by M J Johnson
"See. Nobody who meets him ever sees the council estate! Simply because Michael doesn't want anyone to. He's a con artist and a street angel."
"Has he always drunk a lot?" asked Gil.
"Except when working," nodded Sally, "Always knew what was good for him did Michael."
"He'll need to sober up soon, once the wheels of commerce start to roll again after the holidays," said Gil.
David and Klaus exchanged a glance with each other, then David began, "We don't know how much truth is in this ... an acquaintance of mine who was at the party recognised Michael. She passed something on she'd heard from another merchant banker who works at the same firm as Michael. Apparently there's a rumour going round that Michael has been suspended."
Sally gasped, "Why?"
Klaus answered this time, "Not sure ... misplacing funds ... creative accounting. Whatever bad boy City types get up to … she honestly didn't know, but she reckoned it had to be something very serious."
David added, "I suppose being suspended might explain the insane drinking, why he started ringing you again ... perhaps even his behaviour with the young constable."
Sally looked relieved. "Suddenly losing his status, his routine, all the structure of his life … he'd fall apart!" She laughed ironically, "All this nonsense isn't about me at all. It's a diversion. It's helping to take his mind off the really important thing … him … and losing face!"
"So. Am I right in thinking you'd like to wait a while before considering a fresh non-molestation order?"
Sally nodded, "I think so, David."
"We'll leave it like that then, and see what happens." He didn't look entirely convinced.
"Thank you, both of you, for your concern," she said, placing a kiss on David's cheek and reaching across the table to squeeze Klaus's wrist.
"Judging by the state he was in on New Year's Eve," said Klaus, "There's always a chance the bastard might be mown down by some unsuspecting motorist as he sprawls into the path of their car ... with a bit of luck, anyway! I don't think I'd be able to resist the temptation myself if I ever caught sight of him in my headlights."
8
Saturday 3 January
I was genuinely pleased to watch you arrive home last night. You had overnight bags. Been away?
I saw that a woman was with you. I don't know why, but I have this gut feeling that the relationship is fairly new. Of course, I'll find out everything in due course.
I can absolutely guarantee one thing, whether this relationship is new or established, it certainly won't last.
9
After the nights shared in the serenely pleasant atmosphere of Apsleys, they still had a whole weekend together before returning to work. To begin with, Sally would do the initial preparation from home, as she generally did at the start of a new job. When it got busier and the production demanded even more of her time, she would stay at Roz's flat in London.
As midnight approached on Sunday evening, all was peaceful. They were snuggled together on a sofa in Gil's sitting room before the dying embers of a log fire. Only two sounds prevailed: the solemn tick-tocking of the grandfather clock in the hallway and the tiny snores coming from Spike, fast asleep on the hearth rug.
Sally sighed, a contented sound mostly, but with a note of resignation too, "I don't feel the slightest tingle of enthusiasm about starting work."
"Don't go then. Let's just stay here," smiled Gil, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"If I don't there won't be any bread and butter on my table," she yawned.
"Then resistance is useless," agreed Gil with drowsy resignation.
10
Monday 5 January
12.34 am - I arrive to begin my vigil. I park in a good position just ten metres or so from your property. I'm just in time to see the lights go out downstairs.
7.51 am - Boy delivers newspaper.
8.03 am - First signs of life. You open the curtains downstairs. The bedroom you sleep in must be at the back of the house as the upstairs curtains weren't drawn.
8.55 am - The woman you came home with on Friday night leaves. Romantic scene on drive (thoroughly nauseating).
9.04 am - Postman makes his delivery.
9.27 am - Another woman arrives, middle-aged, late fifties/early sixties, too well dressed to be the cleaner. She parks her nicely preserved MG Midget directly in front of the garage, so she can't be expecting you to leave. She has her own key to let herself into the house. The pooch is expecting her. This looks like a routine. Does she come every day?
12.31 pm - Middle-aged woman comes out and drives away.
12.50 pm - You come out in wellington boots – not a good look! Open the garage doors. You allow the dog to scramble across the car upholstery into the passenger seat. I don't suppose you're bothered about the arse-sniffer making a mess because it's not your car. I see you keep this (hire/courtesy?) car locked up in the garage. Very wise. You wouldn't want it to be the victim of another Art Attack! Ha! Ha! Ha!
I think about following. Decide not. More important to stay on task. I'm not in any rush.
Anyway, you're probably only tramping along some muddy track, avoiding the steaming heaps of dog filth, waving cheery hellos to familiar dog walkers, perhaps pausing for a friendly chat. No doubt you exchange fascinating anecdotes, like visits to the vet to get anal glands squeezed, or share a jolly moment as your charges sniff each other's backsides? What fun!
1.57 pm - Midget woman returns. Lets herself back in.
2.11 pm - You and dog get back.
4.32 pm - Midget woman leaves.
5.58 pm - Girlfriend arrives home. She has to ring doorbell. Forgotten key perhaps, or doesn't have one because the relationship is new? Romantic Noel Coward moment on the doorstep. Excuse me for wanting to THROW UP!
7.47 pm - You leave with the woman in her car. Both have changed clothes, smartish/casual.
Note: Gil employed a different routine with the front door than he did at lunchtime. He left it open, then went back inside and punched some numbers into a panel set on the wall over to the right (my right that is). After locking the door he waited for a beep or signal before getting into the car.
11
"Am I the first?" Sally asked.
"You mean, the first since Jules?"
"Yes."
"Would it matter?"
"Of course not."
"Why do you want to know then?" he asked with a smile.
"A woman likes to know these things."
Gil took a sip of black coffee and smacked his lips together in appreciation of its bitterness. "Not many," he replied sheepishly.
Sally giggled. They were in a jokey mood, in fact the whole restaurant seemed to be in high spirits. The restaurant, La Boissonière, a local establishment offering French cuisine, was unexpectedly busy for a Monday, especially so soon after Christmas.
"I wasn't having much luck, until ... I can't quite believe we actually met in a library!"
"What's wrong with libraries?"
"Nothing. But, I mean it doesn't happen, does it? I mean, of course it does, it must do, like us. Everyone always says they met at a dance, in a bar, at a club, on holiday or something. Nobody ever says, 'we met in the reading room at Tonbridge Library,' do they?"
She started to laugh, it did seem preposterous. Then she asked, "How'd you meet Jules?" She kept her eyes averted from looking directly at him as she put this question, nonchalantly stirring a little sugar into her coffee.
"Ah!" he exclaimed triumphantly, "Proves my theory. We met at a pub. See."
"Why? Was the library closed?"
Gil suspected that Sally was taking this opportunity to learn more about Jules. He didn't blame her, she'd been incredibly patient with his reticence on the subject. He only wished he found it easier to open up.
"It was at a pub called the Marlborough Arms. I was at the Slade and Jules was doing English at UCL. It was a great place for meeting people. It was at the Marlborough where I first met Felix too."
"That's extraordinary, don't you think? Meeting two people who went on to play significant parts in your life at the same place?" She thought for a second, "Not at the same time?"
"Not quite. When I met Jules I was in the second year of my Fine Art degree. She'd only just started her course. We kept meeting, or rather I engineered meetings. You know how it is, 'Oh, what a surprise! I wasn't expecting to see you again!' Of course, she knew."
"She was probably doing a bit of engineering herself."
"Probably, but I was far too shy to take the next step. If it was down to me we'd have been there years later … you know, meeting by total coincidence, twice daily. Finally, exasperated, she said, 'Look Gil, I happen to like you a lot. So are you going to ask me out, or are we going to fuck about like this for ever?'"
Sally burst out laughing, "She sounds great. Like my kind of gal."
"You'd have got on well."
He reached across the table and took her hand. He wanted to say more, open up. He wanted to tell her everything there was to tell, tell her how much his wife had meant to him, tell her about the accident, how desperate his life had been in the intervening years, until she, Sally, had entered his life. But he didn't, couldn't, and on reflection, considering how new their relationship was, thought it prudent.
Sally seemed to understand at least something of his difficulty and let him off the hook by asking, "Felix? How did that come about?"
"Jules fixed it. You see I was a big fan of Felix's. I'd read every single one of his books many times and done about two dozen illustrations based on them. His first nine books were published without any drawings at all. They'd often thought about it. His publisher had commissioned a few illustrators for a try out, but the writing and artwork never quite gelled."
"So, how did she introduce you?"
"Well, I immediately recognised him. In fact, I'd seen him in there quite often. He kept a flat in London at that time. It was just around the corner from the British Museum. I suppose the Marlborough was his local. He'd pop in for a pint and sandwich at lunchtime. By that time I was actually going out with Jules but we weren't living together yet. She was still in halls of residence. I'd shown her the illustrations."
"What did she think of them?"
"Yes. Good. She kept urging me to introduce myself. I could never quite pluck up the courage. Eventually, exasperated, she muscled her way into the seat beside Felix and did the job for me."
"He didn't try to make a run for it then?"
"Surprisingly, no."
"A pretty face never harms."
"Felix was polite and charming and, whether it was genuine or not, he certainly looked interested. Actually, knowing Felix, he probably was. We arranged to meet the following day. I brought in my portfolio to show him. To my surprise he actually showed up. He loved the stuff I'd done."
"So, the meeting of the two great men was all thanks to the wiles of one little woman," joked Sally.
"'Fraid so. Don't think I'd get any medals for bravery though."
"Are you a man or a mouse, Gil Harper?"
Gil considered the question, then with a nod and grin at the cheeseboard said, "Pass the Camembert."
12
10.23 pm - Return of Romeo and Juliet. They were laughing a lot.
Note: he unlocks door, goes straightaway to press some buttons again. The alarm probably has a code that must be fed in within a certain time limit.
This will make for interesting research.
12.14 am - All lights extinguished. Presumably enjoying sexual relations with his tart in the dark.
Tuesday 6 January
7.56 am - Boy delivers newspaper.
8.06 am - First signs of life.
8.12 am - Curtains opened.
8.57 am - Postman.
9.01 am - Kisses girlfriend. She goes off in her car.
9.27 am - Glam Gran arrives in the Midget. I get ugly picture in my head of you doing the business with both of them. No sooner have you waved loving goodbyes to your girlfriend than you're fornicating with the older woman. Grim thought! Think I'll carry on believing the old one is your secretary rather than your sex slave! Ha! Ha! Ha!
12.32 pm - Woman goes off in Midget.
12.46 pm - You in wellies, pooch in tow, car taken out from garage. Wonder what has happened to your trashed car?
Note: Gil does not set the security alarm just like yesterday.
1.59 pm - Midget woman gets back.
Note: one hour and thirteen minutes - One-seven yesterday.
2.12 pm - Return. Man. Dog. Barely indistinguishable (Joke!).
4.39 pm - Older woman goes.
7.47 pm - Girlfriend arrives. You either hear the car or have telepathic powers (another joke!) and come to meet her. Romantic interlude. I am dismayed - you are wearing an apron! As you go into the house you playfully slap her backside.
13
Gil was by no means a culinary master but with application and a good recipe he could generally put together something edible. He hadn't cooked a meal for another person since Jules' death.
"You look like you've had a busy day," he greeted Sally. He'd gone outside when he heard her car arrive.
"There's so much to do. I've been cutting out patterns all day for the chorus and barely done half. We're seeing the principals next week for their fittings and I still haven't finalised all the designs with Klaus."
"I expect it's always that way isn't it?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"Always," she smiled, "Probably why we do it. All the adrenaline."
"There's ages to go yet, so just come inside and relax. I'll pour you a glass of wine and if you survive my cooking, you can forget all about it until the morning."
"Great!" she said, planting a kiss on his lips. "You know something?
"What?"
"That apron really suits you," she giggled as they went through into the hallway.
"Bitch," he laughed slapping a hand to her bottom.
14
11.02 pm - All lights extinguished.
Wednesday 07 January
7.48 am - Paper boy.
8.34 am - Later getting up today.
8.59 am - Postman.
9.25 am - Midget arrives. Gil introduces girlfriend to older woman. More certain than ever that this relationship must be new.
15
Megan Hollingsworth and her late husband Terence, a Foreign Office man, had enjoyed a marvellous life together in enviable Far Eastern locations. However, not long after they returned from their years abroad and bought a splendid Georgian house in nearby Seal, Terence suffered a massive and fatal coronary.
A widow at fifty-two, Megan was determined to retain her independence. She was capable, resourceful, intelligent, and could still turn a head or two, not that sex was of much interest to her, after thirty years of marriage, four children and a miscarriage.
This change in circumstance had led her to Gil's door, when he had placed an ad in the local paper seeking an assistant with typing and computer skills. Her typing was rusty but basically sound, and she had bribed a granddaughter to secretly instruct her in the arcane science of computing. Gil, never certain about exactly what his needs were, had enlisted Jules' help. She had picked Megan; Gil, unsure, had offered her a week's trial. Although the typing was slow to start with, she was eminently literate, numerate and articulate and Gil made the position permanent after three days. For this act of generosity and faith she had reciprocated with unswerving loyalty. She had become much more than just a typist or telephone responder; she drafted almost all Gil's business letters, liaised and organised book signings, the occasional lecture tour and did his book-keeping.
Megan immediately guessed who the Vauxhall Astra parked in Gil's driveway on that crisp January morning must belong to. The fact it was parked untidily in the spot where Megan had for the past nine years habitually left her Midget, was most irritating.
"Hello. I'm not in your way, am I?" asked Megan, seeing Gil coming towards her
as she got out of the car.
He looked confused by the question, "No, you're fine. I'll be off to pick up my car later, but I'd leave it where it is for the moment. Sally will need to leave shortly, but you're not in her way, either."
"That's good then," replied Megan, hackles rising a little.
"We came out to say hello," he said, looking round for Sally, who'd been beside him a moment ago. She emerged from the house with Spike, who immediately launched himself excitedly at Megan. "Megan Hollingsworth, Sally, Sally Curtis. I very much wanted you both to meet."
Megan, patting Spike, looked up and smiled graciously.
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Megan," said Sally. "Gil's told me all about you. He describes you as indispensable."
Megan laughed off the compliment and took Sally's outstretched hand. She knew she was being foolishly possessive. However she understood herself well; it always took her a little time to get used to change.
Sally read the older woman's coolness.
Gil saw nothing. "Sally doesn't have to leave immediately. I made a pot of coffee."
"That's very good of you Sally. But we mustn't keep you too long. You make clothes don't you?"
"I design costumes," replied Sally, smiling through slightly gritted teeth.
"How clever of you," said Megan taking Sally by the arm, "You must tell me all about it. I see we share a taste in cars."
Sally didn't understand.
"Both red!"
16
10.35 am - Young woman leaves. Is waved off by you holding pooch.
10.47 am - You get car out of garage and go off alone.
11.01 am - New pawn arrives. This must be the cleaning woman! She's more commonly dressed than the other woman, jeans, t-shirt, etc. but about same age, late fifties. I'd be surprised if she turned out to be the accountant as she brought a vacuum cleaner!
(After a cold bright start, it has just started to rain.)