Bad For Me (9 page)

Chapter 16

“Megan. You haven't thought this through.”

“I have,” I lied. “It's what I want to do.”

“Where will you go?”

“I've got relatives in Scotland. I might visit them for a while.”

“Where in Scotland?”

Marge knew I was lying, but I kept up the charade.

“Glasgow.” It was the first place which came to mind.

“What will you do for money?”

“I've got a little saved. I'll be okay.”

Marge had become much more than an employer. She was a friend, and I knew she was looking out for me. I should have been able to put the whole 'Mike' thing behind me, but I couldn't. Every time I served breakfasts, it would remind me what a gullible fool I'd been. I'd given Marge one week's notice.

When I told Jennie my plans, she looked at me as though I was crazy.

“Don't you start on me,” I said. I've had Marge on my case all day.”

“It's plain stupid,” Jennie said. “You've got friends here now. You have a job.”

“I don't want to work in the cafe all of my life.”

“No one said anything about forever. But leaving now is dumb. Mike was a bastard, but there are still nice guys in this world.”

“Are there? Really? I don't see any.”

“What about that guy who came looking for you?”

“JJ? What about him?”

“He must think a lot about you to come all of this way to try to take you back with him.”

“That's history. I can never go back there.”

“Why?”

“It's complicated.”

“Your whole life is complicated, but you aren't going to find answers drifting from one place to another.”

I shrugged—I didn't have the energy to argue. Thankfully, Jennie let it go.

********************

My last week at the cafe seemed to last forever. I felt bad that I was leaving Marge in the lurch. She'd put up a card for a new waitress, but so far there had been no takers. I was hoping she would find someone before I left, so I didn't feel quite so guilty.

It was Saturday—my last day. I planned to leave for Scotland early the next morning. There were fewer trains on a Sunday, but the prices were much lower. Even though I'd been in Cromdale for several months, I hadn't accumulated much by way of additional luggage. I would be leaving with more or less what I arrived with.

I'd helped Marge to tidy up after we had closed for the day, and was back in my room when I sensed someone was behind me.

“Marge? Are you okay?”

She didn't look okay.

“Don't be mad at me,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“I couldn't bear the thought of you leaving alone.”

“What have you done?”

She didn't speak. Instead, she stepped aside to allow Julie and JJ to walk past her.

“What's going on?” I already knew the answer.

“You're coming back with us,” Julie said.

“I can't. You shouldn't have come here.”

“Marge called us. She was worried about you.”

“There was no need.”

“Please, Megan.” It was JJ who spoke now. “Come back with us. Your room is free, and there's a job waiting for you.”

It hadn't occurred to me that my room might still be free. Why hadn't Julie re-let it? She must have needed the rent.

“What job?”

“At DraxSoft. I need someone to help in the offices.”

“I don't need your charity.” I hadn't meant to snap.

“It wouldn't be charity. It's a real job—you will have to pull your weight. Why not at least give it a try?”

“What do you have to lose?” Marge chipped in.

“Give it a couple of months,” Julie said. “If it doesn't work out, Scotland will still be there.”

I looked at the three of them. They all wanted the best for me—how could I simply throw their kindness back in their face? Where else would I go? I'd tried running away once, and look where that had got me. I would be an idiot to turn them away.

“Two months?”

JJ nodded.

“Okay, but if it doesn’t work out—I leave, and you don’t try to stop me. Promise?”

Julie rushed across the room, and threw herself at me. I only just managed to stop myself from falling onto the bed.

********************

JJ and Julie didn't intend to give me the chance to change my mind. No sooner had I said 'yes', than they were packing me into JJ's car. Marge and I both cried as we said our goodbyes; I promised I would keep in touch. She was worried that I’d be mad because she'd contacted JJ, but how could I, when she'd been like a mother to me for the last few months?

JJ was driving. Julie was in the back with me. We didn't talk much on the drive back. There were things I wanted to tell and ask Julie, but not in front of JJ. The events of the week must have caught up with me because I’d fallen asleep, and the next thing I knew we were almost home.

JJ carried my luggage inside, but then made his excuses and left. It felt weird to be back. Weird, but nice. Marge had been great to me, but the room above the cafe wasn't a patch on my own.

“Marge told us about what’s-his-name,” Julie said. “The married guy.”

“Mike.”

“What a bastard.”

“It's my own fault. The signs were all there. How did Marge manage to get hold of you?”

“She'd kept JJ's card from when we came to look for you.”

“Why didn't you let my room go?”

“To be honest, I wanted to—I needed the cash, but JJ wouldn't let me. He’s been paying the rent.”

Great! Yet another thing for me to feel in debt to JJ for.

“I’m not sure if I should take the job at DraxSoft.”

“Why not? JJ might have a soft spot for you, but he wouldn’t create a full-time job just to make you happy.”

“It’s not just that.”

“What then?”

“I’m not sure if my working with JJ would be a good idea. I don’t want to give him false hope.”

“Look—whether you take the job or not won’t change the fact that he’s absolutely besotted with you—God knows why... ” She laughed.
“Cheeky sod!” I playfully slapped Julie’s arm.

“When we came to see you the first time, he was devastated when he found out about Mike. He’s just glad to have you back. I don't think he will make a move unless you give him the green light—he’s worried that he might scare you away again. Why do you think he left as soon as we got back?”

Chapter 17

From the outside, at least, the house looked better than on my last visit. It had been given a fresh coat of paint, and the garden had been tidied. Even though I still had a key, I didn’t like to let myself in. I knocked and waited—and hoped.

“Yes?”

I didn’t recognise the woman who answered the door.  Before I could speak, a small boy aged probably no more than six, appeared at her side.

“Who’s that Mummy?”

His mother ignored him.

“Is Billy in?” I asked.

“There's no Billy here.”

“He’s my brother.”

“He still doesn’t live here. The previous tenant moved out about four months ago. We’ve been here ever since.”

“Do you know where he’s gone?”

She shook her head. “He left the place in one hell of a state. The council threw him out. At least that’s what I heard. They had to get professional cleaners in before we could move in.”

“And you don’t have any idea where he might have gone?”

“Sorry, love. Not a clue. You could try down the council—they might have rehoused him, although I doubt it after the way he treated this place.”

“Okay, thanks.”

I should have realised it was too much to expect that Billy might have changed his ways. I should never have left him. With Mum and me gone, he didn’t stand a chance.

********************

“Why can’t you tell me?”

I'd been waiting for almost an hour to see someone at the council offices. Now, this ‘job’s worth’ was telling me that he couldn’t give me any information about Billy.

“Data Protection,” he said.

I wanted to slap his stupid face.

“I’m his sister.”

“It doesn’t matter. The information is confidential.”

“Can you at least tell me if he has been rehoused somewhere, even if you can’t give me an address?”

“No.”

“Great! Thanks for nothing!”

I stormed out of the office. If I hadn’t left when I did, I might have rehoused his head up his arse.

“Megan!”

I turned to see a young woman who had followed me outside.

“Megan—I’m sorry about that.”

I didn’t recognise her even though she obviously knew me.

“Kathy. Kathy Lane. I was in the same year as your Billy at school. You probably don’t remember me.”

I didn’t, but thought it best not to say so.

“I’m sorry about Gerald—he’s a complete prat.”

It took me a second to realise that she must be referring to the job's worth I'd just been talking to.

“Billy hasn’t been rehoused,” Kathy said. “His last house was left in such a bad state that the council wouldn’t give him another property.”

“What’s happened to him?”

“I don’t know, but the last time I saw him come into the office, he was in a pretty bad way.”

“Drunk?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks, Kathy. I appreciate it.”

I knew it. Why had I left him to cope alone? I should have seen this coming.

Chapter 18

“What are you going to do about Billy?” Julie asked—she had a cornflake stuck to her chin.

I touched my own chin, but she just looked at me gone out. Julie didn’t do mornings.

“Cornflake.” I touched my chin again—this time she got the message.

“He could be anywhere. I thought I might check out the homeless shelters at the weekend.” I checked my watch. “I’d better get going or I’ll miss my bus.”

It was my first day at DraxSoft. I didn’t want to be late again.

“I don’t know why you didn’t accept JJ’s offer of a lift.”

“It’s miles out of his way. Anyway, it’s better we keep this on a strictly business basis.”

I'd been so determined not to be late that I'd over compensated. I arrived at the offices of DraxSoft thirty minutes before my start time, so I took a seat in reception.

“If it isn’t the early bird.”

“Morning, JJ.”

It was good to see him smile again. When we first met, he always seemed to have a smile on his face. Lately—not so much so.

“How’s my kid sister?”

“She was fighting a losing battle with a bowl of cornflakes when I left.”

“Why don’t you come through to my office? You can make us a coffee.”

I was just about to tell him to make his own coffee when I remembered: employer/employee. It wasn’t JJ asking; it was my boss.

“White, three sugars,” he said.

“Three?”

“It’s good to have you back, Megs.”

Death stare.

“Sorry. Megan. I’ve missed you.”

“Thanks.”

“You're allowed to say you’ve missed me too.”

“JJ—I thought this was going to be strictly business.”

“It is. Of course it is. But, I did miss you.”

It felt so good to hear those words. I wanted to throw my arms around him, and give him a kiss—that would have been a BIG mistake.

“I'd better go to my office. Do I report to Caroline?”

“Yes, please. I’ll give you a lift tonight.”

“I’ll get the bus.”

Any doubts I'd had that this was a real job were soon dispelled. The office was much busier than when I'd been there on my two week placement. I was so busy that I didn't get a chance to worry about Billy—not during the day at least.

“How come it's so busy?” I asked.

Caroline and I had stayed in the office over the lunch break.

“DraxSoft launched a new app a few weeks ago. It's taken off faster than anyone could have predicted.”

“So the company's doing well?”

“Really well. There's even talk that some of the big boys have been sniffing around.”

“Big boys?”

“The major social networking companies. There's talk that they might make an offer”

“For the app?”

“For the whole company.”

“That's a good thing isn't it?”

“For JJ. He'll make millions. I'm not sure about the rest of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“If someone buys the company, they will take the technical people, but they might not need the support and admin staff.”

“Has JJ said anything?”

“No. Whenever anyone mentions it, he just laughs it off. He says it will never happen. Anyhow—enough of that. How does it feel to be home?”

“Good—I guess. I'm worried about my brother though.”

“What's wrong with him?”

“I don't know where he is. After I left, he managed to get himself thrown out of his council house. I think he might be living rough.”

“That's terrible.”

“I'm worried what might happen to him. He isn't streetwise, and if he's drinking... ”

“Does he have a drink problem?”

“It's got worse since Mum died. It's my fault—I should never have left.”

“Is he younger than you?”

“Older.”

“You aren't responsible for him Megan. You can't take on everyone's welfare.”

“If I can just find him—maybe I can get him into some kind of programme.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You deserve a life too.”

The afternoon flew by. I spent most of my time updating the customer database, which had been neglected because they had been short staffed.

“Megan.” Caroline called to me. She had the phone in her hand. “JJ wants you to go to his office.”

“When?”

“Now, please.”

“How's it going?” JJ gestured for me to take a seat.

“Okay. It's really busy. Caroline has been telling me about the app that's going to make you a millionaire.

“Don't listen to office gossip.”

“So it's not true?”

“People like to talk—there's nothing in it. Do you see now why I needed you to come and work for me?”

“Yeah—it's pretty hectic out there.”

I was waiting for him to tell me why he'd sent for me.

“You wanted to see me?”

“So I did. I was just enjoying the view.”

“JJ!”

“Sorry, but it's hardly my fault if you have that effect on me is it?”

“Is there something you wanted me to do?”

He smirked—a really wicked smirk. It took me all of my willpower not to smile.

“JJ! Is there a job you want me to do?”

“I suppose you and I booking into a hotel for the rest of the day is out of the question?”

“Totally out of the question.”

“Oh, well. In that case, I'll have to settle for you checking these.”

“What are they?”

“Customer enquiries. Can you check the sales database to see if they've turned into orders?”

“How do I do that?”

“Ask Caroline. She'll show you.”

“Okay.”

Just as I was about to leave his office, I heard him say, “If you change your mind about the hotel... ”

“What's tickling you?” Caroline said.

Whoops—I was still thinking about what JJ had said, and had a stupid grin plastered across my face.

“Nothing. JJ said you would show me how to do these.”

Once Caroline had shown me the ropes, I spent the rest of the day working through the enquiries. It took me longer than it should have because my mind kept wandering—to a hotel room with JJ. When I'd agreed to take the job, I had been determined that it would be purely business, but after less than one day I could already feel my resolve being worn down. Damn that man!

********************

“I'll wait for the bus.” I had just arrived at the bus stop when JJ's BMW pulled up.

“I promised Julie I would go over.” He pushed the passenger door open. “It's stupid for you to catch the bus when I'm going to your flat anyway.”

The other people at the bus stop were beginning to stare, so I climbed into the car.

“Were you really going to see Julie?”

“Yes. Don't you believe anything I say?”

“No.”

“Julie told me you were planning on looking for your brother.”

“I thought I'd start with the shelters this weekend.”

“I could help.”

“I don't need your help.”

“You'll cover more ground if you're in a car. We can visit all the shelters, and then if we have no luck, we can check out the favourite haunts of the...” He hesitated.

“It's okay. You can say it: drunks, addicts. I know what Billy is.”

“So, will you let me help?”

“If you like.” I knew it was pointless to argue. If I'd said no, he would turn up anyway.

“How was your first day at work?” Julie asked as soon as I walked in the door. “JJ? What are you doing here?”

I gave him a look—he just smiled.

“Why don't I order pizza for us all?” he said.

“Sounds good to me.” Julie was always up for pizza.

“Not for me,” I said.

And the award for cutting off your nose to spite your face goes to Megan Taylor. I could have killed for a pizza, but I wanted JJ to know I was pissed at him for lying. It was obvious that Julie hadn’t been expecting him at all.

“Come on, Megan,” JJ said. “It's three for two.”

“I'm sure you will manage two all by yourself. I'm going to have a Pot Noodle.”

JJ and Julie exchanged glances. They both knew I was being pigheaded.

“Hmmm. Delicious.” JJ took a bite of pizza, and then waved it under my nose.”

“It's really nice, Megs,” Julie said with her mouth full.

“My name is Megan!” I screamed.

They both laughed.

“Oh the hell with it!” I pushed the Pot Noodle away, and grabbed the pizza box. JJ had ordered three. “You win! What can I say? I'm too weak”