This statement came as a surprise to Zak and he hesitated while its implications sank in. If he and Jenny had only been married for six years, she must be his second wife and wasn't the mother of his children. His hesitation was only momentary, and Jenny didn’t notice it.
‘Because I’m going to pretend I know nothing about you and I’m going to woo you as if we’d only just met,’ he said, delighted to have thought of such a convenient ploy to get out of his difficulty.
‘Now you’re being silly. You can’t do that. How can you forget what I’ve contributed to this marriage? Or perhaps that’s what you want. Now that you’ve become so successful, it suits you to forget the part I played in your success, doesn’t it?’
This wasn’t going at all as he planned. It was time to adopt a slightly different approach.
‘How could I ever forget what you’ve done or what we’ve meant to each other over all those years, lu…, Jenny, I mean, Jen?’ he stuttered. Then getting back into his stride, he added, ‘You’re as lovely and desirable now as when I first saw you and that’s why I thought it might be good for us if I started treating you like that again.’
Jenny laid the book to one side and sat slightly more upright in bed. My god, she really was most attractive, he thought. Suddenly, his mouth was dry and he had to clear his throat before he could continue.
‘I want you to tell me all about yourself, Jenny. I want you to imagine that I know nothing about you. I’m going to treat everything you tell me about yourself as if it was new and exciting for me. I want our journey of re-discovery to be as exciting and fulfilling for you as I know it’s going to be for me.’ He wondered where all this blarney was coming from. He never normally spoke like this.
Emboldened when he found she did not immediately put him down, Zak moved the tray to a side table and sat down on the edge of the bed next to his new wife who looked so confused and vulnerable lying there. Gently, he stretched out his hand to stroke her hair. But she was not yet completely won over and twitched her head to one side and the previously tight expression returned to her face.
‘Why should I believe you? You’re always taking advantage of my good nature. You’ve always been like that. Why should I believe you this time,’ she whispered.
‘Because I told you, I’m not the same man I was, that’s why. You’ll see, Jenny, I mean Jen.. It’s going to be like having a new man in your life, believe me, luv.’ He once more stretched out his hand and this time she allowed him to stroke her beautiful hair.
Zak was pleased with his progress even though, by this time he hardly knew if it were he or his other self who was speaking. Certainly, he could never imagine himself in his other life speaking this way to a beautiful, half-dressed stranger as she lay in her bed. It was also the case that, while he half-believed everything he said, he was also preparing the ground for the difficult, if not impossible task, of making Jen accept him as her husband.
Leaning over, he gave her unyielding mouth a kiss. ‘Now, what did you say your name was?’ he said.
This brought a smile to a face for the first time since he had seen her and she suddenly seemed like a different woman. If his other self had put his marriage at risk by chasing after other women, he must have been mad. But that was jumping to conclusions. There might be an entirely different reason for the rift that appeared to have grown between them.
‘Don’t be silly, Zachary. And don’t think you can get around me that easily, either.’
He was definitely making progress. She had smiled and even called him by his name, although it was years since anyone had called him Zachary. It sounded rather formal, he thought. Even so, things were definitely moving in the right direction. He had not felt this excited for years. With shaking hand, he continued stroking her hair.
‘I’m serious,’ he said. ‘I want us to start from the very beginning. Now, what did you say your name was before you met this Zak bloke who has caused you so much distress?’
Jenny looked at him; a startled look in her eyes. ‘You really are serious, aren’t you?’.
‘I told you; I want you to imagine I’m the new man in our life. I may look the same but believe, me I’m very different. I’m also determined to try to make you happy.’
‘I wish I could believe you.’
‘You can,’ he hastened to reply. He was already imagining sliding between the sheets with this desirable woman and made a move to draw back the top sheet but immediately she closed her exposed arms around it.
‘Not so fast. I make it a rule never to go to bed with someone I’ve only just met. And in answer to your question, I was Jenny Crowthorn before I married you. I’m stepmother to two children and wife to a husband who is never home, but you already know that. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to sleep on what you’ve just said and if I decide to give you another chance, I’ll let you know in the morning. In the meantime, I think you’d better go and take a cold shower.’
Defeated but by no means entirely dissatisfied with his night’s work, Zak stood up.
‘You’re absolutely right, Jenny. In any case, I could never respect a woman of easy virtue.’ He grinned down at her. ‘Sleep tight and don’t worry about a thing. It might seem strange at times, but everything’s going to be fine from now on.’
As he strode out of her bedroom, he tried to exude a confidence he was far from feeling. How could he expect to convince his wife that he really was the same man merely playing at being a stranger? Also, there was the far from small matter of his children. Surely, they would see through him in an instant. Deep in thought, he wandered back to his bedroom. When he opened his door, the room was in darkness. He was surprised because he was sure the light was on when he had left it earlier. Before he could find the main light switch, the bedside lamp clicked on and there was Naomi, without a stitch on, lying on top of his bed.
Chapter 8
Zak
‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Zak hissed, startled almost out of his wits.
‘Well, that’s not a very nice welcome, I must say,’ Naomi pouted. ‘And, can’t you see? I’ve even put on the necklace you gave me.’
Zak certainly could see. Indeed, the necklace was the only thing that nubile, young creature was wearing - other than that very becoming pout. He closed his eyes and counted to three. This was a time to be strong. Grabbing up her dressing gown, which she had thrown over the back of a chair, he threw it at her, not daring to get too close.
‘Put that on and please go back to your room, Naomi. I can’t let my wife find you here with me, especially not like that.’
Ignoring the robe, Naomi grumbled, ‘You know she never comes in here so why worry?’
‘Be that as it may, I still want you to go.’
‘I don’t know what’s got into you tonight; and have you forgotten, your kids are coming home from school for the weekend tomorrow. After tonight we won’t have a chance to get together again until they go back.’ Pouting again, she said, ‘You promised me faithfully you’d come straight back after your meeting in Carlisle so I was looking forward to spending more time with you. Instead, you’ve ignored me all evening. Have I upset you or something?’
‘Of course you haven’t; don’t be silly,’ he said trying hard not to look at the divine form spread across his bed.
‘In that case, please don’t send me away. This’ll be our last chance to be together for ages. She may not need you but I certainly do.’ So saying, she stretched luxuriantly.
How could he possibly refuse such a well-argued case, and who would blame him if he agreed to her so reasonably presented request? After all, a few hours ago he had known neither Jenny nor Naomi. What allegiance did he owe either woman? Also, while Jenny might be the other Zak’s wife, she had thrown him out of her bedroom not two minutes earlier, hadn’t she? Now, here was this gorgeous young woman who, quite literally, seemed desperate for his attention. Would it be fair to deny her what she so urgently needed? Wouldn’t he be mad to turn down suc
h an opportunity? My god, even a recent President of the USA had succumbed to a similar temptation. No, on second thoughts, Zak realized that was not quite true. He could not believe Clinton had ever been offered quite such a tasty morsel as Naomi, wearing only her necklace. If the Forty-Second President could succumb to a lesser temptation, what hope was there for a mere mortal like Zak? Also, this was what his other self wanted so who was he to interfere with another man’s decisions even if that other man happened to be himself?
While the arguments circled through his brain, Zak began to convince himself that he was being overly scrupulous and that no one would blame him for having one last fling with the adorable Naomi. And that was when his conscience began pricking at him. The other Zak might be unable to see how wrong it was to dally around with the affections of this impressionable young woman but he, Zak present, could. But no sooner had the thought arrived than it was thrust firmly into the background when he imagined what the other Zak would do if a similar circumstance were presented to him. Without any doubt whatsoever, his other self would probably already be between the sheets with Naomi and, what is more, if he really believed this business of multiple dimensions, in many of that infinity of other dimensions far less scrupulous Zaks than he was were already enjoying Naomi’s charms. He began to think he the only one missing out on all the fun. It was all so confusing, not to say, tempting.
Realizing he was just going around in circles he finally made up his mind. It was stupid to throw aside such an opportunity; an opportunity that might never come his way again. These things happened to other men; indeed, they happened to James Bond all the time. They just never happened to him. What came so easily and naturally to some men was like a closed book to him. Also, since it seemed that Jenny never came into his room, it was most unlikely she would ever discover this one final fling. Then, ignoring all the excellent arguments his brain was using to persuade him otherwise, and guessing he would never stop kicking himself for turning down such a heaven-sent opportunity, he decided to do the honourable thing.
‘I’m sorry, Naomi, but things will have to change from now on. So, please put your dressing gown on and go back to your room.’
‘What’s wrong? Don’t you love me anymore?’ Naomi whimpered, her eyes suddenly full of tears.
‘Of course I love you,’ he said somewhat roughly. ‘It’s just that from now on I’ll have to love you in a different way. Now be a good girl; get dressed and go back to your room before my wife finds you here.’
Reluctantly Naomi got off the bed and stood before him in all her youthful glory and once again Zak questioned his sanity. Suddenly, before he could stop her she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, pressing her body against him as she did so.
‘You’re so adorable, Zachary, and I do love you when you’re being strong. I’ll go but only if you give me one last kiss,’ she breathed into his ear.
Desperate to get rid of her before he lost his self-control, Zak put his hands around her slim, smooth, naked waist and gave her a quick peck on the full, red lips she offered him - and that was when it all turned pear-shaped. The door suddenly opened and there was Jenny looking ravishing in a sheer nightgown. The inviting smile on her face froze into something close to loathing and her eyes dilated in shock and fury.
‘So much for your promise,’ she hissed as he thrust Naomi away from him. In a panic, the frightened and embarrassed girl hurriedly tried to cover herself while Zak endeavoured to explain the situation.
‘This isn’t what you think it is, Jenny,’ he said but immediately dried up when he saw the look of contempt on his wife’s face.
He would probably have preferred it if Jenny had yelled and shrieked abuse at him. Instead, she looked him coldly in the eyes and only the tremor in her voice revealed her inner turmoil.
‘I blame myself for being so gullible, she said, ‘but I won’t ever be caught out again.’ Turning to the cowering Naomi she added, ‘As for you, young lady, I’ve let you abuse my hospitality for far too long. I want you out of my house by midday tomorrow and don’t expect a reference, either. Now, get out. There’s something more I wish to say to my husband.’
Zak quailed as the now sobbing Naomi hurried from the room clutching her dressing gown around her. His timing could not have been worse, he thought, miserably.
Jenny continued looking at him, contempt and loathing in her expression, until the sound of Naomi’s departing feet and sobs could no longer be heard. He hung his head, not daring to look her in the face. Even though he had done nothing wrong, except perhaps in thought, he nevertheless felt as guilty as a little boy caught with his hand in the sweet jar.
‘I wish you’d let me explain,’ he said. ‘I promise you it…’
‘Quiet! I don’t want to hear another sound out of you,’ Jenny snapped back, a new authority in her voice. ‘I’ve had enough of your promises for one night. All I want to say to you is this; your children will be returning home for the weekend tomorrow and because there won’t be time to sort this matter out before then, I don’t want any unnecessary complications to deal with. So, you’re going to act like a normal, loving father while they’re here. But as soon as they go back to school on Monday, I want you out of this house as well, after which I’m going to start divorce proceedings against you. Do I make myself clear?’
Zak nodded. ‘You must let me explain, though, …’ he started but, realized he was already speaking to Jen's back because she had spun on her heel and was rapidly making her way back to her room. Not for the first time that day, he felt in desperate need of a cigarette.
The next morning Zak awoke to the unaccustomed sound of an alarm ringing out at his bedside. He had not slept well, his mind full of the disastrous start he had made to his homecoming. But that was yesterday. He was now concerned how he could possibly survive a day with new colleagues in a business he owned but about which he knew absolutely nothing. Then there were his children! What would he make of them and more importantly, what would they make of him? He had absolutely no idea how his other self conducted himself around his children. But in compensation for these new worries, it was a considerable relief to realize he was no longer a wanted man and that he need not concern himself either with the police or with Sinclair. He had lost Jeannie, or so it seemed, but otherwise he appeared to have done far better by the exchange than had the other Zak. Part of him was sorry to have landed his other self in so much trouble but another part of him thought it might teach the lecherous, fortunate sod a valuable lesson – always assuming he survived, of course.
The beautiful, modern kitchen was silent and empty when he reached it, for which fact he was profoundly grateful. He had no desire to meet either Naomi or Jenny before going off to the office, so he made himself a hasty cup of thick, black coffee and a slice of toast before escaping out to his car. As he looked back at his house, he thought he saw a curtain move in an upper window, but it might just have been a trick of the early morning light. He drove to the end of the road before stopping to consult the street-map he had purchased the previous evening. With so much happening since last night, it hardly seemed possible he had been in Edinburgh just slightly more than twelve hours.
The map showed him that his house was situated to the northwest of Edinburgh whereas Seafield, where his showrooms were located, were to the northeast of the city. The road was quite busy but the route was straightforward enough and he arrived at his destination a little after eight-fifteen. The dealership, advertising itself as Galveston Ford, looked opulent and thriving. The lot in front of the showroom was full of new-looking cars - mostly Fords - but with a sprinkling of used other makes interspersed between. In addition, an impressively large inner showroom displayed the full range of new Ford models currently on sale including what looked like holographic images of sawn-through demonstrators showing details of the construction of each car, something he had only ever before seen at big motor shows. Everything was sparkling clean and orderly and he seemed to be the first
one there. The key to the premises was probably in the small, leather wallet of keys in his pocket but because the building was almost certainly alarmed and he did not know where the alarm was or how it could be deactivated, there was no way he could get to his office until someone let him in. Going around to the back of the showroom he discovered yet more buildings, including a large service workshop that was already a hive of activity. A middle-aged man in a brown overall spotted him and came hurrying over.
‘Good morning, Mr Storie. You’re up bright and early.’
The man carried his name just above the pocket on the left breast of his overall. Zak hoped it was his name.
‘Not so bright if the truth be told, George. I didn’t sleep at all well last night and I think my brain’s going. I can’t remember anything.’
Zak was preparing the ground to excuse the many blunders he was bound to make during the day.
George nodded sympathetically. ‘I’m the same. If I lose my sleep, I don’t know what day it is. Still, everything’s under control now. It was a bit hectic yesterday afternoon, though. We didn’t expect you to be away all day.’ The man looked quizzically at Zak.
‘No, I didn’t expect to be away so long, either,’ Zak replied, shaking his head and trying to look disappointed. ‘What was the problem?’
‘The Simpsons, of course, or have you forgotten?’ George looked at Zak as if the mere mention of the name Simpson would immediately convey to him all the information needed to explain the calamity that had befallen the agency in his absence.
Zak assumed the Simpsons were customers who had expected to speak to him about something important. If that were the case, it was probably lucky he had called the office before going to see Bill Wragg to warn them he would not be returning immediately.
‘Yes, it was a pity I missed them,’ he said. ‘What happened?’ He was playing for time and hoping more clues would materialize.
SWITCHED: The man who lost his body but kept his mind. Page 14