Thief (8 page)

Chapter 15.

After our communal kissing session, we adjourned to the kitchen table to try and interpret our discovered numbers. Martina immediately declared that we would find our answers from the ‘Google Map’ software. I agreed and we trooped into my room where we entered the numbers into my computer. Martina and I tried various combinations and finally arrived at the conclusion of:

44 degrees, 16 minutes, 23 seconds latitude

168 degrees, 25 minutes, 26 seconds longitude

“Why did you decide on
those
particular combinations?” Kim asked, curiously. “Why not 4 degrees, 416 minutes or 16 degrees, 825 minutes, for example?”

Martina smothered a snort of derisive laughter. “Those figures won’t work at all. And anyway, it has to point to somewhere near our
present
location. This whole thing seems to be a local operation, so it has to be close to us. Believe me, Kim, our conclusion is the best guess.”

“Okay,” Kim replied. “I’ll take your word for it. You and Paul seem to know what you’re doing. What’s next?”

“The Google Map is telling us that the place to be is somewhere north of here. It looks like a cave.”

“Not
another
one!” I groaned. “Don’t these people, whoever they are, have
any
imagination at all?”

“I think they’ve been watching too many James Bond movies,” commented Bella. “Look at the
method
of placing the clues. It’s like a kid’s game of hide and seek.”

“The spice thing was pretty sophisticated, however,” Kim commented. “Luckily, our resident Mensa graduates were on hand to solve it. I doubt that many people could have worked it out.”

“Yes,” Bella agreed, “it was certainly well planned. Whatever the secret is, it must be important to go to such lengths.”

“A bit over the
top
though, surely,” I argued. “After all, there
is
such a thing as being
too
complicated.”

“I don’t think we’re dealing with a normal mind here,” Martina offered. “Whoever devised this is smart but childish at the same time. It’s a bit worrying really.”

“That’s for another time,” Kim announced. “Let’s go out to celebrate. How about dinner on the town?”

We all agreed wholeheartedly. Martina and Bella drove back to their flat, leaving myself and Kim to begin our individual dressing preparations.

I was in my room, brushing my shoes, when Kim entered. She was oddly subdued, which was unusual for her. She fidgeted for a few minutes while I waited for her to broach the subject that was making her so uncomfortable.

Finally she said, “I wanted to
ask
you something, Paul. It’s about Martina.”

“Yes,” I said, expectantly. “What about her?”

“I was wondering….I
thought
that……she’s
so
…..” Kim stammered.

“For heaven’s sake, Kim,” I broke in, “is this about you and her getting together?”

“You
know
?” Kim exclaimed in shock. “How did you find out? I mean, it’s only just happened.”

“Honey, I’m not
totally
blind,” I informed her, coming over to give her a hug. “And, in case you’re worried, I’m
overjoyed
for the both of you. Martina is ecstatic and you’ve been alone for far too long.”

Kim returned my hug with a fierceness that surprised me. “Thanks, sweetie. I was worried that you’d object.”

“Why on earth did you think I’d do
that
?” I asked, puzzled.

“Well, she's like Bella's little sister,” Kim explained, “and she’s so much
younger
than I am. I was afraid you might think I was cradle snatching or something.”

I chuckled. “Kim, you're both adults and can do what you like. Martina is
crazy
about you and I know that Bella will be pleased to know that someone is finally looking after Martina.” I put my hands on her shoulders and looked at her with affection. “Put your mind at ease, sister mine. You're such a loving person and I'll always back you hundred percent in
anything
you do. So, please stop worrying.”

Kim smiled with relief and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Thanks for those sentiments, sweetheart. You've made me all misty eyed but I feel a lot better now. I admit that I
have
been pretty lonely recently. Seeing you and Bella together must have triggered it. How are you two getting
on
anyway?”

“That's
none
of your business,” I quickly answered.

“We'll
see
about that,” Kim said ominously, as she turned and went out the door. “I'll get Martina to tell me.”

“
Two
can play at that game,” I informed her as she disappeared around the corner. “I'll ask
Bella
to keep an eye on you and Martina.”

Kim’s laugh faded as she went into the kitchen.

Chapter 16.

Eventually, we all grouped together and set off for our celebratory meal. The food was excellent and I think that everyone enjoyed themselves. Martina was in high spirits, joining in every conversation animatedly. I could see she was bubbling over with happiness. Obviously, being with Kim was fulfilling her life's dream. Bella was smiling fondly at Martina and I imagined she must have guessed that Kim and Martina were now an item.

The dance music started and I offered my hand to Bella. She blushed a little and took my hand in hers, allowing me to guide her to the dance floor. I bowed to her, she giggled, and we commenced to dance. She was quite good at dancing, better than I was, but I didn't mind. It felt so right, having her in my arms. I'd really have to do something more to make sure she didn't get away from me. I couldn't afford to lose her. She was so lovely and vivacious, despite her deeply held belief that she was so unworthy of affection. I decided to try to prove her wrong once and for all…….

“Bella, I love you,” I whispered to her. She abruptly stopped dancing.

“
What
!” she exclaimed in amazement. “What did you just say?”

“I said that I love you,” I answered in a level voice.

“You can't be serious,” she faltered, staring at me. “You can't
possibly
mean that.”

“Of
course
I can,” I reassured her. “It's true. I meant every word of it.”

“No,” she insisted, shaking her head. “You don't know what you're saying.
Nobody
could love me.”

I cupped her lovely face in my hand and looked into her disbelieving eyes. “Bella honey, I
do
love you. You make my life complete. You’re kind and generous and I want to be with you. What else can I say that will convince you?”

“But……
but
….” she stuttered. I put a finger over her lips to silence her protestations.

“Please just
think
about it,” I pleaded. “And later on, I'd be delighted if you'd come to my room for the night.”

Her eyes widened at my last statement. “Are you saying what I
think
you're saying?” she questioned.

I smiled briefly at her astonishment. “Sweetheart, I love you, and I'll keep
telling
you that until you begin to believe it too. You're my
world
and there's nobody else I'd rather be with, but you don't have to be with me tonight if you don't want to. I'm not forcing you into anything. You have the freedom to do whatever you want.”

“Well, I…… that is to say, we……
damn
it, I don't know
what
to say,” Bella announced, frustrated. She stared intently into my eyes for several moments. “I always thought that no one would
ever
say what you've just said to me,” she told me in a soft voice. “I've never believed that I
deserved
love. All my life I've been convinced that I was worthless.” Tears began to well up in her vulnerable eyes. “And now
you
come along and tell me exactly the opposite. Do you realise what that
means
to someone like me? My mother ran away when I was a child and my father turned to alcohol to cope. He used to
beat
me all the time because he convinced himself it was
my
fault that his wife disappeared. He told me every single day that I was useless, and ever since then I’ve gone out of my way to prove him right.”

She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “My whole world is falling to
pieces
around my ears,” she complained, but I could see that she was smiling behind the tears. She stared at me some more as if she still couldn’t believe what she had heard.

“Paul,” she tentatively asked, “are you really, really
sure
that you love me?”

“Yes, sweetie,” I replied with conviction. “I’m really,
really
sure.”

“And are you really, really sure that I’m
worth
loving?” she appealed, in a little girl voice.

“Oh yes, I’m really, really sure of
that
,” I advised her, smilingly. “You’re the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. Despite everything that’s happened, you’ve come out with your soul and spirit intact, and that makes you a very special person.”

“Oh god, Paul,” she choked, her voice raw with emotion, “you’ve turned my life upside down. I’ve been so horrible to you and you still put up with me. You have the patience of a
saint
.” She hurled herself into my arms, sobbing with a mix of contrition and joy.

I held her tightly in reassurance and whispered comforting words while she wept. After her emotional storm was over, she dried her tears, smiled timidly at me and said, “If that offer of a night together is still open, I’ll be
glad
to take you up on it.”

“It’s most definitely open,” I informed her. “Just tell me when you’re ready.”

“I’d like to go
now
,” she announced, “but we’d better wait for Kim and Martina.”

“Would you like
another
dance while we’re hanging around?” I offered.

“Yes, please,” she accepted. “I want to be as close to you as I can for as
long
as possible. My god, I still can’t
believe
this. Someone actually
loves
me! I never thought I’d ever hear
those
words.” She closed her eyes and rested her head on my chest with a joyful sigh. “This is probably a dream,” she murmured. “I can’t possibly be
this
happy in real life.”

I chuckled and stroked her hair. “And I never thought
I’d
ever be this lucky,” I told her, “to find someone like you.”

- Time for my bit. You’ve hogged the narrative long enough.

- Who says so? Porcine critters of the world,
unite
!

- I’ve only one word to say to you…… ‘
Bacon
!’

- Okay, I’ll be good.
Oink
!

- I should think so, because there’s also
ham
and crackling.

- You’ve made me all hungry now.

- Tough. I want to tell everyone about me and Martina.

I noticed that Paul and Bella had stopped dancing and were talking in hushed tones in the middle of the dance floor. Bella was
crying
and I hoped there was nothing wrong. I wasn’t really worried, however, because I knew that Paul was a proven master at relationships. Even his ex-girlfriends adored him. Not like me. I fully recognised my inadequacies. I was always too hasty or too clingy or too
something
, which probably explained my woeful track record of having my heart broken on a regular basis. I just wasn't
good
at this intimacy thing. I always seemed to put my love and trust into the wrong people. Or maybe it was
me
. Maybe I just didn't know
how
to love anyone properly. I sighed despondently but then Martina's gentle hand on my arm dispelled my gloomy thoughts.

“What's up, Kim?” she asked, anxiously. “Are you
sad
about something?”

I made a conscious effort to make my voice cheerful as I turned towards her. “Just a little, sweetie,” I explained. “I was just mulling over my deserved reputation for sabotaging my relationships. I never seem to be able to make them
last
.”

Martina put her arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder. “Well then, let's see if we can
break
the drought. It'll take something pretty drastic to drive me away from you. I'm afraid that you're stuck with me, like it or not.”

I laughed at that and asked, “How about a
dance
then, to commemorate the beginning of our long-lasting romance?”

Martina was a bit hesitant. “I'm not a very good dancer, Kim. It's not something I've ever had time for in my world.”

“Never mind, sweetheart,” I encouraged her. “I'll
teach
you as we go. There's nothing to it really.”

We took to the dance floor. Taking Martina into my arms, I noticed that Paul and Bella were dancing again and I breathed a little sigh of relief. Whatever had happened between them before was obviously now settled. I guided Martina through the basic dance steps, delighted to discover that she was a natural dancer – so light and nimble on her feet. Once she had mastered the basics, I pulled her into a closer embrace and we began to dance in earnest. The feel of her body against mine excited me. I hadn't felt this way for a long,
long
time. Maybe
this
time it'll work out. Maybe for once I wouldn’t be so stupid and would do things
correctly
. I hoped Martina wouldn’t be too disappointed with me. She seemed to be head over heels in love, but how long would
that
last? I was fairly sure that I loved her too, although my feelings about her were still a little raw and untested. I took her hand and spun her around in a fancy dance move. She flung her head back and smiled with genuine enjoyment. She twirled back into my arms and laughed softly. “This is
fantastic
!” she exclaimed. “I never knew that dancing could be so much
fun
.” She sobered and looked at me intently. “I know you're having a few doubts about what's going on between us, Kim,” she said, seriously, “but please don't lose any sleep about it. Right now, all I know is that I love you madly and I hope you’re beginning to love me as well. That should be enough for the present. Let's just leave it at that and forget about the future, okay?”

I swallowed an emotional lump in my throat. She was right. I was worrying too much. Love flows where it wants to and there’s not a single person who can do anything to dictate
where
it goes. Young Martina was proving to be such an exceptional human being. To be so wise in the ways of love, coming as she did from
her
background, was indeed a miracle. The younger generation aren’t so bad after all, I reflected wryly to myself, as we continued to glide around the floor. We should go home now, I suddenly thought. My feelings for Martina were starting to bubble over into something a little more
physical
than mere dancing.