The Other Mrs Hayes

by Ross Richdale

  "Yeah. Lightens the load. Almost as stressful as being the principal in charge of four hundred kids."

  Stacey got no more out of him so clicked off and glanced at her watch. It was quarter to twelve.

  She switched on one of the main TV channels and waited as half a dozen advertisements preceded the midday news. She watched transfixed for the main item was the one Doug told her to watch.

  The young woman reporter stared at the screen. "Not one but two people have been arrested and charged with murder of businessman Brendon Hayes late last year. It was a contract killing by a professional hit man that we believe was hired by the arrested woman to kill him. Their names have been suppressed but it is believed that they are both immigrants from Vietnam."

  "Got that wrong, too," Stacey retorted and continued to watch the report that gave a reasonably accurate description of the attack. There was no mention that Brendon had been a bigamist nor were own or Jessica's names mentioned or even hinted at.

  "So Reyna was the woman supposedly arrested?" she asked Doug when he called back.

  "She is and we have faked her arrest to flush out the real person who contracted out the attack."

  "And you know who it is?"

  "We have several on our short list and the police have hired me to find enough evidence to make an arrest."

  "But you can't tell me any more?"

  "Well it wasn't you, Jessica or Reyna and probably not Jessica's mum, that's all I can tell you at the moment. There's more. The news will come out tonight that Reyna will be allowed out on bail with continued name suppression but one of the conditions is that her passport is surrendered so she cannot leave the country. This should lull the real culprit into complacency."

  "So it is somebody who knows Jessica or myself?"

  "Enough said. I'll keep in touch," Doug replied. "Heard you're going to have a little boy who will be called Douglas."

  Stacey smiled. "Wrong on both counts and I thought you were the detective."

  "Just fishing. See you."

  The mobile went dead.

  JESSICA AND HER CHILDREN arrived at Stacey's place even before Laurie arrived home with news about school life. Carla just had to tell her that she could blow bubbles under water in the school swimming pool, she had another new reader and the whole class painted a huge picture about native birds.

  "So you're enjoying school?" Stacey asked after she gave Carla a drink and a piece of cake and set her up in front of a junior program on TV.

  Carla grinned and nodded.

  "You spoil her," Jessica said. "At home, she has do her reading before she can watch TV."

  Stacey turned to her. "And how is everything at school from your point of view?"

  Jessica grinned. "I'm busy. The teachers are so different from Mary who does everything asked of her but plods on in her old fashioned way to Wyatt who is a whizz at music but doesn't seem interested in doing the ordinary subjects. His kids are pretty noisy, too."

  "Yes Mary has been on the staff for twenty years but is less formal now and will go along with everything then ignore it when she is alone with her class. I thought she would retire last year." Stacey smiled. "As for Wyatt, do a subject swap. Get him to take your music and perhaps even drama while you take his social studies or art?"

  "And get a few basic class rules established?"

  "Oh they'll revert back as soon as he returns. Start on their presentation skills..." She continued on with ideas while Jessica listened.

  "I can see why you're a great principal," she said. "Kim tries hard but is overwhelmed by the responsibilities thrust upon her, I reckon."

  "And you aren't?" Stacey asked.

  Jessica flushed. "Has winning a senior teacher's position gone to my head, Stacey?"

  "Definitely not but remember the staff are probably judging you as well as Kim. It is so easy to criticise those above you and blame them when things go wrong."

  "Like with Wyatt?"

  "Possibly but I don't really know anything about him. All his reports stated how good his music was and his friendly attitude. When I selected new staff I always looked for what was not said, for example does friendly attitude mean his classroom management skills are lackadaisical?"

  "Like us when we first met? We could have easily become sworn enemies who blamed each other for Brendon's actions."

  "I guess. Just really get to know your teachers. Take Mary for example. She lost her husband the year before I became principal and has a pretty lonely private life. Don't expect too much from her. She plods on, the kids in her class like her and there are few complaints from parents about her. A couple were even taught by her when they were at primary school. Look for her good points."

  "Her kids exercise books are really neat."

  "So use some of them to show Wyatt and the others how they could improve their children's presentation skills. "

  "So I have plenty to learn?" Jessica whispered.

  "Me too but on a different front." Stacey laughed and rubbed her tummy. "Being pregnant is hard work and once Bubs arrives I'll need all the suggestions you can give me."

  Jessica grinned. "We're so different yet so much the same. I guess it's an oxymoron."

  "Could be." Stacey laughed. She turned when Laurie walked in the door and grinned at them all.

  "So you got all the gossip?" he asked.

  "Could be," Stacey replied and kissed him on the cheek.

  CHAPTER 12

  There were the usual problems with real estate agents, lawyers and banks lending money but finally Jessica and her young family shifted into their newly purchased Wellington home. Stacey had stuck by her promise to let her be next-of-kin for all Brendon's assets in Auckland. The house up there sold for almost two hundred thousand dollars more than her similar home in Wellington. This, therefore meant that she had to service a smaller mortgage and with her new position at Lexington Avenue School, she could easily afford it.

  The 1980s vintage house was within a few blocks of the school and only a kilometre from Stacey's in the opposite direction, had a garage, something often lacking in the Wellington hilly suburbs and was only two blocks from a small suburban shopping area and supermarket. Even the early childhood centre Austin was enrolled at wasn't too far away so he didn't need to transfer to a new one.

  The movers had finished by early Saturday afternoon and seemly everywhere were people to help. Stacey handled small items such as the dishes and ornaments while Laurie and Andy, the Lexington caretaker, lugged the furniture around to where she wanted it. Other teachers from her syndicate also arrived and Wyatt gave Laurie and Andy a hand. Mary was there too and proved excellent at looking after Austin and Carla while other adults got everything plugged in and operating, moved the mountain of packing material and by nightfall it was almost all done.

  Twelve people chipped in to order pizzas and there was grand evening meal for the tired but happy workers. After getting the two children into bed Jessica sat beside Stacey on her couch and offered her a can of beer

  "No thanks," Stacey replied. "With Bubbs coming I vowed to stay off the alcohol."

  Jessica looked bemused. "When I was pregnant both times, Brendon scoffed at the idea that pregnant women should stay off alcohol. Said that in modesty it didn't do any harm."

  "Yeah he said the same to me, too." Stacey whispered. She squeezed Jessica's arm. "It's funny how these little things just come out."

  "You know this is the first time in my life that I am really independent." Jessica said. "There was Mum and Dad who was quite hard on me, a brief time at university and then Brendon got me pregnant. He was okay I guess but ... oh hell you know what he was like?"

  "Quite chauvinistic but not as bad as other men I know of," Stacey replied.

  "He seemed to care," Jessica said.

  "I know," Stacey replied and they both lapsed into silence before someone came up and the conversation changed.

  Carla loved her new bedroom with her familiar furniture and soft toys. Austin
now had a cot and also his own bedroom just across the hallway from Jessica's bedroom. Gradually everyone left and she was alone except for her two children who were sound asleep. With mixed feelings she strolled through the house with all the familiar furniture in different places. There was still a little rubbish around and books and so forth needed sorting but it felt like her place.

  Her place! She gulped. There was no Brendon but she felt strangely more at peace with the world. Thoughts turned to her kids, her mother, Stacey, people she had just met at Lexington Avenue School, how they had turned up to help and how kind everyone was. After a quick shower she crawled between the blankets and was soon in a gentle sleep.

  STACEY QUITE ENJOYED the mornings by herself. She was deep in thought, planning changes she'd like to see happening at school when there was a faint knock on the door. When she opened it she saw a well-dressed businesswoman in her forties standing there. Thinking it was probably a salesperson or someone from a religious group she was prepared to say she was not interested in whatever they wanted but studied the new arrival again. Something about her looked familiar. She doubted if she had seen her in real life before but she had certainly seen her photograph. Perhaps it was one of those TV reporters.

  "Can I help you?' she asked.

  The woman actually appeared flushed for a moment before she seemed to recover, smiled slightly and held out her hand. "You are Stacey Hayes?" she asked and answered her own question. "Of course you are. I'd recognise you anywhere. Forgive me but I was not expecting someone well..." She glanced at her tummy.

  Stacey frowned. "Yes," she said. "I've only got a few days to go."

  "How nice. I am Michelle Packwell. Doug McCann said that you'd be home today but didn't say why. I'm down here from Auckland and thought I'd call in." She grimaced. "I'm the person who may have caused this whole sordid affair."

  When Doug's name was mentioned Stacey remembered where she had seen her before, well photos of her. They were in old photographs on another of Brendon's flash drives.

  "You're Brendon's first wife aren't you?"

  Michelle looked surprised but nodded. "I though it was only fair to come and talk to you but didn't know about your pregnancy. I though it was Jessica that Brendon had impregnated."

  "It is not his child," Stacey whispered. "I have a new partner." She stood aside. "But come in Michelle. No doubt you have a good reason for calling."

  A few moments later she was seated with Michelle on their porch that caught the morning sun. She had caught up with the news about Michelle's life with Brendon and in returned filled her in on her own news about Jessica's and her lives with him.

  "As I said," Michelle continued. "I could have started it all. Brendon's lawyer had sent me the divorce papers to sign but it had to be done before a lawyer or another official. Mum was looking after our baby and I was in London on my great OE. Anyway, I couldn't be bothered paying for a lawyer so never got it signed. Neither of us bothered to follow it up and got on with our lives." She stirred her coffee and pouted. "I guess we all suffer the consequences of our youth."

  Stacey waited for she guessed that her visitor had more to say.

  "It's Cody, Brendon's and my son. He's nineteen now and has gone off the rails, so to speak. He dropped out of high school three years back and got in with the wrong crowd."

  "It happens," Stacey said.

  "He gets on quite well with Josh, my present partner and our two children who are a decade younger than him but had a run in with Brendon the year after he dropped out of school. I'm found out that he had approached Brendon and wanted a loan to repay a loan shark. Brendon turned him down flat. I ended up paying the five thousand dollars debt but warned him that it was the last time I'd help in this way" Michelle hesitated and reached for another muffin.

  "Go on," Stacey whispered.

  "Doug told me about Brendon and the assault, you know the bits that never hit the news media. I think it was Cody who arranged for that gangster to attack him." Michelle glanced up and blinked back tears. "He's resented his father since that loan episode and really blames him for everything that has gone wrong in his own life. It's so unfair. Jody has been so good to him and our other two kids regard him as a big brother."

  "And you told Doug this?"

  Michelle nodded.

  "And his comment?"

  "None really. He said not to worry as he had several other leads but did take particulars about Cody's address and other details."

  Stacy looked at her. "So you have no proof but just a feeling?"

  "I know Cody. His whole personality has changed in the last couple of years. It is something he is capable of doing."

  "So leave it to Doug. He is pretty good at his job. I have no doubt that if he considers it is likely that Cody is responsible he'll get back to you."

  "That's what he said."

  After Michelle left, Stacey wondered about it all. Her life and also Jessica's would be unaffected by any other arrests made but she was curious. Doug had told her that Eraesto Paulino would be charged with his murder and anything else that happened wouldn't bring Brendon back. She didn't even know that this Cody or Michelle, if it came to that, even existed until recently.

  EVEN WITH STACEY'S notes on her iPad about what to say, Jessica was nervous. This was one of the things about being a senior teacher that she didn't like. She had to tell Wyatt to improve his classroom management, planning and teaching of basic subjects. She had asked him to meet with her in her office after school that Thursday afternoon. This was adjacent to her classroom and when he arrived she sat behind her desk that almost provided security while he sat opposite her.

  Using her own notes and also Stacey's suggestions about how to conduct the meeting, she tried to be positive and went though the six items that were on the agenda that she had given him earlier.

  He sat quietly throughout the meeting but said little except to nod in agreement with everything she said. His annoyed her. He could at least stick up for himself or offer excuses, say he'd try to improve or whatever.

  "Have you been listening to a word I said?" she grumbled, forgetting Stacey's advice to remain cool and calm.

  He glanced up and grinned. "Sure. The notes you made for me will be very helpful."

  "And you'll try to improve things?"

  "Of course." He grinned again and just stared at her with that almost infuriating grin on his face.

  "What's wrong? Have I got a fly on my nose?" she whispered.

  His expression turned to almost an embarrassed look. "Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" he stuttered.

  "Yeah, looking after Carla and Austin. That's a full time job you know. The little fellow is crawling and gets into everything but why?"

  She gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth when she realised what the significance of his question was. He wanted a date! She swallowed and felt her face become hot. Bugger, she was flushing. "Well if you can put up with two kids and don't mind me bathing the baby, getting the pair their meal, reading Carla a story and tidying up the inevitable mess made by kids and their toys, you're welcome to come around." She grinned but couldn't hold his eyes. "We could order a pizza and have it at home."

  Wyatt's grin returned. "Why not?" he said. "What time shall I come?"

  "How about six-thirty? I like to give the kids their meal and have Austin in bed by seven. Afterwards I read Carla a story and we have some time together before she goes to bed by eight. " She grinned. "It's still daylight at this time of the year so on Friday she often stays up longer and I let her stream in a program on the TV."

  "Great!" He stood up reached for the notes she had prepared for him, grinned again and disappeared out the door.

  JESSICA OFTEN POPPED to see Stacey but never on a Thursday. She drove in her driveway to find her bringing in some washing.

  "Hi Jessica and how did your meeting with Wyatt go?" Stacey asked as Jessica helped her carry the washing basket.

  "'He wanted a date?" Jessica gasped. "I wond
ered why he was distracted throughout the whole meeting. He agreed with everything, that infuriated me..." She told her all about the meeting.

  "Perhaps he was speaking to Laurie."

  'What?" Jessica gasped. "No way am I going to leap into bed with him and end up in your condition. Two kids are quite enough, you know?"

  Stacey laughed. "I didn't mean it that way."

  Jessica gulped. "Okay, but I had no idea that he was interested in dating me."

  "Neither did I with Laurie. Just take it quietly. See how he gets on with your children as well as everything else. If he is genuine, go for it. Otherwise, just back off and treat him like any other teacher on the staff."

  "Easier said than done," Jessica muttered.

  WYATT ARRIVED RIGHT on time armed with a bunch of flowers and two little white teddy bears. "For the kids," he said.

  "Hi Wyatt," Carla said.

  All the children in the junior syndicate knew him and called him along with the other teachers by his first name for he took their music twice a week. Her eyes let up when she saw the teddy bear and offered to take Austin his one.

  "You shouldn't have," Jessica said but felt genuinely pleased that he thought of the kids.

  The evening went well with Wyatt spending more time with the children than talking to her. Finally, the kids were in bed and for the first time, they were alone to munch the remains of the pizza and sip a coffee.

  Jessica sat across from him in the living room and suddenly felt that nervous twinge again. God, this was as bad as when she was at high school and had been asked to the Year 13 ball by another guy in her class. He was named John and was, if anything, more nervous than herself. They went out a few times, the end of the year arrived and she never saw him again. In fact, this was the first time in years that she had even thought about him.

  "So how did you get into primary teaching, Wyatt?" she asked, trying to think of a topic to talk about.

  He grinned. "By accident really. I wanted to do something that included music but found I couldn't relate to high school kids. There was a one-year primary teachers' course for graduates that I took. I did a couple of years relieving at an intermediate school and applied for dozens of jobs..." He continued talking, Jessica relaxed and the evening continued. It concluded a little after eleven when he said he should go and again grinned at her.