A Jersey Kiss

by Georgina Troy

  ‘I can’t, unfortunately.’ He kissed her lightly on the lips and frowned as he answered the call. ‘This won’t take a moment, I promise.’ He stood up and walked a short distance away with the phone to his ear. ‘Yes? Hi. No, it’s fine, don’t worry.’

  Bea waited for a few moments, feeling a little foolish sitting there, then seeing the serious expression on his face as Luke paced across the lawn and sensing the conversation wasn’t going to be a short one, she stood up to return to the reception. Luke motioned for her to wait. When she shook her head slowly, he raised his spare hand apologetically and continued with his call, his face grim. Maybe, she mused as she went back to join the others, it was business. Then again, it was probably his fiancée. The thought gave her a pang of disappointment.

  She returned to the marquee, feeling a little foolish for getting caught up in the romance of the day and her suppressed feelings for Luke. Walking through the guests, she was relieved to spot Paul, chatting happily to Paige and Jeremy. She tapped him on the shoulder. ‘Hi.’ He leapt up and hugged her. ‘Where have you been?’ Bea hurriedly explained. ‘Oh, charming, so he takes you away from the throng and then abandons you to some phone call. So, where’s his fiancée? I would have thought she’d be here taking notes for her big day.’

  Bea looked over to where Paige and Jeremy were now in deep conversation, before explaining Leilani was supposedly modelling in California. ‘Anyway, enough of that, have you spoken to Shani?’ Bea asked, knowing that Paul would have phoned her at some point. She had wanted to give her a call a few times during the day, but didn’t like to bombard her with calls, supposing she must be exhausted after all her hard work having the baby.

  ‘Happy as a little pig in poo,’ he said. ‘She’s even breast feeding. So revolting.’ He winced. ‘I told her that her boobs would be dragging along the floor, doing something like that, but would she listen?’

  Stunned, Bea said, ‘Paul, that’s a disgusting thing to say and I’m sure it’s rubbish. Honestly, you must let her get on with it. It’s not as if we’ve got any experience with babies, so you’re not really in a position to boss her around.’

  ‘She’s decided to call the baby Poppy, I gather.’ He nudged her sharply in the ribs. ‘Look out, here comes gorgeous.’

  Bea saw Luke scanning the room, and then noticing her he changed direction and walked over. ‘I’m going to have to go,’ he said, looking troubled. ‘Something’s cropped up that I have to deal with.’ He kissed her lightly on the lips.

  ‘You’re leaving already?’ She couldn’t help showing her disappointment.

  Barrington placed a cool hand on her shoulder. She was very fond of her father’s oldest friend and noticed him give Luke a knowing look before turning to her. ‘Let the boy go,’ he said, nodding at him. ‘Thanks, lad,’ he said.

  Bea watched as the two men shook hands. There was something going on, but she had no idea what it could be. Luke smiled briefly at her. She watched him thank her parents and say his farewells to the newlyweds. Then he was gone.

  Bea felt strangely bereft and gave herself a mental telling off for being so ridiculous. ‘Now I’m never going to know what that was all about,’ she said, attempting to make light of the situation.

  ‘You have to trust him, Bea,’ Barrington said, his voice more serious than she was used to hearing it.

  ‘But I don’t understand.’

  ‘You will, my love, you will.’ He leant forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Right, I’d better go and speak to that father of yours about a couple of lobsters your stepmother ordered for their lunch tomorrow. Have fun.’

  ‘Damn shame, if you ask me,’ Paul said, as Barrington walked away. She tried to figure out what he had meant. ‘Now you won’t know when Leilani will be back, if ever.’

  ‘Of course she’ll be back,’ she said, miserable to know she was right. ‘They’re engaged, aren’t they?’

  ‘More’s the pity.’ Paul frowned at Bea. ‘If he’s still engaged to that Amazon then he shouldn’t have been dancing with you like that, let alone snog you.’

  ‘Paul, you know perfectly well it wasn’t a snog.’

  ‘Yeah, whatever you say, sweets.’

  Bea was saved from having to argue with him when Melanie called her over. They went up to Joyce and their dad's’ spare room to help Mel change into her going-away outfit. ‘Hasn’t it been perfect?’ she enthused, unzipping her enormous dress.

  Bea nodded, delighted her sister had enjoyed the wedding she’d always dreamed of. ‘It has; now hurry up and change, or you won’t give yourself enough time to get to the airport.’

  ‘Can you believe I’m going to Mauritius?’

  Bea smiled. ‘No, you’re very lucky. Now get a move on.’

  Mel changed into her new navy silk trouser suit with its little red silk top. Bea brushed out her hair, taking out numerous grips, and then helped her downstairs with her suitcase. ‘What the hell have you got in here, gold bullion?’

  ‘Only a few things I might need. I like to have a choice.’

  ‘But you’re going somewhere hot; all you need are a few sarongs and bikinis. You could have packed two hundred of the things and they wouldn’t weigh this much.’

  ‘I couldn’t decide what to take, so I’ve taken a few extra things, shoes especially. I don’t want to look out of place, do I?’

  ‘I don’t think that’s a possibility. Now let’s go and find Grant.’

  Bea offered to stay behind and help her parents with the remaining guests, but happily agreed when her dad told her not to worry about it. All she wanted now was to get home and try to catch up on some sleep. ‘And you can telephone Tom back, too and find out what exactly was so important he couldn’t attend your sister’s big day,’ Joyce shouted over her shoulder as a parting shot, before rushing back into the marquee.

  ‘Take no notice of your stepmother, and don’t worry. We’ve got everything under control and by tomorrow afternoon, it’ll look as if nothing has taken place here,’ her father assured her, hugging Bea firmly. ‘Surreal really when you think about it.’

  After racing home to change and letting Flea out into the garden for a few minutes, Bea ran upstairs, checked Shani’s bed and Poppy’s cot were perfectly made up for them, and drove Paul and Guy to the hospital.

  ‘Eugh, this stuff is revolting,’ Paul said, forcing down a curly edged ham sandwich in the hospital cafeteria an hour later. He took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. ‘I can’t believe they’re letting her come home so soon.’ Me neither, thought Bea, dreamily picturing her own comfortable bed. He pushed his plate away from him. ‘I wish we could leave straight away, I’m knackered.’

  ‘Me, too.’ Bea stifled a yawn. ‘But she’s insisting she’s discharged earlier than they’d really like, so has to wait for the doctor to check her and Poppy over first before they can go.’ She hadn’t really thought much when Shani had asked her if she could come straight to The Brae. Bea had assumed Shani and the baby would be in hospital for a couple of days, giving her time to make sure everything was in place for them when they did come home with her. She wondered how they’d cope with everything Poppy was going to need.

  ‘I wonder what Harry is saying to her?’ Guy said, shuddering as he took his first mouthful of sandwich and dropping it onto the paper plate. ‘You don’t mind him visiting Shani at your home?’

  Bea shook her head. ‘No, I’d rather he did see the baby than not bother. He’s probably not that bad once you get to know him. I suppose he’ll need time to get used to having a baby around, too.’ She was about to carry on talking, then spotted Luke paying for a coffee at the nearby till. ‘Luke?’ He turned to see who’d called him, a frown on his tanned face. ‘Is everything all right?’ He looked exhausted and was still in his best man suit.

  ‘Not really.’ He walked over to her. ‘Mind if I sit down with you?’ Bea nodded and watched him pull back an empty chair next to her. ‘Has Shani had her baby?’

  ‘Yes, last night. Pa
ul, Guy, and I are giving her and the father a bit of personal space before we take her home to stay with me. You?’

  He seemed to consider what he was going to say next. Bea didn’t think she’d ever seen him so sad and couldn’t help feeling anxious about what he was going to tell them. ‘I don’t think you ever knew my business partner, Chris.’ Bea shook her head, wondering where this was leading. ‘The phone call I received at your sister’s wedding; he was rushed in here with a suspected fractured skull.’

  ‘Oh my God, what happened to him?’ she asked, feeling guilty for being so irritated with his earlier caller. No wonder he’d left in such a hurry, she mused, noticing the bruised smudges under his eyes. He didn’t look as if he’d slept, his usually close-shaven jaw now sporting five o’clock shadow. ‘Is he going to be all right?’

  He nodded. ‘It turns out it was just a bad case of concussion.’ He looked as if he was going to say something further then looked down again.

  Bea wished she could hold him close to her, try to take away some of the pain he was so obviously struggling with. There was more to the story, she was certain. ‘What is it? Tell me.’

  ‘It’s nothing to do with you,’ he said quietly, taking a sip from his coffee, then seemingly unsure of his decision, stared across the table at her. ‘He was caught at the harbour, trying to abscond from the island.’

  ‘But I thought he went missing ages ago?’

  ‘He did, three years, but he’d sneaked back onto the island at some point and probably never thought anyone would be looking for him after so long.’

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’ She knew he was keeping something from her and couldn’t help feeling it somehow involved her in some way.

  He pushed a hand through his dark messy hair, taking her hands in his. He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Fine, but if I tell you, promise you won’t hold what I’m about to say against me.’

  Her stomach filled with nerves, wondering what he could be about to tell her. Was she finally going to have to discuss his part in the money laundering, was that it? She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear this. ‘Why would I do that?’

  ‘Because it’s to do with Tom. At least I’m fairly sure it is. The authorities will just need the proof.’

  Bea pulled her hands back and clasped them under the table on her lap. ‘Tom?’

  Luke nodded. ‘I know you and he go way back, but how well do you really know him?’

  ‘Luke, I know Tom very well.’ She thought back to Luke’s insistence that Tom wasn’t all he seemed. She studied her hands for a moment. ‘Well,’ she hesitated, ‘I thought I did. What he’s supposed to have done?’

  Luke took a deep breath. ‘I think he’s probably involved in some way in Chris’s activities, but I’m not sure how yet.’

  Bea felt as if she’d been slapped. ‘Seriously?’ She shook her head in disbelief. ‘I don’t think you understand how seriously an allegation like that would be taken,’ Bea snapped.

  ‘Look, you’ve obviously had a shock. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.’

  She couldn’t take in what she’d just been told, but something niggled at her. ‘You can’t be serious about Tom. I know you don’t like each other, but this is ridiculous. What grounds do you have for making such an accusation? Why would Tom have anything to do with this sort of thing?’ She closed her mouth to stop herself from saying anything further. He still hadn’t actually mentioned money laundering and to tip him off now would be stupid. She wasn’t going to lose her house and chance going to prison.

  ‘Money problems, that’s why.’ Luke looked around to check he wasn’t being overheard and leant closer to her.

  Bea shook her head. ‘I can’t believe this.’ She felt sick at the thought of being oblivious of something so serious. She took a deep shuddering breath.

  ‘Chris had Tom’s contact details on him when they took him into hospital, so he’s obviously contacted him recently. Chris knew he’d be arrested if he showed his face back here again, so he must have thought his visit here worth it to risk a prison sentence. I assume Tom got sucked into Chris’s scheme in a moment of weakness, and once you’re involved with these things, I can imagine it’s almost impossible to back out.’

  Bea heard Luke’s mobile bleep. He glanced at the screen and groaned.

  ‘What’s wrong now?’ she asked.

  ‘It’s an RNLI callout. I have to go.’ Luke put his hand on Bea’s shoulder and looked down at her. ‘Don’t worry. This isn’t your mess.’

  ‘I feel awful,’ she said, wishing she’d not believed Tom so easily.

  ‘Don’t be silly, it’s not as if you could have done anything.’ He studied her face for a moment. Was he looking for assurance, she wondered.

  ‘No, but I can do something about it now.’

  Luke grabbed her wrist. ‘What do you mean? Listen, Bea, I don’t have time to argue with you now, but you need to promise me that you’ll let the authorities deal with Tom. I was hoping to get to the bottom of this myself, but I’ve had to hand all the information I’ve managed to collate to them.’

  She didn’t answer.

  ‘You don’t know who else could be behind this and I don’t want you getting involved. It could be dangerous.’ He turned to walk away, pulling his car keys from his pocket.

  ‘Well I happen to think I am involved,’ she called after his retreating figure. ‘He’s my manager.’ Damn, she’d said it. She chewed her lower lip.

  Luke turned and scowled at her. ‘I don’t care what’s going on between you; you need to stay well away from him. Let the authorities sort this out. Understand?’ He sighed wearily. ‘I’m aware that money laundering is about the worst thing you, as a Trust Officer, could be involved with in business. If you do speak to him about this in any way, you’d become involved and you don’t need that.’ He shook his head wearily. ‘My guess is that Tom won’t think twice of implicating you, if he hasn’t already.’ He stared at her questioningly for a moment. ‘Now, I really have to run. He’ll probably suspect that the authorities have been informed by now as well as the police. Even the nicest people can turn when cornered, and despite what you may have thought, Tom isn’t a nice bloke.’

  ‘You leave Bea to us,’ Paul said. ‘She can be hot-headed sometimes, but she’s not a fool.’

  ‘Hello? I am sitting here you know.’ She chewed her lower lip, biting a little harder than she’d intended. ‘Ouch,’ she grimaced, tasting blood.

  Luke sighed. ‘I have to go. I can’t miss this callout. Bea, I’ve no idea how long I’m going to be, but you need to do as I say and not do anything rash.’

  ‘You go; we’ll make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.’ Paul glanced at Bea,

  Guy stroked her rigid back. ‘He’s right. If Tom is capable of doing this, then you never really knew him at all.’

  ‘What do you expect me to do then?’ she asked, feeling frustrated by the injustice of it all. ‘I agreed to go and see him at his flat later on. He texted me on the way to the church; there’s something he needs to discuss with me.’

  ‘What did you just say?’ Luke hurried back to her and she repeated everything she’d just told him. He took her face gently in his hands. ‘Then make an excuse. You mustn’t try and deal with this yourself. Please leave it to the enforcers who are trained to cope with this.’

  Bea could see he was desperate to get away, so nodded. ‘Fine, I will.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Luke took his hands away and smiled at her, his voice betraying his exhaustion. ‘Now, I really need to go.’

  They re-joined Shani as soon as they’d finished mulling over what Luke had told them. ‘I thought you were only going to be twenty minutes,’ she grumbled, pulling on her jacket and smiling down at her sleeping baby. ‘Now she’s sleeping, typical.’

  ‘How was Harry?’ asked Paul nosily, settling himself at the end of the bed.

  ‘He was OK, if I’m being honest.’ She shrugged and couldn’t quite hide a satisfied smile. ‘He’s
promised to set up a standing order for Poppy. It’s not what I would have wished for in respect of fatherly love for my daughter, but it serves me right for getting into this mess in the first place. He said he wants to see her occasionally and believes she should know her father, but that I can only contact him via the surgery.’ Shani sighed and straightened her baggy top. ‘It’s better than nothing and maybe one day he’ll choose to tell his wife about his other daughter, but for now I have to be satisfied with that. At least he’s acknowledged her and I could tell he regretted being such a shit to me over all this.’

  ‘It’s a start,’ Bea said, giving Shani a hug. ‘It’s going to be lovely having you both at The Brae. The house needs a bit of life put back into it.’

  ‘Thanks, Bea.’ Shani stood up and winced. ‘I think I’m going to need a rubber ring to sit on for a few days.’

  Paul groaned. ‘Too much information, thank you,’ he said, picking up Shani’s overnight bag. ‘You can take those,’ he said to Guy, indicating the two flower arrangements she’d been sent. ‘Let’s get a move on. I need my bed even if the rest of you don’t.’ He narrowed his eyes and glared at Bea. ‘We all need to get to our beds, don’t we?’

  Bea rolled her eyes heavenward. She still felt the need to see Tom and find out what he wanted to discuss, whatever the others thought.

  ‘What?’ Shani stopped them before they left the room. ‘I’m sure something has happened. Tell me what’s going on, or I’m going to keep you all from getting home.’ She picked up the baby and gave her a cuddle.

  Bea listened while Paul explained about their meeting downstairs with Luke. ‘So you see, Miss I’m-gonna-take-charge has decided to ignore Luke.’

  ‘I never said that at all.’

  Paul tilted his head to one side. ‘No, you didn’t, but none of us are bloody stupid. We all know what you’re like when you make your mind up about something.’

  Shani put the baby back in her crib and sat down carefully on the edge of the bed. ‘What are you up to?’

  Bea groaned, closing her eyes with tiredness. ‘Come on, Shan, I’m exhausted.’