A Secret Schemer (12 page)

‘That’s a first; Archie always
waits for his cup of coffee.’ Mary added. ‘Come on Kate get this
mug of sweet tea inside you love.’

So armed with Kate’s mug of tea
I steer her into the restaurant to chat. As she’s still sobbing I
wait until she calms down before I speak. Then slowly I ask, ‘take
a deep breath honey and explain what happened.’

Between sobs she mumbles.
‘She’d been messaging some one on and off most of the day, then
about seven o’clock she said she was going to meet a friend.’

‘Did she say who Kate?’ I
urge.

‘N..no and when we asked she
stomped out saying she wasn’t a blooming kid any more.’

‘You said when we asked?’ I
questioned softly.

‘Yes we were with my parents as
it was Christmas Day.’

‘What about Josh was he
in?’

‘Yeah he was in his own little
world playing a game thingy.’ She shrugged.

‘So you’re saying you haven’t
heard from her since?’

‘Nothing, I left loads of
messages on her mobile, which always went to voice mail, sent text
messages and this morning we rang round all of her close
friends.’

‘None of her friends had seen
her then?’ I pressed. In my heart I was dreading that this had
anything to do with Archie, no way was I about to mention my fears
as she was far too distressed.

‘No one had seen or heard from
her, my dad rang the police last night and they said she’d probably
turn up. They informed us that she could only be classed as a
missing person after twenty four hours.’ Kate added anxiously.
‘What should I do Lucy, d..do you think this could have anything to
do with Archie?’

All of a sudden I wished Jenna
was here, she’d know what to do. Should I approach Archie on Kate’s
behalf? Or should I leave that to her, as truly this wasn’t down to
me to interfere.

‘You could speak to him Kate,
although distressing as it is I’d be inclined to leave it just a
little bit longer.’

‘But she could be lying in a
field somewhere, anything could have happened to her.’ Kate bursts
into fresh tears.

‘Come on honey.’ I go round to
Kate and give her a hug. ‘Try to stay positive, why don’t you ring
your parents and see if they’ve heard from her.’

Kate passes me her phone as her
hands are trembling so much, I scroll through her mobile until I
locate her parent’s number and proceed to ring them. The call went
through to voicemail, so I left a short message requesting they
ring Kate as soon as possible.

‘I’ll go and make a fresh drink
honey, back in a flash.’

With this I hurry back into the
kitchen and ask Mary to make some coffee, I then quickly nip into
the bar purposely to try something out. Lucas and Archie are both
behind the bar stocking up (now I’m aware Lucas had heard of Kate’s
distress, so I’m hoping he’ll play along with this).

‘What an awful thing to
happen.’ I say anxiously.

‘Why what’s going on Lucy?’
Lucas urges.

‘Kate’s daughter has been out
all night and she’s worried sick.’ I declare.

I watch Archie’s reaction; he
certainly isn’t giving me eye contact. So I try again. ‘Poor Kate
is so distressed, and the police won’t help until she’s been
missing for twenty four hours.’

Lucas gives me a knowing
look.

‘She’s an adult Lucy don’t you
think Kate could be dramatising a bit.’ Archie exclaimed. ‘Let’s
face it she’s probably celebrating the holidays with her
mates.’

‘Actually Kate’s contacted all
of her close friends and none of them have heard from her.’

‘Maybe her mum doesn’t know all
her friends.’ Archie added.

As I start to walk away I add.
‘Yes you could be right Archie maybe she doesn’t.’

Walking back to the kitchen I’m
ninety nine percent sure I know who Jodie was with last night,
however I’m not going to share my feelings with Kate at this time.
I feel this would be the wrong thing to do at this given moment,
even knowing how distressed my lovely friend is. I’m trying to see
the bigger picture here, namely visualising Jodie’s reactions if
her mother starts to lay into Archie. Remembering Jodie’s reactions
previously, the situation definitely won’t improve mother and
daughters relationship. Grabbing two mugs of coffee from Mary I go
back to find Kate in the restaurant, at first glance I can see the
tears have stopped flowing. ‘Sorry love I got held up for a
minute.’ I say cautiously.

‘My mum’s just rang to say
Jodie’s home.’ Kate announces.

‘Oh Kate, that’s wonderful
news.’ I inwardly sigh with relief.

‘Mum said she went straight to
the bathroom and refused to answer any questions.’

‘At least you know she’s safe
Hun, best let her talk in her own time.’

‘I’ll drink this coffee quick
and make a dash for it Lucy, thank you so much.’

‘Nothing to thank me for love,
I’m just happy she’s safe.’

When Kate had left I found
Lucas in the cellar and as I felt I owed him an explanation,
without going into too much detail. I have no intention of asking
him to question Archie, that’s not the way to approach this
misdemeanour.

At three o’clock I managed to
dash upstairs for a break with Tim, I found him in the lounge and
for once he was lap top free.

‘Hi babe it is so good to see
you.’ He emphasized while enfolding me in his arms. ‘I have missed
you so much.’

‘I missed you too.’ I respond
by kissing him tenderly.

‘How about slipping into that
new negligee, I know you’ll look stunning.’ He whispers as he rains
kisses on my face and neck.

‘How could I possibly refuse,
I’ll be back in a mo.’ Breaking away from his arms I dash into the
bedroom, stripping down to just my panties I slip the negligee on
and rush back into the lounge. Tim is lying on the sofa naked apart
from a cushion he’d carefully placed on his lap. I threw the
cushion to one side as he pulled me down onto the sofa, we made
love passionately…both filled with desire and longing…

Jena and Andy arrived back at
lunch time the next day and I was in the kitchen, giving Jena a hug
I muttered. ‘I can’t wait to have a catch up Hun, lots to
tell.’

‘Give me an hour to have a
shower and a cuppa then I’ll meet you in the restaurant.’ She added
cheerfully.

‘I hope you had a good break
Andy, I’m sure your family were pleased to see you?’ I inquire.

‘They were thrilled Lucy,
especially being able to meet Jena, anyway how was Christmas in the
pub?’

‘Extremely busy which was
great, as usual the punters didn’t want to leave.’

‘Ok Andy lets get these bags
upstairs and while I take a shower you can make me a cuppa.’ She
giggled.

‘Your wish is my command; she’s
getting above herself since I gave her that ring Lucy.’

As they made their way upstairs
I was slightly baffled, surely Andy hadn’t talked Jena into
marriage? If he has the guy deserves a gold medal, I can’t wait to
hear all the gossip.

Some time later me and Jena
caught up in the restaurant. ‘OK first what’s this about a ring?’
Am I really going to be a bridesmaid Hun?’

‘No way Lucy Ross, you’re so
easily fooled.’ Jena laughed. ‘Look this was my Christmas present.’
Jena flashed her sparkly ring which was on the third finger of the
left hand. ‘It’s an eternity ring, Andy knows how I feel about
marriage, however he wanted to put a ring on my finger so I was
happy with this little dazzler.’

‘Phew, you had me worried, it
really is gorgeous though.’

‘White gold with diamond chips
and a baby sapphire, aint it pretty.’ She laughs. ‘It makes me look
all girlie.’

‘Yeah that’ll be the day.’ I
add bluntly.

‘So Lucy fill me in with all
the events that took place in the Frog and Toad over Christmas,
have I missed much?’

‘Just a bit, so pin back your
lugs and I’ll spill the beans.’ I laugh.

After revealing all the
significant stuff that had taken place over the two days, I
explained that my main concern was Kate and Jodie.

‘I’m pretty sure Jena that
Archie is involved with Jodie, his attitude stinks as far as I’m
concerned.’

‘Ok I’m running the bar with
Archie tonight so leave it with me; you know I have a way of making
people talk.’ Jena assures.

‘He’s not giving much away; he
seems to avoid direct questions Hun.’

‘No problem I’ll approach it in
a different way, by making him think I agree with him.’ She taps
her nose.

‘You definitely should have
been a cop Jena Wright you’re wasted in this trade.’ I add
resignedly. ‘Only whatever you do don’t think of changing your
career because I need you here.’

We both laugh and then I
mention what happened with Tim over the holidays.

‘So he went to see his parents,
that was rather out of the blue wasn’t it?’ Jena probed.

‘It was, as frankly he hasn’t
really alluded to them. He said he went as I’d be working all the
time, however he made it up to me yesterday afternoon.’

‘That’s a feeble excuse you’re
always working and he knew that when he joined up, so to speak. How
did he make it up to you Hun with a shag?’ Jena added
suspiciously.

‘I guess, anyway he seems a bit
more grounded at the moment.’

Jena raised her eyebrows and
gave me one of her quizzical looks.

‘I’ll go and chat to Kate and
see if she’s managed to chat to Jodie yet, I’ll bring you up to
date before tonight.’

‘OK Hun I’m going to sort a
meal out for me and Andy, he’s back at work tomorrow. By the way
his family are great and they seemed to like me which was
encouraging.’ Jena added.

‘How could they not.’ I said
with honesty.

‘Kate can you spare me a few
minutes love?’ I ask as I venture back into the kitchen.

‘No problem Lucy, shall I make
us a cuppa?’

‘Do I need to answer that?’ I
smile.

So with a pot of tea and a pack
of biscuits me and Kate make for the restaurant for a chat.

‘How are things with Jodie?’ I
enquire anxiously.

‘She refuses to talk to me, all
I get out of her is the fact she’s now sixteen and therefore
allowed to do her own thing. She stays in her bedroom most of the
time; strangely enough she hasn’t been out at night since.’ Kate
explains.

‘How does she look to you?’

‘In a word angry, and my
parents are upset as she’s being disrespectful towards them as well
as me.’

‘How is she with Josh?’

‘Like most teenagers their
communication is limited to grunts and gobbledegook, so nothing’s
really changed there.’

‘If only you could gain access
to her mobile, it could possibly give you all the answers.’

‘No chance of that at the
moment, I’m sure she sleeps with it under her pillow, have you had
any more thoughts on Archie?’ Kate probes.

‘Apart from asking him
outright, I feel it could do more harm than good at the moment.
Have you discussed it all with Jeff?’

‘I have although I think he’s a
tad evasive. I’m sure he probably thinks I’m over dramatising the
whole issue.’

‘I suppose it could be awkward
as he’s not a parent, and of course he’s just a mere male Hun.’ I
laugh to try and lighten the mode. ‘Jena’s working with Archie
tonight and as you know she’s very shrewd.’

‘I best get back to work, Jodie
is supposed to be coming in to help serve meals tonight, I’ll watch
her closely.’

‘I’ll make a point of keeping
an eye on her too.’

With a pile of paperwork to
sort through I went into the office, musing once again over Kate’s
problem, I could see both sides of the story. Nevertheless I would
never be able to feel her anxiety as I’m not a mother. Maybe Jena
will be able to eliminate Archie from suspicion, although honestly
I doubt this as I’m pretty sure he’s involved. All I hope is that
the liaison Jodie had on Christmas night will not have dire
consequences. I hate myself for having these thoughts; however as
Jena previously stated a young man bulging with testosterone does
not bode well for a positive outcome. I’ve tried to revert back to
being sixteen and how my mind worked; I’m finding it difficult as
it was twenty years ago. Although I do recall having a crush on a
particular pop star and a footballer at that age, if I’d ever been
lucky enough to meet them, how would I have reacted? My answer to
that more or less illuminates Jodie’s reactions, with that in mind
I temporarily give up on my paperwork and nip upstairs for a
shower….what ever will be will be….

Chapter 17

‘Hi Archie did you have a good
Christmas? Jena inquired heartily.

‘Yeah it was Jena, how about
you?’ Archie replied cheerfully.

‘Me and Andy spent a couple of
days with his folks in Portsmouth, which was great. Did you spend
time with family then Archie?’

‘No just hung out with mates
mostly.’ He added grinning. ‘Not forgetting a few beers as
well.’

‘According to Lucy we missed a
bit of a drama on Boxing Day morning, Kate’s daughter had gone
missing, did you know about it?’ Jena probed.

‘I think Kate’s a bit of a
drama queen Jena, Jodie’s sixteen she’s not a blooming kid.’

Jena kept the subject up in
between serving customers; Archie had seemed a bit edgy when she’d
broached the subject.

‘I guess you’re right there
Archie, mums not letting go and all that.’

‘She’s happy to let her work in
the restaurant, surely she can see her daughter’s a babe, and she’s
well up for it.’