“Not your fault. I’ll see you right.”
“Thanks, boss.”
###
Chapter 47: Daniel and his Wife
Daniel slammed down the phone, picked it up again, then repeatedly bashed it against the holster.
“Daniel?” his wife asked.
“Sorry. Just some bad news.”
“Oh?”
“Work. I’ll sort it out.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Thanks love, but it’s OK.” He paused. “You know something, Kate, you’re one in a million.”
“Yes, Daniel,” she smiled, “to put up with you, I’d have to be.”
###
Chapter 48: Beth and Nate
“You don’t have to squeeze so hard.”
“Sorry, Beth.”
“It’ll be fine.”
“I know. But I can’t help being nervous.”
“That’s sweet.”
“Mr & Mrs Morrison? You can come in now.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Nate said.
“Please, Mrs Morrison, lie on the bed here and lift up your top a little so I can get to your stomach.”
Beth did as she was asked.
“I’m going to put a little gel on so it might feel a little cold.”
Beth giggled as the sonographer squirted a tube over her stomach. Nate giggled as the gel farted.
“There we are.”
“Where?” Beth and Nate said together.
“Here. Can you see the heartbeat?”
Both parents squinted at the screen.
“Never mind. The good news is that your baby has a healthy, strong heartbeat.”
“Did you hear that, Nate?”
“Can you tell what it is yet?”
“I’m sorry. I won’t be able to for another six to eight weeks and even then sometimes the baby can be in the wrong position.”
“A boy would be lovely. We could play football.”
“You don’t like football.”
“I would if I had a boy.”
Beth looked worried.
Nate continued, “But girls are always the apple of their Daddy’s eyes. As long as the baby’s happy and healthy when it comes out, with bits in the right places, I don’t mind.”
“Would you like a DVD?”
“You can do that?” Beth asked.
“Oh, yes. This machine does 4D movies and stills. You can have both if you like.”
“That would be lovely, wouldn’t it Beth? We can watch it whenever we like.”
Beth smiled. Maybe, just maybe, this was the side of her husband that would stick. Being realistic, he’d probably need some steering from her, without him knowing of course, but she had high hopes.
###
Chapter 49: Simon and Marion
Simon hadn’t quite worked out how to tell his mum about Jessica’s double life, who Alexis was, about Veronica, Daniel, Beth and co. Although he knew Marion was a calm and level-headed woman, he figured that telling her everything now would be too soon. She didn’t need to know everything just yet, if ever, so he decided to tell her about the diary, the photograph and see what she said.
“She had what?”
“A double life.”
“Like a spy or something?”
Simon laughed. “No, not a spy. Quite the opposite.”
Marion put down her cup of tea and tilted her head as if she were an animal not understanding a given instruction.
“How do I put this?” Simon pulled out the photograph of Alexis and put it in front of his mum.
“Ooh. She’s… was such a pretty…” Marion sniffed and pulled a tissue from a small square box on the opposite side of the kitchen table. She blew her nose, screwed up the tissue and walked over to the bin, depositing the tissue, then returning to the table. “I don’t understand.”
“She was an escort, Mum.”
“Escort? Like a prosti… No. Not Jessica. Jessica wouldn’t…”
Simon nodded.
“But…”
“I know. I couldn’t believe it either.”
“Is that why she had so much money? Why she’d paid off the house?”
“Couldn’t have done it so quickly as a secretary.”
Marion winced and drank more tea. “But that’s so sleazy. How do you know?”
“Too many things adding up.”
Marion gripped the side of the cup. “Was she killed because of it?”
Simon shook his head. “No, Mum. That was an accident.”
Marion put the nail of her left index finger between her teeth and rocked her finger back and forth, the noise reminding Simon of waves against stones at a Devon beach they’d visited as children. “Why do you think she did it?”
Simon shrugged. “Excitement? Being a secretary can’t have been all that challenging.”
“Not my idea of excitement.” She shuddered.
“Nor mine. Not quite skydiving or…”
“Going off to Australia for a year like she did when she met Shaun. It’s a shame how that worked out. Lovely to have had her back, of course. This doesn’t matter. It isn’t, wasn’t her, not the real her. That was…” Marion pointed to the photograph. “That was Alexis.”
Simon nodded again and smiled. “Yes, Mum. And she’s gone too.”
###
Chapter 50: Simon and Marion
“You look great.”
“Thanks. I’m rather nervous actually.”
“Ah, that’s sweet.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Where are you meeting?”
“Hemel Hempstead, it’s about half way.”
“Do you know anywhere in Hemel?”
“He said there’s the Holiday Inn near M1 junction eight so that sounded like a good a place as any.”
“So I may not be seeing you back tonight then.” Marion smirked.
“Mum!”
“It’s a hotel…”
“I know, but it’s our first date.”
“Not exactly. You’ve already met.”
“That was hardly a date though, was it?”
“No, but you chatted for ages, so you have a head start.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’d better go. I don’t want to be late.”
“What time are you meeting?”
“Eight o’clock.”
“But it’s only half past six.”
“I know but…”
“You don’t want to be late.” Marion repeated, smiling. “Have a wonderful time. He’s just the thing you need to take your mind off… what’s been happening lately.”
“Thanks. Will you be all right?”
“Of course. Helen’s coming over for a game of Scrabble and I’ve won the last three times so she’s determined to fight back.”
“You have a good evening.”
Marion winked. “And you.”
Simon shook his head, smiled, and grabbed his car keys.
###
Chapter 51: Simon and Andy
The M1 was busy for a Tuesday evening and Simon pulled into the car park just after seven thirty. His heart raced as he switched off the engine. Pulling round the rear view mirror, he switched on the internal light. His face was flushed so he zipped down the window to let in some fresh air. He sat for a while breathing deeply and fanning his face with his right hand until he’d calmed down.
“This is stupid,” he said, staring at himself. “Getting worked up over a date. He’s a nice guy. He likes you, you like him. It’ll be fine.”
If nothing else, Jessica’s death had taught him that life was too short to not grab every opportunity that came his way.
Walking into the hotel bar, Simon spotted Andy sitting on a bar stool, grinning like an X-factor winner.
Andy stood up and held out his hand. Simon shook it and blushed. They ordered their drinks and went over to one of the tables.
“This is probably a stupid question, Simon, but how are you?”
“OK. You know. Got quite a lot done over
the past few days, a lot more to do but it’s the reading of the will on Wednesday then I guess it’ll be easier to… And you? Back at work or…?”
“Wasn’t supposed to be but they had a staff shortage. I’m not the only one to have…”
“Better keeping busy.”
Andy nodded, changing the subject to hobbies and they sat chatting like old friends, laughing and taking turns to buy refills.
As the bar emptied, Andy said, “I have a room here. Didn’t fancy driving back. Would you…?”
“Oh. I’d not thought. I didn’t bring…”
“Of course not. It’s fine.”
“But I’d like to.”
Andy winked, put down his empty glass, and looked at the exit to the rooms.
Simon smiled, finished his drink, and followed Andy out of the bar.
###
Chapter 52: At the Solicitor’s
Simon opened the door for Marion and followed her into the solicitor’s reception.
“Good morning,” the receptionist chirped.
“Hello,” Simon replied. “We have an ten o’clock appointment with Mr Thomas.”
The receptionist’s smile faded and she pointed to a couple of chairs. “Certainly, Mr Price. Mrs Price. Please take a seat.”
“Thank you,” Marion said, and sat beside her son.
The receptionist made a call and Mr Thomas appeared from a frosted glass office door.
“Good morning. Sorry to have kept you waiting. Please come this way.”
Simon and Marion stood up and Simon paused, letting Marion go first.
Mr Thomas directed them to a couple of chairs then sat behind his large mahogany desk. “Firstly let me extend my condolences, on behalf of Thomas, Duckett and Peterson.”
“Thank you,” Marion said.
Simon nodded.
Mr Thomas picked up a thin cream stapled document. “As you may be aware, Jessica wrote a will which we have for safe-keeping. It’s quite simple. She had a reasonable estate and kept all her affairs in order so it won’t take me long.” He coughed then read…
“This is the last Will and Testament of me, Jessica Price, of Fifty-one Berry Avenue, Hinsley, which I make this, the fourteenth day of November 2015. I revoke all former Wills and Testamentary Dispositions made by me. Subject to the payment thereout of my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts, I give devised and bequeath all my estate, both real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever unto my daughter, Holly Marion…” Mr Thomas paused at the expression on Simon and Marion’s faces.
Marion said nothing, her bottom lip dropping open.
Simon looked at her then looked back at Mr Thomas. “What?”
#######
About the Author
Morgen Bailey is a writing-related blogger who spotlights authors, agents, editors and publishers. Other content includes guest posts, flash fiction, poetry, and short story and writing guide reviews.
She is also a freelance editor and offers a free 1,000-word sample edit to all new enquirers.
She runs two free monthly competitions and has been a judge for various competitions including the annual H.E. Bates Short Story Competition (2015), NLG Flash Fiction Competition (2013-4), RONE (2015), and BBC Radio 2 500-word Competition (2016).
The author of numerous short stories, novels, articles, she has also dabbled with poetry.
Morgen teaches creative writing across Northamptonshire (and beyond), belongs to three local writing groups, is a charity shop volunteer, a regular cinema visitor, reads (though not as often as she’d like), and in between she writes.
Everything she’s involved in is detailed on her blog http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com. She can also be found chatting away about all things literary on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr.
To contact her you can also complete her website’s ‘Contact me’ page
or email her at [email protected].
Discover other titles by Morgen Bailey at
https://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/books-mine.
Cover photograph courtesy of pixabay.com.
Cover design, internal layout etc. by Morgen Bailey.
Note from the Author
Thank you for purchasing ‘After Jessica’.
I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank my writing friends – especially Joy, Tony, Jane, and Pat – for their ongoing support, and my fabulous beta readers: Deborah, Denise, Judy, Sarah, and William.
I welcome feedback and you can either find me on the links above or via email: [email protected] and am always grateful for honest reviews.
***
Table of Contents
Prologue: Andy
Chapter 1: Alexis
Chapter 2: Nate
Chapter 3: Daniel
Chapter 4: Jessica
Chapter 5: Andy
Chapter 6: Simon and the Police
Chapter 7: Simon and Marion
Chapter 8: Emily and Frank
Chapter 9: Simon and the Press
Chapter 10: Simon
Chapter 11: Simon and Marion
Chapter 12: Simon and the Police
Chapter 13: Beth and Nate
Chapter 14: Simon and Marion
Chapter 15: Marion
Chapter 16: Simon
Chapter 17: Beth and Nate
Chapter 18: Simon
Chapter 19: Simon and the Bank Manager
Chapter 20: Simon
Chapter 21: Beth and Nate
Chapter 22: Simon
Chapter 23: Simon and Veronica
Chapter 24: Beth and the Phone Calls
Chapter 25: Beth and the Neighbours
Chapter 26: Simon and Marion
Chapter 27: Simon and Marion
Chapter 28: Beth, Frank and Emily
Chapter 29: Daniel and Rick
Chapter 30: Andy
Chapter 31: Frank and Emily
Chapter 32: Veronica
Chapter 33: Rick
Chapter 34: Daniel and his Wife
Chapter 35: Tania and Rick
Chapter 36: Beth and Nate
Chapter 37: Marion and the Funeral
Chapter 38: The Funeral
Chapter 39: Rick
Chapter 40: Rick
Chapter 41: Simon
Chapter 42: Rick
Chapter 43: Simon and the Bank Manager
Chapter 44: Simon and Veronica
Chapter 45: Veronica and Rick
Chapter 46: Rick and Daniel
Chapter 47: Daniel and his Wife
Chapter 48: Beth and Nate
Chapter 49: Simon and Marion
Chapter 50: Simon and Marion
Chapter 51: Simon and Andy
Chapter 52: At the Solicitor’s
About the Author
Note from the Author
After Jessica: A mystery novella Page 13
