‘This is so tasty. What a great idea.’ Shani said, her mouth half full. ‘I haven’t had anything this good in ages.’
Bea made the most of every mouthful. For someone with a dodgy tummy Shani was certainly bolting down her food. ‘You don’t seem to be off your food then,’ Bea said. ‘Only alcohol.’
Shani tilted her head to one side and pursed her lips. ‘My stomach has been a little sensitive.’
Bea frowned. “What do you mean?”
‘Yeah, there’s nothing delicate about you,’ Paul laughed.
‘If you must know, I’ve got a UTI and I’m taking a course of antibiotics.’ She scooped a forkful of food into her mouth and chewed. Swallowing, she added. ‘Anything else you’d like to interrogate me about?’
‘Gross. I wish we hadn’t asked now.’ Paul grimaced.
Bea laughed, noticing Shani’s amusement at his horrified expression. ‘Me too.’
‘So,’ Paul asked, filling his plate with more food. ‘What’s happened recently, apart from you both mooning over Luke Thornton with a horse between his muscular thighs?’
Shani waved her fork in the air. ‘Sorry Bea, I can’t forget how amazing that polo match was in the summer. Don’t you think it was pretty intense?’
Bea laughed, enjoying the image of Luke galloping across the beach. ‘It was. I’m definitely going to go again next year, if they hold the beach polo again.’
‘Yes,’ Paul scowled. ‘I still haven’t forgiven you two for not including me. You’re both so selfish sometimes.’
‘It hasn’t all been fun this year,’ Bea said, telling them about her visit from Simon and then Tom.
‘Well, you both know he’s not really my cup of tea,’ Paul said, sipping from his glass.
‘Which one?’ Shani asked.
‘Either, both, neither,’ Paul said.
‘Why?’ Bea looked at him, fork midway from plate to her mouth with her last bit of rice. ‘I know Simon is a waste of space, but what’s wrong with Tom?’
‘Nothing I can put my finger on, but I can’t help having the feeling he isn’t all he seems.’
Bea laughed. ‘That’s ridiculous, there’s nothing suspicious about Tom.’ She didn’t mention that she’d not been so quick to believe his tales about Luke and the investigation until she saw his proof. ‘He was actually quite sweet when I last saw him. So, what’s wrong with him?’
‘Nothing is,’ Shani said, mopping up some spilt food from the floor with a piece of damp kitchen towel. ‘Just ignore him, I think Tom was lovely to apologise to you and be so sympathetic about shitty Simon. Paul?’
‘OK, it was the right thing to do, I suppose,’ he relented grudgingly. ‘What the hell is that?’ he asked hearing the 1812 Overture warble from Bea’s handbag.
‘I changed my ring-tone when I was bored the other night. It’s Tom,’ she said, noticing the name on the tiny lit up screen and turned away from her inquisitive friends. After several minutes she ended the call and dropped her mobile back into her bag. ‘That was Tom.’
‘We’ve gathered that much.’ Paul raised his eyebrows. ‘What did he want?’
‘You’re never going to believe this, but his assistant has been signed off work for three weeks after an appendix operation and he’s booked for me to go with him to New York for five days.’
They looked at her. Paul opened his eyes wide. ‘You’re going on holiday with him? That’s a little unexpected, isn’t it?’
Bea shook her head. ‘Not really. He’s always travelling to meet clients. I’ve gone to London once or twice in the last few years, but never further than that. Wow, I can’t believe I’m going to New York in a couple of weeks.’
‘Lucky cow. I wish I was going away,’ said Shani. ‘The break will do you good though and if you get to spend some time with him you might find you hit it off. If not, at least you’ll be away from Simon and his crap for a bit.’
‘Sounds good, I suppose,’ Paul said, refilling their glasses. ‘He must be earning decent money if they send him to the States to visit clients. I hope you get to do some sightseeing while you’re there.’
‘Me too.’ Bea laughed, picturing visiting the Empire State building and walking through Central Park. ‘I’m so excited, I can’t wait.’
‘In fact you both must be on decent salaries if you work in trust?’ Paul added, interrupting her thoughts. ‘Surely you can afford to take out a smallish mortgage for The Brae, and you must earn enough to pay for the work that needs doing to the place?’
Bea shook her head. ‘I wish. My job sounds more important than it actually is. Only directors and maybe senior managers earn good salaries in trust and company work. They’re the ones that sign things off. I’m one of many in Jersey doing the same job. I’d have to pass my professional exams to reach a higher salary.’
‘But you did do exams, loads of them,’ Paul argued.
‘I’ve done my ICSA certificate and diploma, which were eight exams in total, but there are loads more to do, unfortunately.’
‘Blimey,’ Shani grimaced. ‘I always thought you were way up there with the big money.’
Bea laughed. ‘No. Simon is, which is why, despite what he said in his letter, I know he doesn’t need to be chasing me to pay him back. Tom will be on a higher salary than me, but I’m not earning anything spectacular, I can assure you of that. Anyway, Tom’s trip is being funded by his client. There’ll be a reason we have to hold the meetings in New York and the client will be paying, but he’s giving me a great opportunity by taking him with me.’
She thought of Flea. ‘Look, I know you’re spending a lot of time at Guy’s flat, Paul, but I was thinking that if you wanted to, you could both move into the house and look after Flea for me.’
Paul and Shani looked at each other and then back at Bea, and without exchanging thoughts on the matter both immediately nodded in agreement. ‘I’d be happy to. Guy works long hours so I don’t see him nearly as much as I want to and when he’s working I can be here enjoying all this with her.’
‘Yes, it suits me,’ Shani agreed.
‘You go and have a great trip and leave the house to us,’ Paul said. ‘Although by the time you return we may have become so used to your way of living that we’ll make the most of our squatter’s rights.’
‘I don’t think you have them here in Jersey, but as long as you take care of Flea for me, you can stay as long as you like,’ she said, liking the thought.
‘It’s going to be strange though, surely,’ Shani added. ‘Going away with him to New York?’
‘I know, that occurred to me too,’ Bea admitted. ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine, we’re there for business, nothing more.’
‘New York?’ Luke knew he sounded idiotic repeating Grant’s words, but he couldn’t help himself. ‘With that jerk?’
Grant shrugged and nodded. ‘That’s what Mel said. Only for a few days, though. I’m sure it means nothing. I think it’s got something to do with work.’
Luke tried to remain calm. He clenched and unclenched his hand.
‘I wouldn’t have told you if I’d thought you’d be this pissed. Since when have you been interested in what Bea gets up to anyhow?’ Grant checked to see Mel was nowhere near to overhear them, ‘Let’s face it, I would have thought you had more than enough on your hands with Leilani. She looks a bit of a handful, a gorgeous one, of course, but definitely stroppy.’
Luke could see how ridiculous he must seem to his friend and knew he’d made an idiot of himself. Time to backtrack, he decided. ‘I’m not interested in what she does, or who with. I just need to speak to her about a few jobs that she couldn’t afford to do at her house and put off. I can’t very well do that if she’s on the other side of the Atlantic, now can I?’
Grant raised an eyebrow. ‘Really?’
He could tell he hadn’t convinced his friend. ‘The work’s nearly done, and I need to get my men onto another site. Time is money, and all that,’ he added.
Grant seemed to
accept this explanation, or at least, Luke thought, he was pretending to. ‘Right, of course it is. How’s the court case going with that ex-partner of yours, any news?’
‘Nothing.’ Luke felt the usual knotting in his stomach as the anger towards Chris kicked in. ‘It’s been three years now and I think I’ve pretty much explored every avenue trying to recoup my money, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to get anywhere. Serves me right for putting so much trust in him, I guess. I was a bloody idiot.’
‘Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it. We knew him since we were teenagers, why would you have any reason to suspect he’d be capable of embezzlement? Anyway, you can make it again. You’ve certainly got the brains and sheer bloody-minded determination to do it,’ said Grant, patting him on the back. ‘You’re a clever bugger, Luke. Making money comes easily to you.’
Luke shook his head. Somehow his bad experience had dampened down much of his enthusiasm and ambition. Knowing everything could simply vanish overnight took away some of the excitement building up his business had once held for him. ‘It’s the principle that drives me nuts. How could I be such a lousy judge of character?’ He signed. ‘What the hell was I thinking to have trusted him with everything like I did?’
‘I know, mate. I know, but you’re just going to have to move on from this and the sooner you do it, the better for you it’ll be.’
Luke knew his friend was talking sense, but couldn’t help thinking there was something about Tom Brakespear that reminded him very much of his ex-partner. An underlying slyness he couldn’t ignore. And whether Bea could see through him or not, Luke was not going to let some slimeball hurt her. She was far too special for that, even if her lack of feelings for him continued to sting. He thanked Grant for telling him about Bea’s trip, he also wished he’d told him earlier, when he would have had a chance to think of a way to put a stop to it.
‘Is this Leilani’s?’ Grant held up a tiny pair of cut off denim shorts he’d spotted on the seat in the galley. Luke nodded. ‘You’re a lucky sod. I mean, I love Mel, of course I do, but she’s so bossy I’m a bit nervous she’s going to merge into her mother as soon as we’re married.’
Luke laughed and snatched back the shorts, throwing them into the small cabin Leilani had sometimes slept in. ‘She’s always leaving her gear around the place, and before you get any ideas, we’re not sleeping together.’
‘Bollocks.’ Grant laughed. ‘Pull the other one.’
Luke stopped marking out his route to St Malo. ‘We’re not.’ Why was it so difficult for people to believe? ‘She’s fun and loves winding people up, but she’s really only here for a couple of months for a break before she decides which offer she accepts.’
Grant shook his head. ‘And you believe that, do you?’
‘Yes. Now, let me check this bloody map or I won’t be taking you across to St Malo tomorrow and you’ll have to get the ferry like everyone else.’
Thirteen
Crossing the Pond
‘Helloooo?’ Paul announced his arrival at The Brae on the day Bea was to leave for America. He dragged a massive holdall behind him as he climbed the wide oak staircase.
‘We’re up here,’ Shani called.
‘Why do you never think to lock that front door of yours?’ Paul asked. ‘Anyone could walk in to the house.’
‘Anyone just did,’ Shani giggled.
‘I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that comment,’ Paul said, amusement obvious in his tone. ‘I’ve brought everything I should need for my stay here. Is it safe to come in or will I be traumatised by all your big pants?’ he asked outside Bea’s bedroom door.
‘Shut up and get your bum in here,’ Shani shouted from inside Bea’s clothes-strewn bedroom. ‘She doesn’t have any big pants, not that I’ve ever seen anyway.’ Shani laughed. ‘She’s doing well, though it was touch and go for a bit.’
‘You can’t change your mind about going.’ He squeezed Bea’s shoulder as he passed behind her to check his reflection in her dressing-table mirror.
Bea shrugged. ‘I know, but I’m a little nervous about going.’
‘You’re OK with Tom, don’t worry about it.’
‘It’s not Tom that bothers me, it’s how I’m going to manage at the meetings.’
‘Shut up. You’ll be brilliant.’
‘Yes, I’m being a wimp,’ she said feeling a little better. ‘You do know Guy is more than welcome to stay here, too?’
Paul nodded. ‘Thanks, I’ll tell him.
‘How’s it going with him, still blissfully happy?’
‘Parfait.’ He clapped his hands together. ‘He’s so perfect. Not all men are selfish sods, apparently.’
Shani pouted. ‘Not the gay ones anyway, the rest bloody well are.’ She turned to Bea. ‘Paul came with me the other night when I went to see Harry at his surgery.’
Paul grimaced dramatically. ‘I take it by the expression on his face,’ Bea said. ‘that it didn’t go down too well.’
‘Nope.’ She shuddered as if reliving the experience.
‘I think it’s over between them.’ Paul stroked Shani’s arm. ‘Poor love. You do really have the hots for him, too.’
‘I’m so sorry. Maybe he’s just had something on his mind. He’ll probably be fine in a few days.’ Bea hoped she was right. Shani looked so sad. She must like him a lot, Bea decided.
‘He’ll have something on his mind if he doesn’t already,’ Shani said, before closing the lid of Bea’s case and zipping it up. ‘There, I told you it’d all fit in.’
‘What do you mean?’ Bea asked. ‘Has something happened between you both that’s bothering you?’
Shani shook her head. ‘No, it was just a throwaway comment, that’s all.’
Bea wasn’t convinced. Shani would tell her if there was anything worrying her, but only when she was ready. She hoped she didn’t take too long about it though. She glanced at Paul.
He shrugged. ‘I’ve already asked her all about him and she’s strangely reluctant to confide in me too.’ He turned his attention to Shani. ‘Aren’t you?’
Shani scowled from one to the other. ‘No. I haven’t told you anything because there’s nothing interesting to tell. Now, can we please stop talking about me?’
Bea was relieved Paul and Shani had agreed to house sit for her time away. They knew where everything was kept, so there hadn’t been too much to go through with them. They both adored Flea, which was a relief because Bea was sure he’d pine for her while she was away. At least, Bea thought, Shani would be able to have a trial run living in the house and could make sure she liked it. Then, if she changed her mind, she wouldn’t have to go through the difficulty of breaking the news about moving to Paul.
‘I’m going to be making us healthy meals each day,’ Paul announced to Bea as she ticked off items from her packing list after they had finished their baguette, Camembert, and red wine bought from the market earlier in the day. ‘I won’t know myself having an entire kitchen to play in, even if it is a horror from the seventies.’
‘Cheeky sod,’ Bea replied. ‘When and if I ever get the money to be able to update my kitchen, I will, but until then you’ll have to be grateful for my orange Formica one.’
‘Shame. I know your kitchen is ancient, but compared to our two-ringed hovel, it’s almost state-of-the-art. I can’t wait to cook in it. By the way, which rooms do you want us to sleep in?’
‘I’ve made up a bed in the other room overlooking the walled garden and put clean linen on my bed. So I’ll leave it up to you two to decide which you prefer. Make yourselves at home and have a great time, just don’t forget to feed, water, and walk Flea.’ They pretty much knew Flea’s routine, but she went over it with them anyway and made sure they knew what food to feed him and that he was used to half a treat every night when he went upstairs to bed.
‘I’m sleeping in your room,’ Paul said. ‘Flea can be my roommate for our stay, although he can share with Shani when Guy’s here for the night. We’r
e going to have a brilliant time with all this space.’
Paul and Shani grinned at each other with barely suppressed excitement. They looked to Bea like a couple of teenagers being allowed to stay at home for the first time whilst their parents went away on holiday. ‘You’re welcome to use my car, don’t forget,’ she said. ‘Thankfully it’s old and fairly battered, so I won’t notice a few extra dings.’ Her blue Mazda had seen better days and had been her pride and joy when Simon had bought it for her years before. Since then it had seen a lot of action, mainly due to her lack of concentration, and had already been treated to a few re-sprays.
‘Shani, please speak to Harry, but maybe wait to see if he contacts you in the next day or so first.’
She nodded. ‘I’ll try. I’ve left him a couple of messages at work, but he hasn’t called me back yet.’
‘Well, don’t worry about it.’ Bea patted her arm gently. ‘You can only do your best. If he doesn’t call you back, then we’ll think of some other plan after my holiday.’
Tom rang the doorbell. Bea hugged her two friends as he grabbed her small suitcase. She slung her bag over her shoulder and hesitated for a moment, looking at her friends. ‘Well, here goes,’ she said walking towards the door.
‘Go on.’ Shani pushed her out. ‘Make the most of the peace.’
Tom leant over to Bea as she settled herself in the front seat of his BMW. ‘I can’t wait to show you New York.’
Bea grinned like an idiot. ‘I’m so excited. Bye you two,’ she said out of the window, waving frantically, ‘And be careful.’
‘Yes, now bugger off,’ Paul shouted.
Bea was determined not to worry about Shani during her trip. She knew there was nothing else she could do and Paul had assured her he would contact her should there be any problems with Harry. She leant her forehead against the plastic of the aircraft window, gazing down in awe as the plane descended over the water and New York’s JFK Airport several hours later. She was relieved she’d been able to sleep for much of the night flight and couldn’t wait to go and see all the places she’d dreamt about for so long.
A Jersey Kiss Page 14