Scandal (14 page)

   “I promise I will come and find you.” 

   She smiled before thanking him, quickly getting out of the car before he could say anything else.  Ashleigh walked around the corner never looking back.  He drove away.

Father Michael sat by the fire later that evening, writing notes for next Sunday’s sermon.  His encounter with Ashleigh interrupted his train of thought.  The more he saw her, the more he sensed something.  But the troubling thing was, he didn’t actually know what that
something
was.

   Remembering what she’d said about her past, without actually disclosing anything, he felt it was important to her to keep it to herself.  Whatever had happened, there were other problems she faced; her husband Finn.  Knowing he’d entered the church to serve God and to help people, only led him to wonder if Ashleigh was meant to be his first test from God.  Was she a wounded lamb needing rescuing from the wolf or was there more to it than that?  Father Michael was shocked at the way his mind was thinking.  He admitted to himself he cared about Ashleigh, the more he saw her the more he felt he needed to reach out to her.  He hadn’t been with a woman in years.  Having made a pledge to serve God was something he wanted to believe he could do.  His hands had been burned badly twice in relationships.  He didn’t want a repeat of that.  The feelings he’d been getting in his stomach when he was around Ashleigh didn’t make any sense though.  He knew he was probably at least five or six years her senior and knew he couldn’t have any kind of relationship with her other than as a priest.  This was where his faith was being tested.  Had God chosen her as a temptress in disguise to lure him into temptation?  He’d heard similar stories before, so knew it was possible.  It was so early into his new career.  He couldn’t mess up.  He’d just have to try harder, making sure his hands didn’t get burnt again.

Chapter Fourteen

   “Come on ladies; two books for a pound.  It’s all for a good cause,” Father Michael called. 

   Ashleigh couldn’t help smiling to herself whenever she glanced up from her stall to look at him.  He’d had flocks of women around him the whole time.  His harmless flirting only made the old dears giggle.  Ashleigh’s stall was jams and honey.  She’d sold quite a lot and had bought several herself to take home.

   The last few weeks had been better with Finn.  She’d never had to mention the stitches in her head.  He’d failed to ask her about it again.  Their working relationship was back on track also.  Jack’s p.a. Miss Taylor had been away with a sickness bug the week before, meaning he’d asked Ashleigh to pop in and out of his office from time to time.  He was a lovely man, Ashleigh concluded; very professional and caring towards her at work, treating her well as a daughter-in-law.  Some days, she wished she could swap with Miss Taylor, just so she and Finn weren’t with each other so much.  Even though things seemed good again between them, it had crossed her mind that being together as much as they were, could be part of the problem.  It was an opinion she wasn’t going to share with anyone however.

   The church hall had become pretty deserted by three thirty, so all stall holders agreed to call it a day.  Father Michael had just been about to go over to Ashleigh to buy a jar of jam, when he saw Finn walk in.  Pretending he hadn’t seen his glare, he carried on packing away the few books he had left.  Ashleigh was pleased to see him.

   “I wasn’t expecting you,” she said.

   “It’s getting dark, so I thought I’d come to meet you.”  With his arms around her waist, he held her close and kissed her.  Feeling extremely uncomfortable him doing that, Ashleigh broke the kiss quickly.  “What’s wrong?” he asked moodily.  “Can’t I kiss you now?”

   “It’s not that Finn, it’s just not the right time or place, that’s all.”

   “Oh yes I forgot.  Bible bashes aren’t allowed to have sex are they?  Sorry, I forgot.”  She was both shocked and embarrassed at his outburst, certain everyone would have heard.  “I’ll wait outside,” he said.  “And for God’s sake, hurry up.  It’s freezing.” 

   He kicked the door with his foot as he went out, causing the others to glance over in disgust.  She carried her box with the left over jam to Mrs Spencer, the lady who’d organised the event, paid for her pots of jam and left her margarine tub of money with her.  Ashleigh would have loved to have stayed with everyone for a while as they’d planned on having warm mince pies and coffee.  It was a way of saying thank you to the people who’d given up the majority of their Saturday.  Father Michael saw Ashleigh buttoning up her coat and immediately walked over to her.

   “Aren’t you staying for a mince pie?” he asked, knowing full well she wouldn’t be allowed.

   “Finn’s outside so I don’t think so.”

   “Ask him if he wants one.  There’s more than enough.”  She thought about it but felt he’d only embarrass her further in front of Father Michael.

   “Thanks, but if it’s all the same I won’t.”

   “Maybe next time.  Thank you for all your hard work today Ashleigh.” 

   Finn just happened to walk back in as Ashleigh was smiling at Father Michael.

   “Ashleigh,” he called.  “Time to go.” 

   As if she was a dog who’d been given a command from its owner, she obeyed immediately.  Without a chance for her to say goodbye, she was gone.  If it hadn’t have been for the fact Father Michael didn’t use bad language, he would have called Finn a horrible word.  Anger filled him but it was controlled.  Not like the anger Finn showed.  He was a bully who had to use that anger to his favour.  Ashleigh was now the one person who would always pay the price.  She’d hurried off like a frightened animal.  That was no way to live your life, he thought as he too made his way home.  He knew there were hundreds of women in every town, city and country going through some kind of abuse.  What made Ashleigh’s situation hard to deal with was the fact he knew it was going on right under his nose.  Seeing Father Michael as the enemy, he knew Finn would stop at nothing to ensure Ashleigh’s chances of a friendship with him and the church were never going to happen.  Father Michael knew the score.  He felt he had to protect her but couldn’t let Finn know what he was doing.  Otherwise, it would make Ashleigh’s life more difficult than it was.  Father Michael hoped the violence Finn was showing towards Ashleigh was only just simmering.  With luck, it may fizzle away quickly, avoiding a massive outburst.  He’d witnessed victims of violent abuse during his training.  The police had their hands tied when it came to charging the abuser.  If the victim wouldn’t press charges, the accused would walk away, only to do it again and again.  Many women died at the hands of their abuser, too afraid to speak out or run away because of threats made against them.  The ones, who didn’t die, were left with scars, both physical and mental.  No one deserved that kind of treatment in their life.  Of the many women Father Michael had spoken to during his training, only a small percentage said they would leave their partner or husband.  Most of them agreed on the same thing; their partner or husband would be sorry afterwards and they’d kiss and make up, leading on to things being better for a while.  Father Michael knew all too well there’d be a next time.  There was nearly always a next time for many of the women.  He couldn’t let Ashleigh be just another one of those statistics.  No way would he let her become the next slab on the table at the mortuary.  She’d started to mean too much to him now.  Frightened at the feelings he had for her, but would never share, he would not stand by and pretend nothing was going on.  How he would protect her he wasn’t sure.  He only hoped he’d given her enough hints for her to feel she could trust him.  And she could.

The night was still young.  Finn amazed Ashleigh once outside the church hall, suggesting they go for a meal.

   “Do you think I look alright with what I’m wearing Finn?” 

   Taking her hand in his as they walked, he replied, “You look lovely, stop worrying.  Now, where would you like to go?”

   “How about that new Italian near work?”

   “Yes okay.  Why not?  It always looks busy on a lunch time whenever I walk past.  That’s always a good thing.”  They shared a bottle of red in a cosy part of the restaurant as they waited for an available table.  There was a busy hum of voices whispering in the background, mingled with a gentle flow of Italian music.  “So, how did your stall go today?” 

   Ashleigh was completely shocked by his sudden interest.  “Oh, quite good actually.  I bought a jar of strawberry jam for you.”

   “Very thoughtful.  Thank you.” 

   He gave her a kiss which she daren’t decline.  Somehow, it didn’t matter who was around this time.  They were all strangers; people never to be seen again.

   The meal lived up to the reputation the restaurant had earned for itself.  After leaving a generous tip, Finn rang for a taxi to take them home.  Once there, he chose some soft music, dimmed the lights and lit the fire.

   Holding out his hand, he said, “Dance with me.”  Accepting at once, Ashleigh soon found herself being held closely, captured by the hypnotising smell of his aftershave.  With his strong arms around her, they swayed from side to side.  For the first time in a while, Ashleigh felt safe.  He nuzzled her ear and kissed her neck.  The taste of red wine on his tongue mingled with her own as his lips briefly found hers.  “Ashleigh?” he began.

   “Mmm,” came her dreamy reply.

   “Do you want to start trying for a family?” 

   Unsure of how many surprises he had in store for her tonight, she moved her hand from his shoulder, looking up at him with wide eyes.

   “What’s brought that on?”

   “I don’t know really,” he said, in between kisses.  “I think it would be a good thing for us.”

   “I thought you wanted to wait for a while.”

   “Well, I’ve changed my mind.”  He was smiling at her now.  A look of excitement touched his face.

   “You’re really serious aren’t you?”

   “Yes I am.” 

   “Wow.  I can’t imagine being a parent.”

   “I think you’d be great,” he added.  She kissed him tenderly.  Every bad feeling she’d had about him over the past two months seemed miniscule now.  After the kiss, she looked at him with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.  He narrowed his eyes as if questioning her expression.  “Does that mean yes Ashleigh?”

  Nodding her head eagerly she replied, “Yes.  I think it means yes.”  Picking her up, he spun her around.

   “When can we start trying then?”

   “I’ll stop taking the pill as from now, so we can start once I’ve had a period.  It’ll make things easier to calculate that way.”

   They ended the evening making love.  Resting on his elbow, he turned to face Ashleigh. 

   “Just think, when we start trying for a baby, we’ll be wondering every time we make love, if a miracle has just happened.”

   “I can’t believe how excited I feel about it Finn.”

  With a boyish grin and a sparkle in his eye she hadn’t seen in a while, he replied, “I must admit, I can’t either.  It’ll be our little miracle.”

   With that thought to share, they closed their eyes, letting sleep take over.

Chapter Fifteen

Another holiday for Jack and Madeline coincided with another business trip for Finn and Miss Taylor.  They’d be away for four days this time, leaving Ashleigh alone, yet again, both at work and home.

  She’d stopped taking the pill.  It was early days for them trying for a baby but it still proved disappointing when her period came for the second month in a row.  Finn didn’t need to say anything to her. He’d learned the signs of her disappointment. 

   It was the middle of April; the start of new plant life and buds on trees.  Thinking about summer being just around the corner brought a change of mood for many.  Even though summer could be disappointing, it was the knowledge of another finished winter and the prospect of summer’s arrival which added an ingredient of anticipation to the recipe.

   Being alone in the office didn’t pose too much of a problem for Ashleigh.  With filing to keep her busy for months, she knew boredom would never set in.  When she came across a document she didn’t recognise, she thought long and hard about where it could be filed.  It didn’t seem as though it was anything linked directly to the company so Ashleigh took it upon herself to file it in Finn’s drawer.  There were several unnamed files in there, all storing documents of some kind.  With curious fingers, Ashleigh couldn’t help flicking through them.  It was naughty, she knew, but intrigued by one of the files in particular, her curiosity did manage to get the better of her.  Spreading the contents onto Finn’s desk, Ashleigh read dates and times of a hotel which had been booked, together with an appointment at a clinic too, both corresponding with Finn’s trip away.  The name on the letter for the clinic was Miss Taylor’s, dated Monday fourteenth April.  That was today.  There was also a confirmation email for a double room, booked for Tuesday fifteenth April, under the name of Mr Finn Watson. 

   Confusion invaded Ashleigh’s thoughts.  Unable to comprehend any of the paper work she’d come across, she eventually put it back in the file, along with all the other paperwork she’d scattered onto the desk.  All she could think was, why had Miss Taylor booked into a clinic for that day when she was meant to be on a business trip with Finn; and why a double room?  The only thought which sprang to mind was that Finn hated single beds.  He’d told her as much before, so he’d more than likely booked the double room for just himself.  Maybe Miss Taylor had her own documents confirming her own booking.

   A meal for one was all she could manage that evening.  She was missing Finn terribly, but was already finding herself dreading his return, remembering what had happened after the last time he’d been away.

   The bath was ready, bubbles were in ample supply and scented candles were lit, creating a fragrance of alpine trees in the bathroom.  Just as she was looking forward to feeling the warm water cascade onto her aching limbs, the bell rang.  The small safety chain was quite pathetic to anyone who meant business but to Father Michael, it served its purpose.  Glad she hadn’t begun to undress, Ashleigh let him in.

   “I hope I’m not intruding but I was a little concerned about you.  You haven’t been to church for a couple of weeks and I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

   “Oh Father,” she laughed, proceeding to make him a warm drink.  “There really is no need for your concern.  I’m fine.  Everything’s fine.  In fact, it couldn’t be better.” 

   He studied her face a little.  Her eyes did have a sparkle to them, not the usual look of anxiousness he’d witnessed before.

   “I’m glad.  Where’s Finn today?” he asked, looking around the small flat as though he might find him standing in a corner looking like the Grim Reaper.

   “Oh erm, he’s away on business until Thursday.”

   “Does he travel alone?”

   “Actually, he goes with his father’s secretary, Miss Taylor.” 

   He didn’t pass any comment but thought that a little strange.

   “Has he had anymore of those outbursts of rage lately?”

   “No he hasn’t,” she confirmed with a smile, suddenly wondering if she should mention their plans.  Clearing her throat, she began nervously, “We’ve decided to try for a baby.”  She’d been reluctant to tell anyone, but Father Michael wasn’t just anyone.

   “That’s great news.”  His silence afterwards urged her on a little.

   “I think a baby could be a good thing for us Father.”

   “Yes it could.”  Without finishing his coffee he stood up to leave.  “Listen, I’d best be going.  Thanks for the coffee and I’m really pleased things are working out.”

   “Thank you.” 

   Before he left, he turned around and said, “Can I expect to see you at church on Sunday?”

   Without any hesitation she replied, “Of course.”

   After letting Father Michael out of the flat, she secured the door before climbing into the ready-made bath.  The warm water engulfed Ashleigh’s small form, soothing her muscles like heeling hands.  A missed call from Finn showed he’d called when she’d been taking a soak.  Returning his call eagerly once she’d dried herself on a brand new fluffy towel, she was left feeling deflated.  It was his voice mail.  She finished her message by telling him she was missing him lots, and how sorry she was that she’d missed his call.  As an afterthought, she thought she’d better mention that she’d been in the bath.  The last thing she wanted was to leave him thinking she’d been to church to see Father Michael.

   Relaxed from her bath, now clad in pyjamas and dressing gown, Ashleigh settled down on the settee.  With a sigh, she tossed to one side the historical romance she’d started reading, deciding it wasn’t sinking in too well.  Her thoughts were pre-occupied, had been since she’d accidently found those letters in Finn’s drawer.  She seemed to have a knack of finding things she wasn’t supposed to find.  There was just something about them which persisted to niggle at her conscience.  Perhaps Miss Taylor was having cosmetic surgery and had travelled with Finn for the convenience.  That would make sense, she told herself.  Miss Taylor could stay at the clinic for a couple of nights whilst Finn completed business, travelling back with him on the fourth day.  No one would be any wiser.  It would be
their
secret.  Mmm, she thought.  Did she really like the thought of that?  Ashleigh hadn’t really made much of a friendship with Miss Taylor since she’d started working with Finn, feeling she looked down her nose at her.  Finn knew Ashleigh thought Miss Taylor didn’t like her but whenever Ashleigh had made any comment about it, Finn had always come to her defence, accusing Ashleigh of making things up.  When she’d asked him if he thought Miss Taylor was attractive, he’d laughed at her mockingly, saying
that
wasn’t the sort of question she should be asking her husband.  He’d put her mind at rest when he’d told her he only had eyes for her.

At work the next day, Ashleigh couldn’t resist taking another peep inside Finn’s drawer, even though she knew it was deceitful and would play on her thoughts for some time afterwards. Taking one of the unmarked files she’d noticed the day before but hadn’t dared to look at, her curiosity now got the better of her.  Knowing what she was doing was naughty didn’t stop her from doing it.  Her fingers nervously opened the file.  There were bank statements in them, all with balances of large amounts.  Upon checking the transactions, Ashleigh couldn’t believe what she saw.  There were money transfers for several thousands of pounds being paid monthly into another account; an account which had Mr F Watson’s name on.  The payments didn’t make any sense.  She didn’t know much about the finances of the company but she did know that what she was looking at, didn’t feel right.  Surely there was a business account, not a personal one under Finn’s name.

   Moving the bank statements around, Ashleigh re-read them. The final balance on the latest statement dated January, read five hundred thousand pounds.  Ashleigh knew this wasn’t the account their clients fees were paid into because she’d seen those accounts.  The amounts paid into the business account were nothing like the amounts on the statements which now sat in front of her.  What on earth was going on? 

   Studying for a moment, Ashleigh opened the drawer a little further.  At the back of the drawer she discovered a brochure advertising yachts; big, luxury yachts, all carrying huge price tags.  Writing and numbers were scribbled on the brochure, writing which looked very much like Finn’s.  He’d never said anything to her about wanting a yacht.

   The phone ringing made her jump.  Before answering it she put the paperwork back in the files, closing the drawer quickly.  The confusion she felt, vanished as she dealt with the call.  It was a simple query, one she could deal with herself. 

   Later that evening whilst at home, Ashleigh wished she hadn’t gone through Finn’s things.  All it had done was leave her with thoughts of suspicion about her husband.  How could there be such large sums of money in his account?  This led to her wondering if he was embezzling money from the company; the company he shared with his father - the man he claimed to love and admire dearly.  Now she was beginning to think she was losing the plot.  Finn would never do such a thing, especially to his own father.  Immediately closing her eyes, she asked for forgiveness for her wicked thoughts.  It had been shameful what she’d done.  She’d gone through his private things, poisoning her thoughts with evil.  How could she even contemplate thinking he was capable of embezzling money?  At that moment she broke down, crying hard as she prayed to God for forgiveness.