by Penny Henry
"Good morning, Alfie."
"Hello, Beth, come in. You're the last person I expected to see walking through the door." Alfie pointed to a chair. "Did you come to see me?"
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Alfie. I’d had hoped to run into Lucy as well. It's nice to see the business booming."
Alfie's mouth tightened. "Do me a favor when you run into Lucy, will you? Make sure you're doing a good speed when you hit her."
Beth smiled playfully. "That would just be way too easy. I was thinking she deserves something a little more drawn out."
"Beth!” admonished Alfie. “It's not like you to be bitter."
Beth pulled a grin. "That's just between the two of us." She was a little surprised to find Alfie so friendly. He was normally a reserved person who kept his feelings to himself. She thought she could get to like this Alfie. "So what has our Lucy been up to lately?" She looked over her shoulder to catch sight of the busy restaurant. “You’ve got to admit that she does a good job.”
"Fortunately, I see little of her these days," said Alfie pleasantly. "She does keep us busy though. I have to give her credit for that. She’s worked hard to build up the business. But I can’t help you with where she is. She doesn't confide her whereabouts to me these days."
"Surprise, surprise," said Beth. "So you wouldn’t know where she was yesterday."
"Sorry, Beth. I really don’t know - other than that she took off with Darren. She never came back. Why? Is it important?"
Beth considered the question for a moment. Surely Darren wouldn't take the risk of spending time with Lucy behind Beth’s back. Lucy saw enough of Darren at the apartment they still shared to Beth's annoyance. "No, it's not really important. How about you, Alfie, how are you doing?"
Alfie's face lit up. "At last I'm getting somewhere, Beth. Jacob made me an offer for my share of the business, so I‘ll be able to get as far away from Lucy as humanly possible. The funny thing is that Lucy made me an offer too. I just wouldn’t sell to her out of principle. Apparently her father’s money has been released."
Beth struggled to hide her shock at Alfie's revelations. Darren hadn't seen fit to mention the fact that Lucy was free to end her irritating stay and move out. Neither had he revealed the minor detail of his father purchasing Alfie's share of the restaurant. Beth imagined that Jacob wanted to make sure he got Alfie's shares before anyone else stepped in. With Darren’s shares they could make things harder for Lucy. Beth's shares would be the coups de grâce. She couldn’t help feeling that Darren was holding back about Lucy coming into her father’s money for a reason. It didn’t make sense. He was planning to force her out of the business. There was no excuse for Lucy to be at the house a day longer than necessary. Not unless Lucy had a hold on Darren that Jacob and Beth weren’t aware of. That didn’t leave much to the imagination as far as Lucy was concerned.
"I'm happy for you, Alfie. You deserved a lot better than the treatment you got."
"Thank you, Beth. Though, I could say the same about you."
Beth smiled wryly. "Don't worry about me, Alfie. I've got everything I ever dreamt of. I'm getting married to Darren and I'm set up for life, what more could a woman want?"
"You don't look overjoyed about it, Beth. If you ever want to talk about it, you’ve got my number."
Beth didn’t think so. Alfie could be a charmer when he wanted to be and he was a free agent. Anyway, how could she possibly explain the doubts in her mind when she didn't understand them herself. Alfie would likely frown on the feelings she had developed for Ali. A woman that had made Beth reconsider her future and wonder if she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life.
"I'm fine, Alfie. Pre-marital nerves, that's all," she lied.
Alfie pushed back his chair. "Well, as I probably won't get the chance to marry a millionaire, why don’t you take me out for lunch? I've had enough for today. I only popped in to catch up on the bookwork."
Beth brightened up. "That's the best idea I've heard today, Alfie. I'd love to.” She stood up and brushed herself down. Alfie stood up with her and growled his appreciation of her appearance.
"It's a shame you're spoken for," he teased. "I could certainly wake up to you in the morning."
“Alfie! Behave yourself.!” Beth blushed then looked at Alfie under her lashes. “I didn’t know you had it in you.” Alfie was turning out to be fun and nothing like the narrow-minded prude that Lucy had complained about. "Right, young man. We won’t be eating here, so lead me to the second finest restaurant in town. I'm about to spoil you rotten."
Alfie chuckled and took Beth's arm. "If only I'd got to you first," he whispered. "Just do me a favor. Don't discuss business, and that includes Lucy and Darren, agreed?"
"Agreed," said Beth, grinning widely. “But there is one last thing, Alfie. Don’t sell your shares to Jacob. Sell them to me. I’ll give you twice what Jacob offered.”
Alfie opened his eyes about double their usual size. “You know what, Beth. I’ll sell the shares to you. But you don’t need to pay me double for them.” He put out his hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Beth felt relaxed in Alfie's company in a way she never could with Darren. He was the second person in two days to make her feel good about herself. The single thought brought the flashing eyes and seductive smile of Ali to her mind. She wondered where Ali was and if she was thinking of Beth. Then Alfie's pressure on her arm reminded her of where she was. They walked arm in arm from the busy restaurant, chatting about nothing in particular. When the conversation died Beth’s thoughts would return to Ali. Darren never entered her mind.
Beth kept her word and never allowed the conversation to return to business. They enjoyed a lazy lunch and covered every subject under the sun. Alfie was full of interesting facts that made the time fly past until they reached the point when Beth thought she could tell him anything. She hesitantly began to confess her misgivings. The problem was she had always loved Darren. She had never thought of finding happiness with anyone else. Now she wasn’t so sure.
Beth might as well have opened her heart. Alfie picked up on her doubts and encouraged Beth to confide in him. He was sympathetic to a fault and not at all judgmental. Alfie would have preferred that Beth dated King Kong rather than marry Darren. He listened while she spoke in measured words and squeezed her hand when the guilt began to fur Beth’s tongue. By the time they had strolled halfway back to the restaurant she had confessed everything except Ali's gender. That was something Beth was loath to share. In the end she didn't have to.
They turned the corner arm in arm with Beth's resting her head against Alfie's shoulder as Ali walked out from the Insurance building right in front of them. She was dressed in a pair of white trousers and a denim jacket, looking fashionable and cool until she spotted Beth and Alfie arm in arm. She pulled up short and Beth's heart stopped beating. Their eyes met and Ali shot her a look of contempt that rocked Beth back on her heels.
"Ali!"
She ignored Beth’s shout and spun to walk away. Beth freed herself from Alfie's arm and sprinted after Ali. She caught up in a moment and halted in front of her to block her path.
"Get out of my way, Beth," she snapped, "Before I call a policeman."
"Oh, yes? That would do your career a power of good, wouldn’t it? Kierran would just love to see that splashed over the papers. I can see it now; Bank Employee Cages Lottery Winner. How would that look on your CV?"
"Are you threatening me?" Ali glared icily into Beth’s emerald eyes. "Let me guess. You’re just having a bit more fun. Another sucker falls for your undoubted charms.”
Beth leant forward to gaze into flickering brown eyes that looked surprisingly shiny. "Is that jealousy I can see in the corner?" she asked wickedly.
"Don't flatter yourself, Miss Thomas," she retorted instantly. "I have something in my eye." She twisted her head to one side, blinking rapidly and screwing one delicate knuckle into the corner of her eye. "Who is he anyway?"
"Remem
ber me?” Alfie had walked to the warring couple. He looked at Ali. "Hi, I’m Alfie and I'm a soon-to-be ex-partner in the restaurant. I think I passed you in the hotel lobby on my way out the other day. We never got to meet. How do you do?"
"I… I'm very well, thank you for asking." Ali automatically accepted Alfie’s handshake. "Ali, my name is Ali."
Alfie looked at Beth totally unabashed and dolefully shook his head. "You never told me how lovely she is."
Beth colored up and Ali blushed appealingly.
Alfie raised his eyes to the heavens. "My God, you make a right pair!" He focused on Beth. "Thank you for lunch, Beth. I'll make my own way from here. It looks like you and Ali have plenty to discuss. I hope it all works out for you."
Beth couldn’t have been more relieved. “Thank you, Alfie. I’ve enjoyed every minute.” She glanced at the pensive face at her side. “It’ll be Ali that contacts you about your shares. Do you think we could keep it between ourselves for now?
“Absolutely. I’ll say I’m thinking about it.”
Beth hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Bye, Alfie.”
“Goodbye, Beth. Bye Ali. We’ll talk soon.”
Ali smiled and nodded, sensing a friend in Alfie.
"Don't be a stranger," called Beth as Alfie turned to stride away.
Alfie waved a hand in the air without turning round.
Ali turned her head to stare at Beth. "What a lovely man."
Beth grinned at Ali. “I think I’m owed an apology.”
Ali huffed and started walking. Beth stepped beside her and they strolled slowly along the footpath as Beth explained about Alfie and the hell that Lucy and Darren had put him through. Now Alfie wanted out and Darren’s father had offered a good price for his shares. Beth had made him a counter-offer and Alfie had happily accepted.
Ali assured Beth that it would be the first thing she attended to in the morning. She had been in town visiting her brother in his office and she had some shopping to do. Beth probably had better things to do with her afternoon.
Beth did have things to be getting on with but there had to be time for a coffee. Ali’s face lit up. They found a pleasant cafe-bar and took a seat in a corner. They talked about everything except last night. Neither wanted to be the one that spoilt the moment.
Beth came up with the idea just before they left. “What are you doing at five o’clock, Ali?”
"With any luck I'll be on my way home by then, why?"
"Darren has sprung a surprise meeting with his father on me. He told me this morning before he went to look at a house. I know it’s a Saturday but I was wondering if you could make it."
Ali face clouded over. “Well, neither of those things seem like good ideas to me, Beth. Darren appears to be taking a lot for granted.” She thought about the pleasure of walking in on Jacob and Darren unannounced. "It sounds like a lovely plan, Beth. I can't make promises, but I'll try my best to be there. Please remember not to sign anything without taking proper advice." She would break her neck to be there but it wouldn't do any harm to keep Beth guessing.
"You’ll try?" asked Beth worriedly. She was convinced that Darren was planning to push through the franchise agreement now that Jacob thought he was on the verge of acquiring Alfie's shares. She had been counting on Ali's support.
They had arrived at the entrance to a shopping arcade that had attracted Ali's attention. "Don't worry so much, Beth. You keep telling me Darren has your best interests at heart." She took a step inside the arcade, holding back the door with her body. "After all, you are going to be his wife.”
The door swung closed behind Ali’s disappearing back.
Beth looked blankly at her reflection in the glass door. She sighed and did an about turn to go and find her car. She hadn't dared attempt an apology for her inexcusable behaviour last night. Ali was perfectly within her rights to stay out of it. Why should Ali want to involve herself in fighting Jacob and Darren’s plans on her behalf? She couldn't blame Ali if she found an excuse not to turn up at all.
"The house is wonderful, Beth!" Darren jumped up from his seat the moment she walked through the door. He greeted her excitedly, hugging her to his chest and kissing her ear. He was beaming like an excited child greeting a generous aunt.
Beth gave a strained smile as Darren took her hand and led her towards the table. Her heart sank at the sight of Darren’s companions who mostly began to half-rise as she approached. She had guessed right. The whole thing was definitely a set-up. Jacob sat next to Darren’s empty chair with Lucy Phillips and a man that Beth didn't recognize. Beth presumed the man was Clive Francis. He looked far too smooth for Beth’s liking.
"What's Lucy doing here?" she whispered as they got nearer the table where the men had fully lifted from their seats.
"We have to keep Lucy sweet, darling. We don't want her suspecting that she's about to lose the business. She doesn’t know you’re going to be signing your shares over to dad. At the moment she knows she’s the largest investor with forty-five percent. You’ve got twenty percent. Alfie has ten and I’ve got twenty-five percent. She thinks she's safe while you and Alfie hold the balance of power. Once we have yours and Alfie’s shares we’ll own fifty-five percent and she’ll be finished. Don't mention anything about the shares. She knows how gullible you are."
Beth took offence at Darren’s careless comment. She regarded herself as fair-minded. For all of Lucy's faults, she had worked hard to build the run-down restaurant into the thriving business. Beth frowned at the idea that Lucy should be pushed out just when, with Beth's backing, her beloved company was about to go nationwide. She wasn't sure that she could live with punishing Lucy to that extreme. She had never imagined that Darren could be so ruthless.
"Beth, it’s lovely to see you again." Jacob Eldom was the first to seize Beth's hand. His over-enthusiastic handshake was followed by the briefest contact with Lucy's soft cheek and a damp handclasp from Clive Francis.
"Clive has found us a brilliant house, Beth." Darren was gushing. "You'll love it. I've instructed Clive to make an offer on our behalf.” He looked apprehensive. “Though, we may have to go to the asking price. There’s a lot of competition for it. You don't mind, do you? We'll have a swimming pool, seven bedrooms, four en suite, a family bathroom, a paddock, garaging, and all in two and a half acres..." Darren took a breath, "and a guest cottage. Clive has the details. Just wait until you see it for yourself. The photographs don’t do it justice. It's perfect. Tell me what you think."
Beth accepted the stiff sheets of paper that Clive withdrew from the briefcase that sat on the table in front him. The property was priced at a shade over two million pounds. It had everything that Darren said it had. She just couldn’t understand why they needed to spend two million pounds on a house? Beth's face betrayed the shock she was experiencing.
"We could probably get it for a straight two million," said Clive confidently. "But we’ll need to make a firm offer fairly rapidly. We’re bound to face some stiff competition for a property of this caliber. Especially in the exclusive area it’s in. May I suggest that I make our interest known and we look at placing a substantial deposit within the next few days?"
Beth's eyes stayed glued to the preposterous figure that was boldly stated on the first page of the Clive Francis & Partners headed particulars. She was out of her depth. If Darren said the property was worth two million pounds then that must be the market valuation. All she had to do was sign the check.
Clive smiled benignly at Beth. "Let me give you some time to talk it over with your fiancé. But I must stress to you that time is of the essence. I would not want you to miss out on a bargain like this." He leant back in his chair, exchanging a glance with Darren as Beth laid the sheaf of papers on the table. Clive received an almost imperceptible nod from Darren. He sat up and opened his briefcase. "While we're on the subject, Beth, I have something that should be of immediate interest to you." He produced a shiny A4 size brochure and thrust it at Beth. "Spanish time-shar
e development. It's a sure-fire winner. At the moment this excellent investment opportunity is in its first stage of construction. Now is the time to jump in before the big boys get wind of it. The agents expect every apartment to be sold well before the completion date. You would double your investment in a year, guaranteed."
Beth leafed through the glossy folder of artists’ impressions of the finished time-share project. It was an ambitious scheme that looked too good to be true; fully equipped apartments, beautifully furnished with magnificent views over Olympic sized swimming pools. The entire paradise was set in magnificent landscaped gardens. "Thanks." It was all that Beth could think to say. "I'll look it over later."
"Don't take too long, Beth," warned Clive. "The register of investors is about to close, but I may be able to pull a few strings and get you in."
"Quite a deal, eh, Beth?" rasped Jacob. "I'd grab it with both hands if I had your money. Trust my Darren to look after your interests, Beth. He’s got a good head for business on his shoulders. Darren can spot a bargain a mile off. He’s just like his old man."
That was exactly what Beth was afraid of. The men around the table laughed at Jacob's last remark. Lucy didn’t join in. She was looking at Beth with sympathetic eyes. Beth had entirely lost her sense of humor.
"Speaking of good deals, Beth," said Jacob ominously; "Darren and myself are keen to get moving on this franchise idea. I've had a look at the restaurant books. Darren popped them over for me. I have to admit that the restaurant is doing extremely well. Lucy has done a splendid job. The place is booming. The sooner we put together a financial package that allows us to capitalize on the formula that you’ve all created, the sooner we can all reap the benefits. I’m sure you’ll find lots of potential franchisees clamoring at the door. There is a lot of money to be made. I can feel it in my bones."