Bad Advice

by S M Mala

  ‘She still thinks there are elements of corruption and institutionalised racism. We know she’s right,’ he said quietly, looking around, seeing some of his esteemed older colleagues at the same drinking den.

  ‘And you’re willing to give up your career to be with her?’ she asked, making something twist in his gut. ‘Because you will have to. Do you think the people who pull the strings will be happy? They’ll think you’ll be putting the force in a compromising position.’

  ‘How?’ he replied, expecting the lecture.

  ‘Her husband?’

  ‘You slept with her husband,’ he quietly added, seeing her flinch. ‘And you put a gagging order on Ruby to stop talking about it. Why would you sleep with him?’

  ‘We’ve always got on really well and I don’t know what was going on with him and her. It wasn’t all plain sailing. Hugh was disappointed when she turned her back on journalism. He likes his women strong and powerful, very much like Ruby likes her men.’

  ‘I take that as a compliment. When I met her, I told her I worked in local government and she didn’t mind.’

  ‘She would’ve done a search on you,’ Helen Trott laughed, shaking her head in amusement. ‘I give her credit for wanting to see you again.’

  ‘What do you want to speak to me about?’ he asked, watching her gesture for their glasses to be refilled. ‘I’m not going to change my mind. I love her and she loves me.’

  ‘And where do you see yourself in a year’s time? Working at a desk? Going back to investigating cases? How do you think that’s going to look if you resign or if you’re let go? You won’t automatically keep your position.’

  ‘Falling in love with someone who others don’t think is suitable, shouldn’t affect me at all.’ Scottie hesitated for a moment. ‘Or is it you that disapproves?’

  ‘Listen Scottie, she loved Hugh with all her heart. You can’t tell me that’s all stopped now she’s met you?’

  Fresh glasses arrived and he knocked back his drink quickly, realising Helen Trott was trying her best to put him off.

  ‘How do you know she’s committed to you?’ the woman continued.

  ‘I have to go.’

  ‘You know it’s the truth, don’t you? She’s making Hugh suffer and when she’s ready, she’ll take him back.’

  Not wanting to listen, he stood up and bent down slowly out of politeness.

  ‘I’ll bid you goodnight,’ Scottie said, forcing a smile. ‘When she found you with Hugh, it changed everything. I know Ruby loves me and nothing or no-one is going to change that.’

  Slowly he turned and walked out of the room. It was after eleven and he got his coat from the cloakroom before heading out. Again he heard the clanking of her heels, following him.

  ‘You can hail a cab for me as well,’ Helen Trott said, catching him up. ‘Or we can share one? It’s on the way. I take it you’re going to her home? West Kensington is en route.’

  Not wanting to say ‘no’ he nodded and the doorman hailed them a taxi.

  He held open the door and let her step in as he followed.

  Buckling up his seatbelt, he noticed she was sitting in the middle.

  ‘I can see why she finds you attractive. You remind her of her stepfather. There are similarities. Even down to the fact you adopted your son when you were married to his mother. I supposed you know that?’ Helen Trott said with great authority.

  ‘Ruby said Commissioner Murphy was one of the good guys. She also said you had a way of knocking off your partners by giving them heart attacks. And that you should thank her because, if it wasn’t for her and Hugh, you wouldn’t have got the job of Commissioner.’

  He didn’t expect to hear her laugh so loudly, causing him to jump. The woman sat crumpled on the seat.

  ‘Oh god, she’s funny. Ruby has the habit of being simple when it comes to her logic.’

  ‘She said you used to call her that. Simple.’

  ‘Scottie, don’t go fighting her corner when you have no idea what she’s like. Ruby Marquis has a habit of manipulating things to make her come out smelling of roses.’

  He had to ask, it was burning him.

  ‘Do you hate her? Is that the problem?’

  ‘I don’t hate her,’ she groaned. ‘She gets what she wants again and again. It infuriates me.’

  They sat in the cab in silence as she directed the driver to her home.

  The cab stopped and she leaned over to undo her seatbelt.

  Then he got a shock when he realised Helen Trott had smothered his mouth in a kiss.

  Scottie pulled back quickly as she smiled.

  ‘Do you want to come in?’ she asked and he realised the Commissioner was being deadly serious. ‘I won’t tell her if you don’t.’

  It was the second time in a matter of months. He knew she wanted to sleep with him. Another pass made by the highest ranking office of the Metropolitan police.

  ‘You’re a very attractive woman but-.’

  He didn’t get to finish his sentence.

  She pushed her tongue into his mouth, catching him but surprise.

  Quickly Scottie pushed her away and noticed the startled expression in her eyes.

  ‘I never cheat and I’m with Ruby. Sorry Commissioner but you’ve picked the wrong person,’ he said seriously, pulling away from her.

  Helen Trott’s smiled turned to a frown. She jumped out of the door and slammed it.

  ‘That was a close one mate!’ the cab driver said, laughing out loudly.

  ‘Too close.’

  Scottie now knew things were going to take a turn for the worse.

  One hundred and eleven

  ‘I don’t think it’s funny,’ said Scottie, brushing his teeth in the bathroom as Ruby laughed. ‘She came on to me, not the other way round.’

  ‘That’s why you couldn’t sleep last night? Guilty you kissed someone else so soon into our relationship?’ Ruby said, realising he wasn’t amused though, deep down, she was seething. ‘I’m not surprised. You looked drop dead gorgeous when you got home.’

  ‘She intimated you were punishing Hugh and would take him back,’ he said anxiously, spitting out toothpaste into the sink.

  ‘Do you think he wants to be the father of your child?’ she smiled, seeing Scottie look genuinely upset. ‘Thank you for being honest and telling me. I know what she’s like so don’t worry.’

  ‘Ruby, it’s not funny. She could say I came on to her.’

  ‘She’d be so bloody lucky!’ She walked up to him and put her hands around his waist, kissing his back. ‘I love you, don’t worry about it.’

  ‘Now I have to face her in work,’ he groaned, bending over as she stroked his smooth skin. ‘What am I going to say?’

  ‘Act as if nothing happened. Theo’s going on a play date this afternoon. Any chance of you coming home early or is that a stupid question? He told me this morning he didn’t mind you sleeping in my bedroom considering I was having your baby. And he asked when we were getting married.’

  Scottie’s face said it all.

  He was worried about the backlash he would receive from Helen Trott.

  Ruby wondered if he was really prepared to take a similar thing happening when they announced their future plans.

  ‘She’s trying to see if you can be swayed, like she did to Hugh,’ she whispered. ‘Get dressed. You’re going to be late for work.’

  Ruby kissed his back and walked out, realising Helen Trott wasn’t going to let go of her golden boy so easily. The nausea was still fierce as she smelt the remnants of burnt toast while walking down towards the kitchen.

  It was less painful than before but the attack was only six days ago. The police weren’t interested to speak to her again other than the bobby in her bed.

  There was a knock on the door and she went to answer it.

  Annette was standing on her doorstep, looking quite ashen.

  ‘Hello,’ Ruby said, giving her a massive hug. ‘Come in.’

  ‘Are you okay?
I didn’t want to come round too soon. What happened and-.’

  The old lady broke down in tears and Ruby sat her down at the dining room table, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders.

  ‘This is all turning out to be quite horrible!’ Annette gulped, wiping her face with a small embroidered hankie. ‘How can anyone hurt you?’

  ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Ruby asked as she heard footsteps above. ‘My friend’s here. You might recognise him.’

  ‘I should go,’ Annette said, standing up immediately. ‘I don’t want to intrude.’

  ‘I’m pleased you’ve come. I’ve not seen Diane since last week and she might not have been physically attacked but she’s hurting really badly.’

  ‘This is all turning out horribly wrong,’ the woman said, shaking her head.

  Footsteps were coming down the stairs. Ruby turned to see her handsome lover smile. It was the first time he’d flashed his pearly whites since the previous night.

  ‘Hello,’ Scottie said, walking over and putting out his hand. ‘Nice to meet you again. I’m-’

  ‘You’re Diane’s policeman cousin,’ said Annette, looking confused. ‘So this is the one.’

  ‘One what?’ he asked.

  ‘The one I’ve fallen in love with, who broke my heart, and has now made up for it,’ replied Ruby with a wide grin.

  ‘Life is full of surprises,’ gasped Annette.

  ‘Try and come home early?’ she said, knowing he wouldn’t be able to. ‘And don’t go kissing any other women.’ He lost the colour from his cheeks as Ruby stood up. ‘I’ll beat them up if I find out.’

  ‘Oh god,’ he groaned, kissing her gently on the lips. ‘I’m dreading this.’

  She watched him walk out before leaning closer to Annette.

  ‘That slut Commissioner tried it on with him last night, knowing full well he’s with me,’ she whispered. ‘And he’s upset but I put nothing past that woman.’

  ‘What a cow! She really is the epitome of an evil stepmother.’ The older lady took a deep breath. ‘That’s why you kept it secret. Because of who he is?’

  ‘You can see why?’ she shrugged, staring to smile. ‘I wanted to tell you but it’s been difficult.’

  ‘I can imagine.’

  ‘I take it you knew Jeremy Tyler?’

  ‘I knew of him. Not a nice sort of man. He had money and, well, have you read the papers? Seems like the others, he abused his position of trust.’

  ‘And Mick Dawson? Have you spoken to him?’ she pried.

  ‘You think he’s the culprit because it would make your day?’ smiled Annette.

  ‘He’s not innocent in all this.’

  ‘I think you’re a target for him. I heard from Gary, second hand, he’s been snooping around and asking questions about you. It’s a matter of time before he realises you’re with one of the highest ranked police officers in London. Then what do you think’s going to happen?’

  ‘I dread to think.’

  By Friday, she didn’t have to think that hard. It seemed Mick Dawson had written a piece published on a popular gossip website laying into Ruby. To her anger, he had revealed her true identity as agony aunt ‘Rebecca Martin’ and the connection between her and Hugh.

  The only saving grace there was no mention of Scottie or the Commissioner.

  Hugh, on the other hand, was furious as he sat in her living room waiting for Theo to get his things.

  ‘Did you tell him this?’ he asked, pointing to his tablet. ‘He’s made me out to be a womanising bastard and that’s why you’re unhinged due to my screwing around.’

  ‘He has a point,’ she mumbled, sitting on the sofa hoping Scottie would come home. ‘I never said a word to him. He hates me and this is him seeking revenge. The man is making out that I deserved what I got for lying about who I am. Did you read what he said? It’s one of my readers seeking revenge which is mildly amusing. They didn’t know who I was until he printed this so now I’m really going to get it in the neck.’

  ‘Ruby, how are you?’ he asked, sitting down next to her. ‘You look a bit peeky.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said, touching her head.

  ‘Why wouldn’t you speak to me? I called and-.’

  ‘Hugh, there’s nothing to worry about. I wasn’t chased. Someone hit me and that’s all I remember.’

  ‘If anything happened to you,’ he said, stroking her face gently. ‘I don’t know what I’d do.’

  ‘Find someone else,’ she smiled.

  He pulled his hand away, looking pissed off.

  ‘How’s Jonathan Scott? He still held up in here?’

  ‘Certainly is,’ she smiled, noticing Hugh’s jealous glare. ‘It’s good going out with an important copper, you get VIP service.’

  ‘Is that in the bedroom or out? You know he has three different kids from three different relationships? He’s not exactly your reliable man, is he?’

  ‘Not like you?’ she replied, trying to hide her grimace. ‘He told me he was never unfaithful to any of his women when he was with them. I think that’s refreshing, don’t you?’

  There was a heavy silence as he stared at her.

  It was Ruby who looked away, seeing her son walk down the stairs.

  ‘Got everything? Cotswolds for the weekend visiting your grandparents should be fun,’ she said, getting up and feeling Hugh touch her hand discreetly.

  Ruby pulled it away and shook her head.

  The door opened and Scottie walked in with a large bag.

  The look on Hugh’s face was priceless. She tried not to laugh.

  ‘Moving in?’ her ex asked.

  Scottie smiled brightly, lighting up the whole room.

  ‘Hey Scottie,’ Theo said, giving him a high five. ‘When I get back we can play that game. Someone told me at school there’s a way to get through the green wall of poison without dying.’

  ‘That’ll be cool,’ he replied, putting the bag down.

  Ruby noticed he hesitated on how to greet her. She walked up to him and kissed his cheek.

  ‘Have you got everything?’ she asked her son, bending down to check his bag and feeling a little sick as she did. ‘Ring me when you get there. Send my love and I’ll see them soon.’

  ‘When?’ Hugh asked, walking up to her. ‘You’re probably never going to see them again unless they come up here. You know they’re elderly, plus they miss you.’

  ‘I went to see them at the beginning of the year. From what I heard, it’s the first time you’ve seen them since Christmas and we’re nearly at the end of October,’ Ruby replied sharply, turning to see Theo pull an unimpressed face. ‘I love you, you know that. Be good and make nice conversation, okay?’ She kissed her son then hugged him fiercely, leaning closer to his ear. ‘Don’t slip up and tell him anything, even if it involves large sums of money, do you hear me?’

  ‘Roger over and out,’ Theo replied, giving her a cheeky grin. ‘And don’t touch my room.’

  ‘As if,’ she sighed, watching them walk to the door. ‘Look after my son,’

  ‘When don’t I look after our son?’ came the quick retort from High as he closed the door behind them.

  Scottie was laughing by the kitchen counter, drinking a glass of water.

  ‘He hates me,’ he said, finishing off his drink and putting it down. ‘After all the things he’s written, you’d think he could just about be pleasant, don’t you?’

  ‘And talking about writing, Mick Dawson’s being a right prick.’ She sat down on the sofa and took a deep breath. ‘It seems silly now, me continuing the problem page if people know who I am. The whole idea was that I kept it private.’

  Scottie walked towards her and sat in the opposite armchair, smiling sympathetically.

  ‘Mick Dawson,’ he said in a tone she’d not heard before. ‘It’s something you said that made me realise he might have been the intended victim and Chonika was mistaken for him.’

  ‘I did think. What doesn’t make sense is that the pe
rson must have been watching the building and followed her in,’ Ruby sighed. ‘They really should have worn their glasses and got it right.’

  ‘Ruby!’ Scottie said, annoyed at her comment. ‘Just because you don’t like him doesn’t mean it’s acceptable for people to be killed.’

  ‘That’s a matter of opinion.’

  He started to laugh again and she wondered why he was in a good mood.

  ‘She didn’t try and accost you in a cell then?’ Ruby continued and watched him smirk, while he shook his head. ‘And you haven’t fallen in love with her? I was tempted to tell Hugh but thought better of it. I’m not sure if he could take the mutiny towards you.’

  ‘Don’t go writing anything else, do you hear me? I don’t want you to antagonise the person carrying out these crimes. I certainly don’t want them to touch you,’ he said, sliding off the armchair and crawling towards her. ‘I mean it.’

  She leaned forward and took his face in her hands, kissing his lips gently then giving him a hug.

  ‘How are you feeling today?’ he whispered.

  ‘Pretty sick. I threw up loads of times and that was before reading Mick’s shit,’ she replied then kissed his cheek. ‘I hate morning sickness.’

  ‘It will pass.’ Scottie stroked her forehead and kissed her again, this time a little bit more passionately. ‘Shall we go to bed?’

  ‘Tell me what happened? Did you see Helen?’ she asked, wanting to know why he was happy and not sacked. ‘Was it embarrassing?’

  ‘I saw her fleetingly and she smiled. Acted as if nothing happened.’

  ‘She’s going to pounce on you again, I know it.’

  It was sharp, the feeling of fear and jealousy over her previous step-mother.

  Helen had taken her husband and now she was probably after the man she was in love with, just to prove a point.

  ‘I’m only destined to sleep with one woman and that’s you,’ he said, touching her stomach. ‘And I have to protect my baby.’