Behind A Twisted Smile (Dark Minds Book 2)

by Faith Mortimer

  “That’s nice, dear,” said Mum. “You never told me.”

  I resisted the urge to shrug, knowing it was rude, as Mum was a stickler for good manners.

  “I think our Moya wanted to surprise us. Didn’t you?” Martyn said softly. I spotted a cast in his eye which I hadn’t noticed before.

  “That’s wonderful…who is it? Do we know him?” Evie asked as she leant forward on the other side of Martyn.

  My mind did a few summersaults as I thought rapidly, and I shook my head from side to side. “No. No, I don’t think so. He’s new to the area and the gym.” Was he? I couldn’t remember what the newcomer I recently met in the gym had said.

  “I think this calls for a little celebration. Perhaps we can all meet him—what’s his name?” Martyn raised an enquiring eyebrow and smiled that smug little smile of his, which I was rapidly coming to recognise with disdain.

  Again, I wracked my brain. Why on earth had I opened my big mouth? I hadn’t seen him at all, which was surprising, as I was certain he would be there on at least one of my regular gym days. Jon—that was it.

  “Jon.”

  “John. John,” he repeated, like I had said something wonderfully clever. I hated playing this game. “Well then, we must all go out on a foursome. It’ll be fun, won’t it, Evie, my love?”

  She nodded eagerly and my heart sank. Hell! I had to find Jon and quickly.

  ***

  As soon as we had finished lunch, I cleared the table, and noticing Evie and Martyn holding hands and canoodling in a corner, I quickly volunteered to load the dishwasher. With a bit of luck, they were too preoccupied with each other to involve me in any of their plans.

  As I rinsed the plates and stacked them in the machine, I couldn’t help wondering if I was being too unkind. Martyn paid Evie masses of attention, and she had certainly blossomed under his devotion. Everyone else included him in their conversations and obviously considered him perfectly normal and a model of thoughtfulness. Was it just me?

  I put the kettle on and made tea, glancing at my watch as I sipped it in the kitchen.

  “I’ll have to go soon,” I said to Mum, who caught my wrist movement. “I’ve arranged to meet Jon later.”

  “That’s fine. I’m really pleased you’ve met someone else so soon.”

  “So soon?”

  She jerked her head towards the next room, where a lively conversation was going on between Martyn and Dale, Angela’s husband and my one and only brother-in-law. “After Martyn, you know.”

  I smiled. “Mum, I’m fine and I’m happy. Jon’s really nice.”

  “Then you must bring him here for a meal.”

  Oh God. I had really gone and done it now. “I will. Only he’s rather busy in the office at the moment, so I don’t know when that’ll be.”

  Damn! Why had I mentioned the office? I hoped she wouldn’t ask what he did for a living. I place my cup in the sink and before she could ask me any awkward questions, hastily made my excuses and left.

  As soon as I arrived home, I changed into my running kit, put my house key and a bottle of water in my bum bag and set off in a slow run towards the sports centre. It was really too soon after lunch, and my food sat heavily in my stomach.

  As I caught sight of the building, I questioned my sanity. If Jon was there—and the chances were he had already got bored with the idea of getting fitter—what was I going to say to him?

  ‘Hi there. Remember me? Look, you won’t believe this, but I’ve gone and got myself in a spot of bother. It’s such a silly thing. Anyway, I’m so embarrassed, but I had to tell my family we were an item. Can you possible play along and meet them all next week? I’ll make it up to you…treat you to an expensive dinner. Your choice of venue, of course.”

  He would think I was clean off my rocker.

  I pushed the door open and wandered off in the direction of the changing room. I deposited my bits and pieces in a free locker and then took a while composing myself. I wondered how on earth I managed to land in such awkward situations. I must have had a death wish or something.

  Of course, he might not even have been at the gym that day, although I remembered him saying weekends were good for him. I hoped he hadn’t left the area altogether. I toyed with the idea of going home and thinking up some elaborate excuse to my family, and then my nerve got the better of me. I was acting pathetically.

  I entered the gym, and the familiar ambush of sweat and oil greeted me. I cast a quick look around, and my heart gave a little jolt. I recognised the black-and-green trainers.

  Without hesitation, I walked over to the exercise mats and peered down at Jon.

  “Hi there,” I said.

  He paused in the middle of a crunch, a smile breaking out over his face. I felt inordinately pleased that even with a red face shining with sweat, he looked appealing.

  “Hi, Moya. I wondered if I’d see you today.”

  “How’s it going?” I squatted down on the rubber mats.

  “Slowly,” he answered, catching his breath. “Unfortunately, I’ve been out of action with a blasted stomach bug. I’ve only managed to get here twice since we met”

  Ah! That explained his absence. I wondered why his words made me feel unashamedly happy and relieved.

  “Poor you. I did…wonder if you’d decided not to bother.”

  “No way! I’m serious about getting fit. I’ve let myself get in a rut. I did book a one to one with Daniel, though, and he’s sorted out a programme for me to follow. Seems easy enough.”

  He held up his card showing Daniel’s suggested plan with the equipment and repetitions. I nodded.

  “Looks good.”

  We chatted for a minute while I gently warmed up with some floor exercises. When I stood up and made to walk towards the first of the machines, he followed me.

  “I’m about halfway through for today. Um…would it be…would you like to get a coffee afterwards?”

  “Yeah, that’d be nice. Only not here—the coffee’s crap. I know a nice café just round the corner, which serves wonderful mocha.”

  Great! First hurdle over. I now had my big chance to put my case to him.

  Chapter 8

  “So, say no if you think it’s preposterous. I won’t mind. I know I’m being bloody stupid.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, and I noticed how white his teeth were. They were nice and straight, too. He shook his head and my heart sank. I should have known he would never go along with my ridiculous idea.

  “No, you’re not stupid. Impetuous maybe, but it’s just the type of thing I’ve done before now. I’ll be happy to play along…it could be fun.”

  I hung my head, suddenly feeling shy and awkward at his acceptance. “I really don’t know why I said it. It just came out. Mum kept bugging me and everyone was looking on. I felt really irritated.” I sighed and gave him a rueful grin. “Are all families the same? We spend our lives either doing things or going places we’d rather not for appeasement.”

  He nodded and placed his empty coffee cup back in its saucer. “Families have some sort of inherent power to make us feel complete pariahs if you don’t go along with their schemes. Don’t feel bad. We all do and say things we shouldn’t.”

  He smiled across the table at me, leaning on his elbows. We were sitting in the café I had suggested and were just finishing our coffee. With a red face, I had explained the rudiments of my predicament. I left out all the horrible parts like Martyn helping himself to my flat, and his nasty remarks and innuendoes. I didn’t want Jon to think I was completely neurotic or someone who bore a grudge. As far as he was concerned, I just wanted everyone in my family to believe that I was happy with Evie going out with Martyn and that I had already moved on to the next man.

  I felt my racing heart calm down. Mission accomplished.

  “It’s really nice of you, and I swear I’ve never done anything like this before. Honest.”

  “It’s fine, really, it is.” He looked at his watch and frowned
. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’m meeting an old friend who’s flying in to Heathrow and I have to see to my dog first.”

  He fished a note from his pocket. “No, I insist I pay for these. It’s been most entertaining,” he said with a wide smile. “It’s not every day I can say I’m the twenty-first-century equivalent of a knight in shining armour! Maybe we can have dinner one evening? Really make it legit. We’ve already exchanged numbers, but I need to check my diary first.”

  “That would be lovely.” I felt my face glow with pleasure.

  After he had gone and I paid the bill, I jogged home. As I neared my road, I waited on the kerb while a bus trundled past. I glanced through the smeared windows and caught sight of Martyn. There was no mistaking his thin face and high cheek bones as he gazed down at me standing on the path. Our eyes locked, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I stared into those eyes, which were like shards of ice.

  Now, what was he doing in this area and on a bus? I remembered he owned a beat-up old Toyota Rav 4; maybe it had finally given out on him. I pondered briefly where he might have been going. Evie wasn’t with him, but then again, I couldn’t see Evie going anywhere on a bus. She had her own car.

  After crossing the road, I thought some more about Jon. He had listened to my pathetic dilemma with great understanding, and it made me realise what a nice person he was. I had met some rogues in my short life, and it felt refreshing to find someone whom I sensed was trustworthy.

  The thought of a future dinner date made me feel warm inside. It was early days, but I always believed in a glass half full rather than half empty.

  ***

  In the end, our first date wasn’t dinner in a fancy restaurant at all. Jon called two days later and asked whether I enjoyed pub quizzes. It had been ages since I had taken part in one, but I replied that I always enjoyed a challenge.

  “The thing is, there’s a pub I go to, which is trying to get a regular weekly quiz off the ground. The landlord’s new and asked whether I’d get some friends together. I realise it might not be what you had in mind, but they do great pub food. If you prefer not to, then we can meet on another evening.”

  I laughed. “Well, as I said I’d pay, it sounds like I’m getting off lightly. No, I don’t mind eating in a pub at all, and the quiz sounds fun. Will we be part of a team?”

  “We can be if you want. I know some of the regulars who’ll be joining in. We can eat afterwards. The quiz starts at seven.”

  ***

  The quiz was amusing—not your typical fifty questions, more like a blockbuster quiz, which gave most people level footing. We didn’t win but had a lot of laughs.

  When it was over, we looked at the menu, as by then, we were both famished. Jon was right about the pub food. The kitchen served pub grub at its best, and within twenty minutes, we were enjoying tasty homemade steak pies with fresh vegetables and crispy sautéed potatoes. The evening flew by. We discovered we shared favourite music bands and liked the same type of literature. Jon told me he was an architect, and I expounded on my own career. I was shocked when I glanced at my watch after the landlord rang the bell.

  Outside, we discovered that a light drizzle was falling as we hurried over to Jon’s car. Ten minutes later, we were parked outside my door. I turned my head towards him, suddenly feeling shy as I thanked him for seeing me home. The light from the street lamps shone on his fair hair, turning it gold; a raindrop sparkled near his left ear. He leant towards me, his arm along the back of my seat, and kissed me. One kiss led to another until I drew back to catch my breath.

  I smiled. “It’s been a lovely evening. I know you agreed to come out with me to help me with my quandary, but I have enjoyed it. I’d ask you in for coffee, except um…” I faltered as I caught a glimpse of amusement in his eyes.

  He chuckled and kissed my cheek gently. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t expecting to come in, and yes, it was a lovely evening.”

  “It’s not that I don’t like you, or anything, but—”

  “Hush. Let’s leave it, shall we? You can ask me when you’re ready. Now, haven’t you forgotten something? When do you want me to meet your family?”

  With a shock, I realised he was right. The evening had flown by, as if we had been on a real date, and we hadn’t even mentioned our arrangement. I hadn’t thought about Martyn or Evie. Jon had filled my mind completely. I felt doubly pleased because he hadn’t pushed to go inside my flat and intimated there would be time enough later.

  “I’m seeing them this Friday. I was surprised when Mum rang, actually. She normally gives me some notice…she can be a bit formal like that. Anyway, this was completely out of the blue. Would that be okay with you? I can pick you up.”

  “Fine by me.”

  Mum hadn’t mentioned on the phone what she planned on giving us to eat that evening but had hinted we would be treated to something special. She was a little coy at the time, and I wondered fleetingly if I had forgotten it was her birthday. No, that was back in March. I had no idea why she had organised a get-together on a Friday, but I wasn’t really bothered. Martyn and Evie would be there, and Mum was quite happy when I suggested bringing Jon, my ‘new boyfriend’, along with me for everyone to meet.

  “Lovely, dear. We’re all keen to meet this new man in your life,” she said happily. “I’ll see you Friday then. Please try not to be late!”

  Chapter 9

  As Jon and I stood side by side on the doorstep, I stole a look at him. He scrubbed up well in hip-hugging new blue jeans and a smart long-sleeved shirt, which I just knew came from one of the designer boutiques in town. Definitely not off the peg from M & S.

  He caught my scrutiny, gave my hand a tiny squeeze and smiled. “Don’t look so worried. Relax. Do I pass muster then?” he whispered into my ear, in a deep, sexy voice.

  I returned his grin and giggled, knowing I had been rumbled. “I reckon,” I said and tilted my head back to receive his kiss the same moment as the door opened.

  In haste, we drew apart. I was now standing nearer to the opening, Jon right behind me, and there were Martyn and Evie, arms draped each other’s shoulders, broad smiles across their faces, smug within their love.

  “Moya!” they chorused, and I felt Martyn’s arms go round me, forcing me into a claustrophobic hug, before I had a chance to introduce a bemused-looking Jon. I extricated myself as soon as I could and grabbing hold of Jon’s hand, dragged him forward.

  “This is Jon.”

  Evie was the first to move. Her gaze swept him from head to toe as she took his hand and then, leaning nearer, lightly kissed his cheek. “John. We’re so pleased to meet you.” I felt relieved Jon was more than passably attractive; in fact, if I were truthful, he was damned good-looking the more I saw of him. I knew everyone at home would scrutinise my latest ‘boyfriend’ and, no doubt, discuss our relationship.

  Martyn, his arm now casually slung around Evie’s hips, thrust out his hand. “Likewise. I’m Martyn…I’m sure Moya’s told you all about me. We’re both pleased Moya’s found someone new, although we know nothing about you yet. But then Moya’s a teeny bit secretive. You’ll have to work on that…get her to lighten up more. Anyway, come in. Come in.” I noticed he gave Jon a wink, as if to say: we’re all mates together.

  He drew his arm back and stepped aside. Martyn looked smart. Far smarter than when he and I were going out with one another. I realised it was the first time I had actually seen him in a suit. Evie wore a bright-red dress made from raw shantung silk. The neckline plunged, exposing a creditable amount of cleavage, which was particularly daring for my elder sister. She looked different. Pretty, sexy. Wanton even. Her smile was natural, complacent almost, as she flicked her stare back to Martyn. He was having some effect on her.

  “Jon’s spelt, J-o-n,” I said, although I had no idea why I said it.

  “Come through…we’re in the drawing room,” Martyn said with a proprietorial air, as if he were the master there. Jon and I followed them through to the best downstairs r
oom, which we hardly ever used. I felt a spurt of irritation as my eyes rested on his skinny backside in front of me. This was my childhood home. What right did he have to insinuate himself in here?

  As we entered the formal room, Martyn led us over to where Mum was seated. I noticed there were nibbles of crudités, peanuts and crisps in decorative bowls on the small tables in the room, and the polished mahogany table looked resplendent with silver candelabra and crystal glasses.

  “Here they are, Belinda,” Martyn said with a flourish, as if presenting a pair of rabbits from a top hat. I pushed back the urge to slap him and walked over to give Mum a kiss.

  “Hello, Mum.” Stepping back, I saw that she too had made the effort. True, she was wearing her favourite Jaeger, black, thigh-length skirt, but her dove-grey blouse was new. I caught a whiff of something undoubtedly Dior, too. The family were pushing the boat out over something.

  The others were gathered there as well—even stranger, as Angela and Dale were still usually at work at that time of day. Darcy sat on the carpet, her head level with the window sill, her mobile in her hand, texting busily. She casually waved a hand in greeting while studying Jon at the same time through her heavily mascaraed lashes. Not for the first time, I thought of her as sixteen going on twenty-six. God help the fellas at her school when she really discovered sex. Rewind that. She most probably already had.

  Before I could introduce Jon, he had already walked the short distance from the doorway and taken Mum’s hand in his. “I’m Jon, Mrs Waterford. Thank you for inviting me.”

  I noticed how Mum did a double-take, glanced over at Dad’s portrait on the wall and then matched Jon’s smile. “You’re very welcome.” She then turned back to me with a flushed look on her face. “You never told me how much Jon resembled your father, Moya.” She placed a trembling hand on her chest as if in shock.

  I peered into Jon’s face and frowned for a few seconds. “You’re right. I knew you reminded me of someone. That’s strange.”

  Martyn showed disbelief on his face before laughing. “Moya! How can you make a mistake like that? Especially with your own father. Anyone can see the resemblance. I did immediately.”