by Anne Lown
Jenny thanked her friend and left, stopping to get the wine on the way home. After spending time in Colette’s company, she thought she deserved it. The wine slipped down her throat like an old friend. The warm liquid radiated outwards from her stomach and relaxed her within minutes. She was disturbed by a knock at the door; it seemed someone wanted her attention.
“You gonna invite me in?” Scott didn’t wait for a reply but stepped over the threshold and pushed past her. “It’s getting like brass monkeys out there.”
She shivered at the influx of bitter air, partly wishing she didn’t have to go out later. She followed him into the living room and watched him help himself to what was left in her glass.
“Would you like one?” Jenny asked.
“It’s all right, I’ve got one here.” Scott topped up the glass and carried on drinking.
“You didn’t come to the pub last night.”
“I was otherwise engaged,” he said. “Indisposed, if you will.”
“You mean with Chantal, Tom’s wife?”
Scott choked and spluttered the liquid in his mouth. He clearly didn’t think she knew. “Who the hell says?”
“Two women gossiping at the charity shop. You were seen. Twice.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. I was just visiting.”
“Having an affair more like it.”
“What if I was? What’s it got to do with you?”
“You said you’d be there at the pub, and both times you weren’t. What am I supposed to think? You won’t even give yourself an alibi for the murder, and now that makes sense.”
“Look, Jen, I only went to visit, for some grass. Nothing else, promise.”
Jenny didn’t believe him. If he was there for weed, then surely he would’ve waited until Tom was at home and not until he’d left the house.
“Then come with me tonight. I’m meeting Graham, you remember him, the guy in the wheelchair.”
“Sorry, Jen, I can’t. I said I’d meet Jason at his house. He’s learning to play cards.”
Jenny grabbed the glass from his hand and slapped him across the arm.
“What the hell was that for?” Scott asked. “It’s not my fault I didn’t know about your latest date.”
“I think you’d better go. I’m sure you can wait for Jason outside his front door.”
Jenny strode into the hallway and held the door open. Scott took the hint and left. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. She fought to stop them escaping. The man was an idiot and deserved to be found guilty. Jenny returned to the living room and sat on the sofa. Now the tears did fall, but they were for herself.
Chapter Twenty-One
The usual customers were already in the pub. Jenny was amazed how the same people managed to spend all their time there instead of at home. She hadn’t a clue how they could afford it either. She rubbed her cold hands together and looked for Graham. She’d fallen asleep on the sofa and rushed to get there before closing, hoping he wouldn’t mind the wait, but it appeared he hadn’t arrived.
Jenny glanced to the bar. The first person she noticed was Tom. He’d been staring at her since she’d come in; his brooding expression had followed her across the room. She tried to ignore it and hoped Graham would still turnup, but she doubted he’d be coming. The last thing she wanted was to become embroiled in the love triangle Scott had got himself involved in.
The next person she saw was Nick, the very man she’d been wanting to talk to. Jenny wandered over to him and started to speak.
“I was hoping to run into you again. You didn’t tell me the answer…” She was mid-sentence when Nick put his finger to his lips, signalling for her to stop what she was about to say.
“We’ll talk about it later, okay?”
Jenny nodded, unaware why. Out of the corner of her vision she saw Tom staggering towards her. He was clearly the worse for wear.
I thought Carmie said he didn’t drink alcohol.
She didn’t know how long he’d been in the pub knocking back the beer and whiskey chasers, but he certainly smelt like he’d had a fair few.
He lifted his hand and poked her square in the chest. “What do you think you’re doing?”
She tried to knock his hand away, but he somehow managed to hold it firm. Jenny took a step back. “Pardon?” She hadn’t a clue what he was on about.
“You know,” Tom went on. “I’ve seen you, sticking your nose in. Well, it’s none of your business, and if you don’t back off I’m going to have to sort you out. Got it?”
Jenny’s bottom lip trembled. It was the second time in a couple of days someone was having a go at her. She fought to find her courage and answered back. “What Scott does is nothing to do with me. I am not his keeper, okay?”
“Just you remember that, cos I know where you live, I know where you work, and I can find you anytime I please.”
His face twisted in anger. Jenny flinched. She took a breath and held it, waiting for the onslaught to carry on, but he turned around and staggered back to where he’d been standing. Jenny lifted her hand to her mouth, her trembling fingers bumping onto her lips.
Maybe I should leave.
Her gaze flitted along the bar. Everyone was staring at her, shock evident in their expressions. Except for Martin, that was. He’d enjoyed the show, a sneer etched into his face as he leered at her. The only change in him was when he picked up his pint to drink from it.
The main door opened, and she turned her attention to the new arrival in the hope it was Graham after all. Jenny’s day had just got worse. Colette sashayed into the room, a smirk playing on her lips. Each step exaggerated her body movements, her hips swaying enough to keep all the men looking. She appeared pleased with the result. Sidling up to Harvey, Colette leant in close and blew gently into his ear. He seemed to respond well; the girl knew what she was doing. The whole time she kept her concentration on Jenny, marking her territory and making sure she knew it.
The whole world’s gone mad.
What the hell was she doing? Scott didn’t give a damn about proving his innocence, so why should she? Jenny grabbed the jacket she’d not long removed and put it back on. Coming out had been a waste of time, and she was better off leaving.
Her pulse banged away in her ears to match her stomping feet. Jenny couldn’t cope with how angry she felt. She balled her hands into fists and hit them on either side of her head. The tugging of her hair had moved on, this was now her new go-to for relieving the stress, but at this moment in time it didn’t.
I’m so angry I could pop!
The bottle of wine she’d been drinking earlier crossed her mind. Maybe there was some left, if she was lucky. She couldn’t remember if she’d put it back in the fridge or left it on the side. These thoughts consumed her all the way home. It wasn’t until she got back to her street that she noticed a discrepancy. There was a light on in her living room window, and she could’ve sworn she’d turned it off.
Jenny crept up the path to the front door. She pressed her ear against it. The sound of the television filtered through. She stepped back, part of her not wanting to go inside in case it was yet another mistake she would make that day. But the rest of her was still raging. She pressed her lips together and balled her fists anew.
How dare someone be in my house without my permission.
She released her fingers and scooped the key from her pocket, inserting it in the lock and swinging the door wide. Jenny marched into the living room, determined to get an answer.
“What the hell are you doing in my house?”
“Waiting for you.”
She glared at Les. He was sitting on the sofa grinning up at her and appeared not the least bit bothered by her anger.
“How did you get in?”
“Back door was open.”
“No it wasn’t, I checked before I went out.” Jenny rushed into the kitchen to see if he was telling the truth. She opened the door and sighed. It was clear someone had taken a screwdriver and forced t
heir way in. “Damn it!”
“See. I came here to rescue the fair maiden.” Les had followed her and spread out his arms.
Jenny cringed. The last thing she wanted was to pander to someone needing their ego stroked.
It was probably him who did it.
She pushed the door to and walked to the kettle and switched it on.
Surely Martin hadn’t beaten me home. Who else could it have been?
The memory of his attempts to find the diaries filled her with dread. She’d thought he’d got over it these last few months, but his behaviour of late was telling her different. Jenny used the fingers on one hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. She screwed her eyes shut and didn’t release them until the kettle clicked. Les was still standing in the kitchen with her.
“Can it lock?” she asked.
“Yeah, I already tried that.” Les demonstrated for her. The damage wasn’t too bad, mainly the splintering of wood.
“So there was no one inside when you got here?”
“I’ve only been here a few minutes. Whoever it is was long gone by then.”
She stood aside while Les made them both a drink. He carried the cups through to the sofa where he put them on the coffee table and sat beside her in silence. Eventually, he got up and ascended the stairs. At that moment she couldn’t give a damn where in the house he went but changed her demeanour when he descended again in a rush.
“You’re gonna want to see this,” he said.
Jenny got off the sofa and followed him up. He held the bathroom door open for her and pointed towards the bath. On the bottom was writing in what appeared to be blood. The words were small but clear enough to read. Her mouth formed them, but nothing came out, so Les did it for her.
“Keep your nose out!”
That wasn’t Martin.
Someone else really had been in her home. She stared at Les. Bewilderment shone in his eyes. He was struggling with it, too. Before she could react, he pulled out his mobile and took a picture of the writing then washed it away with hot water.
“Won’t the police need to have seen it first?”
“You don’t want the police involved,” he said. “It could stir up more trouble.”
She waited while he searched the rest of the house for any more surprises. Jenny wrapped her arms around her torso and hugged herself. She glanced at his face on his return, eager to know if she was safe.
“It’s just a warning. Do you know what about?”
Jenny shrugged. She didn’t know exactly, but she did have an idea. “Tom warned me tonight in the pub. Said he’d seen me sticking my nose in and to keep out.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ve no idea. I think Scott has been having an affair with his wife, Chantal, but Tom’s behaviour tonight doesn’t seem consistent with a wronged husband.”
“What about Scott, have you asked him?”
A bitter laugh spluttered from her mouth. She shook her head. “Yeah, but he won’t say anything. Won’t even give himself an alibi for the murder.”
Les sat on the rim of the bath and looked up at her, concern etched into his brow. “Then he must be doing far more than just having an affair.” He reached out his hand and squeezed her arm. “It’s probably all about him. Just go back to work, stop asking questions, and keep your head down. Oh, and start working for me.” The grin reappeared on his face.
“I haven’t decided yet,” she said. “Give me a few days.”
He nodded and squeezed her arm again. Without even a goodbye, he left her where she was and shut the front door behind him. Jenny stood staring at the bottom of the bath.
Stop asking questions? If only it were that simple.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jenny zipped up her work fleece all the way to the collar. It might only be the beginning of November, but winter seemed to be fighting to start early. The overcast gloom did nothing to ease her mood. Another bad sleep had left her irritable and unengaged with other people’s feelings.
“You seem full of life, not!” Adam quipped.
Jenny shrugged in response. It was going to be a long day. She set to work on doing her half of the tasks before they set off in the van. She glanced at her colleague, expecting him to still be smiling, but it wasn’t so. He fidgeted while he drove, his mind clearly not on the road. She turned her head in time to see a fast-approaching car at the next junction, the place where they were supposed to give way. Adam wasn’t slowing down.
“Look out!”
She grabbed hold of his left arm with her right hand, digging her fingers into his coat. Adam shook himself and slammed on the brake, only just skidding to a halt in time.
“Pull over.”
Jenny’s hands trembled as she undid her seat belt and got out of the van. She took a deep breath then exhaled, leaning on a nearby tree for support.
Adam followed her out and stood beside her. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s got into me today.”
“It’s okay,” she said, “it’s not just you. I’m not feeling myself either.”
“Jen,” he said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, “I need to talk to you.”
They got back in the van, mindful of the need to be at the first collection point by the scan time. Once the pick-ups had been done, and they arrived at Chapel End village, Adam pulled over and sat quietly, staring forward.
“Just spit it out,” she said.
“I take it Les Mack has been speaking to you?”
Jenny nodded, not yet willing to say anything until he’d told her what was making him so jittery.
“Has he said anything to you about helping him in any way?”
Jenny nodded again.
“Did you say yes?”
She turned her head to look him in the eye, but he wasn’t doing the same. “Are you helping him?”
Adam strained himself to answer, “Yes.”
“I’m not judging you,” she said, “it’s none of my business what you choose to do, but you could lose your job.”
Now it was his turn to nod. Silence filled the van while she waited for him to speak again. “Do you want to know how it works?”
“Les already told me. I think the less we say about it the better.”
He stared out the window, not making a move to start the engine.
“Let’s get on with the job,” she said, “we’ve got time to make up.”
Now he made eye contact. “Problem is, I’ve already got your stuff to drop off. Les had me thinking you were going to start today. I don’t know what to do now.”
“I do.” Jenny got out her phone and dialled his number. It answered on the second ring. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Hey, babe,” Les answered, “good to hear from you.”
“Really? You made Adam believe I was doing this ‘thing’ with him. I never confirmed I would.”
“I thought it would be all right,” he said, “you know, because we’re friends and all. Can’t you do it just today, for me?”
“What? Some friend you are.”
“Look, Jen, truth is, they’re expecting you. If you don’t drop off the stuff, then the customers are going to think you stole it. I can’t say what they’ll do, and they do know where you live.”
“Are you threatening me?” Her muscles stiffened. She couldn’t believe it was happening.
“Course not. But people are expecting you. Just do it today, and I’ll sort out tomorrow, all right?”
The phone went dead. Les had rung off and hadn’t given her the chance to tell him to go to Hell. She was being railroaded into something she really wasn’t comfortable doing, especially since she didn’t even smoke the stuff herself.
Adam had been on tenterhooks the whole time she’d been on the phone. “What did he say?”
“Pretty much if I don’t do it they’ll think I stole it and come after me.” Jenny shook her head, not understanding how this was happening to her.
; “They did the same to me.”
She stared at him. The whole thing was more than she could cope with.
“I came home from work to find someone had broken into my house and set fire to the sofa. Not enough to get the fire brigade out because I caught it in time, but it made me realise it could’ve been done at night and we would’ve all been in bed asleep.”
Jenny would’ve dismissed the claim, but he got his mobile out of his pocket and showed her a picture of the sofa in question. Her jaw dropped; she was shocked at the damage.
“What did you do?”
“I convinced the wife it was an accident and then started dropping off the stuff. Been the same ever since.”
A sinking feeling hit the pit of her stomach. Maybe it was Les who’d broken in and written the words in her bath, after all.
I’m embroiled in a drugs ring!
Adam placed a hand on her arm and gave it a squeeze. “I don’t want to do this either. Just do it today, and I’ll see if I can change Les’ mind.”
Jenny nodded. What else could she do?
Adam started up the van, and they got on with the job. Now she knew why the guy she’d replaced wasn’t so keen to come back—he’d had a lucky escape.
“I don’t understand. How were the customers getting it on my part of the walk until now?”
“I dropped it off in the evening after dark. They all have a running tab, so nothing else I could do.”
Against her better judgement, she spent the shift doing her part of the drop-offs. Her stomach hurt from the stress, and she was sure she was constantly being watched and the police would arrest her at any point. She’d been given a list of the addresses to serve and told not to make a mistake or lose it. Each time they returned to the park and loop point, he gave her some more to slip into her mailbag. The whole thing was a nightmare.
Her nerves jangled each time she reached for the letterbox. She tried desperately not to look around her, but to act normal. She slipped the tiny parcel under the letters and made the delivery. Jenny was walking down the path when a front door opened and a woman spoke.