He put down the phone and looked at the names he had written down. None of the names were anything like Lecco but he checked them out through Companies House anyway just to be on the safe side. Again, it was a waste of time. None of them were electrical wholesalers or related to electricity in any way, and none of the directors’ names were a match either.
He closed down the Companies House website and sat gazing across his office at nothing in particular, reflecting on what he had found out. There was no doubt in his mind that Lecco was a bogus company name that this Aaron had dreamt up to suit his own purposes. He also suspected that Aaron didn’t run a company, certainly not a limited company anyway, and he didn’t have a warehouse at Witney industrial estate either.
The more Andy thought about what he had found out, the more worried he became. Why would the guy be lying about all this unless he was up to no good? No, there was definitely something shifty going on, and he knew he’d have to face Maddy with it, but he wasn’t looking forward to it. No matter how badly he had treated her in the past, he couldn’t sit by and let some imposter worm his way into her life, and into his daughter’s life, without trying to warn Maddy about it.
He’d ring her tonight after Rebecca’s bedtime as he didn’t expect Maddy to take it well, and things were bound to get heated. After all, he was about to destroy the happiness she thought she’d found. But Andy just hoped that maybe one day she’d thank him for it.
42
While Maddy was upstairs reading to Rebecca, Aaron poured them both a large glass of wine. It wasn’t long before she was back downstairs and he guessed that she must have been as keen to be alone together as he was.
‘That’s Becky seen to,’ she said as she sat down next to him. ‘We shouldn’t hear anything else from her now.’
‘OK,’ said Aaron, pleased that the kid was out of the way but trying not to let it show too much.
‘Eh, I forgot to ask you, how are things going with the warehouse?’ she said, reaching over for her glass of wine.
‘Great,’ said Aaron. ‘The only trouble is that it cost me a lot more than I thought by the time I’d kitted it out and paid the advance rent on it. It’s left me short for the house, to be honest. But it’s no problem; it just means I’ll have to wait a bit longer to get a decent deposit together.’
‘How long will it take, do you think?’ she asked.
‘Maybe a year or more.’
‘Really?’
‘Oh, yeah, if we’re to get the one we want; something like that one I showed you.’
‘I wouldn’t worry about it,’ said Maddy. ‘Anything might happen in a year. We might both be living at mine by then.’
Aaron smiled. She was playing right into his hands but he didn’t say anything, he just watched the expression on her face.
They hadn’t been chatting for long when the phone rang and Maddy got up to answer it. Once the caller had had chance to respond to her cheery greeting she brought the handset over to the sofa with her, mouthing, ‘It’s Andy,’ as she sat back down.
Her cheery tone soon changed as she seemed to be responding to a series of questions put to her by Andy. ‘Maybe it’s not limited,’ she said, followed by, ‘Well, you wouldn’t find it if you don’t know his full name, would you?’ and then, ‘I don’t know. Maybe it has a “trading as” name or something.’
Aaron could tell it was in connection with him and he strained to hear the words at the other end of the line, watching the troubled look that clouded Maddy’s attractive features. As he listened to Maddy fending off Andy’s questions he found himself becoming annoyed.
‘Give it here,’ he said, reaching for the phone. ‘I’ll put him straight.’
But Maddy pulled the handset out of his reach and then held it tightly to her ear. ‘Well, like I say,’ she continued, ‘there’s probably a perfectly reasonable explanation. Anyway, I’ve got to go.’
Aaron watched her quickly drop the phone back onto its cradle as though it were burning her hand. He flashed her an enquiring look, his annoyance evident. Then he noticed the uncomfortable expression on her face.
*
Maddy wished she hadn’t taken the handset over to the sofa. It was bad enough having Andy interrogate her about Aaron, but even worse to have him do it while Aaron was sitting next to her. Damn Andy! she thought, cringing with embarrassment because Aaron might have overheard some of what Andy had said. Thank God she hadn’t let Aaron take the phone. She could see by his face that he wasn’t very happy, and she had no doubt that she’d just prevented an almighty row between the two men in her life.
‘Well?’ prompted Aaron when she still hadn’t spoken.
‘I’m sorry you had to hear that,’ she said. ‘Andy’s been getting on his high horse again. I’ve already had to put up with him criticising my parenting skills but now he’s sniffing around into your business and asking me all sorts of questions.’
Aaron screwed up his face and his nostrils flared as he asked, ‘Like what?’
‘Oh, he says that there isn’t a limited company called Lecco that deals in electricity.’
‘The company’s new. It won’t be listed yet.’
Maddy didn’t know how long it took for a company to be listed so she accepted the answer he gave before adding, ‘He doesn’t think you’re a company director either.’
‘Where does he get that idea?’ asked Aaron.
‘Oh, he ran a check, apparently, and nothing came up under your name.’
‘Does he even know my surname?’
‘No.’
‘Well, how the bloody hell would he know, then?’
Maddy shrugged. ‘I’m really sorry, Aaron. I know you shouldn’t have to put up with this.’
But Aaron didn’t seem to accept her apology. Instead, with his expression still stern, he asked, ‘What else did he say?’
Maddy cleared her throat. She really didn’t want to be having this conversation but, in a way, she thought it was best to face Aaron with Andy’s questions. She wanted answers for her own peace of mind. ‘He said… well, he’s been in contact with Witney industrial estate, apparently, and they say they haven’t rented a unit to a company called Lecco.’
‘That’s because I rented it in the name of the fuckin’ holding company! I only set up the new company when I came to Manchester so I could separate it from the Yorkshire-based business. The industrial estate don’t even know the name of the new company. We haven’t even had a fuckin’ sign put up for it yet.’
‘OK, calm down,’ said Maddy, perturbed at seeing this angry side to Aaron. ‘I said it would be something like that.’
‘I don’t know why you’re even trying to explain things to him. It’s none of his fuckin’ business!’
‘OK,’ said Maddy. ‘There’s no need to take it out on me. It’s not my fault he’s asking questions.’
‘What else did he say?’ snarled Aaron.
‘Nothing.’
‘Go on, what else?’ he persisted.
Maddy could have kept her mouth shut but she was still curious herself, so she continued. ‘He said that there had been no electrical companies renting units from the Witney in the last month. What is the name of the holding company anyway?’
‘What the fuck is this?’ Aaron bawled. ‘Don’t you trust me either? Is that it?’
‘Aaron, calm down, for God’s sake! I never said I don’t trust you. I was just curious, that’s all. And stop using that bad language; Becky might hear you.’
Aaron bristled and stayed quiet for a few moments but it was obvious to Maddy that he was still riled and it didn’t take long for him to carry on ranting. ‘I can’t believe you’re listening to your jealous ex-husband and letting him stir shit up between us. Just cos he can’t have you, he’s trying to create problems between us.’
‘No, it’s not like that, Aaron.’
‘Well, what is it like, then?’
Maddy didn’t say anything. She could see that by now Aaron was really a
ngry and anything she said seemed to be making him worse. Eventually she changed the subject, and asked him if he would like another drink, hoping that if she took his mind off things he would calm down.
It seemed to work and a few minutes later she could see that he was already having regrets about losing his temper. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. But your ex should really keep his nose out of our business.’
‘I know,’ said Maddy. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be having words with him.’ Then she smiled apologetically. ‘Can we please just put it behind us and enjoy the rest of the evening?’ she asked.
Aaron responded by lighting a roll-up and smoking it till it calmed him. Maddy didn’t really like him smoking cannabis inside her home, knowing that the cloying smell would pollute the air and cling to the furniture, and she worried Rebecca might come downstairs, but, under the circumstances, she decided it was best if she kept quiet. She started a film, snuggled up to Aaron, and tried to forget their cross words. But it was difficult to forget how irate Aaron had become, and she found her mind drifting as she tried to focus on the screen.
Later that night, after they had made love and had a few snorts of coke, Maddy lay in bed, wide awake, her mind going over what had happened that evening. She didn’t really think Aaron could be lying. What would be the point of that? And anyway, she’d seen for herself that he was who he said he was. How else could he have afforded to stay in the Midland long-term and drive flash cars? And he had taken her to see the first warehouse he was going to rent.
The fact that she hadn’t yet met his family in Yorkshire did rankle a bit, but she was sure they existed. After all, she’d spoken to his mother on the phone and she seemed lovely. Aaron had also answered most of the questions that Andy had raised, albeit angrily.
She didn’t like to see the angry side of Aaron; he was a bit scary when he lost his temper. But she supposed that she was bound to see the other side of him sooner or later; no relationship could be sweetness and light all the time. And she could understand him being angry in a way; nobody would like to have everything about them called into doubt. She much preferred his softer side and, as she lay there, she went over all his good points.
Aaron was good fun to be with and great at sex, but he was also kind and considerate, always bringing little gifts for her. He was edgy with a hint of danger about him, and she liked that. It made her feel carefree and adventurous, and she loved the excitement of it all.
She gazed across at him; just the sight of his handsome face and lean body gave her a buzz. If she was honest with herself, she liked the fact that he was well off too; it felt good to be taken to all the best restaurants and bars.
He was also very attentive and affectionate, and always paying her compliments. She loved being in his company; no man had ever made her feel as special as Aaron made her feel. And look how he was with Rebecca, taking them all to Blackpool and the zoo just so that she could pay her daughter more attention.
Maddy was still concerned about Andy stirring things up between them though and she was also anxious about the fact that he might yet go for custody of Rebecca. However, he hadn’t mentioned it again so perhaps it had been just an empty threat. She hoped so because she had enough to worry about at the moment.
Maybe Aaron was right about Andy. Maybe he was jealous and refusing to fully let go of her, despite the fact that they’d been apart for several years now. Perhaps she should have a word with him when Aaron wasn’t around. What she had with Aaron was really good, and she wasn’t going to let anybody spoil it just because of petty jealousy.
43
Things were really good between Maddy and Aaron for the next few days. But despite how well things had been going, Aaron was still a bit worried about the ex-husband. Andy was trying to turn Maddy against him and Aaron was bothered about the influence he held over her. Even though he was sure of Maddy’s feelings towards him, she might still take notice of the ex. After all, she had been with Andy for a long time, and those sorts of bonds were hard to break.
He knew that the ex was jealous. He was trying to turn Maddy against him by filling her mind with doubts because he wanted her for himself. Well, tough! Andy had had his chance and he’d thrown it away. Now it was Aaron’s turn.
Aaron would have felt more secure if Maddy had dismissed all her ex-husband’s questions about him. But, instead, she’d responded to her ex-husband’s poison by questioning him herself, and he couldn’t have that.
He needed a way to convince her of his commitment, and to make her so invested in the relationship that she ignored all her ex-husband’s goading. It would also be a way of letting the ex-husband know that he had no chance of winning Maddy back. After thinking about it for the past few days, Aaron had thought of something that might work.
He drew up outside Maddy’s home in his smart BMW and sauntered up the drive. He felt self-assured, knowing Maddy couldn’t fail to be impressed with what he had lined up, although there was a tiny bit of doubt in his mind. When she answered the door he passed her a bottle of champagne and a box of luxury chocolates.
‘Ooh, lovely,’ she said. ‘What are we celebrating?’
Aaron just smiled enigmatically and stepped inside the house. As he did so, Maddy stood to one side to let him in, then headed towards the kitchen, leaving Aaron to shut the door. He followed her and watched her bend to put the champagne and chocolates in the fridge, admiring the view as the material of her jeans stretched tightly against her firm buttocks.
She turned towards him, smiling at his amused expression. ‘What?’ she asked, although it was obvious to Aaron that she knew what he had been looking at.
‘Stay there,’ he said, holding out his hand till Maddy backed away from him.
Then he drew something from his pocket and dropped to his knees. ‘Maddy, will you marry me?’ he asked, opening a box to reveal an engagement ring.
Maddy gasped, staring in awe at the fabulous ring that he held, which sparkled under the kitchen lights.
‘Well, come on. Aren’t you going to put me out of my agony?’ he asked, attempting a wry smile to mask his uncertainty as Maddy stood there dumbstruck. A tiny quiver of his bottom lip gave his nerves away. ‘After all,’ he quipped, ‘diamonds are supposed to be a girl’s best friend, aren’t they?’
‘Aaron, I… I don’t know what to say.’
‘Yes would be nice.’
Maddy was shocked but delighted. ‘Yes, yes,’ she said, smiling.
Aaron whipped the ring out of its box and placed it on her finger.
‘It fits perfectly,’ she said. ‘How did you know my size?’
Aaron winked but didn’t explain. Instead he said, ‘I hope you like it. It’s one carat and those two on either side are half a carat each.’
‘It’s beautiful,’ she said. ‘It must have cost you a fortune.’
‘You’re worth it,’ he said.
Aaron was relieved. The ring had done the trick as he had hoped it would. He’d chosen it carefully. The stones were mounted on a decorative setting representing one large flower with a smaller one on either side, and the band was white gold, which was polished till it glistened. The whole effect was stunning but, of course, the diamonds weren’t real and the gold was only nine carat. Still, there was no way he was going to tell her that. He preferred her to think it cost thousands rather than the couple of hundred quid that it had really cost.
He smiled as Maddy turned her hand this way and that, admiring the ring from different angles, then he hooked his hands under her arms and swirled her round the kitchen floor. She landed with a thud and they both broke into laughter.
‘Come on, this is a celebration. Get the glasses,’ he said, reaching inside the fridge for the champagne.
Later, when they had almost finished the champagne, Maddy said, ‘I really should meet your family now that we’re engaged. And you should meet my parents too.’
‘Course we should, and we will,’ he replied. ‘A
nd we’ll take Becky to Yorkshire with us too. But, don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time before the wedding.’
*
Once the initial shock of Aaron’s proposal was over, Maddy became excited at the prospect of marrying him, and for the last two days she had been on a high. She’d shown the ring to Rebecca that evening when she’d collected her from Andy’s but Rebecca hadn’t seemed that interested. Still, she was only eight so it probably didn’t mean that much to her.
Maddy kept the ring hidden from Andy when she went to collect Rebecca. After spending such a wonderful weekend with Aaron, the last thing she needed was for Andy to spoil it by criticising her decision. But she couldn’t wait to share the news with somebody so she waited until Rebecca was tucked up in bed that night, then rang her best friend, Clare.
Since their cross words when Maddy hadn’t showed up for lunch, they had made up with each other. And despite the fact that Clare seemed to have a bit of a downer on Aaron, surely she would be pleased for her when she heard the good news.
Clare answered the phone and they chatted a bit before Maddy made her announcement.
‘Guess what? Aaron proposed to me on Friday,’ she began.
‘What? You’re joking!’
‘Yes,’ said Maddy, her voice full of joy. ‘So we’re now officially engaged.’
‘Wow! I don’t know what to say, Maddy. I mean, don’t you think it’s a bit soon?’
‘Well, I suppose we’ve not been seeing each other that long. But sometimes you just know when it’s right.’
‘As long as you’re sure, Maddy.’
‘Of course I’m sure. Aaron’s wonderful. Honestly, Clare, I can’t remember when I last felt this happy.’
‘And what does Becky say about it?’
‘Not a lot really, but then, she is only eight. But Aaron’s wonderful with her. You should have seen him when he took us to Blackpool and Chester Zoo. Becky had a great time.’
‘Glad to hear it.’
‘Oh, and I’ll have to show you the ring, Clare. It’s lovely. It’s got a full-carat diamond and two half-carat diamonds. I can’t stop looking at it.’
The Mark Page 20
