Judith Wants To Be Your Friend

by Annie Weir

  Judith was ready to leave.

  ‘Did you get hold of Lennie?’ she asked Helen.

  ‘Yes, I did. He’s trying to save money, that’s all. Nothing to worry about.’

  ‘It is to worry about. Small businesses like his are hard work in the beginning but now I know how he works, it’s easy money. We can’t afford to lose him, or any others.’

  ‘Well, he’s lost. I offered him to talk to you but he said he’d decided.’

  ‘OK, well, thanks for trying. I’ll go and try to save the Hensons.’

  Judith had a feeling that she could win Jason round. He was a soft touch and just wanted an easy life. She was dismayed to see his mother waiting and knew from the outset that it was a wasted journey. On her way back to the office after an uncomfortable twenty minutes drinking horrible coffee she patted her new car and wondered whether she had been just a little bit reckless buying it.

  Back at the office Helen was going through a client’s file.

  ‘Looking for something in particular?’ asked Judith.

  ‘No, thinking I would put together some sort of cover sheet for each one so we can keep track of what needs to be in there, what is in there, anything we’re waiting for and any key dates we should be aware of. That sort of thing. I’m trying to remember what we used in my last place. Here, look.’

  ‘Hmm, good idea. You’re so efficient, you need to watch out that I don’t reduce your hours. There won’t be much more for you to do soon.’

  ‘I thought you were working on getting more business,’ Helen laughed, clearly not worried at this hint of a threat, ‘we need to be ready for the rush of new clients.’

  ‘You really are most impressive, Helen. Well done.’

  Judith thought that Helen smiled the smile of someone who knew that already but she didn’t let it bother her. There was work waiting for her today and she could get on with it knowing that the capable Helen would deal with everything else.

  ‘By the way, before you start on that tax return,’ she said, ‘Martin Lloyd rang. I’ve made an appointment for him to see you on Wednesday.’

  ‘Right, thanks,’ said Judith. She went into her office and was tempted to get Henry’s books out again to check that they were in order. She knew they were. She checked the date. His bank statement was due next week. She received them directly every three months. There was plenty of money in his accounts, but this quarter it would show rather a large payment into the H.M Revenue and Customs. She would deny all knowledge of it, of course. The executor may even have all of Henry’s books by then.

  Wednesday 10th December 2008

  ‘Martin Lloyd’s here, Judith.’

  ‘Thanks. Show him straight through please.’ She stood up to greet Martin.

  ‘Hello Judith,’ he said, shaking hands then giving her a tentative air kiss. ‘It’s good to see you. I’ve been meaning to call in but there’s been so much to sort out with Henry’s stuff.’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure. It was hard enough for us moving Mum from home to Mill View. I can’t remember doing anything when my dad died but can imagine how much sorting out there will be when Mum’s time comes.’

  ‘I’ve seen her a few times. I understand I’ve caused her a bit of distress, quite unintentionally, though.’

  ‘Yes. It’s all sorted out now, at least for as long as she remembers our conversation about it. It was nice for her to have Henry at Mill View. They go, went I mean, back a long way.’

  ‘They played bridge together when his wife and your father were alive. Remember?’

  ‘Yes, I remember.’

  ‘I don’t think they had so much to do with each other in recent years though.’

  Silence for a few seconds. ‘So, have you come about Henry’s accounts?’

  ‘No,’ said Martin, ‘I came to see you.’

  God, thought Judith, he can’t still fancy me. He’s almost as fossil-like as his uncle was, and he’s not even ten years older than me. She hovered for a moment thinking about what he was likely to inherit, but she couldn’t entertain the thought at all. ‘I see. I, um, I…’

  ‘Don’t worry, Judith. I have long since realised that you aren’t interested in me, nor ever will be. I do care for you, though, and think you should know that Mrs. Henson tried to warn me about you. I wouldn’t listen to her, but she’s not doing you or your business reputation any good at all.’

  ‘She was upset that I was late doing their accounts round about the time Mum was getting bad and Fiona and I were having to make difficult decisions about her. I know it’s no excuse, but, well, you know, we’re all human.’

  ‘I know and understand. I simply wanted to let you know so that you can plan your counter attack, as it were.’

  ‘You’re a good man, Martin, thank you. And I haven’t even offered you a cup of coffee.’

  Helen came in. ‘Would you like some coffee? I’m so sorry I forgot to ask.’

  ‘Yes please,’ said Martin and stayed to talk for a while about their school days and what other people were doing now.

  Friday 12th December 2008

  Chloe and Louise were putting the finishing touches to the shop in preparation for the cheese and wine Christmas celebration. Chloe was considerably less worried than when they had been preparing for the opening.

  ‘How many replies did you get in the end?’ asked Louise.

  ‘Thirty-five. I bet they don’t all come, though.’

  ‘I bet we get some who haven’t replied as well. I think we’ll have enough. We can take home anything that’s left.’

  ‘Mmmm, cheese all weekend. Cheese sandwiches, cheese on toast, quiche, cauli-cheese. Can’t wait.’

  ‘There won’t be much left, trust me.’

  ‘You will be nice to Judith, won’t you? You promised.’

  ‘If I promised, then I will.’

  ‘I still feel mean about keeping my distance.’

  ‘Be careful, Chloe, you only need to be friendly-professional.’

  ‘Yeah yeah. I’ll be fine. Oh look, people, customers, I mean guests, approaching.’

  People came and went, and several of them were casual shoppers who appeared delighted to be offered wine and cheese and several bought things.

  ‘We must give our customers wine every day,’ Chloe whispered to Louise as she went to the store room to get a vase to replace one that she had just very carefully wrapped. She turned as she heard the door open again. ‘It’s Judith.’ Chloe nearly dropped the vase she had in her hand.

  ‘Careful with that! You OK?’

  ‘Yes. I’ll go and say hello. Just make sure you come and say something to her as well.’

  ‘Will do.’

  ‘Judith! What can I get you to drink?’

  ‘Just orange juice please. I’m driving. Those cheeses look lovely, though.’

  ‘They are. Help yourself. Here’s a plate.’ Again Chloe fumbled with the china, but at that moment someone asked her about silver cutlery and she excused herself and made another sale. After a long flurry of activity she came back to Judith.

  ‘Sorry to have been neglecting you.’

  ‘Don’t be sorry. Were you expecting to sell that much tonight?’

  ‘No, not at all. It’s a real bonus. So many people still buying Christmas presents, and there’s less than two weeks to go. I can’t believe it.’

  ‘I can,’ said Judith.

  Chloe looked surprised.

  ‘I mean because I know how late people leave it to do their tax returns every year.’

  ‘I see what you mean.’ Chloe glanced at her watch. ‘It’s nearly seven,’ she said, ‘and time I had a drink myself.’

  ‘Is Louise driving you home tonight?’

  ‘No, I’m on the train. Since it’s got colder I’ve decided
to catch the train when I can. It’s just as easy really as long as I haven’t got any stock to move around.’

  ‘Where do you live? Haltwhistle did you say?’

  Chloe paused; she didn’t remember telling Judith where she lived but decided not to pursue it now.

  ‘You mentioned it one day when we were having lunch here.’

  ‘Oh, OK.’ Chloe’s hands started to shake. She snatched them away from the antique glass vase on the pedestal and took a deep breath. ‘Anyway, it’s just as easy to walk to the station as it is the car park from here.’

  Chloe broke off with relief to say goodnight to a group of people from one of the cafes in town who were starting to display the effects of early wine after a busy day. Judith went to find her coat as well.

  ‘I’ll be off too. Bye Louise, bye Chloe.’

  ‘Bye Judith. Take care,’ Louise called from the store room.

  ‘Will do. I’ll call in the next couple of days.’

  The last two couples followed her lead and left shortly afterwards.

  ‘Woo hoo! That was fab-u-lous,’ said Louise pouring herself another drink. ‘What a lovely evening. It was fun and we sold loads.’

  ‘I wish I could give you the day off tomorrow, oh wondrous retailer, but I need you here for the next couple of weeks,’ Chloe replied as she refilled her own glass.

  ‘Try and keep me away,’ said Louise, ‘I love it when it’s busy. Cheers. You alright?’

  ‘Me? Yes.’

  ‘Something. What is it?’

  ‘Have you ever told Judith where I live?’

  ‘No, of course not. Why?’

  ‘She said, ‘You live in Haltwhistle, don’t you?’ kind of thing. I don’t remember ever mentioning it. I thought she was following me home one day; decided I was getting paranoid so I never told you.’

  ‘Well, everyone does know everyone’s business around here, but … ’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Nothing. Just a gut feeling. Don’t trust the gut, that’s what Geoff says.’

  Sunday 14th December 2008

  Judith decided to call into the office on her way to Mill View to visit her mother. She had left all her stuff about power of attorney on her desk and wanted to discuss it with Tina. She parked around the corner in the Market Place and was lucky to find a space as it was busier than usual. Bloody Christmas shoppers, she thought, then remembered that she still hadn’t got anything for Fiona, Rosie and her mother. She hurried along the road but had to wait for traffic to sort itself out before she could cross. She automatically looked up to the first floor windows and was surprised to see Helen there again, this time leaning against the window with the telephone to her ear. ‘Bloody cheek. What’s she doing here again?’ Judith muttered to herself as she opened the door and crept up the stairs to catch her out.

  She peered through the door at the top of the stairs and found Helen sitting filing, for all the world as though it was a week day. Damn, she’d heard her come in.

  ‘Morning Judith. What brings you in on a Sunday?’

  ‘I could ask you the same question actually.’

  ‘My husband’s gone fishing.’

  ‘Again?’

  ‘Yes and I don’t know many people so I thought I might as well come in and tidy up.’

  Judith looked round. ‘It is tidy. It was tidy before you left on Friday. You don’t need to come and tidy up on a Sunday.’

  ‘I know, but I was bored.’

  ‘Who was that on the phone?’

  ‘I was checking for messages. Here they are.’ She pushed a couple of notes across to Judith. ‘OK?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Sorry. I’m not used to people coming on Sundays voluntarily. I’ve come to get some papers I left on my desk.’ Judith moved into her own office and looked around. It all looked the same as it had on Friday, so why did she feel so unnerved?

  She jumped as Helen said ‘You found them?’ right behind her.

  ‘Yes. Thank you. Are you staying?’ She hovered about wishing she could think of a good reason to force her to leave.

  ‘I think I will, for a while. Then I’ll go home and start cooking.’

  ‘Right, well, I need to go now. See you tomorrow.’

  Tuesday 16th December 2008

  Helen came through to Judith’s office with cheques and letters to sign. She looked a bit worried.

  ‘Is something wrong, Helen?’ Judith asked.

  ‘I don’t know how to tell you,’ she started.

  ‘You’re not leaving, are you?’ Judith couldn’t think what else it might be.

  ‘No, I’m not, but Sparkles is. You know, the window cleaning company.’

  ‘Yes, I know them. Why are they leaving?’

  ‘Same as Lennie May, cutting back on costs. They all seem to be finding it difficult to make ends meet these days. Mr. Spark says his wife will do the books.’

  ‘She’s hopeless! It was because of her book-keeping that they got into such a muddle a few years ago. It’s a false economy, for them anyway. I’ll ring them and talk them round.’

  ‘I thought you’d say that so I’ve already done it. I didn’t tell you yesterday because I was hoping I wouldn’t have to.’

  Judith sighed. ‘I’ve put an advert in the paper in the hope of pulling in more clients but I don’t know how effective that will be just before Christmas. I’ll book another one for January; in fact will you do that today please. I made some good contacts at Phoenix Antiques on Friday night too so we may get more business to compensate for the recent losses. I don’t like it though.’

  ‘No,’ agreed Helen. ‘It’s not good to lose so many clients so quickly.’

  Judith looked at Helen as she said this. What was it about this woman? To all intents and purposes she was perfect; but there was just something about her. Judith resolved to follow up the references she had given her and reflected that maybe she should have done that before now.

  The phone rang. It was Fiona wanting to sort out a time for them to go back to Grieg’s to get the form filled in to take over their mother’s affairs. Judith nodded to Helen who left to go and do whatever it was that she did in a fully up-to-date and immaculate office.

  Chloe was locking up at five-thirty as Judith was walking back from the solicitors. She stood on the pavement and looked back into her shop. It was perfect. Just enough carefully placed antiques to look welcoming but never cluttered. The words ‘Phoenix Antiques’ etched into the glass looked so classy. She noticed Judith stop when she saw her and wait as she crossed the busy road.

  ‘Off home?’ asked Judith.

  ‘Yes. It’s been busy today and I have to go and pick up some stock in the morning. I’m shattered.’

  ‘Have you got your car, or are you getting the train?’

  ‘Train. Doing my bit to save the planet and all that. Saves paying for parking as well.’

  ‘Do you want a lift home?’

  ‘No thanks, I’m fine on the train.’

  ‘It’s no bother.’

  ‘No, really, thanks. I have to dash or I’ll miss it. See you soon for lunch.’ Chloe had to stop herself from running down Hallgate and past the Old Gaol to get out of sight.

  Judith glanced at her watch. Chloe really would have to hurry to catch the train and in fact probably wouldn’t make it. She decided to drive down to the station to see.

  Chloe was sitting in the waiting room looking cold and practically hugging the black marble fireplace when Judith walked in. She jumped when she saw her.

  ‘I said I’d get the train, Judith, I’m fine,’ she said.

  ‘You missed it. I thought you would. You’ve got over half an hour to wait until the next one. I’ll drive you. Come on.’

  ‘No, no thanks, really. I’m happy waiting.’r />
  ‘But, why?’

  ‘Because,’ she hesitated a little too long to be convincing, ‘because it’s my thinking time. I’ve got my notebook and I need to do some thinking and make notes about what I need tomorrow. Stuff like that, you know?’

  She wished Judith would go. It looked as though she was going to stand there until the next train came along. She wished she could put her finger on what made her nervous. She reached into her bag and brought out the notebook as if to say See? Here it is.

  ‘OK, if you’re sure.’

  ‘I’m sure, but thanks for the offer.’

  Thursday 18th December 2008

  Rosie came downstairs to make a cup of tea just after eleven. She looked at her mother’s red eyes and her blotchy face.

  ‘What’s wrong? Is it Granny?’ she asked her mother.

  ‘No. Judith.’

  ‘What’s she said now? I wish she would be a bit nicer. Well, she is nice sometimes but you never know how she’s going to be. What is it?’

  ‘I asked her to come with us to have Christmas lunch with Granny at Mill View and she said ‘not bloody likely’ along with a load of nasty things about the other residents. I said if she can’t be bothered to make the effort for Granny then I can’t be bothered to make any effort for her and she shouldn’t think she’s coming round here later.’ Tears started to roll down her face again.

  ‘It’s just you two sisters squabbling,’ said Rosie although she didn’t mean it. She tried to keep things light between the two of them. The family had enough problems without Judith upsetting her mum all the time. ‘Forget it. She’ll change her mind.’

  ‘She won’t. And she wants to get this house ready to sell. Just before Christmas; I ask you! I told her to forget that.’

  ‘Does she really want us to move out?’ Rosie stopped trying to placate her mother and looked serious.

  ‘I think she wants the money. I never thought of her as being short of cash but maybe she’s struggling.’

  ‘That’s her fault for buying such a flashy flat and car. She could easily economise. We have to.’