Games Lovers Play (20 page)

‘Take him back to his cell,' the detective told the constable standing by the door. Turning to Barton he said, ‘Get used to it, Barton, because you'll be in one for some time.'

The news of the arrests was a great relief to Edward Harrington, who took great pleasure in informing the council committee of the event. He cast a disparaging look around the men seated at the table.

‘Well, gentlemen, there will no longer be the need of an internal enquiry now!'

One or two of them looked somewhat shamefaced and muttered about having to get to the bottom of the problem because of the finances involved.

‘I quite understand that,' Edward said with a slow smile, ‘however, I did not appreciate the insinuation that I had something to do with it!'

Being caught on the back foot, the men flushed and wriggled in their seats but remained silent.

Edward did not. ‘Without the confidence of this committee I cannot continue in my present position so I am tending my resignation!'

This completely floored them. Edward Harrington was good at his job, and they didn't want to lose him.

The chairman spoke. ‘Edward, please reconsider. We were in a difficult position; surely you can understand that?'

‘Oh, I do. But now consider mine. You doubted my integrity, my professionalism. That was unforgivable!' He rose from his seat. ‘Good day, gentlemen!' Picking up his papers, he walked out of the room, smiling to himself as he listened to the raised voices behind him.

When he returned to his office he picked up the telephone and rang Kay's office.

‘Kay Baker.'

‘Hello, darling, can you get your mother to look after Susan for the weekend so we can go away? I feel the need of a break.'

There was something in his voice that made her feel that something was amiss. ‘Yes, I'm sure that can be arranged,' she said carefully, aware that her conversation could be overheard.

‘Good, I'll pop in tonight after work.'

Kay opened the door, kissed Edward on the cheek and said, ‘Come into the kitchen. Susan's just had her supper. Would you like me to make you a drink of some kind?'

‘I would kill for a cup of tea.'

She chuckled. ‘Oh, you don't have to go that far.'

Edward sat beside Susan. ‘Well, young lady, and how are you today?'

She looked at him and smiled. ‘I'm fine. We did drawing today!' She held up a sheet of paper to show him.

He looked up at Kay and raised his eyebrows asking for help as he failed to recognize what had been drawn. She just shrugged.

‘This is really good,' he said, studying it carefully. ‘I like all the colours.'

‘It's my house and that –' she pointed to a large blob in the middle – ‘is me and my dog.'

‘I didn't know you had a dog.'

‘I don't really, silly, but I do in my picture. Can you draw?'

‘A bit,' he said, keeping a straight face.

Susan handed him a clean piece of paper. ‘Will you draw a house for me?'

‘Of course, but first you must tell me what sort of house you'd like.'

Kay watched with great fascination as the two of them were in serious conversation as Edward started to draw. Considering that he was a bachelor, she was amazed at the natural way he handled her small daughter. It was the first time they'd sat together and talked for any length of time. She was fascinated. At last the drawing was finished and a delighted child held out the paper for her to see.

‘Look, Mummy, at what Edward's drawn. It's beautiful!'

Kay looked at the thatched cottage, with curtains at the window, smoke coming from the chimney, roses growing round the door. A child and a dog were playing on the grass in the small garden.

‘That's me and my dog!' Susan explained. But Kay didn't need to be told, the likeness was so good. She looked at Edward in surprise.

He laughed at her expression. ‘I can draw other things than buildings,' he said.

‘So it would seem. You never fail to surprise me.'

‘I have another surprise. Today I resigned from the council.'

‘Good heavens! What will you do now?'

He stared at her. ‘That all depends on you, Kay.'

Gerry Cooper, Bert Brown and Jake Barton were in court the following morning. They stood side by side in the dock and gave their names and addresses. Cooper and Brown were held on remand and Barton was released on bail until the trial was set.

As he walked away from the court, Jake couldn't believe his luck. He'd been warned not to leave Southampton or a warrant would be issued for his arrest. He wasn't a fool. He knew if he left it would be a sign of his guilt and he was convinced that if he continued to proclaim his innocence, there was a chance he could get away with it. Besides, there was another race he'd entered in a week's time and he didn't want to miss that.

But as the day progressed he had to face the fact that the jury might just believe his two associates and he could be charged and have to serve time in jail. That would put paid to his racing career altogether. If that
was
the case, he wanted to finish as a winner. The one person standing in his way was Sam Knight. Well, he'd have to see about that!

Kay Baker took Susan to school, then went for a walk to try and gather her thoughts. She needed to make a decision that would affect the rest of her life and that of her daughter. She sat on a park bench, going over her conversation of the previous evening with Edward. He'd dropped a bombshell when he told her he'd resigned his position. When she'd asked him what his plans for the future were, he'd surprised her yet again.

‘That depends on you, Kay,' he told her.

‘What ever do you mean?'

‘I've been offered a position that is too good to turn down, and if I'm honest I don't want to. But it will mean going to live in Paris for a year.'

‘Paris?' She was shocked.

He took hold of her hand. ‘Yes, Paris. Have you ever been there?'

‘No.'

‘I would like to take you and Susan with me.'

She frowned. ‘I don't understand.'

He chuckled as he saw the consternation in her expression. ‘Kay, darling, I'm asking you to marry me and come to Paris as my wife.'

He knees seemed to give way beneath her, and she quickly sat down.

Edward started laughing. ‘Well, honestly! Can it be such a terrible thing? You have gone quite pale at the thought! That's not exactly flattering, you know.'

She had to smile. This lovely man was offering to share his life with her and Susan and she'd reacted very badly.

‘I'm sorry, Edward, but you took me by surprise. I don't know what to say.'

‘Yes would be good!'

‘When do you have to go?'

‘Three months' time. But I'll have to go over there before to verify everything and sign a contract … and if you agree to come with me, I'll have to find us somewhere to live and a school for Susan.'

She was very touched to think he'd considered Susan as well. But there was so much to be settled before she could say yes.

‘I'd have to talk to John about taking Susan abroad. I do have full custody of her, but I would probably need his permission to do this.'

‘We'll have a word with your solicitor first to see what the procedure is.'

She gazed fondly at him. ‘Are you sure that taking my daughter too is what you want? You know we come as a package?'

He pulled her off the chair and held her. ‘You are everything I want, and Susan too. She's a delightful child, and I always knew she would be part of our lives if ever you did me the honour of becoming my wife.' He kissed her longingly. ‘Oh, Kay, the three of us could have such a wonderful life together, don't you agree?'

‘Yes, I do, Edward, but please, this is such a big decision, give me time to think about it.'

For the first time since she'd known him, Edward looked uncertain. But he recovered quickly.

‘Of course. I'm sorry, I know this came out of the blue but circumstances forced my hand. Normally I'd have given you all the time you needed. But will you come away this weekend no matter what?'

‘Yes, of course I will.'

‘Good. I'll pick you up on Saturday morning and bring you home on Monday if that's all right.'

She leaned forward and kissed him. ‘That will be lovely.'

He had left and she was still in a whirl. Now she got to her feet and walked out of the house and headed for her mother's home.

‘What do you mean you don't know what to do?'

Kay was sitting in her mother's kitchen after telling her what had transpired.

‘Are you completely mad? For God's sake, Kay, you meet this wonderful man who adores you. He's willing to take you and your child. He's in a position to give you a good life, and you hesitate! I don't understand you at all. Especially after all you've been through with John. This man wouldn't be unfaithful to you, he's too honourable for that … Aren't you in love with him? Is that it?'

‘Yes, I am in love with him. You've met him, why wouldn't I be?'

Her mother looked at her. ‘Then what are you afraid of, for goodness' sake?'

‘Nothing really, but it's all been so sudden.'

Her mother shook her head. ‘You listen to me. A woman with a child is a lot for a man to take on, but he didn't hesitate. He must really love you to do that. If you lose him, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.'

‘He wants the two of us to go away this weekend from Saturday until Monday.'

‘Wonderful! It's just what you need. You go and before you come back you tell him you want to be part of his life. Good God! Give me a chance to live in Paris for a year with such a man and I'd be off like a shot!'

Kay started laughing. ‘I do believe you would. What about dear old Dad?'

Her mother laughed too. ‘Well, it's hardly likely to happen to me, which perhaps is just as well.'

Kay collected her things. ‘Thanks, Mum. I just needed someone to give me a kick up the backside.' She kissed her on the cheek. ‘I'll bring Susan over on Friday night after school.'

The weekend in Bath was blissful. Edward didn't mention the future at all, so Kay wasn't under any pressure. They spent time exploring the beautiful city, wined, dined – and made love. It was the longest time they'd spent together, and Kay enjoyed every moment.

Edward was such good company. His knowledge of architecture made the trip even more interesting. And he made her laugh. As they walked hand in hand, she realized it had been years since she'd been so happy and asked herself why on earth she'd been so reticent about accepting his proposal.

On their last day, after a night of great sex, she held him close and staring into his eyes she spoke softly. ‘Darling Mr Harrington, if you still want me, I'd love to share your life with you.'

He was both surprised and delighted. He gently stroked her naked body. ‘Oh, Kay, darling, you've made me very happy. I know I've forced you into making a decision but I promise you will never regret it. Whilst I have breath in my body I will love you … and Susan.'

On her return, Kay rang her ex-husband and asked him to come to the house as she wanted to talk to him.

John Baker was puzzled. Since their divorce, Kay had been very cool whenever he called at the house to collect Susan on the weekends when he was allowed to take her out. What on earth did Kay want? Could she possibly have had a change of heart? She certainly sounded different.

He stood on the doorstep of his old home, clutching an extravagant bouquet of flowers and rang the bell.

‘Hello, John, please come in.' She led him into the sitting room.

He handed her the flowers.

‘Thank you, they're lovely.'

‘He smiled and said, ‘You're looking very well. I love the dress.' He sat on the settee wondering if she would sit beside him.

Kay sat on an armchair opposite him. ‘Thank you for coming. There's something I want to tell you.'

He leaned nonchalantly back in his seat and waited.

‘I'm getting married,' said Kay.

He sat up, shocked at the statement. ‘You what?'

Kay looked at the expression on his face and hid a smile. My goodness, he looks outraged, she thought, then she wondered if for one moment he'd had the audacity to think she wanted him back. Knowing him so well, she realized that was precisely what he'd been thinking.

‘What do you mean you're getting married? Christ, Kay! We've only just been divorced!'

‘I know but circumstances are such that I've had to make a quick decision.'

‘Who is this man, may I ask?'

‘I'm going to marry Edward Harrington, the architect.'

He was stunned into silence.

‘But there is something more. When we are married, we'll be living in Paris for a year.'

‘Paris?' This was all too much to take in. ‘But – but what about Susan?' he stuttered.

‘That's what we need to discuss. Of course Susan will come with us. Edward is already looking for a suitable school. I'm sure you'll think this will be an excellent opportunity for her.'

His nostrils flared with anger. ‘You can't possibly think I'd be happy about this? What about the weekends we spend together? Those times mean everything to me. I'll never see her if you take her away!'

Aware that the one thing he was genuine about was the love he had for his daughter, Kay trod carefully.

‘I know this is asking a lot of you, John, and it isn't an ideal situation, but I don't have a choice. Edward will be working there, and as his wife, I want to be with him, and where I go, so does Susan.'

‘Not if I object!'

‘You'll be able to have her during the school holidays. I'll bring her home.'

John Baker was in a quandary. Firstly, he was shocked that Kay was getting married. He'd always believed that eventually they would get back together, and now it was obvious this wasn't going to happen. This was a serious blow to his ego. He'd always held the upper hand as far as his women went. He was the one who always made the decisions, and he was not happy that another man was making plans for
his
daughter. This was unthinkable!