by Linda Coles
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I think it’s best, and like I said, just a few hours alone.”
Tired, she nodded in agreement, even at the mention of the cottage, the scene of his crimes. While she’d had all week to think about it, he hadn’t: he’d been blindsided by her last night. And then there was the matter of his lie to deal with, and that was what had hurt her, probably more than actually finding out about his antics. She was wondering just how much she did know him. The door burst open and Joshua hurtled in.
“Daddy! Daddy! Are you making pancakes this morning? Please?”
The two adults pulled apart slowly and focused on their enthusiastic young son.
“Sure will, buddy,” said Aaron brightly. “Will you help me?”
Stephanie took the opportunity to leave them to it. “I’ll go wake Jasper,” she said, and headed upstairs. Maybe Aaron was right: a bit of thinking time each would do them good, though mainly for him. And it was only until tomorrow; he wasn’t away again until Thursday so they’d have plenty of time together afterwards. Opening Jasper’s door, she stood and watched him, the weak morning light streaming through a crack in the curtain, the silhouette of him so beautiful and still so small in his bed, his hair all mussed up as usual. Whatever happened between her and Aaron, they had their precious family to think about first and foremost. She wouldn’t allow the boys to be hurt. Jasper stirred, aware that someone was close by, in that place somewhere between sleep and surfacing to the real world for the day. She sat on the edge of his bed as he came round, stroking his hair gently.
“Morning, sunshine. Want some pancakes? Joshua is up and helping Daddy make them. They may eat them all if you lie here too long.” She kissed the top of his head and he smiled up at her.
“I’ll just be a minute,” he said, tossing his quilt back. “Don’t let them eat them all. I’m on my way.” He bounded out of bed, and Stephanie left him to pee and find his bathrobe.
She returned to find the kitchen a hive of activity. Joshua stood on a low stool, watching batter form into pancakes in the hot pan under Aaron’s watchful gaze.
“Mummy, I’ve made one all by myself!” he said, with a smile as wide as his head.
“You eat them up with Daddy,” she said fondly. “I’m going for a shower and Jasper is on his way, so make sure you save him some.” She headed back up the stairs.
Aaron flipped a pancake over and felt his phone vibrate. Discreetly, he pulled it out of his pocket and checked the message.
All sorted. Be in at 12.30 lunchtime. Windemere.
He quickly tapped out a reply: Pick you up then. If I’m a little behind, wait there. He hit send. He checked the time on his screen: he’d better get a move on himself.
Joshua flipped the small pancake and they both cheered at a successful attempt just as Jasper came in and sat down.
“Morning, buddy. Sleep well?” asked Aaron.
“Yes, thanks.” He peered at the pan. “Did you save me some?”
“Of course we did. You get the second one—be ready in just a minute,” he said and he slipped Joshua’s helping out on to a plate. Joshua helped himself to more than enough maple syrup.
“Listen boys, while you’re both together. I know I only came home yesterday, but I have to go off again this morning. But I’ll be back again tomorrow afternoon.”
There was a chorus of disappointed groans.
Aaron soldiered on. “But when I get back, why don’t we arrange to go ten pin bowling after school on Monday and pizza afterwards? How does that sound?” By the noise that erupted in the kitchen, it was a resounding yes.
“Great. That’s settled then.” He flipped Jasper’s pancake out for him, adding more batter to the pan for one for himself. He checked his watch while the boys ate and he cooked. He needed to leave within the next thirty minutes if he was going to get there in time to meet the 12.30 train.
Stephanie entered the room, dressed and looking much better than she had earlier, a little make-up giving her more colour.
“You look nice. Want a pancake before the boys eat them all?” She shook her head ‘no’ so he served it up for himself, drowning his in maple syrup too. Like father, like son.
“I’m taking the boys out on Monday after school—pizza and bowling. Want to join us men?” He winked at Joshua and Jasper and they both giggled. While they loved their mother, they loved ‘man time’ with their dad, goofing about.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” she said, smiling. “You men go off and have fun together.” Her voice became a little more serious and she asked, “What time are you leaving this morning?”
“When I’ve eaten this and grabbed an overnight bag, so pretty soon. Is that okay?” It would have to be: he was working to a plan now.
“Yes, of course. Text me when you set off back home tomorrow, would you? Just so I know roughly what time to expect you for dinner.”
Picking his plate and cutlery up, he pecked her on the cheek as he passed her, headed for the dishwasher.
“Will do. Now, I’m off to get cleaned up,” he said, and left them finishing their breakfast. As he headed up the stairs, he wondered if he was doing the right thing. It had seemed so last night, with Frankie’s flirty messages exciting him. But now? Tossing his toiletries back into the bag he’d only just unpacked, he reconciled it in his head: a little time apart to think was probably what they needed. Though he’d be thinking about something else entirely.
Chapter Eighty-Four
Philippa got on the train at London Euston, found herself a vacant seat and made herself comfortable for the journey ahead, glad the train was half empty and she hadn’t got to make polite conversation with anyone. Spreading out, she put her overnight bag on the seat next to her and placed her hot latte on the table in front, along with her Kindle and phone. It was nearly time to go.
Making use of her downtime to relax a little, she scrolled through her newsfeed, following what was interesting in both her and her friends’ worlds. It was while she was sat there that a message came through from Georgia. It had been fun bumping into her after all these years, but Philippa couldn’t see a way to keep their friendship alive after what she’d done to someone so close to her, like murdering her boss. How could she look her in the eye ever again? Although she was sure she’d never make the visit back to Manchester or even halfway to meet her… She’d toyed with un-friending her online, but how could she without reason? That seemed mean. So they were both still connected and Georgia wanted to chat.
I’m bored. Tell me something interesting. What are you up to? Georgia typed.
Philippa smiled at her phone. Georgia hadn’t changed one bit.
Actually, I’m on the train at Euston, heading north shortly. New boyfriend invited me away overnight. Winking emoji. Send.
Lucky lady! Where to? Anywhere nice and warm?
To the Lakes, so not sure about warmth. Well, not with the weather, anyway! Another winking emoji. Send.
Oooh, naughty! Who is he? Tell me more.
Sexy pilot friend. Home for a few. Send.
And? Does he have a name? What does he look like? I need more info.
Philippa debated what to say but kept it light, just in case. There was no way she was going to mention his name; that would be a stupid thing to do.
He’s spoken for, so I can’t say much more, save to say he’s tall, dark and gorgeous. Send.
You’re kidding me! Well, have fun. I’ll just hang out on my own, maybe find a crappy book to read …. Sad emoji.
Philippa couldn’t help chuckling to herself as she posted a smiling one back. Emojis did much of the work for you it seemed. She picked her coffee up and sipped it as the train gently pulled out of the station, bang on time. At 12.30 pm, she would be stepping down onto the platform at Windemere, and into the arms of her next victim.
Georgia marvelled at how natural her friend sounded, how absolutely normal, and again, the doubt crept in; she wanted so desperately to be wrong. She checke
d Google for Saturday trains headed to the Lakes out of Euston at that hour; it wasn’t hard to find. And now Georgia knew just where her old friend was going for the weekend. Philippa was going to Windemere.
Chapter Eighty-Five
The drive up to the Lakes went without a hitch. The traffic was light for a Saturday morning and after stopping for a latte halfway, he arrived in good time at the cottage a few miles outside Grasmere Village. He’d spent the time alone wisely, and had put some effort into thinking about his needs, his relationship with Val and his relationship with his wife and boys. Could he possibly love them all equally, at the same time? Stephanie gave him love and stability and a beautiful family, but Val gave him something else he yearned for, food for his fetish. And yet here he was, driving up to the cottage, on his own, to meet a relative stranger for the weekend. While neither of them had planned anything to happen, he’d be surprised if it didn’t, though in what form he’d have to wait to find out. And neither Stephanie nor Val would know anything about it. If he wanted all his needs met, he’d just have to be better at concealing his activities, and he would probably have to stop keeping DVDs of the events at the house or cottage. But that was the easy part to change: he’d just use a file in the cloud or a discreet USB drive on his key ring so it would be with him the majority of the time. There were ways around every problem if you just thought about them in a different way.
He flicked his indicator to turn left down the unsealed track, though there was no need, really; he hadn’t seen another vehicle for the last twenty minutes. The cottage stood off in the distance, looking like a much smaller version of the mansion in Skyfall. It looked lonely all on its own; the grass around it was a little overgrown, but the sun was out, warming the dark stone walls and making it feel more welcoming.
Grabbing his overnight bag, he trotted up the front path, unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The small cottage had been shut up since his last visit about a month ago, the recording of which had started the fallout of his secret life, his secret tastes and the now not-so-secret Val. And here he was again—about to meet someone new. He threw open the front windows to let the sunshine in and the unused smell out. It would still be chilly at night, so the wood burner would be needed later. He checked the wood supply that lived just to the side of the backdoor out back. There was plenty. He loved spending time at the cottage, and considered it his place rather than a family place, although they were always welcome, but because he liked to hunt, Stephanie wasn’t that keen on being around when he did it. There were four trophy heads mounted, looking down from the walls of the main room, three he’d hunted in Africa and had flown back, and a stag’s head he’d hunted locally. He was proud of them all, each one telling a story, an experience that meant something to him, an experience many others didn’t understand, his wife one of them. She hated seeing them mounted, fearing it would scare the boys, but he’d held fast. Where else was he supposed to display his hobby? So it had become more his place and now she knew he also used it for another of his hobbies.
He began to unpack the few supplies he’d picked up in the village on his way in. He placed red wine in the wine rack and left fresh bread and crackers in the cupboard. While there was a pub nearby, he had prepared ahead in case they didn’t feel like going out for something to eat. The cottage was about ready for his guest, and with no need to lock it back up, he left the curtains billowing in the breeze through the open windows to circulate the air while he drove to Windemere station to meet the 12.30 train. And the woman who’d recently entered his life.
Chapter Eighty-Six
He spotted her immediately. Her long brown hair was unmistakable, shining in the sunshine as she walked on the platform, the train pulling out slowly as she moved towards him. She looked radiant, though he still had no clear recollection of where he knew her from, although he didn’t much care either. She was here now, and for the rest of the weekend.
“Aaron! Lovely to see you again!” She hugged him tightly like a long-lost friend
He caught the perfume of her hair and breathed it in deeply. “At last, Frankie! It’s been too long!” He gently pushed her to arms’ length and looked her up and down. “And you haven’t changed one bit. Still stunning. How do you do it?” The lies came easily to Aaron, and he played along with it, not wanting to admit he was still clueless. She laughed lightly at his compliment and he bent to take her bag, steering her towards the exit and his waiting car.
“Hungry?”
“I am, quite. I keep away from train sandwiches if I can help it.”
“Well, I bought a few supplies but depending on whether we go out for dinner tonight or not, we may need to get a few more.” Frankie smiled, a little seductively, Aaron thought, or had he imagined it? “Perhaps we should stop in the village anyway, then we have the choice for later. He put her bag on the back seat as she took her place in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
“Good idea. I brought a bottle of wine in my bag so I guess it depends how much we drink whether we can drive later or not,” she said, and laughed, her head back slightly, eyes twinkling at him.
There was no mistaking now what the woman beside him was hoping for at the cottage and he smiled appreciatively, patting her knee in agreement, leaving it in place for a long moment, further testing the waters. There was no resistance.
“In that case,” he said, turning to her as he drove out of the station car park, “I will pop back into the village and grab us some supper. Do you eat venison?”
“Love it, and it will go well with the red I have in my bag.”
“Perfect. I’m pretty good with venison and a few trimmings,” he said. A moment later he pulled up outside the local store and added, “You stay here. Back in a tick.”
Frankie had no intention of getting out of the car and being seen anywhere. It was bad enough she was sat outside the village store in the first place.
He returned in no time at all and they were soon on their way to the cottage. In the quiet of the car as they drove through the empty countryside, she ran through in her mind the few items she had hidden in her belongings behind her. Everything she needed for Aaron was safely packed away, to be brought out when it was the right time to do so. While it was not long after Sebastian, the opportunity had presented itself and she’d taken it.
Aaron the Third. It had a certain ring to it.
Chapter Eighty-Seven
The house seemed so quiet and empty without him. Even though the boys were making enough noise for all of them put together and she’d just spent a week without him, she couldn’t shake the feeling. The boys had played together all morning, not needing anything from her apart from a snack, and she’d moped around the house trying to find something to take her mind off events—nothing had worked. Her head was all over the place, one minute angry and upset at him, the next desperately wanting to talk to him, to hold him, to be with him. It was going to be a long wait until he returned. Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Ruth.
Convenient to chat? Just checking in.
Yes, perfect timing. Call me? May as well talk than type if Ruth was able to and someplace where they could talk easily. The phone rang immediately and Stephanie tapped the green icon.
“I was just sat moping,” she said. “Perfect timing.”
“I was afraid you might be. How did it go? Did you two talk? Are you okay?”
“Yes. I suppose. He didn’t deny it but I did catch him in a lie. He said it was over months ago with Val, but date stamps don’t get it wrong. I think that’s what hurt me the most. His lie.”
“Are you both speaking?”
“Yes, sort of. He suggested he go up to the cottage, just overnight. He’ll be back tomorrow. It’ll give us both some time to think, though I’ve had all week. Apart from knowing his lie, that is.”
“So you really are moping about the house on your own. Where are the boys? And how is Aaron?
“They’re here, pla
ying, good as gold. And Aaron is fine too. I was just thinking how quiet it is though, without him. I really could do with talking to him, being with him, even though he’s upset me. I’m missing him already. Aren’t I stupid?”
“Not at all! We all react to things differently and he is your husband, for goodness’ sake. You don’t stop loving someone overnight, not usually. What will you do, then?”
“I’m thinking of going up there, to the cottage. He won’t mind, since it’s him that’s caused all this upset. He’ll probably be pleased to see me.”
“Then what’s stopping you?”
“Not sure, really. Don’t want to make a fool of myself, or let him off the hook so easily. Plus, it’s a long drive, and I’d have to leave the boys with Mum so it would be late when I get there after I’ve organised everyone. That is, if she can have them. She might be out this evening.” She was beginning to sound a bit whiney, but then she felt whiney. And a bit lonely.
“Look, ring your mum and see. That’s the first thing. Then, if she can, why don’t we all drive up, keep you company? Amanda and I can drop you off and find a nice pub for the night to stay in, and drive you back tomorrow or later today, depending on how it goes. He can bring his own car back, maybe with the two of you in it. What do you reckon? Sound like a plan?”
Stephanie let out a sigh, and then stayed silent for a couple of beats. It made sense, really: drop the boys off, drive up with friends, and if it didn’t work out, drive back with friends. If it did work out, then she’d come back with the man she loved. On the surface, nothing could go wrong, so why not give it a try?
“Well, if you’re sure? Shouldn’t you check with Amanda first?”