Secrets (27 page)

Chapter Sixty-Six

Janey took in her surroundings. She felt slightly disconcerted.

‘It’s…it’s beautiful,’ she stammered. ‘A gorgeous…bedroom.’ Nothing like stating the obvious. Her voice sounded unnaturally high. For something to do, she turned back to the balcony’s French doors and yanked them open. Cold air rushed to meet her as she stepped outside. A soft wind played around her neck, lifting her hair and leaving a rash of goose bumps across her flesh. Garth moved alongside her. He was standing so close Janey could feel the heat coming off him.

‘Look,’ he pointed into the distance. ‘You can just about see your village from here.’

‘So you can.’ Janey gazed at the tiny cluster of lights twinkling against an inky sky. Heaven forbid that Mrs Jones, Mrs Fosdyke or Mrs Gager could see her now, standing under a starlit sky with a famous romantic author’s Queen-sized bed providing a sensual backdrop. They’d have enough to gossip about for the rest of the year. The breeze picked up and Janey shivered.

‘You’re cold,’ said Garth. ‘Come back in.’

‘No, I’m fine, really,’ Janey gabbled.

‘Don’t be silly.’ Garth took her hand and led her back into the warmth of the bedroom. ‘I hadn’t quite finished the guided tour anyway.’

‘There’s more?’ Janey was starting to think if there were any further rooms she’d need a map and compass to find her way around.

‘Last room,’ Garth promised moving towards a sweeping line of wardrobes. He pulled open one of the closet doors. But instead of fitted shelves or a rail of clothes, there was a gaping hole. Janey blinked.

‘A secret room!’ she exclaimed.

‘Well, it’s nothing exciting,’ said Garth. ‘No hidden passages covered in cobwebs like something out of Scooby Doo. It’s just an en-suite bathroom.’

Janey privately thought Garth’s last remark was a complete understatement. Her parents had an en-suite. It comprised a bog standard plastic bath, a cracked sink and a loo with a temperamental flush. Her mother’s one claim to luxury was a fluffy cover on the toilet seat and a scented candle by the bath, whereas
this
bathroom was opulent beyond Janey’s wildest dreams. One wall was lined with sleek fitted furniture with inset his-and-hers double basins. Out of another wall, a loo appeared to be floating. Centrepiece was an enormous sunken bath. Everything was marble and clean lines, with the exception of two walls. Facing each other, they were mirrored from floor to ceiling. Stepping forward, Janey caught sight of her reflection repeated several times over. ‘Wow. Oh, sorry,’ she immediately apologised. She was doing the overawed thing again. ‘That sounded so crass.’

‘What sounded crass?’

‘Me saying
wow
, but I can’t help it.’ Janey walked back into the bedroom. ‘Your house is something else.’

Garth smiled and caught hold of her hands. ‘
You’re
something else.’ He pulled her towards him. ‘When I met you, all |I kept saying to myself was
wow
.’ His face became more serious. ‘On that flight to Montreal, I looked at this beautiful woman sitting next to me and thought,
Wow, she’s absolutely gorgeous
.’

Janey stared up at Garth in both pleasure and trepidation. She was very aware of the proximity of his body. The warmth of his skin was giving her different kinds of shivers. In her peripheral vision the monster-sized bed seemed to be throbbing away like some sort of cartoon sketch. Garth released her hands. Reaching up, he caressed her cheek before cupping her face lightly in his palms. Tilting her chin upwards, he lowered his mouth. As his lips touched hers something inside Janey exploded. Her arms shot up, fingers eagerly exploring the broad curve of his muscular back. She pressed her lips against his, returning the kiss with alacrity. Garth’s own fingers were suddenly tangling in Janey’s hair as the two of them, joined at the mouth, moved towards the bed in perfect choreography. They fell sideways in a tangle of arms and legs, the soft duvet puffing up around the outline of their bodies. Janey’s last coherent thought was…
Wow
.

Chapter Six
ty-Seven

One year later...

Janey pressed a switch and firmly shut the dishwasher’s door. The machine instantly swished into life. Picking up a damp cloth, she whizzed it over marble worktops before tossing it into the sink. A quick glance at the clock on the kitchen wall told her she was running five minutes late. Damn. The last thing Janey wanted was Susie taking over the staff meeting Janey had scheduled at…she glanced at the clock again…precisely thirty minutes from now. Grabbing her keys and handbag from the kitchen’s central island, she headed out into the hallway just as Garth came down the stairs. He was naked to the waist, his lower body clad only in denim jeans.

‘Do you have to rush off?’ he asked. Moving towards her, he smiled disarmingly.

Janey raised one hand like a traffic cop. ‘Stop right there.’ She brandished her handbag like a weapon at Garth’s bare chest.

‘Is this a hold up?’ Garth stuck his hands in the air. ‘I’m sorry, Officer. It’s a fair cop. I’m late with my edits and it’s all due to the beautiful Janey Richardson making me late. She keeps getting me into the bedroom under false pretences.’

‘Oh she does, does she?’ Janey arched an eyebrow, but couldn’t help grinning.

‘Certainly. She keeps mesmerising me with her amazing body, and then she pins me down on the bed so I can’t move.’

‘A strapping great chap like you? Janey hooted. ‘That’s simply not true, and you know it.’

‘I do not lie, Officer.’ Garth’s eyes widened with feigned innocence. ‘Every night and every morning she has her wicked way with me. I’m worn out.’

Janey lowered her handbag. ‘Then you must rest. Go back to bed.’

‘If you insist,’ said Garth in delight. He held out a hand. ‘Come with me.’

Janey brandished her handbag again. ‘Seriously, I’m going to be so late!’

‘Spoilsport.’ Garth pretended to pout. ‘At least let me give you a peck good-bye.’ Janey lowered the handbag again and stepped forward, allowing Garth to kiss her on the lips. Mmm. Nice. She kissed him back. Mmm. Mmm. Okay, enough. Or at this rate she’d never get to work and Garth would be even later with his edits. ‘Wanna play hooky?’ Garth whispered.

Janey grinned and gently pushed him away. ‘You are going to get me sacked.’

‘You’re the headmistress. You can’t be sacked.’

‘I’m sure the school governors would beg to differ,’ Janey replied. She slung the handbag over one shoulder and made for the front door. ‘I’ll see you later.’

‘For detention I hope.’ Garth gave her a wink as Janey stepped out into the brisk morning air. ‘And don’t be late,’ he called after her. I have a surprise for you.’

Janey swung round. ‘If it’s playing doctors and nurses again, I want a night off.’

Garth laughed. ‘It’s nothing naughty, Nurse Richardson. Promise. It’s a proper surprise. Straight up.’

‘Really?’ Janey’s face lit up. ‘Can’t you tell me now?’

‘No, silly, or else it wouldn’t be a surprise. Now off you go, and I’ll see you later.’ Garth shooed Janey out of the house, pausing for just one more kiss, then shut the door after her. Turning on his heel, he headed for the kitchen. He needed a serious coffee fix before facing those edits.

Outside Janey started her car and pointed the bonnet towards the electric gates. The sensor registered the approaching vehicle. Moments later the ornate ironwork slid open. Edging out onto the road, Janey put her foot down. She truly did not want to be late. Susie seemed to delight in Janey’s flustered entrances, and always made loud criticisms about Janey’s appearance. Janey suspected Susie got a sneaky thrill out of making bitchy comments in front of the staff. She determined to set her alarm clock earlier tomorrow morning. It was all very well starting the day off with a sexy marathon session, but it was playing havoc with both her conscience and time-keeping.

And talking of time-keeping, exactly what time do you call this
? The voice in her head piped up as Janey roared towards a set of traffic lights on the change.

“Time for you to shut up,” she silently replied.

It’s about time you were more responsible in your duties as a headmistress
.

“I am responsible, thank you very much.”

Just because you’re now living in a mini mansion like a WAG doesn’t mean standards at Little Cobbleton Primary School should slide
.

“I’ve already told you,” Janey inwardly seethed, “I am more than aware of my duties and I am
not
a WAG!”

That’s not what the gossips are saying
.

Janey mentally rolled her eyes. “I gather you mean Mrs Jones, Mrs Fosdyke and Mrs Gager. So what?”

Ah, but it’s not just those three. There’s a new member to their gang, and she’s not a million miles from your place of work
.

“Susie.”

Yes, Susie. Susie Stirrer. Watch her, Janey. She’s always had a bit of the green eye where you’re concerned
.

“She’s my oldest friend!”

And not to be underestimated
.

Janey didn’t bother replying. It was surely the first sign of madness to be arguing with oneself. The traffic lights changed and Janey zoomed off again. As she drove, she reflected. Nine months ago Susie had been both impressed and devastated when Janey had confided she was moving into the palatial home of Nancy Newman.

‘Congratulations,’ Susie had said, her tone distinctly peeved. ‘It’s a bit quick, isn’t it?’

‘How do you mean?’

‘Well, you’ve only just met the guy.’

‘I met him three months ago.’

‘Exactly.’

‘You think I should wait longer? Another year or two? Sorry, but life’s too short. I’m thirty-three years old! And anyway, you’re a fine one to talk considering you’re shacked up with Sean.’

‘Yeah, but he’s not–’

‘Not what?’

Susie had shrugged and failed to elaborate. Janey had mentally finished Susie’s sentence a hundred times over.
He’s not loaded
.
He’s not a famous author
.
He’s not drop-dead-gorgeous
. Janey was well aware Susie always made a dig about some aspect of Janey’s life. And, in fact, she always had done. Well maybe the worm was about to turn. Susie had better watch out!

Janey shot through the school gates and into the staff car park. As her vehicle bounced over sleeping policemen, the exhaust clanked alarmingly. She slung the car into the last available slot by a little sign proclaiming
Staff Parking Only
. Grabbing her handbag and keys, she slammed the driver’s door and scampered into the school’s main corridor. Shouldering the staff room door open, Janey was dismayed to find Susie already addressing the other teachers. When she saw Janey she swiftly brought her speech to a close.

‘So I just want you all to know you can expect me to be here every day to support you whenever and in whatever way needed.’

Janey resisted gnashing her teeth and instead went to the top of the table and pulled out a chair. Giving her staff a big smile, she sat down and greeted everyone.

‘Good morning, everyone. I trust you all had a good break. I’ll keep things brief. Let me kick off our new term by saying welcome back. The first staff meeting sets the tone for the whole school year. It’s a time to share, be social and establish goals. These will include raising test scores. That cannot be done unless we all work together as a team. As your team leader,’ Janey gave Susie a look that dared to say otherwise, ‘it’s important to have a plan and a purpose.’

Janey then briefly spoke of agenda for the forthcoming term including ideas and lesson plans. She brought the meeting to a close just as the first school kids wandered through the gates. Little girls were dashing off to play with skipping ropes. A group of boys began kicking a football about. As the teachers filed out of the staff room, Janey called Susie back. Susie turned to Janey in surprise.

‘What’s up?’

Janey took a deep breath. ‘I was a bit late this morning.’

‘That’s an understatement,’ Susie scoffed. ‘It’s so obvious you literally fell out of bed and straight into your car.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘Janey, your private life is
your
business.’ Susie adopted a tone of voice that suggested she was about to take the moral high ground. ‘But you really shouldn’t let it impact on your working life. You don’t even look like you’ve brushed your hair this morning.’

‘Okay,’ Janey held up one hand. ‘I’m going to stop you right there. You’re my oldest friend, but you’re also an employee at this school – which I run. I don’t appreciate coming into my staffroom, late or otherwise, to find
you
talking to the staff about supporting them. Can I remind you that you came here as a classroom assistant. It’s only thanks to me and words in the right places that you now hold the job you have at this school. So please don’t attempt to undermine me to my staff again. Understood?’

Susie flushed and pursed her lips. ‘Loud and clear.’

‘Good.’ Janey stood up signalling their private chat was at an end.

Susie stayed put. ‘Do you know, Janey, sometimes you are such a bitch. I’m meant to be your best mate.’

‘And you are. But you forget I’m also effectively your boss.’

Susie stuck her nose in the air and turned on her heel. ‘I’m not staying here to be insulted. If I don’t see you later in school, I’ll see you tonight.’

‘No, you won’t. I’m doing something with Garth. It’s a surprise.’

‘Yes, I know. However, far be it for me to spoil it for you,’ said Susie indignantly.

Janey paused. ‘How do you know what Garth has planned for me?’

‘Because sometimes old friends, and that includes
best
friends,’ Susie said with an injured tone, ‘are privy to secrets.’

Janey inwardly groaned. She shouldn’t have been so harsh on Susie.

She deserved a good talking to
, her conscience chimed in.
It was long overdue
.

‘So what’s this secret?’ asked Janey. She tucked her chair under the table and moved towards the door. ‘You might as well tell me.’

‘Good heavens,’ said Susie indignantly. ‘My name isn’t Mrs Jones, or Mrs Fosdyke, or Mrs Gager.’

‘Of course not,’ said Janey wryly.

‘Although I wouldn’t be amazed if they already know about it,’ said Susie innocently.

That was a yes then. Janey sighed. ‘So the whole of Little Cobbleton knows what’s happening in my life this evening…apart from me.’

Susie grinned. ‘Just make sure you tart yourself up and properly brush your hair.’ She followed Janey out of the staffroom but headed off in a different direction, high heels clicking on the corridor floor’s cracked linoleum. Her voice floated back. ‘And be sure to wear a posh frock.’

Janey stared after Susie. A posh frock? It wasn’t her birthday, was it? She shook her head and walked towards her office. She’d just have to be patient for a few hours. All would be revealed.