Behind a Closed Door (The Estate, Book 2)

by Mel Sherratt

  Finally, she checked the list of burglaries and cross referenced those dates also. When she got to Mrs Lattimer, Josie’s blood ran cold. She and Debbie had visited her two days before she was burgled. But then she remembered the conversation she’d had with Debbie the day after it had happened. ‘Send her my love,’ Debbie had shouted to her as she’d left the building. Maybe she was reading too much into this notion of hers.

  She paused for a moment. Was it too much of a coincidence that four other tenants had been burgled shortly after she’d taken Debbie out on calls with her? Josie held her head in her hands and sighed. It couldn’t be anything to do with her, could it? Not Debbie, who she’d taken under her wing? Because if it was, she wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt that she had taken her into their homes.

  A few hours later, Josie pulled up in front of a long building. It stood behind a grassed area, overgrown and neglected. Metal sheeting covered the windows and doors on each of its three floors, graffiti slapped across the ones on the ground floor.

  ‘This is it?’ Kelly turned to Josie with a grimace.

  ‘Yes. Don’t look so worried. It will be great when it’s spruced up. It doesn’t need much doing to it. All this grass,’ Josie pointed in front of her, ‘is coming up and it’s going to be made into a car park. Access will probably have to be from Brendan Street, around the corner, as long as we don’t have any objections from its residents about the extra traffic. We’re consulting with them at the moment.’

  Kelly followed Josie up the weed-ridden path to the entrance. Once the locks were undone, they went through double doors into a large room. With their eyes refocusing amongst the gloom, Josie walked over and flicked on a switch. The tiny strip light barely made an impact.

  ‘I hate this vandaglaze but it does serve its purpose,’ said Josie. ‘I suggested that it went on the minute the building was empty, but the council said it’d be too costly – they have to pay weekly rental for it. You won’t believe the amount of times they were called out because another window had been broken. In the end, it would have been cheaper to go with the original idea. They’ve been boarded up for six months now and the council have had hardly any problems.’

  Kelly cast an eye around the depressing room. The walls were painted some kind of pale pink colour, with occasional chunks of plaster missing and black scratches around the room at knee level. The cord carpet underfoot was so thin that it felt as though it wasn’t there. There was a serving hatch covered by a metal shutter on the far wall.

  Kelly followed Josie through the doorway into another room similar to the one they had left.

  Josie pointed at one of the walls. ‘This is coming down to make the area into one huge reception. There’ll be a receptionist on duty to man the desk, employed by the local council.’ She pointed again. ‘This will be a seating area where prospective clients can wait, with a coffee machine and a few comfy chairs, a bit more relaxing. And there’ll be leaflet racks on the walls, over here, and a floor plan showing where every business is situated.’

  They made their way down a long corridor, which seemed to have a door every five yards. Josie opened the first one and walked in.

  ‘They used to be one-bed, self contained flats,’ she explained as she watched Kelly’s face light up. ‘Perfect, aren’t they? They come at a fixed price, no matter what the size, and will be let on a first come first served basis. They each have their own bathroom and kitchen. We’re going to leave in the loos and take out the baths – some of them are pretty disgusting – and add a partition to make a storage cupboard. The living room and bedroom are going to be converted into one room.’ She pushed open another door. ‘I thought you’d like to see the room that’s perfect for Office Options.’

  Although inside was dark because of the metal sheeting outside, Kelly turned her head to the right and, all at once, could see herself sat at a desk by the window. She turned to the left where she saw herself sat with a client, having made them coffee in her kitchen. The walls would be painted white for extra light and she could imagine the perfect pictures to decorate them. And a rug and …

  ‘It’s right next to the main reception area,’ Josie’s voice broke into Kelly’s thoughts. ‘Outside, we’re going to have small signs erected in a uniformed place on each window, which will be another form of advertising. There’s also going to be a walkway directly underneath your window, so your sign will be the last one they remember as they walk in.’

  Kelly smiled, daring to feel a little hope. ‘It’s amazing,’ she said.

  Josie smiled too. ‘I was so pleased when I was let loose with the architect. He toured the building with me for two hours and noted down everything I said. More to the point – he acted on most of it.’

  ‘No wonder they asked you to the meetings. I can’t imagine planning anything like this. It’s really cool.’

  ‘You should give yourself more credit. I’ve studied your paperwork again. By the look of all the sample work in there, you’ve part of a marketing strategy already.’

  Kelly nodded. ‘After you first told me about the centre, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I really wanted to do it – believe that I could do it, rather – but Scott was in my way.’

  ‘And now he’s out of the equation?’

  ‘Most definitely.’

  ‘That was said with conviction.’

  ‘I want to show him I can survive on my own but I want a dream too. So I went to the library and borrowed some books. There are so many things to look into. Do you really think I can do it?’

  Josie guided her back out into the main corridor. ‘Of course you can do it. I can be your mentor if you like. And I’ve found a grant that you can apply for. Once I have everything sorted out, I’ll have even more time. It will be like a home from home.’

  Kelly paused. Maybe now she could slip in a subtle question.

  ‘Talking of home, how’s that going?’ she asked.

  Josie shook her head. ‘You don’t want to know and I don’t want to ruin my day by talking about it.’

  Subj: Hey there

  Date: 15/05/2013 20:10

  From: Americanboy@bluememory.com

  To: J.Mellor@MitchellHousingAssociation.co.uk

  Hi Josie,

  I hope you’re well. Thought I’d pop you a quick line. New York is a fabulous place, even though I’m working. I’m staying with a guy called Darwin who works for the same company. I feel like I’ve been here for far longer than ten days. It has such a buzz about it: no wonder they say it’s addictive.

  I have had time for a little sightseeing too. I’ve been to Central Park – it’s huge: 843 acres, covering 51 blocks. It’s awesome (oh my god, I’m getting the lingo already)! We also went on a 9/11 Memorial Walking Tour. They’re provided by people directly affected by 9/11. It was really eerie, I can tell you.

  Anyway, enough of me and my love affair with New York. How’s that project of yours coming along? I would love to hear all about it, if you have the time.

  PS I hope you like the photos. My favourite is the Wall Street Bull, but I’m not going to go boring you with the history of how it first arrived without a permit…

  Bye for now, James

  Subj: Hello

  Date: 16/06/2013 10:21

  From: J.Mellor@MitchellHousingAssociation.co.uk

  To: Americanboy@bluememory.com

  Hi James,

  Thank you for the photos. Central Park looks amazing! I’d love to see the Big Apple, maybe one day. I’d also like to visit Ground Zero, morbid I know, but that’s life.

  Hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.

  Bye for now, Josie

  Josie’s index finger hovered over the send button as she pondered whether to let it go into the ether or not. Only last week, Louise had mentioned that James was asking for information about her – not that he was being obsessive or anything. Louise said she’d known that he had a soft spot for Josie for some time. So it had been quite a thrill to get James’ email but
Josie didn’t know what to make of it, nor how much to write to seem sociable but not too friendly.

  She reread her reply again. Had she been too forthcoming or not open enough? There was hardly any meaning to it. She didn’t know why she was worrying really. It was a message from a friend to a friend. But…

  Should she send it? Should she leave it?

  Should she send it? Should she leave it?

  Oh what the heck. Josie pressed the send button.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  On Friday morning, Kelly answered the door to find Jay standing on her doorstep.

  ‘Great timing,’ she commented. ‘Scott’s coming to fetch Em. I’ve rung him three times and he’s finally agreed to make an effort.’

  ‘That’s good, isn’t it?’ said Jay.

  Kelly shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. I suppose time will tell.’

  ‘Do you want me to stay until he’s gone?’

  Kelly nodded appreciatively. Jay followed Kelly into the living room where Emily lay on the settee. He ruffled her hair but she batted his hand away, too busy watching the television.

  They’d had two mugs of coffee each by the time Scott finally arrived, over an hour late. Immediately, he turned on Jay.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Fixing my knackered iron,’ Kelly said quickly. ‘You never had time, remember?’

  ‘I was busy, remember?’

  ‘Don’t seem to recall that.’

  ‘I only came to pick up Em, so don’t start your nit-picking again.’

  Jay sighed. ‘Come on, Em,’ he said. ‘Let’s get your bag while the grown-ups act like kids.’

  Emily shook her head. ‘I don’t want to go with Daddy. He smells of beer.’

  ‘Don’t be stupid,’ said Scott, unaware that he’d filled the room with his rancid breath. ‘Come on, get your things. We’re going.’

  Emily rushed to Kelly and pushed herself between her knees. ‘No, I want to stay here with Mummy and Jay. Please don’t make me go, Mummy!’

  Kelly’s eyes filled with tears as her daughter clung to her. Exasperated, Scott grabbed for Emily’s rucksack but Emily snatched it back.

  ‘That’s mine,’ she sobbed and then ran to Jay. ‘Can I stay here with you, Jay? We can play dominoes – you can win again.’

  Scott’s eyes narrowed. He looked at Jay, who by this time had Emily on his knee. Then he looked at Kelly. ‘Oh, I get the picture. Quite the happy family, aren’t we?’

  Kelly shook her head. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘Don’t deny it! I can see it in your eyes.’ Scott looked back at Jay. ‘You back-stabbing bastard! You’re supposed to be my mate!’

  Jay put Emily onto the floor but she still clung to him. He bent down and tilted her chin up.

  ‘Em, go and play in your room for a bit, there’s a good girl.’

  ‘I… I don’t have go with Daddy?’

  ‘You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.’

  Emily wiped her nose on the back of her hand before giving Scott an extremely wide berth as she left. Jay closed the door behind her.

  Scott moved towards him. ‘You’d better tell me what the fuck’s going on, youth, or I’ll –’

  ‘Or you’ll what?’ Jay interrupted. ‘Come on, Johnstone. I’m sick of you and your empty threats. What are you going to do?’

  Kelly watched anxiously as they squared up to one another in the middle of her living room.

  ‘You’ve been screwing my lady, haven’t you?’ Scott’s face creased with rage.

  ‘That’s not true,’ said Kelly.

  ‘She’s right,’ said Jay. ‘I’ve wanted to, but Kelly wasn’t interested. She waited for you – fuck knows why. I’ve tried to persuade her otherwise but she stayed loyal to you. And what did you do? Go off and shag someone else.’

  ‘That’s got fuck all to do with you.’

  ‘Do you know what she’s gone through these past few months? I’ve had to watch her suffer while her whole life collapsed at her feet. She lost her home, she lost you, you dickhead, and she had no money. But did you see it break her?’

  Jay looked at Kelly with such love in his eyes that she was momentarily breathless. Gulping back tears, she stood up, but Jay indicated with his hand for her to sit again.

  ‘She stood by you!’ Jay pulled back his head and laughed. ‘Yes, you, you scummy bastard. I don’t have a clue why the hell she’d have you when she can have me.’

  Scott’s top lip curled. ‘You’d better back off, mate, or I’ll kick your face all around the estate.’

  ‘Will you two calm down?’ Kelly tried, but again she went unheard.

  ‘You think you’re so fucking smart, don’t you?’ Scott goaded Jay.

  Jay nodded. ‘Yeah, I am, because I get to spend time with Kelly. I’m not sure she’ll have me yet, but I’ll wait.’

  Scott turned once again on his friend. ‘Haven’t you forgotten something? Something I know about you that she doesn’t? What about your little secret, Kirkwell? What will she think when she finds out about the other woman in your life?’

  Jay’s fist connected with the corner of Scott’s right eye. It knocked him back but he stayed on his feet.

  ‘Stop it!’ Kelly shouted as Scott lunged back, scarcely missing Jay’s jaw.

  But she needn’t have worried. A fury erupted inside Jay and he caught Scott full in the face before landing a blow in his stomach. As Scott bent double, Jay drew his elbows down onto his back and, along with the cups on the coffee table, watched as he went crashing to the floor.

  ‘Stop it!’ Kelly screamed, as Jay went to punch him again. She pulled him back. ‘He’s not worth it!’

  Jay stood for a moment while his breathing calmed. On all fours, Scott wheezed and held onto his stomach. He wiped the blood away from his top lip and spat onto the laminate flooring before getting to his feet.

  Kelly felt bile rise in her throat. She stood behind Jay, knowing that he would protect her.

  ‘I’d watch your back if I was you,’ Scott threatened. ‘I’ll have my day.’

  ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard the rumours, big boy. Let’s see how tough you are next month when Stevie gets out. My brother will be more than pissed off when he hears what you’ve been up to. So I’d watch your back if I were you.’

  A staring competition began but it only lasted for a few seconds before Scott sloped to the door. He turned one last time to Kelly.

  ‘You think you’re something special now that you’re involved with him, don’t you? And that Mellor woman, that stupid housing officer that put all these pathetic ideas into your head. But you can’t get away from your roots. You might think you’ve changed but you’re nothing but scum really – you always were and you always will be.’

  Before Jay could catch him again, Scott was out of the door.

  Back at the office, as Josie waited for her computer to load up the system, she noticed Debbie at her desk. As she watched her, she still couldn’t understand how she would be involved with Matson. Were they in a relationship or had Debbie just taken him in when he had nowhere to go? He certainly didn’t seem partner material to her.

  A thought crossed her mind as her eyes travelled around the office. Ray and Doug were out on the patch. Irene was covering the reception. Craig and Sonia were deep in conversation about last night’s television. Josie realised it was now or never. She might not get another opportunity like this for a while.

  ‘Debbie,’ she shouted over. ‘You wouldn’t be a darling and make me a drink, would you, please? I’m parched.’

  Debbie came over to Josie’s desk. ‘I’ll do anything to stop the monotony of this bloody spreadsheet I’m working on.’ She picked up Josie’s mug. ‘Coffee?’

  ‘Thanks.’ Josie nodded, trying to avoid eye contact for fear of blushing with embarrassment.

  The second she was out of the room, Josie picked up a file from her desk and sidled over to Debbie’s. She grabbed her mobile phone and slid
it inside the file on the pretext of scanning the paperwork. As quick as she could, she navigated to the contacts screen.

  Suddenly the office door opened and Irene popped her head around the frame. Josie threw down the phone as if it were a hot piece of coal.

  ‘Mrs Summers is asking for you in reception,’ said Irene. ‘Shall I say that you’re in or out?’

  ‘I’ll be there in a minute. She’ll probably only want some form or other.’

  ‘She won’t let me get anything for her. She only wants to see you, I don’t know why. I’m capable of doing that for the old –’

  ‘I’ll be there in a minute!’ Josie reiterated.

  With a melodramatic sigh, Irene retreated. Knowing she was running out of time, Josie grabbed the phone again, pressed a few buttons and wrote down a number. She put the phone back in its original place and sat down at her desk.

  Moments later, Debbie came in with two drinks. Once they, and Josie’s heartbeat, had settled down again, Josie opened Matson’s file on computer. She queried a search for his contact details – and there it was.

  Philip’s telephone number was stored on Debbie’s mobile phone.

  Kelly glanced at Jay as she flipped through a magazine casually. She’d been trying to read an article about the reasoning behind plastic surgery but her mind had been elsewhere. It was eight thirty, the rain of a summer storm had recently stopped and the sky promised another warm day tomorrow.

  They sat either end of the settee sharing a bottle of wine, Kelly with her legs along most of its length. Emily had gone to bed less than half an hour ago. The soulful tones of Adele played in the background: a favourite of them both, Jay had bought Kelly the CD when he’d found out.

  ‘The other woman Scott was talking about …’ Jay began.

  Kelly looked up immediately.