Where Memories Are Made (38 page)

Ginger heaved a sigh. ‘With a man like that, I don't think you'll ever be sure. Look, if it helps, I know you thought you loved him, but it was the act he put on to cover up what he was really like that you fell for. There's only so long people can keep up an act before their true colours start to show. With your nose for sniffing out things that aren't quite right, it wouldn't have been long before you sussed that Vic was up to something. And once he'd found out you were on to him, you would have ended up married to a man you were terrified of. There's no telling what he would have done to make you keep silent. I think you've had one lucky escape myself and should be celebrating the fact, not crying over a man who isn't worth your tears.'

Ginger's words set Jackie thinking. ‘Ginger, you're right, I have had a lucky escape, haven't I? God, one hell of a lucky escape!' She threw her arms around her friend and hugged her fiercely. ‘Thank you. You've just saved me from wasting goodness knows how long pining over that man, when he's not worth one second.'

Ginger told her with conviction, ‘I know there's a good bloke waiting out there for you, Jackie, the right man, one you'll love and who will love only you, with no hidden agenda.'

Jackie looked at her thoughtfully for a moment then made a sudden grab for her candlewick dressing gown that was lying on the bed beside her, using it to dry her wet face. She then got off the bed and stood up. ‘Well, are you coming?' she asked.

‘Where?'

‘I like the sound of this man you've just described to me, and I'm not going to find him in here, am I?'

The police investigation revealed that Vic was not only plying his despicable trade in Jolly's through his blackmail of Mandy, but had other terrorised victims dotted about in towns in the Lincolnshire area, selling his wares for him. The other three members of the Upbeats were not spending their share of the earnings from Jolly's on enjoying themselves, as Vic had told Jackie, but handing most of the money back to Vic to pay for the addictions he was responsible for their developing. Vic's Wednesday off hadn't been used to visit family and friends, but to do his rounds of the dealers he supplied in the likes of Lincoln, Scunthorpe and Grimsby, and also visit his own supplier to replenish his stocks. His sideline had made him a great deal of money according to the amounts recorded in several bank books found under the drugs in the small suitcase. But Vic wasn't going to be spending any for many long years, not where he was going.

With the loss of their drummer, and unable to find a replacement for him at such short notice, the rest of the band had no choice but to pack up and go home, their future thrown into doubt. A decision was made not to find a replacement but to make do with just the DJ providing entertainment for the remainder of the season.

Drina was struck speechless when she was updated the next morning on the news that a drug dealer had been operating from her camp. Nevertheless she appreciated the efforts of her devoted staff in clearing up the matter conclusively. Hopefully Jolly's good name had been preserved.

C
onsidering all the personal tragedies and catastrophes the management staff of Jolly's had had to deal with this season on top of their labours to ensure the campers enjoyed a holiday to remember, they were of the opinion that nothing else would happen to throw them into turmoil, for this season at least.

But they were bargaining without the vengeful man who'd been waiting in the wings for his moment to arrive. He had a devious plan laid to claim what he saw was rightfully his. The time had now come for Michael Jolly to act.

It was almost the end of the season, when the last of the campers would be waved off and Jolly's large iron gates closed for the winter. The camp would once again turn into a ghost town, the only signs of life inside being the handful of permanent staff working away to ensure the success of the new season ahead.

Artie had returned to his job of managing the maintenance crew, while Drina was working hard, aided by Rhonnie, to bring her plans for the development of the business to fruition. After many meetings with official bodies and sleepless nights spent worrying, Drina had one more important meeting to attend. If that proved to be successful she would be in a position to go ahead and put Jackie and Harold out of their misery, announcing to them what their future roles would be in the new venture.

Harold was still making good progress in overcoming his personal insecurities. Through his own hard work, and with the continued support of Jackie, he had at last acquired some new friends and the beginnings of a social life.

To her credit, Jackie had managed to keep the fact that she'd had a lucky escape from Vic's vile clutches firmly locked away in the recesses of her mind. The wonderful man Ginger had prophesied for her had not yet shown up but she was having fun looking for him meanwhile. What brought her much joy was the fact that finally her dear friend seemed to have found the right man for herself in PC Paul Nuttall. Over the last few weeks, his shifts allowing, the pair saw each other as much as they could and romance had blossomed between them.

The early October morning was a cold one, the sky covered by thick grey cloud, and a sharp wind was blowing off a choppy sea. At this time of year the camp was only half-full, the campers hardy types who did not care what the weather was like; all they were concerned about was the cheaper off-season rates Jolly's offered. At the moment the campers were enjoying their breakfast in the restaurant, but the majority of them would soon be dressed in thick anoraks and warm woollies, braving the cold to enjoy the outside facilities Jolly's offered, much to the disdain of the Stripeys overseeing these events, who would have preferred to be doing their job inside in the warmth.

Jackie had just arrived in the office. Olive was already behind her desk, getting herself ready to begin work. Having come out of his office to greet the two women, Harold was back behind his desk going over the accounts books to ensure they were all up-to-date before handing them to Drina later this morning as she needed to take them to the important business meeting scheduled for eleven.

Jackie looked over at the door leading to the stairs when it opened and saw Ginger coming in carrying a large box and some letters, which she brought across and put on Jackie's desk. Ginger had stayed out of camp last night in the spare bedroom at Paul's parents' house in Sutton-on-Sea, after they had been to the twenty-first birthday party of a friend of his. She had caught the bus to work that morning while Paul set off on his bike. Jackie herself had been out on a date the night before so the two friends had some catching up to do.

‘How did the party go?' asked Jackie.

A big smile spread across Ginger's face. ‘It was great! Paul's friends are really nice.'

‘And his parents?' Ginger had met them for the first time yesterday.

‘Oh, they're lovely, Jackie. Made me ever so welcome. I think they liked me.'

‘And why wouldn't they?' Jackie responded with conviction. ‘You'd make a smashing daughter-in-law.'

Ginger blushed. ‘It's a bit early days for that yet, though I am hoping so. But don't mention it to Paul as I don't want to scare him off! Anyway, what I want to know is how you got on?'

Jackie pulled a face. ‘He was nice enough, but too full of himself for my liking.'

‘Oh! So no chance of a double date then?'

She shook her head. ‘Not with him, no.'

‘Oh, well, never mind. It was worth setting you up with him. He could have turned out to be the one. Anyway, there was another couple of Paul's single police colleagues at the party last night, good-looking ones too, so I'll see what I can do.'

Jackie was actually quite happy to remain single at the moment. She was enjoying doing exactly what she liked without the necessity to consider anyone else, but Ginger was hell-bent on helping her find this perfect man she knew was out there for her friend. Jackie knew she would be wasting her time making any protest. Looking at the box Ginger had brought in with her, she asked, ‘Are you sure this is for the general office? We're not waiting for anything to be delivered, so far as I remember.'

Ginger's face lit up. ‘It's not for the general office, Jackie. It's addressed to both of us.'

‘Me and you! Who'd be sending us anything?'

‘I suppose we could open it and find out.'

Jackie eyed her knowingly. ‘I'm surprised you haven't already, knowing how little patience you have.' She scooped up a pair of scissors and held them out to Ginger. ‘Go on then, you do the honours.'

She opened the box to find it lined with tissue. After she'd peeled this back they both gasped in shock to see two folded dresses side by side. One was of red wool with a thick white leather double-buckled belt, the other in canary yellow satin and chiffon. They both knew instantly who had sent them. Both far too overwhelmed by the gifts to speak, Ginger took out the red dress and held it against her, Jackie doing the same with the yellow one. Out of nosiness Olive, who today had dressed in a shapeless baggy brown calf-length pinafore dress with a thick hand-knitted petrol blue jumper underneath and clumpy red shoes on her feet, plodded over to take a look, pulled a face, then returned to her desk, saying, ‘Not my style.' Jackie and Ginger shot quick glances at each other in bemusement, knowing her fashion sense.

Jackie then noticed a folded piece of paper lying in the box. She took it out and quickly read the message it contained. ‘Oh, Ginger, Al's been taken on as a trainee designer with a fashion house in London! These dresses are his thanks to us for our help towards him landing the job. He didn't forget us then. He says he's sharing a flat with four other employees of the firm in a place called Soho … Anyway, he hopes we're both okay and he'll write soon. He's included his address so we can both write to him.'

Ginger was delighted to hear this but not as much as she was to receive her beautiful dress. ‘Wait until Paul sees me in this … well, if he isn't in love with me now, he will be then – 'cos I'll be knocking his socks off!'

The door to the stairs opened and Ginger's boss poked her head into the room. ‘Have you forgotten where you work?' she called. ‘Come on, we've a queue of people waiting for our help and you're due to do the radio announcement in five minutes. Get your skates on!'

Ginger chuckled. ‘That's me in trouble again. I'd best get back. Oh, take care of this for me,' she said, handing Jackie her dress. ‘Make sure you pack it up carefully. Oh, and …'

‘Ginger, go back to work,' Jackie ordered her.

Not long after that Jackie's head jerked back up as she heard muted sounds coming from downstairs in reception. ‘Sounds like there's a bit of a rumpus going on,' she said to Olive.

The girl didn't seem to hear, lost in her own little world as she folded letters and put them into envelopes ready to go in the evening post.

Jackie had just resumed work when the door opened and two men strode in, dressed in suits and overcoats and both carrying briefcases. They had an official air about them and Jackie wondered just what business had brought them here. She smiled over at them. ‘Good morning. How may I help you?'

There was no answering smile or trace of warmth in the man who responded, ‘We're from Her Majesty's Tax Inspectorate. We want to see your boss.'

All Jackie's instincts warned her that this was serious. She politely responded, ‘I'll let Mr Rose know you're here.'

She picked up the receiver of her telephone and spoke briefly into it.

A moment later Harold appeared, looking quizzical. He first asked to see the men's identification and, when satisfied they were who they said they were, introduced himself. ‘I'm Harold Rose, Company Accountant. I'm temporarily in charge while the owner, Mrs Drina Jolly, is otherwise engaged. I wasn't expecting a visit from your office. What can I do for you?'

The man who had spoken to Jackie was the one who responded. His tone of voice was brusque. ‘We're here to do an audit. We've reason to believe that major fraud is being committed. Leave everything where it is, and you and your staff …'

Harold looked completely shocked. ‘Major fraud! May I ask on what grounds …'

The visitor sternly interjected, ‘Mr Rose, round up all the staff in these offices and join the others from downstairs in the ballroom next door. We'll send for you if we need you.'

A worried Harold turned to Jackie. ‘Would you please go and ask the staff in accounts to join us, Miss Sims? Tell them to leave everything on their desks just as it is.'

Jackie went off, returning a couple of minutes later with Maureen Watson and Sally Moulds in tow, both of them looking deeply concerned.

Then she went across to Olive. ‘Can you put the switchboard on night service? We need to go.'

The young girl looked back at her in amazement. She had obviously been so lost in her own thoughts she had not been aware of what was going on until now. ‘But I've not long got here, Miss Sims. Are you sacking me?'

Jackie snapped impatiently, ‘Olive, just do as I asked and then come with us.'

As soon as she had, led by Harold, they all trooped out, leaving the two tax inspectors behind.

A short while later they had joined the reception staff and were all seated together in a corner of the quiet lounge in the Paradise building.

It was the head receptionist who spoke first. ‘For government employees they had no manners, had they? Ordered everyone out of reception, including us, like we were a herd of cows, with not even the courtesy of an explanation. I can't imagine what the campers there at the time will be thinking.' She looked at Harold. ‘Are you going to tell us what's going on, Mr Rose?'

He wasn't listening. Instead he said to Jackie, ‘Mrs Jolly needs to be informed of what's going on. That's the first thing I should have done when those men turned up. I was so shocked by what they told me, I wasn't thinking straight. I can't recall her home telephone number, can you?'