A Private and Convenient Place

by Michael G T Stokes

  She had just completed that task when the door bell rang. It startled her somewhat. She instinctively looked at her watch. Who could it be? It was not her bridge night. She was not expecting anyone to call. She rarely had any visitors at night that were not pre-arranged. She went to the front door and cautiously looked through the spy-hole. A tallish man, smartly dressed was standing with his back to the door. She could not see his face as he half-turned. It was hidden from view by his Fedora hat.

  ‘Who is it?’ she asked, raising her voice and injecting as much authority as she could muster.

  There was no reply.

  ‘Unless you identify yourself I shall not open the door.’

  The man turned fully and leant towards the spy-hole.

  ‘Recognise me now, do you?’ said a voice that she half remembered.

  She stepped back in astonishment. ‘Good Lord. It’s you, Dudley. What are you doing here?’

  ‘Open the door and I’ll tell you.’

  She removed the chain and unbolted the door. ‘I never thought I’d see you again,’ she said, ushering him inside.

  The man stepped through into the hallway and removed his hat. She could see him clearly now. He looked a little older than she remembered, but it was well over two years since she had last set eyes on him.

  ‘How long have you been out?’ she asked.

  ‘About two weeks,’ he replied. ‘You’ve changed. Your hair is quite grey now.’

  ‘It was quite grey when I knew you,’ she replied almost smiling. ‘I’ve simply stopped dyeing it. I didn’t see the point after you went to prison.’

  She looked him over slowly.

  ‘How did you find me?’

  ‘It wasn’t easy,’ he replied. There was a long pause before either of them spoke.

  ‘How long have you lived here?’ he asked.

  ‘Nearly eighteen months,’ she replied. ‘You’d better come through.’

  She led him into her sitting room. He looked around. He recognised some of the furniture and the painting on the wall opposite the door.

  ‘You still have your painting I see? By Richard Redgrave isn’t it?’

  ‘So I’m advised. The only thing of any real value I own. I thought I was going to have to sell it after you were arrested. You know I was dismissed, without notice? Your partners thought I was in on your fraud. I was questioned by the police as well.’

  ‘I know but I kept you out of it. I told them I deceived you.’

  ‘But I was the practice manager. All the claims went through my hands. The police tried very hard to suggest I knew what you were up to.’

  ‘But, Lizzie, you did! You must have done. No-one could have worked at the rate I was claiming.’

  She shook her head vigorously. ‘I did not! I’ll admit I may have closed my eyes to some of the suspicions about you raised by my assistant, but I had no idea you’d siphoned off so much. How much was it in all?’

  ‘They reckoned they could prove just under four hundred grand. But it was a bit more than that. As I pleaded guilty they didn’t pursue the rest of it, which is why you weren’t charged, incidentally. That’s the beauty of fraud, you know. The police never understand it and the CPS usually jump at any offer to plead. Saves them a lot of time and money. I made it clear I would fight if they dragged you into it.’

  ‘I suppose I ought to be grateful?’

  Her tone suggested otherwise.

  ‘Do you mind if I sit down? It’s perishing out there and I’ve been standing around for over forty minutes waiting for you to get back.’

  ‘I was later than usual tonight. I did a bit of shopping on the way home.’

  She indicated for him to sit. He removed his coat and placed his hat on the arm of the chair.

  ‘I suppose a cup of tea is out of the question?’

  ‘I think I can manage that. You haven’t told me how you found me. I never wrote to you after I moved here.’

  ‘I know. A couple of letters I wrote to you at your old address were returned. I wasn’t surprised. It was asking a lot for you to wait for me.’

  ‘What about your wife? You know, the one you said you were no longer with.’

  He dropped his head.

  ‘It was wrong of me not to tell you the truth about that, but I thought if I did, you’d stop seeing me. I really became quite dependant on you, you know. My wife, or I ought to say my ex-wife – she divorced me while I was inside – she made my life an absolute misery! And she’s taken everything I had. The house, my car and my NHS pension is going to pay back some of the money I defrauded along with my interest in the practice’s freehold.’

  She walked through to the kitchen.

  ‘How are you managing then?’

  ‘With difficulty. I got a grant when I was released and I earned a couple of hundred while I was inside but that’s nearly gone and I’ve been struck off, so I can’t earn a living as a dental surgeon anymore.’

  ‘You still haven’t told me how you found me. I thought I’d made myself very scarce.’

  The kettle was starting to boil and he could hear the clinking of crockery.

  ‘I followed you yesterday.’

  She came back into the sitting room carrying a tray with cups and saucers and a plate of chocolate digestives. She looked concerned.

  ‘What do you mean? Followed me from where?’

  ‘From the court.’

  ‘What were you doing at the court? That’s the last place I’d expect you to be. I certainly didn’t notice you.’

  ‘Come and sit down and I’ll tell you everything.’

  ‘I’ll just finish making the tea. It’s almost ready.’

  A few minutes later they were sitting opposite each other in the living room.

  ‘You’re on the jury in that big trial aren’t you?’

  ‘What if I am?’

  ‘Interesting case I would think?’

  ‘Yes. But we’ve been told by the judge not to talk about it.’

  He smiled.

  ‘They always say that, but I bet most jurors ignore such a warning. It’s only human nature to talk about something as interesting as that. I’d find it quite impossible.’

  ‘Happily, you’re disqualified from serving on a jury. It was clearly set out in the information I received along with the summons. Convictions like yours rule you out.’

  ‘Yes. I suppose they do.’

  She said nothing for a few seconds, then picked up the teapot and poured out two cups of tea.

  ‘Do you still take sugar?’

  ‘No. Gave it up inside. I was putting on too much weight.’

  ‘Milk?’

  ‘Yes please.’

  He picked up the cup and saucer and looked directly at his former mistress.

  ‘I was in court for the opening speech, but I haven’t been since. I tried on Friday but there were no seats left. I see from the papers it was quite exciting. Joseph Hanlon collapsing and then escaping from prison over the week-end.’

  ‘As I said, the judge has directed that we should not talk about it – to anyone.’

  ‘But I’m not just anyone, am I?’

  She sighed.

  ‘That’s all in the past. We don’t want to dig all that up again, do we?’

  He looked down and sighed deeply.

  ‘I do miss you,’ he said, lowering his voice before he raised his head and looked at her.

  She looked away momentarily then picked up her cup and cradled it between her hands.

  ‘Why are you interested in this trial? It has nothing to do with you, surely?’

  ‘Nothing at all. But I know someone who has an interest in the outcome.’

  She placed her cup in the saucer.

  ‘So, that’s why you’re here?’

  He shook h
is head.

  ‘No, not really. I wanted to see you.’

  She looked at him intently.

  ‘Well, you’ve seen me. How did you know I was on this jury?’

  ‘I bumped into one of your fellow jurors – down at the Irish Club.’

  ‘What were you doing there? You’re not Irish.’

  He replied in an Irish accent.

  ‘But wasn’t my old grandmother born in County Waterford?’

  She almost smiled.

  ‘Still a good mimic, I see!’

  He laughed.

  ‘That wouldn’t be young Jimmy Murphy, would it?’

  He nodded. ‘It would.’

  ‘So you were responsible for his hangover?’

  He laughed.

  ‘He did have a terrible thirst that night!’

  ‘And he told you I was on the jury?’

  ‘No. I already knew that. I’d seen you in court when the case was opened. That grey hair of yours did not mislead me for a moment. No. All Jimmy said was that he reckoned you would be the foreman.’

  He was lying. Jimmy had told him a great deal more than that.

  ‘Did he? He shouldn’t have. That is still to be decided.’

  He leant forward and took hold of her hand.

  ‘I really have missed you, you know. You’re all I thought of when I was inside.’

  She hesitated, then pulled her hand away.

  ‘I’ve been trying very hard to forget you.’

  It was obvious from the way she spoke that she had not succeeded.

  He looked down.

  ‘You don’t mean that, surely?’

  ‘What was I to think? Your wife had great fun at my expense. She came into the practice a few days after you were arrested. She accused me, in front of everyone, of being your mistress. She then said I could have you as she no longer had any interest in you, other than financial. I felt truly awful. I’ve never been so embarrassed. Two days later I was dismissed. No notice, no redundancy payment, no pension. I had to sell my apartment in Leamington. I couldn’t afford the mortgage payments. That’s how I ended up here. My brother owns this house. He’s developed it into four apartments. He lets me have this flat at a reduced rent. I have a small income from my investment of the proceeds of sale of my Leamington property and a yearly sum from my late father’s estate. So, you see, I just about manage. You may have gone to prison but I was the one left out in the cold. And I’m too old to do anything much about it.’

  He said nothing for some time.

  ‘You’re not that old.’

  ‘I shall be 56 next month. A bit old to be starting over again.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I truly am.’ He paused. ‘I must confess I was hoping you might agree to start seeing me again.’

  ‘And if I did, how could we possibly manage financially? You’re out of work. My brother would soon have me out of here if he knew you were back on the scene. He holds you personally responsible for what he kindly calls my misfortune.’

  ‘Would he have to know?’

  ‘You don’t know David. He’d soon find out. One of the other tenants would give you away in no time. He has them all spying for him, you know. Nothing gets by him. He’ll know about your visit before the end of the week. And you’ve just told me you have no way of earning a living.’

  He nodded.

  ‘I do have one opportunity to earn quite a bit, actually?’

  ‘Doing what?’

  ‘Doing nothing.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I told you I know someone who has an interest in the outcome of this case you’re trying.’

  She looked at him suspiciously.

  ‘An interest?’

  He hesitated.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Someone who wants her to be acquitted I suppose? Well, anyone watching the trial could see that’s the most likely outcome, especially now that Hanlon has done a runner.’

  She surprised herself that she had used an expression picked up from one of her fellow jurors. Manning smiled.

  ‘You don’t understand, Lizzie. The person who I’m concerned for wants her to be convicted.’

  She put her cup down.

  ‘Convicted?’

  ‘Yes. He wants her sent down for the duration.’

  ‘Who is this person who wants her to be convicted?’

  He smiled.

  ‘I think it’s best if I don’t tell you that.’

  ‘Someone you were in prison with?’

  ‘It’s not safe for you to know. Believe me. You really don’t want to know. These are very dangerous individuals.’

  ‘Perhaps I should tell the judge about this?’

  He stood up.

  ‘For God’s sake, Lizzie. Don’t even joke about something like that. It could get us both killed.’

  ‘Both of us killed? What has this to do with me?’

  ‘They know about you and me. They know you’re on this jury.’

  She spoke sharply.

  ‘Only because you must have told them. As far as I’m concerned there is no you and me! So you had better tell them that, whoever they are.’

  She stood up and started to gather up the cups and saucers and place them on the tray. She then picked it up and walked quickly into the kitchen. Her cat was still waiting to be fed. She took a container of cat food, pulled back the tab and spooned half of the contents into a bowl then placed it on the floor. The cat hovered over it, looked at her for a moment then crouched down and started to eat. Manning called after her.

  ‘Be reasonable, Lizzie. My whole future depends on this.’

  ‘Happily, mine doesn’t.’

  He followed her into the kitchen.

  ‘Please Lizzie, at least listen to the proposition.’

  She placed the cups and saucers into the kitchen sink and began to wash up.

  ‘I’m listening. But don’t you think I’m going to involve myself in any of this. If the judge heard about it, I’d be in very serious trouble.’

  ‘A hundred thousand pounds, Lizzie.’

  ‘What?’

  She turned off the tap and looked at Manning.

  ‘If she’s convicted, that’s what we’ll get. Think what we could do with that.’

  ‘And if she isn’t?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  She shrugged her shoulders then put her hands on her hips.

  ‘And you actually think I would involve myself in something like that? You really don’t know me at all do you? I took an oath to try the case on the evidence and return a true verdict, and that is what I propose to do. I think you should leave now.’

  ‘But Lizzie…’

  ‘Don’t you Lizzie me! You’re very lucky I don’t report this to the judge. Then the whole trial would have to be stopped. Where would your interested party be then?’

  ‘You wouldn’t do that, would you?’

  ‘If you go now, I shall pretend this little reunion never took place. And you can tell whoever sent you here that you failed. I will not be intimidated.’

  ‘But what about me? I’m already in breach of my parole. I’m going to end up back inside.’

  ‘That’s hardly my doing. Now, are you going to leave or not?’

  ‘You’re a hard woman Lizzie Duston.’

  ‘This is your last chance. I mean what I say.’

  ‘Alright, I’ll go.’

  He went back into the sitting room and pulled on his coat, placed his hat on his head and made for the front door. He turned and faced her. ‘What about us?’

  She looked down. ‘I don’t want to see you or hear from you until this trial is over.’ She paused. ‘You can get in touch again then, if you’re not back inside, of course.’ She gazed at him and smiled, sympathetically
.

  ‘Don’t worry Dudley, I won’t say anything about this to anyone. I owe you that much, I suppose.’

  She opened the door and he walked out into the night. She watched him as far as the pavement then closed and locked her front door.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Manning ambled along Mapperley Hall Drive until he reached the Mansfield Road. He was feeling very pleased with himself. Everything had gone as he expected. His little charade had played out perfectly. He crossed over the wide, well-lit thoroughfare and, moving at a much quicker pace, walked down the main road until he found Church Drive. Following his instructions to the letter, he turned into Luscoe Road and found the Gladstone public house. She emerged from the side of the building, dressed in a black leather studded jacket, leather trousers and boots. She held a motorcycle helmet in her left hand. Her long brown hair cascaded down almost to her waist.

  ‘Fancy a drink?’ he asked, ‘I could certainly do with one after that.’

  ‘I haven’t the time,’ she answered impatiently.

  He noticed her accent. He hadn’t picked it up when she’d phoned him. It wasn’t local. Sounded German.

  ‘You were longer than I thought you would be.’

  Yes, he said to himself, definitely German.

  ‘I’m sorry. It took longer than I thought.’

  ‘She reacted as you said she would?’

  ‘Oh yes. That’s my Lizzie. You couldn’t get her to do anything she didn’t want to do. Put any kind of pressure on her and she always does the exact opposite.’

  ‘So, she refused to make sure Julia is convicted.’

  ‘Absolutely. She almost threw me out when I suggested it.’

  ‘And she will be the foreman?’

  ‘Probably. But that hasn’t been decided yet’

  The woman looked concerned.

  ‘Only probably?

  ‘Well it’s not exactly up to her. There has to be a vote, but she has to be the favourite.’

  ‘So Julia will be acquitted?’

  ‘I guarantee it.’ He looked down for a moment. ‘When will I get the money?’

  ‘After she is freed, not before. I will contact you on the number you gave me.’

  ‘And if I need to contact you?’

  ‘You will not need to contact me.’