Deceit of Angels

by Julia Bell

  He slipped his arm round her waist and pulled her closer. She brushed her lips against his and he closed his eyes, gasping at the excitement that surged through him. She had always been a seductive creature. When she suggested going back to her place for old time’s sake, he nodded and gulped down his drink, while she paid a visit to the ladies room.

  Suddenly, a young couple rushed through the door laughing with delight. The man was carrying a car seat and snuggled in blankets a small baby, only a few weeks old, slept peacefully. They were greeted by friends who had been waiting for them and who crowded round the infant, eager to see the new arrival. Jason watched as if hypnotised.

  The young couple beamed with pride and answered the barrage of questions with delight.

  “The house is unrecognisable,” said the young father with a chuckle. “I keep tripping over stuff and there’s strange smells and sounds everywhere. And as for a good night’s sleep; forget it!”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Jason saw Thalia coming towards him, looking so beautiful and oozing sex appeal, but yet her entire demeanour smacked of emptiness. It wasn’t so long ago that he and Anna were planning their future, a wedding and even talking about having a baby. He hesitated. Was this what he really wanted, a one-night stand with a woman he had just met again after twenty years? And there was no doubt it would be just a brief fling, Thalia didn’t do permanency. It would be a moment of pleasure and then it would be gone and the pain would return. He wanted more than that! He wanted a life with meaning. He had found that meaning with Anna and now that he had tasted it, he couldn’t tolerate anything less. Thalia slipped her arm through his.

  Jason shook his head apologetically. “I’m sorry…I’ve just realised…I can’t go with you. My daughter will be waiting…” He gently removed her arm. “Sorry…I must leave.”

  He left her standing alone, bewildered and frustrated and with the conviction that she had been right about men all along.

  Jason sat on the bed, his head in his hands. Life was shit. He could lose his business just as he had lost Anna. He lifted his face and looked around the room. Mrs Thompson had done too good a job. Every trace of Anna had been swept and polished away. He had tried to find something of her, a strand of hair; a small possession left behind, even an item of clothing overlooked in the wardrobe or drawer. But there was nothing, only his memories and some photos were left. He was full of regrets. He regretted ever interviewing her for the position of PA, or offering her the job in the first place. But she had stepped into his office and with one look she had ignited something deep inside him. And that fire, dampened down for a while, was starting to burn brightly once more.

  He had been attracted to her from the moment he saw her. And it wasn’t just her loveliness, but the wonderful innocence he had sensed almost immediately. He stood up abruptly, clenching his hands in a tight fist. But she had shattered his dreams; she wasn’t so innocent after all. She had betrayed his trust and he couldn’t forgive her for that. She was out of his life and he would accept it. If only he could forget her. Forget the feel of her, smell of her, taste of her. Sometimes he thought he would go insane with the memories that haunted him. He heard Hollie calling him and glancing quickly round the room, he went to read the obligatory bedtime story.

  The phone call came at the end of April. Anna was overjoyed when Nigel told her that her decree nisi was on its way with the absolute following six weeks later.

  “Your husband has already sent the cheque to buy you out of the property and I’ll forward that on.” He hesitated for a moment. “It’s only fifty-seven thousand, but I can try for more if you wish.”

  Anna sighed. That would work out at three thousand for every year she had been married!

  “I’ll go with that. Were the boys mentioned?”

  “He’s agreed to pay all relevant expenses for their university education.”

  “Oh, good. But somehow I thought he would do that.”

  Nigel could sense her sadness despite her agreeable manner. “Is everything OK with the baby?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Quite healthy actually. But pregnancy always did suit me.”

  Margaret had decided to host a special lunch in celebration of Jason’s birthday that was in early May. Anna listened to Margaret’s plans with dismay. Jason would be at the Grange all afternoon and for most of the evening and she would have to go to John and Irene’s apartment while he was there. Suddenly, Anna felt frustrated. She had so wanted to be with Jason on his birthday and the yearning became more acute.

  She had a busy time ahead of her, with three interviews and two weddings at the weekend. The bookings seemed endless with her phone ringing every minute of the day. At the moment she was coping well, since she was still in the second three months of her pregnancy and she had always considered that the best time. Her sickness had passed and she had not yet reached the uncomfortable, back aching stage. Even so, Margaret had insisted that she rest as much as possible and when she did get too cumbersome, she must pass some of the workload onto her. Anna felt very reluctant about doing that. Planning the weddings was her responsibility and she would relinquish the work with a heavy heart.

  The guests arrived for the birthday lunch and Anna was hustled out of the way by Fran.

  “I feel like Cinderella,” she said, as she made her way to the apartment, with numerous folders tucked under her arm. “And I’ve not been invited to the ball.”

  Once there, she absorbed herself in her work while the family greeted one another just below her.

  She was roused from her concentration by a gentle knock on the door. Anna was delighted to find Sophia waiting on the threshold and drew her into the living room.

  “I thought we could have a chat.”

  “Won’t the others miss you?”

  Sophia shook her head. “They’ve all gone outside to enjoy the garden before sitting down to lunch. The weather is so beautiful today. I told them I had to pop to the loo.”

  “Is everyone OK?” asked Anna wistfully. “Ben and Mrs Wilby?”

  “They’re absolutely fine. But I know they miss you, especially Hollie”

  Anna gave a strained laugh. “Well, you’d better not spend too long on the loo, or they’ll think you’ve got a gippy tummy.” She drew her down to sit next to her on the couch.

  “You look very well, positively radiant,” smiled Sophia

  “I feel well and everything’s going great.”

  “How’s Margaret been?”

  “Unbelievable. So kind and caring. I don’t know what I’d have done without her help. She’s convinced I’m having a boy to carry on the Harrington line.”

  “So, she doesn’t know that…”

  Anna looked at her aghast. “Of course she doesn’t know! How can I tell her anything like that? In fact, only you and Nigel know the real truth.”

  “What will you do after the baby’s born? Jason will have to know then.”

  “I’m not thinking that far ahead.”

  “He could have a DNA test. Then you’ll know if he’s the father.”

  “But then I’ll have to tell him why he might not be the father. I couldn’t bear that.”

  Sophia reached across and took her hand. “Whatever happens, Nigel and I are still here for you. We’ll give you every support.”

  Anna squeezed her hand in gratitude.

  Jason left the others to go back inside and fetch his sunglasses. As he passed the door of the morning room, he couldn’t resist peeping inside. The room was made up for the marriage ceremonies, the chairs in tidy rows, with the end ones decorated with a white, silk ribbon. Huge pedestals of flowers stood either side of the large oak table where the register was signed and the air was filled with the fragrance. Jason liked the way white, silk material had been draped over the walls giving the room a soft appearance and as he looked about him, he could see the hard work that went into organising these events. He couldn’t imagine how his mother managed since she still had the business seminars a
nd conferences to cope with.

  Jason felt restless and wandered out into the hall. He didn’t know what made him start climbing the stairs; it was as though he was drawn to Anna’s old room. Standing outside the door, her delightful laugher echoed through his mind. He closed his eyes and remembered how much they had shared on their summer visit to the Grange. How they had made love for the first time after his mother’s party. His hand reached out for the handle and he slowly turned it. But it didn’t give and then he realised it was locked.

  Fran appeared, a look of complete horror spreading across her face when she saw him standing outside the door.

  “Why’s this room locked?” he asked.

  She came to stand beside him, staring at the door as if she had never seen it before.

  “Madam must have done it.”

  “But why?”

  Fran shrugged. She wasn’t very good at making up stories. Suddenly she remembered when the morning room had been locked during its renovations for the wedding ceremonies and Madam’s instructions then.

  “Because it’s been painted and there’s ladders and equipment all over the place. And we don’t want people to go in and trip over and have an accident,” she mimicked, smiling in triumph that she sounded just like Mrs Harrington.

  Jason raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Got the key? I’d like to see what they’re doing.”

  “Madam’s got key,” she murmured, shaking her head.

  He grunted in frustration and decided to give up. At the bottom of the stairs he met Sophia just coming through the door that led to the stairs down to the kitchen.

  “Where’ve you been?”

  She gave him a bright smile. “Been talking to Irene. She’s making you a wonderful meal.” She didn’t wait for further comment but skipped across the marble floor to the main door. Jason followed her outside into the bright sunshine, completely forgetting why he had gone inside in the first place.

  Sophia was right and the meal was wonderful, but Jason felt the need to bring up the subject of Anna’s room.

  “The door was locked. Why is that?”

  Margaret shrugged nonchalantly. “Thought it needed decorating. And I didn’t want anyone going in there and getting hurt. Ladders and things.” She was grateful that Fran had told her about her son’s curiosity.

  “May I see what you’re doing?”

  “Oh, it’s a mess at the moment. Perhaps after it’s finished.”

  Jason took a sip of his wine. “The morning room looks lovely. The white material on the walls is very effective.”

  “Oh, that was Ann…another good idea from Sarah.” She quickly took a drink of water. “She’s got quite a knack for interior design. Should have taken it up as a career.”

  Jason watched his mother keenly. She seemed to have developed a stammer, although he knew that normally she was a very articulate woman. He also noticed that Nigel cast her a warning glance. He narrowed his eyes. There was something going on at the Grange and it seemed he wasn’t in on the secret.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “He’s still hurting terribly,” said Sophia, as they drove home after a night out at the theatre.

  “You’re right there.”

  “And I don’t think he’s doing very well at Harrington Rhodes.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “A little bird told me that he’s losing business. He’s not winning the contracts like he used to.”

  Nigel blew out a breath. “Well, that state of affairs can’t go on for too long.”

  “So, I think you should tell him!”

  “Why me?”

  “He can’t carry on the way he is. He needs to know about Anna and the baby.”

  “And how will that help him?”

  “At least he’ll know the truth. It’s terrible keeping him in the dark like this.”

  “But that’s how Anna wants it. And I ask again, why me?”

  “Because you can have one of those ‘man to man’ chats.”

  “No, I can’t! I was told in confidence, as you were. It’s unethical to go around breaking client’s confidences.”

  Sophia thought for a moment. “You’re dealing with Anna’s divorce and that has no bearing on what happened to her. So, you’ll not be breaking a confidence.”

  “Well, that’s cockeyed reasoning for you! And besides she told me as a friend as well as a solicitor and that still makes it a confidence.”

  She sniffed in disgust. “I can’t tell him. I’m her counsellor. And you’ve known Jason a lot longer than you’ve known Anna. Doesn’t your friendship with him mean anything?”

  Nigel shook his head in exasperation. “Why don’t you send him an anonymous letter? From a ‘well wisher’ or ‘interested friend’.”

  “Don’t be facetious!” She paused before adding, “I’ve invited him to dinner next week.”

  “Oh, joy! I shall look forward to that!”

  “Let’s see what happens then.” She lit up a cigarette and sighed. “So much for trying to give it up. But there’s always next year.”

  The evening was very pleasant, as it always was when he visited Nigel and his family. His last two business trips had brought about a modicum of success. He had won the contracts but only just. He felt confident that the next few would be a lot easier. His life was getting easier now that he had established a routine of living from one day to the next and not thinking too far into the future. As for the offer from the American company? He had managed to persuade Graham to put that on hold for the time being.

  “How’s your new secretary doing?” asked Nigel, as he poured Jason another glass of wine.

  “Oh, Natalie. She’s fine. She gets on with her work and then rushes home at the end of the day.”

  “Doesn’t like putting in the extra hours, then?”

  “No, she likes to be gone as soon as she can and she can’t do Saturdays. But I took her on with that understanding. I can’t expect any more from her since she has a family to care for.”

  “Very different from Anna, who left her husband to work for you,” said Sophia sharply.

  Jason peered at her over his wineglass. He had never seen her so tense. “But Anna lied to me about her husband. And unfortunately, she couldn’t stop lying.” He gave a sigh. “I’m glad she’s gone back to Wakefield!” He thought that if he said it enough times he would eventually convince himself of the truth.

  “But Anna isn’t…!” she started.

  “Sophia!” interrupted Nigel. Sophia started at the angry tone of her husband and even Jason gave him a sidelong glance with surprise. In all the years he had known the couple, he had never heard either of them speak harshly to one another. Sophia rose from her seat and Jason could see tears in her eyes, a fact that also made him look on in amazement since she had always seemed a woman not given to emotional outbursts. She left the room hastily. “Sorry about that,” said Nigel, giving a grimace. “I’ll go and see if she’s OK. Won’t be a minute.”

  “Take as long as you need,” said Jason. Somehow it seemed comforting to see another man suffering strife in his relationship and although Jason wouldn’t have wished it on anyone, it made him smile that he was not the only one in the world with problems. But then his thoughts went back to Sophia and her outburst. Why did he get the impression that her tears came from frustration, rather than emotional upset? Nigel was gone ten minutes and returned rather subdued. He took his seat next to Jason and poured himself another glass of wine. He offered some to Jason, who declined politely. “How is she?”

  “Angry with me.”

  Jason threw back his head and started laughing. “The trials and tribulations of married life. Don’t I know it well!”

  Nigel shook his head. “We’ve had our spats in the past but not like this one.”

  “It must be bad. I know it’s none of my business, but if you want a friendly ear…” said Jason, smiling.

  Nigel studied him for a few seconds. “Actually, the argument is about yo
u and whether we should break a confidence.”

  Jason frowned. “That’s a tough decision. However, if it’s about me, then I’d rather know.”

  “I thought you might say that. Sophia believes you ought to know about a certain someone and that I should be the one to tell you.”

  Jason shuffled uncomfortably in his chair. “If you’re talking about Anna, then it’s not really a topic I would care to discuss.”

  “And I understand that. But you know my wife!”

  Jason took a sip of his wine, nodded and placed his glass carefully on the table. “Then let me make this easier for you since I wouldn’t want to come between you and your wife. You’ve both been worried about me since Anna and I parted and I appreciate that. I imagine that the ‘confidence’ you’ve heard is the fact that I accused her of having an affair and you want to assure me that Anna couldn’t possibly have behaved that way since it isn’t in her nature.”

  Nigel frowned. “You think Anna had an affair?”

  Jason raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Oh, it’s not about that, then? Well, I don’t think she had an affair, I jolly well know she did! And nothing will convince me otherwise, so don’t even try!” He reached for his wineglass and nearly tipped it over with his shaking hands.

  Nigel sat back in his chair. “Why did you think she was having an affair?”

  “Because I can read the signs.”

  “And the signs are…?”

  Jason thought his friend was becoming irritating. “I asked her if she’d met someone else and she couldn’t give me a straight answer. And she couldn’t look me in the eye.”

  “And you built your case round that information only? I’m glad you’re a shipping agent and not a solicitor. You would be sending innocent folk to prison every day!”

  “Ah, but I had a star witness.”

  “Who?”

  “I’d rather not say. But this person saw…” Jason took another gulp of wine and tried to steady himself. “Saw Anna going into the Marriott Hotel with a man. And leaving quite a long time later.” He turned his face away, so that Nigel couldn’t see the pain in his eyes.