Changing Lara

by Anna Jacobs

  She raised her head to peep at the hotel. ‘Is he staying here?’

  ‘No, but it’s no use following him across to the houses or we’d give ourselves away. It says “Dead End” on the sign at the entrance to them, so it must be the only road. He won’t be able to get away without us seeing him. Don’t you recognise the hotel?’

  ‘Of course not. I’d never stay in a dump like this.’

  Stupid bitch. ‘Right. We can’t go any closer or he’ll see us. You stay in the back.’

  ‘I’m not staying down.’ She got up to sit on the seat before he could say anything.

  ‘Don’t draw attention to yourself. I’m going to nip inside to get some information about this place.’

  Bored, she took out her smartphone, but there were no messages and she didn’t like to start doing something in case they had to set off suddenly. What was keeping Gil?

  She began to worry that she’d rushed in. They’d found out where Ross was living now but what was Gil planning to do? She wasn’t getting involved in any outright robberies, oh no! She didn’t intend to wind up in prison. She shouldn’t have given in to her temper, didn’t often lose control.

  Just as she was wondering whether to follow him inside the hotel, he came out carrying some leaflets.

  She stared at the few houses that had been finished and jumped in shock when he spoke from right next to the car. She hadn’t even heard him reach her.

  ‘Surely you recognise it now?’ he asked. ‘And it’s called a leisure village here, not a retirement community.’

  ‘It looks vaguely familiar.’ She stared, blinked hard, then reluctantly got out the spectacles she hated to wear and slipped them on.

  ‘Why the hell didn’t you put those on straight away?’

  ‘Because I don’t like wearing them.’

  The first thing Nonie Jayne noticed was Ross, chatting to the dowdy female. Why were they taking so long to go inside the house? ‘Look at him. Can’t he do better than her?’

  ‘Never mind that. Is this the place you visited?’

  ‘Yes. But they’ve built more houses since then.’

  When the two people didn’t move inside, Gil asked, ‘Which house is his? And keep those damned spectacles on till we’ve finished here.’

  ‘Hey. Watch how you talk to a lady.’

  Silence, then, ‘Sorry, Nonie Jayne. I’m, er, a bit impatient. Which house?’

  ‘Um. The end one of that row. Or was it the next one? No, the end one. Definitely.’

  She remembered how dull her one and only visit here had been, but she also remembered something else and that kept her focused. ‘I’ve never seen a house as full of ornaments as the old aunt’s place was. I wonder if they’re still there?’

  ‘Tell me about them. Were they valuable?’

  ‘Well, they were classy pieces, I’ll give her that. I wouldn’t have been ashamed to have them in my home, if I had a home, which I don’t just now. I’m sure some of them would be worth a lot.’

  ‘Did you recognise any brands of china? Any styles of silver?’

  ‘No. Just that they were, you know, good quality. It always shows.’

  ‘I’ll need to find out if they’re still there and if they are worth anything. We’ll have to keep watch and find a time after dark when your ex is away to look inside, though. You can’t be too careful.’

  ‘He wouldn’t notice if we stood on our heads next to him at the moment. He’s still chatting up that ugly female and he looks besotted. Ah, they’re going inside now. Thank goodness. It’s so boring waiting around.’

  As Ross and the woman started to move towards the end house, she suddenly tripped and he grabbed hold of her to stop her falling.

  ‘See that, Gil! He can’t keep his hands off her.’

  ‘I think she’s hurt her ankle.’

  ‘They’re going into his house now. She was probably just pretending to trip to get his attention.’

  ‘Is that what you do?’

  ‘I do whatever’s necessary at the time. And what are you grinning at?’

  ‘You. You’re a case, Nonie Jayne!’

  ‘I don’t like your attitude.’

  ‘You don’t have to. It’s money that’s our shared interest, not friendship. Ah!’

  They watched Ross come out, carry in some bags of shopping and shut the car up, then disappear into the end house once more.

  Gil glanced at his watch. ‘Look, we can come back after dark now that we know where he lives. If we can find a time when the car isn’t there, the house is likely to be unoccupied. But if they don’t draw all the curtains at night, I may be able to see what I need to by coming here very late and simply shining a torch in through a window or two.’

  ‘Well, his aunt had so many ornaments that there’s hardly anything else to see but them! And if we choose carefully even he won’t notice that one or two are missing.’

  ‘We need to be certain we’re not observed going inside. I’ll check whether the place would be easy to break into and whether the stuff is worth taking before I plan my move. At least I know which silver is valuable. Were there any other neighbours living in that row of houses?’

  ‘How should I know?’

  ‘Leave it to me. I’ll find out.’

  ‘Good.’

  Nonie Jayne leant back, smiling. This was more like it. Before she went back to the States, she’d give herself the pleasure of taking some of her ex’s more valuable ornaments, selling them with Gil’s help and adding the money to her lifetime pot of gold.

  Ross hadn’t found out about her savings during the divorce proceedings, had he? No one knew her by her birth name these days, but she still had the documentation from it so could use it to keep her money safe in a bank.

  It was lucky she’d met Gil, though. He was the key to getting away with this as long as there was something in it for him. But she had to tread carefully. He got annoyed very quickly and he didn’t seem to care whether she flirted with him or not. Strange, that.

  She’d keep a very careful eye on how things went and if it looked at all dangerous, she’d bail out quick smart.

  Trust no one. It was the main thing her momma had taught her and had kept her out of trouble a few times.

  She took off the spectacles and smiled at Gil. ‘Now what?’

  ‘Now we leave. We know which house your ex went into. I’ll come back after dark and have a careful look round the houses. There are things lying around all over the place. I’m surprised they haven’t had their building supplies taken.’

  ‘Oh? And how do I know you won’t just look after yourself?’

  He chuckled. ‘Don’t sound so suspicious. I wasn’t going to run off with the proceeds. Actually, one of the reasons I’m happy to help you with this is that I have another job I want you to help me with afterwards. It’d pay well.’

  ‘I’m not breaking the law.’ She saw his cynical look and added, ‘This wouldn’t be breaking the law for me because Ross gave me some things, said to take the ones I liked best. He’s gone back on his word.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Whatever you say. And what I want you to do won’t upset the law either, because we won’t get caught out. At least we won’t if you do what I say, exactly what I say.’

  ‘I’ll consider it if the money sounds good.’

  She gave him a trusting smile, one she’d practised for hours in front of the mirror until she got it right. He smiled right back. Men always did.

  Chapter Eighteen

  ‘For a while I thought that grey car was following us,’ Ross said as he drew up outside their houses. ‘I gave the driver several chances to pass me as we drove along and he didn’t take any of them.’ He shook his head, frowning. ‘I wonder who he is.’

  ‘But the car stopped at the hotel, so it can’t have been following us.’

  ‘Perhaps not. I may be getting paranoid about security, thanks to my ex.’

  He looked up towards the hotel car park and frowned. ‘Don’t look now,
but there’s someone sitting in the back of the same car. Strange. There didn’t seem to be anyone in it except the driver before. Let’s stand here chatting for a minute or two and keep an eye on whoever it is.’

  But the person was slumped down in the seat and they couldn’t even tell whether it was a woman or a man from this distance.

  ‘Oh, let’s go inside,’ Lara said and turned impatiently.

  When she tripped, Ross was barely in time to stop her falling. ‘Careful. The ground’s rather uneven here. This is only a temporary surface till they’ve finished the major earthworks and put in permanent roads.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She let go of him, but when she put her weight on her right foot she grabbed him again, wincing. ‘Ouch! I think I’ve twisted my ankle.’

  ‘Let’s get you inside and have a look at it.’

  He forgot about the other car as he supported her into her house and helped her sit down on the armchair. The ankle was swelling a little. He moved it to and fro gently and she winced.

  ‘I think it’s just a slight sprain. Stay there and I’ll find that packet of frozen peas you bought. If you wrap it round your ankle under a tea towel, it’ll be just the thing to make the swelling go down.’

  She sat waiting while he nipped outside and carried in the bags of shopping, then she flapped one hand at him. ‘If you pass me the peas I’ll be all right. You need to unpack your own purchases.’

  ‘I didn’t buy any frozen goods, so they can wait. You know, Lara, a person can be too independent. Sit back and let someone else look after you for a change.’

  He noticed a little footstool and put it in front of her armchair. ‘It’ll help you keep your foot up.’ But as he was helping her raise her injured foot, he muttered, ‘Oh hell!’ and kissed her.

  As they drew apart she stared at him, breathing faster, just as he was.

  He studied her face and relaxed. ‘Don’t pretend you didn’t join in that kiss with some enthusiasm.’

  ‘All right. I won’t. You started it, though. I thought you said you were avoiding women.’

  ‘Yeah. I was till I met you.’ He stared earnestly into her eyes. ‘Do you mind if we … well, get to know one another better?’

  ‘No, not at all. If you’re sure that’s what you want. That was, um, a rather good kiss.’

  ‘Don’t sound so surprised. Other men must have kissed you.’

  ‘Not for a year or two, so I am surprised, especially as you and I haven’t known one another all that long.’ She eased herself into a more comfortable position.

  He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. ‘How long does it take to be attracted to someone? Seconds. Minutes at most. And it seems to me you don’t always get much choice about who you fancy.’

  ‘I have to agree, but I’m a bit out of practice, so bear with me.’

  He moved further away. ‘And this isn’t the time. Discussion to be continued.’

  He cocked one eyebrow as if asking her to confirm that and she nodded.

  ‘Good. But medical matters must come first. Let me get you that packet of peas.’

  She chuckled and he looked at her enquiringly. ‘What’s so amusing?’

  ‘Very romantic, frozen peas.’

  ‘I’m not noted for my romantic skills, Lara, or so I’ve been told in no uncertain terms recently.’

  ‘Good. Neither am I. We can brush up our skills together.’

  He came back with the peas. ‘Fine by me. That’ll be fun. You know, you have a lovely smile. You should let it escape your control more often. Now, sit still and let’s try a bit of frozen therapy on that ankle.’

  ‘Spoilsport.’

  He smiled as he put the peas on the ankle. It didn’t seem to be a bad sprain, thank goodness. He looked up into her eyes and blew her a kiss. She was definitely relaxing with him and the change suited her, made her even more attractive to him.

  He’d had one humourless wife and that had been hard going sometimes.

  While Lara was sitting with her foot up, Ross got out the bolts they’d bought.

  ‘Shall I start fitting these on the doors now?’

  ‘If you have time, I’d be grateful. I’m not bad at simple do-it-yourself tasks these days but I’d rather the bolts looked neat. Why don’t I make us both a sandwich?’

  ‘That’s a good idea, but you stay where you are and let me do it. I’m quite capable of making a sandwich. Or cooking a meal. I’ll make you my special spaghetti with a variation on the theme of Bolognese sauce one night, if you like.’

  ‘Sounds good. I’ll look forward to it. In the meantime, ham sandwiches will do fine.’

  By the time they’d eaten and he’d fitted the heavy duty bolts, the afternoon was half over and the peas were safely stowed away in the freezer.

  She waved one hand. ‘Go and fit your own bolts now.’

  ‘Will you be all right?’

  ‘Yes, of course I will. I’m quite used to looking after myself, Ross.’

  ‘Too used to it, maybe.’

  ‘Can you be too independent?’

  ‘Yes. It makes sense in a two-people relationship to divide the jobs, even if you don’t do that along gender lines.’

  ‘Guy rarely did anything around the house.’

  ‘No? Diana and I shared most things. I did more cooking, though. The food usually turned out better when I prepared meals.’ He waggled his hands in the air, making her chuckle again. ‘Some people have the cooking gene, some don’t. These hands know how to do it.’

  After a pause he added, ‘From what you’ve told me, you and Guy stayed together till the kids went off to college, so it can’t all have been bad.’

  She shrugged. ‘He was good company. Still is. But he didn’t like me working away from home, even though he worked long hours and most of the weekends.’

  It was her turn to pause before adding, ‘So are you. Good company, I mean.’

  ‘Then I hope you’ll do me the honour of dining with me tonight.’

  Her voice grew sharper. ‘I can afford to feed myself. You don’t need to keep feeding me.’

  ‘All I’m intending to do is have pizzas delivered and sling a salad together. And anyway, you provided lunch.’

  ‘So I did. All right. I accept. Sorry for being so touchy.’

  ‘I’ll come and help you round at about six.’

  ‘I won’t need helping. The ankle’s a lot better already.’

  He gave up trying to help her. ‘OK. Six it is.’

  The house didn’t feel the same after he’d gone. She looked round and wondered what it was that made such a big difference.

  Him.

  He was a kind person … and very attractive … and he made her laugh. When he was near, she was only too aware of his presence. Or, at the moment, aware of his absence.

  She grew angry with herself for obsessing about what was happening between her and Ross. What was wrong with finding a man attractive? Even if nothing came of this long-term, it showed she was still able to function as a normal woman and it would be fun, was fun already.

  But she hoped something would come of this. She really liked him as well as being physically attracted.

  That felt good.

  Had she changed? Perhaps. If so, it was for the better. Well, she hoped it was.

  At four o’clock, Darcie rang to see how she was getting on and Lara had a nice chat with her daughter.

  She hadn’t intended to mention her little accident but it slipped out that she’d sprained her ankle slightly.

  ‘Do you want me to come round and cook tea for you, Mum?’

  ‘No, of course not. It’s not that bad a sprain and I just have to rest it a bit. In any case, my neighbour has invited me to tea.’

  ‘Oh, that’s kind of her.’

  Lara didn’t contradict the assumption that it was a woman. She didn’t want Darcie jumping to conclusions, or sharing those supposed conclusions with her father.

  ‘How’s the job going, Mum?’

  �
��Very well. It’s interesting doing the research and I’m setting up a sales website.’

  ‘What are you calling it? I’ll have to visit it online. They sound like the sort of ornaments I’d buy as presents.’

  ‘Keep out of it, Darcie.’

  ‘Out of what?’

  ‘You know.’

  ‘Well, I can’t help taking an interest. I don’t want this man taking you for a ride.’

  ‘I’m a big girl now and have been for several decades. And Ross isn’t the sort to take anyone for a ride.’

  ‘Be careful, then.’

  ‘I always am.’ Too careful, she decided suddenly and changed the subject. ‘Are you all well again?’

  ‘Yes, Dad was right. The lurgy, whatever it was, only lasted a day or so.’

  ‘Well, maybe I’ll pop round at the weekend, then.’

  ‘That’d be nice. Sunday morning would be best.’

  ‘And once Minnie is used to me, maybe I can do a bit of babysitting, give you the occasional night out?’

  ‘That’d be great, Mum.’

  Lara put the phone down, but it rang again almost immediately.

  ‘Donald Metcalf here.’

  She could feel herself tensing up.

  ‘Just keeping you in touch, Lara. That photo has gone out into the system. Nothing else come to mind about your former financial adviser?’

  ‘I’m afraid not.’

  ‘There have been no traces found of where he went yet, so we’ll just have to hope he goes through a checkpoint and triggers an alarm. Facial recognition is still in its early days, though, so don’t hold your breath. It’s being installed as fast as possible.’

  ‘Did no one else who was robbed have any information about him?’

  ‘Unfortunately not. You’re managing all right? Don’t need confirmation that your money has been stolen for the social security people?’

  ‘Thank you, no. I’ve found myself a job, so I can cope financially for the time being.’

  ‘Good to hear. Don’t forget – if you think of anything, any detail whatsoever, don’t hesitate to share it with us.’