No Bra Required! (20 page)

“Hi Mum,” Ed shouted back, we’re just in the lounge. 

Ed tried to fasten his shirt quickly, and Lucy started to
giggle as he pushed her towards the lounge.  He put a finger to his lips
that had broken into a huge smile.

“Sshh,” he hissed. “She’ll know what we’ve been up to.”

Ed pushed Lucy inside the room and onto a chair while he
almost vaulted the arm of the sofa and landed, just as Georgina walked in.

“Hi Lucy, how was your trip?”  Georgina bent down and
kissed Lucy’s cheek that was now burning hot and crimson.

“Oh okay, just as I thought, he’s taken everything.” Lucy
tucked her skirt around her thighs, suddenly aware that she wasn’t wearing any
underwear in Georgina’s presence.

“No, gosh that’s terrible.  Sorry though, you’ll have
to tell me about it another time, we need to talk.”  Georgina looked at
Ed, who had one hand stuffed inside his trouser pockets while the other tucked
his shirt in surreptitiously.

“Why what’s wrong?  Don’t tell me, Katie.”  Ed
shifted uncomfortably as Georgina sat down beside him.

 “No, well not quite, but we do need to sort something
out.  Don’t panic, but you’re dad isn’t feeling well.  He’s woken up
this morning with a sore throat, a headache and joint pain, so he’s not sure he
can cope with Nate on his own.”

“I can go and collect them from the cottage,” said Lucy keen
to help.

“That’s the problem, I don’t think that Nate should come
back here while she’s still around.  What do you think Ed?”  Georgina
asked.

“I agree, I don’t want him here while Cruella is, but what’s
the alternative?”

“Well, it’s not ideal, but someone needs to go to
them.  Your dad may be okay tomorrow, but I don’t think we can take that
chance.”

“I’d go, but I’m not sure I can get the time off just
yet.  I’ve got some holidays booked in a couple of weeks, but I don’t
think we can get a locum in before then.  Sally Bennett who normally does
it for us is on holiday herself.”  Ed scratched his head, wondering how to
resolve the situation.

“What if I went to stay with them for a few days?” 
Lucy asked.

“Actually, I think it’s best if I go,” Georgina
replied.  “If Ed can’t go because of work, well, it should be me.  I
was supposed to be there anyway, and after all he’s my husband.”

“You’re forgetting one big problem,” said Ed.  “Katie!”

“Believe me, I haven’t forgotten her, unfortunately. 
I’ve told her that she’s got to go to a hotel, or a hostel or something,”
Georgina replied.

“And what did she think of that idea, not much I’m
guessing?” Ed smiled ruefully.

“She says she doesn’t have enough money, so I’ve offered to
pay… for a few nights that’s all.”  Georgina held up her hand as she could
see Ed was about to protest.

Ed shook his head. “Mum, no you can’t do that.  She’s
not our responsibility, she’s bloody Luke’s.  Plus Dad would hit the
roof.”

“Ed’s right Georgina, I know it’s not really anything to do
with me, but I honestly don’t think that you should offer to help her,” Lucy
added.

“She’ll take advantage Mum, you know she will.  The
bill will end up in the thousands if I know Katie.”

Georgina sighed.  “I hear what you’re both saying, but
I do feel responsible.  She’s here because of Luke, and she’s the mother
of my grandchildren.  I can’t just push her out onto the streets.”

“Katie is nothing if not resourceful, she’d manage I’m
sure,” Ed answered.

Georgina stood up and moved to the door.  “I’m sorry
darling,” she said addressing Ed.  “But my mind is made up and I’m going
to pay for a hotel for her.” 

Suddenly Ed also got up from the sofa.  “Mum,
wait.  I’ll sort the hotel out.”

Georgina smiled.  “No, it’s definitely not up to you to
sort her out, I’ll do it.”

Ed put a hand on Georgina’s shoulder.  “Seriously Mum,
I want to, I want her out of here more than anyone, so I’ll pay.  When she
gets the money from Luke she can pay me back.”

Lucy now joined them “Georgina, I think you need to tell Ed
what Luke asked you,” she prompted.

Ed looked at her quizzically.  “Sorry, what are you
talking about?”

“He asked me for money, apparently they’re broke.  I
haven’t even mentioned it to your dad as I knew he’d say no.”  Georgina
moved over to the window and stared outside.  “That’s partly why I feel
responsible for Katie, maybe if I’d lent them the money they would still be
together.”

“That’s ridiculous Mum, it’s not your fault.”

“Ed, you know what Luke is like, he can’t handle pressure so
maybe that’s why he hit her.”

Ed moved over to Georgina and put an arm around her. 
“I don’t believe he has hit her, now you’ve told me that I think it’s more
likely she left because they have no money.”

“So again it’s my fault,” Georgina argued.

“No, it’s
their
fault for spending the money in the
first place.  We both know how much money he’s had, Mum.”  Ed now
turned to Lucy to explain.  “When we were kids Dad built four houses, and
then sold them at a profit.  The money he made was put in trust for us
until we were twenty-five, and it was a pretty big amount.”

“Obviously not enough though,” Lucy replied.

“Obviously, but I know what Luke is like, and if Mum bails
him out then I’m damn sure he’ll be back in the shit again before we know
it.”  Ed sighed.  “Mum, you have to make him take some
responsibility.  You and Dad have worked hard for your money, your
retirement should be about doing what you want, when you want, not worrying
about how you spend your money because you’ve given a huge chunk of your
savings to Luke.”

“Look I’ve said before, it’s none of my business, but Ed’s
right, Georgina,” Lucy said. 

Georgina turned around and smiled at them both.  “I
know, and I also know if I give him some this time he’ll keep asking.  I
just feel so bad that she’s here trying to disrupt our lives, yours in
particular, Ed.”

“Well don’t.” Ed thought for a moment.  “Listen Mum, go
home and get packed to go to the cottage, and I’ll sort somewhere out for her
to go to.  I’ll come over later and tell her the good news.”  He
hugged his mother once more.

“I hate putting this onto you, sweetheart,” Georgina said.

“You’re not, I want to sort it because I want her
gone.  Now, go home and do as you’re told for once.”  Ed smiled at
Georgina and kissed her cheek.

“Okay, I’m going.  Oh one thing though you two,” said
Georgina pausing at the door. 

“What?” Ed asked.

“Sorry I interrupted your afternoon sex session.”

“Pardon.”  Lucy almost choked.

“Hey?” Ed cried.

“Well I assume that’s why Lucy’s knickers are hanging out of
her handbag, anyway speak later, bye.”

Later that evening Ed and Lucy were on their way to
Georgina’s to see Katie.  Ed had a plan and hoped that Katie would go with
it, but if she didn’t at least he’d managed to get her a room in a Bed &
Breakfast for a few days.  That would at least give him some time to try
and figure out how to get rid of her once and for all. 

“I can’t believe you’ve written her a cheque for ten
thousand pounds,” Lucy said as Ed pulled onto Georgina’s drive.

“Unlike Luke I invested my money in property, and when I
sold all three houses, about a year ago, I made a hefty profit, so I can afford
it.  Anyway, ten thousand is nothing compared to being free of her, so
stop worrying.”  Ed leaned across and kissed Lucy’s cheek.  “Come on
let’s get this over with.”

Georgina, having seen Ed’s car arrive, was at the front door
before they’d reached it.

“She’s in her room and is refusing to come down.” 
Georgina sighed.  “You’ll have to go up there I’m afraid.  Anyway,
what’s your plan?” she asked, stepping aside to let them in.

“Well I’ve been thinking, she won’t go without money, so
I’m
going to offer her some, and if that doesn’t work I’ve got her a B&B that
she can stay in while she’s waiting for her money from Luke, although I’m
doubtful that he’ll ever send her any.”

Georgina looked worried at Ed’s response.  “A few
nights in a hotel is one thing Ed, but offering her a lump sum of money, well
that’s ridiculous.  How much money anyway?”

“Enough to make her think twice about refusing it,” Ed
replied.

“No, Ed I won’t allow it.”  Georgina shook her head and
blocked Ed’s way along the hall.  “Luke asked me for a huge amount, I
can’t let you give her that much.”

“Mum, I’m offering Katie enough to get her to leave town,
how she and Luke sort out their money issues is their business.  I’m not
about to become the Bank of Ed just for their benefit.”

“I’ll ask you again, exactly how much money are you offering
her Ed and don’t you dare try to fob me off?”

Ed dropped his eyes to the floor, knowing that Georgina
wouldn’t be happy and would agree with Lucy

“Ten thousand,” he said, wincing.

“No chance on this earth am I allowing that.”  Georgina
strode down the hall toward Jack’s study.  “I’ll give it to her, I’ll just
have to suffer the consequences of your dad’s reaction,” she cried yanking open
a drawer and taking out a cheque book.

Ed took it and threw it back into the drawer, before closing
it.

“Mum, listen to me, I am doing this, so no more arguments.”

“What about you Lucy, what do you think?” Georgina asked.

“I agree with you both, I think it’s too much, but Ed is
right, I can’t see anything less having the desired effect.”

Georgina sat down at Jack’s desk and was silent for a few
minutes.  “Okay,” she muttered.  “You win, offer her the money.”

Ed bent and kissed his mother’s cheek before turning to
Lucy.

“Come on,” he said.  “I want you to come too, that way
she can’t pull me into the bedroom and molest me.”  A broad grin reached
across his face.

“Not funny, Edward,” Lucy replied following him toward the
stairs.

Once upstairs Lucy followed Ed to Katie’s bedroom and waited
behind him as he knocked on the door.

Katie flung the door open.  She was wearing an
extremely short t-shirt and a tiny pair of pants.  Lucy couldn’t help find
her eyes drawn to Katie’s long, brown legs, and once again her chest.  She
obviously wasn’t wearing a bra, but despite having given birth to three
children, they were perfectly shaped and pert.  They were so perfect, in fact,
that Lucy had a sudden feeling of happiness at the realisation that they
obviously weren’t real, but blow ups as she and Sarah liked to call them. 

Ed to his credit looked Katie in the eye.  “I’ve got
this for you.”  He handed over the cheque.

Katie took it and examined it for a few seconds. 
“What’s this for?” she asked.

“It’s money to help you go and find your brother, or
whatever you want to do with it,” replied Ed.

“Ten thousand pounds, you must really want to get rid of
me.”  She leaned against the door frame and eyed Ed up and down. 
“Can you afford this?”

“Yes.”

“You must think I’m pretty shallow, if you think that I’m
only here for the money.”

“Well aren’t you?”  Lucy demanded, moving next to Ed.

Katie shook her head.  “No honey, I’m not.”  She
slowly ripped the cheque up.  “I’m not here for your money Ed, I can get
money from Luke.  I came back for you, and if you don’t want me then I
won’t take your money.  I’ll wait until Luke sends me some, and then I’ll
go, I promise.”  Katie smiled at Ed as she dropped the fragments of the
cheque into his hand.

“But Luke doesn’t have any money, does he?  He’s asked
Mum for a loan.”

Katie frowned at Ed. “Sorry, I don’t know anything about
that, and I can promise you we don’t need money from your mother.  I’m
just waiting for Luke to wire me some.”  She suddenly sounded agitated.

“Why don’t you just take it from me, you can even pay me
back if that’s what you want.” Ed was exasperated now.

Katie shook her head.  “Nope, I’ll wait for Luke.”

Amazed that she’d turned the money down, Ed sighed. 
“Not good enough sorry, you need to take the money and go.”

“I don’t need to do anything,” Katie drawled.  “I’ve
told you, I’ll go when Luke sends me some money.”

“And I’ve told you it’s not good enough,” Ed voice started
to rise in his irritation. “You have to leave, so I’ve booked you into a Bed
& Breakfast in town.  I’ve paid for four days, so you’ve got that long
to either get money from Luke, or I’ll write you another cheque.”

“What happens after four days?”  Katie asked, a small
smile on her lips.  “Do I get thrown into jail?”

“If you haven’t left after four days then you can pay the B
& B bill, and the ten thousand is no longer an option.” Ed folded his arms
and stared Katie in the eyes.

After a few moments Katie shook her head and laughed. 
“Okay, I’ll go to the hotel and hope that Luke sends me some cash.  I’d
better pack I guess, do you want to help me honey?”  Katie smile at Lucy.

Lucy shook her head.  “No, I’m sure you can manage.”

“Be ready in fifteen minutes,” said Ed.  “I’ll book a
taxi for you.”

“Okay but if
you
change
your
mind, you know
where I am.”  Katie reached across and took Ed’s hand to squeeze it.

 Ed snatched his hand away.  “Don’t think this
changes anything Katie, I still think you’re up to something, so for the next
four days, I don’t want to see you, unless it’s to collect your cheque.”

Ed turned and taking Lucy by the hand went back downstairs.

“I can’t believe she wouldn’t take it,” said Lucy when they
were back in the hall.

Ed shook his head.  “Me neither, I was convinced that
she’d jump at the chance.  Maybe she doesn’t know about Luke’s money
problems, she’d have taken that money otherwise, especially if she knows that
she’s unlikely to get any from him.  What do you think?”

Lucy shook her head.  “I’m sorry Ed, I don’t know what
to think, I thought the same, that she’d snatch your hand off.  But, don’t
forget she told me in no uncertain terms that she was here for you, so perhaps
that’s the sole purpose of her visit and the money isn’t important.”