Authors: Debbie Viggiano
‘No. Are you short?’
‘Just a bit.’
‘Do you think Tom’s taken it?’
‘No. Tom always asks. Not to worry, perhaps I didn’t have any cash in the first place. I’m losing my marbles.’
‘That makes two of us,’ Steph bantered back.
He smiled and reversed out the bathroom. Si stood pensively on the landing. He wasn’t losing his marbles. He’d definitely had two twenties and a tenner. Out of the blue Dawn’s words floated back to him.
She’ll do anything to get money. Even steal it. She’d sell her own granny for a fiver.
Suddenly Si was in no doubt about the whereabouts of the missing money. Or the lost laptop.
Melody.
Chapter Sixty Five
Tom sat on the bus with Melody. He wasn’t sure where they were heading. Melody had laughingly promised him a
magical mystery tour
. She was in a very good mood. She’d just flashed a load of cash at the bus driver. Tom wondered how she happened to have so much money on her considering she didn’t work. He sat back and watched the passing scenery. Houses punctuated by small parades of shops. The odd park. A school. Occasionally a few trees. Wherever they were heading it was a place where Melody was ninety nine per cent sure she could wangle a free Sunday lunch. Apparently her mother worked there.
Tom felt as though a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Amanda was finally out of his hair. She was going to try and win her husband back. Tom was pretty sure she’d manage it. Amanda’s appearance and subsequent confrontation had worked out well. His mother finally believed his poor father was innocent. And it was a huge relief that his father now knew the truth about why Muscles Mark had punched his lights out. It was a miracle his Dad hadn’t been mad at him. Tom sighed. He couldn’t wait to be at university. He wanted to leave the debris of girlfriends behind in Blackfen. More importantly, he wanted to be away from home so that he could think about who he really was. For playboy he wasn’t. Despite his parents believing otherwise.
The bus pulled over and Melody tugged his sleeve.
‘Come on. This is us.’
Tom stood on the pavement and looked around. ‘Where do we go now?’
‘Straight ahead.’
Tom looked where Melody was pointing. His gaze fell upon a large pub with on-site restaurant. Tom put up a hand to shield his eyes from the overhead sun. The Nut and Squirrel. Looked very nice. Lots of hanging baskets. Tubs with frothing colourful blooms.
Inside they found the restaurant. The place was packed. Tom looked around. It had bags of atmosphere. There were lots knotty pine tables and low beams. His Mum would love this place. That large open fire was probably very cosy and welcoming in winter. Nearby a woman was rushed off her feet attending to a roaring lunchtime trade. The woman bore a striking resemblance to Melody.
‘Coo-ee,’ Melody called to the woman. ‘Mum? Table for two!’
The woman bustled over. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘We’ve come for lunch. This is Tom. Tom, meet my mother. Dawn.’
Dawn gave Tom the once over. ‘You’re not her usual sort.’
Tom found himself blushing. ‘We’re just friends.’
Dawn arched an eyebrow. ‘Really.’ She turned her attention to her daughter. ‘I suppose you’re after a freebie.’
Melody beamed. ‘Yes please.’
‘We’re full.’
‘No you’re not. Look, there’s a table over there.’
‘That’s reserved.’
‘Don’t turn us away Mum. We’re starving,’ Melody wheedled.
‘Go and wait in the kitchen. And stay away from the bar and the cash till. I don’t want you getting me fired.’
‘Thanks Mum, you’re a pal.’
Melody led Tom over to a swing door. She pushed it open and they stepped into a vast kitchen. Steam billowed out of saucepans. A microwave was working overtime. A huge oven was shedding trays of lasagne, shepherds pie and sticky toffee puddings. Tom’s mouth began to water. He realised he was ravenously hungry. Staff were rushing about. A chef was presiding over a huge joint of beef. In the corner, seated at a small table and reading The Sunday Times was a blond tanned man. He was dressed expensively. The man glanced up from his newspaper as they walked in. Melody gave the man an assessing look. Tom could almost hear her brain processing his potential financial worth.
Dawn suddenly shot through the swing doors. ‘Six roasts on table twenty nine,’ she yelled. She bustled over to Tom and Melody.
‘Right you two. You can both sit here with Barry.’ She rummaged in a drawer and produced some cutlery.
The blond man folded up his newspaper and looked firstly at Tom and then Melody.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ he stuck out a hand. ‘Are you Dawn’s children?’
Melody snorted. ‘What sort of silly posh accent is that?’
Dawn set some glasses down. ‘Don’t be rude. Take no notice of her Barry. This is my charmless daughter by the way. Melody. This one,’ Dawn jerked her head at Tom, ‘is some poor fool she’s picked up.’
Tom gave Melody a side-long look. Blimey, her mother wasn’t shy in calling a spade a shovel.
‘I’m Tom,’ Tom smiled at Barry and shook the proffered hand.
‘Pleased to meet you Tom.’
Melody ignored Barry’s hand. ‘Who exactly are you?’ she asked rudely.
‘I’m your mother’s fiancé.’
Melody gave a guffaw of laughter. ‘Fiancé? What a hoot! When I last saw her she didn’t even have a boyfriend, never mind a fiancé.’
Dawn plonked some shepherds pie in front of Melody and Tom. ‘Barry’s asked me to marry him.’
Melody’s mouth dropped open. ‘Are you having a laugh?’
‘Not at all,’ said Barry. ‘Although I’m still waiting for your mother to say yes. And when she does I’m going to whisk her away from this place. I will make sure she’s the one with her feet tucked under restaurant tables and being waited on.’
‘Got a few quid have you?’ Melody asked slyly.
Barry chuckled. ‘Your mum has told me all about you. To answer your question, yes I have a few quid. I also have a few ex-wives who are a bit of a drain.’
‘Mum’s welcome to you then,’ said Melody.
‘I’m honoured that your mother wants anything to do with me. She’s a beautiful woman and a genuine person. And jolly hard working. You should take a leaf out of her book young lady.’ Barry picked up his newspaper again and shook it out.
‘Well said pet,’ Dawn laughed. ‘That’s put you in your place madam.’
Melody scowled at her mother. ‘I haven’t come here to be insulted.’
Tom put a placatory hand on Melody’s arm. ‘Let’s just eat this lovely dinner and enjoy ourselves eh?’
‘You seem like a nice boy,’ Dawn nodded approvingly at Tom. ‘Too good for my daughter. Oh, by the way,’ Dawn looked at Melody. ‘You left that new laptop of yours here. You’re lucky nobody picked it up. It’s in my locker. Shall I get it for you?’
Tom’s fork froze mid-air. Laptop? Since when had Melody had the money to buy herself a laptop? He put his fork down and looked at her. Melody couldn’t quite meet his eye.
Chapter Sixty Six
Steph stood on June’s doorstep with Si. He was holding her hand. Steph couldn’t remember the last time they’d properly held hands. It felt protective. And loving. Si rang the doorbell. Inside they heard Ralph start up a frenzy of barking.
‘Looks like Flash Harry’s already here.’ Si jerked his head at the pristine BMW parked outside June’s house.
‘I hope he behaves himself today, otherwise he’ll get Sunday lunch in his lap.’
‘Fighting talk from my feisty wife,’ Si smiled. ‘Just so long as you don’t stab my foot with any more forks.’
‘I’ll try not to,’ Steph grinned at her husband. It was almost as though she was seeing Si with new eyes. He was looking particularly distinguished today. That shirt really brought out the colour of his eyes. She was lucky to have a husband who was so good looking.
The door flew open. June stood there in her Sunday best. She looked like she was going to a wedding. Ralph shot out between her legs and goosed Steph.
‘Hello my angels,’ June trilled. ‘Harry’s in the lounge. Go through. We’ll have a quick sherry.’ June made to shut the door and then realised Ralph was still outside. ‘Ralph! Whatever are you doing? Do come here you daft dog.’
Si and Steph wandered down the hallway to the lounge.
‘Well hello again!’ Harry hauled himself out of an armchair. He pumped Si’s hand in a
we’re-such-jolly-good-mates
manner and then kissed Steph on both cheeks.
‘Hello Harry,’ she smiled. ‘Good to see you again. How are you?’
‘Oh I flourish, I flourish. Can I get you good people a sherry? June and I were just partaking in a thimbleful.’
‘That would be lovely,’ Steph said.
‘Cheers mate,’ Si took the dainty glass from Harry. It looked faintly ridiculous in his large hand.
Any further small talk was halted by a commotion in the hallway. June appeared to be having a tussle with Ralph. There was a lot of growling going on punctuated by June yelling shrilly.
‘I said drop Ralph.
Drop
!’
Whatever June wanted Ralph to drop, the little terrier was having none of it. There was the sound of paws thumpity-thumping down the hallway. Moments later the lounge door bounced back on its hinges. Ralph tore into the room. Something was sticking out of his mouth. He gave a series of muffled woofs, tail wagging overtime.
‘Whatever’s the matter with your dog Juney?’ Harry stared in distaste at the over-excited terrier.
‘He’s picked something up from the front lawn. I must take it off him. I don’t want him choking,’ said June. ‘I know. I’ll get him a chew. Come Ralph. Come with Mummy. Chew-chew!’
Ralph’s ears pricked up as June made rattling sounds in the kitchen. Steph laughed as the terrier instantly dumped his treasure and trotted off to claim his reward. Her amusement didn’t last for long.
‘Well I say!’ gasped Harry.
Si gaped at the floor in bewilderment. Steph stared in horror. Her mouth felt horribly dry. June reappeared, shutting the lounge door firmly in Ralph’s face.
‘Oh my goodness,’ June gasped, ‘
what
is that?’
‘Looks like underwear,’ said Harry picking up a chewed bra and shredded pair of knickers. He held both pieces aloft, dangling them between thumb and forefinger.
‘Disgusting,’ June spluttered.
‘Outrageous,’ Harry agreed, although his eyes had a gleam in them.
‘Purple and black. How unbelievably tarty. I’ll get a bin liner. You’d better wash your hands Harry. Heaven only knows where that underwear has been.’
Steph didn’t dare look at Si. She could feel a hot flush creeping up her neck.
‘Well what about this lunch then?’ Si diplomatically steered the conversation away from mangled underwear. ‘I know I could eat a horse.’
‘Absolutely,’ Harry agreed. ‘Come on Juney.’ He picked up his car keys and turned to Si. ‘I can’t wait to show you how my Beamer performs when she’s put through her paces.’
Steph hoped Harry wasn’t going to show off and drive at break-neck speed.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked nervously.
‘Other side of Blackfen. A charming pub I know. Juney’s been there and loved it.’
Steph relaxed. At least there would be no motorways for Harry to roar along.
Once outside, Harry fussed about as June lowered herself into the BMW. He pressed an electric button and the chair gently whirred forward. Another button and the seat slowly reclined.
‘The seats heat up too,’ Harry informed Si and Steph. ‘Lovely in winter.’
Steph nodded politely. Personally she wouldn’t want her bum heated up in a car, no matter how cold outside. It would play havoc with her hot flushes.
The BMW cruised along. Steph had to admit it was a very smooth ride. Unlike Si’s van which seemed to find every lump and bump in the road.
Harry signalled pulled into a car park. Steph peered out the window. The Nut and Squirrel. She frowned. The name rang bells. She looked at Si. He was staring straight ahead, his face expressionless. Steph opened her mouth to say something but Harry cut her off.
‘Here we are. Chop chop. We’re ten minutes late.’ Harry opened Steph’s door and then rushed round to help June out.
Steph clambered out. ‘Si?’ she hissed.
‘Yes love.’
‘Isn’t this the place you’ve been working at with Terry?’
‘Yes love.’
June and Harry were walking ahead. Steph pulled back. ‘Is Dawn going to be in there?’
‘Possibly.’
‘I can’t eat here!’ Steph was aghast. ‘The last time I saw that woman she was sprawled across–’
‘She was what love?’ Si asked.
Steph stared at her husband. ‘Nothing. I just don’t want to see her again.’
‘Look at me Steph. No, properly,’ Si put his hands on her shoulders, spun her round to face him. ‘Never mind Dawn. All that nonsense is in the past. Let’s do this for June eh?’
Steph wrestled with her emotions. ‘Oh okay,’ she sighed. But after today I never want to come here again.’
Si smiled. ‘Me neither. Ready?’
Steph took a deep breath. ‘As much as I’ll ever be.’
Chapter Sixty Seven
Si led Steph into the pub. She was squeezing his hand so tightly he could feel pins and needles stabbing at his wrist. June was trotting ahead, one arm linked with Flash Harry. June looked like she was off to the races in her pink silk frock. She was even wearing a hat which Si privately thought a bit over the top. Harry was suited and booted and playing the role of local squire. The four of them walked through a wrought iron archway and into the bar.
‘What are we all having?’ Si hadn’t had a chance to go to the cash dispenser but he could always use his Switch card.
‘Oh no Si. My treat all the way. I insist.’ Harry strolled through the bar to the restaurant area. Dawn materialised in front of them. Steph dug her nails painfully into Si’s palm.
‘We have a reservation.’ Harry puffed out his chest importantly. ‘The name’s Cavendish.’
‘Table twenty-eight. Follow me Sir.’ Dawn weaved around the packed tables, her bottom undulating. Si noticed that Harry couldn’t take his eyes off it. Dawn pulled chairs out for everybody. ‘Mrs Garvey,’ she said lightly and indicated a seat. ‘Hello pet,’ Dawn looked at Si. She patted a chair. At the same time she did her funny tongue flick. Si had long ago come to the conclusion that Dawn was genuinely unaware of this sexy mannerism. Steph had a face like thunder. Harry was trying to tear his eyes away from Dawn’s low cut blouse and instead focus on June. Fortunately June had spotted a couple of friends and was waving away to them, so oblivious to Harry’s roving eye.