into
the restaurant and found Lucas was already sitting at a table,
reading a magazine. He had a bottle of wine resting in an ice
bucket. ‘That looks appetizing, are you ready for lunch?’

‘Definitely, surprise me.’ He
laughed’

I went into the kitchen and
collected the two dinners Kate had kept warm. ‘Roast beef and all
the trimmings.’

‘Do you mind white wine, I can
always change it?’ He asked.

‘White’s perfect, this looks
good enough to eat.’ I remarked with a smile.

We ate in silence, and after
I’d taken the plates back to the kitchen, Lucas filled our wine
glasses. Whether the wine encouraged me or simply that I felt
relaxed in his company, I started to share all my fears over this
dreadful revelation. He listened intently as I rambled on. ‘I’m
sorry Lucas I feel I’m taking advantage of your good nature.’

‘You could never do that Lucy,
I want to help. Tim is a cyber criminal, not only has he stolen
your identity for illicit reasons, everything he’s done is
fraudulent. In fact I’ve never heard of anyone committing such a
crime before. As for the obscene photographs, remember Lucy they
are not of you, you haven’t done anything wrong, and you’re the
victim in his appalling crime. To put your mind at rest why don’t
you speak to the chief inspector revealing your worries? I know if
those photographs ever reached the press they would have come from
the police, and then you could sue. However I feel you should ring
them today for reassurance, why don’t you do it now.’

‘Ok I will.’ Taking out my
mobile I traced the officer’s number and dialled, after a good
fifteen minute chat with Officer Clarke I ended the call feeling
more confident over the photographs.

‘He said that all the details
of the case were in the throws of being completed to go to press,
he couldn’t give me any specific details about Tim at the moment.
He also said I should be prepared for media coverage tomorrow.’

‘I would say it’s a pretty good
assumption that there will be an update in the papers tomorrow
Lucy, I’ll make sure I get the first edition of the papers at six
o’clock. Would you like me to ring you?’

‘Definitely Lucas please, what
would I do without your help.’

‘I’m sure you’d be fine,
however I’m glad I can help.’ He remarked.

‘Did I mention, that old Harry
had pointed out that he’d seen a police car outside yesterday, now
Jena said the gossip has started.’

‘Unfortunately it goes with the
territory; give them a couple of days and something else will hit
the headlines.’ Lucas reassured.

‘Well one thing’s for sure this
shouldn’t hit the headlines, although it’ll only take one of the
punters to read it as we know gossip spreads like wild fire. So
long as they don’t mention my name or the pub’s name I could get
away with it.’

‘Keep an open mind Lucy; just
remember you’re not on your own.’

During the evening in the bar
me, Lucas, Jena and Andy all took turns in serving. We chatted
about everything and anything, I knew they were all trying to keep
me occupied. I made my way up to bed about eleven o’clock, leaving
the others to close up. As it was warm I lay on top of the bed, my
muddled thoughts flashed to remind me what day it was, Tim’s
fortieth birthday. For the life of me I cannot comprehend what has
taken place over the past forty eight hours. Also I cannot envisage
what the future has in store for me. I truly believe there’s no
point in me trying to portray someone else’s mentality, or
interpret their character. This time I’ll leave it to the
professionals. Slowly I drifted off to sleep, the old dream still
floated like oil on a puddle….the person with the stunning
eyes….who was it and what did it mean?