A Secret Schemer (26 page)

‘Yeah why not, let’s hope it’s
still going strong. She could do with a break.’

I folded the bank statements up
and slipped them into my pocket, as I intend to check out the
information in the office later on. As we went into the kitchen it
was great to see Kate with a beaming smile. I haven’t told her
about our latest find in Tim’s room; I’d rather sort everything out
first. I keep telling myself it’s only just over a week and it’ll
be his fortieth, and basically I’m eager to know what the surprise
is. Patience Lucy Ross….

‘You’re looking decidedly
tickled pink Kate, are you going to tell us why?’ I pressed
cheerfully.

‘Could it have something to do
with our postman Kate?’ Jena teased.

‘Pack it in you two; I really
think I may have met my soul mate at long last.’ Kate disclosed
with a grin. ‘Please pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming.’

‘Pinch you! No way it’s time to
open the bubbly me thinks.’ I shouted. ‘Will you do the honours
Jena?’

‘Sure I’ll be back in a flash,
better than a cuppa anyway.’

The three of us shared a bottle
of bubbly, I must admit I crossed my fingers briefly in the hopes
that Kate’s happiness will last. With Jena and Andy already on the
right track it will be good for Kate and Tom to follow. As for me,
well that’s anyone’s guess, as I keep saying only time will
tell.

Later in the office I verified
which bank account of Tim’s that he’d issued the cheques from,
Royal Bank of Scotland. According to the latest statement Jena had
found for this account, there was more than ten thousand pounds in
credit. I intend to take my five cheques into the bank in the
morning. When Tim had first moved in he paid his rent in cash for a
couple of weeks, he asked if he could pay by cheque every four
weeks which I agreed, and two of the cheques were banked. I’m not
completely clear as to why I kept hold of the others, possibly
because I’d hoped that our relationship would have developed, or
moved on and he would have been sharing my room…. Now as everything
appears to be so up in the air I feel I have the right to cash the
money. Scanning through the five bank statements I can’t deduce why
he has the need for so many accounts. As for his finances I’m not
in a position to comment, as we’ve never spoken of the subject. I
mean a guy who is knocking on the door of forty and never been
married could potentially be financially sound. Although I’ve
always found his dream of becoming a millionaire by the time he’s
forty a joke, he’s undeniably heading in the right direction.
Whether it’s kosher remains to be seen… Sliding the cheques and
statements back into my drawer I went back into the kitchen to see
what Kate has to offer for an evening meal.

‘Kate I fancy something tasty
tonight honey, what do you suggest.’ I ask with a sigh.

‘How about a portion of chicken
and ham pie served with sauté potatoes and spring greens.’ She
offered.

‘Sounds fantastic, I’ll eat in
here if I’m not in your way.’

‘You’re never in the way Lucy,
and Lucas is on his way in as well.’

‘Great I’ll get the cutlery.’
With that I laid two places at the kitchen table, I think I’ll tell
Lucas about our find in Tim’s room, as he’s been so helpful.

Later that night I received
another message from Tim saying how hard he was working and he
hoped I was well and everything was ok at the pub. I sent a quick
reply saying all was fine and not to work too hard. I made myself a
mug of hot chocolate which I took into the lounge, stretched out on
the sofa and switched the TV on. A movie had just started so after
I finished my drink I snuggled down hoping to be enthralled…the
last scene I recall was an express train speeding through the
countryside, when sleep engulfed me… I was on a train working my
way through the carriages searching for Tim, I knew he’d boarded
the train I’d seen him. At last I saw him; there were other people
close by. I sat opposite, he was in conversation with another man,
I couldn’t hear their voices. When the train stopped at the next
station the other guy got off. Tim was holding a cup of drink,
coffee I expect and he started writing something in a note book. I
wanted to see what he was writing; I tried to sit next to him,
however I couldn’t move something was barring my way. The train
raced through a few small stations, then it stopped at Bromley
South, I read the sign. Tim was still writing, then his mobile
sprang into action, again I couldn’t hear what he was saying
although he was smiling. Was he talking to the ‘other person’? The
one who’s face is always concealed. As the train drew into the next
station Tim stood up and made his way to the door. I followed but
the station name was hazy and I couldn’t read the sign. We hadn’t
come far out of London; we were nowhere near Scotland, not yet
anyway. I followed him out of the station, he was walking briskly I
had to hurry to keep up, it was very dark. After a while I grasped
we were in that same road where I’d been before, I knew I must stay
close to him in case he closed the door. Just as before he ran up
the steps of the big house, I slipped through the doorway easily
and I was back in the same room…the other person was there
concealed from my view…why can’t I see who it is, they embraced
briefly and then sat each end of the sofa. There was no sound at
all although they were in deep conversation, once again Tim opened
up the laptop and they were both engrossed with whatever was on the
screen. Which ever way I moved I couldn’t see the screen, it was
just a blur….when out of the blue I could see a cloudy photograph
on the screen, impossible to tell who it was. Tim was smiling and I
could only surmise that the other person was also. This is so
frustrating, if only they would leave the room, maybe then I would
be able to take a look, as I’m sure the answers to all my questions
are stored in that laptop. While they were engrossed in
conversation I found myself scanning the room for anything
familiar. I noticed how bland the décor was, tasteless in fact,
just essential items of furniture. Although as I searched for
anything of interest, I noticed a picture frame lying on the top of
the cupboard face down. Then without warning Tim jumped up and
started waving his arms about in temper, he was pointing to the
screen and looked angry. I was quite startled as I’d certainly
never seen this side of him. The other person hurried from the
room. Tim followed and slammed the door behind him, only then did I
realise he’d left the laptop open. Sitting in front of the screen I
attempted to use the mouse….nothing happened…then a sign popped up
requesting a password, what the hell could his password be. I
looked up and my eyes went back to the picture frame, I had to
check it out, as I crossed the room I could see the cupboard was
dusty, I was wrong the picture wasn’t face down, just dusty. The
person in the picture was attired in skiing gear, I could see it
wasn’t Tim, with the person’s face partially hidden by the hood all
I could see distinctly were their beautiful eyes, really stunning…I
will never forget those eyes…going back to the laptop my thoughts
of a password he could possibly use (the first word that came to
mind was millionaire) eagerly I attempted to type…as my fingers
touched the keyboard I woke up with a start…clutching the TV remote
control, the television still blaring…so once again I’d been
indulged in a wild reverie….switching the television off, I rubbed
my eyes and slowly recalled the essence of my dream…the beautiful
eyes in the picture…I can still see them…what does this all mean?
As it was only three o’clock I ventured back into the bedroom,
slipped into bed and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

My mobile woke me just after
seven, to my surprise it was Tim saying he couldn’t get back until
Sunday morning. After asking why he’d called so early, he once
again expressed how busy he was. The call was short and to the
point, nevertheless he’d kept his promise to keep in touch. To say
I’m bewildered would definitely be an understatement, in fact
between reality and dreams I truly am so mystified I can barely
interpret right from wrong…. Making a conscious decision to put all
of these baffling thoughts to the back of my mind I hastily
showered and dressed before heading down to the kitchen to start my
day. ‘Good morning Guys.’ I said cheerfully to Mary and Lucas. ‘Any
tea in the pot?’

‘Good morning Lucy.’ they said
in unison. ‘I’ll make you a fresh pot love, that one may be stewed
by now.’ Mary added.

‘Can you spare me half an hour
later Lucy, there’s some new products I’d like to go through with
you.’ Lucas asked.

‘No problem, as soon as I’ve
had a cuppa I’m all yours.’

‘That sounds like an offer you
can’t refuse Lucas.’ Mary teased.

‘I’m not that fortunate Mary,
all the lovely ladies are taken.’ He laughed.

‘When you two have finished,
does anyone fancy hot buttered crumpets?’

‘Oh yes please.’ They both said
with a smile.

After an enjoyable breakfast
and light hearted banter with Mary and Lucas I went into the office
to sort out the banking for the weekend, making sure the cheques
from Tim were inside my paying in book. Lucas gave me a shout and I
followed him down to the cellar to sort out the new products. While
we were discussing our order I disclosed the gist of my dream to
him (poor guy must be totally fed up with my bizarreness).

‘Lucy it may be as well if you
considered what his password could be, let’s face it that’s the
only way you’ll ever get to the bottom of this. I’ll guarantee all
his data is on line.’

‘I’m sure you’re right Lucas,
however I have as much chance of disuniting Tim from his laptop as
flying to the moon.’

‘Everyone makes mistakes Lucy,
he’s not infallible.’

‘OK I’ll be optimistic and work
on the possible passwords; meanwhile shall we try some of these new
wines in the restaurant?’

‘Good idea, I’ll order six of
each.’

‘I’d better get myself to the
bank or we won’t have sufficient change for the lunchtime bar. See
you later Lucas.’

As I made my way to the office
I bumped into Jena. ‘Hi honey, I’m going to the bank do you feel
like an outing?’ I quizzed. ‘I’ll throw in a coffee and cupcake
even.’

‘How can I refuse, are you
ready to go now?’

‘Yeah, I’ll just grab the stuff
from the office.’

Walking to the bank I shared
with Jena the full contents of my dream, stressing on the
photograph with the stunning eyes. ‘What do you think it means
Hun?’ I probe, hoping she’ll be able to give me a logical
answer.

‘I wish I knew Lucy, however if
you still have a clear vision of those eyes there has to be a
reason.’

‘I don’t think I’ll ever forget
them they were so alluring.’

‘What gender was the person in
the photo?’ Jena asked cautiously.

‘I’m not sure as they were
dressed in skiing gear, difficult to say, with pretty eyes like
that I’d plum for female.’

‘Mm I make you right, was it
the same building as before?’

‘Yes definitely.’ I
assured.

‘You said it sounded like the
building in Orpington, was there a for sale board outside?’ Jean
asked thoughtfully.

‘I was just concentrating on
Tim I didn’t want to lose him, plus it was dark.’

‘I know it’s only a dream Lucy,
they can be interpreted by oneirocriticism, which by the way is the
art of interpreting dreams.’ Jena explained. ‘I mean there are so
many similarities plus your dreams are continuous.’

‘Get you and your fancy words.
Although I feel I should wait until his fortieth birthday before I
do anything, it’s only a week away.’

‘You’ve got more patience than
me Hun, that’s all I can say. What with all the bank accounts, and
the cash, and his oddball behaviour, not to mention the dreaded
room. What more proof do you want that the guys a sleaze?’

‘Humour me honey it’s just one
more week.’ I ask hopefully.

‘Let’s hope it’s not one week
too long Lucy Ross.’

In the bank I reflected on
Jena’s last comment, once again I know she’s right in what she
says. However I need to see this through, he could just prove
everyone wrong.

‘Well if it is love I’ve only
got myself to blame, believe me I’m not expecting him to put a ring
on my finger. To be completely honest a ring is not what I want,
you know me Jena I’m not the marrying kind. Like you I would
normally add, although I’m not so sure with you and Andy, if you
change your mind and take your nuptials I’ll be the first to
congratulate you honey.’

‘I’m certainly not going to
rule it out Lucy; I didn’t ever think I’d hear myself admit to
that.’ Jena grins. ‘Can you imagine me tripping up the isle like a
wobbly blancmange; I don’t think so, Chelsea Town Hall in a trouser
suit, that’ll be my limit.’

‘Really, we’ll see about that
Ms Wright.’ I assure. ‘Speaking of weddings I wonder if Kate will
make it up the isle with Tom.’

‘Early days I feel, although it
would be good to see her settled, she deserves it after the year
she’s had.’ Jena adds. ‘Anyway what about this coffee and cup cake
you promised me.’

‘Your mind is never far from
food Hun. How about we walk through Victoria station for a quick
look in the shops, then upstairs to the café to devour yummy cakes,
then people- watch our favourite pastime.’

‘Retail therapy crafty cow,
good job there’s something good at the end of it.’ Jena moans.

Later in the bar while waiting
for the band to set up, Archie informed me. ‘Were you aware Lucy
that Vie Butler has started a petition to get you and Jena out of
the pub?’

‘Seriously, how many people
have signed it?’ I quizzed.

‘Three.’ He laughed.

‘Wow, let me guess her and her
mate, who’s the third one?’

‘Me and Lucas think it’s the
scruffy mutt.’