Once Bitten

by Oliver, Marina

  When Veronica opened the door she welcomed them warmly, but she looked hard at Judy.

  'Do come in. All's ready for you, and the coffee pot is on. Mrs Morton, how is your husband? The operation went well, I hope? My husband had the same operation, and afterwards he was as good as new. This was twenty years ago, and the operation has improved no end since then.'

  Over coffee the two older ladies seemed to be on the verge of becoming bosom friends. Justin took the opportunity, when he carried a tray out to the kitchen, of catching Veronica round the waist and giving her a resounding kiss.

  'You are a dear.'

  'Well, I only hope I can become a convincing landlady. Is it the pretty little girl? Have you got over that disaster you fell for in Oman?'

  Veronica had always been able to prise his thoughts from him, and in his despair he had written to her. Even his parents did not yet know of that disaster.

  'Barbara means nothing to me now. As for Judy, I don't know. It could be too soon, and how can I tell if this time it's real? She's recently broken off an engagement, to a real horror, and may be feeling unwilling to take another chance.'

  'You say she's selling special greetings cards? Is that a viable business?'

  'I think so. Look on her web site, and you'll agree.'

  'I will. Now I think I must show my lodger to her room. She seems a pleasant enough woman, and I'll keep her occupied, especially if it will help you with Judy. It's high time you settled down.'

  *

  By Friday all was ready. The large display boards were loaded into Felicity's estate car, Ken had taken charge of the picture frames, and Judy was putting boxes of cards into her car.

  She looked up when she heard a car draw into Sadie's drive. It was Mark, and Judy knew he no longer frightened her.

  He smirked across at her as he got out of the car and stood watching her.

  'Where's lover-boy? Has he deserted you?'

  'Get lost!'

  Judy turned away and put another box into the car. Justin had gone to the bank for change and bags to use for the cash tomorrow, but she was blowed if she was going to tell Mark that.

  He grinned as he turned and strolled to Sadie's door. Judy watched as he produced a key and let himself in. So he was on those terms with Sadie, was he?

  She pushed the last of the boxes into the car and locked it. All was ready for tomorrow. Now she could do with a cold drink.

  She poured some lemonade and took it into the garden, able to relax at last. Her father was doing well, her mother was enjoying staying with Veronica, and she felt optimistic about tomorrow. Ten minutes later Justin joined her, carrying his own drink.

  They sat companionably, the dogs at their feet. Then voices wafted over the fence from the house next door. They sounded angry. Justin looked across at Judy and shrugged.

  'Love's young dream falling out?' he said quietly.

  'We oughtn't to eavesdrop,' Judy whispered back.

  'But we're going to, aren't we? If they choose to quarrel out of doors, that's their lookout.'

  The voices were quite close to the dividing wall. Mark was sounding desperate.

  'But Sadie, my sweet, it's only for another couple of weeks until term starts. Until I can come down here permanently, after Christmas.'

  'I said no, and I mean it. If you think you can sponge off me, you're in dreamland.'

  'But I thought – '

  'Then you shouldn't have, or rather you ought to have thought more carefully. Why do you think I got rid of Mr P? It wasn't so that some other chancer could batten on me. I was tired of living with a helpless man, even if he did have lots of cash, which you don't have, Mark Simmons!'

  'Sadie, precious, I earn good money – '

  'What you call good and what I do are miles apart. If I ever live with anyone again, believe me, little man, it will be with someone who has millions. Not a pathetic little wimp of a teacher who complains about the bill for a couple of weeks at the cheapest motel round here.'

  'I don't believe in spending money unnecessarily.'

  He sounded aggrieved, and Sadie laughed.

  'You don't believe in spending your own money, true. That's why you want to move in. How often have I paid when we go out for a meal?'

  'I can't afford to rent until I've sold my flat. I'm still paying a hefty mortgage on that.'

  'Look, you poor sap, if you can't afford a mortgage on a crappy little flat in the sticks, what do you think you have to offer me?'

  'But you said – you implied – we could become a couple. Don't worry, I don't want to marry you, and then claim half your assets, which I know are more than mine.'

  'That's as well, since nothing on earth could induce me to get hitched to someone like you. What do you have to offer a girl? Good looks, that's all. How can you possibly imagine I would be interested in a mere schoolmaster? Meek little Judy's leavings, too. Even she couldn't tolerate you. You've been handy as an escort, and someone to pour out the drinks at parties, but nothing more. Now I think you'd better go, and don't come round here again, whining at me for pity. Go back to Manchester and pick up some poor sap there who will think you're wonderful.'

  'Sadie, please! Listen to me. You have me all wrong.'

  'Oh no I don't. Let yourself out by the side gate, and don't show your face here again.'

  There was the slam of a door. Judy tried hard not to laugh. If only she had been able to give Mark such a devastating telling off. She began to feel more friendly towards Sadie. Perhaps now Mark would understand he wasn't welcome and go back home. He must be fuming, to have spent so much on even a cheap motel, in the hope of moving in with Sadie. Surely he would cut his losses now and retreat to Manchester?

  *

  They heard Sadie's heavy ironwork garden furniture crashing to the ground as Mark pushed it over.

  'He daren't hit her, I suppose,' Justin said. 'He knows she has too much about her to let him without taking him to court for assault.'

  How wise Judy had been to call off her engagement. She had never mentioned that Mark had hit her, and perhaps he hadn't, but Justin would have bet that in time, if they had married, he would have.

  Then Mark's head could be seen over the wall as he made for the side gate. He looked over and when he saw Judy and Justin sitting in their garden, he sneered at them.

  'Enjoying the show?' he asked.

  'If it's a public one, yes,' Justin replied. 'Are you now leaving us in peace while you creep back into your lair?'

  Mark glared at him, and Justin could have sworn his eyes were red with anger. If the wall had been lower he might have clambered over it, so furious did he seem. Then he shrugged, and went through the gate to the front of the house. They heard him slam his car door and gun the engine. The tyres screeched as he pulled out of the drive, and they heard the squeal of brakes, then Mark roared away.

  'I wonder who he almost hit?' Julian said. 'Let's hope he calms down before he gets on the main road, or he'll hurt someone.'

  *

  Five minutes later Ken was at the front door.

  'Did you see that maniac?' he demanded as Julian let him in.

  'We heard. Sadie had just given him his marching orders, with a masterly putdown. Who did he nearly hit?'

  'Me. Well, I really was mistaken about him, thought he was a good fellow. I must have a word with some of the school governors if he does apply for our headship. Can't have someone as uncontrolled as that in charge. I brought this over for you.'

  He held out an airmail letter form.

  'It's from Fay. There must have been a relief postie on this morning, it was in amongst our letters. I've been out all day, just got back, or I'd have brought it over earlier.'

  'Thanks, Ken,' Judy said, taking the letter. 'From New Zealand. That must be their first stop on the way home.'

  'You go ahead and read it,' Justin said, and with a grateful smile she went indoors.

  Dear Judy,

  I decided to write with my news, since postcards
and phone calls are rather limiting. Guess what? I'm pregnant! I began to suspect it a few weeks before we left England. The first test I did was inconclusive, and I was going to do another, but I was feeling queasy and went to see the doctor, and she confirmed it.

  You will wonder, since Paul always said he didn't want children, and I didn't think I did either, but for the past few months, since Christmas, he's been changing his mind. It must be the age thing, but I didn't think men had biological clocks. And maybe having a big house which seemed empty with just the two of us. Anyway, we decided to try, and it must have happened almost at once. That was what prompted us to take this trip, since we knew once we had children it would be far more difficult to travel long distance. But we are both delighted, no regrets, and I can barely wait to get home and start converting one of the bedrooms into a nursery. I'm feeling fine, the queasiness has gone, but it was partly the reason we decided to take it easy on the way home. And we can see some of these other places we've always wanted to visit.

  Australia was fantastic, and I have lots of photos, while you can imagine how excited Paul has been with all the strange animals and plants here. We are staying in New Zealand for another three days, and by the time you get this we'll probably be in Hawaii.

  Paul (the idiot!) told me about the mix-up with Justin. I hope you didn't have too much of a shock when you found him at the house. I expect he will have gone back to his own apartment by now, but I hope it wasn't a problem for you. Of course, he may have moved out when he realised the situation.

  How is your flat sale? The sooner you can sell it and get away from Mark the better. I was sorry at first that you broke it off, and Mom will keep on about it in all her letters. But you know what you want.

  I must finish, thank you so much for looking after the dogs. I hope they haven't been a nuisance.

  Love from

  Fay.

  ***

  Chapter 10

  By ten the stall was set up. Judy looked at it and wondered how they had managed to do so much. Six-foot high divider screens from Magda's office surrounded the table, with a selection of her cards and the framed prints fixed to them. Ken was set up with a table and chair behind them with his supply of frames and the prints. Cards and prints were displayed on the table where Magda, Justin and Judy stood ready. Magda was at one end with the cash box and stacks of order forms, Justin was at the other with piles of catalogues and Judy's business cards. Judy stood in the centre, ready to chat and sell the cards. Felicity's estate car was nearby, with more cards and frames in reserve, and she was willing to stand in for any of them when they needed a break.

  Judy looked round at the other stalls, and marvelled at the variety of crafts on display. There were stalls showing lace, embroidery, crochet and knitwear, the latter mostly baby clothes. Then there were toys, both soft and beautifully carved ones, pottery, wooden ornaments and bowls, boxes decorated with shells, basket work, even blown glass. And jewellery of all sorts, delicate silver filigree, huge chunky beads, and rings with semi-precious stones as well as coloured glass.

  'It's a wonderful place for stocking up on Christmas presents,' Magda said.

  'If you can begin to think of Christmas so early. But I've seen a beautiful crocheted shawl I might buy for Fay's baby.'

  'I guess your mother's pleased about the baby.'

  Judy shook her head.

  'She was out last night with Justin's cousin, so I wasn't able to speak to her. And it was too early to ring this morning. If we have a break later I'll ring from my mobile. She's having a great time, they've become real friends, and she has someone her own age to go shopping with, and to the theatre. It sounds sometimes as though she has to make an effort to fit in visits to Dad.'

  'He's going on OK?'

  'Yes, he'll be out soon.'

  'And they can stay here and wait for Fay to come home. You know, I was the first she told about their change of mind, that she was going to try for a baby. Last February, that was.'

  'They didn't waste much time.'

  Magda laughed. 'Perhaps I jumped the gun, but I couldn't resist. It was just before St Valentine's day, and I sent her a card signed with a 'J' for Junior. We had a good laugh about that.'

  Judy hoped she didn't look as startled as she felt. So that was the explanation about the card, and all her suspicions about Fay and another man, especially Fay and Justin, had been groundless. She could have spared herself some unhappiness if she hadn't jumped to conclusions.

  She wasn't allowed to dwell on the thought, for just then a loud bell was rung, a local dignitary declared the fair open, and the gates were thrown back to admit the crowd of eager buyers. One of the first to stop at Judy's stall was Sadie. She wore skin-tight white jeans and a black and white checked shirt, open to show her cleavage. Judy wondered if she ought to have worn something more eye catching, as a stallholder, to attract buyers.

  'Judy, what a gorgeous lot of cards you have here! I really must buy some for Christmas cards. Could you do a personalised one of Pusskins for me?'

  'Sitting nonchalantly in a cherry tree while the dogs bounce about underneath?' Justin suggested. 'She could be saying something rude to them.'

  Sadie laughed. 'Perhaps, but you do simple portraits, don't you, like these?'

  'I can do whatever,' Judy said, intrigued by Sadie's apparently friendly manner. If this was due to Mark's departure, it would make life with her as a neighbour decidedly more pleasant. 'Why don't we get together tomorrow or the next day and discuss it? Meanwhile, are there any others you fancy? They don't all have messages, so you can use them for whatever you like.'

  Sadie began to select a dozen cards, and soon there were other customers to keep Judy busy. Sales went well, especially of the framed prints, and Ken was regularly replacing the ones sold.

  'I'm wondering if we have enough,' Justin commented when there was a slight lull.

  'You're going to make a bumper profit,' Magda prophesied. 'It's not twelve yet, and there are still people arriving. Have we enough catalogues, Justin?'

  'Yes, I ordered twice the number I thought we'd need today, so that Judy could send them out to enquirers, but I suspect we'll have to have a reprint for that.'

  Judy was struggling to hold back tears of happiness.

  'You have all been so wonderful,' she said. 'We'll have a party at the Green Man for all my helpers as soon as I can arrange it.'

  'And blue all the profits? You need some lessons in not being too generous, woman,' Justin said, laughing.

  'Justifiable business expense,' Magda told them.

  *

  They were laughing when they saw Sadie running towards them. She looked distraught, and almost collapsed into Justin's arms.

  'What's happened?' he demanded, and guided her behind the table where she collapsed onto one of the stools.

  'My house!' she gasped. 'It's been trashed! Everything breakable, all my ornaments and pictures and china and glass has been smashed, and the bottles of drink tipped over the mess. Oh, Justin, it must have been Mark. What shall I do?'

  'Have you phoned the police?'

  She shook her head.

  'No, not yet. I didn't dare stay in the house in case he was still there. Come back with me, please!'

  He looked apologetically at Judy.

  'I think I have to go.'

  Magda shook her head.

  'Better let Ken go, he knows the local police and who to get on to. Felicity will take over from him.'

  Sadie, even in her distressed state, looked disappointed, but when Ken was told what had happened, and Felicity telephoned to come and take over from him, Sadie permitted him to guide her away.

  'Could it really be Mark?' Magda asked. 'He seemed such a charming man, and he and Sadie looked like making a couple. Especially if he moved down here permanently.'

  'She threw him out,' Justin explained, and told Magda what he and Judy had overheard the previous day. 'He was looking fit for murder.'

  'He had a key to her
house, so if she hadn't got it back from him he wouldn't even have needed to break in,' Judy remembered.

  'Thank heaven you saw what he was like in time,' Justin said quietly to Judy.

  She was still looking shocked.

  'He was never violent before,' she said.

  'Perhaps he never had so much to lose, before. I expect the police will want to interview us about yesterday. But forget about it now, here come some more likely customers.'

  *

  By lunchtime there were fewer people around, and Judy was able to phone her mother with the news of Fay's pregnancy. Mrs Morton was ecstatic, so much so she was incapable of lucid speech for a couple of minutes.

  'Oh, I can't wait! How soon is she coming home? Now it only wants for you to get married and have babies.'

  Judy raised her eyes to heaven. Would her mother ever change? Thank goodness Justin would be going back to his own apartment tomorrow, and would not be here to be embarrassed when her mother began to drop her less than subtle hints.

  She had been so busy the last few days she had not stopped to examine her feelings about losing Justin's company. Had her discovery about the Valentine card changed her attitude, banished all her doubts? Now she faced the prospect of being alone in Fay's house, at least until her parents came back. She would miss him desperately, she realised. He'd helped her, encouraged her, and been a friend. Not, though, she thought rather bleakly, anything more. She would not have had this stall if it had not been for him, and Magda.

  'I'll come up to London to visit Dad tomorrow,' she promised her mother. 'You can read Fay's letter. I know she will have written to you, but she'll have sent it to Spain. What time will you be going to the hospital?'

  It was, fortunately, not until late afternoon, so she could have a long lie-in in the morning. What time would Justin be leaving? She knew he had begun packing, and he was due back in the office on Monday.

  Firmly she pushed away such dismal thoughts, and while there was a lull they sat down and ate the sandwiches Magda had brought, and poured out coffee from a couple of flasks.

  'Ken is a long time,' Justin commented.

  'I expect he's helping Sadie clear up some of the mess. Or they are waiting for the police.'