Ugly Duckling

by Malcolm Allen

  'Really?' Fred looked at them both 'Then you ought to do something about it sir, you make such a lovely couple and I can see just by looking at you that you're in love'

  Liz blushed taking a sip of her tea to try to cover it up.

  'Oh. I am sorry Miss Liz, are you married to someone else?'

  Liz nearly choked on her tea

  'No Fred neither of us are married' John dunked his biscuit which immediately plopped into his tea.

  'Oh bad luck sir, some of these cheap biscuits don't dunk very well do they? Let me get you a fresh cup.'

  'No, No Fred its fine, I really only came around to see how you're getting on.'

  'Me sir? I'm fine sir. Patch was taken from me but I still have my radio, I like to listen into the aircraft you see sir, it’s really interesting, especially during August with the air show going on. Sometimes I listen to your boys. I don't think I'm supposed to really but I admit I do. I figure if it was something really secret you'd scramble the signal.'

  John smiled at Liz who placed her cup down.

  'Sorry Miss Liz, is there something I can get you?' Fred snapped to attention as Liz got up from the chair.

  'No Fred you've already done enough, I just need to go to the car for something'

  'Right you are Miss; I'll see you to the door.'

  Fred returned to the living room grinning from ear to ear 'She is a lovely girl Sir, you should ask her before someone else snatches her up, I don't mind saying sir if I was a few years younger I would court her.'

  'We'll see what happens Fred' John saw Liz returning 'Anyway Fred, we've got something for you.'

  'For me sir? That's very kind of you but it’s not my birthday today sir and even if it was there's no need for you to get me anything. Just paying me a visit like this is already very pleasing to me sir. I don't get many visitors you see sir, so you and the lovely Miss Liz paying a visit makes it seem like it is my birthday but really its not'

  'Fred!' John had to raise his voice just to stop Fred from talking. Fred jerked to attention, John pointed to the door behind Fred, he turned to look.

  'Oh Sir! Miss! I don't know what to say, is that for me? I really don't know what to say' through tear filled eyes he could see, framed by the doorway Liz stood holding a dog lead, at the other end of the lead sat an almost exact replica of Patch. Liz held out the lead for Fred. Slowly, with tears filling his eyes and trickling down his cheeks Fred walked towards Liz, gently took the lead from her, took one pace back and saluted her, he then turned and saluted John. 'Thank you both. May I?'

  'Carry on' John said, and with that Fred relaxed and started fussing the dog, scratching behind its ears and its back with a constant commentary of 'Hello boy' and 'aren’t you gorgeous' tears rolling down his cheeks.

  'He's an ex police dog, used to be on the drug team, so I hope you don't have any drugs in the house else it'll drive him mad' John and Liz were both smiling at the scene, it was like watching a child on Christmas morning.

  'Drugs sir? Not me sir, never touched them never will.'

  'Good man' replied John

  'If you don't mind sir I'm going to call him patch, I'm sure he'll soon get used to it he looks intelligent enough, but if I call him anything else I might get confused myself you see sir, and call him patch by mistake, and that wouldn't do would it Sir, Miss? I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings.'

  'I think that's a really good Idea Fred' as she spoke Liz stood next to Fred and kissed him on the cheek.

  'Corr blimey Miss, thank you.' Fred although blushing looked at John as if to say 'get in there my son before I do'.

  'Anyway Fred We'll leave you to get acquainted but we'll call back again soon and if you need anything you still have my number don't you? We'll see ourselves out, you stay with Patch'

  'Ok, Very good Sir, Thank you again, and thank you Miss it’s a pleasure meeting you.'

  Sitting in the car on Fred's driveway Liz turned to John

  'That was a really nice thing to do John, I'm glad I came with you.'

  'Well, I like Fred, there should be more like him. He liked you, says he wants to court you'

  'John?' Liz took Johns hand in hers 'If I were to kiss you do you think we'd electrocute ourselves again?'

  John turned to look at Liz 'No I think we'd be ok.'

  Liz placed her hands either side of Johns face leaned over and gave him a long, lingering kiss, as she finished she moved away slightly and looked a John, he remained in the same position with his eyes closed for a couple of seconds, took a deep breath in and slowly opened his eyes as he breathed out again. They sat for a second or two looking into each others eyes, there seemed no need to speak, then, still without saying a word, John started the car and they left.

  Fred Dunn and his new dog Patch were watching out of the window, Fred had a huge smile on his face. 'Mark my words Patch old son, there’ll be wedding bells there before long. Now shall we go put the radio on? We could have a listen to the boys in blue if you want, you might hear some of your old friends.'

  Chapter 31

  Jenni had returned to her apartment after her meeting with Amanda to shower and change, she couldn't believe that Wheeler had been following her around in an electric buggy and she had never noticed. She looked back through photographs she had taken, at the two murder scenes, when she was on the beech, at the park, everywhere she had been in the last few years, and sure enough in almost every single one of them somewhere there was Wheeler, in his electric buggy with his baseball cap covering his face.

  'Gutless Bastard!' she said out loud as she buttoned up her blouse, 'and now he wants to get into a threesome with me and Amanda!' The thought of a threesome actually turned her on, but not with Wheeler, it would have to be with John.

  She looked at her watch, 5:40 just time to brush her hair one more time before leaving to meet Wheeler, she really wanted to finish with Wheeler and his little games, he gave her the creeps, but she couldn't allow him to speak to John, that would be a disaster, he would get it all wrong and exaggerate the same way he had with the others, so she had to keep him sweet and speak to John herself. Her phone sounded the arrival of a text message. 'Hi Jenni, Sorry not phoned, been really busy today. We're all meeting at the pig at 8 tonight for Liz's Birthday. I can only stop a couple hours. Got a late night Job to do. It'd be nice to see you there. J. XXX'

  Jenni thought for a moment, meeting Wheeler at 6, John at 8 but he has to work, that could work out quite well. She finished her hair and left for the pub.

  Wheeler had found himself a table and settled himself in with a dry Martini and lemonade by the time Jenni arrived

  'Hello my little chicken, so glad you could make it, and only 5 minutes late' he gestured to Jenni to take a seat.

  'I'm sorry I'm late but I wanted to make myself look my best for you.' she replied 'before I sit I need to get myself a drink, would you like one?'

  'No thank you my dear, I have one here, but you go ahead, it doesn't matter if you keep me waiting even longer.'

  Jenni went to the bar and bought herself a small beer.

  'Hello Jenni, Got yourself a new man' it was Phil 'You could have me if you want you know, I've got a nice little room out the back'

  'Thanks for the offer Phil, but no thanks, and this one's just a friend, you know I'm all Johns.'

  'Oh well worth a try' Phil placed the beer on the counter and went to the next customer.

  'He seems very friendly towards you' Wheeler had been watching Jenni's every movement.

  'Its just Phil, it’s his way.'

  'Well I don't like it. We should find somewhere else to drink, perhaps somewhere that only has female servants' his eyes widened and a grin spread across his mouth 'But I was forgetting, you like girls too!' he let out a high pitched squeal of a laugh 'At least one girl, what was her name? Amanda. Ooh yes I can just imagine the three of us, what fun!'

  'That's not going to happen, if I'm going to be with you, I want you all to myself. And we are going to be togethe
r aren't we?' Jenni reached over and held wheelers hand.

  'I hope so my dear, but that rather depends on other things doesn't it?' he took a sip from his drink 'you don't seem very put off by my condition.'

  'Why should that put me off, I've got to know the real you from our video chats, and by the feel of things in the café everything that's important seems to be in perfect working order.'

  'Oh yes, when you grabbed me in the café that was very exciting, I had to go home to finish things off.' Wheelers grin had become so wide there didn't seem to be anything else left of his face, and the dribble from the corner of his mouth was very unattractive. Jenni reached for a tissue in her bag and went to wipe away the drool

  'What do you think you're doing? It’s my legs that don't work the rest of me's fine! Don't treat me like a fucking spastic!!'

  'Sorry,' Jenni sat back shocked by the outburst 'I was only trying to help'

  'Well, when I want help from you my dear I shall ask for it, do you understand!'

  Jenni took a sip from her beer and looked straight into Wheelers eyes 'oh yes, I understand.'

  'Good. Now then what are you intending to do about D.I Dick?' Wheeler waved to Phil to order another drink.

  'I've told you, I'm going to tell him and finish with him, but I want to do it my way, let him down gently.'

  Phil brought over a Martini and lemonade with another small beer and placed them on the table

  'Did you order another Beer my dear?' Wheeler was staring at the drinks on the table.

  'No, perhaps Phil thought you were buying it for me.'

  'Well Phil thought fucking wrong. Take it away you stupid man. I ordered my drink, don't you know we live in a world of equal opportunities if the lady wants a drink she will get it her fucking self!'

  Phil took the drink 'Sorry pal, no need to get your knickers in a twist.' he looked at Jenni 'He's a little charmer isn’t he? Don't forget if you change your mind, the back rooms very cosy and I'll get your drinks for you'

  'Just because I've lost the use of my legs doesn't mean I'm deaf you know, you fucking moron' Wheeler screeched.

  Phil looked at Wheeler 'It’s only because you've lost the use of your legs that you're still sitting there. If you could stand up I'd throw you out, but I can’t manage you and the fucking buggy, now just calm down and show a little respect in front of the lady.' he put the glass of beer back onto the table 'Here you go Jenni, Have that one on me.'

  'What an arse hole' Wheeler looked red in the face the veins at the side of his neck straining against the skin ‘If I could stand he wouldn't know what hit him'

  'Don't worry. He's only looking out for me because of John' Jenni was observing Wheeler, taking a mental note of all his weaknesses. She already knew about his weakness for sex, that was something they shared, but now she was beginning to realise his paranoia about his leg's and, by the look of him, his blood pressure problem, all things that might come in handy at a later date. 'Can’t we just enjoy our drink and get to know each other a little better?'

  'I think I already know everything about you my dear' Wheeler had relaxed again 'from the time we first started texting each other on Skype I found out all about you. Don't you remember? You were very forthcoming.'

  'And since then you've been stalking me' Jenni added

  'Stalking is not a very nice term my dear. No I've been looking out for you, making sure you stay safe. You're a very interesting and beautiful creature.'

  'And warning off my boyfriends?' Jenni finished one beer and started on the next.

  'I've Not warned off any of your male companions, merely told them what you were, they're not as open minded as I am you see, they took it all the wrong way.' Wheeler paused to have another sip from his Martini 'You'll probably find that out yourself when you speak to Dick'

  'I wish you’d stop calling him that! He's a nice man, not as nice as you of course, but still a nice man'

  'I'd be a lot nicer if his bitch wife hadn't put me in this fucking chair' Wheeler snapped, the veins on his neck rising again.

  Jenni reached over to Wheeler, placing her hand on his crouch. 'Well I think you're fine the way you are. Perhaps we should go back to my place for some fun.'

  'Now that's more like my little chicken, yes that would be very enjoyable' Wheeler finished his Martini in one and started to move away from the table reversing his buggy into the table behind. Jenni took her phone from her bag, looking at the text she'd received from John earlier she said

  'Oh no, I'm really sorry, but Johns on his way down, I really wanted to finish with him tonight, then I could give you all my attention. Can we make it tomorrow? You know where I live, just come around at 8. I'm really sorry.'

  Wheeler studied Jenni, she looked genuine enough ‘Ok my dear, I'll wait another day, after all I hadn't planned to meet you today. What time is he due to arrive here?'

  'Eight o’clock' replied Jenni 'its seven thirty now, you could stay for another if you want, but I don't want you sat there while I'm giving him the bad news.'

  Wheeler decided not to stay for another drink he didn't particularly want to meet John in the pub today and after agreeing to meet Jenni the next day he left the laughing pig, deliberately crashing his buggy into another table scattering glass's all over the floor 'Oh dear, I'm so sorry Phil.' he sneered as he disappeared through the door.

  Chapter 32

  It was a lovely spring evening and the sea was calm, Just the slightest of breezes blew in bringing with it the smell of the ocean. Liz and John walked along the promenade eating fish and chips from the paper, Liz had made the choice of food after John had offered to take her to several other plush restaurants for an early evening meal, She wasn't averse to having posh meals but for her birthday thought it would be nice just to walk along the prom with fish and chips. She linked arms with John.

  'This is really nice John; it’s been a great afternoon. Thank you.'

  'Its no problem Liz, I've enjoyed it too. As long as you’re happy.'

  John had enjoyed it, it made a change just lately to be with a sensible woman who wasn't trying to hold his crouch at every opportunity, and he liked Liz's company, they weren't together but they weren’t far apart either. Neither of them had mentioned the kiss in the car, although the memory of it kept coming into John's thoughts, he would have to try it again sometime to see if he had the same feelings, but only when it was appropriate.

  'Have you found anything else on Barnett?' He didn't really want to talk about work but it was something they had in common and could discuss with each other.

  'Nothing you don't already know John, but won’t the new time scale on his time of death help?' Liz sat on a bench looking out to sea joined by John

  'It'll open things up a bit, but we really don't have any leads on Roger Green at the moment, me and Ian are going to pop along to the Straight round the bend club at about 9 tonight, it'll only take about half an hour, then we'll be back to join your party.'

  'Don't worry about that John, if you need to work I understand' Liz was sincere in her statement and John couldn't help but draw comparisons between Liz and Jenni.

  'No, we'll be back. Its your birthday, wouldn't miss it'

  Liz Smiled and held John's hand 'Thanks'

  'I had a bit of a dream the other night, it came to me that when this case was over we should all go to Corfu for a holiday, you know the old crowd, Me, You, Ian and of course Jane, Couldn't expect Ian to leave his wife behind while we went on a foreign Jolly, anyway she's pretty much part of the gang now. Would you be up for it?'

  Liz looked at John trying to work out the motives behind the suggestion 'I think it sounds like a lovely idea, would you be bringing Jenni?'

  Jenni, the thought hadn't even occurred to John that she might want to go, if she was there he wouldn't be spending much time with his friends, probably spend most of it in bed. 'No I don't think I'd ask her, just the old gang. I had a great holiday with Sonia there it'd be nice to go back, bring back som
e old memories and make some new ones.'

  Liz smiled again, pleased with John's answer 'then we'll see what we can do. How are you getting on with Jenni?'

  John thought for a moment 'Its OK, the sex is good' he stopped realising that perhaps that wasn't something he should say to another woman, But Liz wasn't just another woman, she was a friend, someone he could talk too about anything. He continued 'the other night she invited me around for a meal, needless to say we ended up in bed, but we had this really fantastic steak that she told me she had cooked, trouble is when I went to the kitchen I found all the take away foils. I don't really know why she had to lie; the food still would have been good.'

  Liz laughed 'She's just trying to impress you. If it had been me you would have had beans on toast and for a special treat some bacon over the top washed down with a beer.'

  John laughed but the thought of him and Liz sat at a dining table with beans on toast and a beer seemed quite appealing.

  Liz stood up 'I suppose we'd better start back towards the pup, its 7:30'.

  They slowly walked back through town towards the Laughing Pig chatting happily still arm in arm, as they approach John suddenly said 'Shit, sorry Liz just got to pop to the car, I've left your present in it, you go in I'll be there in a minute.'

  Liz went in to the pub to be greeted by Ian, Jane, Phil and Leon plus Gregory Pike who had flown back from Glasgow especially to see Liz on her Birthday.

  'Greg! Wow! Thanks for coming, this really has turned into a great Birthday'

  They were quickly joined by Jenni who moved across from the other side of the bar.

  ***

  John had left Liz to go in to the Laughing Pig, while he walked to his car to get Liz's present, it was a CD, nothing he'd heard of before but Ian had given him the tip so he was sure it would be the right thing, as he walked he thought about the afternoon, Fred Dunn, the walk along the front, fish and chips, spending time with Liz. He thought how nice and comfortable, even natural, it had all felt. As he approached the car he removed the keys from his pocket and unlocked the car with the familiar “beep” and flashing lights, he opened the passenger door and sat with the door open while he retrieved the present from the glove compartment, as he stood and closed the door he heard a familiar voice.