Changing Lara

by Anna Jacobs

  ‘I won’t. And thank you for keeping in touch.’

  As she put the phone down on the small scruffy table next to her armchair, she fought against the tears. And lost the struggle.

  She tried to stay hopeful but it was so unfair!

  At that moment someone knocked on the door and she hunted in vain for a tissue to wipe away the tears.

  She got up slowly and carefully, but the door opened before she could get to it and Guy came in.

  ‘Darcie said you’d hurt yourself. I wondered how you were managing.’

  ‘I’m just fine, thank you. And who asked you to come in?’

  ‘No one. I was worried about you and thought you might not be able to get to the door.’

  ‘Guy, if I need your help I’ll call you. Otherwise, we’ll meet at Darcie’s from time to time. Family situations we agreed on, nothing else.’

  ‘Can’t we even be friends?’

  A shadow fell across the doorway and Ross hesitated on the threshold. ‘I saw someone come in. Are you all right, Lara?’ He looked at Guy suspiciously.

  ‘I’m fine. Um, this is Guy, my ex. Guy, this is Ross, my next-door neighbour – and friend.’

  The men gave stiff nods.

  She hurried to fill the awkward silence. ‘It seems my daughter was worried about me and contacted her father. I was just telling Guy that there’s no need for him to worry about me. You’re next door and able to help me if I need it.’

  ‘It’s my pleasure.’ Ross smiled warmly at her.

  Guy scowled at them both impartially. ‘OK. I’ll leave you to it, then.’ At the door he spun round. ‘Nearly forgot. I thought we might pick Minnie up on Sunday and take up where we left off last time. I’ll pick you up again.’

  He was gone before she could say anything and she let out a little growl of irritation.

  ‘Sorry if I intruded.’

  She looked at Ross and could feel that it was very different to how she’d been looking at Guy. ‘You are not intruding at all, Ross. Guy was, though. He just walked straight in.’

  ‘Does he want to pick up with you again?’

  ‘I don’t know what he wants. I can’t be rude to him because he gave me a car and I’m grateful for that. Though he can well afford it. But I can’t read him like I used to, so I’m not quite sure what he wants. All I know is I don’t want to get together with him again.’

  ‘Good. As long as I wasn’t interrupting anything.’

  ‘I was relieved when you joined us. Why did you?’

  He wriggled uncomfortably. ‘I couldn’t help wondering who he was when he simply walked in.’

  ‘Well, now you know. And he’d better not walk in next time.’

  ‘You’re seeing him on Sunday, though?’

  ‘We’re taking Minnie out to the park, our granddaughter. It’s part of the family getting together again. But I’m going to phone my daughter before then and tell her not to – to keep involving her father …’ Her voice trailed away and she looked at him, wondering exactly how much she should say.

  ‘Why not tell her you’ve already met a guy and are testing the water?’

  Her face brightened. ‘Yes. I will. If you don’t mind.’

  ‘Why should I? I’m testing the water too.’ Another pregnant silence, then, ‘I also came round because I found a website online that may be of interest. Want to come and see it and then you might as well stay for tea?’

  She could perfectly well have got him to email her the URL but she didn’t. She limped round to his house without too much trouble. ‘See. My ankle is calming down already.’

  ‘I don’t know whether to be glad or sorry about that.’

  ‘The website?’ she prompted.

  They studied it together, then shared a glass of wine.

  It was all very … relaxing. She felt so comfortable with him.

  She was sorry when the evening ended. Not sorry that he kissed her goodnight or that she dragged him back towards her for an extra kiss.

  But that was enough progress to be going on with, enough changes to adjust to.

  She felt better about going to bed now there were heavy bolts across the doors.

  In fact, considering her financial predicament, she was feeling pretty good at the moment, far better than she had earlier on this afternoon.

  And Ross seemed happy about their situation too.

  Chapter Nineteen

  John Crichton woke in the night and found it hard to get back to sleep. They’d been here in Austria for a couple of days now and already he was going quietly mad with boredom. Thank heavens for ebooks. He’d been able to download and read several. But you couldn’t read all the time and anyway, he missed being outdoors. However expensive the ventilation systems they installed, the air never seemed as good inside buildings.

  He got up and went into their suite’s small living room, sitting down in the darkness rather than going back to bed. A change of position was often helpful for an older body, he’d found.

  The lights went on suddenly, making him jump in shock because he hadn’t heard Sandra get up.

  ‘Are you all right, John?’ Her voice was sharper than usual.

  He turned to look at her. ‘Just having trouble sleeping. I’ll be glad to get the travel over with.’

  ‘We’ll hear about a date today.’

  ‘You didn’t say that when you came back.’

  ‘Of course I did. You’ve just forgotten.’

  That astonished him and a quick glance showed him she had that look on her face that he was beginning to recognise as a sign that she was either lying or not telling the complete truth. He took a few seconds to think about how to respond before he replied. ‘Actually, I haven’t, Sandra. And don’t try to persuade me I have. I may be a fool and a criminal, but I don’t have dementia.’

  ‘No, no! Of course you don’t. Sorry. I must have thought I’d told you.’

  ‘Yes. That’ll be it.’ He got up and walked into his bedroom, suddenly out of patience with the way she had recently started watching his every move.

  However, she followed him, so he turned round and stated in slow, careful words, ‘I’d just like to make it plain that I know for certain I haven’t got dementia, not even the beginnings of it, because firstly, it doesn’t run in my family. Not a single close relative has ever had it. And secondly, when you and I were about to marry, just to be sure, I had a brain scan and got the all-clear.’ He’d always planned the tiniest details of major steps well before he took them. Even now.

  ‘But you keep changing your mind and not doing as you say you will.’

  ‘About the money, you mean?’

  ‘Frankly, yes.’

  ‘I’ve found that I feel more secure when I’m the one controlling that, so I’ll stick with looking after the finances myself.’ He decided it was better to offer her a way out. ‘My turn to be sorry. I should have told you. Don’t worry. I’ll still pay for whatever we both need and I won’t stint on your expenses.’

  ‘Yes, you should have told me. Don’t you trust me now, John?’ She fumbled for a handkerchief and pressed it to her eyes.

  He didn’t let her continue and say something that might totally upset this increasingly wobbly apple cart. ‘Sandra, this is not a time to discuss important things. No one thinks clearly at this hour of the night. Why don’t you go back to bed? We’ll discuss where we’re up to in more detail tomorrow. And if your guy can’t do what he promised in a timely fashion, I still have one or two contacts who will take over the task of helping us get away from Europe.’

  ‘I’m sure he will do as promised.’

  ‘That’s good, then. Nothing to worry about. We’ll both enjoy having our own home again, I’m sure. Once we reach our destination, I’ll send you off to do the preliminary house-hunting.’

  ‘Good. I’ll enjoy that. In the meantime, do you want a cup of decaf? Or something to help you sleep?’

  ‘No, thank you. You know I never take sleeping pills. You get back to
bed.’

  He was glad his health had stopped them sleeping together. He needed the quiet thinking time to work out what to do. His plans must change and quickly.

  He smiled grimly as he snuggled down in bed. She had undoubtedly done all this for the money, but if he had his way, she was going to be very disappointed indeed.

  He hoped she’d go out again tomorrow, as she had every other day. He needed to finalise one or two of his secret arrangements.

  A sudden thought struck him. He’d better be careful of what he was eating and drinking from now on. Were all the horror stories of family treachery and doping elderly relatives that he’d read over the years clouding his judgement? Or were they helping him to avoid potential pitfalls?

  Who knew? But having taken the step of stealing the money, he would now be forced to take some other steps, because he didn’t intend to end his life in prison. It would be a big help if her contact did arrange their travel and new passports.

  It was bad not being able to trust her, though.

  What he’d done was bad, too. He was regretting it greatly now that the excitement had died down.

  But what had really knocked his feet from under him was the medical diagnosis he’d been given. It had ruined what he’d planned, the very reason for committing a crime.

  And yet, he was finding the strength to cope, even now. Mentally, he felt more like the young go-getter he’d once been, energised by what he had to do. He still had a chance to win something from his last campaign.

  Sandra hadn’t met this side of him before because he’d been a rather depressed and lethargic widower when she came to work for him. She’d helped him out of that, at least, so he owed her something. But not everything. No, not now.

  Beware what you wish for, my girl! he thought. I’m not going to fade away quietly.

  The next morning Sandra went out again to see her contact and John reset his phone. He had a long conversation this time, going over in detail what he wanted his only remaining friend to do for him.

  ‘Are you sure, John?’

  ‘Sadly, I’m very sure. It turns out I’ve not got long to live … and that Sandra hasn’t been exactly honest with me … or faithful, even. I’ll pay you to—’

  ‘No need to pay me. We’ve been friends for a long time. I warned you about this but I’m sorry I was right, truly sorry.’

  ‘Given my health situation, that doesn’t matter.’

  ‘It’ll matter to those you’ve taken the money from.’

  ‘Yes. Pity I didn’t write a way of reimbursing them into the will. I can’t worry about them now, got too many personal worries. But if you can do anything to give the money back, you’ll have my blessing. You know where it is, now.’

  ‘All right. Take care how you go.’

  ‘Oh, I shall! I’ll take great care.’

  ‘I’ll make sure the other will is the one that’s used.’

  ‘Thanks. Send me an advertising email to confirm it’s been sorted out.’

  The so-called advert registered on his phone a few hours later. He deleted it and if anyone checked his emails, it’d seem only to be spam.

  Guy phoned Lara the following afternoon, just as she was debating what to have for tea.

  ‘Want to come and help babysit Minnie for a couple of hours? Darcie’s been invited to a colleague’s birthday celebration after work and Carter has a late meeting. She wasn’t going to her friend’s party till I found out.’

  ‘Oh! I’d intended to – but no, I can cancel that. I’d love to see Minnie again.’

  ‘You’ll have to drive yourself over this time because I’m about to pick up Minnie from childcare and take her home. You’ll have to get Darcie to register you there as a trusted family member, then you can pick her up sometimes. I can get you a child safety seat. People leave them in cars they trade in occasionally and we keep one or two around to give customers with small children demo rides.’

  ‘I’ll do that. I’ll set off at once. I’d rather use my own transport anyway.’

  She rushed next door to tell Ross. ‘I hope you don’t mind cancelling tonight but I hardly know that baby and she doesn’t know me, and it upsets me a lot.’

  ‘Is Guy going to be there?’

  His voice sounded tense, so she brought the possible problem into the open as she would have done at work. ‘Yes, he is. But I don’t have a thing going with him, Ross, and I wouldn’t have, not ever again. You’ve no need to worry about him.’ She watched his smile grow warmer as he took this in.

  He took her hand and raised it to his lips, a gesture that she loved.

  ‘No, of course not, Lara. Sorry. You go and have fun with your granddaughter. And hey, how about you and I take her out sometime? I was a hands-on father and I love littlies.’

  ‘That’d be great. Just let me get to know her better first.’

  ‘Pop in when you get back so that I can be sure you’re home safely.’

  ‘If I’m not too late. But don’t stay up specially. I’ve no idea how long this birthday session Darcie’s attending will last. If there aren’t any lights on in your house, I’ll not bother you.’

  Guy had brought Minnie home by the time Lara got to Darcie’s and they spent a lovely hour playing with their granddaughter on the rug, then giving her tea and a bath.

  After that Minnie obligingly fell asleep in Lara’s arms and Guy took a photo of them both for her. She looked at it on his phone, her eyes filling with tears.

  ‘What a lovely sunny nature she has! Will you email it to me, please?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Shall I take her up to bed now, do you think, or will Darcie want to see her when she gets home?’

  The phone rang just then and Guy answered it, waving her towards the stairs.

  When she came down, he said, ‘That was Darcie. Do we mind if she and Carter go out for a curry and come home a bit later?’

  ‘I’m sure you’ve already said yes.’

  ‘Well, of course I did. But if you can’t stay, I’ll be all right on my own.’

  He had that slightly smug look on his face and she wondered if he’d suggested this to Darcie, but she didn’t challenge him on that.

  ‘I could phone for a takeaway for us if you like, Lara.’

  ‘I have to admit I’m hungry. Oh, all right. I’ll stay.’

  ‘The boyfriend will wait up for you, I’m sure.’

  ‘You don’t know anything about him.’ She sighed, thinking of Ross’s health. ‘He won’t be able to stay awake even if he wants. He has ME, gets very tired. No wonder some people call it chronic fatigue syndrome.’

  ‘Oh. I’m, er, sorry.’

  Why should Guy care about Ross? She looked at him, letting her disbelief show, and he shrugged.

  ‘I’d be sorry for anyone who had ME,’ he admitted.

  ‘That’s more like the truth. But I will accept your offer of sending out for food as long as I pay my share. What sort shall we get?’

  ‘We could follow our daughter’s example. Do you still like curries, Lara?’

  ‘Who do you think taught Darcie to like them? It was you who didn’t like spicy food in those days.’

  ‘I love it now.’

  When their daughter came home, she was so grateful for the unexpected treat of an evening out that Lara’s resentment at being conned into spending more time alone with Guy faded.

  It had been the same as last time: she’d enjoyed his company but there had been none of the old chemistry between them, not as far as she was concerned, anyway.

  They all chatted for a while and time passed so pleasantly that Lara was shocked to realise it was well after eleven o’clock. She said a quick goodbye and started off home.

  Her happy mood vanished abruptly when there was suddenly a thump and the car started to drive erratically. She recognised the signs: flat tyre! Fortunately she was still in a residential area, with street lights and houses within screaming distance, so she felt pretty safe about changing the whe
el.

  Muttering in annoyance, she looked in the back of the car for the equipment she needed but found herself missing a jack. Why hadn’t she checked that when she got the car?

  No other vehicles had driven past at this late hour, so there was nothing for it but to phone for help. Only she hadn’t joined a motoring organisation yet. She would do that tomorrow.

  Who should she phone? She’d have preferred to call Ross, but he’d be asleep now. That left Darcie or Guy. They were closer anyway. Who should she phone? Her daughter needed her sleep so that was a no-brainer. It had to be Guy. He’d be free to rearrange his day if he was tired tomorrow and he was an expert at cars, anyway.

  His voice was sleepy, but sharpened up again when she told him what had happened.

  ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes.’

  He was there in eleven minutes. OK, she’d been watching time pass as she sat in the locked car keeping a wary eye on the street around her.

  He helped her change the tyre quickly and efficiently.

  ‘I’ll get you a jack from work in case you get any more flat tyres. Bad luck, that. Some idiot must have dropped those sharp pieces of metal on the road.’

  ‘Thanks, Guy. I’m grateful.’

  ‘Do you want me to follow you home, just to make sure you get there all right?’

  ‘No, thanks. Lightning rarely strikes twice in the same place. I’ll drive back sedately.’ She chuckled. ‘After all, I can always phone and wake you up again if I break down.’

  He hesitated, leaning slightly forward as if about to kiss her cheek. Before he could touch her, she turned to open the car door. ‘Goodnight and thanks again.’

  ‘Yeah. See you soon.’

  She looked at her watch as she set off. After midnight. She hoped Ross hadn’t been watching out for her.

  Chapter Twenty

  Once Lara had left to visit her granddaughter, Ross sat down to watch the news on TV. He was sorry not to be spending the evening with her, as planned, but could understand how she felt. Family were so important. Look how his cousin Fiona had helped him rent out his house.