Unravel a Crime - Tangle With Women (42 page)


And she saw you?”


Why not? At first I think she
thought that it was something to do with David’s case, but I told her straight
away that it was a personal matter, and could she help me? I had only intended
to ask her what it was like being a woman at the Bar, but, to cut a long story
short, she let me sit in on a conference she was having on another case.” She
laughed, “She told the solicitors that I was on a mini pupillage, and asked did
they mind if I sat in? They didn’t really have much choice! She asked me what I
thought on a few points as the conference progressed. I was terrified, but I
just tried to remember all that I had learned at University – I tried to guess
what you would say.” She softened, “I tried to think how you would think.
You’ve taught me a lot, Jonny.”

They gazed at each other, then
Lisa sat back.


After the conference, she
said that she thought that I had been excellent. She had liked what I had done
on David’s case, and the bottom line is that she asked if I would like to be
her pupil.”

Brakespeare was astounded. “Do
you know that there’s literally hundreds of people applying for pupillages at
the Bar?”


She said that, but she also
said that they are usually straight out of University, full of ideas and self
importance, but without a clue as to what life is like. She thought that with
my experience – here - I would do well. So you see, it’s a chance I couldn’t
turn down.”


I see. Well what can I say
but well done. I shall miss you, but well done.”

He stood up and held his arms
out towards her. She came round the desk and melted into them. She put her head
on his shoulder as he hugged her.

She pulled her head back.
“Thanks for everything Jonny. We nearly got there; but I owe your bladder a
debt of gratitude?”


Sorry?”


Jonny, if we hadn’t been
interrupted by..” She pointed through the floor to where Mortimer’s room was.
”I would have become totally hooked and dependant on you.” She looked him
straight in the eye. “I don’t think that it would have lasted; not if there is
someone else. You would have had to choose, and I’m not certain that the choice
would be me.”

If she wanted a reaction from
Brakespeare, she wasn’t going to get one.


Now, I’ve realised it’s down
to me to make my way in the world. Yesterday was the first step.”


And the Minge Lane
Partnership?”


That’s down to you Mr.
Brakespeare,” she said, separating from him, and moving behind her desk. “Two
jobs to choose from; two women to choose from. You’re on Trial!”

Thank God she doesn’t know
it’s three women, thought Brakespeare.

chapter thirty nine

Brakespeare took the motorway
route home that weekend. He was desperate to see Mel. The simple uncomplicated
relationship he had with her was a welcome alternative to the contortions of
his relationship with Lisa, although he suspected that if that relationship had
been consummated, then things would have become a lot simpler between them..

Then there was Sophie. He
hadn’t thought about her much during the week. In truth he hadn’t wanted to
think about her. She was there if he wanted her, that she had made clear, but
it would be literally and metaphorically like returning home. Did he really
want to do that? Occasionally, thoughts of what they once were interested him,
but she had hurt him an awful lot. He would have had a permanent home wherever
he was working but for her.

No, Mel was the one he now
wanted to see. The loving, comforting, but undemanding brown girl. Sure enough
as he pulled into his driveway, she was there. As he got out of the car she
jumped up and down and waved yet another piece of paper. What was it about
Fridays?


I got them, I got them.”


Got what?” he went towards
her to kiss her. Instead she leaped and him and hugged him.


I got the children.”


You have? That’s great news.”
But he didn’t really mean it. His sixth sense told him that things were about
to change, and with it what security Mel gave him.

She led him inside. Trevor and
the new lodger, Martin who he had not seen much of were there; one in the
kitchen and one watching the regional television news in the lounge. He said
“Hello” to both of them, and followed Mel upstairs to his room. His room? For the
past few weeks it had been their room. Mel had feminised it; it smelt of her
perfumes and beauty preparations, and was neat and clean.

Brakespeare dumped his case on
the floor, and sat down on the bed with her.


Look. It’s a letter from his
solicitors, to my solicitor, saying I can have the kids. He’s also going to
sell the house and let me have the contents.”


Why don’t you move into the
house.”


Can’t afford. He ain’t been
paying the mortgage and there’s precious little left in it.!”


Why all this suddenly.”

Mel roared with laughter. “He
been humping a white girl. Says she’s a blonde but I reckon that’s only what it
says on the bottle! He’s got her in the club – three months gone; so he wants
to shack up with her. She got her own house and her own business – she’s a hair
dresser, but she don’t want my kids. He’s also going to let me divorce him on
account of her.”


So it’s all happening for
you?”


And that ain’t all. I found
somewhere to live. A private landlord.”


Things are moving fast.”
Brakespeare spoke his thoughts.


Lover boy has agreed to pay
the deposit and the first months rent.” She leaned close to him. ”I got the
keys already.” She squeaked with excitement.

A feeling of dread came over
Brakespeare.


When do you plan to move in?”


Tomorrow”


Tomorrow?!”


Lover boy has hired a van and
is bringing the furniture up. I’m going down to collect the kids. This time
tomorrow, I’ll have a roof over my head - and the kids.”


But you’ve got a roof over
your head.”

Mel put her arm round him.
“But I ain’t got my kids Jonny Brakespeare.” She looked at him to guage his
reaction, and then put her head against his. “And I ain’t got you. I only got
part of you.”

There was nothing Brakespeare
could say. She was right.

Mel sat back. “That wife of
yours been round again. She keeps aksing why there’s no phone here, and what
your number is in Worcester. I told her, ‘he don’t even tell me that!’”


What does she want?” asked
Brakespeare dully.


You can’t see the kids on
Sunday.”


What?”


Calm down. Seems they’ve been
invited to a birthday party at the last minute. She aksed if you can see them
tomorrow instead.”


Oh.”


I shan’t be here Jonny.” Mel
said softly. ”I ain’t leaving you, but I’ve got a home all of my own now, and
that’s important to me.”

Brakespeare looked at her. “I
know it is. Sorry. Well done.” And he embraced her, kissing her passionately.
Mel responded and sighed as he fondled her beasts.


No, you can’t have that. Mr
Monthly has arrived. I’m strictly off limits this weekend.”


Fuck!”


That’s definitely off the
menu.”

Brakespeare sighed and smiled
ruefully. “Not my weekend is it?”


Why not, you get to see your
kids. Jonny, you got to keep away from me just a little. Just while the divorce
goes through. He don’t ask any questions about where I am or who I’m living
with, but if you keeps coming round to see me too often, and meet the kids,
it’ll get back to him, and he might change his mind on things. Now you don’t
want to be mixed up in my divorce do you?”

Brakespeare shook his head.
His professional experience told him that things would follow a common pattern.
Husband either caught red handed or wanting to start a new life happily pays up
whatever is necessary to get rid of existing wife. Wife does exactly what
husband has done, and finds someone else. Husband doesn’t like it; becomes
jealous, and tries to upset the financial settlement.


I’ll come and see you here,
if you like. If I can get a baby sitter.” She added. “That won’t change. We’ll
be the same as we’ve ever been. Course if you and your wife get back together?”


Will that change things.”

Mel smiled and shook her head.
“Not if you don’t want it to. We can carry on as long as…. Well.” She didn’t
have to finish her sentence. Brakespeare knew exactly what she meant. Their relationship,
created out of their mutual insecurities and needs was never destined to be a
long term one.


O.K” he said resignedly.
“I’ll call her at her parents on my mobile. Then I’ll have a shower…”


And you can take me out for a
meal on our last night alone together” She roared with laughter again. “I tell
you Jonny Brakespeare, with them kids around, your supply of sex is gonna be
strictly rationed!”

Brakespeare went out to his
car to make the call. If the kids had bee invited to a birthday party, then so
be it, but if Sophie was starting to play games, as it was not unknown for
disgruntled wives to do…


Hello, Jonny.” She said when
she picked up the phone. “I’m sorry, but if I had a number for you, I would
have called earlier. Has Mel explained?” She said it matter of factly as if Mel
held some formal status in his life.


She said that the kids had
been invited to a birthday party.”


Yes, one of their friends is
having a last minute one at McDonalds on Sunday, and they do so want to go.”


O.K.”


But they do so want to see
you, as well.” She hesitated. “Mummy and Daddy are away this weekend, you could
come round tomorrow.”


I see.”


In fact, Jonny, you could
stay with us over the weekend if you want to. The kids would love it.”

A trap. On the other hand the
thought of being with the kids in a house over a weekend, so that he didn’t
continually have to traipse them around while thinking of things to do to
entertain them, would be good. They would make their own amusements, and not
demand constant attention.

Then there was Sophie. He
would have to talk to her. Why didn’t he want to? Was it his pride and self
esteem that was at stake? Would he be losing face with himself if he did renew
his relationship with her. Of course it didn’t have to be a sexual
relationship. She was never great between the sheets. He hadn’t known that of
course until he had met Mel. Mel set the benchmark. But Mel was not going to be
so readily available.


O.K., let’s give it a try.
What time shall I come round?”


Whenever you like. You can
come round now if you wish and help put the kids to bed.”


No, not tonight.” Why not let
her have it straight? “I’m taking Mel out for a meal.”


I thought that you might”.
Replied Sophie evenly.


Say about 11 o’clock
tomorrow?


Thanks, Jonny.” Said Sophie.

Brakespeare was in pensive
mood that evening. Mel did her best to cheer him up and regaled him with
continuous banter, but he was not receptive to it. He took her to the Bekash
Restaurant in Stony Stratford. It was surprisingly quiet for a Friday night.
Usually he tucked into a full three course meal, but this evening it was down
to Mel to demolish as much of the delicious, spicy food as she could. For
someone with as slim a figure as Mel had, it was amazing how much she could eat
band not put weight on.

As they curled up in bed for
what might be the last time, Brakespeare’s thoughts were far away from the
bedroom. They ranged between what the next day had in store for him. He thought
of Lisa. She was there waiting, but…….

For a start he didn’t know
where he was going to be working or living, and he certainly didn’t want to
follow her to London. Birmingham would be too far for her to commute, and
Worcester even more so.

Then there were the kids.

Mel softly interrupted his
thoughts. “Jonny, just remember one thing.”


What’s that?”


I ain’t in love with you. But
I love you.” And she kissed him before she drifted off to sleep with her face
contentedly against his.

chapter forty

The next day went very quickly
for Brakespeare. Mel was up early to catch the train to Watford to collect her
children. Brakespeare took her to the station. She half cried as she got out of
the car. “See you soon.” she promised.

He arrived on time at Sophie’s
parents large house just off Pattison Lane, Woolstone. He liked to be neither
early nor late. The two girls were extremely excited, and on their best
behaviour. They had obviously been told to ‘be nice to Daddy.’

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