A Secret Schemer (15 page)

While under the shower I’m
still hesitant about telling Kate what I’ve heard about Jeff. Will
it be better if I tell her or if she hears it from others, either
way she’ll be devastated. Without further ado my decision is made,
I’m going to tell her, because if it were me I’d definitely want to
be told. Friday night is possibly the worse night for confessions,
though it has to be done.

Going into the kitchen I can
see Kate and Grace are both busy plating up meals, so I slip into
the office to sort out change for both of the tills. On my way back
from the bar I can see the restaurant is not particularly busy,
time to man up Lucy Ross….

‘When you’ve finished that
order Kate could you nip into the office please honey.’ I ask
tentatively.

‘Sure Lucy I won’t be a
minute.’

While I waited I found myself
drumming my fingers nervously on the desk. ‘Was that the last
order?’ I asked as Kate came into the office.

‘Yeah Grace is arranging a
couple of desserts.’ Kate said smiling. ‘Is something wrong
Lucy?’

All of a sudden I feel like a
squealer, the poor girl looks happy and I’m going to burst her
bubble. ‘Sit down love, I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news.’
Kate was positively gawping at me. ‘I’ve heard some rumours about
Jeff honey, and as you’re my dear friend I have to tell you.’

Tears were already splashing
from her eyes, I wanted to hug her and asure her everything would
be fine, but I knew they wouldn’t.

‘What have you heard Lucy?’
Kate sniffed.

‘That he’s been seen on a
couple of occasions with another girl.’ I was withholding
disclosing Jayne’s name at the moment.

‘Do you believe the rumours
Lucy?’ Kate muttered.

‘If it had come from one person
I would hesitate, but as two different people have supposedly seen
him I feel there has to be something in it.’

‘How long have you known
Lucy?’

‘Just before I went up to
change for tonight love, I knew if it was me I’d rather hear it
from my friend than a stranger. I hate to see you hurt Kate, I’m so
sorry.’

Kate was trembling. ‘What
should I do Lucy?’

‘If I was in your shoes honey
I’d arrange to meet him and confront him, you can usually tell by
their faces if they’re lying.’

‘Who saw him Lucy?’

‘One was an elderly customer,
truthfully Hun I wouldn’t worry about who saw him as I’m sure
you’ll be able to tell by his response.’

‘Why does this always happen to
me?’ Kate asked quietly.

‘You know your trouble Kate
Marshall you’re far too nice, you need to toughen up love. You know
I’m always here for you.’

Come here and give me a hug,
get yourself off home and arrange that meeting.

Later in the evening I was more
than a tad surprised to see Tim jostling his way through the
crowds, as he rarely makes an appearance in the bar. I worked my
way over to him. ‘Well this is a surprise what can I get you?’ I
shouted above the racket of the band.

‘Oh I can’t stop for a drink
babe; I have to go away for the weekend as my mother’s unwell. So
sorry, I promise to ring you.’ He replied loudly.

‘Ok see you on Sunday.’

‘I’ll try to be back Sunday. Be
good.’ He made a phone sign with his hand and turned to exit the
bar.

I didn’t see that coming, what
could I say, nothing I guess, however I can feel my curiosity is
getting the better of me. I have no idea where his parents live
even, far too busy to think now, although I do intend to find
out.

By the time I slipped into bed
I was exhausted, but sleep wouldn’t come and I spent endless hours
twisting and turning, something was really troubling me and I
couldn’t quite put my finger on it….

Chapter 20

After a restless fidgety night
filled with troubled thoughts, I was glad to see the morning winter
sunlight shining through the window. At least now I can get up and
endeavour to push these uneasy feelings aside. I need to bring Jena
up to date with Kate’s latest dilemma, so with this in mind I send
her a text message to meet me in the restaurant as soon as
possible. Within seconds I receive a reply saying she’ll see me in
fifteen minutes. After a quick shower I hotfoot downstairs to make
coffee.

‘Good morning Mary how are
you?’ I ask cheerfully. ‘No Lucas this morning?’

‘Good morning Lucy, he’s gone
out for his paper, just give me a minute love and I’ll make a
cuppa.’

‘I’ll make the drinks Mary
you’ve got enough to contend with.’

Jena sauntered into the kitchen
attempting to conceal a yawn. ‘Hi guys, gosh I could do with a
coffee.’

‘I’m just about to pour we can
drink it in the restaurant.’

I explained yesterday’s events
to Jena, to make her aware of Kate’s new situation.

‘Poor Kate she’s surely getting
the rough end of the stick Lucy, how did she seem last night?’

‘In a word gutted, let’s be
honest here with a mother like Vie Butler it’s no surprise.’

‘I make you right, so we can
expect a back lash from the old bitch tout de suite.’

‘Without a doubt she’ll bask in
the knowledge, I’ve considered banning her, however I believe
she’ll be equally as bad on the outside.’ I define.

‘Taboo I think would make her
worse; at least if she uses the bar we can scrutinize the old hag.’
Jena added positively.

As me and Jena were about to
leave the restaurant I revealed that Tim had vanished for the
weekend, like a ghost in the night.

‘You know my thoughts on the
guy Lucy; did he say where he’s gone?’

‘To be with his mother who he
says is unwell.’

‘Do you know where she lives,
or in fact anything about her?’

‘No only that he stayed with
his parents at Christmas, however Hun I feel the time has come to
seek a little more information.’

‘Not before time Lucy Ross, the
guy’s an enigma alright.’ Jena added.

Going into the kitchen I could
see that Kate had arrived early and by the look on her face, she
hadn’t slept much. I gave her a reassuring hug. ‘Have you seen him
yet Kate?’

‘Not yet Lucy, when I rang him
last night he said he was busy, so I’ve arranged to see him
tonight.’

‘Well you know where I am honey
if you need a shoulder to lean on.’

‘I know Lucy and thank you for
caring.’

While I was in the bar during
the afternoon a mysterious feeling shimmered through me. All I
could visualise was the door of the bedroom that Tim rented from
me, as though something was drawing me to that room. On reflection
I realised that I had never set foot in the room since he’d moved
in. Quickly checking that I was leaving the bar in good hands I
hastily ran upstairs to my flat. I tried the door only to find it
was securely locked, so I nipped into my bedroom to secure the
master key. As I walked into the room I was stunned by the
disarray, in my mind I believed Tim to be an immaculate avaricious
person. The scene that greeted me here was that of a remiss, lack
lustre student. I stood just inside the door absorbing every
detail, the wardrobe door on the right was hanging open, there
appeared to be a couple of suits in side. On the open door of the
wardrobe a few shirts had been slung over the top of the door, I
could see one had dropped to the floor. A shabby duvet lay in a
heap on the bed, on top of a crumpled sheet; both pillows were
lying limply on the floor. The contents of a case with garments
scattered across the carpet adding to the disarray. There were two
drawers partially open in the dressing table, they were empty, and
on the top was a discarded tissue. His computer system took up much
of the room; the chair was lying idly on its side. A wicker bin was
overfilled with mostly screwed up papers, although I noticed the
used jiffy bags which had contained his packages were visible in
the melee. As I observed this disorganised clutter, my initial
reaction was that who ever resided in this chaotic disorder had to
be unstable and insecure. There was nothing familiar like a
photograph or an ornament of some description. Even the dressing
table lacked any everyday items. I realised I hadn’t moved from the
spot I almost felt as though I was glued to the floor. I know if
Jena was with me now she would encourage me to search through his
belongings while I had the chance, being as I knew so little of
this guy. However at this stage I can’t bring myself to rummage, to
be honest apart from the over filled waste bin there was little
else to look at. It was patently obvious that Tim’s confidential
data was concealed in his computer, and at present I don’t feel I
have the right to pry…. As I left the room I locked the door. My
head was now filled with all kinds of mixed emotions, without
admitting I’d been into his room, which he does pay one hundred
pounds a week for, how can I confront him? So for the time being I
must carry on as normal, although I fully intend to seek answers to
my questions. As my mind was in complete turmoil I opted for a long
soak in a hot bath, and more musing I guess. At the moment I feel
as though I’m strung together by gossamer threads…

About ten o’clock in the
evening I received a text message from Tim to say he may not be
back until late on Sunday night, and not to wait up. I neglected to
reply as I was working behind the bar and had forgotten to switch
my phone to silent. I didn’t give the message much thought as we
were busy and therefore my mind was on other things. Me, Jena and
Lucas were working as it was Archie’s night off. To my surprise
just before closing Vie Butler made an appearance with the scruffy
mutt trailing on his piece of rope behind her. This clarified that
Kate and Jeff were no more, and Vie was making that abundantly
clear. My heart went out to Kate as I knew how hard this would be
for her, especially after the problems she’s endured with Jodie. By
the end of the evening I was flagging so I left the locking up to
Jena, knowing it would be a good chance for her and Andy to have
some quality time together.

Making myself comfy under the
duvet my first regard was sleep, as I really felt exhausted.
However my troubled thoughts were making me restless and sleep once
again eluded me. Thoughts were gushing through my brain like flood
water and I was back inside of that shambolic bedroom once again.
Why is he living in such disarray? The milieu emerged like a
makeshift, temporary arrangement that he could make a swift exit
from should the occasion arise forthwith. There wasn’t anything
about the façade that instilled confidence into me concerning any
long term plans. So what is this guy all about? He tells everyone
he wants to become a millionaire by the time he’s forty (of which
there are only a few months left). I have always found this an
amusing reverie, and after today’s insight into his domesticity I
find it even more farcical. They say you don’t know anybody until
you live with them; the thing is we don’t live together, in the
same building maybe. The times we spend together are limited; he
creeps into my bed sporadically, however when I wake up he’s never
there. When he leaves I’ve no idea as I’m always so tired, the
man’s an elusive enigma….Investigate I will, how to reveal I’ve
seen the inside of his room without confessing will be difficult,
although I could always suggest paying him a night time encounter.
Should he refute that idea, I could always don a sexy Ann Summers
outfit and after copious amounts of wine, burst into his room using
my master key…. The outcome of that encounter could prove to be
very interesting.

My mind once again drifts to
Kate; she’s going to be so upset in the morning. I wonder if she’s
discovered who he’s seeing. If Harry Miles’ interpretation of Jeff
is anything to go by, she’ll just be another notch on his bedpost
anyway. Men, they can be so complex, no wonder they all come from
Mars. Yawning wearily I turn on my side and drift into a dreamless
sleep….

I awoke with a start to the
sound of my mobile ringing, bleary eyed I grabbed the phone and
muttered my response. I was a tad surprised to find it was Tim on
the other end, just to assure me he would be back this evening. I
was far too drowsy to join into a conversation after yet another
night of insufficient slumbering. Stretching slowly I roused myself
and slipped out of bed, donning a robe I went to the bathroom for a
much needed shower. The warm water was invigorating and after a few
minutes I felt refreshed. While dressing I considered how my
conversation with Kate would go, I knew she was going to be
devastated and apart from offering my support could I do anything
else to ease her misery. I realised there was little else I could
do; unfortunately any kind of grief has to be worked through. So in
my usual impulsive manner I hastily ran down the stairs to face the
day ahead. Jena, Mary and Lucas were all sitting around the kitchen
table drinking tea, no sign of Kate. ‘Hi everyone.’

‘Good morning Lucy.’ They said
in unison.’

‘Sit down love and I’ll pour
you a cuppa.’ Mary offered.

‘Thanks Mary as always you’re
an angel, has Kate arrived yet?’

‘No Lucy it’s barely eight
o’clock.’ Jena added.

‘Silly me I hadn’t even looked
at the clock.’

Lucas and Jena seemed to be
engrossed in the Sunday papers so I took my tea into the office to
sort out the money. Kate is due in around nine o’clock on Sunday as
roasting the joints always takes longer. At least she has tonight
and tomorrow off work, which I’m sure she’ll be grateful for. If
only I could magic her up a decent guy, one that would love her and
not be a game player. That brought a smile to my face as let’s be
honest I didn’t appear to be doing so well in the relationship
stakes either. As I started to bag up the cash the office door
opened and Jena’s head popped around the door. ‘Kate’s just come in
Hun and I think she could do with one of your hugs, I’ll finish the
cash for you.’