Patently in Love

by Rhoda Baxter

  Jane could tell he was dying to know. He had been so nice about everything, she felt she owed him at least an explanation. She told him everything, about Ashby, about the other women, everything. Marsh listened, his hands clasped in front of him, his face serious.

  When she fell silent, he said, "So you think that journalist today had something to do with the magazine campaign?"

  She nodded, unable to speak.

  "And your ex is behind all this?"

  "Well, either him or his publicist."

  "You could sue him for harassment."

  "We thought of that," Polly called, from the kitchen. "But that's even more publicity for him."

  Marsh was silent for a moment. Emotions flitted over his face. Finally, he seemed to reach a decision. "If I ever meet your ex, I'm going to punch him on the nose."

  He looked so serious, that Jane had to smile.

  "That's better." He leaned forward to kiss her.

  Jane sniffed. "I need a tissue. Excuse me a minute." She went to the bathroom, knowing Marsh was staring after her.

  Chapter 21

  Mobile Answerphone: You've reached Marsh's phone. Please leave your name and number and I'll call you back.

  Oh Marsh. Buzz dumped me. He wanted to borrow some more money off me and I said you wouldn't let me and we had this huge row and it was horrible. He got really angry and shouted at me and called me names. You were right. He just wanted money from me.

  The tragic part is that I really really liked him, Marsh. I really did.

  I feel like my heart has been torn in two. I'm so miserable. I don't know what to do.

  ##

  Answerphone:

  You've reached Marshall and Stevie's place. We're not around right now, but leave a message and we'll get right back to you!

  Marsh? Where are you? I've been trying to phone, but your phone's off. Call me. Please, please.

  I don't know what to do. I don't want to see him again. He scared me.

  * * * *

  Jane washed her face. Her reflection looked awful. Her mascara was smudged and her face was puffy from crying. Tears had fallen on Polly's dress and puckered the material. With the makeup gone, her face looked red and raw, a far cry from how she'd looked at the start of the date.

  Now that the initial shock had worn off, she felt unutterably tired. Although she was grateful to Marsh for bringing her home, she wanted nothing more than to be left alone. It was a lousy end to a date. She sighed and headed back into the living room.

  Marsh was perched on the arm of the chair with his phone to his ear, still wearing his coat. As she walked in, he made an exasperated sound and hung up. "No reception," he said as Polly handed him a cup of coffee.

  Marsh looked up and spotted Jane. "Hey. Feeling better?"

  Jane tried to smile. "A bit."

  "I'll just...go do some stuff," Polly said. "I'll be in my room, if you need me." She disappeared down the hall.

  "I'm going to head off," Marsh said. He set his still-full cup down. "Unless you want me to stay?"

  Feeling guilty about not wanting him around, Jane shook her head. "I'm so sorry."

  "Don't be. You've had a difficult evening. I completely understand."

  "Thank you so much, for everything," she said. "I'm sorry I ruined our date."

  "That's okay." He took her face in his hands. "I had a good time until those people popped out of the undergrowth."

  "Me too."

  His thumb traced the line of her cheek. "You're an incredible woman, Jane. I've never met anyone like you."

  "What, a date who ends up crying all over your shirt and talking about her ex?"

  He kissed her, very gently. "I'll see you tomorrow."

  She nodded into his hands. For a moment, she thought he was going to say something else, but he sighed instead and gave her another kiss on the forehead.

  After he left, she wished he'd tried to persuade her to let him stay.

  Not wanting to talk to Polly, Jane went to her room and lay on her bed. It was all so unfair. Just as she was getting her life back on track, the ghosts of her past were coming back to haunt her. How had the magazine journalist and the photographer known she would be at that restaurant that night?

  She hadn't told anyone but Polly. Could Marsh have let the information slip whilst talking to someone at work? Somehow, she felt that was unlikely. Marsh was more adamant about keeping work and life separate than she was.

  She supposed it was possible that the journalist had seen her go into the restaurant by chance and just waited for her to come out again. It wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened.

  * * * *

  Text from: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  Marsh! Where are you? I'm coming home. I don't know what else 2 do!

  ##

  Text from: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  I'm here. Don't panic. Your mobile reception is patchy. Where are you?

  ##

  Text from: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  I'm on the train. It's the last train & a bit creepy. I didn't know what else 2 do. Didn't want 2 stay at uni.

  ##

  Text from: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  Are you okay? Did he hurt you?

  ##

  Text from: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  No, didn't hurt me. Just scared me. He was so angry when I told him that U wouldn't let me have any more money.

  OMG. You don't think he'll come and attack U, do U? He knows where we live.

  ##

  Text From: Marsh

  To Stevie

  Calm down. I doubt very much that he'll do that. Don't worry.

  I'll come and get you from the station. I shall see if I can find a late shop that sells ice cream. I seem to remember that helps with a broken heart. ;-)

  ##

  Text from: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  Ice cream would b lovely.

  I can't believe I fell 4 him so completely. He seemed so nice! & he was so gorgeous and generous.

  ##

  Text from: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  I hate to say it, but he was generous with YOUR money.

  ##

  Text from: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  I know. I know. U were right.

  I should have listened to U.

  Thing is, my head knows I'm better off out of it, but my heart doesn't agree. I feel so miserable.

  ##

  Text from: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  I've just realised tonight was Ur d8 with Jane! OMG, I'm so sorry. Is it ok me coming home? I can C if I can find somewr else. Maybe U could put me up in a travellodge 4 the night.

  ##

  Text from: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  Of course it's fine for you to come home. It'll ALWAYS be fine for you to come home. Idiot.

  The date went okay, but things went a bit weird at the end. I'll tell you when you get home.

  ##

  Text from: Stevie

  To Marsh

  Tell me now. I've got nothing better to do sat on this train.

  Please?

  ##

  Text From: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  Dinner was lovely. Jane was lovely too. All was going well, until we left. There was a photographer and a journalist waiting outside.

  Jane went to pieces. She was crying and shaking. She tried to explain but ended up talking about how her ex cheated on her. From what she said, there's a magazine harassing her and her ex is behind it all.

>   ##

  Text From: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  Were they from Cause Celeb? They're running a cause to find Jane.

  ##

  Text From: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  I know. She told me--eventually.

  What I want to know is, how did they know she was going to be there?

  You didn't mention it to anyone, did you?

  ##

  Text From: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  Sorry about the delay. Had 2 move carriages. A really drunk bloke trying to chat me up.

  NO! I didn't mention it to any1. Not even Buzz. Why would I?

  Who did U tell?

  ##

  Text From: Marsh

  To: Stevie

  That's just it. I can't think of anyone. Jim suggested the restaurant, but he wouldn't tell anyone. Neither would Lou. It's a mystery.

  I've found a 24 hr supermarket. They have Ben and Jerry's. I shall get the biggest tub of Phish Food I can find.

  ##

  Text From: Stevie

  To: Marsh

  Phish food? I'm not a baby anymore Marsh!

  Chunky Monkey, please.

  Chapter 22

  Jane was jumpy as she travelled to work the next day, constantly on the lookout for anyone who might work for the press. Having reached work without incident, she stood in the lift, breathing slowly and working to relax her shoulders, which were trying to touch her ears. The office should be safer. The photograph was only taken yesterday. No one would know about it yet.

  * * * *

  From: Keith Durridge

  To: Sally Thomas

  Have you seen the latest edition of Cause Celeb? Came out this morning. Page 13.

  K

  ##

  From: Sally Thomas

  To: Keith Durridge

  Since when do you read Cause Celeb?

  ##

  From: Keith Durridge

  To: Sally Thomas

  You'd be surprised. I'm a man of hidden shallows. ;-)

  ##

  From: Sally Thomas

  To: Ruth Jones

  Ruth, have you seen the today's Cause Celeb? I told you it was the same Jane Porter.

  Everyone else seems really surprised. I told them we figured it out ages ago.

  * * * *

  The minute she stepped into reception at the office, Jane knew something was up. The receptionist looked up from what she was reading and hurriedly pulled a piece of paper across to cover it up. "Hi," she said, her voice unnaturally bright.

  Jane signed in and started across the open areas to her office. She was in later than usual, so most of the desks were occupied. A group of secretaries was huddled round a computer screen. They all went silent when Jane walked by.

  "I got it" someone said, behind her. Jane turned to see one of the secretaries brandishing a magazine. When she saw Jane she froze in place, her mouth a horrified O. "Er... Hi."

  Surely they couldn't have published the photo so quickly? No, there must be some other explanation. She fled to the sanctuary of her office, sank into her chair and opened up her emails.

  ##

  From: Marshall Winfield

  To: Jane Porter

  Hi Jane, hope you're feeling better today.

  I'm probably not going to be in until this afternoon. Do you want to meet up after work? Somewhere discrete, of course.

  Marsh

  * * * *

  It had been sent very early in the morning. Maybe he hadn't been able to sleep either. She wished she were with him. If ever she'd needed a hug, it was now.

  She rubbed her burning eyes. The lack of sleep and her nervous agitation were starting to take its toll. Perhaps another coffee would help. It would mean going past all the whispering gossips, but she felt so awful, it was almost worth it. She was resigned to the fact that her photo was in the magazine. She might as well face it. The whispering wasn't going to go away.

  Her quiet life was over. Again.

  How had they managed to get the photo in today's edition? Surely it took longer than that to get copy into place. Unless they'd been expecting to get the photo last night.

  If the journalist had known for certain that she would be coming out of that restaurant last night...

  The realisation hit her like an unexpected snowball in the chest.

  Shaken, she pushed herself out of her chair. Gossips be damned. She needed coffee.

  As she stood, there was a knock on the door. Without waiting, Keith entered. "Do you mind if I come in. I'd like to have a word, in private." He was holding a magazine in his hand and his tone was grave.

  Was she in trouble?

  He closed the door and pulled Ruth's chair to Jane's desk. "Here. Have a look at this."

  Jane's New Man!

  Ashby Devastated!

  Cause Celeb cause of the month: Spotted--Jane Porter and her New Man.

  Acting on a tip off from a reader, Cause Celeb's very own Amber Jackson tracked down Jane Porter, sought after ex-girlfriend of Ashby Thornton and Cause Celeb cause of the month.

  Unfortunately for Ashby, it looks like our plea went out too late. Jane was seen smooching with her new boyfriend --pictured below and left. Sources say that Jane's new hunk is Patent Lawyer Marshall Winfield.

  Friends say Ashby is devastated by the news. "I'm hoping that Jane would come back to me. I love her and miss her. I know I treated her terribly, but I pray that she could see it in her heart to forgive me," Ashby told reporters when asked about Jane just last week.

  Is Jane right to move on with her life? Is her new love hotter than Ashby?

  Have your say! Log on to www.causeceleb.com and comment.

  Reader Poll: Should Jane forgive Ashby and take him back? Voting closes midnight on Saturday.

  Jane's hand shook as she read the short piece of copy. There was a picture of her and Marsh kissing outside the restaurant and another, less clear, photo of the two of them getting into a taxi. She sank slowly into her chair.

  "That edition came out this morning," said Keith, still using that grave tone.

  Jane was too shaken to speak. Her hopes of rebuilding her career in blissful anonymity were shattered. She scanned the article again and noted with relief that they hadn't mentioned where Marsh worked. It wouldn't be too difficult to find out though. His name was on the website, after all.

  "At least they didn't mention the firm," Keith said, as though reading her thoughts. He looked at her intently. "Are you okay?"

  "Yes. I was just..." She rubbed her eyes. "I was hoping I'd left all of this behind. I didn't think they'd be interested in me once I was away from Ashby."

  "You moved city, you changed your hair colour, your job. You did everything you could." He sighed. "I blame myself."

  "Why? What does it have to do with you?"

  "I should have warned you. About Marshall."

  "Marshall?"

  Keith leaned forward, hands clasped, elbows resting on his knees. "I didn't want to say anything against a colleague, you know. It's a bit unprofessional. But Marshall is... How can I put this? He's not above using people."

  He held up a hand as Jane drew breath to protest. "No, please, hear me out. There was a trainee here, Dominique De Vale. She and Marshall--"

  "I heard about that," said Jane. It was sweet of Keith to tell her all this, but she didn't see what it had to do with the current situation. She really needed some caffeine.

  "They had...have...an on/off relationship. From what I've heard, they're off again at the moment and she's re
cently been seen snogging a footballer. I think Marshall may have done this to get back at her and make her jealous."

  That couldn't be true. Could it? "They split up," Jane said, weakly. She felt as though all her energy was draining out of her. All she wanted to do was curl up and disappear. "Over a year ago."

  "Is that what he told you?" He shrugged, as though to indicate scepticism. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure he told the magazine where you were."

  That didn't sound at all like Marsh. Surely, she had spent enough time with him to know what he was like. She would have known if he was using her... Wouldn't she?

  "I see he's got you believing exactly what he wants." Keith stood up. "I won't waste my time trying to tell you otherwise, but think about it. How else would they know you were going to be at that restaurant last night?"

  Jane stared at him. The same question had been bothering her all this time.

  Keith patted her hand. "It's a lot to take in, I know. If you need someone to talk to, just come and see me." He walked to the door, where he paused. "One more thing. He and Dominique didn't split up until last month. As far as I know, her stuff is still in his flat. She's out of the country a lot. She works for a multinational company now. Google her if you don't believe me." He gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

  Once Keith had left, Jane turned to her computer and stared numbly at it for what seemed like ages.

  * * * *

  From: Marshall Winfield

  To: James Edwards

  Jim

  I won't be in until late this morning. Stevie turned up in the small hours this morning. She and Buzz have split up. I was up all night talking to her and I'm too shattered to function. Am hoping to get a couple of hours kip before I stagger into the office.

  Marsh

  ##

  From: Marshall Winfield

  To: Susan Jameson

  Hi Susan

  I'm afraid I won't be in until a bit later than usual today as I've got a small family emergency on my hands. I should be in before lunch though. I will, of course, take the morning off as annual leave.

  I don't believe I have any urgent deadlines that cannot wait until tomorrow. I am currently proofreading my section of the opposition report. I will get this done and email it to you by this afternoon.