Loving Alex (22 page)

“Mum!” Lola looks shocked, “Mrs. Drake is none of those things!”
She says defensively leaving me wondering if Lola knows exactly what’s been
going on.

“You know nothing Lola, nothing!” Muriel snaps at her
daughter, shoving her out of the way, pushing her back so that she stumbles
backwards into the hallway.

She reaches into her pocket and flings the keys down the
steps and onto the footpath. “Get away from my house now. I expect my wages to
be paid tomorrow and if they’re not I
will
be round to see you –Get it!”
She waves her arm at the three of us, “Now piss off, all of you!” She yells,
attracting the attention of several onlookers in the street as she slams the
door, knocking poor Lola out of the way as she steps backwards into her house.

The journey back home is quiet and uneventful. I sit in the
back of the car thinking about Muriel, Lewis and poor Lola. What a life that
girl must have, no wonder she was arsey with me the other day. I’m upset and
concerned. How long has Muriel known Lewis, is she the one he spent most time
with. I knew she wasn’t a Londoner, the way she called me “
pet
”
very
much a Geordie expression but no real accent. It would fit, Lewis working in
the northern part of the country.

We arrive home and brief Gia, Roberto and Anna as to what
has happened, they’re all shocked and concerned of course but at least now I
know what Lewis is up to, who took the photographs and who pinched my
underwear, but why? Why can’t the bastard just leave me alone? Let me get along
with my life? Although I question myself I do know the reason why. Money! The
long and short of it is that he wants to get his mitts on Maggie’s cash.

Once our guests have gone for the day, including Benito,
Anna and I go through the property details that she has received and also some
of the jewellery that Maggie left. Anna’s picked out a couple of vintage style
pieces that she would like, what’s left I’ve secreted away again. We will have
to either store is securely or sell it, it’s much too valuable to simply leave
lying around the home.

James spends some time in the office planning what he needs
to go through with Robbie in preparation for the handover of the General
Managers job, something that he should really be doing at the hotel but he
refuses to leave us alone. He’s already arranged for one of Benito’s
“colleagues”
to accompany us to Birmingham on Tuesday, assuming we can get some appointments
fixed to see three or four apartments. We had planned to go on the train but
apparently this guy will drive us there. I’m unsure why we need someone to come
with us, but both Benito and James feel that until Lewis is completely out of
the picture we need to be “safe”.

The three of us spend a relatively normal
family
Sunday evening in the living room with the TV. We discuss the events of the
day, in particular Muriel and try to pick away at how she met Lewis, how they
came to be together. Anna has always been so sheltered from anything bad that
involved me and her dad, she’s still learning the full details of our marriage,
if you can call it that – more like a co-existence with each other.

Conscious that I have plenty to do tomorrow I go to bed
early, Anna follows me up and James must be an hour later, I lie awake and
listen as he checks the locks and sets the alarm for downstairs. Before coming
quietly to our room, uses the bathroom and creeps in beside me.

He wraps his arm around me, my back to his stomach, his arms
around my waist. “Are you awake?” He whispers.

“Yes, can’t sleep. Funny day!” I say sleepily.

“It was, it really was. Still, at least you know where your
underwear went to!” He half laughs “But why the underwear?”

I sigh, “She’s probably being controlled by him James,
totally. Just how he was with me.” I recall how Lewis would issue directives
and expect them to be carried out to the letter. “He’s told her what he wants,
what she needs to do. She came in here the other day with a bruise on her face.
Now I know that they’re together, I’ve no doubt she’d done something wrong - it
was the day after she called in sick. That was the day I thought I saw her in
London. I bet he wasn’t happy with the pictures! The knickers and bras, that
would probably be because he didn’t approve of pretty, sexy lingerie. Had to be
cotton, full briefs – well, you’ve seen them!” I cringe at the thought of James
seeing me in those knickers. Not that there’s anything wrong with them, in fact
they’re very comfy.

“So when did you and Lewis meet?” He asks as I turn around
and snuggle against him.

“I was eighteen. I’d been to a school disco with Kelly, she
was my friend at school, I don’t know what happened to her. Anyway, we’d been
to the disco and it finished at nine so we’d gone for a drink at the local. We
were the oldest in the year, you know September birthdays, and were the only
two old enough to drink at that time. Anyway, Lewis was there with a friend of
his and we just got chatting, we went out a few times and he waited for me,
supposedly, whilst I was at university. We got married as soon as I finished
and got my degree,” I take a deep breath remembering what I consider to be the
worst day of my life, “I mean literally degree celebrations one month marriage
within the next couple of months sort of thing. By then my dad had died and I
don’t think my mum was strong enough to reign me in, reign
us
in, you
know slow us down! I got a job pretty much straight away but was pregnant
within a couple of years, I wanted to go back to work after Anna was born and
did for a couple of months but….you know the rest, I don’t want to talk about
it.” I tuck myself into James even further, wanting comfort I think. His big
arms hold me tightly. He kisses the top of my head.

“I still can’t believe what a bastard he is, how could
anyone hurt you Alex? How could any
man
hurt a woman? Full stop! It’s
unforgivable!”

We fall asleep in each other’s arms, I’m so content, so at
peace when I’m here with James.

We wake early as usual and open my
eyes, focus and find James up on one elbow watching me, those eyes searching my
soul. “Good morning beautiful.” He says.

I smile, “What time is it?”

“Seven. I need to go to the hotel today. Want to start the
handover with Robbie, but I won’t go until Jake gets here.”

“Jake?” I ask, “Who the hell is Jake?”

“Yes, he’s Benito’s man. Sort of Close Protection, he’s
going to stick with you while you’re on your own, at least until Lewis has got
the message and gone away, for good!”

“I don’t need
Close Protection!”
I sit up quickly,
“No, sorry James I draw the line at that, I’m fine.”

“No, Alex. You have to. You’ve seen what he’s capable of.
It’s only family looking out for family, that’s all, in this case Benito just
happens to be part of your extended family and just happens to be involved in
security.” His conversation trails off. “Anyway, I’d feel far more comfortable
if he sticks with you, he won’t get in your way, you can park him in the study
and shut the door if you want, he won’t mind, he’s used to sitting around
waiting. And anyway Alex, with your worth you really should have some sort of
security!”

“I have, I’ve got Roger and Thomas if I need some muscle, I
can just call them in from the hotel…and I’ve got you,” I pout, “I don’t
need
or
want
a security guard, it’s not necessary!”

“How about just until your divorce is finalised then, please
Alex – do it for me!” He begs.

I look at him, bloody security guard. What will it be next? Padlocks
everywhere, electric fence and a couple of German Shepherds?

“Okay, okay,” I relent, “just until I’m divorced and then I
mean it, I’m on my own, or with you. Deal?” I flop back down into my pillow and
concentrate on waking myself up and taking in the fact that I have
close
protection!

“Fine. That’s fine with me. But just so you know, Benito
thinks it’s needed, especially after yesterday, they’re capable of anything.
I’ll also arrange for the locks to be changed.” He starts to move from our bed.

“Bossy boots!” I snipe at him.

“It’s for your own good.”

“Oh, yadda, yadda, yadda it’s for your own good!” I mimic
him and throw the duvet back. I’m wearing a short t-shirt and nothing else as I
walk over to the bathroom he wolf-whistles softly and calls, “Nice arse.”

I turn around and give him
the bird
before shutting
the door on the bathroom. I turn the shower on and clean my teeth whilst it
warms up.

Showering and am so disappointed when James doesn’t join me
or isn’t there when I open my eyes after shampooing my hair
he’s not going
off me is he?
I feel quite let down and somewhat deflated, I was looking
forward to a little bit of sex in the shower, listen to you Alex Drake the sex
starved woman with a re-discovered her libido!

Finishing off in the bathroom I dress casually in my jeans
and a shirt. I don’t plan on going anywhere in particular today, other than
maybe to show my face at Reid’s as I haven’t been for a couple of days. I also
wouldn’t mind talking to Lola on her own, without her heinous mother beside
her. I just want to try and understand what’s been happening, if she’s there of
course. I need to speak with Shauna and try and arrange to see her in
Birmingham tomorrow, if we can tie apartment viewings and a visit to her, all
in together and I need to speak with Gerald and the guy that deals with the
business legal’s about making an offer to Nial. I’m hoping that James can come
along to any meetings regarding this, I feel I could do with his support.

As I walk down the stairs I hear voices from the kitchen,
James and Anna. Walking in I see James at one side of the island, bed head, a
nice little growth on his beard very nice. He’s barefoot - I like that even
more.

“Good morning both,” I park myself on a stool, “and what are
we all doing today?”

“I’m going to work.” James runs his fingers through his hair
and pops a strawberry in his mouth, he winks at me as I roll my eyes
bloody
strawberries
.

“I’m with you mum, making appointments with estate agents.”
Anna places her hand on a pile of estate agency details.

“I want to try and get to Birmingham tomorrow Anna. I don’t
want to cancel a Wednesday appointment I have.” I look at James who
acknowledges me with a nod, he knows that I see my therapist on a Wednesday and
a Friday but nobody else does. “As soon as we’ve spoken to the estate agents in
Birmingham I’ll call Shauna, see if she can see us tomorrow. And I need to
speak with Gerald about Nial. James, will you be with me when I go to see him?
Once I’ve spoken with the lawyers that look after that side of the business, I
want you to be involved with it, and everything else to do with business going
forward.” I’m feeling really quite assertive this morning like I’m taking
charge.

“Fine. Just let me know when. You know as soon as I’ve
handed everything over to Robbie I’m all yours.” He stands and places a
strawberry flavoured kiss on my lips. I pull him close and whisper, “I missed
you – in the shower, I thought you’d join me?”

He smiles and places a quick little kiss on the end of my
nose before strutting through the hall and upstairs.

“You two are gross!” Anna pulls a face at me, “but I’m so
pleased you’re happy, really happy mum.” I stand and hug her tightly.

The morning passes quickly, James heads off to work at a
little before nine as Jake appears. Like Benito, he’s huge. Dressed in a dark
suit and white shirt, he’s bald and I can’t make out if that’s purposely or if
he’s just bald! It’s not the sort of thing you ask is it really?
“Are you
naturally bald?”

He arrives and asks for a look around my home, I’m still not
happy about him being here and don’t want to appear rude so I just tell him to
help himself, I’ve nothing to hide. He wanders around downstairs, moves
upstairs and I assume looks in every room, including Anna’s which is verified
when I hear a, “Get the fuck out!” being yelled at full pelt, he must have
walked in on her dressing or something! I hear heavy footsteps across the
landing and down the stairs. He appears at the door to the kitchen, “Sorry Mrs.
Drake, I just walked in on a young lady upstairs! Really sorry Ma’am.” He
grovels.

“You’ve just met Anna then, my daughter. She’s lovely
really!” I sound like I’m talking about a ferocious dog.

“Well sorry Mrs. Drake.” He mumbles again, his tanned
hairless head shines in the sunlight through the kitchen window.

“Would you like some tea Jake? I’ve just made a pot.” I
point towards the crock pot on the island.

“Please. Milk and two sugars.” His deep voice grumbles.

I reach for a mug from the cupboard and pour him tea adding
a splash of milk and two sugars before pushing it over to him. “I’ll show you
where you can set up, or do whatever you need to do. You should also know Jake
that I didn’t request this and quite honestly don’t think there’s any need, so
I’m sorry if I come across as a little frosty, but there – you know why!”

“Not to worry Mrs. Drake, most of my clients feel the same.”
He tells me as he moves his large frame, following me to the study.

“Here. I rarely use the study, but there’s a phone if you
want to use it, a PC if you feel like surfing the web and it’s on the front of
the house, so you can see who comes and goes.” I adjust the venetian blind so
that he can see outside onto the footpath.

I leave Jake and go back to the kitchen and am soon joined
by Anna who moans about the big burly bloke who walked in on her as she was
dressing.

We browse through our short list of property details again
and have finalised on a few that we would like to view, I suggest to Anna that
we whittle these down to four. Two in Edgbaston, near the University Campus and
two in Brindley Place in central Birmingham. Once we’ve decided which of these
we’d like to see I telephone the two agents handling the properties, after a
couple of phone calls we’ve our first appointment made at 10am tomorrow
morning, “It’s going to mean an early start Anna.” I tell her.

I write the times of each viewing on the property details as
Jake wanders through to the kitchen. “Mrs. Drake, is there any more of that
tea?” He asks “It’s very good.” He adds with a smile.

“No, but I’m about to make another pot, its Assam, my
favourite!” I pop two tea bags into my pot. Anna reaches for her orange juice
and picks at some strawberries that James has left out.

“Did I hear you say you’ve arranged to go to Birmingham
tomorrow? Ben did say I would be needed to drive you.” He tells me as he stands
in my kitchen waiting patiently for his drink.

“We’re going to look at apartments for Anna, she starts at
Birmingham University in October, thought we may as well buy an apartment, we
can always sell it when she’s finished, or if Anna ends up working in the
Midlands she can just stay there.” I show Jake the properties we’ve
shortlisted.

“You’re a lucky girl.” He looks at Anna.

“I know I am,” she smiles at me, “but, you know even if mum
didn’t have the cash I know she’d have done right by me, we’d have managed
somehow, wouldn’t we mum?”

“We certainly would have.” I smile, and we would have done
somehow.

“Well, I’m tasked to be with you for the foreseeable, so
it’s Birmingham tomorrow. What time do you need to be there?” He asks.

“First appointment is at ten. James never said anything
about “
the foreseeable”
!” I huff.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Drake, but my orders are to stick like glue
and to answer the door and to check your mail and to drive you. If there’s
something you need to discuss with Benny boy, you’ll need to call him.” The
huge security guy wanders around the kitchen, very observant taking everything
in.

“
Benny Boy?
” I raise an eyebrow.

“Sorry, shouldn’t call him that. Benito.” He murmurs.

“No, don’t worry Jake. You can tag along with us.” Anna
laughs, we don’t really bite! He looks at Anna, a little confused before
wandering back to his study, Anna goes to her room, apparently she needs to
touch
base
with Katie and I call Shauna who can fit me in at three tomorrow
afternoon.

Next thing, I need to sort out Nial.

Looking through the paperwork to do with Henry’s again I
call Gerald. Once I’m connected to him I explain what James and I had discussed
the previous night, that I should offer Nial his money back plus twenty five
percent for his half of the club, in additional I will settle all the
outstanding debts.

“I think that’s generous Alex, very generous. He’d be a fool
not to accept, if he doesn’t I have no doubt he’ll lose the lot, walk away with
nothing, you will as well, as far as Henry’s is concerned but then you’ve
plenty of cash anyway, really and truthfully Alex apart from the monthly income
from the place it wouldn’t make any difference to you.”

“That’s what I thought, he’s got everything to lose.” I
agree.

“So are you going to make the offer?” He asks me.

“I think so. I’m going to call the lawyers now, get them to
draft something for me. I think I’ll need to act quickly before anyone calls in
the debts. I’d like to think I can see Nial this afternoon if the lawyers can
act quickly enough – next phone call I think!” I laugh.

“Well good luck Alex, and let me know how you get along.”

“Will do. Bye.” I clear the call and ring the legal practice
that deals with my business affairs, I’ve not really had a lot to do with them
at all as everything was, or so I thought, tickety-boo and it takes me a while
to connect to the correct person. I explain what I have found out, what I plan
to do. They agree and can have proposed documentation drafted up in an hour,
they suggest that in the initial stages I see Nial on a face to face basis,
discuss this with him and try to keep it all as
friendly
as possible,
which I totally agree with. I don’t like conflict and will do my utmost to
avoid it, probably why I jumped when Lewis asked me to and became the
compliant, model wife, although I know he would disagree with that as
apparently I can’t do anything right, according to him anyway.

The lawyer I speak to will arrange to have the draft
documentation couriered to me.

I telephone James, he answers pretty quickly, “Blossom.” He
says.

I huff, “Bossman”

“Touché.” He grumbles.

“The lawyers are drafting documents for the club; they
should be with me in an hour or two. Can I arrange to meet you at Henry’s this
afternoon, about three o’clock? Assuming Nial can see us then?” I rattle off my
plans, of course it all hangs on whether Nial even agrees to see me this
afternoon.

“Sure. How are you getting there?” He asks.

“I’ll get Jake to drop me off. You know
Jake
.” I draw
out the word “The bloke you’ve installed to babysit me.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll see you at Henry’s at three. Be careful.”

“I will. See you later. Love you” I blow a kiss down the
phone before clearing the call.