Embellished Deception: A Psychological Suspense Novel (The Crime Files)

by Netta Newbound

  At the mere mention of Vinny, I felt my cheeks flush. "Just asked if I'd seen you on Saturday. I told him I had, but couldn't be sure of the time. Sorry."

  He shrugged. "I didn't know what time it was myself. I got back into the village just before last orders in the pub."

  "He asked me about your cigarette, too. I told him I remember seeing you with it."

  He nodded. "Anything else?"

  I shook my head, but I was a crap liar.

  He looked worried. "What else?" he insisted.

  "Oh, nothing about you. He asked me out on a date on Friday."

  "Talk about kicking a man when he's down,” he said, a smile behind his eyes.

  "Don't be silly. We're just friends, Carl."

  "I know that. But fancy you dating the enemy."

  "Vinny's not the enemy. He was just doing his job."

  He shrugged one shoulder. "Oh well, I guess you know what you're doing. You've known him long enough." Swallowing the rest of his toast, he pulled a packet of cigarettes from his pocket.

  "Oh, so you're smoking again?" I asked, shaking my head.

  "Afraid so. I was only just getting through the day continuously puffing on the electronic one. Nasty habit I know. Coming out while I light up?"

  "I'll be there in a minute."

  He nodded and ducked out the back door.

  I finished my toast and grabbed a jacket from the cupboard under the stairs. Then I met Carl out in the back garden.

  He'd had the good sense to walk to the back of the garden so as not to disturb my parents. He seemed deep in thought when I reached him.

  As soon as I smelled the cigarette smoke, my stomach churned. I took a few steps backwards.

  "Sorry, Carl. That's knocking me sick. I'll have to go back inside."

  "That's okay, I've finished now." He flicked the butt over the fence into next door's garden and blew the smoke away from me.

  I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

  "Shut-up." He laughed, shoving me sideways with his elbow.

  Losing my balance I reached for him to steady myself and we both set off giggling.

  This guy was good for me. There was a Simon-shaped hole in my life and Carl seemed to be doing an excellent job filling it with his boyish looks and childlike behaviour. He was exactly what I needed.

  "So is it sorted? You'll move into Auntie Beryl’s next week?"

  "You'll have to square it with Auntie Beryl first."

  "I will."

  I nodded slowly. "It is a good idea. And you can still get all your meals cooked and laundry done while she's away."

  He was smiling and nodding until he realised I was being sarcastic. "No, I didn't mean it like that. We'll share the housework, I promise."

  I thought about it for a couple of seconds. Maybe it could work, if only to give my mum a break for a few weeks. "Okay," I said.

  "You mean you will?" His eyes lit up.

  "Why not? We can give it a go, but if I end up doing all the chores and cooking, I'll be back here in a flash.”

  Chapter 16

  Friday had arrived before I’d even had a chance to worry about what to wear for my date with Vinny.

  If I was in Manchester, I'd have already been for a leg wax and manicure, maybe even a Brazilian, considering the sexual tension that we'd had between us on Monday. But here in Cumbria, I'd have to drive for miles. I managed to get a face pack from the chemist and would have to improvise for the rest.

  Carl hadn't mentioned my date with Vinny again, which suited me fine—I was stressed enough as it was.

  He'd mentioned to Auntie Beryl about me staying with him when she went away and she was more than happy about it. Now all I had to do was tell my mum.

  She'd been vacant since our argument on Monday, and had spent a lot of time in her bedroom, which was preferable to her being nasty and arguing with everyone, but worrying all the same.

  Friday meant she would be going to bingo with Beryl, and I needed to tell her before Beryl beat me to it.

  I made a cup of tea and took it upstairs. I found Mum sitting on the wicker chair by the window. She seemed miles away.

  "Cup of tea, Mum?" I placed a cup on the windowsill.

  "Thanks, love."

  So far, so good. She was being civil at least.

  "Are you looking forward to bingo?" I asked, hoping to lead her into a conversation.

  "Hmm? Oh, yes," she said, distractedly.

  I sat on the edge of the bed, amazed she still had the same red and cream patchwork bedspread I'd had made for them years ago. It looked beautiful still.

  "Mum, I was thinking."

  She glanced up at me.

  "You know how Beryl's going away next week?"

  "Yes." Her eyebrows furrowed.

  "Well, I was thinking I might stay at hers while she's gone."

  "What on earth for?"

  "Company for Carl, plus I thought you might enjoy a bit of peace."

  She shrugged it off, not saying anything.

  Phew, that was easy. I got to my feet.

  "I'm going for a bath, Mum. I'm out tonight too."

  "Oh, are you, love. That's nice."

  What! No third degree or sarcastic comments? I didn't know what was worse, her having too much to say for herself or not enough.

  I locked myself in the bathroom and applied the face mask while I ran a bath. Then I exfoliated and shaved, pruned and plucked myself into shape ready for tonight, just in case.

  I thought maybe I should eat something. I presumed we were going for a meal, but Vinny hadn't said. Not that I was hungry, quite the opposite actually. In fact, I'd had a queasy tummy all week. I intended going easy on the alcohol tonight.

  When I emerged from the bathroom, Mum had already gone. I could hear Dad downstairs with the TV blaring.

  I dressed in my black trousers and coral coloured blouse. Vinny mentioned we'd be staying in the village and so didn't need to go over the top. I lightly applied mascara, blusher and a dab of lip gloss.

  I rocked downstairs with ten minutes to spare.

  "You look pretty, lass."

  "Thanks, Dad." I sat beside him on the sofa.

  "Where are you going?"

  "I have a date with Vinny."

  He raised his eyebrows. "I see. Your mum didn't mention it. Does she know?"

  "I told her I was going out but she didn't ask any questions."

  His lips drooped at the corners. "Very odd."

  "I know. I also told her I'll be staying at Beryl's next week while she's away, and she didn't seem to mind."

  "Okay, lass. Whatever makes you happy."

  The doorbell rang.

  "That'll be Vinny. See you later, Dad."

  "Have a good night, lass."

  My jaw dropped when I saw Vinny. He was immaculately dressed in a tailored navy blue suit with a matching waistcoat and white shirt. His trademark hairstyle and designer stubble added to his sex appeal—the only way to describe his appearance was knockout. Even his eyes seemed colour coded to the suit.

  "Geri, you look beautiful."

  "As do you." I suddenly felt like a scruffy kid next to him.

  "Now, would you like to walk to the restaurant, or shall I take my car?"

  "It's only five minutes’ walk." I laughed.

  "I know, but I wasn't sure what shoes you'd be wearing." A twinkle in his eyes made me realise he had heard about the high heel debacle from last week.

  "Not too high." I laughed, showing him my inch high wedges.

  He held out his arm and escorted me across the green to the restaurant.

  "I've made a reservation. It can get busy on a Friday."

  "I know, we came in last week and had a bar meal."

  "We?"

  "Mum and Auntie Beryl. We came in after bingo."

  He nodded. "Ah, bingo. You didn't want to go tonight?"

  "No." I laughed, shaking my head. "Although, I did end up having a laugh last week.

  The waitress raced towa
rds us as we entered and led us to the table at the back of the room.

  "Thanks, Jacqui," he said.

  Her face was a picture. I wanted to laugh and tell her to put her tongue back in her head, but I didn't. At least I knew I wasn't the only one he affected this way. But Vinny seemed oblivious to the effects he had on the women around him.

  We ordered a bottle of white wine.

  "So tell me, Geri. What brings you back to this neck of the woods?"

  "Long story really—the top and bottom of it is Simon and I have split."

  "I was surprised when I heard that."

  "So was I."

  "So not your decision then?"

  "Yes, actually it was. Just as soon as I found out he was seeing someone else."

  "Ah, I get you."

  "How about you? Have you always lived here?"

  "I went away for a couple of years, but I missed the place I must admit. Mum and Carol are still here. Carol has got two boys that I adore, and I help her out with them occasionally. I don't know if you've heard, but she has terrible arthritis."

  "Who? Your mum?"

  "No. Carol."

  "Sorry, I thought only old people got that." Carol was Vinny's sister and was only a year or two older than us.

  "So did I, until Carol got it. She can be practically crippled some days."

  "Oh, what a shame. Is she married?"

  "Yeah. She married Dave Hughes. Do you remember him from Kirkby Mayor?"

  "The name rings a bell, but ..."

  "Anyhow, he works away every second week. He's great when he's home, but Mum and I help out the rest of the time."

  "She's lucky to have you."

  He shrugged. "It's what you do for family. You know how it is, Geri?"

  I nodded. "Yeah, I do."

  We examined the menu and when the waitress returned with our wine we were ready to order.

  "I'll have the salmon on lentils, please."

  "Caesar salad for me." Vinny snapped the menu closed and handed it to the waitress.

  "Any starters?" she asked.

  Vinny raised an eyebrow at me.

  I shook my head. "Not for me, thanks."

  "Nor me." He smiled at the waitress. Then he poured the wine, tasted it and nodded approvingly.

  This evening was proving far more sophisticated than I was used to—Simon and I would be happy to go to the local and neck tap beer from pint pots. My stomach did a tiny twirl as I thought of him.

  "So where are you living?" I asked.

  "On Candle Street, I bought a small cottage."

  "Oh, I thought you'd be in a police cottage somewhere?"

  "Not anymore. The police sold off their houses a few years back."

  "How does the police station work, then?"

  "In what way?" He raised his eyebrows quizzically.

  "Well, when we were kids, Constable Fyffe lived in the police station, or in the house attached to it. So he was on call twenty-four-seven."

  "It's kinda the same now. The station is manned weekday mornings, either by myself or June Taylor. All other times I’m available on the free phone number." He took a sip of his wine and licked his lips.

  My stomach muscles clenched, and I watched his delicious mouth.

  "Ours is just a remote station, but we're controlled by Kirkby Mayor. If any crimes occur here I’m the first point of contact, and Kirkby Mayor Police will be called for backup."

  "Does that happen often?"

  "To be honest with you, no. I've been the sole policeman in this village for the past four and a half years, and I've had to call for backup a total of five times—all of those were the recent assaults." He shook his head.

  "Any closer to finding who's responsible?"

  He shrugged but said nothing.

  "What's that mean? You are and you don't want to tell me, or you're not?"

  "I can't really discuss an ongoing investigation."

  "You don't still think Carl had anything to do with it, do you?"

  He took a deep breath and then closed his eyes for a moment.

  "Sorry," I said.

  He smiled. "That's okay."

  His smile made my heart race. Fuck, he was delicious.

  Just then the food arrived. Considering I hadn't eaten all day, I couldn't say I was hungry. But drinking wine on an empty stomach wasn't a good idea.

  However, the salmon was divine, and I found myself devouring every last morsel on my plate.

  "You enjoyed that, I see." Vinny smiled.

  "Oh my God, I didn't realise this place was so good. The last time I came in here was ..." I had to rack my brains to remember. "Gosh, it must have been seven-eight years ago, and let me tell you it was mediocre at best."

  "Yeah, they have a fabulous new chef from Argentina."

  "It shows. Sorry for going on, but I've never tasted salmon like it."

  He held his hands up. "Hey, go on all you like. I'm just glad you enjoyed it."

  I noticed he'd left quite a lot of his chicken, and I was dying to pick a piece off his plate, but I couldn't, not on a first date, anyway.

  "Did you not enjoy yours?" I nodded at his plate.

  "Yes. I'm not that hungry. Not for food anyway."

  His suggestive eyes focused on mine and held them for an uncomfortable length of time. I didn't know what to do with myself and was relieved when the waitress arrived to take our plates.

  "You know, even though you've changed a lot since school, I'd have recognised you anywhere. Funny isn't it?" I said.

  "You too. However, I don't really think people change that much. Their facial features stay the same. We just get older or fatter or both." He laughed.

  "Or, in your case, thinner."

  He smiled. "Yes, I was a bit of a porker, wasn't I?"

  "Compared to now, yes."

  "Compared to anything. I was a porker."

  "Okay then. You were a little overweight." I laughed. "I wouldn't say everyone stays the same, though. Take James Dunn, for example. I was chatting to him for ages, and I didn't recognise him. He's changed heaps."

  I noticed Vinny's face fall at the mention of James.

  "What?" I asked. "Don't you like him?"

  He shrugged. "Not fussed either way."

  I did a slow backward nod while my eyes were fixed on his face.

  He laughed. "Don't look at me like that."

  "Well, you're not the only one who can tell when someone’s spinning them a line, you know?"

  He laughed again, his eyes twinkling.

  "Are you gonna tell me?"

  "It's stupid. Something that happened years ago, but it really got me pissed."

  "So, what was it?"

  He shrugged. "You promise not to laugh?"

  "I promise.” I drank the last of my wine.

  "He laughed at me in the showers—told Suzie Daikin that I had a little todger." He wiggled his little finger.

  I couldn't keep my face straight. I tried, but a laugh spurted out.

  "You promised."

  I laughed more.

  He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

  And I laughed more.

  I could see the corners of his mouth twitch, and I laughed more.

  Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer, and soon we were both laughing.

  Tears rolled down my face, and I could hardly breathe.

  "Fuck, speak of the devil," Vinny said.

  I turned in the direction Vinny was facing and saw James entering the restaurant with Shelly-pigface-Spears on his arm.

  I wiped my eyes on a napkin and tried to compose myself. I was slightly peeved that James was out on another date so soon after our disastrous attempt. But how could I feel like this when I was already on my third date of the week?

  I really needed to get my head around this crazy dating scene.

  "Thank you for not laughing, by the way."

  My stomach twitched, and I chuckled again.

  "What was so funny?" he asked
.

  "Oh my God, Vinny—just look at yourself." I shook my head. "You've got to be the most handsome man I've ever set eyes on, and you're worried about a comment made years ago by nerdy James Dunn." I glanced around as I spoke to make sure James wasn't in hearing range. They were ordering drinks at the bar.

  "Since you put it that way, it does seem rather pathetic, doesn't it?"

  "Totally." I nodded.

  "So let's get back to your last comment—is it true, you think I'm handsome?"

  I blushed. "Shut up."

  "Let me think, what was it you said? Oh yes, I have got to be the most handsome man you've ever set eyes on."

  I shook my head, biting my bottom lip in disbelief.

  James and Shelly were shown to the table beside ours.

  "Geri, Vinny," James nodded at us.

  "Hi, James, how are you?" I asked.

  "I'm well, thanks."

  How very civilized we were being.

  "Shelly, you look lovely—I like your dress." I smiled at her warmly.

  "Thanks, Geraldine, so do you."

  Gosh, this was painful. I'd have to think of a way to extricate myself from this highly awkward situation.

  The waitress was buzzing around them providing menus and a jug of water for the table.

  "I recommend the salmon. It was divine," I said, unable to get back to conversing solely with my date.

  James' head snapped up, and our eyes held briefly.

  Here I was, sitting opposite the hunkiest man alive, and I was drooling over another more rough and ready one. One who apparently didn't feel the same about me.

  "Thanks," he said.

  I turned to Vinny, and opened my eyes wide and smiled.

  "Do you want dessert?" he asked.

  I smiled again, shaking my head rapidly. He got the message.

  "Can I have the bill, please?" Vinny asked the waitress as she passed.

  Moments later we were out on the village green.

  "Gosh, that was awkward. Especially when we were just talking about him like that."

  Vinny laughed. "I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think they noticed us really. They only had eyes for each other."

  That stung a little bit. What the fuck did she have that I didn't?

  "So what now?" I asked.

  "I had no plans to leave the restaurant so early." He shrugged. "I thought you had something in mind."

  "And you're stuck in the village?"

  He nodded, kicking at the ground as he looked up cheekily.