Dangerous Girl_An utterly heart stopping thriller

Home > Other > Dangerous Girl_An utterly heart stopping thriller > Page 22
Dangerous Girl_An utterly heart stopping thriller Page 22

by Emma Tallon


  Tanya frowned, utterly confused. ‘I have no idea who you are, lady,’ she replied, beginning to get angry herself now that the shock was wearing off. She stepped forward again. ‘But I would very much like to know, and I would also like to know why exactly you’re harassing me like this.’

  The woman took a few steps towards her, and Tanya backed away again, her eyes warily settling on the woman’s hands stuffed inside her coat pockets. She wished again that she had her phone to hand or that she had left the door open for Simon to come in when he arrived. But that wasn’t the case. It was just the two of them, and Tanya would have to deal with this alone. She looked around in her peripheral vision, trying to locate anything within reach that she could use as a weapon to defend herself. There was nothing. Just empty tables. Even the glasses were already back behind the bar.

  Tears began to run down the woman’s face, and she wiped them away angrily. ‘You make me sick,’ she spat. ‘People like you, you’re all the same. You think you can waltz in and take what you like and that there will be no consequences. Well, there are consequences. And I’m here to show you exactly what those consequences are.’

  She stepped towards Tanya, her face dark and determined. She pulled something out of her pocket, and Tanya stepped back. She lost her balance as her heel slipped in a small puddle of water, and she fell back against the table, losing her small window of opportunity to get out of her crazed stalker’s path. She threw her hands out in front of her in defence, not sure exactly what to expect. Cursing herself for not running earlier, Tanya squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the worst. Seconds passed and she held her breath. Was it a knife, or a gun? Was the woman waiting for her to open her eyes before she did it?

  Tanya blinked and looked up. What she saw shocked her to the core. It shook her more deeply than the sight of a gun could ever have done.

  The woman held the small photobook out in front of Tanya’s face like a cross against a vampire. It was open on the middle page, and the picture spread across both pages may as well have been a punch to the gut. There he was in perfect colour. Daniel, hugging two children who looked like his miniatures and this crazed, brunette stalker was standing right behind him, her loving arm draped across his shoulder. Daniel had a family. And this was his wife.

  Tanya slowly stood up and took the album from Daniel’s wife’s hand. She flicked through the pages, feeling more and more sick with each second that passed. The album was of a family holiday to Disneyland. They all looked so happy. The children looked up at their father adoringly and full of trust in the more candid pictures. Tanya shut the book. She didn’t want to see any more. She gently handed it back to the woman and pulled one of the chairs out from the table behind her. She needed to sit down.

  How could he do this? How could he lie to her, after she had let him in, after she had given him her trust? Tanya was crushed. She had spent years comfortably behind the emotional wall in her heart. No one had hurt her – no one had been allowed the opportunity. She had let Daniel through, allowed him into her life and her home and introduced him to her friends.

  Tanya looked up and just shook her head in shock. How could he do this to his wife? To his children? She saw the anger and hate still burning in the other woman’s eyes and realised that she assumed Tanya knew.

  ‘I didn’t know,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Of course you did,’ the woman shot back. ‘How could you not? He must have left you after most of your dates; he never spent weekends with you. You must have known. I read your texts.’ She started pacing and held her arms around her stomach as though she were in pain. ‘I found his phone. His second phone, that is. The one he uses for you.’ Her dark brown eyes closed for a second before she continued. ‘Several times he mentioned the fact he was unable to see you at weekends. You replied saying you understood the situation!’ Her voice heightened into a humourless laugh.

  ‘Listen… what’s your name?’

  ‘My name is Amanda, Tanya. Amanda Sharp.’ She emphasised her last name haughtily and Tanya breathed out heavily.

  ‘OK, Amanda. Daniel told me that he had only become successful because he had given up weekends to see all the clients who could never spare time on weekdays. That this was where the real money lay. And I believed him.’ Tanya’s tone was sober as she explained things as simply as she could. ‘It seemed perfect. I run a club. Weekends are my busiest times.’ She shrugged and then dropped her shoulders, defeated. ‘I thought I’d finally found someone who wouldn’t mind not going out on a Saturday night or cosying up on a Friday together after a long week at work. I was so happy to find someone in the same situation.’ Tanya’s voice quivered and she stopped talking. She still couldn’t believe this was happening.

  Amanda’s hard gaze faltered, and she hesitated before speaking again.

  ‘You honestly didn’t know?’ she questioned. ‘You didn’t know he had a wife or children waiting for him at home?’

  ‘No, I didn’t,’ Tanya said. ‘I had no idea. I wouldn’t have touched him with a bargepole if I had.’ She looked Amanda up and down. The woman was clearly upper middle class and well educated by the sound of her voice and her appearance. Someone from Daniel’s own background, Tanya realised with a pang of jealousy. Something she would never have been.

  ‘You don’t know me. You don’t know what kind of person I am, or what morals I live by. You’ve just assumed I’m the sort of person to happily wreck a family. You’ve assumed, based on the fact that I speak and look different to you. You’ve come into my life, you’ve followed me, sent me abusive messages, even tried to kill me. You stand here now, in my club, talking down to me. And you think I’m the one who should be judged?’ Tanya raised an eyebrow and let out a long breath, trying to work out where to go from here.

  Amanda had the good grace to at least look embarrassed at Tanya’s words. Her face reddened, and she shrank back, her initial, blind rage diminished. Tanya chewed the inside of her cheek and studied the woman.

  ‘Sit down. I’ll get us a drink. Clearly we need to talk.’ Tanya’s tone was flat. She walked tiredly to the bar and, after eyeing the shelves, grabbed a bottle of cherry vodka and two glasses. Placing them on the table between them, she poured some into each glass and gave one to Amanda, which she took gratefully. They eyed each other warily for a few seconds before Amanda began talking.

  ‘I didn’t mean to push you that day.’ She sighed unhappily and looked down into her glass. ‘I was following you, yes. I never meant to do anything. But then you were strolling along, so carefree, so happy and I knew that it was my husband who was making you feel like that.’ Her voice cracked, but she continued. ‘I got angry. You were getting looks from every man you passed. And why wouldn’t you? You’re beautiful.’ A tear slowly rolled down her cheek. ‘Something just came over me. And in that split second, you were in front of me, and I just pushed you. I didn’t even think about the fact we were on the stairs. I’ve felt terrible ever since. I was glad you were OK. Whatever I thought you were doing to me, no one deserves that, and I’m sorry.’

  Tanya’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She hadn’t been expecting that. Whether or not it was true, she couldn’t tell, but Amanda seemed genuine enough, so she accepted it for now. She nodded and topped up their glasses, both already empty.

  ‘Guess I was just lucky that day then,’ she replied wryly. She looked around and frowned. ‘How did you get in here?’

  ‘I was already here. I hid in the storage cupboard next to the toilets when they did the rounds to check everyone was out.’

  Tanya made a mental note to tell the staff to keep that locked in future. ‘What was your plan exactly? Just to show me your pictures?’

  ‘Well, initially I was hoping to meet you another way. When I started looking into who you were, I quickly realised that you were in business with an old friend of mine, Anna. We went to uni together. We hadn’t seen each other in years, but I got in touch, managed to find out some more about you.’

&n
bsp; Tanya gasped at Amanda’s admission. Things started clicking into place.

  ‘She doesn’t know of the connection,’ Amanda continued. ‘I had hoped to take her up on her offer of a girls’ night and confront you then. I thought you knew about me and the children already. I guess I was just hoping that seeing the children might make you feel bad. That maybe you might leave him and the affair would end. I hoped it would embarrass you, the secret coming out in front of your business partner.’ She began to cry in despair. ‘Oh God, things are so messed up.’ She folded her arms on the table and lay her head face down on them as she cried her heart out.

  Tanya stared at Amanda, her eyebrows raised in shock. This was the old friend Anna had been worrying about lately, the one whose husband was a cheat. It was all too much to take in. She had just found out that Daniel was cheating on her. Or rather, that she was his mistress rather than his leading lady, and now it turned out that his actual leading lady, his wife, was Anna’s friend too.

  Amanda was still crying. Tanya sighed a long, heavy sigh. She had her own whirling emotions to figure out and deal with; she couldn’t pick Amanda up too. It seemed she had no choice though. She shook her head in disbelief and refilled their glasses. She was going to have to mop up this mess whether she liked it or not. She cursed Daniel, pain and anger beginning to boil to the surface.

  ‘Amanda? Amanda!’ she snapped.

  Amanda sat up and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

  ‘I’m sorry. I’m just so tired. I’m so tired of putting up with shit like this,’ she said miserably.

  ‘Then leave,’ Tanya said. ‘I know it hurts, but if he’s treating you and your children like this surely you don’t want to stay?’

  ‘No, I don’t want to stay. I don’t want to pretend things are OK any longer. I can’t even bear him touching me, knowing he’s out there with other women.’

  Tanya looked down, uncomfortable at the position she found herself in. She tried not to think about herself for now.

  ‘So what will you do?’ she asked.

  ‘That’s the problem.’ Amanda laughed sadly. ‘I’m trapped with him.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘When we were married we both had good jobs, but Daniel always earned more than me. He had me sign a prenup that stated that if I ever left him of my own will, I would get nothing. He said it was his way of protecting himself from being used.’

  ‘Wow, what a dick,’ Tanya replied.

  ‘Yes, well, it’s more complicated than that now. If it were just me, I would walk away. But I have my children to think of. My youngest is just three. I’ve been at home with my children for five years. I have no income. I could get a part-time job, but I wouldn’t earn enough to keep us all and give my children the life they’re used to. And we would have to leave the family home – it’s in his name. I can’t do that to them. I can’t uproot them from everything they know.’ She rubbed her eyes tiredly. ‘I know Daniel. He’s all sunshine and light when he’s getting his way, but he’s a very selfish man at heart. If I left, he would make damn sure I got as little from him as possible.’ Amanda downed the next glass of vodka and then topped it back up herself.

  Tanya sat back in her chair. She could see Amanda’s problem. Things were infinitely more difficult when children were involved.

  ‘A friend of mine went through a divorce last year,’ Tanya said. ‘The court allowed her to stay in her home for the kids’ sakes and she was given fifty percent of everything.’

  ‘Which I would no doubt be awarded, had I not signed the prenup.’

  ‘And there’s no way around that?’

  ‘No. I’ve taken it to a solicitor. He said if I can prove Daniel is having an affair, the contract is null and void, but that the phone and the texts aren’t enough. They could be anyone. It wouldn’t stand up in court,’ she said hopelessly.

  ‘And what would?’

  ‘I would need a solid case. Incriminating photos, witnesses and even receipts from dates. I tried to get photos of you, but although I have you together I never got photos of anything romantic.’ She pulled an apologetic face at the admission.

  ‘Wow, OK.’ Tanya decided to overlook the stalking. It was understandable, after all. She pondered the situation. ‘Look… Obviously I want nothing more to do with that bastard now,’ she said strongly. ‘But I also don’t want to let him get away with this. He’s mugged me right off, and that ain’t something I take lightly.’ She leaned forward. ‘If you really want to leave him, if you’re sure you’re ready to go down that road, then I think we can get what you need.’

  Amanda frowned. ‘But you don’t want to see him now, you said.’

  ‘I don’t. But I’m a good actress.’ Tanya thought back to her days as a stripper and the lows she used to go to for extra money. Her lips formed a hard line. ‘I’ll organise one more date and get the photos. He won’t find out I know until we have everything. I’ll talk to Anna. She’ll stand as a witness if I ask her. And as for receipts, I do happen to have a few still.’ Tanya turned pink and looked away. ‘I kept some as keepsakes. In this box. First date and things. It’s stupid.’

  ‘It’s genius.’ Amanda’s eyes gleamed with hope for the first time. Perhaps she really could escape him after all. She grasped Tanya’s arms and pulled her forward into an unexpected hug.

  ‘Oh, Tanya, I don’t know what to say. If you really can pull that off, it would mean a whole new future for me and my kids.’ Her voice wobbled. ‘I thought I’d never get rid of him. I thought I’d just have to keep chasing all these women away.’

  ‘Wait, has this happened before?’ Tanya asked.

  ‘Yes. Twice,’ Amanda replied. ‘One of the affairs fizzled out by itself, and the other woman ended it after I introduced myself.’

  ‘Yes, well…’ Tanya pulled a face. ‘I’m not surprised, now that I’m familiar with your introductions…’

  Amanda laughed – a real laugh this time. Already she seemed as though all the weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Tanya watched her as she thought about what she was going to do. She was going to go and get her revenge and hit that son of a bitch where it hurt.

  Anna looked at the screen of her buzzing phone and sighed. It was her parents, ringing for a catch-up. Pressing the silence button, she focused back on the staff rota. Anna had been avoiding her parents lately, unable to give a strong-enough performance that everything was OK. Her mother would see through the fakery in an instant, and she didn’t want to talk about it. Whatever was going on, it was between her and Freddie – it wasn’t something that could be fixed over a cup of tea and a chat with her parents. They didn’t even know what Freddie really did. They knew about the clubs and the properties he owned; everything legal. But they had no clue who he really was. Anna had worked hard to keep it that way over the years.

  Anna’s eyes glazed as her mind wandered back to her troubles. One week, Freddie had said. Anna had been working through all the possible reasons for this time frame, but there was nothing solid that she could reason with. It was driving her crazy. What are you doing, Freddie?

  ‘Hey, Anna.’ A gentle voice broke through her thoughts. Anna swivelled round, her frown swiftly turning into a warm smile as she saw Sophie approaching her.

  Sophie was dressed to train, in soft yoga trousers and a sports top. It was only lunchtime – they wouldn’t be open for another few hours. She often came at this sort of time to practise her sets on the hanging rings that Anna and Tanya had installed.

  ‘Hi, how are you?’ Anna asked. ‘Fancy a coffee?’

  ‘Yeah, OK, go on then.’ Sophie dropped her bag on the floor and made herself comfortable on the bar stool next to Anna.

  Anna walked behind the bar and poured a mug for Sophie. Sophie took it gladly and wrapped her hands around it.

  ‘It’s just one of those days today,’ Anna told her.

  ‘Oh no, everything OK?’ Sophie’s expressive face crumpled in concern.

  Anna was re
minded how lovely the girl was and immediately felt guilty at her self-pitying comment. She shook away the dark cloud she had been allowing to fester and put her troubles to the back of her mind.

  ‘Yes, everything’s fine. Sorry, just tired. I’m not sleeping very well.’ She grinned brightly and sat back next to her employee and friend. ‘Ignore me.’

  ‘Have you tried lavender oil on your pillow? Or some manuka honey in warm milk? Might sound odd, but if ever I have trouble sleeping I do both and it always helps me drop off,’ Sophie offered.

  Anna laughed. If only her sleep troubles could be fixed so easily. She envied Sophie her simple solution. ‘Perhaps I’ll try it,’ she said, not wanting to offend her. ‘Anyway, enough about me, how are you? How did your drink with Michael go?’ She grinned wickedly.

  ‘Oh yes, I was going to mention that,’ Sophie said, rolling her eyes.

  ‘Well, how did it go?’ Anna asked.

  ‘Well…’ Sophie bit her lip as she searched for the right words. She didn’t want to offend her boss but didn’t want to be untruthful either. ‘Michael isn’t really my type. He’s a bit too… intense for me.’

  ‘Intense? Oh, in what way?’ Anna was disappointed. She had hoped the pair would hit it off. Sophie was just the sort of girl that Michael needed in his life.

  ‘Um, I don’t know, it’s hard to explain. I think we’re just not really compatible. I prefer someone a bit more laidback.’ She grimaced apologetically.

  Anna hid her disappointment and shrugged with a smile. ‘No worries. Was worth a try! I shall just have to improve my matchmaking skills.’

  Sophie laughed. ‘He’s a big boy; I’m sure he’ll be OK finding someone himself.’

  Anna smiled in response but kept her thoughts to herself. She wasn’t sure Michael would be able to find someone on his own. He seemed so lonely lately, and Anna didn’t want him to have to suffer their kind of life alone. Her resolve deepened. She would make it her mission to find him a nice girl to date, no matter what. At the very least, perhaps the distraction would stop her driving herself crazy.

 

‹ Prev