A Secret Schemer (27 page)

We both fell about laughing;
you have to give her ten out of ten for trying.’

‘Please tell Jena it’ll make
her day.’

We had a great night with an
excellent band, the last weekend before Tim’s birthday. As I made
my way upstairs later I had a distinct feeling that things were
going to change. As the saying goes nothing lasts forever….

Chapter 32

Opening my eyes slowly I
glanced at the clock to see it was almost seven, the rain was
beating on the windows like a noisy waterfall. Picking up my mobile
I noticed there was a message from Tim, I hadn’t heard the phone,
perhaps the noise of the rain had drowned the sound. After checking
the message details I could see it had arrived at three o’clock,
what is he working a night shift now? The message was basic merely
saying he would see me early afternoon, I simply replied ok. What
more was there to say? I decided to get up and have a long soak in
the tub before I started the day, even though the bar doesn’t open
until midday, Sunday mornings are busy. The restaurant is normally
full for lunches, plus the bar is buzzing, so me and Jena spend the
morning helping out wherever we can. I really don’t want to mull
over my meeting with Tim, I’ve spent far too much time considering
this event. So to distract me from deep thoughts I listened to Heat
radio, as they were playing hits from the nineties I sang along.
Probably a good job that no one was close enough to hear my dulcet
tones (in other words I just aint a singer).

The morning as always was busy,
Jena helped in the bar and I waited on table, another brilliant
Sunday lunch. About half past two I received another message from
Tim asking if he could meet me on the Embankment in an hour. I
agreed although I said an hour and a half, as I fully intended to
have my roast lunch first. Jena, Andy and Lucas joined me for
lunch. I made a point of keeping the subject of Tim out of the
conversation; in fact none of them mentioned him for a change.
After I’d eaten I excused myself and headed up to my flat to
change. As I neared the Embankment a gentle breeze was forming
ripples on the water, leaning on the barrier watching the gentle
flow of the Thames gave me a soothing feeling. Now I was prepared
for this little rendezvous, even though my true feelings were
diverse. Glancing to my left I could see Tim was sitting on the
next seat, so I made my way slowly towards him. He appeared to be
preoccupied in his thoughts and didn’t turn around as I approached,
so I gently touched his arm. ‘Lucy, I’m sorry I didn’t see you
coming, how are you?’ he asked.

Of course he hadn’t seen me,
because he wasn’t looking. ‘I’m fine and how are you after your
Scottish task?’

‘To be honest darling I’m glad
it’s over, it was just hard work.’

‘So I guess you didn’t bring me
a sprig of Scottish heather then?’ I teased.

‘I didn’t go shopping, in fact
there was no time, I could have been anywhere really.’ He
explained.

Watching him, I sensed he was a
tad embarrassed, so curiosity made me push on. ‘Surely they had
postcards and gifts at the hotel where you stayed?’

‘It was only a bed and
breakfast Lucy.’ He added.

I could now tell he was peeved
with my questions, or to be honest I was obviously pissing him off.
Shame, considering all the information I was keeping to myself. At
this moment in time I could easily start to quiz him about that
information. However I decided to let it go as it was only a week
to his notable fortieth birthday. I only hope the surprise he has
for me next Sunday is going to be worth the wait. ‘It certainly
sounds as though you’re glad the event is over.’

‘Definitely, shall we take a
walk Lucy?’ He asked quietly.

‘Why not, it’s such a lovely
day now.’ As we started to walk we both lapsed into pensive
silence. Although we hadn’t seen each other for almost a week our
conversation was somewhat tense. I knew on my part I was concealing
the details I’d uncovered during the week. What Tim’s predicament
was I could not comprehend. Hazarding a guess I would say it could
refer to his finances, even though he appears to have plenty with
five bank accounts plus a shoe box stuffed with notes. To break the
silence I said light heartedly. ‘Only a week left then Tim before
you become a millionaire.’ He kept looking straight in front of him
as he replied. ‘We all have our dreams babe.’

I decided to change the
subject. ‘Do you have to work away this week?

‘No I’m local thank goodness,
home every night.’ He looked towards me and smiled, taking my hand
at the same time. His mood had changed in the blink of an eye, if
only I were a mind reader.

‘Shall we go for a coffee?’ I
suggested.

‘That sounds like a great idea,
how about Starbucks?’

‘One of my favourites,
providing I can have cake as well.’

‘Anything you want Lucy
darling, anything.’ With that he squeezed my hand.

‘Do you fancy watching a movie
in the flat?’ I suggested when we got back to the pub.

‘I haven’t eaten so I was going
to pop out.’ Tim replied.

‘No you don’t need to go out
I’ll make us a snack.’ I insisted. He didn’t look impressed with my
suggestion; it’s times like these when I believe he has another
woman in his life.

‘Ok why not.’ He agreed.

‘You select a good movie while
I knock us up a tasty snack.’ I hastily ran down to the main
kitchen and grabbed half a dozen eggs, a large can of beans and a
loaf. I don’t keep much food in my little kitchen as I normally eat
downstairs. Within half an hour we had beans and scrambled eggs on
toast, and a pot of tea. After watching a couple of movies, Tim
started to yawn. ‘Who’s ready for an early night?’ I teased.

‘Yeah I’m pretty tired, must
have been the travelling.’ He muttered while stifling a yawn.

‘’Let’s go to bed then, leave
the dishes there I’ll sort them out in the morning.’ By the look on
his face I got the distinct feeling that he hadn’t intended sharing
my bed.

As we ventured into the bedroom
I said cheerfully. ‘I’ll take a quick shower and I’ll be with you
in a jiffy.’

‘Ok babe.’ He replied as he lay
face down on the bed.

Back in the bedroom after my
shower I could tell by Tim’s breathing that he’d fallen asleep. He
must have been knackered after that long journey. Slipping under
the sheet I put my arm across his waist and snuggled down to sleep.
At least tonight he was with me. I drifted off into a dreamless
sleep. Waking suddenly and glancing at the clock it was only two
o’clock, and once again I found myself in bed alone. What is it
with this guy, he was supposed to be exhausted yet he’d gone back
to his own room. Then I wondered if he’d really been asleep when he
I’d got into bed…I’m now ninety percent sure he has another woman
in his life, he has to as men don’t let the chance of a shag go
that easily….well not the men I’ve encountered in the past. The
rest of the night I was restless, drifting in and out of sleep, did
I sign up for all this crap?

Monday morning and I feel
jaded, in fact totally cheesed off with this state of affairs, once
and for all I need to know what the hell is going on. Nothing is
making sense anymore, how many times do you give someone the
benefit of the doubt? A few more days to go before my affirmed
surprise, this has to be his final chance before I let him see his
charms are not hitting the spot anymore. So his surprise had better
be something amazing that’s all I can say….When I walked into the
kitchen I found Mary alone. ‘Good Morning love, where’s Lucas
today?’

‘He’s cleaning the lines Lucy,
would you like a cuppa?’

‘I’d love one thanks Mary.’ I
replied cheerfully.

‘You may be smiling love but
that lovely smile of yours aint reaching your eyes.’ Mary remarked.
‘Are you really OK Lucy, you look as though you’ve the weight of
the world on your shoulders?’

‘No I’m fine, just a few
niggling issues with Tim.’ I offered.

‘I hope that young man realises
how lucky he is to have you my darling.’

‘He’s a man Mary, do they
ever.’ I laughed.

‘Trouble is my girl some of
them just don’t know how to appreciate what they’ve got. It’s none
of my business Lucy but I don’t think he treats you right.’

‘Thanks for caring Mary, don’t
you worry I’ll sort him out.’

I took my tea into the office
as I was afraid I may start to pour my heart out to Mary. Tears
were never far away these days and I realise I need to face this
predicament on my own. I got into the mess, so hopefully I can
extricate myself out of it without involving others, although I’m
fully aware I have brilliant friends who will help me if I need,
and for that I’m eternally grateful. For the next few days I have
to try not to dwell on the status quo, simply work hard and keep
myself occupied. With this in mind, I prepared all the banking
which I’ve decided to do early as it’s Kate’s day off, and I may
well be needed to help Grace in the kitchen. After my trip to the
bank, I prepped vegetables and salads to help Grace and then went
in search of Jena, who I found in the bar re-stocking with Lucas.
‘You two look busy.’ I grinned.

‘We’re rearranging the cold
cupboards for the new wines love.’ Jena said cheerfully. ‘Lucas has
been on a cleaning spree his morning, so I thought I’d better give
him a hand.’

‘You look tired Lucy, are you
ok?’ Lucas asked with concern.

‘Yeah I’m fine thanks Lucas,
just been for a brisk walk to the bank. Who fancies a coffee while
it’s quiet?’

‘Yes please.’ They both said in
unison, as I made my way to the kitchen.

‘That is one very anxious
lady.’ Lucas said bluntly.

‘I couldn’t agree more, however
she’ll see it through to the end of the week. And I’ve tried to
stop her.’ Jena added.

‘What is the big issue about
his birthday then Jena?’

‘He’s told her he’s planned a
big surprise for her, personally I wouldn’t believe a word he says,
he’s a scumbag.’ Jena declared.

‘For the life of me I can’t
understand the guy, she’s such a great girl, what is his
problem?’

‘I’m pretty sure we’re about to
find out, sooner rather than later. If he hurts my mate I swear
he’ll pay.’ Jena said angrily. ‘I’ve never trusted him from the
word go, even more so after what we’ve uncovered in his room since,
plus his weird behaviour.’

‘Why do you think she can’t see
it Jena?’ Luke asked.

‘She keeps giving him the
benefit of the doubt; he’s obviously an expert deceiver.’

‘Do you suspect he’s done this
before, the part I’m not getting is what is he going to gain from
it all?’ Lucas adds.

As I went back into the bar
carrying a tray of coffee and biscuits, I felt that everything went
quiet; perhaps my ears should be burning. This confirmed that my
friends were concerned, do they know more than me...After our
coffee I went back into the kitchen, closely followed by Jena.
‘Grace I’ll be in the restaurant if you need me love, I have a pile
of mail to sift through.’

‘Ok Lucy.’

‘I’m coming in there as well
Hun as I need to check on the napkins.’ Jena added.

Sitting at the far end of the
restaurant I started to open the mail. I had a feeling Jena was
about to join me.

‘So Lucy Ross are you going to
tell me how yesterday went?’

I was aware that once I’d
explained to Jena what had happened yesterday, the tears would
flow. She’s the one person in my life that can read me like a book.
So with tears trickling silently from my eyes, I looked at Jena
knowing full well what she was thinking.

‘So you’re still going to wait
and see what Sunday brings?’ She asked cautiously.

‘I guess so; however I’m on the
edge now Jena and it wouldn’t take much to push me over.’

‘That’s what’s worrying
me.’

‘Don’t get me wrong, I mean
towards him. After his antics last night I can assure you I’m
angry, very angry.’

‘Promise me Lucy you’ll ring me
at any time if you need me.’

‘I sure will honey, what would
I do without my mate.’

On my way upstairs later I
could hear footsteps, so I stopped to listen, as the footsteps
faded I heard a door close. It had to be Tim as I was on the first
floor when I stopped, seems he’s actually in the building tonight.
I listened outside of his room for a moment, however it was all
quiet. All I wanted now was a good night’s sleep, so as I snuggled
down beneath my duvet I soon drifted off into oblivion…. In my
dream I could see the picture of the person with the beautiful
eyes…nothing more just those beautiful eyes. I woke about seven
o’clock and felt refreshed for a change. Who is the person with the
stunning eyes, I wish I knew. Why did they appear in my dream,
although I’ve no idea who they are? I feel it must be the other
woman in his life, has something happened to her, why is she coming
to me? Not another day of reflection, I’m going to keep myself
busy.

The day passed without any
issues. Kate was bursting with happiness as Tom had now met her
parents who evidently thought he was great. Even the wayward Jodie
thinks he’s cool. Jena and Andy had the evening off, so I worked in
the bar with Lucas. Once everyone had left I poured a couple of
glasses of wine. ‘Let’s enjoy a nightcap Lucas; I’m celebrating a
day without any issues.’

‘Cheers Lucy, why have there
been problems with the pub?’ He asked.