The Braille Club Undone (The Braille Club #3)

by J. A. Kerr

  Tess’s heart thudded in her chest. “Well, I can think of worse things than being married to you,” she smiled.

  Si looked thoughtful. The seed had been planted. It took a few months to take root. Their show was approved. During the filming Tess sported a huge engagement ring. She didn’t need to act loved up. She was loved up. The nation was charmed by them. They were dubbed “the love birds”. People loved Si’s flirtatious manner, aware he was engaged to Tess. There was an air of danger and sexual chemistry between them. Their ratings soared. Guests requested their show in favour of bigger names.

  Si had been honest from the start. He’d not promised her monogamy, far from it, he’d agreed to an open marriage. Tess had just heard the word marriage. She never dreamed in a million years she’d achieve it with Si. Mrs Simon Lawrence. The words thrilled her. She doodled the name Tess Lawrence over and over.

  As their show continued to climb the ratings, their wedding became headline news. “Tess Tames Bad Boy Lawrence,” screamed the newspapers and magazines. They were the couple the nation was talking about. The wedding preparations took over. Si wanted a big wedding which surprised her. They even had a magazine cover the event. In a daydream of happiness, the ceremony had been faultless. Tess floated around smiling at everyone until she noticed Si was missing. She asked around but no one had seen him. Heading to the bridal suite where she’d left her mobile, her heart thumped, and she tried to calm her jangling nerves. As she approached the room she slowed down and took a deep breath. She was being ridiculous, but as her hand reached the handle, she stiffened. She could hear someone having sex in her room. Tears sprang to her eyes as she backed away. She hid further down the corridor and waited. Minutes later the door opened and Si emerged. She heard a giggle and then the distinctive voice of her maid of honour. Tess now knew what an open marriage meant.

  She’d been so hurt and angry but when he’d smiled at her later in the evening and kissed her hand, she’d steadied herself. Her gaze swept the crowded room. Looks of envy from most of the women, suddenly comprehension dawned, she was the one spending the rest of her life with him. She was Mrs Lawrence. Smiling sweetly at her maid of honour, she’d kissed her husband passionately. Good natured calls of, “Get a room,” rung out amid the laughter.

  When she’d looked at her friend again her face was twisted in jealousy. Good. She wanted the bitch to suffer for ruining her wedding day. Tess made sure she met her at breakfast the next day, ignoring her look of discomfort as she sat down beside her. Lifting her coffee to her lips she’d told her in graphic detail about their wedding night. She told her how many times Si had made love to her. She left nothing out, including the fact she seen them leaving her bridal suite earlier. As she stuttered, her face alarmed, Tess clarified she also heard them having sex. A deep crimson blush crept over her girlfriend’s cheeks.

  “Never have sex with my husband again.”

  “I didn’t want to...”

  Tess cut off her pathetic excuses. “Do you understand?”

  She hung her head in shame. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, Tess.”

  “You’re pathetic; a quick shag. Keep your legs closed in the future,” she spat.

  Tess stood up and crossed the room, nodding at people she knew until she escaped into the lift. Quietly opening the door, she crept back inside her room and looked at Si. He was out cold; his arm thrown out. His perfectly handsome face was partly in shadow. Tess was still shaking but triumphant. No one would steal her prize, her man. He was hers and she’d do whatever it took to keep him.

  Nothing had changed. Anna Dunbar was no different to her maid of honour. They all wanted a piece of Si but only Tess got to keep him.

  Chapter 20

  The Braille Club Undone

  The Braille Club, London. Two Years On. The Music Zone. Guy had been toying with this zone for some time. Braille members’ senses are challenged in many ways, but there is something about music. The connection for each person is unique. Tastes varied wildly. Guy, however, did know his members’ preferences.

  Siena

  Siena had been running around all week getting things ready for the housewarming. Picking up hired glasses and organising the caterers. She had opted for gourmet burgers, butternut squash ravioli and coq au van, all with accompaniments. Next it was selecting desserts and, last but not least, matching wines. That had been the fun part. She had chosen a good selection of whites and reds. She’d been battling a cold since the start of the week and when she got up this morning it was worse than ever. Everything ached. Dragging herself from bed, she was glad Lizzie was here every day this week. Professional cleaners had worked their magic throughout the house and everything shone, although keeping it that way was a challenge. She had been forced to book again for the Saturday afternoon of the party. It was the only way she could guarantee her home would still be clean when their guests arrived.

  Lizzie arrived early and took over the twin’s breakfast routine while Siena got showered and dressed. When she looked in the mirror her face was drawn and tired. Pulling on a t-shirt and jeans, she went downstairs hoping to cool off in the garden for a moment. Lizzie was taking the twins to soft play, so after a quick kiss Siena waved them off. She was burning up; the paracetamol she’d taken earlier was not helping. She opened the bi-fold doors and stepped outside. Sweat beaded on her forehead. She felt dizzy and confused. Her mind was trying to tell her something, but fatigue made it hard to think. She still had so much to do before next Saturday and time was running out. She didn’t have time to be sick. Moving inside, she rested against the worktop for a moment. She was hungry but lacked the energy to do anything about it. The thought that had been eluding her earlier almost materialised, but she was finding it hard to concentrate. She walked across the kitchen, her body swaying. She gripped the doorframe in her panic. Her last thought as her legs buckled under her was perhaps she had more than a cold...

  Benedict

  Benedict sat emerged in his work. It was always this way when a new project started. Looking at his watch, he was startled to see an hour had passed. He frowned. Siena had not brought his coffee this morning. If he hadn’t been so engrossed in his work he would have noticed earlier. He stood and stretched; his back already cramping from leaning over the drawing board before heading out the door. His study was on the far side of the house where it was quiet. He had wanted to put a coffee maker into his office but Siena had insisted the only one he needed was her. She made a great cup of coffee and surprised him with different varieties of coffee beans. He’d missed her in the office this week. At first he was uncertain whether they could work together, but it had been seamless for both of them. Siena had not taken on any new finance projects since Harrison’s. As a trained accountant herself, she had more than enough work with the finances and budgets of the ongoing refurbishment. However, her passion was still in new technology development within the zones of the Braille Club. He had to admit, she was good at it. Together, with their engineers and Guy, they were making excellent progress.

  He wasn’t happy when Siena suggested the party but understood she wanted to share her new home with their friends and family. She was proud of what they’d achieved and he was proud of her. She’d been consumed with party arrangements. He’d hardly seen her all week. He smiled as he turned towards the kitchen and stiffened. Breaking into a run he reached her unmoving body. Panic swept over him as he bent over her. Heart thumping, he felt for her pulse, only breathing out when he located its firm beat. Benedict had been trained to administer a glucagon injection to treat hypoglycemia, and he didn’t hesitate. He ran to the kitchen and located the emergency syringe. It would help immediately if Siena had collapsed due to low blood sugar. He unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them down. It was best to inject in the thigh. As gently as he could he pressed the needle into her skin and depressed the plunger. He rolled her into the recovery position and returned quickly to the kitchen to get the phone. Sprinting back to Siena, he dialled 999.


  He told the operator he’d found his wife unconscious, that she had diabetes, and he’d administered a glucagon injection. He could hear her typing, recording everything. She asked if the patient was breathing okay and Benedict confirmed as far as he could tell she was. She told him it was possible that Siena might be sick when she came round. He rushed to get towels and a basin. Sweat poured from his body as he waited for the paramedics to arrive. This was the second time she had collapsed without warning. In Marbella he hadn’t known her routine, but now he saw her taking her blood sugars religiously every morning. What was wrong? These attacks were worrying and potentially fatal. He always feared Siena blacking out. Imagined a hundred different scenarios, all potentially dangerous. If she was driving, for example, or swimming.

  Siena groaned and he stroked her face, but she didn’t open her eyes. He tried desperately to contain the gnawing fear in the pit of his stomach. He tried not to think about his mother, about how useless he’d felt as he watched the light fade from her eyes. No child should see that and fear gripped harder. He heard the crunch of a vehicle on the outdoor gravel. He opened the door and two paramedics entered the house. As they were examining Siena, she suddenly opened her eyes and vomited. Although unpleasant, the paramedics worked steady, confirming Siena’s vitals. They got her up and seated. She admitted to feeling tired and hot but otherwise fine. It was decided she did not need to go hospital as an emergency but should attend her GP and Diabetes Clinic. Benedict called their private medical insurance and an appointment was made for two days’ time. Siena was still a little woozy and he’d helped her into bed where she gratefully closed her eyes. He was worried sick about her. If her diabetes worsened, what did that mean for her health? He called Alex. His twin’s calm and reassuring voice helped Benedict. Alex said he’d be with them in an hour.

  Chapter 21

  The Braille Club Undone

  The Braille Club, London. Two Years On. Guy sat with the hood snug against his ears. He had selected some of his favourite music. Music that made him want to sing and move. Their in-house music specialist would give his playlist ‘the Braille effect’ as he liked to call it. The music would be slow and sensuous. He smiled, he knew rock could be sexy but was it sensuous?

  Guy

  Guy sat thinking about his proposal. He realised he would never have a conventional relationship. His commitment to the club had almost cost him...Anna. He mustn’t let that happen again. There would always be men like Simon Lawrence, and he feared Anna would be attracted to them if she felt lonely. He’d neglected her badly. However, they could not jeopardise their jobs. The sex was fantastic, the danger in being discovered, an added edge, but sooner or later their luck would run out. He rubbed his face and looked at his watch. Benedict was late. Unusually, he was feeling nervous about their meeting. Guy was unsure how his boss would react to his request. Another thing, he didn’t relish his sexual preferences being common knowledge.

  If Benedict gave him the go ahead he would work with Esme and Ford in the design of the sensory devices. They wouldn’t judge him, above all else they were professional, but Guy still squirmed in discomfort. His phone rang and startled him.

  “Guy Walker.”

  “I’m not coming to the office today,” said Benedict, a strained quality to his voice.

  Guy was immediately alert. “What’s wrong?”

  “Siena had a hypo yesterday.”

  “Is she okay?” Guy gripped the phone.

  “Yes, but she was out cold when I found her. We’re seeing a specialist but I’ve been thinking. Do you think it’s possible to adapt her medical ID bracelet and install movement detection and an alarm? I was thinking of the electronic tags used on criminals and how they use GPS and radio waves,” said Benedict seriously. “If I hadn’t been in the house she could have gone into a coma. I cannot be with her every second of the day, even when I’m at home. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s possible, and necessary. I’ll contact Ford and Esme.”

  “Where are they?” asked Benedict.

  “Dubai,” said Guy. “However, they’ve been in contact with me constantly. I think they never really switch off.”

  “They’re living there?” asked Benedict.

  “Contracting, but Ford said they were available if required.”

  “Good,” Benedict exhaled. “I worry Siena could black out and no one would know. Lizzie is often out with the twins and Siena is alone in the house.”

  “I’ll get to work on it straight away,” said Guy firmly.

  “Good. I wanted to tell you myself, I’m recruiting a manager for Harrison’s.”

  Guy was shocked and a silence formed between them.

  “Guy, you need help. You’re under too much strain as it is. I need you to concentrate on the things you do well, like the Braille innovation. However, you can’t run the clubs single handed.”

  “Okay,” said Guy slowly.

  I’ll send the CVs. There are four possible candidates. Let’s arrange to meet them next week. I want to appoint someone as quickly as possible.

  Guy, reeling from this development, took a moment to answer. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

  “Thank you, Guy. Is there anything else?”

  Guy suddenly found his voice. “Yes, I wanted to suggest trialling a new zone.”

  “Sounds good,” said Benedict distractedly.

  “It would involve modifications to existing sensory equipment,” said Guy nervously. “Can we meet and discuss it?” he asked.

  “Not at the moment. But go ahead and get started,” said Benedict.

  Guy was relieved and disappointed. Zone development had always come from the three of them and Guy felt adrift his usual partners were not there to support him.

  “Of course, I’ll begin and keep you updated.”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you next week. Oh, I nearly forgot, I’ll see you on Saturday. Despite what I say, Siena still wants the house warming to go ahead. I’ve tried to talk her out of it but when she sets her mind on something...” Benedict let out a long sigh.

  “I’ll be there,” said Guy, smiling at Benedict’s exasperated tone.

  They said their goodbyes and Guy hung up. He was buzzing with excitement. After he recovered from the shock of a manager for Harrison’s he realised it was great news. He would have more time to spend with Anna and more time to develop their shared passion.

  He picked up his mobile and typed out a text.

  Guy: Come to the club for dinner at 7.30pm. I have a surprise for you x

  Her response was instant.

  Anna: Will I like the surprise?

  Guy: It will tie you up in knots x

  Anna: No pain, no gain?

  Guy: Wait and see x

  Anna: Only if you promise...

  Guy: Can’t hurt to try x

  Anna: I’ll wear my favourite heels, the pair you are acquainted with...

  Guy’s breathing quickened. He was glad he was busy because he couldn’t stop thinking of Anna. Turning to his computer, he composed an email regarding Siena’s bracelet and sent it to Ford and Esme, their in-house engineers. He noticed the email from Benedict with the title: Candidates. Moving his mouse he clicked on it and began to read. A mixture of emotions flooded through him. He wanted to make a real effort with his relationship and could do that with a competent manager and team behind him. Guy knew he was a control freak but something had to give. He didn’t want his job to jeopardise his personal life which meant he needed help. The candidates looked good and two caught his interest. Accessing his diary, he groaned, it was fully booked for three weeks solid; important meetings he couldn’t avoid, but he had some free time now. He tentatively thought of cancelling dinner with Anna but dismissed it. Picking up the phone, he took a chance. She answered on the third ring.

  “Sasha Edmond.”

  “Hello, my name is Guy Walker and I am recruiting for Harrison’s. I recently received your CV.”

  “
Yes.”

  “This is very short notice, would you be available for interview this afternoon?”

  “Yes, I would. What time?”

  Guy glanced at his watch, “In an hour?”

  “I can make that,” said Sasha.

  “Good, I’ll inform reception to expect you, if you could ring the number I send you, a member of staff will let you in.”

  “I will.”

  “Goodbye, Guy.”

  “Goodbye, Sasha.”

  Guy sat back in his chair and smiled. Mission accomplished, that had been easier than he’d thought. He liked the sound of Sasha, confident and direct. Attractive too. The photo on her CV was good. He sent her an email with the arrival arrangements. The hour went by quickly; reception confirmed Sasha’s arrival. He suddenly felt nervous which was ridiculous. Her handshake was firm and cool. Guy thought her photo was good, but in the flesh, she was striking. His attraction to her was instantaneous, but this was business, and he quickly put it aside. The interview went well. When Sasha confirmed she could work for a few hours, he’d smiled. His existing staff were surprised when he introduced her but adapted to Sasha quickly. Guy knew the feedback he’d receive about her would enable him to make a quick decision.

  Encouraged by Sasha’s response and availability, he made more calls and secured two further candidate interviews. The fourth candidate was unavailable and Guy made the quick decision to go ahead without them. He made his way to his zone and his recent purchases. He was satisfied he had everything required. It would be trial and error in the beginning. Adjustments would be needed to existing equipment. Guy had been working on a new Braille chair; it was his own special project. Satisfied everything was in order, he returned to his office. When he changed for dinner, Anna was not the only woman on his mind. Guy reminded himself Sasha was married, unavailable and a potential employee...but still, he liked her.