A Time for Hope

by Anna Jacobs

  He waved one hand. ‘Be my guest.’

  She came out wearing the new dressing gown. ‘Do you have any scissors or maybe a pen knife? I can’t get the label off the back.’

  ‘I have my trusty Boy Scout knife. Turn round.’ He fiddled with the label and snipped off the plastic strip which had defied her fingers. ‘There.’

  ‘Perhaps we could do the same to the other new clothes while we’re at it?’

  ‘You hold them out, I’ll use my masculine muscles.’

  By the time they’d fiddled with several different types of label, they were laughing together over the vagaries of clothing sellers.

  When he put away his knife, the laughter faded and something else replaced it in his eyes. But he still held back, so Gabrielle took the initiative, grateful that he was allowing her this choice. She moved closer. ‘I’d very much like you to kiss me, Dan.’

  ‘I’d very much like to oblige.’

  The kiss was slow and gentle, yet it made her want him even more and she pressed against him, realizing from his physical state that he too wanted more.

  ‘No need to stop there,’ she said.

  He studied her face. ‘Sure?’

  ‘Very.’

  ‘Good.’

  In the darkness he gathered her to him, and though she felt nervous at first, that soon vanished, because he was a wonderful, caring lover …

  When they lay together afterwards, she decided that whatever she’d done to deserve this man, she hoped it continued.

  ‘That was wonderful,’ he murmured in her ear.

  ‘Yes. You’ve got hidden talents, Mr Monahan.’

  He chuckled. ‘So have you.’

  It was, she thought dreamily, just as wonderful to be able to laugh together afterwards and not make a competitive performance of the act of love.

  It had been, she realized as she was drifting into sleep, a true act of love.

  Still nestled in his arms, she contemplated the realization that she had fallen in love with Dan. She hadn’t intended to. She still wasn’t quite sure how he felt about her.

  But she trusted him to treat her with kindness, whatever came of their budding relationship, and kindness had been in short supply in her life for a while now. It would be enough to start with.

  She sighed and nestled closer to the sleeping man, slipping her hand in his.

  Dan’s happy smile and quick kiss were enough to dispel any embarrassment Gabrielle might have felt on waking beside him the following morning. But they didn’t linger over the breakfast they’d ordered, which had been left on trays outside their room.

  They were ready to set off by eight o’clock, as they’d intended.

  ‘Lay on, Macduff!’ Gabrielle said, picking up her various packages and the rubbish bin liner of old clothes.

  Dan grinned at her. ‘You even got that quotation right. Most people don’t and it irritates me. It shouldn’t, but there you are – I’m a stickler for detail. I might irritate you a bit with it, only you have to focus on details in my profession.’ He began to recite the whole sentence from Shakespeare’s play and she joined in.

  ‘Lay on, Macduff, and damned be to him who first cries, Hold! Enough!’

  ‘That should be our motto for this puzzling situation of yours,’ he said.

  ‘All right. Lay on, Mr Monahan! We won’t give in, whatever happens.’

  He noticed that she smiled for a while after that, and he did too. It was a strange thing to link them, quoting Shakespeare, but he was happy to find anything that made her feel more comfortable with him. She had a lot of reasons for mistrusting men, thanks to Mr Stuart Bloody Dixon.

  Once he’d seen her through to the other side of the mess … if the attraction continued to grow, as he rather thought it might … well, it might change his whole life.

  He cut those thoughts off short. He mustn’t lose his focus. Not till things were settled and explained, anyway. Something about this situation worried him, though he couldn’t work out what exactly was making him feel uneasy.

  He wished now that he’d met her ex, or at least had a surreptitious look at the guy. You could usually tell a lot from someone’s appearance.

  Perhaps it was the money thing. In Dan’s experience, some swindlers never let go until they’d milked a victim dry, and Gabrielle still had quite a bit of money – enough to put a deposit on a modest house, from what she’d said. Would this Stu fellow come after that next?

  They seemed to be getting away from him too easily.

  Maybe he was worrying for nothing and they’d never see Dixon again.

  Or maybe he’d come after the rest of her money.

  There were a lot of maybes hanging over them at the moment.

  He fell back on his old mantra: one day at a time, one step at a time.

  Nine

  The first sight of Rochdale was a big disappointment to Gabrielle. The streets and buildings looked rather tired and shabby as they drove into the centre.

  ‘It’s because they’ve had hard times here in recent years, a lot of unemployment,’ Dan murmured.

  ‘How did you know what I was thinking? Are you a mind reader?’

  ‘No, a face reader. And you have a very expressive face. Wait till you see the Town Hall. There – look!’

  He stopped the car in a parking bay in the big open space in front of the Town Hall, and she got out to stare at the huge stone building, with its tower at one end. ‘Wow! It’s beautiful. Victorian Gothic, like the Houses of Parliament.’

  ‘Not the same architect, though. This was done by William Crossland – one of his earlier works. We’ll do a tour of it one day, if you like. It’s even more impressive inside. The people here are rightly proud of it – and, of course, it’s Grade One listed.’

  They stood for a moment, admiring the beautiful, ornate building. ‘I love old buildings,’ Dan said. ‘Modern ones, like those towers on the horizon over there, look like piles of egg boxes to me. Any child could design the outside of one by piling up toy bricks.’

  He glanced at his watch. ‘Unfortunately, we’d better get moving. We’re cutting things rather fine, thanks to those traffic jams on the M6. Henry appreciates punctuality.’

  The lawyer worked from the ground floor of a restored Edwardian house, whose garden had been turned into a car park. Other businesses occupied the first and second floors, according to a signboard in the entry.

  Henry was well-dressed, the sort of man who might have been called a ‘gentleman’ a hundred years ago, Gabrielle decided. He was quietly spoken and exquisitely dressed, which made her feel even more shabby in her cheap and practical new clothes.

  Stu would have been scornful about the lawyer. He always claimed that the world had moved on, and the only people who counted were those who had moved with it. But not as many things had changed as he claimed, and some people ignored passing trends until they had proved themselves. He had always leaped from one fad to another, like a frog crossing a pond by jumping on lily pads.

  She realized the lawyer was speaking to her. ‘Oh, sorry. What did you say?’

  ‘Dan told me about the robbery. Shocking thing to happen. Would you like a cup of tea, my dear?’

  ‘I’d love one.’

  ‘I’ll ask Mrs Hockton to get us some. She makes a perfect pot of tea. Excuse me a moment.’

  Gabrielle stared round. Beautiful antique furniture, glass-fronted bookcases, and a fire so realistic that it took her a minute to realize it wasn’t a coal fire but a gas imitation, which looked just right in the old-fashioned fireplace.

  Dan sat slightly to one side, as if keeping out of the conversation.

  When Mr Greaves came back, he took the armchair opposite hers and studied their faces. ‘You both look tired.’

  She could feel herself blushing, but Dan stepped in quickly. ‘We neither of us slept well last night. Not the most comfortable of hotels and Ms Newman is still upset about the robbery.’

  Gabrielle bent her head to hide her smil
e at this explanation of their weariness.

  ‘Yes, of course. I hope they catch the thieves. However, we have some rather more pleasant business to deal with today. What did Dan tell you about your inheritance, Ms Newman?’

  ‘Not much. I know only what you said in your letter. He told me you’d explain the details.’

  ‘Yes. Quite right. Well, for a start, Rose King has left provision for any female relative in need to be given twenty thousand pounds.’

  ‘That’s … a very helpful sum.’

  ‘There is a condition to it, I’m afraid. You have to live in the area for six months in order to claim it, but while you’re here, you’ll be given a living allowance, and, if you wish, you can stay in one of the trust’s houses rent-free, with electricity and all services paid for you. She felt that would give people time to get on their feet again, mentally and financially. You can stay longer if you wish.’

  ‘It’d be wonderful to have somewhere to live! And my ex won’t be able to trace me as easily if I’m living in someone else’s house.’

  He looked at her shrewdly. ‘You think he might come after you?’

  ‘Only if he feels he can get more money out of me. Which I won’t let him do.’ She quoted the old saying, ‘Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.’

  ‘Very true.’

  ‘However, I’d rather avoid trouble. Perhaps I’m worrying for nothing. I may never see or hear from him again.’ She hoped. ‘I’ll have to buy some furniture for the house, because they took all mine, but I’m sure I can find what I need in the second-hand shops.’

  He smiled gently. ‘Mrs King’s houses are all furnished – some more sparsely than others, I will admit. They’re rather old-fashioned, but everything is in working order and they have all the basic appliances, so there’s everything you need except for food and your own clothes, of course.’

  Mrs Hockton came back just then with a large tray full of pretty china.

  Dan stood up. ‘Shall I fetch the teapot for you, Mrs H?’

  ‘Yes, please, Mr Monahan.’

  When they were all supplied with tea and biscuits, Mr Greaves continued his explanation. ‘Mrs King lived in one of the cottages in Top o’ the Hill until she died. That’s a village near Todmorden. She didn’t hanker after a large house, even though she’d made quite a lot of money on the stock market.’

  He smiled fondly, ‘She seemed to have a knack of buying shares which would shoot up in value, and she was usually just as good at knowing when to sell. She called it her little hobby. Few people have such lucrative hobbies, but she didn’t care about the money she made nor did she spend much on herself. What she enjoyed was using it to help people.’

  He studied Gabrielle thoughtfully. ‘There are two cottages available in the village she lived in and there are a couple of other houses in slightly more isolated surroundings – in the same area, though. As the name suggests, the village is right at the top of a hill, or rather at the edge of the uplands – the moors, that is.’

  He looked sideways at their companion. ‘I’d suggest Mr Monahan shows you the houses tomorrow so that you can choose which one you’d like to live in.’

  ‘I can choose?’

  ‘Of course. Subject to the trustees’ approval. I’m hoping to persuade Dan here to become manager of the trust, especially the financial side of things.’ He shuddered eloquently. ‘I really have no head for dealing with stocks and shares, let alone the requirement to keep an eye on Mrs King’s relatives.’

  He looked at Dan. ‘Unless you have strong views about which house Ms Newman should live in?’

  ‘Whichever takes her fancy. I’m not going to prejudice her for or against any of them. I’ll enjoy taking her round them all tomorrow.’ He glanced towards the window. ‘I think we ought to find somewhere to stay before it grows dark.’

  Mr Greaves nodded and held out four envelopes. ‘Here are the front door keys. The addresses are written on the envelopes. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon at about the same time to hear your decision, if you think you’ll have gone round them by then.’

  He smiled at Dan’s nod, then turned back to Gabrielle. ‘There will be other things to discuss once you’ve made your choice.’

  She walked out with Dan, feeling a lot better than when she’d gone in. Outside, the words burst out of her. ‘I shall have somewhere to live! Oh, you don’t know what a relief that is!’

  ‘I can imagine. I’m really glad for you. Come on. Let’s get a room and then—’

  She finished it for him. ‘Then we’ll find somewhere to eat. You’re hungry again.’

  ‘Can’t help it. It’s part of my charm.’ He looked at her quizzically. ‘We’re sharing a room again, aren’t we? I’d hate to think you were just using me for a one-night stand.’

  She chuckled. ‘We’ll share if you’re a good boy.’

  He pulled her to him for a quick kiss. ‘I’m a very good boy.’

  It took her breath away, that kiss did, for all its gentleness. He was easy to like and relax with, but when he kissed her, fireworks seemed to explode around them, as if they sparked something in each other.

  Stu leaned back in the big comfortable armchair and smiled at Radka, enjoying being back in her beautiful luxury flat. ‘Told you it’d work. Gaby was so easy to dupe and the beauty salon didn’t mind that way of me giving her a day’s treat.’

  ‘Yes, you were right. I was pleased with the way things went. And you even had the sense to phone the beauty salon this time, not turn up in person. Clever boy. You’re learning.’

  ‘Hardly a boy.’

  ‘You seem like one to me sometimes.’ She frowned at him. ‘Now, can you please stop talking about your ex. You mention her at least once an hour. She’s the past – done with. Say Bye, bye, Gabi! Hello, Radka.’

  ‘Hello, Radka,’ he repeated, smiling.

  But she didn’t smile back at him. ‘I’m your future now and don’t you forget it. I don’t share my men with anyone.’

  ‘Men?’

  ‘One at a time, but, obviously, you’re not the first.’

  He frowned. ‘I don’t talk about Gabi that often, surely?’

  ‘Oh, but you do.’

  He shrugged. ‘Well, she was so profitable. Good housekeeper, too. I miss being looked after. Pity I can’t think of a way to get the rest of her money. She still has a tidy sum left. Maybe she—’

  Radka gave an elaborate yawn.

  ‘Sorry. Do you want to go out and get something to eat?’

  ‘Again? You ate only three hours ago.’

  ‘Are you never hungry?’

  ‘I don’t allow myself to get hungry. I have no wish to become fat.’ She walked across to stare at herself in the mirror, turning from side to side, preening a little.

  ‘You’re on the scrawny side of slender, if anything,’ he said without thinking.

  A cup sailed through the air and hit him on the side of the head, before crashing to the floor and breaking into several shards.

  ‘Hey! Stop that.’ He rubbed his head and used his handkerchief to wipe off the splashes of coffee.

  ‘I warned you. I will throw things if you criticize my appearance. Or make you sorry in other ways. I’m happy with how I look. If you aren’t happy with me, find yourself another woman and I will find another man.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. You’re beautiful and I love being with you.’

  Another glance at the mirror. ‘No, I’m not beautiful. But I am attractive and sexy. That is just as useful.’

  She turned to smile lazily at him, in that certain way she had when she wanted him, and he could feel desire rising. ‘Extremely sexy,’ he said in a voice gone suddenly husky. ‘In fact, why don’t we—’

  She held up one hand to keep him at a distance and her voice became sharper. ‘Not now, but definitely later. I have to go out to see someone about selling the incidental goods we acquired from your ex. I will also tell my main partner this may be a good way to bring the speci
al items through customs in future. If he likes the idea, he will make it happen and then we will give you a share.’

  ‘Make sure you tell him it was my idea in the first place.’

  Her voice was utterly flat and cold, very much a foreigner speaking English at this moment. ‘No. I am one of the partners and I employ you. I will tell the others only what they need to know about you. You must stay in the background, continue working for your company, or you will lose your usefulness.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘When I get back, I will tell you only what you need to know about the situation, too. Better, if anything goes wrong, that no one knows any details about the others.’

  ‘Except you know about me.’

  She inclined her head. ‘Yes. Except me. But I found you. And you will benefit from those precautions.’

  He looked at her with sudden anxiety. ‘Why should it go wrong?’

  ‘Darling, what we’re doing is against the law in both countries.’

  He tried not to think about that side of things. ‘Well, if it does go wrong, I shall insist that I knew nothing about what you were doing. After all, my reason for being in this country is an entirely different project for the British company which employs me.’

  ‘Yes, of course. That is a very useful excuse for you being here. But it is a very small project compared with the ones in which I’m involved.’ She moved towards the door, stopping to say provocatively, ‘Later on, if you are a verrry good boy, we will go to bed and test your staying power.’

  Another of those smiles and she’d gone. Stu began to pace up and down. The details she gave him about what she did for a living kept changing. He had assumed she was a manager of some sort, or maybe the owner of a small company. Now, she was saying his job was small beer and that she was a partner in a major company of some sort. He scowled. He wasn’t used to being with a woman who was more successful than he was.

  Moreover, he still hadn’t worked out how to manipulate Radka, which worried him. He was usually good at dealing with women, but she was unlike anyone he’d ever known before. And he had to admit that she managed him more than he managed her. He didn’t like that.

  Only she was rich. Judging by this flat, very rich.