Less than a week. Months and months of patience and hard work and it would all be over in less than seven days. I couldn’t fucking wait.
Day Seventeen
Wednesday 9th September
Ellie
‘I’m not happy, Ellie,’ Dan scowled, as I packed the baby bag.
‘For goodness sake, Dan. It’s no different to our usual school run routine, other than a small detour to your own damn hotel,’ I objected. ‘Florie suggested it and you know Theo isn’t known for spending money unnecessarily. I want to treat her and she loves dressing up. We’ll be in a room full of other people all having afternoon tea and Jenny will be with me. Come and meet us.’
‘I can’t, I have a few conference calls to make. Just let me know you’ve arrived safely and when you’re on your way home, ok?’ he relented.
‘I promise,’ I nodded, pursing my lips for a kiss, which he ignored as he put his hands on his hips.
‘I’d really like Chris to accompany you as well.’
‘Great as Chris is, he’s not part of the family like Jenny is, and there’s not enough room in the car for three children, myself, and two bodyguards. Honestly, given we have no choice but to do the same car route every day to school, if someone wants to hijack us, they could anytime. You need to chill out a bit.’
‘Don’t tell me to chill out when I’m thinking of your safety.’
‘And I love you for being so protective, but you came out to the world over three years ago, Dan. If someone was going to make their move, they’d have done it by now. Now please can I have a kiss? Jenny’s waiting with Jonas and Eva downstairs, I need to go.’
‘Give my best to Florie,’ he sighed, giving in. ‘I’ll do the school run one day next week and take Oliver to see them. He’s Theo’s favourite.’
‘He’d love that,’ I confirmed, palming his face as our lips met.
‘Did I tell you how sexy you look?’ he asked, scanning my body as I stepped away from him.
‘It’s just a skirt and blouse,’ I replied with a roll of my eyes. I’d put on one of his favourites, a leather below-the-knee skirt that hugged my hips, with one of my emerald green blouses. I’d tonged my hair into cascading waves, which he loved. So much so, I was thinking of having my hair permanently kinked for him.
‘Sexy,’ he stated again, with a cock of his head as he checked out my ankles, wrapped in the leather of my strappy heels.
‘Then I’ll be sure to let you undress me tonight. I have on some green lingerie and I’ll leave on my heels,’ I called over my shoulder as I made my way to the stairs.
‘Vixen,’ he growled, making me laugh.
‘Ready?’ smiled Jenny, holding out her hand for the baby bag.
‘I’m not post-operative anymore,’ I smiled, hooking it over the handle of Eva’s pram.
‘Mama,’ she giggled, kicking her legs when she saw me.
‘Don’t you look like the prettiest girl in the whole world,’ I told her, bending to give her a kiss. I’d dressed her in a cute pink long-sleeved top with a black and white cat on the front. She was in matching pink tights, a brown cord skirt, and I’d put a brown and pink headband on her. She looked adorable.
‘Carry Jo-Jo,’ Jonas pouted, tugging on my skirt.
‘Come on then, gorgeous. You look so handsome.’ I picked him up and kissed him. He was in a pair of black jeans with a white shirt and a tiny grey waistcoat. I glanced up at the mezzanine to see Dan leaning over the banister, watching us all with a smile on his face. ‘See you later,’ I called.
‘See you later. Be a good boy, Jonas.’
‘Always good,’ he nodded. Dan and I exchanged a look and laughed. Jonas was trouble with a capital T. If I’d thought Oliver was a handful, he was a breeze compared to Jonas. I dreaded to think how mischievous Eva would be with two brothers to influence her.
Jenny took charge of the pram as I carried Jonas. Thankfully it was a clear, crisp day with no hint of rain in sight. I still wasn’t a fan of that mountain road, even in the best of weather, and particularly without Dan driving me. Skilled as all of our team were, no one made me feel as safe as Dan. Once the children had their lifejackets on, Jenny eased the boat away from the jetty and headed across the loch to the cars parked on the other side. Ten minutes later, with both children strapped into their seats in the back and Jonas watching a DVD on the back of Jenny’s headrest, we set off.
‘So, how’s it going with Dean?’ I asked. I never liked to bring up their relationship in front of Dan, in case it embarrassed Jenny. We were close friends, but she always maintained a professional barrier with him.
‘Amazing,’ she grinned, flashing a quick smile my way.
‘I noticed him stopping over with you a lot recently. Not that it’s a problem,’ I quickly added, when her smile turned to a face of concern.
‘Thank God, I thought you were going to ban him. Will it sound totally pathetic for your nanny slash hard-as-nails bodyguard to admit she doesn’t sleep properly unless she has her boyfriend’s arms around her at night?’
‘No,’ I laughed. ‘I’m just the same with Dan. I’m so pleased it’s working out so well for you. It’s your anniversary soon, are you doing anything special to celebrate?’
‘He says he has a surprise for me,’ she nodded. ‘I think he’s booked a romantic weekend away. Thanks so much for getting Dan to agree to swap his shifts.’
‘Not a problem. You both deserve a break away, you work so hard. So, what’s your idea of romance?’
‘The usual. An attentive partner, some sexy underwear, champagne, flowers, and plenty of hot, steamy action,’ she laughed.
‘I don’t get why so many guys fail at romance. I mean, you don’t need a degree to learn five basic steps, do you?’
‘I don’t know,’ she scoffed. ‘I went out with one of the officers who’d trained at Sandhurst, which isn’t a ride in the park, and you know what “romantic” surprise he got me for my twenty-first birthday?’
‘I’m seriously hoping not a day out at an assault course,’ I giggled.
‘May as well have been,’ she advised, swerving to avoid a new pot hole. ‘At least I’d have enjoyed that. Bear in mind my birthday’s in January, when it’s freezing cold. He takes me to Skegness for a picnic on the beach.’
‘Picnics can be super romantic,’ I nodded, thinking of Dan’s and mine up at the waterfall.
‘When there’s snow on the ground and his idea of luxury food was a Scotch egg, Cornish pasty, and can of cream soda?’ She shot me a look that said she’d still not forgiven him.
‘I like cream soda,’ I offered, trying to salvage some good from it.
‘Me too, but not when my hands are so cold they stick to the can. Then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, he brings out my present.’
‘Things got worse?’ I giggled, quickly looking behind to check on my babies. Jonas was engrossed in his film and Eva had already fallen asleep. Luckily she loved sleeping in the car.
‘Name a few gifts that are appropriate for a twenty-first, for a girl you’ve been seeing for two years?’
‘Some expensive perfume, and not eau de toilette, the real deal. A Pandora bracelet, hopefully with a 21 and heart charm on, maybe even an engagement ring?’ I suggested. She burst out laughing and shook her head.
‘So far off base, Ellie. A bag of … I nearly swore then,’ she added, shaking her head with disbelief. ‘A bag of pick and mix sweets.’
‘What?’ I exclaimed, not sure I’d heard her right.
‘Your ears didn’t deceive you. A quarter of fizzy cola bottles. I mean, I love cola bottles, but come on!’
‘I seriously hope you dumped him after that,’ I laughed.
‘Too right I did. I know it’s not all about grand gestures, you know that yourself, you fell for Dan when you thought he was just a caretaker. But if that’s a guy’s idea of romance, he’s not my kind of guy.’
‘God, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t laugh, but I thought I was the onl
y one who got lumbered with guys like that in the past. I mean, Dan could take me to McDonalds for my birthday, but if he took a table cloth, cutlery, and a fake rose in a vase and electric candle to put on the table, that’s thoughtful and romantic.’
‘I was thinking of dumping him anyway, the s. e. x. was so bad, so that just sealed the deal. Turns out he did me a favour, he’d been seeing half of the male officers behind my back. After I dumped him, he came out as gay, dropped out of Sandhurst, and became a male stripper for gay bachelor parties. Always had a great body and dance moves.’ She flicked a look my way with a grin and I shook my head.
‘O, Jenny. You’ve had as much luck in the past as me. Fingers crossed Dean is your Dan.’
‘You know, I think he might be,’ she replied, with a hint of a blush on her cheeks. ‘I haven’t said the L-word yet, but I’m ready, I’m going to tell him when we’re away. Don’t disclose this to anyone, or he’ll run for the hills, but I’m that into him that I’ve even started looking at wedding dresses and getting broody.’
‘No,’ I gasped. ‘What will I do if you get married and pregnant and leave me?’
‘We’d have plenty of time to find you a suitable replacement,’ she offered, guilt in her tone.
‘That wasn’t what I meant,’ I retorted. ‘You’re one of my best friends. I already have Brooke and Molly living so far away, don’t you move somewhere else, too.’
‘Thanks, Ellie.’ She gave me a genuine smile. ‘I’d hug you if I wasn’t driving.’
‘I’d hug you too. Seriously, I’m so happy for you. He’s a really great guy. Dan really values him and he’s quite an astute judge of character. Is Dean the settling down kind of guy, have you talked about this?’
‘He was asking me what sort of rings I liked last month.’
‘What?!’ I shrieked with excitement, then quickly clamped my hands over my mouth and checked I hadn’t woken Eva up.
‘I know. I mean, if it’s an engagement ring, it's fast. It seems fast, right? I’m trained in covert ops and I haven’t got a clue if he’s about to propose or if it’s just a friendship “I’m really into you” ring.’
‘Friendship ring! I bet it’s an engagement one. If you were young and he was your first, I’d say yes, it was fast,’ I agreed.
‘So, you’re calling me old and a slapper?’ she laughed.
‘Well, you said it. No, seriously, you’ve had a few relationships and you’re at that age where you know your mind. I don’t think it’s too soon at all. Just promise me we won’t lose touch if you leave. It wouldn’t just be me that would miss you, the children would too, so much.’
‘I promise,’ she smiled. ‘I love you guys like family, you know I do.’
We made good time from the school back up to the hotel and Jenny pulled into Dan’s reserved parking spot near the grand entrance. Oliver was so tired after his first few days of school, he’d fallen asleep. Eva was still asleep, but Jonas was wide awake, his eyes glued to the DVD machine. I managed to get Eva out and into her pram without waking her. Jenny grappled a sulking Jonas out and I unbuckled Oliver as I gently shook his arm. He moaned as he opened his beautiful green eyes.
‘Sorry, darling. It’s time to see Grandma Florie, she’s so excited to see you.’ That made him smile, he was really fond of her. I couldn’t think of anyone he didn’t like, he was so easy-going.
‘I’m hungry,’ he stated as he put his arms around my neck and let me lift him out of the car.
‘Well, in a little while we’ll be having some lovely finger sandwiches and yummy scones, cream and jam and lots of delicious fancy cakes. How does that sound?’
‘Sic,’ he nodded.
‘Sic?’ I raised an eyebrow.
‘My friend David says it means awesome.’
‘Well, I’d rather you say awesome, please. Sic sounds like vomit and no one eating a lovely meal is going to want to imagine vomit.’
‘But David says …’
‘David can say what he likes,’ I interrupted. ‘But Daddy wouldn’t like it. He expects his eldest boy to speak nicely and have good manners. So do I, ok?’
‘Ok,’ he moaned with a tutt and a huff of air. I looked at Jenny and we both tried not to laugh.
‘Can Mummy have a kiss?’ I asked, making sure we were ok. He beamed at me and planted one on my cheek and nuzzled into my neck, making me smile. I dreaded the day he got old enough to realise it wasn’t cool to give cuddles and kisses. ‘Thank you. Right, let’s go and eat.’
I went ahead carrying Oliver, Jonas walking holding Jenny’s left hand, as she pushed the pram with Eva in it with her right. We hadn’t made it to the door before the two doormen rushed forward to help. The staff always treated the children like royalty whenever we came. Florie was waiting in the prime corner spot by the panoramic window overlooking the loch. She quickly stood up as we approached, with a huge smile on her face. She’d put on one of her best dresses and had made an effort with her hair and makeup. Oliver called her name, so I put him down and let him run to her, to be first in line for a hug. Jonas managed to make it there in one piece and she laughed as they both clung to her legs.
‘Ellie, they get bigger and more bonnie every time I see them,’ she smiled.
‘I know, even Eva is growing up so fast, pretty soon they won’t be my babies anymore. You look lovely Florie, how are you?’ I asked, leaning over the boys to kiss her on both cheeks.
‘All the better for seeing you all,’ she nodded. ‘Jenny, how are you?’
‘Wonderful, thank you, Florie.’ Jenny kissed her as well, as I asked the boys to go and sit on one of the leather chairs around the circular table.
‘Is she awake?’ Florie asked, looking at the pram.
‘Not yet, but if she can sleep through her brothers racing around screaming, she won’t notice you having a look,’ Jenny advised, turning the pram around and pulling it up next to the table.
‘Ellie, she’s so beautiful,’ Florie nodded, reaching up to wipe a tear from her eye. I rubbed her arm. I thought I’d understood her loss when we’d turned off Moira’s machines that day, but I couldn’t possibly. I had three children and I’d be devastated if I lost one of them, but at least I’d still have two to love. Florie had lost her only child.
‘She really is and she’s so sweet as well. I thought Oliver was the perfect baby and Jonas the cheeky trouble maker, but Eva steals Oliver’s crown hands down.’
‘I don’t have a crown, Mummy,’ he called, tucking his napkin into his school jumper. Jonas tried to copy him, making us all laugh.
‘Make the most of these years,’ Florie advised, squeezing my hand. ‘They grow up so fast.’
‘Dan sends his love. He wants to come and see you and Theo next week, he has a surprise for you.’
‘He’s a good man,’ she nodded, taking her seat with Oliver and Jonas either side of her. ‘He spoils us.’
‘It makes him happy, so please accept, whatever it is,’ I asked, sitting next to Jonas and pulling the pram into the space on my left that Jenny had cleared for me.
‘I’ll be over by the fire, within calling distance,’ she said quietly.
‘No you won’t, you’ll be sitting here, next to Eva.’
‘Ellie, Dan wouldn’t be happy,’ she objected.
‘Let me worry about Dan. What difference does it make where you sit? I’m not going to tuck in to the most heavenly afternoon tea and enjoy myself, knowing you’re sitting alone. I booked for all of us. Sit,’ I ordered, pointing at the chair.
‘You’ll get me fired one day, Ellie Davenport,’ she smiled. ‘Fine, but I need to face the entrance.’
‘O for goodness sake. You’re one woman, Jenny. What can you really do if someone wanted to hurt us? You could face the door and someone could shoot at us through the glass window behind you. Sit and relax. Honestly, you’re worse than Dan. We’re surrounded by people, no one’s going to try anything here.’
Damien Daniels
I nearly spat my tea al
l over the white linen tablecloth when I saw Ellie walk in carrying Oliver, followed closely by her bodyguard and two other kids. I shrank into the high-backed leather armchair, shielding me from sight as they headed over to the window behind me. Thank God the Ospreys were old and wanted one of the tables next to the roaring fire. What were the bloody odds of us both having tea here on the same afternoon? I shuffled my napkin in my lap to cover my sudden erection. She looked fucking hot. I loved women in leather, it brought up connotations of kinks and perversions, not that Ellie seemed to have any. You’d think they’d have made their bedroom glass two-way, so they could see out but no one could see in. I’d masturbated a number of times watching through my infrared binoculars at night. The time he’d pressed her up against the glass and fucked her from behind, putting her whole naked body on display, had been a particular highlight. Lucky bastard.
‘I’m sorry, what was that?’ I asked, as I realised Mr. Osprey had said something.
‘Damn fine tea here, wouldn’t you say, old chap?’ he nodded, shovelling in another macaroon. ‘Some good-looking young fillies, too. If I was twenty years younger, I’d give that brunette a shot.’
‘What was that, darling?’ Mrs. Osprey asked as she returned to her seat from the ladies.
‘I was saying how hot the tea was, darling,’ he winked at me. Randy old sod. I wondered if despite his balding head and extremely portly physique, his extreme wealth would make someone like Jenny want to fuck him regardless.
‘Lovely tea, very hot,’ Mrs. Osprey agreed. I smiled politely and tried to focus on their inane conversation. The kid I’d spent nearly three years staring at on my notice board, planning to kidnap, was sitting about ten metres away from me. It didn’t even have to be him anymore, any of the brats would do. Maybe a baby, a girl no less, would bring us an even better payout. My heart was racing as adrenaline spiked in my system when Mr. Osprey thanked me for the work I’d done and said it was time for his wife’s afternoon nap. Fuck, I’d hoped to sit here until Ellie and her entourage left. I tried to stall the old man, but he stood up and offered his hand. I didn’t have a choice but to stand to shake it. They headed off towards the exit as I pulled out my wallet and dropped some notes plus a tip on the table, then quickly stepped out to catch them up.
31 Days of Autumn Page 18