The Party Girl's Invitation

by Karen Elaine Campbell

  The line picked up immediately.

  “No luck, it’s too dark,” the driver reported, without preamble, no point in bothering with the pleasantries.

  They listened to the response with growing irritation, and then replied, “You’ll have to check it out for yourself in the morning. The Land Rover has gone though, so it might be the wrong address altogether. He could have been visiting his girlfriend.”

  There was a brief response, and then they snapped the phone shut with finality and turned the wretched machine off. This was absolutely the last job of the day, regardless of who called.

  The driver turned the car around, awkwardly in the narrow space of the lane, and drove off back in the same direction they had come from. Just a few hundred metres away, the car stopped again, right beside the flashy Alfa Romeo, parked up outside the back door of ‘The Dog and Duck’. The occupant ran a hand through their thick, short fair hair and then lugged a heavy bag out from the boot of the car and trudged up the back stairs to the guest accommodation at the rear of the pub, trainers sliding on the icy ground.

  The heating had gone off long ago, and the room smelled faintly of mould and stale ale, but the sheets were clean enough and the welcome warm. It would do for tonight, and tomorrow, at a push. The things you were called upon to do in this job, over and above the call of duty, for sure. There was nothing else to do now, except wait for the morning.

  Bernard was out walking Maisie’s dog. She and her husband had been called away unexpectedly, over to the next village, her mother had ‘had a nasty turn’, whatever that meant. Either way, he was now stuck in the lane at eleven-thirty at night waiting for ‘Fi-fi’ to do what came naturally, so that he could get off home to bed. He insisted on walking the dog at this time of night, because, let’s face it, no one would actually want to be seen out with the blessed dog. A tiny little white ball of fluff, it was. Had a stupid pink bow in its hair and everything. Worse still, now Maisie had one, Maude had been coo-ing over the thing and now she wanted one too.

  No way. He’d end up walking it in all weathers, just like he was doing tonight.

  He looked the other way, while the dog sniffed at the lamp post on the green.

  He’d watched the car drive up the lane, and the person inside make a phone call, and now it had gone and parked up outside the back of ‘The Dog and Duck’. Reg, the landlord hadn’t said they had guests, when he’d been in there earlier. He wondered who they were, and what they were doing looking at the cottages at this time of the night.

  What with Maisie and Gordon being away, over at Maisie’s mum’s he wondered if he ought to go and check up on the place, though the driver of the car hadn’t actually got out or approached the cottage at all.

  Fi-fi finished what she was doing, and stood shivering in the cold night air. The wind had whipped around to the North during the course of the evening and the sky, what he could see of it was leaden grey. He decided to leave it until morning; he thought it might rain. The village was silent, most people already tucked up in bed, he turned back in the direction of home, dog in tow.

  Chapter9

  An Early Start

  Jeremy tapped lightly on the front door and stamped his feet on the doormat. He turned up the collar on his jacket and pulled his scarf a little more tightly around his neck. The weather forecast had been deteriorating all week, but no-one had expected to wake this morning to find the whole landscape blanketed in a veil of white, as far as the eye could see. The ancient old Land Rover had taken a bit of coaxing to get it started, and he’d not been too sure of making it up over the hill in one piece, but he was here, ready to go, with five minutes to spare.

  The clouds lay low on the horizon, sullen and dark and cast an eerie yellowish grey glow over the countryside. The temperature was still way below zero and he guessed that the snowplough wouldn’t make it through to the village before lunch time at the earliest. He’d noticed the Alfa parked up in the pub car park when he’d left gran’s with Verity last night, and it was still there this morning, so Crystal’s boss might wake up to a bit of a surprise today. He might wish he’d gone back to London last night, when he opened the curtains and found his smart new car all covered in snow.

  He must remember to give Crystal that package, if he could remember where he’d put it. He thought he’d taken it into the house with him last night, but he’d looked on the desk in his study this morning and it was nowhere in sight. He hoped that it wasn’t important. On second thoughts, he’d find the package first, before he mentioned it, no point in getting Crystal all riled, she had enough problems today as it was, looking at the weather.

  The front door opened and Crystal made shushing noises, “Gran and Norma are still asleep,” she advised, “and we’re not going anywhere, looking at that lot.” She shrugged. “Good job I remembered to book the patio heaters eh? I bet they’ll be working overtime tonight.”

  Jeremy grinned, nothing fazed his sister. He followed her through to the small scullery, tacked onto the much larger farmhouse kitchen which had been newly refurbished just last year. The family still preferred the smaller, more cosy room, with its assortment of mis-matched units, dog baskets, wellies and household paraphernalia.

  The kettle had just come to the boil on the trusty old aga, and Crystal removed it deftly, before it started to whistle. She had a couple of chipped mugs ready on the work surface, loaded with chocolate powder and sugar, ready to make a nice creamy mug of hot chocolate. The croissants were just beginning to smell warm and toasty in the oven, nearly cooked. She indicated a space, randomly cleared at the small kitchen table that her gran and Norma shared, when they were here on their own.

  “Pull up a chair, I raided the fridge and the freezer. We have hot French bread and pastries, local cheeses and some luxury jam from the WI stall at the market. It will be ready in a jiffy.”

  Jeremy draped his scarf and jacket over the back of the chair nearest to the range and slid in at the table, he’d not quite thawed out yet. “So, do we have a revised plan to deal with a snowy ball then?” he asked as his opening gambit, no point in beating around the bush, after all.

  Crystal shrugged. “Yes, leave aunt Vera and Lolly to it, and hope that they don’t make too much of a mess. Everything has been ordered in advance and most of the big stuff was delivered and erected yesterday, so all they have to do is get all of the last minute bits and bobs into the tent by seven thirty tonight.”She began sloshing hot water and hot milk into the mugs in equal measures.

  “I’ll be able to get over there before the kick-off anyhow, so long as we don’t get any more snow. I can put right any damage then. This isn’t the first time we’ve had six inches of snow to contend with, it’s one of the problems of holding the ball at this time of year, I suppose. The Hunt are a resourceful lot, they’ll get their 4x4’s out and bundle everyone in, or come by tractor and trailer, not much will stop them.” She laughed.

  Jeremy thought for a moment. Gran is going to find it tough going today, she’s not going to be able to walk on those crutches in this snow. She had enough trouble after that little stunt she pulled in the week. The doctor gave her a right telling off for going ‘off road’ on Tuesday, tramping over that uneven field for the snail protest thing. She’s definitely coming to the board meeting today, now.

  “Yes, I know. She’s still unrepentant, too. Says if it stops Jazz, it’ll be worth it. I’m not so sure that the snails, or lack of them, will make that much difference in the end. We’ll find out what he’s planning later today, I’m just hoping that he’s come up with something that is acceptable to the board. The last thing that we need is a split vote or a ‘stand-off’.”

  She tipped her head on one side and considered her next question carefully. “What do you make of Jazz then, you’ve seen more of him than I have?”

  Jeremy raised an eyebrow and gave her a very straight look indeed. “I’d rephrase that if I were you. All evidence to the contrary. By all accounts, you’re the one that’s be
en caught red-handed and red faced, or am I mistaken?” he quizzed.

  Crystal closed her eyes. “I thought Jazz had dealt with that. Too much to hope for, I suppose, knowing Bernard. It wasn’t what it looked like, Jez, honest.”

  “It never is with you Tatty.”He thought about his unexpected visitor last night. There was another conundrum.“So what’s with the big guy from London then?”he asked, before he could help himself.

  Luckily Crystal thought he was talking about Jazz, and didn’t notice the slip, “Our Mister Silver is a bit like playing with dynamite,” she struggled to explain.“One minute he’s disarmed and neutral, the next he’s all fired up and on a very short fuse. I never know where I stand with him.”

  “Crystal, rumour has it that you were caught half naked in his arms, not once, but twice, in less than a week. That’s going some, even for you. Verity is really pissed off, I have a feeling she’s been chasing Jazz for years, though she’ll never admit to it. I’m not sure I trust her as far as I can throw her, and that’s not very far in my books,” he owned, looking despondent.

  Crystal narrowed her eyes. She’d had much the same thoughts herself. “So, you and Verity, it’s not serious then?” she asked.

  Jez shrugged, “Might have been once, I suppose, but to be honest she’s a bit of a self-centred bitch. She’s constantly complaining about the amount of time that I spend working in the factory, and she knows the situation. If I don’t come up with the goods he’ll fire me. I really need to pull my weight around here, if I want to keep my job.”

  Crystal nodded. It was odd to see her playful, immature brother looking so responsible and acting so grown up.

  “So, is she right?” Jez asked. “What about Brad then? What gives?”

  Crystal pulled the croissants out of the oven and dumped them in the middle of the table, a frown furrowing her brow. “Brad? Sexy, cute, and quite gorgeous, he’s always been able to set my heart a-flutter, but has he changed enough over the past year or not, that’s the question? I’m not looking for a secure and permanent relationship at the moment, so reluctantly I must say there’s nothing doing there. I get the feeling he wants to get serious, you know, looking for miss right? The timing is off, that’s all.”

  Now it was Jez’s turn to frown. “But does he know you’re not interested Crystal? Have you told him you’re not in it for the long term, it’s not fair to string him along.”

  “It’s only one date, to the Hunt Ball. Jazz will probably shove off back to London for one of his posh corporate events, everyone else will be in costume and no one will know that we are on a date at all. Or that was the plan, until he went and told everyone in sight.”

  “No, Crystal, you did that. You told Maisie.”

  “Things seem to have got a little complicated,” she mused as she bit into her croissant.

  And they were about to get ten times worse, if his gut instinct was anything to go by, Jeremy thought. That swish Alfa was parked outside the pub for one reason only, and Crystal was the most obvious target. “Life is always complicated where you are concerned. So, tell me about America,” he began, trying to work out exactly how much he should tell her, regarding the guy with the car. He knew he should butt out and leave her to work things out for herself, but he had a really bad feeling about ‘Phil’.

  “Ah, here you both are.”Norma laughed, as she bustled in through the door, still struggling into her ‘best’ pinny. “I noticed the Land Rover just outside there, in the snow, so I knew you were around Jeremy. I didn’t think you’d be setting off, yet a while, what with the weather being so cold. This is a right turn up for the books, isn’t it? Is there any more hot water in that kettle? I’ll make your gran a tray up and she can have her breakfast in bed this morning.”

  Jeremy ground his teeth in frustration. There was no way Crystal was going to offer confidences now. He still wasn’t sure if he’d done the right thing or not. And she hadn’t explained her involvement with Jazz either. He’d thought that Bernard was making the whole thing up, in his usual fashion, when Verity had repeated what she’d heard, but now he wasn’t so sure. Crystal had looked guilty as hell, and she hadn’t refuted the half-naked thing either. The old saying ‘there’s no smoke without fire’ came swiftly to mind. Jazz had a dreadful reputation with women, he didn’t really want to see Crystal added to the end of a very long list in his repertoire, either.

  He spread strawberry jam on the top of his croissant and took a large bite into the hot flaky pastry. Jazz was way out of his sister’s league, she’d get more than her fingers burned if she decided to hook up with him. Crystal may be the older by two minutes, but he felt a real sense of responsibility where his twin was concerned.

  Crystal cleared a space at the table, and invited Norma to join them, happy to stop that particular conversation in its tracks. She had no way of explaining the combustible connection that seemed to exist between her and Jazz every time they came into contact. She had a feeling that he was as vulnerable to her, as she was to him. Jeremy was way too over-protective. He’d have a fit if he knew what she’d been up to in the States, especially considering the way things had turned out. She was never going to explain that one to her family, ever, not if she could help it.

  “Leave the tray for two minutes Norma, give gran a chance to wake up,” she offered, desperately. “There are nice flaky croissants here, and some hot chocolate, you’re going to need your strength today, what with the snow and everything. I bet gran invites everyone back here now, after the meeting. We are the nearest to the factory.”She patted the seat next to her on the bench and scooted up a bit to make room for Norma to get in.

  “I was thinking that, too. There’s plenty in the freezer, so it won’t be too much trouble to put on a few drinks and nibbles, I dare say.”Norma grumbled as she wrapped her flowered apron more securely around her ample form, and shuffled in next to Crystal to settle down for a bit of breakfast and a nice cosy chat.

  Over at the pub, Phil pulled back the curtains and let out a whoop of delight. He’d wanted an excuse to stay here in the village, and now the heavens had opened very fortuitously, and provided him with the answer. With his wife filming in America and his boss stuck in the snow with him, he had a clear field here, for today at least, to try to convince Crystal that he couldn’t live without her. He felt that he was on firmer ground now, where Crystal was concerned. She was under no illusion as to the dynamics of their relationship, since the truth had been uncovered in America. It was a pity that the whole thing had come to light under the full glare of the media, but Crystal was used to dealing with the press, she knew the score. She’d ride the waves and take the knocks, she was a tough cookie and no mistake. In fact, now the skeletons were well and truly out of the closet, they were actually in an ideal position to begin again, to build a true and meaningful adult relationship.

  He was sure, that now Crystal had been given the time to think things through, she would see things his way. He imagined her beautiful green eyes, gazing at him in adoration, as he explained the parameters of their ‘new’ relationship. She must understand that he was unable to just drop such a powerful show-biz wife without repercussions, so it would be better for them all if he remained married. He was eager to resume their relationship, with him in the role of committed and ardent lover. He was able to offer Crystal an affluent and lasting liaison, here in London.

  He’d thought it all through, and he’d come up with some very persuasive arguments, and as the piece de resistance, the brand new Alfa had been specially purchased in Crystal’s name. It was to be a reflection of his dedication to her, a token of his love.

  His eyes skimmed the snowy landscape and his attention fixed on the Land Rover, parked up outside the cottage. Her brother might prove tricky though, he’d not sensed any kindred spirit there last night, not until he’d mentioned the secretary, that was. He felt they’d parted under improved terms, but he might still need a bit of work.

  There was no way he was going to
let anyone scupper his plans now. He’d been going quietly out of his mind when Crystal had disappeared off like that, he’d not known how to find her, every avenue had drawn a blank. It was Saskia, who had come up trumps on that score, and set the press pack on the ice cold trail. The publicity in America had increased ticket sales ten-fold, and they were hoping for the same kind of numbers here, if they could just keep the drama going in the British press for a little while longer. They would have to time it just right, when they announced the hiding place of ‘Miss X’, as the papers were calling her, but he’d leave that one to Saskia, he wouldn’t risk another media frenzy like the one in LA. The story over here had already slipped to a mere couple of column inches on the inside pages, he might need to pull some strings to get them back on the front cover for the reveal.

  He followed the tracks that the Land Rover had left in the snow, along the side of the green, to the largest cottage in the row of three. So, the brother was there again, now. He wanted Crystal on her own, when he did approach her, so he’d have to wait a little while longer, by the look of things.

  Breakfast was at eight, and he had a meeting with Saskia at nine, but the rest of the day would be his own. He doubted that Crystal would be going far in this weather, it was a pretty safe bet to leave contacting her until after his meeting. He had a perfect view of the cottage from his window, so he’d be able to keep tabs on her comings and goings anyhow. He’d thought about booking a romantic table for two, for the proposal that he had all arranged and ready to put to her, but it didn’t look like there was much on offer, in the way of restaurants or eating houses, here in the village. Maybe he’d check with the owner of the pub and see if a romantic lunch ‘a deux’ could be arranged here, in his room. They did food downstairs, so it wouldn’t be too much trouble to bring it up here, surely? He’d speak to them directly, before breakfast, to give them a chance to arrange things. Money no object, just this once.