‘Heaps of places. What do you want?’
‘Food. Something to get rid of these hunger pangs,’ she laughed.
‘Come on then. I’ve never known anyone eat as much as you do,’ Adam told her, laughingly. They went to the door.
‘Nonsense. You eat far more than I do.’
‘Now then children. Don’t start an argument.’ Rory was himself laughing as he went back into the shop.
‘Let’s have a burger,’ she suggested. ‘I haven’t had a burger in ages.’
‘As in a beef burger?’ Adam asked in surprise.
‘Exactly. Come on. My treat. Or rather Patrick’s. I never gave you the money back that he left last night.’
‘Last night. Was it only last night?’
‘Indeed it was.’
‘And you still remain convinced that you never told your father about Melissa or her misdemeanours?’
‘Of course I told him. I really don’t think I mentioned her name though.’
‘So how did Patrick learn as much as he did?’
‘You still think he may have been responsible for hacking the computer, don’t you?’
‘I don’t know. Really don’t know. What did Melissa say when you challenged her?’
‘I asked her what she was doing. She said she wanted to look at something but couldn’t get into the computer. I said we’d been hacked and she said ... “oh I forgot.” Something like that anyway.’
‘She forgot? Interesting. I don’t know how she knew the computer was hacked. It happened after she’d gone away.’
‘Wow. If that’s true, do you think she might have had something to do with it?’
‘She’s bright, but incapable of doing it herself. Maybe she’s got a friend. I’m not sure how she’d know Patrick though. Have you finished eating yet? I’d like to get back home. I need to write some letters, and I need to contact our solicitor. Get the contract terminated as soon as possible.’
‘And get the locks changed.’
‘Indeed yes.’
‘Come on then. Let’s go. I need to look into my computer problems too. And get my credit card sorted.’
It was obvious when they got back to the apartment someone had been in. There were dirty dishes left on the kitchen bench, and clearly the fridge had been attacked. There were bits of food left out on the table after someone had been making sandwiches. Adam grimaced. He went to look at his computer, and saw it was still switched on and had been tampered with. Saying nothing, he went out of his flat and hammered on the door of Melissa’s flat. Nobody came to answer him. He called out her name several times, but it was clear that she was out or had decided not to respond.
‘Damn the woman,’ he stormed as he came back into his own flat. ‘How dare she come in here and help herself to my stuff. And leave it out on the table. She’s also had a go at working the computer. She won’t have got far, but it is infuriating.’
‘I really don’t understand her. She is so selfish. Greedy too. I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh I’m used to it. She’s always had everything she wanted in life. Helped herself to it all. She’s never forgiven me for turning her down.’
‘You turned her down?’
‘Oh yes. She wanted to move in here with me, but I said no. She bought the flat next door after that. I suspect she always hoped to get round me. I don’t think she liked it one bit when you arrived on the scene.’
‘It might explain some of the things she said to me this morning.’
‘What did she say?’
‘Nothing much. Told me not to get involved with you, that sort of thing.’
‘I see. And did you listen?’ Fiona shrugged. ‘I see. She obviously said something to affect you. I’m sorry about that.’
‘So are you going to phone a locksmith?’
‘I suppose I’d better. Can’t have her coming in here whenever she wants to, can I? I’m going into the office.’
Fiona absentmindedly made some coffee. She thought she may be getting addicted. She was thoughtful. Melissa had opened her mind to thinking about his past. It didn’t really matter but the woman had made her think. She was floating along in a dream of “living the life”. She was staying with a devastatingly handsome man in a fabulous apartment in London. He was generous and had bought her things, though she was not entirely comfortable with this. He seemed to like her as much as she liked him, and they were working together happily ... or so it seemed. He had kissed her one night, a devastating experience which she was now certain had coloured her opinion of him. It was all too much for her. She slumped down on the sofa. The coffee machine bleeped to say it was ready. But she ignored it.
‘Did I hear the coffee machine?’ said Adam coming out of the office. ‘Good girl. I’m so glad you’ve put it on.’ He stared at her. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe it’s all too much for me.’
‘What’s too much?’ He went and poured out two mugs of coffee and handed one to her. He sat down beside her to see what was wrong. ‘Come on. Tell me your problems.’
She stared at the coffee as if it could provide answers. She gave a sigh. How could she tell him her real problem? That she was falling in love with a relative stranger, or was it simply his life style she loved?
‘I think I’m just overtired. Don’t worry about it. You go and do your work. I’m going to lie down and have a snooze.’
‘I don’t like seeing you like this. I thought we were getting on so well. I’m becoming very fond of you, Fiona. I don’t want anything to go wrong with us or the deal with your family.’
‘This is it, isn’t it? You want the deal to go through. Whoever had come down to clinch it, it wouldn’t have mattered would it?’
‘Oh I don’t know about that. I doubt I’d have got on with your brother quite so well. And your younger sister, well she’s a bit, well, young I suppose. No, I think you are the right person to be here.’
‘Yes, well I can see all that. You go and work now. I’ll be fine when I’ve had a rest. Go on. And don’t forget the locksmith. I don’t want to find my night is disturbed again.’
Reluctantly he left her and went to get on. She drank the coffee and went into her room to lie down. Despite her welter of thoughts, she soon fell asleep. She awoke a couple of hours later, feeling much better. She knew she needed to get her reports finished and sent to her father. Before she could finish, she needed to revisit the two smaller shops and have a good look at their ranges of fabrics. She got up and pulled on some jeans and a top. She really must put some washing in as the cleaner the other day had failed to wash everything. She bundled it together and took it into the utility room, where she put it into the machine.
‘Oh good. You’re awake. What do you want to eat?’ asked Adam coming out of the office.
‘Not sure. What is there?’
‘Steak?’
‘Not really. We had burgers for lunch.’
‘I think there’s fish in the freezer.’
‘How about a fish pie? That would be good.’
‘Your turn to cook, I believe,’ he said with a laugh.
‘I’ve got no idea how to make a fish pie.’
‘I feel another lesson coming on. How on earth did you survive uni without cooking anything?’
‘I can make cheese on toast. And heat up pot noodles.’
‘I get the picture. My god, when I was at uni, my feasts were well-known. People used to come from every room in the building to share them.’
‘Modest little soul, aren’t you?’
‘Well-known for it. You seem a bit more cheerful anyway. I’m glad. I don’t like you being morose. Now, I’m sure you can peel potatoes. I’ll go in search of fish while you make a start on the spuds.’ She gave a feeble smile. She did feel better, but not so good they were back to the way they were, not yet anyway.
‘If you use boiling water, they’d cook more quickly,’ he advised.
‘It’ll soon boil on the cooker.’
‘Okay. You need to cook the fish next. Put it in a dish in the microwave with a little milk. Three minutes should do it. And don’t forget to cover it with cling wrap.’
‘Be much easier if you do it,’ she said crossly. ‘Telling me takes so much time.’
‘I’ll pour us some wine.’ He disappeared under the counter and came out with a bottle of white. ‘I’ll need to chill it. I’ve got a sleeve thing to put over it. Won’t take it long. Can you make a white sauce?’ She shook her head. ‘Okay. Listen and learn,’ he said as he gave her the instructions.
It was almost ready when Melissa walked in.
‘Oh good. You’re cooking. I was wondering where to eat this evening. Got any wine out?’
‘Melissa. I thought you’d eaten sufficiently well at lunch time. I found the debris you left behind.’ Adam was barely civil to her.
‘Really. Thanks. Fish pie? I do love a nice fish pie. Are you putting hard boiled eggs in it too?’
‘It’s for Adam and me. Not enough for a third person,’ snapped Fiona.
‘Put some eggs in it and that will make it enough for three. Now Darling, what is all this nonsense about you and me finishing?’
‘It isn’t nonsense. Your father will speak to you. I’ve written to our lawyer and he is going to send you the contract to cancel the deal.’
‘You surely don’t think I’m going to accept that?’
‘Speak to your father. He’ll tell you exactly what he wants you to do. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a meal to finish preparing.’
‘I thought she was too good to be true. You’re training her to be your housekeeper, are you? Best of luck, dearie. I hope you’ll enjoy the position. Paying you in kind, I suppose?’
‘Get out.’ Fiona spoke firmly and put down the wooden spoon. ‘I’ll show you the door. We’re having new locks fitted so you won’t be able to come in and try taking over whenever you feel like it. Go on.’
‘Oh dear. She’s quite nasty, isn’t she, darling? I hope she doesn’t bump you off in the night. All righty. I’m going. Ciao.’
‘And don’t pretend you can speak Italian. Good night.’
She slammed the door behind her and put on the safety chain. Adam was sitting on the stool laughing.
‘I think the sauce may be burning,’ he said.
‘Stop laughing at me,’ she demanded. ‘Irritating woman. She makes my blood boil. Really she does. I take it you have called the locksmith?’
‘Oops. Sorry, I forgot. I’ll do it in the morning. I promise you.’
‘I suppose we can keep the chain on the door for the evening. Now, is this usable or not?’
‘It’ll be fine. The most delicious fish pie I’ve ever eaten.’
Chapter Twelve
Fiona said, the next morning,
‘I really need to visit the two smaller shops again before I send my father my report. Will you have time to go with me, or shall I organise a taxi?’
‘Of course I’ll take you. When do you want to go?’
‘As early as possible. I need to do the reports. Actually, I need to get my computer sorted too. I haven’t tried to make it work since I discovered the problem.’
‘I can look at it, if you like,’ Adam offered.
‘Thanks very much. Yes, please. I need to sort out my credit card for one thing.’
‘Use the phone if you have the number. I usually find it’s best. Now, where is your laptop?’
Fiona spoke to the credit card company to ask why she’d been cut off.
‘You told us it had been stolen, madame. We cancelled it immediately, as instructed.’
‘It wasn’t stolen. I’ve got it here in front of me. How did I actually tell you it was stolen?’
‘An email. From your address. Your passwords were used, so we believed it was a genuine request. Would you like us to send you another card?’
‘Well, yes please. I’ll also need to change my password to the site. Damnation. Okay, I’m sorry. I know it isn’t your problem. Please, send me a new card.’
‘To the address, we have on our records?’
‘Oh. I’m actually staying in London. Oh no, send it to my home. Thank you.’
She put the phone down and thought about it. She would be going home soon anyway. She really wanted to go home for a while, if only to think about her future. She had spoken of getting a flat of her own yesterday. Was it only yesterday? The thought scared her. It was a big commitment. She went into the kitchen to see Adam sitting at the table with her laptop open in front of him. He was concentrating deeply and jumped as she spoke.
‘I’m getting a new card. I’ve had it sent home. Evidently, it was cancelled as stolen. The hacker sent them an email using my password. I now have to change that as well.’
‘I’m back into the laptop anyway. I’m not sure if anything is as you left it, but you can let me know after you looked. I’m going to shower now and then I’ll be ready to take you to the shops. If that suits you, of course.’
‘Thanks. Yes please. I’ll take a look at the state of play here, and then I’ll change too.’ It looked as if things were reasonably correct. Her draft reports all appeared to be correct. She switched it all off and unplugged it, hoping this would protect it from hackers. She must have left it powered up before. Maybe Adam should switch his machines off too. If anyone sent him emails, they would be waiting till he switched it on again.
When he came out of his room, he looked wonderful. She gulped slightly and made a comment.
‘New shirt?’ she muttered.
‘It’s the other one I got last week. Glad you like it. You look nice too.’
‘You’ve seen me in this several times before,’ she responded grumpily. ‘Anyway, have you switched off your computers?’
‘No, of course not. Why do you ask?’
‘I was thinking of hackers.’
‘Of course. Okay. Good idea. I’ll go and switch them off right away.’
They drove out, Streatham being the first choice to visit.
‘I need to build myself up before seeing Mrs. Dainty again.’
‘I know what you mean,’ Adam said with a laugh. ‘But she’s not so bad really. Runs a tight ship.’
They parked in the side street near to the shop and walked round the corner. As they approached the shop, Melissa was coming out. She turned in the opposite direction and walked off briskly, carrying a large bag.
‘What the ...’ mouthed Adam.
‘Visits from all three of the bosses in one morning. I must be important. Morning to yous.’ Declan greeted them cheerfully.
‘Morning. What did she want?’ Adam asked.
‘Just doing her usual check up on me. She took off several length of different fabrics. Said she was running some television show?’
‘Damn it. No she has nothing to do with the television show. I bet they were some of the most expensive fabrics?’
‘Well, yes, as a matter of fact, they were. Some special stuff she’d asked me to get in for her. Cost much more than our locals will pay, of course.’
‘Well, you’re not to let her take anything else. She’s no longer a partner in the company. She had no rights to take anything else from you or the other stores. Now Fiona, what did you want to know?’
She asked a few questions, but suggested that they might need to get to the other shop before Melissa stripped it bare.
‘Don’t you agree?’ she asked.
‘Yup. You’re right. I suspect she’s stocking up. Tell me how much she owes you for the fabrics and I’ll make sure you’re not out of pocket.’
‘Thanks a lot. I was wondering how I could write off that lot,’ Declan replied gratefully.
‘Bye now. And don’t worry. I’ll sort out Melissa once and for all.’
The pair left hurriedly and drove to their next port of call. Mrs. Dainty was looking somewhat flustered when they arrived.
‘Oh hello. What do you want?’ she asked rather pointedly.
‘Has Melissa been in today?’
‘Well yes. She’s only just left. Took a load of rolls of fabric with her for some television show she’s doing. I must say, I was a bit cross, as most of the things had only just come in. I’d barely finished checking them, and pricing them was to be my next chore. I suppose you’ll know how much it all was anyway.’
‘I’m very sorry you’ve been troubled. Don’t let her come into the shop again, and certainly don’t allow her to buy fabrics at less than you’re selling them to the general public.’
‘Why? What’s she done?’
Fiona smiled quietly. All pretension of her posh accent had disappeared in the stress of the situation, and she sounded quite cockney.
‘She’s no longer working for the company. I’m afraid she’s ripped you off. Making sure she has plenty of free materials to work on her wardrobe.’
‘Well, the rotten ... rotten bitch.’ She forced the word out. ‘How could she take such an advantage over me? Me, of all people?’
‘It wasn’t just you. She’s also been to our store in Streatham. And don’t worry about the cost. I’ll make a note of what she’s taken and you’ll be reimbursed,’ Adam told her.
‘Oh. Well thank you. Thank you very much. I must say, it was always a bit tricky to deal with her. You know, to accommodate her needs.’
‘She always does like to dress well,’ Fiona commented.
‘Oh, she always looks the bees knees. She has a good tailor at her command. I bet she negotiates a decent term as well.’
‘Probably pays her in fabrics if I know her. Anyway, thanks for your help. Anything you wanted to ask about, Fiona?’
‘I don’t think so. I’ll look forward to working with you Mrs. Dainty.’
‘And so will I. Thanks very much, Mr. Sullivan.’
They left and started to drive home.
‘You don’t think she’ll try Brent Cross, do you?’
‘Not sure. I’ll call Rory and tell him not to let her into the shop. I’ll park at the side of the road to make the call. He dialled the number. ‘Rory? It’s Adam.’
‘Oh, hi there. Just a minute. No, madame. You can’t take that one. It’s reserved. Sorry, Adam. How can I help?’
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