‘Yours? I hardly think that house belongs to you, dear.’
‘You didn’t complain when I invited you to use the hot tub.’
‘Yes – captivating it was, listening to your stories of going to the pub with Adam. Well wake up, darling, time to go back to your dull little life.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Did you really think Melissa Winsford would be anything but bored with a two bit cakemaker from Luton, whose boyfriend…’ she winced, ‘… packs potatoes for a living? I eat caviar, drink crystal champagne. I discuss bunker shots with Tiger Woods. Did you really believe I was interested in hearing about your dreary life and…’ her voice wobbled, ‘…your self-delusional dream of making it big in the catering world?’
Melissa stuck her head in the air and went into the hallway. Followed closely by Jess, I strode past her and stormed out of the house, past the tinkling golf club fountain and along to the end of her drive.
‘And unless you want Jonny’s lawyers to screw you,’ screeched Melissa, ‘stay away and keep your dirty little suspicions to yourself!’
Chapter 25
“The Silky Prawn” sounded like something fun your boyfriend might present you with as a Valentine’s gift. As it turned out it was a very posh Chinese restaurant I’d been dying to visit, on the outskirts of Luton. Turning into the tiny car park, around the back, my luck was in, and I drove into the last space. It was Saturday night. Frost glinted on the pavement. The weather couldn’t make up its mind this week, veering between damp days and ones cold enough to freeze my car’s engine – even though it now spent its nights in a fancy garage.
It was one week since I’d left Adam. This morning, after yesterday’s fall-outs with Luke and Melissa, I’d phoned him. My Ex had listened and made reassuring noises, then to my amazement, asked me out to dinner. He hadn’t said “to grab a bite” or “to hit the drive-thru” and I nearly fainted when the words came down the line “and blow the expense”. Unless he was hoping I’d pay, after I told him about Saffron’s cheque. Maybe Adam felt sorry for me, after I’d repeated Melissa’s snotty comments. I didn’t tell him about Luke taking me for a mug, by pretending to be the ghost.
I smoothed down my short tartan skirt, which looked kind of festive with the red jacket, and locked the car door. With a deep breath, I headed into the restaurant and stopped for a second to breath in the savoury aroma of deep-fried pork and soy sauce. Mmm. Lush.
Ahem. No, bad word – it reminded me of Melissa calling Luke luscious. He’d called round early this morning; shouted something about being sorry – I’d slammed the door in his face, before, armed with magazines, taking a long soak in the hot tub. Except it wasn’t such fun anymore, reading the juicy gossip; not since I’d seen how such stuff hurt Melissa.
I smiled at the smartly dressed waiter. When I gave him Adam’s name, he led me past a small bar, at the front of which was an amazing fish tank. There was a folded up newspaper on a chair next to it and I caught the sports headlines on the back. It had been all over the news today – how golf’s Golden Couple was torn apart by drink, affairs and negative pregnancy tests. Despite her nasty comments last night, I felt sick for Melissa and the way Sandra had portrayed herself as a loyal friend, who made out that she was only telling her story so that Melissa would “get help”.
What a cute restaurant, with red and gold dragons painted across the walls. Orange pumpkin-like lanterns hung from the ceilings, and each table we passed was covered with a white tablecloth, on top of which stood a red candle and small vase containing a plastic orchid. The ceiling was jade green and pictures of mountains and animals hung here and there. The restaurant looked really festive, with the red and gold decor. By the bar stood an exquisite, twinkling Christmas tree, decorated with unusual baubles. Next to the cash till was a waving metallic Chinese lucky cat.
‘Kimmy?’
I smiled at Adam as the waiter pulled out a chair. I sat down, in front of half a lager.
‘I ordered your usual drink,’ he said and returned my smile.
‘Great,’ I said and took a sip. The week had seemed so long, yet now it was as if we’d never been apart. Deep breath. No flighty comments. Talk only about money and responsibility and for God’s sake don’t mention the Games of Thrones Room, hot tub or champagne. Because even though I had my doubts about Adam, this was a last chance to see if we really had something special.
‘You look nice,’ he said.
‘Thanks.’ I said, telling myself it didn’t matter that Adam had just pulled on a sports shirt. Luke’s shirts hung a bit more loosely and left you to imagine what was underneath… In fact, like his hair, the handyman was altogether more laidback. I shook myself. I wasn’t going to think about that lying, dishonest–
‘Crispy duck pancakes to start?’ said Adam. ‘And lemon chicken and chilli beef with fried rice for the main?’
I nodded. We always had those dishes for take-away.
‘Swanky, isn’t it?’ he said and gazed around. ‘But I guess you’re used to that, after a week in Harpenden.’
‘I…I’ve been working too hard to really make the most of it. That day you visited, honestly, it was a one-off. Me and Jess, we’re doing everything we can to get that place sold. We’re the most reliable housesitters they’ve had – it’s not been a popular job.’ What with snobby neighbours and spooks…
Adam placed his hand over mine. ‘What’s up, babe? This Melissa really got to you, didn’t she? When we first spoke after you’d moved in, you were so excited.’
‘Yes, partly because I thought you’d be impressed that I’d got a job so quickly and made do with the first place I could find to live in.’
‘Made do?’ Adam snorted. ‘Your new pad’s smarter than any hotel and it’s rent-free. Sorry, Kimmy, but I’d have been more pleased if you’d at least signed on at the Job Centre and got your CV sorted.’
‘But what about the money I’ve earned from my business?’
‘Business?’ he took his hand away. ‘Can you still not see that this madness is nothing but a hobby? You’ve made a couple of contacts, but those people aren’t going to order off you, week in week out. And how are you going to meet any more people wealthy enough to pay through the nose for cakes, now that you’ve fallen out with this Winsford woman?’
‘I’m thinking of doing a business course.’ I said, voice wavering, as I slipped off my red jacket and hung it over the back of my chair.
‘What, wasting more money? And you’d have to start from the bottom up – you don’t even know the basics. Like the way you’ve randomly called yourself KimCakes Ltd – do you even know what the Ltd bit means?’
My cheeks flamed. Not exactly. But it sounded good didn’t it? More professional.
‘For a start, you have to register any Limited business under the Companies Act. Face it, Kimmy, you’ve not even considered the paper-pushing side of things yet. As Uncle Ron always says, working for yourself means bloody long hours with very little profit in the first few years. We’d never get any savings together.’
‘Then why don’t you have a word with Ron for me and get some advice? Or better still, invite him round for dinner – I could pick his brains. I’ve always thought how much he enjoyed being his own boss.’
‘I don’t want to see you disappointed, babe, when this bonkers project of yours fails.’
‘You assume I won’t succeed?’ I thought of Luke. He hadn’t doubted me. My jaw tightened. Not that I could trust anything that two-faced slimeball said.
At that moment the waiter appeared and Adam gave him our order. Nothing had changed in the last week. Just like Melissa, Adam thought I should know my place in life and stick to it. When the waiter bowed and left, Adam nipped to the toilet, giving me space to sigh.
‘What’s today’s speciality?’ said a familiar voice. ‘Bang Bang Chicken? Yep. Plenty of noodles, please.’
What the…? I turned to the next table and glared at Luke, wearing a smart, sexy navy shirt that showed just the right amount of tann
ed chest. He’d even shaved – though an irritating, disloyal part of me crazily liked his rugged side and felt disappointed.
‘Fancy seeing you.’ He grinned.
‘What are you doing here?’ I hissed. Then I blushed. My eyes welled. No. I wasn’t going to show him I was bothered or embarrassed about how he’d duped me.
‘Free country, isn’t it? I just fancied eating out. I know I’m nothing but a handyman, but I like to think my taste in food is cosmopolitan.’
‘I didn’t mean that,’ I muttered. ‘Not that I’m apologising – not after your behaviour.’ I turned my attention to the menu.
‘If you’d just let me explain…’
‘Forget it.’
He sipped a beer. ‘Your boyfriend’s a bundle of laughs, isn’t he?’
I turned back to him. ‘He’s not my boyfriend – I don’t think. Anyway, at least he’s honest, unlike someone I could mention. Just go away. Adam will be back in a minute.’
He stared at me. ‘Maybe I’ll join your table, if you aren’t a couple. Unless, of course, you’ll let me say my bit before he gets back. Then I’ll leave.’
Aargh! Could he possibly be any more annoying? My fists curled under the table. I glanced over to the door of the men’s toilets and then consulted my watch. ‘You’ve got one minute and counting.’ I didn’t want to upset Adam.
He put down his drink. ‘I think Mike Murphy has messed with Walter’s will. Just before Lily died, the Carmichaels told me that they were leaving everything to their favourite charities.’
I eyed him closely. ‘That was a while ago. People change their minds. Walter was close to his nephew in the end.’
‘Not that close – I remember calling round, a couple of weeks before Walter passed on. Murphy rang him whilst I was there, said he was coming down on yet another business trip and would stop by. Walter pulled a face – said his nephew meant well but was tiring him out with all the well-meaning lunches and trips. He also mentioned that Murphy kept trying to save him money – he’d suggested new energy providers, a different television package and a new solicitor. But was the financial advice so that there’d be more left for him? Plus Walter was very independent and resented the interference. Murphy didn’t sound to me like someone he’d want to leave loads of money to.’
‘So?’
Luke folded his arms. ‘I reckon Murphy got him to change solicitors and somehow forged a new will, making himself the major beneficiary. I overheard him once, a couple of months after Walter died. I was tidying up the garden whilst Murphy was on his phone, in the summerhouse. He talked about how he’d be able to buy a new car, bigger house and book a dream-of-a-lifetime trip to the States. So, the money he must be getting from the Carmichaels’ estate must be considerable. Yet, Walter’s charity work was always important to him, right up to the end – he wouldn’t have them miss out.’
‘You’ve been watching too many detective mysteries.’ I said and looked at my watch.
He ran a hand through his thick, chestnut hair. ‘The smoke, wind noise, light switches, dressing up in that hooded top… all I’ve ever intended was to scare off the housesitters and delay the sale of Mistletoe Mansion, until I can work out how Murphy managed to swindle Walter – and get proof.’
I shrugged. ‘Any luck?’
‘Not yet. I’ve searched through all the items in the locked rooms – there’s a filing cabinet containing all the Carmichaels’ paperwork. You know, mortgage stuff, health insurance, receipts, private health bills and so on – but nothing to do with a will. Murphy must have hidden it. Or worst, destroyed all the evidence.’
‘So, where could it be?’
‘I’ve still got to look through some of the loft. It’s been difficult, what with housesitters around.’
I gazed at those moss green eyes. ‘You seem to care an awful lot… Wasn’t Walter just another client?’
Luke reddened. ‘He and Lily – I’d have done anything for them. You see… I’m not going to pretend running your own business is easy. Adam is right. A few years ago I was struggling to make ends meet – when we had that really hot summer and everyone’s lawns dried up and there were hosepipe bans. I lost a few customers for a while and I’d just bought some new equipment I had to pay off. Walter insisted on giving me a loan to tide me over. He trusted me implicitly.’
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Adam returning. ‘Okay. Maybe I get it. I’ll think it all over but for now, go away. Please.’
‘Everything all right?’ said Adam, as he sat down and the waiter appeared with our crispy duck and a plateful of pancakes.
‘Uh huh.’ I smiled, self-consciously. Please don’t let him notice Luke, who was probably watching our every move. I spread the plum sauce on a pancake, added the cucumber strips and the duck. Adam had almost finished eating his first pancake.
‘That job’s still available,’ he said, mouth full.
I sighed. ‘Don’t you ever give up?’
But suddenly eyes wide, he pointed his mouth.
‘What’s the matter? It’s not spicy.’
Frantically, he pointed again.
‘Try to cough!’ ordered Luke, from the next table and jumped up. He caught my eye. ‘He must have swallowed a bone – Adam’s choking!’
Chapter 26
Adam made a gravelly noise and turned red in the face. Luke pulled him to his feet but my Ex shoved him away, even though he was on course to beat Walter to the Pearly Gates. I blinked rapidly, our whole relationship flashing before my eyes.
‘Let him help you, Adam!’ I screeched and gazed frantically around the restaurant in hope of spotting someone stand up, claiming to be a doctor or nurse.
‘Keep calm,’ said Luke, ‘there’s no need to panic.’ Hardly daring to breathe, I watched him gently open Adam’s mouth. ‘I can’t see anything, it’s too far down.’ Quickly, he tilted Adam forward, so that he bent forward from the hips. ‘I’m going to whack you hard in between the shoulders, mate.’
Adam grimaced and I bit hard on my fist which had found its way into my mouth. Peanut couldn’t die. All our differences aside, he’d been my mainstay for the last couple of years. For the first time ever I’d enjoyed a routine to my life for the basic things others took for granted, like paying bills and spending the night curled up, asleep instead of awake worrying about a drunk mum. However much our paths had separated, Adam, he… he meant so much.
With the heel of his hand, Luke hit him, from behind, then walked around and once again looked inside Adam’s mouth. Again he hit him, whilst my teeth sunk further into my skin. Then again. Now a fourth time. Adam made a gurgly moaning noise and flapped his hands. Someone help! Come on Adam! I took my hand away and a desperate sob escaped. Everyone’s eyes in the room were fixed on the drama. Someone screamed at the manager to ring the emergency services.
‘One last blow and then I’ll try something else,’ said Luke. There was a loud slap. Oh God… Thank you, thank you, thank you…Something small and brown had shot out of Adam’s mouth.
Poor Adam. Tears streamed down his face as he leant on the table.
‘You saved his life…’ I muttered, heart still pounding, eyes wet, as everyone in the room cheered.
I dashed up to Adam and gave him a big hug, but he pushed me away, still recovering from the shock, his body racked with deep breaths. Whilst the manager fussed over my Ex, Luke told the waiter to fetch a glass of water and then took me to one side.
‘After the way he spoke to you, I quite enjoyed hitting your Ex,’ he said. ‘Believe the worst of me if you want, Kimmy, but I meant every word I said about KimCakes Ltd and you giving it a go. Don’t abandon your dream. Don’t give it all up for this narrow-minded bozo.’
I was still staring at Adam, relief surging through my veins. I couldn’t meet Luke’s gaze. Our kiss in the dark… The spurts of desire he’d raised in me… I… I couldn’t think of that at the moment – my head was all over the place. He tossed a twenty pound note down on his table and was about
to go when Adam called him over. Now he was recovering remarkably quickly, no doubt fuelled by the prospect of a free meal, which he was already discussing with the manager.
‘Stay away from Kimmy,’ he snapped at Luke, in a croaky voice. ‘She’s off-limits.’
‘It was my pleasure, mate, no need to thank me,’ said Luke, with a smirk. ‘And the Kimmy I know can speak for herself.’
Adam lunged at him and I darted in between the two men. I wasn’t sure whether to be more pleased that Adam was jealous, or upset that he hadn’t thanked Luke.
‘Please, gentlemen,’ said the manager.
Adam backed off, then glanced around us. He apologised to some nearby customers. ‘Sit down, Kimmy,’ he muttered. He looked at Luke. ‘Thanks for what you did,’ he growled, ‘but just stay away from my girlfriend.’ As he turned back to me, his grey eyes looked more metallic and steely than ever.
My girlfriend? Did he really say that? Not that I approved of him speaking on my behalf. Luke left and I sat down, waiting for butterflies to flutter in my stomach because Adam had seen off a love-rival. But they didn’t. Why couldn’t I get excited about proof that Adam might want me back?
In fact, as we sat drinking free drinks, courtesy of the management, an unsettling sensation washed over me; the realisation that I was sooo relieved Adam was okay, but still unsure that he was the man for me.
‘What was that jerk doing here?’ Adam’s mouth set in a firm line.
‘Dunno,’ I said. ‘Let’s not talk about him. Tell me instead – what you just called me… your girlfriend… Does that mean…?’
Adam rubbed his throat. ‘I’ve missed you, Kimmy. Maybe I was a bit rash about asking you to leave. Why don’t you move back? We could work something out?’
‘What about the factory job?’
‘I still feel the same about that; still want us to start planning a future.’ He stared into the bottom of his glass. ‘But what if I’m not enough for you anymore, babe? When I saw you in that Mistletoe Mansion, I could tell you felt right at home. Not like me. Posh houses and motors, they just aren’t my bag. In the end, I’d probably let you down.’
Mistletoe Mansion Page 26