The Fake Date

by Lynda Stacey

  ‘Millie, Will’s coming round soon. Are you excited?’ she asked as the puppy trotted into her bedroom and made an attempt to jump up onto the bed. Her front paws reached up, while her back legs did an over-excited scramble in an attempt to get a foothold, which made Ella laugh before reaching down to put a hand under Millie’s bottom. She helped her up and then watched as she began to snuggle herself down in the quilt. ‘Hey, don’t you start getting any ideas, little one. This is not your bed.’ She looked down at the ball of fluff that simply turned onto her back and waved her paws around in the air until Ella conceded and sat beside her, tickling and rubbing her stomach.

  The noise of the postman pushing letters through the door sent Millie bouncing up. She fell off the bed and then ran as fast as she could down the stairs, yapping as she went.

  ‘Hey, silly. Slow down, you’ll hurt yourself,’ Ella shouted and then sat back down at the dressing table, checking her appearance once again. It was just eight thirty in the morning and even though she’d had a restless night, she felt excited that Will had said he’d call round.

  The day before had been fun. He’d spent the day playing with Millie. They’d both monopolised his time for the whole day without a thought and Ella had then felt guilty as she’d peeked out from the bedroom window and watched him laying turf until late.

  But then she’d heard him go out. It had been the middle of the night and she’d lain awake wondering where he’d been going. To her knowledge men only went out that late for one of two reasons and both normally involved a woman.

  Could Will have a girlfriend? It was something she hadn’t thought of before and the idea not only startled her, but for some reason it actually bothered her that he might. He hadn’t mentioned a girlfriend, but then again, why would he?

  Ella sat down on the floor and moved herself towards the stairs. Her ankle was still painful, so she began to make her way down one stair at a time on her bottom, while Millie sat in the hallway, looking up, her tail waving from side to side, before she suddenly ran up the stairs and jumped on Ella’s knee, licking at her face.

  ‘Hey you, I can’t go down the stairs with you on my knee,’ Ella laughed, grabbing at her crutches, which stood in the corner of the hallway. Swishing Millie off her knee and onto the floor, she used the crutches to propel herself forward.

  ‘Go on, get out and play for a while,’ she said as she opened the conservatory door and watched as an excited Millie ran down the garden. A female blackbird had dared to land on the grass and Millie was suddenly more than determined to chase her off.

  Ella picked up her mobile and flicked the screen across to check the clock. Eight forty-two. It’d been hours since Will had gone out, hours since he’d texted her. She pressed the message icon on her phone to check what Will had said.

  I’ll pop and help with Millie in the morning.

  She read the words over and over. He’d definitely said he’d call in. But was he going to be calling in to see her, or to see Millie?

  Ella watched Millie as she ran up and down the lawn. Ella laughed at the puppy when she stuck her nose in a bush, only to pull it back really fast, as another blackbird swooped out at her and chirped wildly as though telling her off for the disturbance.

  Leaving Millie to her antics, Ella made her way to the front of the house. She noticed that Will’s car had returned and she felt her stomach twist in excitement. It hadn’t been there ten minutes before, which meant that Will had definitely been out all night.

  So, the question remained: where had he been? And, realistically, was it any of her business? Ella shook her head. She knew it shouldn’t bother her, but it did. She walked back into the kitchen and switched on the kettle.

  Ella sighed. The thoughts of Will and another woman swirled around in her mind. After all, after midnight was hardly a time when you nip to a shop, to the pub or to visit an elderly relative. He’d only just gone to bed a couple of hours before, or so she’d thought, and he’d gone out in what looked like a suit, a white shirt and a tie. All clothes that she’d have thought a little smart for doing any of the above visits. She scratched her head, and poured the coffee. Will’s movements were affecting her far too much. Ella shook her head. She barely knew anything about him. She couldn’t remember him mentioning any relatives; in fact, she really couldn’t remember Will mentioning anything about his private life at all. The conversations between them had never been on a personal level. They’d been more about Millie, the garden, the news, the weather and how Josh and Sarah were or were not getting on. Come to think of it, they’d completely avoided any subject that would have meant disclosing any personal information about him, or about her. She felt a little puzzled, and wondered if they’d both done that intentionally.

  Ella stopped in her tracks. She nodded and sighed. He must have a girlfriend. Of course, that’s where he’d have gone. She mentally kicked herself; how could she be so stupid? It was obvious that Will would have a girlfriend. He was after all a red-blooded male, or was he? She pondered the thought; maybe he was gay, maybe that was why he’d never mentioned a partner. But if there was a partner, why didn’t he or she come and visit Will at home?

  ‘Arrrghhhhhhh …’ she screamed, moving her hands through her hair and over her head, ruffling her hair. ‘Why, why did you make an effort? He’s calling to help with Millie, not to see you.’

  ‘Ella, hello,’ Will’s voice shouted through from the conservatory door. ‘Ella, you there?’

  Ella’s hands went back up to her hair. She looked across to the mirror that hung over the fire and began smoothing her hair back down at speed, losing the grip on her crutch; she watched in slow motion as it fell against the chair, bounced and propelled itself towards the television, just missing the screen.

  Ella went to grab at the crutch, put her foot to the floor and squealed as the pain shot through her ankle. Lifting her foot up quickly, she lost her balance, began falling towards the settee and in a movement that couldn’t be stopped, landed in a heap, just as Will bounded through the door.

  ‘Bloody hell, Ella. What happened? It’s okay.’ His arms were around her. ‘I’ve got you,’ he said as she happily sank into the warmth and security that was Will. The television had turned itself on and the noise coming from it had made her jump. She bit her lip, determined not to cry.

  ‘What happened?’ Will asked, his arms still around her.

  Ella had no idea where she’d begin and decided to stay quiet rather than try and explain how she’d ended up in a heap. Besides, how could she tell him that she was making herself presentable for him? Tidying her hair up and checking her lip gloss in the mirror and hoping that he hadn’t spent the night with another woman, or man. She felt stupid and for no good reason, she finally felt the forbidden sob leave her body.

  ‘Hey, come on. It can’t be that bad, can it?’ Will’s hand lifted and she felt his fingers stroke her face. She gasped and then held her breath as Will tilted her face towards him and she found herself staring into those vivid blue eyes.

  ‘The TV … I … might have broken it,’ was all she could think to say. Her heart began beating heavily in her chest; her breath caught in her throat and she managed half a smile. Every part of her began to tremble. Will’s sapphire eyes looked deep into hers and, for a moment, she saw the pain and need behind them.

  ‘Ella, the television is fine.’

  Will’s lips were so close that Ella could feel his breath on her face. Her eyes could only see his and she knew that they searched hers for permission. ‘Ella … can …?’

  She blinked, nodded and reached forward to feel his lips touch hers. Just a graze at first, a tease and then he began gently surrounding her mouth with soft, gentle, tender kisses. The scent of his aftershave was a soft, musky smell that stimulated every sense. She felt alive for the first time in months as his lips left hers momentarily and began to follow a path down her neck. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation as Will’s lips kissed every part of her neck, making her
moan with desire. She allowed him to take control. His lips returned to hers, capturing them in a more demanding way. This time his tongue teased hers, sending shivers racing through her body. With each kiss the intensity deepened and she felt his fingers move over her shoulder, down her back and trace their way down the curve of her spine. Ella gasped and closed her eyes just as the door flew open and Sarah barged in.

  ‘Oh, wow. Sorry, my dears, am I disturbing something?’ Her voice had a hint of amusement and she disappeared out of the room as quickly as she’d burst in. Ella could hear her opening and closing the kitchen cupboards. ‘I’ll put the kettle on, shall I? Give you two the chance to, you know, part the waves.’

  Ella swallowed hard. But Will continued to hold her close. He pressed his forehead against hers, looked into her eyes and then pulled away to kiss her gently on the lips. ‘This isn’t over.’ His eyes searched her face. ‘Can we, you know, carry this on later?’ It was a question and a promise, making Ella nod and smile in agreement.

  ‘You just finished work, Sarah?’ Ella shouted through as Will stood up and began pulling at his trousers, tucked his shirt back in and ran a hand over his head as though tidying the hair that he didn’t have.

  ‘Doesn’t she ever knock?’ Will whispered, his hand doing an imaginary knock in mid-air. Only to catch Ella under the chin, pull her back towards him and once again press his lips tenderly to hers.

  Ella shook her head and continued to blush and giggle. ‘I’ve never been so embarrassed,’ she whispered, feeling like a schoolgirl who’d just been caught out by her parents.

  ‘Yeah, I’ve had a bad night. I needed coffee,’ Sarah shouted back. ‘Bloody long night it was too. We had a hit-and-run on the top road. That’s why I’ve called in. I wanted you to hear it from me, before anyone else. But I guess Will has already told you.’ She paused and they heard the kettle come to the boil. ‘Looks like she worked at the gym.’ Again she paused. ‘Sorry, Ella, but we’ve had to drag Rick Greaves in for questioning.’ There was a banging of drawers, followed by a clatter of cutlery. ‘You got a teaspoon? Actually, don’t worry, I’ve got one.’

  Ella stood up. The giggles had disappeared and been replaced by a stomach twisting anxiety. The sheer mention of Rick Greaves’ name sent her heart racing, her stomach into knots and her body into a continuous trembling that once again started deep within her and didn’t stop.

  ‘What … what happened? And tell me the truth. Don’t flower it up. I need the truth,’ Ella questioned, not really wanting to hear the answer, but knowing that whatever had happened, she needed the unedited version.

  Will grabbed hold of her. ‘Don’t ask,’ he said as his arms surrounded her and he led them both back to the settee. Sitting down, Ella cuddled into the safety of Will’s arms. For a moment the trembling stopped and for a few seconds she allowed herself to enjoy the comfort that his arms brought.

  Sarah returned to the room carrying a pack of biscuits. ‘Found these in the cupboard, you don’t mind if I munch, Ella, do you? I’m starving.’ She dropped the open pack on the table, pulled two biscuits out of the packet and pushed one in her mouth whole, then disappeared back into the kitchen.

  Ella smiled. It had been a standing joke for years that Sarah was always hungry, and she’d learned to always keep a stock of goodies in the cupboard, just in case. ‘There are some crumpets in the first cupboard, help yourself,’ she shouted through the wall, while her hand casually rested against Will’s leg. She caught his eye. A warmth travelled between them and for the first time in months, she felt a deep happiness that she hoped would stay forever.

  ‘Hey, Will,’ Sarah shouted, ‘where did you and Josh disappear to?’

  Ella felt Will stiffen. She looked at him, a puzzled look on her face. ‘How does Sarah know you were out with Josh last night?’

  Will jumped up from the settee and opened the kitchen door. ‘Milk in my coffee, please, and if you don’t mind, make it strong. I’m knackered.’ He pulled a face at Sarah and held a finger to his lips, but she was too busy placing crumpets under the grill.

  ‘Ella, do you want tea or coffee?’ Sarah shouted as she pulled the sugar from the cupboard, grabbed at the teaspoon and placed a heaped spoonful into one of the mugs. ‘That’s for me. It’s needed. I’m knackered too.’

  Will needed to find a way to stop Sarah talking about the case. He needed time to tell Ella what he did for a living, but he had no idea where to begin. Too much time had passed, too many opportunities missed. He’d tried over and over to tell her that he was a reporter, but each and every time something had happened to stop him and in the end he’d wrongly avoided the subject.

  ‘Sarah, I really don’t think Ella needs to know the details about last night. You can see she’s upset,’ he whispered, once again holding a finger up to his lips.

  ‘What are you hiding, Will Taylor?’ Sarah whispered back. She stared over his shoulder and towards the door behind which Ella sat.

  ‘Look, let me talk to her first, you know, about the job.’

  ‘Oh my God, she doesn’t know you’re a reporter, does she?’ Sarah whispered, pushing her way past Will. ‘Why the hell haven’t you told her, it’s not like you’re an axe murderer, is it?’ she asked as she carried the mugs into the lounge, giving one to Ella and passing the other to an anxious looking Will.

  Sarah looked around before sitting down. ‘Ella, where’s Millie Moo? She’s normally all over me by now.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Will ran out of the cottage, down the length of the garden and began clapping his hands together in an attempt to attract the puppy. ‘Millie, come on girl, Millie.’

  He searched every corner of the garden and looked under every bush. He then looked towards the garage and the gate, the road and farm beyond. The gate was closed, but he couldn’t remember whether it had been when he’d arrived. He’d been tired and on automatic pilot. He tried to think back over his actions. He remembered jumping out of the car. He’d gone into his house, dropped off his laptop, his camera and his phone. But then, without a second thought, he’d headed straight for Ella’s.

  Could he have left the gate open? Had Sarah? She’d arrived after him and normally anyone touching the gate would have the puppy scurrying towards it in the hope that it was a friend carrying food or treats. But that hadn’t happened. She been there when he’d arrived. Which probably meant she’d already been missing when Sarah arrived. His reporter’s mind threw every question up in the air and he watched them all land in a heap without an answer.

  He shook his head and tried to think. Where would an inquisitive puppy have gone?

  Will hurried towards the road. His eyes searched each door along the street, and each garden in the hope that one of the neighbours would run out clutching the puppy escapologist. He watched a car as it slowed down, went past and headed up the lane, towards the moors. Could someone have stopped their car and taken her? No, no, no, that can’t have happened. Ella would be distraught if Millie was gone. He searched his mind. Had Ella taken Millie to the vet’s, had she been microchipped? He was sure that she hadn’t. After all, she’d only had her a few days and was on crutches and now, now the dog was missing and it was probably all his fault. He stood in the street shouting, ‘Millie, Millie, come on, puppy. Come to Will.’ He didn’t know what else to do but try and find her and began to run helplessly up and down the road.

  ‘Millie, come on, girl.’ He ran in the same direction as the car, and to the end of the road, where Sarah already stood talking to someone. ‘She’s small, golden and fluffy, around eight weeks old?’ he could hear her saying as she questioned the neighbour, who shook his head, promised to keep a look out and headed off in the opposite direction.

  ‘Millie, come on, baby, Millie …’ Ella yelled from the front door and Will could hear the desperation in her voice. He knew he had to do something to make things right, but what?

  Where do you even begin to look for an escapologist puppy?

  He r
an to the farm opposite, shouting and clapping as he went. A tractor stood abandoned to the side of the lane and Will quickly checked around in case Millie had climbed into the cab and fallen asleep, or worse she could be hiding underneath. But then Will stopped in his tracks and looked at the height of the cab. She could barely climb on the settee without help and he realised that there was no way she’d have climbed into a tractor. No. He had to think sensibly. She was small. She had to be somewhere where small things could get. He ran into the farmyard, into the hay filled barn. Climbing up and over the bales he looked down from above. ‘Come on, Millie, where are you? Come on, girl.’ He fully expected to see the fluffy ball of fun fast asleep in the middle of the bales, or bounding towards him and jumping into his arms. But he didn’t.

  Sarah ran into the barn behind him. ‘Millie, Millie,’ she shouted continuously and then turned to Will. ‘We’re going to have to draw up a plan, search separately, cover as much ground as possible. We need to get help, call Ella’s parents. Millie could be anywhere by now.’

  Will rubbed the top of his head with both hands. ‘Okay, phone Ella’s parents. Have you got their number?’

  Sarah nodded.

  ‘Okay, I’ll go back to Ella. We’ll sync phones, the first to spot her, calls the others.’

  They both set off back towards the cottage, to where Ella could be seen frantically shouting for Millie.

  ‘Sarah, wait a minute. I have to tell you something.’ His hand touched her shoulder and she spun around to face him. ‘You’re right, Ella doesn’t know I’m a reporter. I’ve tried to tell her, honest to God I have, and I will. But she made it very clear to me that she thinks of us all as vultures and I kind of want to prove to her that we’re not before I tell her. Besides, it’s not like she isn’t one herself, is it? She is going back to work soon.’

  Sarah glared. ‘I know she’s still a reporter, Will, but even so, she’s still not fond of them and you know that.’ She smiled. ‘You’ve got till Saturday. If you don’t tell her, I will. Can’t be fairer than that, can I?’ She glanced in his direction and smirked as Will reluctantly nodded in agreement.