Girl on the Run (16 page)

When she fell silent, he said,
‘So you think that journalist today had something to do with the magazine campaign?’

She nodded, unable to speak.

‘And your ex is behind all this?’

‘
Well, either him or his publicist.’

‘
You could sue him for harassment.’

‘
We thought of that,’ Polly called, from the kitchen. ‘But that's even more publicity for him.’

Marsh was silent for a moment. Emotions flitted over his face. Finally, he seemed to reach a decision.
‘If I ever meet your ex, I'm going to punch him on the nose.’

He looked so serious, that Jane had to smile.

‘That's better.’ He leaned forward to kiss her.

Jane sniffed.
‘I need a tissue. Excuse me a minute.’ She went to the bathroom, knowing Marsh was staring after her.

You've reached Marsh's phone. Please leave your name and number and I'll call you back.

‘Oh Marsh. Buzz dumped me. He wanted to borrow some more money off me and I said you wouldn't let me and we had this huge row and it was horrible. He got really angry and shouted at me and called me names. You were right. He just wanted money from me
.
　The tragic part is that I really,really liked him, Marsh. I really did
.
　I feel like my heart has been torn in two. I'm so miserable. I don't know what to do.’

##

You've reached Marshall and Stevie's place. We're not around right now, but leave a message and we'll get right back to you!

‘Marsh? Where are you? I've been trying to phone, but your phone'soff. Call me. Please, please
.
　I don't know what to do. I don't want to see him again. He scared me.’

* * *

Jane washed her face. Her reflection looked awful. Her mascara was smudged and her face was puffy from crying. Tears had fallen on Polly's dress and puckered the material. With the make-up gone, her face looked red and raw, a far cry from how she'd looked at the start of the date.

Now that the initial shock had worn off, she felt unutterably tired. Although she was grateful to Marsh for bringing her home, she wanted nothing more than to be left alone. It was a lousy end to a date. She sighed and headed back into the living room.

Marsh was perched on the arm of the chair with his phone to his ear, still wearing his coat. As she walked in, he made an exasperated sound and hung up. ‘No reception,’ he said as Polly handed him a cup of coffee.

Marsh looked up and spotted Jane.
‘Hey. Feeling better?’

Jane tried to smile.
‘A bit.’

‘
I'll just … go do some stuff,’ Polly said. ‘I'll be in my room, if you need me.’ She disappeared down the hall.

‘
I'm going to head off,’ Marsh said. He set his still-full cup down. ‘Unless you want me to stay?’

Feeling guilty about not wanting him around, Jane shook her head.
‘I'm so sorry.’

‘
Don't be. You've had a difficult evening. I completely understand.’

‘
Thank you so much, for everything,’ she said. ‘I'm sorry I ruined our date.’

‘
That's Ok.’ He took her face in his hands. ‘I had a good time until those people popped out of the undergrowth.’

‘
Me too.’

His thumb traced the line of her cheek.
‘You're an incredible woman, Jane. I've never met anyone like you.’

‘
What, a date who ends up crying all over your shirt and talking about her ex?’

He kissed her, very gently.
‘I'll see you tomorrow.’

She nodded into his hands. For a moment, she thought he was going to say something else, but he sighed instead and gave her another kiss on the forehead.

After he left, she wished he'd tried to persuade her to let him stay.

Not wanting to talk to Polly, Jane went to her room and lay on her bed. It was all so unfair. Just as she was getting her life back on track, the ghosts of her past were coming back to haunt her. How had the magazine journalist and the photographer known she would be at that restaurant that night?

She hadn't told anyone but Polly. Could Marsh have let the information slip whilst talking to someone at work? Somehow, she felt that was unlikely. Marsh was more adamant about keeping work and life separate than she was.

She supposed it was possible that the journalist had seen her go into the restaurant by chance and just waited for her to come out again. It wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened.

* * *

Text from: Stevie
, To: Marsh

Marsh! Where
r u? I'm coming home. I don't know wot else 2 do!

##

Text from: Marsh, To: Stevie

I'm here. Don't panic. Your mobile reception is patchy. Where are you?

##

Text from: Stevie
,
　To: Marsh

I'm on the train. It's the last train & a bit creepy. I didn't know what else 2 do. Didn't want 2 stay at
uni.

##

Text from: Marsh
,
　To: Stevie

Are you
Ok? Did he hurt you?

##

Text from: Stevie, To: Marsh

No, didn't hurt me. Just scared me. He was so angry when I told him that
uwouldn't let me have any more money
.
　OMG. You don't think he'll come and attack u, do u? He knows where we live.

##

Text From: Marsh, To Stevie

Calm down. I doubt very much that he'll do that. Don't worry.
I'll come and get you from the station. I shall see if I can find a late shop that sells ice cream. I seem to remember that helps with a broken heart ;-)

##

Text from: Stevie, To: Marsh

Ice cream would b lovely
.
　I can't believe I fell 4 him so completely. He seemed so nice! & he was so gorgeous and generous.

##

Text from: Marsh
,
　To: Stevie

I hate to say it, but he was generous with YOUR money.

##

Text from: Stevie
,
　To: Marsh

I know. I know. U were right
.
　I should have listened to u
.
　Thing is, my head knows I'm better off out of it, but my heart doesn't agree. I feel so miserable.

##

Text from: Stevie, To: Marsh

J
ust realised tonight was ur d8 with Jane! OMG, I'm so sorry. Is it Ok me coming home? I can c if I can find somewr else. Maybe u could put me up in a Travelodge 4 the night.

##

Text from: Marsh, To: Stevie

Of course it's fine for you to come home. It'll ALWAYS be fine for you to come home. Idiot
.
　The date went Ok, but things went a bit weird at the end. I'll tell you when you get home.

##

Text from: Stevie, To Marsh

Tell me now. I've got nothing better
2do sat on this train
.
　Please?

##

Text from: Marsh, To: Stevie

Dinner was lovely. Jane was lovely too. All was going well, until we left. There was a photographer and a journalist waiting outside
.
　Jane went to pieces. She was crying and shaking. She tried to explain but ended up talking about how her ex cheated on her. From what she said, there's a magazine harassing her and her ex is behind it all.

##

Text from: Stevie, To: Marsh

Were they from
Cause Celeb
? Jane is the
Cause Celeb
Cause of the month.

##

Text from: Marsh, To: Stevie

I know
that. What I want to know is,how did they know she was going to be there
?
　You didn't mention it to anyone, did you?

##

Text from: Stevie, To: Marsh

Sorry about the delay. Had 2 move carriages. A really drunk bloke trying
2 chatme up
.
　NO! I didn't mention it 2 any1. Not even Buzz. Why would I
?
　Who did u tell?

##

Text From: Marsh, To: Stevie

That's just it. I can't think of anyone. Jim suggested the restaurant, but he wouldn't tell anyone. Neither would Lou. It's a mystery
.
　I've found a 24 hr supermarket. They have Ben & Jerry's. I shall get the biggest tub of Phish Food I can find.

##

Text From: Stevie, To: Marsh

Phish food? I'm not a baby
any more, Marsh! Chunky Monkey, please.

Jane was jumpy as she travelled to work the next day, constantly on the lookout for anyone who might work for the press. Having reached work without incident, she stood in the lift, breathing slowly and working to relax her shoulders, which were trying to touch her ears. The office should be safer. The photograph was only taken yesterday. No one would know about it yet.

* * *

From: Keith, To: Sally

Have you seen the latest edition of
Cause Celeb
? Came out this morning. Page thirteen. K.

##

From: Sally, To: Keith

Since when do you read
Cause Celeb
?

##

From: Keith, To: Sally

You'd be surprised. I'm a man of hidden shallows ;-)

##

From: Sally
, To: Ruth

Ruth, have you seen today's
Cause Celeb
? I told you it was the same Jane Porter
.
　Everyone else seems really surprised. I told them we figured it out ages ago.

* * *

The minute she stepped into reception at the office, Jane knew something was up. The receptionist looked up from what she was reading and hurriedly pulled a piece of paper across to cover it up. ‘Hi,’ she said, her voice unnaturally bright.

Jane signed in and started across the open areas to her office. She was in later than usual, so most of the desks were occupied. A group of secretaries was huddled round a computer screen. They all went silent when Jane walked by.

‘I got it,’ someone said, behind her. Jane turned to see one of the secretaries brandishing a magazine. When she saw Jane she froze in place, her mouth a horrified
O
. ‘Er … Hi.’

Surely they couldn't have published the photo so quickly? No, there must be some other explanation. She fled to the sanctuary of her office, sank into her chair and opened up her emails.

##

Text
from: Marsh, To: Jane 

Hi Jane, hope you're feeling better today
.
　I'm probably not going to be in until this afternoon. Do you want to meet up after work? Somewhere discreet, of course
.
　Marsh

* * *

It had been sent very early in the morning. Maybe he hadn't been able to sleep either. She wished she were with him. If ever she'd needed a hug, it was now.

She rubbed her burning eyes. The lack of sleep and her nervous agitation were starting to take its toll. Perhaps another coffee would help. It would mean going past all the whispering gossips, but she felt so awful, it was almost worth it. She was resigned to the fact that her photo was in the magazine. She might as well face it. The whispering wasn't going to go away.

Her quiet life was over. Again.

How had they managed to get the photo in today's edition? Surely it took longer than that to get copy into place.
Unless they'd been expecting to get the photo last night.

If the journalist had known for certain that she would be coming out of that restaurant …

The realisation hit her like an unexpected snowball in the chest.

Shaken, she pushed herself out of her chair. Gossips
be damned. She needed coffee.

As she stood, there was a knock on the door. Without waiting, Keith entered.
‘Do you mind if I come in. I'd like to have a word, in private.’ He was holding a magazine in his hand and his tone was grave.

Was she in trouble?

He closed the door and pulled Ruth's chair to Jane's desk. ‘Here. Have a look at this.’

Jane's New Man
!
　Ashby Devastated!

Cause Celeb cause of the month: Spotted
– Jane Porter and her New Man.

Acting on a tip off from a reader,
Cause Celeb
's very own Amber Jackson tracked down Jane Porter, sought after ex-girlfriend of Ashby Thornton and
Cause Celeb
cause of the month.

Unfortunately for Ashby, it looks like our plea went out too late. Jane was seen smooching with her new boyfriend
– pictured below and left. Sources say that Jane's new hunk is patent lawyer, Marshall Winfield.

Friends say Ashby is devastated by the news.
‘I'm hoping that Jane will come back to me. I love her and miss her. I know I treated her terribly, but I pray that she can see it in her heart to forgive me,’ Ashby told reporters when asked about Jane just last week.

Is Jane right to move on with her life? Is her new love hotter than Ashby?

Have your say! Log on to our
website
and comment.

Reader Poll: Should Jane forgive Ashby and take him back? Voting closes midnight on Saturday.

Jane's hand shook as she read the short piece of copy. There was a picture of her and Marsh kissing outside the restaurant and another, less clear, photo of the two of them getting into a taxi. She sank slowly into her chair.

‘That edition came out this morning,’ said Keith, still using that grave tone.

Jane was too shaken to speak. Her hopes of rebuilding her career in blissful anonymity were shattered. She scanned the article again and noted with relief that they hadn't mentioned where Marsh worked. It wouldn't be too difficult to find out though. His name was on the website, after all.

‘At least they didn't mention the firm,’ Keith said, as though reading her thoughts. He looked at her intently. ‘Are you Ok?’

‘
Yes. I was just …’ She rubbed her eyes. ‘I was hoping I'd left all of this behind. I didn't think they'd be interested in me once I was away from Ashby.’

‘
You moved city, you changed your hair colour, your job. You did everything you could.’ He sighed. ‘I blame myself.’

‘
Why? What does it have to do with you?’

‘
I should have warned you. About Marshall.’

‘
Marshall?’

Keith leaned forward, hands clasped, elbows resting on his knees.
‘I didn't want to say anything against a colleague, you know. It's a bit unprofessional. But Marshall is … How can I put this? He's not above using people.’

He held up a hand as Jane drew breath to protest.
‘No, please, hear me out. There was a trainee here, Dominique De Vale. She and Marshall—’

‘
I heard about that,’ said Jane. She didn't see what it had to do with the current situation. She really needed some caffeine.

‘
They had … have … an on/off relationship. From what I've heard, they're off again at the moment and she's recently been seen snogging a footballer. I think Marshall may have done this to get back at her and make her jealous.’

Jane stared at him.
That couldn't be true. ‘They split up,’ she said. ‘Over a year ago.’

‘
Is that what he told you?’ He shrugged, as though to indicate scepticism. ‘Anyway, I'm pretty sure he told the magazine where you were.’

That didn't sound at all like Marsh. Surely, she had spent enough time with him to know what he was like. She would have known if he was using her
... Wouldn't she? She reminded herself that Marsh wasn’t Ashby. It was Keith’s word against Marsh’s and she trusted Marsh completely. But she’d trusted Ashby too, once.

‘
I see he's got you believing exactly what he wants.’ Keith stood up. ‘I won't waste my time trying to tell you otherwise, but think about it. How else would they know you were going to be at that restaurant last night?’

Jane stared at him. The same question had been bothering her all this time.

Keith patted her hand. ‘It's a lot to take in, I know. If you need someone to talk to, just come and see me.’ He walked to the door, where he paused. ‘One more thing. He and Dominique didn't split up until last month. As far as I know, her stuff is still in his flat. She's out of the country a lot. She works for a multinational company now. Google her if you don't believe me.’ He gave her an apologetic smile. ‘I'm sorry you had to find out like this.’

Once Keith had left, Jane turned to her computer and stared numbly at it for what seemed like ages.

* * *

From: Marshall
, To: James

Jim
,
　I won't be in until late this morning. Stevie turned up in the small hours this morning. She and Buzz have split up. I was up all night talking to her and I'm too shattered to function. Am hoping to get a couple of hours’kip before I stagger into the office
.
　Marsh.

##

From: Marshall, To: Susan

Hi Susan
,
　I'm afraid I won't be in until a bit later than usual today as I've got a small family emergency on my hands. I should be in before lunch though. I will, of course, take the morning off as annual leave
.
　I don't believe I have any urgent deadlines that cannot wait until tomorrow. I am currently proofreading my section of the opposition report. I will get this done and email it to you by this afternoon
.
　Regards
,
　Marshall.

##

From: Susan, To: Marshall

Fine.

##

From: James
, To: Marshall

Is Stevie
Ok? She sounded pretty upset when she phoned us in the middle of the night. I'm assuming she got hold of you, seeing as she didn't phone us back. I guess there's not much point asking what happened on your date, if Stevie called and broke it up
.
　Jim.

##

From: Marshall, To: James

Sorry about the delay
in replying. I've had a bit of sleep, but still feel like I've been hit by a train
.
　I'm taking public transport in today. I really can't face running
.
　Stevie's heartbroken. She ate a whole tub of ice cream last night, which is a sure sign that she's upset. I'm surprised she wasn't sick. I think she'll be Okthough. I wish I'd been wrong about Buzz, but turns out I wasn't
.
　Date was going really well until we stepped out of the restaurant and found a photographer waiting for us. Jane was extremely upset. She thinks her ex is trying to make her life miserable. I'm not sure I understand it totally. All I know is that it'supsetting Jane and I don't like it
.
　Taking the girl home in tears doesn't really count as a successful date. At least it wasn't my fault she was crying
.
　Marsh.

##

From: James, To: Marshall

Sounds like things didn't go so well last night, then
.
　It's a shame I can't tell you anything about the partner's meeting to cheer you up ;-
)
　Jim.

* * *

Jane was cold. Her mouth was dry and her chest felt hollow. She dropped the magazine she'd been clutching on the table. It fell open to the photo of Marsh kissing her. In the moment before that photo was taken, she had been happy. She had been convinced that she had finally escaped from Ashby’s shadow and found love. Now all that was gone. With a groan, she lowered her head to her desk, palms covering her eyes.

Keith's words echoed in her head. Could Marsh have told the reporters where they would be? Was he really seeing her and Dominique at the same time? Could she have been so wrong about him? She didn't want to believe anything Keith had told her, but why would he lie?

Other things crept into her mind. When she had originally asked Marsh out, he had pushed the date into the following week. And he had checked his phone several times during dinner.

There was clearly a female presence in his flat.
The tasteful decorations. The
Cosmo
magazines. The expensive perfume in the bathroom. He had said they belonged to his sister, but what sort of student could afford designer perfume? Even if she could, why would she leave it behind when she went to uni? She would have taken it with her. So, whose was it?

What if
Keith was telling the truth and Dominique stayed with him occasionally? Perhaps she kept some things at his place for when she was in London. That could explain why he was always checking his phone.

The to and fro of thoughts was making her head buzz.
Ugh. It was no use. No matter how much she wanted to believe that Keith was making it all up for some reason, she had to check. But how?

With a heavy sigh, she pulled her keyboard towards her. If she was going to do this,
she may as well make a start. She Googled Dominique De Vale and patent. One link took her to a personnel page of a well-known pharmaceutical company. She found a photo of a woman with dark hair and perfect make-up. Feeling sick, Jane shut down the browser.