by SD Saunders
Chapter 8
The sun blazing through the curtains woke Melody; the bedside clock display telling her it was already past nine. Damn, she was going to be late for work; she should not have finished that bottle of wine last night, she chastised herself struggling with the duvet to get up. And how she ended up in bed, she could not remember climbing in last night. Shaking her head to clear the fog, she opened the curtains and flung the window open; a lovely summer’s day greeted her, the gentle breeze ruffling her hair. She would have to call Susie and let her know she was running late, she decided as she made her way downstairs to the kitchen. A coffee was what she needed, her mouth felt so dry as if she had been chewing her pillow.
After opening the back door to let an eager Toby out, Melody headed to the coffee machine; a full jug already sat on the hotplate, propped in front was a note addressed to her.
“Morning sleepy head, I thought it best to not wake you on your day off, and you were sparked out when I carried you to bed last night, too much vino perhaps”.
She could almost imagine his lop-sided smile and his grey-blue eyes crinkling with laughter at his words. Of course, no work today! She had Karren cover for her on Saturdays, the guilt of over-sleeping evaporating. Pouring herself a coffee and sitting down at the kitchen table, she smiled at the image of Alex’s cheeky smile. She imagined he would have as he wrote the note, taking a sip of her coffee she continued reading.
“I fed the monster after taking him for a run with me this morning, so you should have some peace. Sarah called to say she will be popping in to see you about eleven. She was pleased to know you were having a rare lie-in. I’ll be finished with Joel and work around one. Thought you might fancy a drive in the countryside with me then. Take care my sweet, Alex x”
So, he had put her to bed, a vague memory lingered of him kissing her lips; she had thought it had been a dream. She felt herself blush at the memory.
Grabbing Toby’s chew-toy, she called him in and shut the back door. “Here you go boy, chew on that”, she waved it at him, playing tug until he won and headed with his prize to his bed. “Won’t be long Tob’s, be good”, she called over her shoulder as she headed up the stairs to her room. Grabbing her towelling robe, she headed into the bathroom for a shower. Sitting at her dressing table, she combed her freshly washed hair, deciding to let it air dry. She headed over to her wardrobe and selected baby blue shorts and a white cropped t-shirt. Having finished dressing she looked at herself in the full length mirror, pleased with her newly acquired suntan. Breakfast first, then thirty minutes sunbathing and then she would get to work on her niece’s dress, she promised herself, grabbing the sun cream and heading downstairs.
She was twirling around, her rose pink gown swirling around her feet, the familiar music echoing hauntingly around her, dancers twirling by, their faces a blur, the shadowy figure looming closer and closer as each couple passed her by. The music tempo speeding up, a feeling of breathlessness gripping her, she wanted to stop dancing, fear building inside as the shadowy figure drew closer, something silver glinting menacingly in his black gloved hand. If only she could see his face but all that was there was an empty space. Suddenly the music stopped, and the figure loomed over her, his hand raised over her, about to strike the silver object poised above her head, the face of a lion bearing down, a strangled scream ripped from her throat. Melody woke with a start. Toby sat with his paw on her stomach, his soulful eyes looking anxiously at her. “It’s okay boy, just a nightmare”, she shakily reassured him, glancing warily around the empty garden from her sun lounger. No ghouls lurking here, she chastised herself, her mouth suddenly dry. “How about a drink, Tob’s”, she cajoled, walking into the kitchen, pouring fresh water into his bowl and then grabbing a can of lemonade from the fridge. Scooping out a couple of biscuits from Toby’s treat jar and popping them down for him, “good boy”, she praised, dropping down to hug him.
Taking a swallow of her lemonade, she made her way into the craft room, her eyes adjusting from the brightness of the garden. Now to work, she mused, picking up the gold party dress she was sewing for Lucy. The little puff sleeves and scooped neck edged with ribbon picked to match the blue-green embroidered flowers, the cut-away full skirt revealing the blue-green tulle she had pinned there. “Time to sew you in”. Placing it on the sewing machine, she got to work.
Cutting the cotton, Melody pulled the dress onto a clothes hanger. Standing back to check her work, “it’s missing something”, she mused, tilting her head sideways and biting her lip. “A sash”. Clapping her hands in delight, she picked up the reel of blue-green ribbon, pinning it around the waist, below the zipper and tying a large bow at the back. “Perfect”, she muttered, taking it back to the sewing machine to fix it in place.
Re-hanging it on the clothes hanger, she stood back once again, imagining Lucy wearing it. Cutting two lengths of the blue-green ribbon for Lucy’s hair to finish the look, she hung them with the dress. Toby’s barking brought Melody to the kitchen. Just as she was about to tell him to be quiet, the doorbell chimed. Glancing at the clock, she groaned. “Oh, it’s eleven already, that’ll be Sarah”. Hurrying to the door, she paused, feeling foolish. She put the safety chain on first, peering round the door as she opened it a crack. Melody saw Sarah and Lucy standing there.
“Oh, I’m so glad to see you’re using it”, Sarah enthused as Lucy fidgeted excitedly by her side. Opening the door wide, she let them in.
“Where’s Tobee”, Lucy asked dancing down the hall; hearing his name, he came rushing from the kitchen. “Aww, Tobee, I missed you”. Throwing her arms around his neck as he happily greeted her, little squeals of delight escaped Lucy as he licked her.
“Show him the toy we bought him Luce”, Sarah cajoled, pulling a squeaky toy from her bag and handing it to her as they headed into the kitchen.
“It’s name’s Dino, cos it’s a dinosaur”, Lucy informed Toby in a sing song voice, holding the orange toy out for him to sniff. “Can we play in the garden, mummy”?
“Sure Luce, if it’s ok with aunty Mel”. Turning big green pleading eyes to Melody, Lucy hopped up and down.
“Sure, munchkin, have fun”, Melody smiled, watching her little niece as she headed outside chatting excitedly to Toby.
“Fancy a coffee, sis”? Melody offered, busily collecting mugs from the cupboard.
“Oh yes, please! So tell me, how’s the party dress coming on”?
“Just a few embellishments left to sew on and it will be done. Oh and I bought some adorable gold sparkly ballet pumps to go with it, she’ll look perfect”.
“You’re the best aunty”. Placing the mugs down on the table, Melody sat down eyeing her sister.
“So sis, what’s up, you look sad”. Casting a wary eye towards the backdoor, she lowered her voice. “It’s Rich, I think he’s cheating on me”.
Melody felt her skin crawl at the mention of Richard, her sister’s husband. They had an awkward relationship since he had first married her sister; he walked around like he was god’s gift, not that he was unattractive. She could see why her sister had fallen for him; slim built with short dark hair and chocolate brown eyes, charm oozing out from every pore. But the cracks had started to show almost immediately to Melody, as he started unashamedly flirting with her whenever Sarah’s back was turned, his suggestive comments to her always just above reproach, her rebuffs falling on deaf ears, leaving Melody in the unenviable situation of having nothing concrete to pin on him. So keeping quiet and avoiding him as much as she could without arousing suspicion, was her only option not to hurt her sister.
“Are you sure? What makes you think that”? Melody asked, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
“Well, it’s a feeling I guess. Lots of little things really, he’s been spending extra time at the gym, staying late at work, even buying younger style clothes as if he’s trying to impress someone. If I try to question him about it, he starts an argument”.
“Maybe it’s just a mid-li
fe crisis”, Melody offered charitably.
“I hoped that too, but then I found this”. Pulling a receipt from her bag, Sarah handed it to her. A receipt from Bella Aroma detailing a meal for two, very incriminating she mused to herself. “But that’s not all”, Sarah sighed resignedly, “there was a charge on the credit card dating back to last month from the florists, I never received any flowers”.
Melody jumped up from her seat. “Oh love”, she soothed, wrapping her arms around her sister. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason for all this”. Even as the words left her mouth, Melody doubted their validity.
“Wass wrong, mummy”, Lucy’s cry from the door, cutting off Sarah’s tears instantly.
“Mummy’s fine munchkin, just needed a cuddle”, Melody spoke softly, smiling reassuringly at her niece. Sarah responded by opening her arms to Lucy, who quickly ran across the kitchen and launched into her arms. “I bet all that playing in the garden has left you thirsty munchkin, want one of my special orange juice drinks”?
Wide eyes turned to Melody. “Yes please”. Reaching into the fridge, she pulled out a juice box.
“Here you go, munchkin. One special juice for a special girl”. Handing it to her, Melody glanced at Sarah, an unspoken thank you written over her face. Later, as Melody hugged them both goodbye with a promise to call soon, she watched them as they drove away, tears filling her eyes for her sister’s plight.
Standing in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and adding them to her slow cook, she stirred the vegetables and diced lamb, sprinkling in some herbs, the casserole’s aromas already filling the small kitchen. Melody contentedly hummed along to the radio, her earlier gloomy mood evaporating with the sunshine and promise of spending an afternoon with Alex. Pulling the peach cobbler from the oven and setting it on a heat mat, Melody smiled as Toby hungrily eyed the dish. “Oh no, don’t you get any ideas. This is dinner for Alex and me”, she laughingly fluffed his ears as he hopefully sniffed the air.
“Who’s getting ideas”, Alex’s rumble of laughter from the doorway made her jump.
“Oh, just Tob’s, trying his luck with our dessert”. Recovering fast and gesturing to the cobbler.
“Can’t blame him Mel, it smells so good in here”. Reaching her side and pulling her into his arms, he rubbed flour off her nose with his thumb. “Flour suits you, though”, his eyes hungrily devouring her as she absentmindedly brushed her fingers over her face to remove any remaining flour.
“I’ve put a lamb casserole on in the slow cook for later”, she stated, stepping back and unfastening her apron. “So, how was work”.
Pulling a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and waving it at her. “Got a promising lead on Jack, thought we could swing by this address on our drive”. Clasping her hands excitedly, she nodded. “How’s your day been? Apart from all the cooking”, he grinned.
Filling him in on her day, she finished with Sarah’s news about Richard. “I just don’t know what to do for her”, she confessed hopelessly.
“I could look into it for you”, he suggested lifting her chin up to look into her eyes. “But you’d have to get Sarah’s permission, and she might not like what I find”.
“You’d really do that for us”? Winding her arms around his neck, she pulled his head lower, placing a kiss on his lips. “Thank you”, her voice was husky with emotion.
“Joel knows a guy who would be perfect for the job, but like I said, Mel, you must get Sarah’s permission before we do”.
“I will”, she promised, tilting her head and worrying her lower lip as she remembered the agency card on the mantel.
“Have you lost a business card by any chance” she asked, looking at his puzzled face she stepped away and went to retrieve it. “A1 Employment Agency”, she read aloud, walking back in and handing it to him.
“No, it’s not mine”, he frowned studying it.
“Maybe its Joel’s then, I found it under the arm chair last night, and it’s not mine”.
“I’ll ask Joel tomorrow, it’s probably his”, he surmised, slipping it into his wallet.
The drive into the country was a pleasant one. Stopping at a little pub to have some lunch in the beer garden while Toby munched on their left over crusts of bread, closing her eyes and lifting her face to the sun, Melody enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine, the sound of children playing in the beer garden washing over her.
“According to the sat-nav, Jack’s address is just five minutes away”, Alex’s voice broke the spell. Peeking between her lashes, she watched him tapping on his mobile phone.
“You think he really lives there”, the hopeful lilt in her voice not lost on Alex.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out”, he stood, reaching for her hand. Taking his hand and rising out of her seat, she motioned for Toby to follow.
“I’ve got a good feeling about this”, she whispered as they walked back to the SUV.
They sat parked across the road, looking at the sprawling bungalow, the winding driveway leading to a bright buttercup yellow front door surrounded by honeysuckle. The orange-red flowers blanketing the stone siding walls, the matching wooden window frames reflecting the sun, full flower boxes sat on each window ledge, a riot of colours spilling from them. The front garden was left wild and rambling, a few hens scattered around scratching at the ground. To the left of the driveway, a large oak tree sat in the middle of the lawn, an old rope swing swaying gently in the breeze.
“It looks magical”, Melody breathed, turning in her seat to get a better look.
“We’d better leave Toby here, can’t have him chasing the hens”, Alex mused, opening the windows a crack. “Can’t have you over-heating, can we boy”. Leaning his hand back to ruffle Toby.
Lifting the iron knocker, Melody had a feeling of Deja-vu. “Here we go again”, Alex muttered, as if reading her mind. The knock seemed to vibrate through the bungalow. “Show time”, Alex whispered, reaching for her hand as the door opened a crack. Wary old eyes peered out at them.
“Yes”, a rather croaky voice inquired.
“Hello sir, are you by any chance Jack Turner”.
“Who’s asking”.
Alex stepped forward, sweeping his arm towards Melody. “This is Melody Croft and I’m Alex Knight. We’re acquaintances of Lady Christina Alexander’ Trafford”. Silence loomed and for a minute, Melody thought the door was going to be shut in their faces.
Suddenly the door swung wide, revealing a tall old man, a hesitant smile on his wrinkled face, twinkling soft blue eyes skimming over them, a full head of white hair and moustache belied his age. “You say you know Christina”?
“Yes sir, and she wants to rectify a terrible wrong she believes has been done to you”, Alex’s sincere voice seemed to stir something in Jack as he stepped back.
“Best you come in then, lad”, he said, waving them in.
Walking them through the wide hallway and past a large console table groaning with photo frames standing against the wall, smiling faces of growing children and adults, spanning the years depicted a large happy family. As they stepped into the kitchen, Jack motioned for them to take a seat at the old butcher’s block kitchen table. Retrieving a jug of cloudy lemonade and three glasses, he placed them on the table.
“Help yourselves”, indicating the drink, he sank down onto a chair. Melody poured out the drinks, glancing around the old kitchen. The scrubbed surfaces and cupboards looked well used and worn, a shelving unit stood by the back door full of plant cuttings in yoghurt pots and small containers. Flicking a glance to the windows, she noted an assortment of teapots lining the windowsill, each with a plant spouting out from where the lid would have once been. “Me wife always said I had green fingers”, Jack smiled, nodding at the teapots.
“You like them lass”.
“They’re lovely, Mr Turner”. Turning back to him, her smile was slightly sad. “My grandmother had green fingers too, she always had cuttings growing on the windowsill”.
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�Had? I take it she’s passed”, he stated, looking at Melody. She inclined her head, biting her quivering lip. “I’m sorry lass, it gets easier you know. I lost me wife a few years ago, still expect her to walk in and tell me off about something”, his eyes wistful at the memory “and call me Jack lass. Mr Turner makes me feel like me father”, his voice gruff as if trying to keep his emotions in check. “So tell me about Christina, it’s been so long since I’ve heard her name”, he motioned to Alex.
Alex spoke softly, telling Jack of the night of Christina’s party, the note supposedly from Jack arranging to meet, the attack and subsequent memory loss, how Melody had found the journals and the missing heirloom. Pausing briefly, he looked across at Jack, shock and sadness written all over the old man’s face. Deciding he could trust Jack, he divulged a little of their plan to flush out the thief.
All the while, Jack sat motionless absorbing all the news. “I never understood why I was dismissed that day, just a curt note telling me to clear out my things and be gone”, Jack spoke quietly as if lost in the past. “I wrote to Christina later, but she never replied. I just assumed what we’d had, had been one-sided”. He cast a forlorn gaze at Melody.
“She never received that letter until years later”, Melody sighed, the hopelessness of the past hurts they had endured, saddening her. “She did love you though, Jack”, her voice was hesitant, as she reached out to rub his hand. “She went to the library to meet you that night”.
“Thank you lass”, Jack mumbled, patting Melody’s hand. Frowning, he turned to Alex. “So whoever wrote that note dismissing me, probably wrote the note to Christina to meet with me”.
“Exactly what I was thinking, did you recognise the handwriting”? Alex asked, leaning forward.
“I’m afraid not, I just assumed it was Lord Trafford. He never seemed happy about me talking with Christina”.
“She’s a widow now, too”, Melody clarified, looking into his eyes, a glimmer of hope in hers. “I know she’d love to see you again”, she spoke shyly, looking from Alex to Jack.