A Secret Schemer (24 page)

After Lucas had gone I found
myself musing over what he’d discovered this morning. Who is the
other guy, he has to be a work colleague. However what kind of
work? Is he self employed? Does he actually carry out IT work or is
he a salesman or labourer? He needn’t have lied as I’m not
influenced by positions or salary, the person is far more
important. Have I made him feel the need to lie? Surely not, it’s
not in my nature. I wonder where they were going in the taxi on a
Monday morning. Questions keep spinning through my head. I agreed
to wait until his fortieth birthday, although at that time I wasn’t
aware he was lying about his job. As soon as he goes out in the
evening again and Jena’s able to follow him, I’ll search his room.
This is all becoming so cloak and dagger, thank goodness I have a
sense of humour as I’m beginning to feel like my favourite sleuth
Columbo. Ironing finished I make my way upstairs to hang things up,
as I passed Tim’s door instinct made me try the handle, locked as
always. I won’t go in there today I’ll be patient and wait until
Jena has him in her sights. While I was putting my ironing away, I
became aware of the sound of someone in the passageway. Placing the
rest of the garments onto the bed I went to the doorway to see who
was about. To say I was shocked to see the back of someone
disappearing into Tim’s room would be an understatement, because it
wasn’t Tim. I crept along the passage and stopped outside of his
room to listen (why am I creeping I ask myself it’s my building)
what has this guy turned me into? I could hear voices, so without a
doubt he had someone else in the room. The sound was indistinct so
I couldn’t tell if the other person was male or female. My
impulsive fiery nature was urging me to burst into the room,
nevertheless I’d gone this far, I had to stretch my patience a
little while longer. Maybe it’s someone he’s working with, I mean
it is daytime and anyone could have seen them arrive, although on
reflection the kitchen is usually empty at this time of the
afternoon, being the graveyard shift. We don’t start serving food
again until six o’clock. I spent anther hour or so tidying the
flat, no one had left his room. As I made my way back downstairs I
could still hear the muffled voices. Once in the kitchen I made a
mug of tea and grabbed a handful of biscuits then I sat at the
table with Lucas’s daily paper. I’d positioned myself so I could
see the outside kitchen door, unless he’d planned to stay up there
for hours I’d have a birds eye view when they left. After another
hour, and yet another mug of tea I’d become extremely bored, plus I
had other work that needed my attention. So I folded up the paper
and took the mugs over to the sink, when I heard a click. Oh for
goodness sake how could I have missed them? The outer back door was
closing, so I rushed over and pulled the door open and peered
outside just in time to hear the gate closing. I thought about
opening the gate to see who’d left the pub, however living on a
busy street as we do, you’d be very lucky to catch a glimpse. This
made me realise that when Jena goes for the follow she’s going to
have to be prepared and move fast. I guess it was easier for Lucas
this morning as it was broad daylight. Time was pushing on now and
I felt as though I’d wasted a large part of my day. My thoughts
turn over like the pages of a book, and I find myself reverting to
the same dream. Where there is always another person who is hidden
from my view….

‘Wow you look as though you’re
miles away Lucy, what’s up?’ Jena brought me back to the present
with her rhythmic voice.

Out of the blue I was filled
with soured emotions; my eyes were stinging with unshed tears. Jena
came over and gave me a hug and the hot tears began trickling onto
my cheeks.

‘Whatever’s wrong Lucy?’ Jena
asked gently as she hugged me close.

Stifling a sob and trying to
pull myself together. ‘I’m sorry Hun just me being stupid.’ I
mumbled as I grabbed a tissue that Jena was offering me. Dabbing my
eyes I realised that Lucas had walked into the room.

‘Would you rather I left you
alone girls?’ Lucas said awkwardly.

‘No..no Lucas I’m over
reacting.’

‘No you’re not Lucy Ross I know
you too well, so how about you tell us what’s been going on while I
make a pot of tea.’

I sat quietly ruminating over
the days events while Jena made tea for us all, when we were all
sat with a steaming cup of tea. I described in detail the
afternoon’s events. ‘I feel so frustrated that’s what’s upset me,
because during my deeply haunting dreams and days like today I can
never see the other person. For some unknown reason they are always
hidden from my view, I’m beginning to feel an unknown power is
preventing their exposure.’

‘I’m sure that’s not so Lucy,
the subconscious has a habit of playing unfathomable games,
especially when you’re in a confused state of mind.’ Lucas
offered.

‘I agree Lucy, the guy is a
total enigma and until you’re able to resolve his weird behaviour,
nothing’s going to change.’

‘I know you’re both right.’ I
added.

‘Well honey time you did
something about it.’ Jena remarked. ‘Me and Andy will go and suss
out his parents house this week, and as soon as he goes out in the
evening tell me.’

‘On reflection Jena by the time
I see him going out I then have to find you and once again he’ll
have slipped the net.’

‘Time to be more pressing
Lucy.’ Lucas advised. ‘Ask him when he’s going out, even by a text
message.’

‘Yes Lucas is right, time to be
pushier Hun, for goodness sake love this is your gaff, not his.’
Jena implored.

‘Take care Lucy I have to split
now and relieve Archie from the bar.’ Lucas said as he made his way
to the door.

‘Cheers Lucas.’

‘I’m going to meet Andy Hun,
make sure you keep busy.’ Jena added.

‘Oh I’ll be fine Jena in fact
I’ll go in the bar and if anyone wants a meal I can see to it
straight away.’

‘I tell you Andy he’s really
getting to her, what I wouldn’t do to the slippery bastard.’ Jena
said angrily.

‘Remind me not to get on the
wrong side of you babe.’ Andy laughed.

‘How d’you fancy a quick meal
and having a run out to Orpington to suss out his parents
place?’

‘Don’t you think it would be
best in daylight, we could go tomorrow afternoon if I finish
early?’

‘Ok I guess you’re right
darling, tomorrow it is.’

‘I’m always right babe you know
that.’ Andy laughed.

‘I knew there was a reason I
loved you.’ she giggled.

‘Between us all we’ll get to
the bottom of it, what a shame she couldn’t have fallen for Lucas
he’s a cracking guy.’ Andy declared.

‘Life is never that simple,
especially where Lucy Ross is concerned. She’s never been a run of
the mill kind of girl.’ Jena remarked.

‘Are there any specials on the
menu tonight babe?’

‘Kate’s off so Lucy’s doing
meals, let’s go in the bar and see what’s on offer.’

‘Hi you two, are you looking
for food?’ I asked as Jena and Andy came into the bar.

‘Now that depends if you have
something tempting on offer.’ Andy replied.

‘Kate’s left a chicken curry
which I have simmering on the cooker as we speak.’

‘Sounds good to me can I order
two healthy portions, to be served in the restaurant.’ Andy
teased.

‘I’m on my way and would sir
like it with rice?’

‘Oh yes and all the trimmings,
can we have it in the kitchen though I feel like slumming it
tonight.’ He laughs again.

‘Ignore him Lucy I’ll sort it
out, why don’t you come and join us as I bet you haven’t
eaten.’

‘Ok why not, see you in a bit
Lucas.’ As I followed Jena and Andy into the kitchen I wondered
where the elusive Tim was tonight, in or out. Tomorrow I’ll send
him a message saying I need a chat, pushier they said well here
goes….

Chapter 30

After another restless night in
my world of dreams, I realised how much they were influencing my
thoughts. As this morning I’m convinced that the ‘other’ person in
my dreams, the one who is always concealed from my view, is a
woman. A single dream is more supreme than a hundred realities;
they are true while they last. Your visions will become clear only
when you look into your heart. Now I am searching deep within me to
realise my true beliefs. Once again I had envisioned Tim’s room and
as before everything appeared the same, total disarray. The other
person was covered up in the bed as though asleep, and he was
sitting at his computer. The power of the dreams is dominating my
thoughts, control of which is restrained by not having the answers,
in fact the truth. I know I have to be patient for a little longer
and I’m finding it difficult to speculate just how much this
whimsical affair (for want of a better description) is affecting
me. I can’t believe I allowed myself to break down yesterday in
front of Jena and Lucas, not at all like me. Frustration is my main
issue, enigmatic and uncertain. I honestly feel as though there’s a
huge can of worms about to burst open with an unpredictable
outcome. Have I actually convinced myself there’s something
unfavourable in the offing? Or have I soaked up everyone else’s
predictions of Tim being a ‘slippery’ character that I’m beginning
to prepare myself for the worse. Only time will tell. My mobile
burst into action which immediately stopped my musing, to my
surprise it was a text message from Tim himself. He asked if we
could meet up for a quick chat later this afternoon. OMG has he
become a bloody mind reader now, as that was exactly what I was
going to ask him! Realising it was already eight o’clock I dashed
into the bathroom for a shower, as I really had to catch up on my
paperwork today.

Tim sent me another message
during the day asking if we could meet up around four o’clock in
the restaurant. (My first thought is he always manages to select a
time when the restaurant will be empty). Oh well I wanted to see
him anyway, so with that in mind I made my way into the kitchen
early to make a pot of tea, which I placed on a tray along with a
selection of biscuits. Tim walked into the restaurant just after
four and kissed me on the cheek before he sat down. ‘Tea and
biscuits babe that’s very thoughtful.’ He said smiling.

‘Don’t they say a cup of tea is
a cure for everything?’ I returned his smile, and then began to
pour the tea. As he didn’t attempt to speak I pushed the plate of
biscuits towards him, selecting myself a custard cream I chomped as
I observed. ‘This is an unusual time for you to be around isn’t
it.’ I probed.

‘Not really darling it always
depends where I’m working.’ He muttered.

Well you’re certainly not
working for Randall and Hartley that’s for sure was on the tip of
my tongue to voice. However today is not the day for a
confrontation?

‘I just wanted to tell you I
have to work away for a few days; I should be back by the weekend
though.’ He said cautiously.

‘Mm are you going somewhere
nice?’

He hesitated slightly and then
said with a sigh. ‘Scotland.’

‘Wow that’s going to be a long
journey, when are you leaving?’ I asked with interest.

‘About seven this evening, I’m
travelling through the night.’

‘When do you expect to be
back?’

‘As I mentioned by the weekend,
in fact I hoped we could spend Sunday together, what do you
think?’

‘That sounds ok to me.’

‘It’s only two weeks to my
birthday babe, and I realise I have a lot of making up to do.’

At this point it would have
been so easy to tackle him about the non existent firm of Randall
and Hartley, plus the person he had in his room yesterday
afternoon. Nevertheless I restrained myself as he’d just reminded
me his birthday was just around the corner. When I’m in his company
he always manages to charm me, why, I wish I could answer that. I
know what Jena would say. Speaking of which, I must send her a
message about his movements tonight. ‘I rather feel you do have a
lot of making up to do.’ I said boldly. ‘I mean when did we last
spend a night together?’ The answer to that is never, as he doesn’t
ever stay with me all night.

Grabbing hold of my hand he
squeezed it tight. ‘Until Sunday then Lucy, I’ll keep in touch.’ As
he got up he leaned across and briefly kissed me on the lips.

I watched him walk out of the
restaurant, realising he hadn’t touched his tea or biscuit. Taking
my mobile out of my pocket I quickly typed a message to Jena
explaining about tonight, in the hopes she’ll be able to see which
way he goes. One thing is for sure there’ll be plenty of time to
search his room. Within minutes Jena had replied, saying she and
Andy were in Orpington and be heading back soon with lots to tell.
Well that has certainly got my taste buds going, I need to keep
myself occupied until she gets back or I’ll explode… Back in the
kitchen Kate had arrived early and looked as though she’d won the
lottery.

‘Now that is a sight for sore
eyes, Kate with a beaming smile.’ I said cheerfully.

‘For the first time in ages
Lucy I can see a little light at the end of the tunnel.’ Kate added
laughing.

‘Do tell me then, don’t make me
guess.’

‘Well I’ve managed to get Jodie
into an academy in Chelsea to finish her schooling; I just hope she
doesn’t let herself down.’ Kate explains.

‘That’s great news Kate, how
did you manage that?’

‘It’s one of those long stories
and I’ll tell you when we have more time. Anyway I have more news;
Tom has asked me out on a date.’