A Secret Schemer (13 page)

Glancing across at Archie Jena
could tell he was uneasy, but she needed to keep probing. ‘Sounds
as though she may have come on to you then Archie?’

‘She started taking photos of
me on her phone a few weeks ago.’ He muttered.

‘Really do spill?’ Jena asked
cautiously. ‘Perhaps she didn’t think you knew.’

‘It’s not easy to miss being
zapped on a mobile Jena; she wanted me to know alright. She must
have taken my mobile number off the list in the kitchen because I
started getting some weird text messages.’

As an influx of punters came
into the bar they were both serving for a while, Jena was holding
onto Archie’s last revelation. To gain his confidence she knew she
must keep pressing.

‘Can’t wait to hear about the
weird messages, I mean how weird?’

‘It took a while to cotton on
as to who was sending them, though the content soon made me
realise. They were full on sex texts plus I got a photo of her in a
bra, no face showing, and same number obviously.’

‘So did you respond?’ Jena
asked quietly.

‘Well what guy wouldn’t when it
was being offered on a plate? Christmas Day she must have sent
about twenty messages, so I gave her what she wanted. Trouble is
she wants more and I don’t, so what am I supposed to do now, I like
working here.’

‘Mm sounds as though she has a
real crush Archie, have you told her it was a one off?’ Jena
asks.

‘Yeah but it’s not sinking in,
Jena I don’t want a relationship with anyone I’m a free spirit, I
like playing the field.’ He disclosed.

Jena already had Archie down as
a player, Jodie maybe sixteen, nevertheless this was almost
certainly her first sexual experience. Someone will have to talk to
her and explain the ways of the lustful young male; although
they’re not all the same she’d picked on a wrong one. Jena hoped
fervently for Jodie’s sake that they had taken precautions.

‘Why don’t you go and get a
coffee mate while we’re quiet?’ Jena suggested.

‘No way, she’s working in the
restaurant tonight I’d rather go thirsty.’

‘This’ll have to be sorted out
Archie for both of your sakes, if it’s ok with you I’ll talk to
Lucy.’

‘No way she’ll sack me.’ Archie
protested.

‘Hey Lucy’s not an ogre, it’s
just a pity Jodie is Kate’s daughter. Leave it with me Archie and
I’ll talk to you again tomorrow. I’ll go and get us both a coffee,
white with sugar ok?’

‘Yeah great Jena thanks, don’t
tell anyone else will you.’

Jena smiled. ‘Your secret’s
safe with me, well until I tell Lucy.’

As Jena walked into the kitchen
she overheard Kate and Jodie having words.

‘No Jodie there’s no need for
you to go near the bar tonight, have a coffee and I’ll be ready to
go home.’ Kate admonished.

‘You are the limits mum so
bossy.’ Jodie exclaimed fiercely. ‘When are you ever going to stop
talking to me like a kid?’

Jena put the kettle on then
asked cautiously. ‘Anyone fancy a coffee?’

‘I’ll have one thanks Jena
while I’m clearing up.’ Kate replied.

‘Jodie?’ Jena nodded her head
towards her.

‘No thanks Jena.’ She said
bluntly.

‘Do you know where Lucy is?’
Jena urged.

‘She’s in the laundry room I
believe Jena.’

Jena handed Kate a coffee and
went back into the bar with one each for herself and Archie.

Some time later when the bar
was closed me and Jena were in the bar sharing a bottle of wine.
Jena had disclosed the details of her chat with Archie and now we
had to decide between us how we were going to deal with the
information.

‘He’s afraid of losing his job
Lucy; I guess I pushed him to tell me. To be honest though, I
actually believe he was glad to share it with someone.’

‘I’m sure he was Hun,
nevertheless we need to decide the best way to handle it, I suppose
they’re both responsible for making stupid mistakes.’

‘To a point, although I agree I
tend to think Jodie was more at fault here, surely Kate’s drummed
into her what testosterone driven males are like?’ Jena
questioned.

‘If we tell Kate, world war
three is going to break out, however by keeping quiet I feel as
though I’m being disloyal to a good friend.’ I explain.

‘If only Kate could get her
hands on Jodie’s phone it would answer most of her questions. Plus
providing she hasn’t deleted the text messages and photos she sent
Archie, once again Kate would probably be aghast at what her
daughter’s capable of.’

‘Let’s sleep on it for another
night Hun and in the morning I’ll press Kate to try and get Jodie’s
mobile. Personally I think I’d demand to see it, what do you
think?’ I ask tentatively.

‘In theory a perfect idea, not
so sure it’s going to help in this case, Jodie seems to be very
head strong.’ Jena disclosed. ‘I don’t think I’d like to be in
Kate’s shoes at the moment.’

‘By the way Jena where’s
Andy?’

‘Oh I left him watching DVD’s
he had for Christmas, and I’ll guarantee he’s fallen asleep. Anyway
where is the elusive Tim?’

‘To be honest I haven’t seen or
heard from him today, he may creep into my bed later tonight
though.’ I add defensively.

‘I admire your patience with
him Lucy, he must have hidden talents.’

‘Mm I must admit he’s a charmer
when we’re together, although I do accept some of the
responsibility because of my work load.’

‘No Lucy Ross don’t even think
about it, he was fully aware of the situation when he jumped on the
band wagon. It’s the same for me and Andy and we’ve made it
work.’

‘I get the message loud and
clear Hun and I know you’re right, I need to analyse the way the
land lies.’

‘Maybe because you’ve been so
busy during the holidays you’ve let things go over your head. Time
you took stock Lucy.’

‘I make you right Jena and on
that note I can hear my bed calling.’

‘Definitely.’ Jena adds
sleepily. ‘However something has just crossed my mind, I wonder if
Archie has deleted all the messages Jodie sent. I get the feeling
that under pressure Jodie could turn the tables.’

As we make our way upstairs I
reply quietly. ‘I really hope this isn’t going to get out of hand.
Goodnight love, see you tomorrow.’ With that I amble slowly up to
my bedroom with a medley of thoughts racing through my mind.

I wake again to the sound of
rain beating against the window, as I gather my thoughts I realise
again that I’m alone in my bed. Jena is right I am taking this far
too easily, I begin to question myself, are me and Tim really in a
loving relationship? I know I need to face facts and tackle the
subject with Tim, no more disregarding what’s taking place. So
without further ado I send him a message saying I need to speak to
him this evening at seven o’clock in my lounge. Positive action for
the day and not before time either.

Sometime later in the kitchen
Jena hands me a package. ‘I had to sign for this package Lucy,
seems it’s for Tim as he’s the only Carter dwelling here.’

As I read the address I’m
slightly thrown as the name reads L.T. Carter and the name of the
pub is missing. I certainly wasn’t aware his first initial was L;
he’s never mentioned another name. Oh well I’ll hand the package
over to him tonight and question the initials and address. It
couldn’t have arrived on a more apt day. Not wanting to make a big
issue about the package, I continued to chat casually, that was
until Kate turned up looking very distressed, once again.

‘Oh dear Kate what’s happened
love?’ I asked tentatively as I glanced across at Jena. ‘Is it
Jodie?’

‘I honestly don’t know where to
start Lucy.’

‘Why don’t you tell us all
about it Kate, you know the old adage, a problem shared and all
that.’ Jena asked warily.

‘In a nutshell Jena from what
I’ve managed to get out of Jodie, Archie took advantage of her. My
initial thought is to hit out, however I know I have to get the
police involved.’

‘Kate if I were you Hun I’d
make sure you have all the facts before you involve the law.’ Jena
declares.

‘My daughter wouldn’t lie to me
Jena.’

At that moment, being aware of
Archie’s side of the story, I decide to intervene. ‘Kate before you
take this any further, why don’t you and Archie have a chat this
afternoon?’

‘Yeah, but I doubt if I’ll be
able to keep my hands off him.’ Kate stated angrily’

I noticed Jena slip out of the
kitchen and I’m pretty sure she’s gone to check if Archie still has
the text messages Jodie sent him. I hope this doesn’t get out of
hand….

Chapter 18

When Jena reached the bar she
found Lucas cleaning the lines and there was no sign of Archie. ‘Hi
Lucas have you any idea where Archie is?’ Jena asked.

‘He’s in the cellar at the
moment Jena, he won’t be long.’

‘I’ll nip down and see him
then, cheers Lucas.’

Jena rushed down to the cellar,
she kept turning over in her mind why she felt so strongly about
Archie having saved the text messages that Jodie had sent him. She
knew she should be impartial; nevertheless she had a strong feeling
that Archie was telling the truth. She could see Archie was hosing
the cellar, so she swiftly turned off the water supply. As he
turned around to see what had happened she shouted out to him.
‘Sorry Archie I need a word honey if you can spare me a
moment.’

‘No Problem Jena, what’s up?’
He replied as the dripping hose dangled from his hand.

‘Can you put that down and come
over here for a moment.’ She urged.

‘Am I in bother Jena?’ He asked
cautiously.

‘I truly hope not. After our
recent conversation about Jodie and the text messages, I need to
know if you deleted them all.’

‘No I think I archived all of
them, and I definitely saved the photos.’ Archie replied.
‘Why?’

‘Check them now Archie then
I’ll explain.’

As Archie scrolled through his
mobile, Jena realised she’d actually crossed her fingers.

‘Yeah I think they’re all
here.’

‘Great, Jodie has told Kate
that you took advantage of her and Kate is ready to involve the
police.’ Jena noticed Archie’s face had turned the colour of puce.
‘Whatever you do don’t mention to Kate that me and Lucy where aware
of this.

‘Why the hell does she want to
involve the police, I can do without this Jena. I suppose I’ll lose
my job now.’

‘No don’t start thinking like
that, just be glad you saved the messages. Try and calm down before
you speak to Kate, if you come across as being overly defensive
she’ll immediately realise you’ve been pre-warned. If that happens
Lucy will be very upset.’

‘So when am I supposed to be
seeing her then?’ Archie probes.

‘Later on this afternoon, just
carry on as normal mate, I’ll bring you a sandwich through to the
bar to save you using the kitchen for now.’

‘Thanks Jena.’

‘On second thoughts Archie I
feel it would be wise if you sent a copy of all the messages and
photos to my phone to save.’

‘I won’t ask why but I’ve got
nothing to hide, anyway thanks Jena.’

‘You’re welcome mate.’ With
that Jena hurried back upstairs and into the kitchen, where she
made a few sandwiches.

‘Would you rather have
something hot Jena?’ Kate offered.

‘No you’re ok Kate I’m a bit
busy love thanks.’

Jena took the sandwiches into
the bar. ‘Why don’t you go and grab something to eat Lucas and I’ll
take over for a while.’

‘Cheers Jena your sandwich has
made me feel a bit peckish.’

As Archie came back up to the
bar Jena handed him the sandwiches.’ Relax mate it’s not the end of
the world.’

Jena checked her phone and all
the messages and photos had arrived, so she saved them all, best to
have a back up she thought.

Sometime later I called Archie
into the restaurant (which was now empty) as Kate was waiting to
talk to him. I had suggested to Kate that I sit in on the meeting,
purely as an observer and not to play the devil’s advocate. I was a
tad concerned on how this discussion was going to go, as Kate was
incredibly angry. Plus they are both my employees.

‘So what the hell did you do to
my daughter?’ Kate exclaimed fiercely as Archie sat down. ‘Taking
advantage of a young girl is immoral.

Archie glanced up at Kate and
in a quiet voice protested. ‘I never took advantage of your
daughter Kate; she was the one who kept chasing me.’

‘Yeah that’s what they all say;
well I know my daughter doesn’t lie!

‘Why don’t you tell me what
she’s accusing me of.’ Archie urged.

‘Stop the sarcastic attitude
with me Archie Miller I know your type.’

The atmosphere was dense and I
knew if I let Kate continue she was in danger of making a complete
fool of herself. I feel guilty enough with what I know; maybe I’ve
dealt with this all wrong. I’m not excusing Archie’s behaviour,
however Kate needs to know the facts, so intervene I must….to save
Kate.

‘OK guys I know I’m not here to
arbitrate, nevertheless I believe I should step in at this stage,
or this could turn offensive. Archie at this point I feel you
should show Kate all the text messages and photos that Jodie sent
you.’

Archie went to speak but Kate
shouted over him. ‘How do you know about these messages Lucy, is
there something you’ve been keeping from me?’

‘I only found out just before I
came into the restaurant Kate, please look at the messages love
before we go any further.’