The Escort (23 page)

Then his reasoning had taken him in a different direction. Had he caused her to be upset by suggesting she make it up with her parents? His intentions had been good, he only wanted her to be happy, but perhaps pressuring her into contacting them again had driven a wedge between him and Max instead.

All this passed through his head as he drove over to Max's apartment. He wore his best suit, and next to him on the seat was a box of treats for the girls, all the things he usually took to a tea party. He groaned inwardly, what did he really expect from Max? She was a high flier, and here he was expecting her to dress up for tea with teddy bears. His mood slipped lower, and he nearly reached for his phone to call it off, he could take Max out to dinner instead. However, he had promised the girls, and Helen, he would babysit, and if he and Max were meant to be together they needed to compromise on any duties they had to family, friends and even work.

"Great speech," he said to himself as he walked up to her apartment.

Knocking, he waited patiently for the door to open, his doubts settling further on his shoulders when she took ages to let him in. Then she appeared in the doorway, looking more than a little awkward.

"I feel I've overdone it."

His eyes travelled up and down her body. Damn she looked hot. She had obviously entered the spirit of the afternoon, with a short evening dress set off with sparkling shoes and jewellery that might possibly contain real diamonds. He whistled, "Wow."

"Too much?"

"No. Not at all. The girls will give you ten out of ten for effort."

"I think Helen will laugh, but I have no idea how you do these things."

"I don't know about other children, but Jess and Laura put on their best party dresses, and all the costume jewellery they can get their hands on. And if Helen doesn't keep an eye on them they raid her make up too. The results can be very ... shall we say ... interesting." He smiled at her, relieved she seemed back to her normal self. "I think they'll love that you made such an effort, as am I."

She grinned, looking goofy for all her finery. "I am more nervous than on our first date."

"Don't be. We’ll have a great time, just remember to pretend the dolls are real and you'll be made." He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "And don't forget I'll be there every step of the way. I am very good at being mother."

She frowned and looked at him, confused.

"You know. Pouring the tea. "I'll be mother", never heard that?"

"No. I can't say I have. But if that's what turns you on, then by all means, you be mother."

He slid his hand along the curve of her breast. "Oh Max, you are most definitely the thing that turns me on, and once this tea party is over I am going to slowly undress you so we can have a party all of our own."

She giggled and kissed him. "That might just be the thing that gets me through this," she said, fetching her purse and pulling the door to behind her. "Come on then, lead the way."

"With pleasure, madam," he joked, offering her his arm.

She took it, and they walked out to his truck, Max trying not to be put off by passers by who stared at the young couple, all dressed up at one o'clock in the afternoon. Dan patted her hand, wanting to reassure her. "You will enjoy yourself," he said.

"I hope so," she answered as he helped her into the truck.

He went around and climbed into the driver's seat. "The truck kind of ruins the look," he said.

"It's as mad as everything else, don't worry about it," she answered.

He smiled at her, the old Max was back. Whatever had bothered her was hopefully in the past. Perhaps it had to do with Robin and her new boyfriend. He only hoped if it was something troubling her she would feel confident enough to share it with him.

This was just what she needed, it would certainly take her mind of the business with the bank. Once Bob had decided to trust her, he had filled her in on everything. Over the past two days, while the other employees thought she was recuperating at home, she had instead been searching files for any clues about who it was embezzling money. She had insisted in going back to the beginning, following the paper trail Bob had meticulously put together, making sure he had the right people under suspicion. He had, but he was right, there was no real proof to pinpoint exactly who was to blame. What they had to do was devise a plan to trap the culprit.

"I hope you are hungry, there is plenty of cake to eat," Dan said.

She started, coming back to the present. "Do we get to eat until we're sick like kids are supposed to?"

"No. Helen will go mad if the girls eat too much, I know, I have experience."

"How long has this secret life of yours been going on?"

"Which secret life is that then?" he teased.

"There are so many to choose from. The mad uncle, the escort, or my personal favourite, the firefighter." She tried to capture the light-hearted mood the afternoon promised, determined to cast aside work for the rest of the weekend. On Monday they were going to brainstorm for a plan to frame the embezzler, until then she wanted to forget it.

"OK. I know you have something on your mind," Dan said as they pulled over, and he stopped the truck. "Is there anything you need to talk to me about? Anything I've done."

"What ... oh, no, sorry."

"It's just the last few days, I keep losing you."

"I'm sorry, it's work." She felt guilty, but also pleased he took notice of her enough to acknowledge her preoccupation.

"You're sure? It's not me, or this tea party? I know kids aren't your thing, but I do appreciate the effort you've made. I promise I won't force my family on you again if you really would prefer not to see them."

"Oh. Dan. No it's not that at all." She placed her hand on his. "I promise you, I'm kind of looking forward to this afternoon in a masochistic way. I mean sitting and talking to dolls, what better stress therapy could there be?"

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

He jumped out of the truck and came around to help her out. "By the way, I talked to Helen about the money."

"You did?" Max asked, shocked because she thought he was putting it off.

"She said she'd think about it, but in all honesty I think she was being polite."

"You mean she's going to say no."

He gave her a crooked smile. "Don't be offended."

"I won't be. I know it's difficult for her." Max stood and looked at the small house, and wished she could convince Helen to take the money. But she couldn't push it, she was new to the family, and for Dan's sake she didn't want to cause any kind of rift.

He held his hand out to her, and she took it, walking up to the house by his side. Nerves gave her a fluttery feeling in her stomach, but she stood her ground when the door flew open and Laura and Jess launched themselves forward. She couldn't help putting a huge grin on her face. The two girls had gone to great lengths to look the part of young ladies going out to tea. Party dresses, hair in pretty ribbons, Helen must have taken an age to help them get ready. She was a good mom.

"Hi there, you two. I'm so glad you're here, they been ready since ten o'clock this morning." Helen looked harassed.

"Are those dolls ready too?" Dan asked, launching a giggling Laura into the air.

"Yes, and teddies. And Sparkle and Jeremy are ready for some milk."

"Jeremy?" Dan asked.

"Jess's kitten, she called him Jeremy. I've no idea why. I'd have called him something pretty," Laura said.

"He's a boy, boys don’t have pretty names," Jess answered.

"They can," Laura argued.

"Well it wasn't up to you, and I like Jeremy." Jess said defensively.

"I like it too," said Max, feeling so pleased Jess had given her kitten a name. "I'm sure he'll grow into it."

"OK. Enough about kittens, this discussion has been raging since yesterday. Laura, it is up to Jess what she names her kitten. Anyway, right now, your guests have arrived, and I have errands to run."

They all went into the house, with Jess commenting on how pretty Max’s dress looked. It was going to be a fun afternoon.

"I hate to leave so fast, but I have so much to do. I've been asked to work extra next week so I've had to change things around." She grabbed her purse, giving Dan a kiss on the cheek, and saying, "Thank you both so much. Max, you look stunning. I only hope it doesn't get stained, I have seen some of the wild parties Dan has been responsible for."

"Thank you, Sis," Dan replied, and carried Laura into the kitchen while Max brought up the rear. Helen closed the door behind her, they were alone, and by the sound of things the fun was about to start.

"So what flavour tea are we having today?" Dan asked, gong to the tea set all laid out on the counter.

"Blackcurrant," Laura shouted in his ear as he set her down.

"Blackcurrant for Miss Laura. And what about Miss Jessica?"

"I'll have blackcurrant too."

"They agree on something. Yeah," Dan chanted.

"Uncle Dan, you are so silly," Jess said shaking her head.

"This is the only place I'm allowed to act silly, please don't spoil it for me," he said, pretending to sulk.

Laura sighed, "OK."

"Right, let's make tea." He clapped his hands together and soon had the blackcurrant "Tea" made. "Max, if you could carry the box of cakes up, I think I can here Jasmine calling for us."

The girls ran excitedly upstairs, and so began Max's first proper children's tea party. She had never laughed so much, and had no idea this is what children got up to. Her tea parties had been the kind where she was seen and not heard, usually surrounded by important people she did not know. Hardly ever were other children there, and her presence always seemed a nuisance. This, however, was unadulterated fun.

***

"I think Jasmine has had enough tea, she will be wetting the bed tonight," Dan said, after been asked to fill the teapot once more.

"I'm stuffed too," Jess said, finishing off the last slice of cake.

"I hope you two aren't going to have a sugar rush and keep your mommy up all night."

"It's hours until bedtime."

"I don't know," said Dan looking at his watch. "I think your mommy will be back any time soon. Let’s go down and wash up, I don't like leaving a mess for her to clear away."

"Good idea," said Max, getting up and stretching her legs. It had been years since she had sat on the floor for so long. The dolls and a very large teddy bear had sat on the chairs around the little table.

Between them they carried everything downstairs, Dan making sure everything was tidy in the bedroom before coming down. His concern for his sister, written across his face, and once again Max prayed Helen would put her pride on one side and accept the money she offered.

"Will you have a tea party again with us, Max?" Jess asked while they were washing and carefully drying the tea set.

"I'd like that. Or perhaps we could go to the park, and then got to a café for lunch. My treat?"

"Oh, yes. Can we Uncle Dan?"

"I don't see why not. If the weathers nice next weekend, we'll do it."

"Yes!" The girls jumped up and down, excitedly, leaving Max feeling a little guilty. Helen might be in for quite an evening with them.

Dan read her mind. "Joys of being an uncle, you can go home when you've had enough."

"Is that right, Uncle Dan," Helen said as she walked in. "Perhaps next time you should have them for a sleepover."

"Mommy," the girls shouted, giving her a hug. "We've had the best time."

"I can see. Well say thank you to Uncle Dan and Max, then go and get ready for your bath. I think those sticky fingers need a good soak, don;t you?"

"I suppose. Good bye Uncle Dan."

Each in turn the girls kissed Dan and Max goodbye, and trooped off to get out of their party dresses. "And wipe as much of that make-up off as you can. You can use the wipes from my room," Helen called after them.

"You look like you need some coffee, Max. I bet Dan never told you how exhausting these social functions can be."

"If I did she might not have come," Dan said, going to Max and wrapping an arm around her. "But I think you enjoyed it, didn't you Max?"

"Yes," she laughed. "But you're right, if you'd told me what to expect, I might have cried off. These dolls are so demanding."

"We'd like to take them to the park next week if that's OK, Helen," Dan said, taking his mug of coffee from Helen.

"They'd love that." She turned to Max. "I don't think I'd trust him on his own with both of them, they know how to play him, but together, I'm confident you won't lose either of them."

"I've never lost one of them yet."

"That shopping trip to the mall, for Mother's Day gifts."

"Once. Once, and I didn't lose them, we were just in different shops. I can't believe they told on me."

"I'm only teasing, Dan. You know I appreciate what you do." She paused, taking a sip of her coffee. "Which brings me around to your offer, Max."

Max placed her mug down on the counter, not trusting herself to hold it. Unbelievably her hand was shaking. "Dan said he'd told you."

"It's very generous, but I can't take it."

"It would be a loan, Helen. You could pay it back," Dan pressed, and Max was glad to see he had argued the point in a positive light.

"I know, but how will I ever pay it back? I only just make the bills as it is, I have nothing spare."

"There would be no time limit on the loan, pay it back when you can. I'm not desperate for the money."

"Thank you, Max. I appreciate it, I really do."

For a moment Max thought Helen was going to cry. However, she took a deep breath and the moment passed, she was a strong women, and Max admired her. To turn down the means of securing your future was admirable, although she couldn't help but think the decision was a little stupid. It would mean her and the girls been cast out of their home.

"If you change your mind, let me know. This is a difficult time for you, I understand, but please don't lose your house because you don't want to feel like you owe me."