A Secret Schemer (20 page)

Feeling she should move this on
a notch. ‘So how did the two of you meet up?’ Jena quizzed.

‘My mates kept on every day
about him, so I kept sending him messages. I found his address in
the kitchen and on Christmas day I went round there. I had to do it
with him. I was getting loads of messages on face book and text
messages and stuff…’ Jodie burst into tears, racking sobs as though
her heart was breaking, and Jena knew this had been building up on
her for such a long time. She was just sixteen and from her story
so far Jena realised she’d been under enormous pressure from school
mates. Bullying comes in many forms and this girl had been bullied
into her actions. As far as Jena could see she was actually full of
remorse, although getting her to admit that would take a while
longer, so Jena proceeded gently. ‘Obviously this has upset you
dreadfully, do you want to talk more honey or have you had enough
for now?’

‘Ca..can I tell you everything
please.’ She said quietly.

Jena nodded. ‘Of course you
can, in your own time.’

Jodie related how she had
turned up at Archie’s flat on Christmas night after sending him
endless text messages throughout the day. She admitted stripping
off most of her clothes and lying to him that she was on the pill.
She stayed at his flat all night, even though he told her they
could never have a relationship together. She admitted taking
photos and sending them to her school mates, to prove she’d done it
with him. She said she’d written it all on her face book page as
well.

‘So Jodie do you really believe
that you’re pregnant, have you done a home test?’ Jena asked
quietly.

‘Yes I do think I am, I haven’t
done a home test though I’d rather go to the doctors.’ Jodie
dissolved into another bout of sobbing and Jena held her arms out
to comfort the girl. She let Jodie cry, and when the tears subsided
she spoke to her softly. ‘And if you are pregnant Jodie have you
thought about what that would mean to your life?’

‘I’d have to have it, that’s
what they all say I should do.’ She trembled.

This was turning out to be a
much deeper and more serious situation than ever Jena had imagined
and she knew it had to be handled with kid gloves.

‘OK now honey I want you to
listen to me very carefully. You’ve made a terrible mistake,
however no one can make you go through with this pregnancy. The way
I see it you’ve been bullied, and to save face with these so called
mates you’ve gone along with their intimidation. I can guarantee
you that not one of those ‘mates’ would have done what you have.
They’ve been having fun at your expense in a very cruel and unfair
way. Having a baby at sixteen years old Jodie is going to ruin your
life, you would become a single mother with no means of support for
you and your child. At your age you should be going out with decent
friends and having fun, looking forward to university, maybe even a
year travelling. Then at a much later date meeting a guy who loves
you, and then thinking about settling down and raising a family.
You made a very bad move, encouraged by others, however it can be
put right and you have a network of people who will support you,
and that includes me. My advice to you now is stay off face book
until this is sorted out, ignore any bullying messages, and
probably the best move is to change your mobile number. Please give
our conversation a lot of thought Jodie. I could ramble on about
the pros and cons of your dilemma, although I feel you have a
fairly clear idea about what I’m saying. Thank you for sharing your
ordeal with me Jodie, and if you ever need to talk I’m always
here.’

‘Jena can I ask you a very big
favour please?’

‘Ask away honey.’

‘Would you come to the doctors
with me…please? I love my family loads, but Mum cries all the time
and Nan and Grandad keep asking questions. Then I get angry because
I don’t know what to say to them…they’re all too close to me Jena.’
Jodie said slowly.

This request had caught Jena
completely by surprise, so she pondered for a moment before
replying. ‘Jodie it wouldn’t be right for me to say yes, without
speaking to your mother first. The decision should be your mum’s,
however if she agreed I would be happy to go with you.’

‘Oh I’ll make sure she agrees
Jena.’ Jodie exclaimed.

‘Hold on Jodie, please don’t
upset your mother, she has enough to cope with now. Maybe we could
speak to her together.’

‘Ok, thanks Jena.’

As they made their way back
into the kitchen Jena felt concerned as to how Kate would respond
to this request. Nevertheless on reflection, she thought it could
be the best approach, as like Jodie said she was too close to her
family. This was a delicate subject to discuss with family members
and maybe that’s why the situation had advanced so far without
Jodie opening up. Fortunately as they walked into the kitchen it
was to find Kate there alone.

‘Mum I need to ask you
something, but I don’t want you to get upset.’ Jodie said
cautiously.

‘Why would I get upset?’ Kate
replied.

‘Because you always do, Mum
I’ve told Jena everything and I’ve asked her to come to the doctors
with me.’

Kate instantly burst into
tears.

‘See what I mean Jena that’s
all she does is cry.’ Jodie said bluntly.

Jena wished she was a million
miles away; this was a mother and daughter; however she could see
it from both sides. I came into the kitchen just as Jena was about
to speak.

‘Perhaps if someone could tell
me what’s going on, I may be able to help.’ I said tentatively.

‘Jodie wants Jena to go to the
doctors with her.’ Kate sniffed. ‘I feel as though I’ve lost my
daughter.’

‘No mum you haven’t lost me, I
want Jena to come with me to save you getting so upset, and I find
it easier to talk about this kind of stuff to a stranger.’ Jodie
explained.

‘Did you offer to go with her
Jena?’ Kate asked defensively.

‘No Kate I would never have
done that, when Jodie asked me to go I told her categorically that
it was your decision.’ Jena resolved.

‘What do you think Lucy?’ Kate
probed.

‘Actually it sounds like a good
option Kate, if it means Jodie will speak freely and of course Jena
will be there to support her, without the emotional
involvement.’

Kate looked towards Jena with
serious eyes. ‘Jodie obviously wants you to go, I agree providing
you don’t make any decisions for her.’

‘I would never do that Kate,
rest assured.’

‘Thanks mum.’ Jodie
offered.

‘Ok now why don’t we have a
cuppa?’ I suggest as it’s supposed to be the cure for
everything.

Some time later I bumped into
Jena on the stairs. ‘Can you spare a few minutes honey?’ I asked
hopefully.

‘Always Lucy let’s go in the
lounge.’

I then gave Jena a full account
of Tim’s five hour meeting with a work colleague, and my reactions
and dream.

‘I’ve got one thing to say to
you Ms Ross, it’s time for action before he drives you mad.’

‘I know Jena and I promise I’m
going to do something about it, however I fully intend to devise a
plan and you may well be involved….

Chapter 26

Tim came into the bar around
nine o’clock, being Friday night the band had just started to play
and the bar was alive with thirsty punters. A thought flashed
through my mind, had he chosen to come in on the busiest night of
the week because he knew I wouldn’t be able to chat to him. I
served him with a half pint of larger. ‘I can see you’re too busy
for a chat darling, so can we have lunch together on Sunday.’ He
shouted over the hubbub in the bar.

‘Yeah that’s fine.’ I shouted
back as I watched him disappear into the crowd. To be honest Tim
was the least of my worries at the moment, running my bar was my
priority. Contriving a plan to scrutinize Tim’s suspicious
behaviour, I could deal with later when I had time to focus. As
always on a Friday evening the bar was in full swing, so at closing
time we were all pretty exhausted. As I locked the outside doors
there were four of us left to enjoy a night cap, Jena, Andy, Lucas
and me. Andy poured the drinks; me and Jena found it amusing as he
seemed to enjoy his short spell behind the bar. I made a mental
note of this as he could prove to be exceptionally helpful if we
were short staffed. After one drink we were all visibly flagging.
Jena and Andy made their way upstairs and Lucas, like the
discerning man he was, waited for me to set the alarms and walked
up the first flight of stairs with me. ‘Goodnight Lucy sleep well.’
He wished me. If only all men were that sensitive….

Once in bed I was afraid that
sleep would evade me, turning on my side I closed my eyes and
wished to drift into dreamless oblivion. Although my body was
physically exhausted my mind had other ideas, refusing to let me
rest. So where was Tim tonight, asleep in the next room? Or had he
absconded on one of his secretive missions…. I could answer this
question easily if I plucked up the courage to open his bedroom
door. What was stopping me, whatever was holding me back? I’m a
naturally impulsive person and one who speaks my mind, was I afraid
of what his room may reveal? After a restless few minutes and
without further thought I jumped out of bed and donned a robe.
Walking towards his bedroom with my master key in my hand, my only
thought was, he comes into my room whenever he feels the urge, now
it’s my turn. With no thought of sound, I placed the key in the
lock and slowly opened the door…there was no movement and I was
finding it hard to focus in the dark, my instincts told me to
switch on the wall light. Sliding my hand onto the wall I felt the
light switch, the room looked just as it was on my previous visit.
Unless he was hiding under the bed or in the tiny shower room which
was doubtful, once again there was no sign of him. With sheer
determination I began to rearrange a few things, surely then he
would realise someone had been in his secret den. I folded the
duvet neatly at the end of the bed, picked up the clothes he’d
strewn casually on the floor, and then closed the lid on the case,
which appeared to contain underwear. Discarded paper had been
thrown aimlessly on the floor, next to an overfilled waste bin.
Then my eyes settled on the computer, I hastily turned it on
without a thought of what would happen if he returned. Why should I
concern myself anyway it was my building. The computer burst into
life and after a minute the request for a password showed up on the
screen. I tried the obvious names, addresses, and even his mobile
number, all to no avail. Thought would have to go into this, as one
thing is for sure Tim isn’t stupid. Turning the power off I looked
over into the corner where he always spends time in my dreams,
apart from a cover thrown in the corner there was nothing of
interest. I turned off the light and re locked the door, the only
achievement was to prove he was out once again. Slipping back into
bed I fell into a dreamless sleep.

On Sunday afternoon at around
three o’clock, Tim condescended to show his face in the restaurant,
where Jena, Andy and me were having lunch. This was the first sign
of him since Friday night in the bar. ‘Oh look what the wind’s
blown in.’ I muttered sarcastically.

‘Am I late then darling?’ He
replied glibly.

I ignored his remark and
carried on eating my lunch, Andy spoke next. ‘Have you eaten
mate?’

‘Yes thanks Andy, I’ll go and
get changed Lucy and meet you in fifteen minutes.’ He
proffered.

‘Ok I’ll still be in here.’ I
then visualized him walking into his room, as he’d obviously been
away for the weekend. Would he notice my few adjustments? Whatever,
I fully intended to give him the third degree this afternoon.

‘I take it you’re angry Lucy?’
Jena asked cautiously.

‘Just a tad Hun, I haven’t been
able to bring you up to speed over the weekend. We must find time
tomorrow after you’ve chaperoned Jodie to the doctors.’ I
explained. ‘Apologies Andy for causing an atmosphere just then, but
that man is enough to make you scream at times.’

‘No problems Lucy I’m getting
your drift love.’

‘Enjoy your afternoon you two
I’d better grab a coat.’ I added as I hastily left the
restaurant.

Me and Tim ambled along in
silence until we reached the Embankment, where we found an empty
seat. ‘How’s your weekend been?’ He asked.

‘I believe I should be asking
you that question, you’re fully aware how I’ve spent my weekend. In
fact why don’t you start with the other night when you went out to
meet your colleague for a coffee, you know the coffee that took
five hours.’

‘Oh babe you know what it’s
like boys and their toys, we got involved playing computer games.’
He replies casually.

‘No actually I don’t know what
it’s like, why don’t you tell me.’ I found myself studying his
facial expressions and his movements. I noticed that he had little
crows feet lines at the corner of his eyes. Not once did he give me
direct eye contact, he was fidgety and continuously drummed his
fingers on the seat beside him. His face was flushed and as he
started to speak I sensed he was anxious. ‘Computer games are fun
Lucy and it’s easy to get carried away.’ He offered.

‘I’ve had the notion that you
may be an on line gambler, I mean your fortieth birthday will soon
be here. You’ve always told me your dream was to become a
millionaire by then.’ He looked even more uncomfortable now.