Written in the Stars

by Xavier, Dilys

  ‘Why don’t you come over and we’ll talk about it,’ the man said, in almost genteel tones. ‘I’m sure Gary Hyland wouldn’t have given you my name if he didn’t know you well enough, but I like to meet the people I do business with.’ He gave Mark an address. ‘About four o’clock? Will that be suitable?’

  Jonathan Wilcox lived in a luxurious house overlooking the River Severn. He explained that he conducted most of his business from home since the advent of computer networking. After he had questioned Mark about his relationship with Gary, and his connection with The Stow Restaurant, he enquired why he wanted to borrow a thousand pounds.

  Mark hesitated and then decided that it would probably be better to tell the truth.

  ‘Gary has shared his winning formula with me, and I’m in an awkward situation at the moment, what with heavy repair bills for the car, and so on.’

  ‘I’ll need to satisfy myself that your credentials are bona fide,’ Jonathan Wilcox said, in a restrained tone of voice. ‘I’m an investor, and so I must be sure my investment is not only secure, but will return me a dividend.’ He stood up and shook Mark’s hand. ‘Ring me in a few days.’

  When Mark phoned, the man’s secretary took his particulars and said that she would inform Mr Wilcox of his call. She phoned back about an hour later and said that the money, five hundred pounds, would be deposited in his bank account. Then she gave him particulars about how he should repay the loan.

  Mark spent even more time than usual checking and rechecking his figures to ensure he had picked a winning horse. He listened to the race with bated breath, and gave a sigh of relief when it galloped home clear of the field. After he had repaid the loan, Mark had more than enough to invest in his next choice. Once again he took a great deal of effort to ensure that his horse was the right one.

  ‘You little beauty,’ Mark yelled, as his choice scattered the field and romped home. Attracted by his exuberant shout, Suzi poked her head around the kitchen door. Unable to contain his excitement, Mark blurted out. ‘That’s another one home and hosed.’

  ‘I’m not one bit interested,’ she said, curtly. ‘I think you’re being very foolish.’

  His next two choices were not so lucky, and once again he found himself without sufficient funds to bet. Once again he phoned Jonathan Wilcox. His secretary repeated her previous message when he phoned to enquire if he could obtain another loan. An hour later she returned his call. ‘The money has been deposited in your bank account.’

  The horse lost, so he borrowed more money to try to recuperate his losses.

  ‘Oh, my God,’ he groaned, as the next horse was pipped on the post. ‘What do I do now?’

  He knew that he dared not ask Suzi if he could use some of their capital to service the loan, and he was equally averse to contacting his father. For two days he sweated it out, wondering what to do. Then on the third day, two burly well-dressed men walked into restaurant.

  ‘Are you Mark Brinstead?’ one of them asked, ignoring Suzi’s polite greeting. When he said yes, the man continued. ‘Mr Wilcox said to remind you that he hasn’t received his dividend yet.’

  Mark swallowed hard and then croaked, ‘I can explain.’

  The man seemed not to hear him, but just rocked gently on the balls of his feet. Punching his balled fist into his hand, he gazed around the dining room. ‘Nice place you’ve got here.’ The smile on his face was hard and cold. ‘Mr Wilcox doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Do we make ourselves clear?’

  After they went, Suzi demanded to know what they wanted. ‘Who’s this Mr Wilcox? And what’s all this about a dividend?’

  Mark looked at her for a long time without speaking. Then he muttered something about it being nothing to worry about, and went back into the kitchen. It was only the opportune arrival of a delivery van that stopped Suzi questioning him further. By the time he had stacked the food away, she was gone. He sank down onto a chair and buried his thumping head in his hands.

  ‘Oh, my God, what am I going to do now?’

  *

  ‘It’s for you, Steve,’ Norah said, handing him the telephone. ‘Someone with a lovely Scots accent.’

  That can only be one person, Steve thought.

  ‘Hello, Jenny, it’s nice to hear your voice,’ he said, when she had identified herself. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘I’m sharing a flat at Greylynne with a girlfriend,’ she replied. ‘I wanted to settle in before I phoned you.’ She paused as if waiting for Steve to speak, and then continued. ‘I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, because you hadn’t replied to my letter.’

  ‘I’m sorry about that,’ Steve said, ‘I meant to write, but what with one thing and another I never got around to it.’ He paused and then continued. ‘Kirsty’s death was a great shock and it’s taken some time for us all to pick up the pieces. I’ve needed a while to get over it.’ Then he told her about his trip to north Queensland, and the freak accident that he was convinced had brought him into a brief contact with Suzi again. ‘It was rather odd that our lives should overlap like that.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘I don’t know. I’m thinking of buying a place of my own somewhere, but it’s just a thought at the moment.’

  ‘Has anyone else staked a claim to your heart?’

  Steve stared into the middle distance for a long moment before answering. ‘What do you mean? Am I free? Do I want to get involved with you?’ As he hesitated the memory of their previous encounter flooded back. Her sexuality had overshadowed everything else, and his response to her implicit invitation had caused him a great deal of anxiety. Did he want to form a relationship on that basis? Finally, he broke the silence. ‘Let’s have a drink together and we can take things from there, okay?’

  When they met two days later, Steve felt his pulse quicken. The sensuality that Jenny projected seemed to permeate the space around her and reach out to everyone in the room. Other men eyed her appreciatively as she walked to the bar where they had agreed to meet.

  She kissed his cheek.

  ‘Hi, there,’ she breathed seductively.

  ‘Hello, Jenny,’ he said, returning her kiss. ‘You’re looking very well.’ He led the way to a quiet corner of the room. ‘How’s the new job? Have you settled in okay?’

  ‘Yes, it’s great; better than I expected, actually.’ Then she told him that she had run into an old school friend from Invarcargill shortly after arriving at Auckland, and had been invited to share a flat. ‘It’s quite roomy.’ She looked up at him from under her eyelashes. ‘We’ve worked out a system so that we don’t surprise one another at a… in a delicate situation.’

  By the time they had finished their second drink, they had shared most of their news and the conversation was flagging. Jenny grasped his hand.

  ‘I was hoping,’ she began, and then stopped as she felt Steve stiffen.

  ‘Jenny, I don’t feel as if I’m ready to become involved with anyone at the moment. Kirsty’s death has had a profound effect on me; far more than I expected, and I need to time to reassess my feelings.’ He paused for a moment and then gave a little laugh. ‘You’re very attractive and the thought of tumbling you into bed is very appealing, but…’

  ‘But?’

  ‘I’ve had my fair share of playing around, and I don’t want to start a relationship based on sex.’

  ‘I was hoping it would go further than that,’ Jenny said, softly.

  Steve stared into his empty glass for a long minute before answering.

  ‘I don’t feel as if I could make that type of commitment. I’d enjoy a physical relationship with you, but like I’ve already said, it’s not what I’m looking for right now.’

  ‘Oh.’ She looked at her empty glass. ‘Shall we have another?’ When he shook his head she picked up her bag and climbed to her feet, and then forced a smile on her face. ‘Take care, now.’

  Steve watched her walk away and wondered why he had been so definite about things. After all she was more than an a
ttractive young woman; she was a very sensual person, and he could have enjoyed an intimate relationship with her. Maybe he should have taken her out a few times before saying no. Then he laughed softly as he thought of something: ‘Stick your finger in the honey pot, and you’ll keep going back for more.’

  He related the encounter to Norah when he returned home.

  ‘I think you were wise,’ she said, quietly. ‘You might have had trouble extricating yourself later on.’ Then she changed the subject. ‘What are you going to do with your shares? Are you going to hang on to them or sell them?’

  ‘I’m not sure, but I’ll probably unload a few. I’m thinking of buying a place of my own. I would have done it years ago if hadn’t been for Kirsty. I always felt that it was easier to stay here, where you and Vince could help keep on an eye on her as well, especially if I needed to be away.’

  ‘Have you any idea where you’d like to go?’

  ‘Oh, somewhere on this side of the harbour… not too far away. I’ll have a look around the estate agents. I bumped into a chap I went to college with the other day by the name of Bridgestone. He’s into property development in a big way, and I’ve arranged to meet him in a day or two to have a look at some property his company has an interest in.’

  ‘Have I met him?’ Norah asked.

  ‘Yes, he came to one or two barbecues around that time. You’d have remembered him; tall, good looking fellow with a mane of blonde hair.’

  ‘Yes, I seem to recall one of Kirsty’s girlfriends going gaga over one of your college friends.’

  ‘Lloyd was the original playboy.’ Steve chuckled. ‘No girl was safe while he was around, but apparently he’s had a change of heart.’ He chuckled again. ‘He’s getting married to someone he met while he was in Queensland. According to him she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. She must be something very special for him to give up his philandering ways.’

  ‘And what are you going to do about that place in Wales?’

  ‘I’ve agreed to let the Suzi Spencer live there until it’s sold,’ Steve replied. ‘Apparently she’s still hoping to find enough money to buy my share. She wants to turn it into a venue for receptions or conferences.’

  ‘It’s been dragging on for a long time now, hasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, far too long.’ Steve suddenly realised that the whole situation had caused him a lot of unnecessary concern; it had been like a millstone around his neck. ‘I’ll get on to my solicitor and get it straightened out one way or the other.’ He stood up and stretched. ‘I’ll give him a bell first thing in the morning; it’s time it was settled.’

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Suzi stormed into the house, threw the car-keys onto the table by the front door, and made her way into the sitting room. She poured herself a generous measure of whiskey and then dropped down onto the sofa. Why were those men threatening Mark? And who was this Wilcox? She guessed that he must have lent Mark money and now wanted it back.

  Anger now replaced fear as she thought about what had happened. I wonder if it’s got anything to do with his gambling . It must be , she thought. After all , he’s already abused my trust by taking money from the restaurant account without telling me . The other question that required an answer now seemed far more important. Had he jeopardized the restaurant by using it as collateral in some underhand way to borrow money?

  Those men had hinted that something would happen to the place if Mark did not pay what he owed this Mr Wilcox. And anything to do with the restaurant included her, so she was being threatened too.

  ‘I should have put a stop to his gambling right from the start,’ she muttered, and then gave a bitter little laugh. She sounded like an irate wife. Just as well she hadn’t said yes to his marriage proposal—that wasn’t the sort of life she wanted.

  In an effort to calm her mind, Suzi wandered over to the window and gazed at the blaze of spring colour that bordered the driveway. Aub had managed to coax the garden back to life in just a few short weeks by clearing away the debris and planting quick flowering annuals. It looked as pretty as a picture. The buzz of the telephone cut into her thoughts. It was Mark.

  ‘Suzi, I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to explain things this afternoon.’ He sounded as if he was on the verge of tears. ‘I need to talk to you about the situation. Can I come over to see you before I start evening preparations?’

  ‘Okay, but your explanation had better be good.’

  Mark arrived half an hour later with an abject look on his face. He followed Suzi into the sitting room and waited to be told to sit down. Without any preamble, he explained that he had borrowed the money from Wilcox on the understanding that he would repay the capital plus interest within a stipulated time. Then he went on to say that his period of grace had expired.

  ‘He let me borrow more when I convinced him that I could repay the money…’ Mark stopped as Suzi injected.

  ‘So you continued to borrow in the hope that you would back another winner?’

  ‘Yes,’ Mark replied, with a sob in his voice. ‘But when I lost three races a row, it snowballed.’ He spread his hands in a gesture of hopelessness. ‘I can’t lay my hands on that sort of money at short notice.’

  ‘How much?’

  ‘Five and a half thousand pounds.’

  Suzi stared at him in disbelief.

  ‘How did you allow yourself to get into such a predicament?’ She tried to hide her disgust as she questioned him about the arrangements he had made to repay the loan, and what percentage he was charged.

  ‘That’s exorbitant,’ she said, when he quoted the rate of interest. ‘Why on earth did you agree to that figure?’

  ‘There wasn’t any choice,’ Mark replied. ‘After all he held all the aces.’

  ‘When were you expected to pay what’s owing?’

  Mark grimaced. ‘It’s already days overdue. Like I said, I’ve exhausted my goodwill,’ he groaned softly. ‘And now he’s demanding his money.’

  ‘And his thugs will smash up the restaurant if you don’t pay?

  ‘I don’t know, I…’ He lapsed into silence.

  ‘Well?’ Suzi’s question seemed to jolt Mark.

  ‘I don’t know.’ He grimaced again. ‘Yes, I suppose so. That’s how they work isn’t it? By intimidation.’

  ‘What about your father; can’t he help you?’

  ‘Dad hasn’t got that sort of money lying around.’ He went on to explain that Ben did not have access to any more than a few hundred pounds at the most. He might sell some shares to get the cash, but it could be weeks before he received a cheque from the brokers. ‘By that time the interest would have doubled.’

  ‘What about Gary? He started you on this stupid idea. Have you phoned him?’

  ‘I’ve left a message on his answer-phone, but I think he’s on the Italian Riviera.’

  ‘Then phone his mobile.’ Suzi almost spat the words.

  ‘He doesn’t take it with him.’

  Suzi felt sick inside as she considered what might happen if the money was not repaid quickly. These men might start by smashing up the place, but then they might physically assault them too. So she was in as much danger as Mark unless he paid what was owed. Anyway it didn’t matter what happened now—it was the end of her dream—the end of the restaurant and everything they had worked for over the past two years.

  Without saying another word, she crossed over to the bureau and pulled out her cheque book. It was fortunate that she had not made arrangements to channel the money from the sale of her house into any other account as yet, so there was more than enough to cover the debt. She signed a blank check, tore it out and handed it to him.

  ‘When you find out exactly what you owe you can write in the amount,’ she said, in a strained voice. ‘Phone the man, tell him you have the money, and get down to the bank first thing in the morning.’ She closed the cheque book ‘Don’t bother to thank me; I’m doing it for my own safety. I don’t want to be disfigured or crippled for
life.’ She stood up. ‘Now get out.’

  Mark climbed wearily to his feet and mumbled a reply. He stopped at the doorway. ‘Sorry, Suzi. Really I am.’

  As he climbed into the car, she called out,

  ‘I’ve arranged for Narelle look after things tonight. I’ll expect you to phone me in the morning as soon as you’ve settled everything.’

  After he had gone, Suzi stood gazing absentmindedly at the wheel tracks on the gravel drive, and her mind slipped back to the day she had chanced upon Steve Pardoe in the house. There had been tyre marks on the drive that day too. It had been a day to remember in so many ways—she had just learned that she was not the sole heir to Caxton Manor, and had unwittingly found the man she wanted more than anything else in the world.

  The joy of moving into Caxton Manor had been tarnished by the knowledge that she would never own it outright, and that it would probably be sold to settle the inheritance. Everything seemed to have gone wrong lately. She should never have become romantically involved with Mark in the first place. He had assumed she was prepared to consider marriage at some future date, but thank goodness she had rebuffed his sexual advances. And to top it off, her best friend had migrated to New Zealand.

  A tear formed and slipped down her cheek. She felt so forlorn—there was no one she could turn to, no one to share her pain, no one to offer a word of advice. If Judith Brinstead hadn’t moved to Cornwall things might be different, but of course it wouldn’t be wise to embroil her in the problems her brother had created. Neither Ben nor Jane would understand, and even if they did, their sympathies would lie with Mark; that was only natural. Her only true friend, and confidante, Charlize, was thousands of miles away in New Zealand.

  ‘I’ll give her a ring,’ Suzi said, crossing over to the phone. But as she picked up the instrument, she remembered the time difference and realised she would have to wait until evening.