A Secret Schemer (14 page)

Archie let Kate scroll through
the messages; I could see the anger smouldering within her as she
read. Her hands were trembling as she struggled to compose herself;
my heart went out to her as all she wanted was to protect her
daughter. The daughter who’d lied to her.

Kate glanced over at Archie and
protested loudly. ‘Anyone could have sent those messages,
anyone!’

‘They all came from Jodie’s
number, would you like to see the photos she sent me?’ Archie asked
quietly.

‘Why did you arrange to see
her…why did you take it further she’s just a child?’ Kate cried
angrily.

‘Jodie came to me she had taken
my mobile number and address from the list in the kitchen, on
Christmas Day she harassed me with text messages and photos. Later
in the evening she turned up at my bedsit, dressed very
promiscuously. Kate I’m a young guy and when someone is as up for
it as Jodie was, I’m only human. Also she’s not a child Kate, far
from it, I’ve told her to stop contacting me that she should never
have come to my place.’

I watched Kate’s response I
could tell she was totally overwhelmed. I knew I needed to get her
out of here.

‘Thanks Archie I think we’ll
leave it there for now.’

‘Are you going to sack me
Lucy?’ he muttered gloomily.

‘No way I’ll speak to you
later.’

Kate had dissolved into racking
sobs once again; I went into the kitchen and made a pot of tea.
When I returned Kate had her head in her hands. ‘Come on Hun have a
mug of sweet tea it’s good for shock.’

‘I can’t believe she sent those
messages Lucy and the photos are bordering on porn, what’s
happening to her.’

‘She’s growing up Kate and
unfortunately her first real crush was with someone she could
actually contact. Most of us at that age fall in lust with a pop
star or actor.’

‘I couldn’t bring myself to ask
him if they went all the way and did they take precautions. I still
hate him for doing anything to her, I know my dad’s going to insist
on involving the police.’

‘The police won’t do anything
Kate, Jodie’s over sixteen and the messages and photos will prove
she was a willing party. I feel maybe for both of your sakes it
would be better if she didn’t work here for a while.’

‘But you’re keeping Archie on
so that doesn’t seem fair.’ Kate argued.

‘Archie hasn’t done anything
wrong in his job love, the reason I believe it will be better for
Jodie not to work here, it’ll take temptation out of the way. When
she’s got over her crush and things settle down we can think
again.’ I explain.

Kate sipped her tea silently,
then after a longish pause she said vacantly. ‘Will it be ok if I
go home now, can you manage this evenings food? I feel so drained
Hun.’

‘No problems you get yourself
home and I’ll see you in the morning, we can all get past this Kate
and at the end of the day Jodie will have learned a very big
lesson.’

I hugged Kate before she left.
How I hoped there wouldn’t be any repercussions from the one night
liaison between Jodie and Archie, maybe time I asked him outright
if precautions were taken. I’ll have to see if Grace will work the
restaurant tonight to cover any meals, as I really need my moment
of truth with the elusive Tim this evening.

After a quick chat with Jena
bringing her up to date with the afternoon’s little encounter, I
also suggested that she could possibly detect if a condom was used
during the Christmas evening cock up…. I hastily go upstairs in
time for a quick shower and change before my arranged meeting with
Tim. At seven o’clock I’m in the lounge waiting, Tim wanders in
around ten minutes late. After the earlier incident that took place
in the restaurant I’m instilled with an inner strength and
determination to sort out the discord between us.

‘Hi Lucy darling, what’s
wrong?’ He asked cautiously. ‘You’re looking a tad stressed.’

‘If you sit down I’ll explain,
there appear to be several issues we need to discuss.’

I replied as I looked straight
into his eyes.

‘You seem angry babe, have I
upset you?’ He quizzed.

‘Upset would be trivialising
how I feel at this moment, first of all why is your mail addressed
to L.T.Carter and the pub name omitted from the address, are you
ashamed of staying in my pub?’ I ask indignantly.

‘Oh Lucy of course I’m not
ashamed of staying here, my first name is officially Leonard after
my father, however I choose not to use it everyday. As for the
pub’s name the packages contain IT components, so I thought it
better to put the street address and number in case they ended up
in the bar.’

‘And you didn’t feel the need
to advise me of this.’

‘I didn’t believe it was that
important, why are you so angry Lucy? He asks softly. ‘I’ve never
seen you cross before.’

‘Maybe it’s about time you did
Tim, as I’m not at all happy with the way our relationship is
taking shape since you moved in here. I rarely see you; we never go
out together and as for sharing a meal I can hardly remember the
last time that we did. I certainly don’t want a guy who joins me in
bed on the odd occasion when he fancies a shag! If you have someone
else in your life then you should man up and tell me, as I’ve no
intentions of carrying on like this.’

‘Wow slow down darling girl, I
know I’ve been incredibly busy on a work project. I had no idea how
much it’s been upsetting you. I haven’t got anyone else babe and I
definitely don’t want anyone else. I promise I’ll make it up to
you, the last thing in the world I want is to upset you Lucy I love
you.’ He grovelled.

Tim hugged me close to him and
I felt my anger melting away, as hot tears rolled slowly down my
cheeks.

‘You’ll have to change Tim.’ I
sobbed. ‘I won’t go on like this.’

‘How about if we have Sunday
lunch together here in the restaurant, and then go for a walk. I
know Sunday is an easier day for you. Then we could go out one
night in the week, or cuddle up and watch a DVD, what do you say
darling?’ He proposed meekly.

‘As long as you keep to it Tim,
I won’t be used.’

‘I wouldn’t use you Lucy,
you’re far too important to me, how could I ever manage without
you.’ He convinced. ‘Can you stay for a while or are you due back
in the bar?’

‘Why what did you have in
mind?’ I asked cautiously.

‘We could order a take away and
curl up together and watch a movie.’

‘Ok then, you order in the food
while I nip down to have a word with Jena. Then the night is
ours.’

As I run downstairs I hope that
I’ve made the right decision, Tim always manages to charm me. I
want to trust him, Oh well as they say only time will tell. This is
the last chance saloon though Tim Carter….

Chapter 19

During the next couple of weeks
all things appeared to be running to form, apart from a slight
atmosphere between Kate and Archie. Fortunately they were seldom in
the same area of the building; me and Jena were purposely keeping
an eye on the state of affairs. Jodie, as I suggested no longer
helps out in the pub, as I’m sure she’ll bounce back from her crush
far quicker that way. I have the notion that Archie has hooked up
with one of the customers, and is keeping a pretty low profile.
Lucas is helping me by decorating my lounge and bedroom, he really
is a trooper. He enjoys being busy and I can understand that,
nevertheless it would be good to see him relax and start a social
life. Maybe in time he will, I guess it’s still early days; broken
hearts are fragile and take time to mend. Tim has kept his word so
far and we’ve spent a couple of evenings together chilling out,
plus we’ve had Sunday lunch together in the restaurant.

Once again the weekend is
almost upon us, and I can’t help speculating how long this
relatively harmonious atmosphere will continue. With that thought
in mind I hastily make my way down to the kitchen. ‘Good morning.’
I greet the guys heartily. ‘How are you all?’

‘Gosh you’re lively this
morning Lucy Ross.’ Jena chips in as Lucas and Mary both stifle a
grin.

‘Well why not, it’s Friday and
we have a great band playing tonight and I’m feeling very
optimistic.’

‘Oh please pour her a cuppa
Mary before she self combusts.’ Jena laughs.

‘It’s lovely to see you so
happy Lucy and why not.’ Mary adds.

‘Lucy there are some new drinks
for us to consider, if you can spare me a few minutes before I
place our next order.’ Lucas explains.

‘No problems Lucas I’m all
yours once I’ve polished off some of Jena’s yummy toast.’ I
jest.

‘What a cheek.’ Jena grins.

‘You know what they say Hun if
you don’t ask you don’t get and all that.’

Sometime later me and Jena were
eating our lunch in the restaurant. ‘This morning I was reflecting
over the past few weeks, rather uneventful I thought.’

‘Yeah I suppose you’re right,
there hasn’t been much going on. A tad boring if you ask me.’ Jena
laughed.

‘There is one thing that keeps
flashing through my mind though.’

‘Yeah Hun and what’s that,
something about Tim?’ Jena asks.

‘No, the night Archie and Jodie
did the dirty deed and the question of precaution.’

‘Kate hasn’t mentioned it has
she?’ Jena inquires.

‘No not a word, although I
haven’t ever told her that we’d asked Archie.’

‘Well surely she must be aware
that Jodie’s on the pill.’

‘Not necessarily, however do
you think she really is on the pill?’ I probe.

‘Like you I’ve no idea,
although she’d have been pretty stupid to say she was.’ Jena added
bluntly.

‘Mm well the whole event was
rather stupid anyway.’

‘Best we keep our thoughts to
ourselves then Hun, don’t think there’s any point in raking over
old coals.’

‘Right I’d better get into the
bar and give Archie a break, see you tonight.’ With that I go into
the bar to find Lucas has already let Archie go.

‘Don’t worry Lucy it’s pretty
quiet at the moment, although a certain gentleman has been asking
after you.’ Lucas nods his head towards old Harry Miles.

‘Best I go and chat to him
then.’ I grin. ‘Hello Harry and how are you today?’

‘Come and sit down darling I’ve
wanted to chat to you for a while.’ Harry replied.

‘So what’s going on then
Harry?’ I ask tentatively.

‘Well I’ve noticed that Vie
Butler don’t come in ‘ere much these days, I reckon that’s because
her lad’s going out with the cook.’

‘I’m sure you’re right
Harry.’

‘Yeah well that lad Jeff he’s
got a bad name wif the ladies ya know, he’s had a good few darling
and they never lasts. So Vie only is biding her time afore she
comes back ‘ere making a nuisance of ‘erself. I just wanted you to
know that darling, so as you is prepared for her.’

‘But I think Jeff is still
going out with my cook Harry.’

‘At the moment girl but she
aint found out about the other one yet.’ Harry explains.

‘What other one Harry, is he
seeing someone else?’

‘I’ve said enough darling, you
just keep them pretty eyes of yours peeled, that’s all I’m
saying.’

All of a sudden it looks as
though our cordial period is coming to an end, I had a notion it
was just too good to be true. Now how is the bubble going to burst?
My first instinct is to have a word with Lucas and repeat what
Harry has told me, he spends hours in the bar maybe he’s seen
something.

After repeating to Lucas the
tale Harry had told me. ‘Please don’t feel obliged to tell me if
you’ve seen anything Lucas, I really don’t want to put you on the
spot.’

‘I don’t mind Lucy I realise
you’re in a difficult position, I believe Jeff could be seeing
Jayne.’ He disclosed. ‘I overheard part of a phone call and when I
was at the newsagents the other morning I noticed them chatting on
the other side of the road.’

‘OMG that must have been early
to be having a chat as Jayne doesn’t ever work mornings here.’

‘That’s what I thought I must
admit I was surprised to see them at that hour.’

‘Thanks Lucas, don’t worry I
won’t repeat what you’ve told me, although the data will help when
the shit hits the fan so to speak.’ I explain. ‘Believe me nothing
shocks anymore.’

‘I felt you had the right to
know Lucy as I’m aware of all the previous problems you’ve had
surrounding Kate,’

As Lucas was finishing his
sentence Archie came back from having his lunch break, so I
immediately changed the subject. ‘I’m sure you’ll remember the band
Lucas they’ve played here before.’

‘I’m sure I will Lucy, I’m
better with faces than names.’ He laughed.

‘Did you enjoy your lunch
Archie?’

‘Yeah Jena served me a huge
plate of spag bol.’

‘It wouldn’t have been so tasty
if she’d made it.’ I laughed. ‘Don’t tell her I said that
though.’

Leaving the guys in the bar my
first thoughts drifted to Kate, as from what I’d heard this
afternoon I could see trouble brewing for her. All I hoped was
there would be no further problems with Jodie. Should I discuss the
information with her or once again keep it to myself, why is life
so cruel. Kate is such a caring person and I can imagine bringing
up two kids on her own hasn’t been easy, especially twins. I’m not
sure if she has any contact with their father, not having seen her
for so many years it’s difficult to fill in all the gaps, maybe
I’ll try and urge her to talk more. Even if she does I’m still not
convinced that telling her about Jeff is the right way to go. I
must admit with him being Vie Butler’s son I’m not in the least bit
surprised at his morals. I mean who could have her as a mother and
turn out to be an exemplary member of the community. I do believe
Kate comes across as being vulnerable and unfortunately there is a
certain type of person in our society who finds it extremely easy
to make use of their vulnerability. Out of the three of us girls
Kate is the one who craves the security of a committed
relationship; her ultimate desire would be marriage. Her honesty
radiates like the sun on a winters day, although her strength
dispels like melting chocolate. Her penchant for the proverbial bad
boy certainly doesn’t help her cause. On the contrary Jena is gutsy
and rises to any challenge, nevertheless I know underneath she has
a caring soft centre. As far as marriage is concerned she has never
shown an interest, she is intensely independent. If any man could
change her mind it would be Andy as they are definitely soul mates
and I’ve never known her to be so happy. Now I have no desire
whatsoever to be married, a relationship to me should be based on
trust and respect. I guess that’s why I question my rather unusual
correlation with Tim, in reality I know very little about him and
all at once I have the urge to change that. All I want for all of
us is to be happy; sadly we don’t live in an ideal world. I extend
that wish to Lucas as I’d like to see that guy find a resolution to
his seemingly lonely life. The sound of my mobile ringing stops me
musing I realise I’ve been daydreaming for far too long, time to
shower and change before the band arrive.