Pinstripes

by Faith Bleasdale

  “Yes. Isabelle, can I see you again?”

  “When?” Isabelle asked eagerly.

  “Friday?” Josh suggested. It was only two days away and then this would be over. He didn’t want to waste any more time.

  “OK. Are you sure I can’t tempt you back for coffee?” Isabelle asked, licking her lips.

  “Sorry, darling, but I really do have to work early tomorrow. How about dinner on Friday?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  “Good. I’ll call tomorrow to fix it up.” Josh motioned to the waiter for the bill. When he had paid it, he stood up. “Come on, I’ll put you in a cab.”

  ***

  The next day, Josh called Clara and told her that the evening had gone according to plan and he was seeing Isabelle again on Friday.

  “Do you want to come over to mine tonight?” Clara asked, pleased with him.

  “No, darling, I have to work late. I’ll call you after Friday.” Josh tried to sound pleasant, but he was angry with Clara. He kept thinking she would realise the madness of the plan, or of his part in it. She would be so consumed by jealousy that she would tell him to stop, to pull back and not to sleep with Isabelle. But she didn’t.

  “OK, Josh, call me, and good luck.”

  I need it, Josh thought as he hung up. Then he called Isabelle to make the arrangements.

  ***

  Clara rang Ella and Virginia, and they decided to meet on Saturday after Josh had successfully taken Isabelle to bed. Until then there was no more for them to do. When Clara hung up, she felt restless. She was not sure why, but she felt dissatisfied with everything. She entered a cocaine haze that lasted for the next couple of days.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Josh arranged to meet Isabelle at the restaurant he had booked in Chelsea, La Ciboulette. It was on the King’s Road and therefore nearer to his flat than hers. Isabelle had offered another game of squash, but Josh had declined, saying he would not get out of work on time. He ensured that he was early and sat down, ordered a drink and waited.

  Isabelle was on time. He saw her walk in and arrogantly ask the maître d” to show her to Josh’s table. As she came over confidently, Josh took in her outfit. She was wearing a sharp navy suit with a white top underneath. Her skirt was short and showed off her legs, but the rest of her figure was boyish. She had no curves, unlike Clara, and her face was cold and unappealing. Josh grimaced at the thought of later as she approached him.

  “Josh,” she said enthusiastically.

  He stood up and kissed her cheeks. “Isabelle, you look lovely,” he lied. “I hope you like French food.”

  “J’adore.” Isabelle laughed. Her laugh was false, like everything else about her, and Josh felt depression engulf him. He told her what was good and ordered red wine. Isabelle chose her own food this time, but she asked Josh if she’d made a good choice. Josh guessed that she didn’t date much – her sophisticated manner dropped every time she spoke to him.

  Over the meal Josh flirted and flattered her. Isabelle ate barely anything, but he noticed that she drank quite a lot. She was interested in everything he said and hung on his every word. He also noticed that she took more than a polite interest in his work.

  “I think your job must be so exciting. Tell me what you’re working on,” Isabelle said, after numerous glasses of wine.

  “Oh, it’s not that exciting. I have to provide a lot of documentation for companies. I can’t tell you what I’m working on right now, but it’s taking up an awful lot of time. I have to take my work home with me. Actually, I have a lot to do this weekend. But that’s life. I guess you get the same.”

  “We never stop, do we?” Isabelle reached over to stroke his arm.

  “No, but that’s what makes us interesting.” Josh laughed.

  After dinner, he decided to make his move. “Would you like to come back to my place for coffee?” he asked, brushing his lips against her ear.

  “Yes, please,” Isabelle said, and Josh paid the bill.

  As they left the restaurant, Josh put his arm around her and Isabelle leant into him. He hoped he would be able to get an erection.

  They walked into his flat where Josh pulled her to him and kissed her. She responded eagerly, too eagerly.

  “I’ll make coffee, you make yourself comfortable,” he said, steering her to the sofa. He walked out. The document was within her view on his coffee-table.

  ***

  Isabelle was disappointed about the coffee. She didn’t want coffee, she wanted Josh. As she waited, her eyes were drawn to a document that sat on the coffee-table. It was marked ‘Private and Confidential’.

  “Careless, Josh,” Isabelle mumbled, and tried to look at it without touching it. Then, checking that Josh was still in the kitchen, she picked it up and quickly put it down again. She tried to think what to do. She knew this must be the big deal Josh had spoken of earlier. She took deep breaths and looked again. Without disturbing it, she could only read the top cover. It seemed to consist of a load of legal jargon that Isabelle didn’t understand, but then she saw the magic words ‘takeover’ and ‘Microsoft’. Isabelle thought she had died and gone to heaven.

  ***

  Josh watched her from behind the door, and knew they had succeeded. As he took the coffee in, he made a noise opening the door so he wouldn’t catch Isabelle doing something she shouldn’t be doing.

  Isabelle turned to him. “Josh, I don’t want coffee. I want you,” she said. She took the cups from him, put them on the table and jumped on top of him. She ripped at his clothes passionately. Josh began to enjoy himself— he was a man, after all. She pulled herself out of her clothes, and although she was flat-chested, she had an athletic body. He pulled her to her feet and took her to bed. The sex was energetic, and Josh had no problems climaxing. Isabelle was wild. She jumped on top of him and screwed him as if she hadn’t been screwed for ages. Josh supposed she hadn’t. Afterwards he removed the condom, kissed her forehead and pretended to go to sleep.

  **

  Isabelle lay still for half an hour before she was convinced that Josh was asleep. When she was satisfied that he was, she crept out of bed and went to the sitting room. She lay naked on the couch and went through the report page by page. Although most of it consisted of legal terms, she understood that Microsoft were about to take over JF Technologies. And JF Technologies had very cheap stock. It was manna from heaven. She read it again committing the details she understood to her memory.

  Although using the information would mean giving up Josh, which was a huge sacrifice, Isabelle knew she could make money for herself, her clients, the company, and be a heroine. Her dilemma was between having Josh or being the first female managing director of SFH. The choice was simple. Isabelle had one golden rule. Work before sex. Josh would have to go.

  She slipped quietly back into bed and fell asleep, thanking her lucky stars.

  ***

  Josh woke to find Isabelle’s legs wrapped around his. He roused her gently, and before she could say anything he jumped out of bed and made for the shower.

  Isabelle lay there for a few minutes. She couldn’t stop thinking about Josh’s report. Now she had read it she had a chance to make some serious money. She could advise her clients and her boss without them suspecting that it was a tip-off— she often worked on hunches. She resolved to work on a proposal that weekend so she could come up with feasible reasons why they should buy into it. She would use the information she had read in the report to do so. She licked her lips and felt horny at the thought of the money and success she was about to encounter. Fleetingly she was sorry that this would mean the end of her and Josh. But Isabelle knew you couldn’t have everything. And Josh would get over her eventually. She needed to get home.

  ***

  By the way that Isabelle rushed off, Josh knew she had fallen for the report. He saw a flicker of guilt in her eyes as he said he would call her. He knew she wouldn’t answer his calls. Although it was only half past seven in the
morning, he rang Clara.

  “Hello,” a sleepy voice said.

  “Clara, it’s me.”

  “Josh, it’s the middle of the night.”

  “No, it’s morning. Anyway, I thought you might like to know how I got on last night.”

  “Shit, yes. Sorry, I forgot.”

  “Great, Clara, you make me do this by saying it’s the most important thing in your life, then you forget.”

  “Josh, just tell me what happened.”

  “She fell for it.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. I know she’s going to do just what we want her to do.”

  “Fantastic. Josh?”

  “Yes, darling?”

  “Did you sleep with her?”

  “Clara, that was the idea. Your idea.”

  “I know. Just checking. Josh?”

  “Yes?”

  “Was she any good?”

  “No. It was like being in bed with a washboard.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I’ll be over this evening. “Bye, darling.”

  “Bye.”

  ***

  Clara leant back into her pillow. They had done it. They really had. It would only be a matter of time before Isabelle hanged herself with the rope they had given her. The drunken pub plan had worked. She called Virginia.

  “Hello.”

  “Virginia, it’s Clara.”

  “Clara, what time is it?”

  “Early. You should be up anyway. Listen, Isabelle fell for it. Josh is sure. He didn’t go into details, but he’s sure she’s taken the bait.”

  “My God. Really?”

  “Yes, I told you it would work, didn’t I?”

  “I can’t believe it.”

  “Well, you should. Be at my place for lunch. We’ll celebrate. One o’clock?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  ***

  Virginia didn’t know what to do with herself. Although it was early, she couldn’t contemplate going back to sleep. She couldn’t believe it had actually worked. She made herself a cup of tea to celebrate.

  ***

  Ella picked up the telephone, knowing it was Clara.

  “Clara?”

  “Ella, how did you know it was me?”

  “I couldn’t sleep last night for worrying about things.”

  “Well, you didn’t need to worry. It all worked perfectly.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Josh said it all went to plan.”

  “So now we just have to wait.”

  “I know. It’s going to be hard. Lunch at my place, one o’clock.”

  “Sure”

  Ella smiled, hoped that everything was going to work and fell asleep.

  ***

  Clara had a line of cocaine to celebrate. She knew it was a bit early even for her, but this was a special occasion.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Virginia was early again, Ella was running late and Clara was wasted. When Virginia first saw her she was shocked by her appearance. Clara was as beautiful as ever but her eyes were frighteningly wild.

  “So, Virginia, aren’t you going to thank me?” Clara was being bitchy already. Virginia didn’t know what was wrong with her this time, but Clara scared her.

  “Thank you.” Virginia sat on the sofa and crossed her arms. She wished Ella would turn up so she didn’t have to be alone with the maniac.

  “You don’t sound like you mean it. Anyway, who cares? At least I know I was the one who masterminded the whole thing. I was the only person with enough balls to put the plan into action. You and Ella are useless. You’re very lucky to have me.” Clara was waving her arms about; she seemed to have lost control. Virginia kept quiet, sat tight and willed Ella to hurry up.

  When Ella arrived she looked at the scene in front of her and wished she had stayed asleep. Virginia was sulking on the sofa and Clara was doing some sort of rain dance and mumbling to herself.

  “What’s going on?” Ella asked.

  “Nothing,” Clara said.

  “Clara, why are you dancing like that?”

  “I’m keeping myself amused. Being with her is like being with a corpse.” She gestured at Virginia.

  “I thought we were having lunch,” Ella said.

  “Oh, yes. Well, we’ll have to go out. I don’t have any food. Come on.” Clara picked up her handbag and walked out. Ella and Virginia exchanged a glance and followed her. They walked down the street in silence, Clara stalking ahead. She chose the first restaurant they came to, a pizza place. She ignored the door attendant and went and sat at a window table. There was a reserved sign on it, which she flicked on to the floor. She lit a cigarette and shouted, “Get over here,” at a waiter. Ella and Virginia were still silent.

  “I want a bottle of Chianti,” Clara said.

  “I’m not drinking,” Virginia said, and immediately regretted it.

  “Of course not. You’re far too boring to have a drink.”

  “Clara, what’s with you today?” Ella rubbed her temples, she had a headache.

  “Nothing. It’s you two. You’d think that you’d show me some gratitude, wouldn’t you? If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have got Isabelle. But, no, you just act as if I didn’t do anything. Well, I fucking well did. I risked my relationship for you and you can’t even show me any gratitude.” The waiter nearly jumped out of his skin as he caught the tail end of Clara’s tirade. She grabbed the bottle of wine out of his hands, poured herself a glass and noticed he was still standing behind her.

  “Piss off,” Clara said. He did.

  “Of course we’re grateful, Clara, but can I just point something out? First, we thanked you before. Second, it isn’t over yet. We have to wait for Isabelle to lose money and lose her job. Third, we both warned you about using Josh, and fourth, I hardly think what you have with him is a relationship,” Ella said calmly.

  “You fucking bitch. How dare you come over all high and mighty with me? Maybe it isn’t over yet, but look how far we’ve come. And it will work, thanks to me. And how dare you say that Josh and I don’t have a relationship? What do you know about relationships? Nothing. Just because you once had one does not make you the world’s biggest authority. So fuck off.” Clara was standing up and everyone in the restaurant was looking at her. The staff were trying to decide what to do, but no one was brave enough to evict her.

  Ella took control. “Virginia, go and pay for the wine.” She handed her twenty pounds. “Clara, you have to stop this. I don’t know why you’re being like this, but you need to stop now.” She put her hand on her shoulder.

  “Get off me.” Clara pushed Ella’s hand away and collapsed in a heap of sobs.

  They had to carry her home, where Virginia made coffee and Ella put her to bed, gave her Valium, which she hoped wasn’t a mistake, and sat with her while she cried for an hour before suddenly falling asleep.

  Virginia and Ella sat in the sitting room, exhausted.

  “What is it?” Virginia asked.

  “I don’t know, but I think she has a problem with drugs.”

  “Alcohol, or cocaine?”

  “Cocaine. Shit, Virginia what should we do? She really lost it today.”

  “I don’t know if it was because we’ve actually achieved something or whether it’s Josh. I think he’s really got to her. She needs help.”

  “Well, I’m not going to be the one to tell her that. Look, we should stay until she wakes up, then leave and have a good think about calling it a day. If it’s going to have this effect on Clara, I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” Ella said.

  “I agree. But if the Isabelle scheme works, we have to get the others.”

  “And I don’t know that I could leave it now anyway. When Clara called me today about Isabelle I felt so good. We have to do something about her, though.”

  “But what?” Virginia asked.

  “How about telling her brother? If she really is an addict we can’t help her and she needs professi
onal help. I can’t tell her that, neither can you, but perhaps she’ll listen to him,” Ella suggested.

  “Ella, Clara adores James. She’d die rather than have him know about any of this. I think telling him might finish her off. It would certainly be the end for us.”

  “You’re right. Shit, we can’t just leave her like this.”

  “Maybe it’s because so much is going on. When it’s all over she might stop,” Virginia suggested, but she didn’t believe it.

  “Or it might be too late.”

  “Well, I suppose the only thing we can do is keep an eye on her and try to keep her away from the drugs. God, I feel so helpless.”

  “Me too,” Ella agreed.

  They spent the afternoon watching TV and trying to think of things to say to each other. At five o’clock, Clara appeared. “Hi,” she said, and sat down in an armchair. “I’m so sorry about earlier. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Clara, can I ask you something? Do you take cocaine during the day?” Ella was worried about the reaction she’d get but she had to ask.

  “Of course not. Gosh, Ella, is that what you think? No, it’s just that my period’s due and I get the most awful mood swings at this time of the month. Virginia, I’m sorry I was so foul. God, I’ll never be allowed back in that restaurant, will I?” Clara giggled.

  “So you’re OK?” Virginia asked suspiciously.

  “Yes, thank you. Listen, girls, Josh is coming over later, so I need to get ready. As I messed up today, I’ll take you to dinner tomorrow night. I’ll book somewhere nice. I’ll call you. Thanks.” Clara the demon had disappeared.

  “That’ll be fun,” Virginia said, thinking the opposite. She and Ella left and went their separate ways. Clara took more cocaine.