Once Bitten

by Oliver, Marina

  Judy picked up the mugs and while Justin went out to his car she took them to the kitchen. She was coming back into the hall when she saw a large grey Persian cat peering in through the front door. Then, barking furiously, Buster raced from the kitchen, Gypsy in hot and noisy pursuit.

  The cat fled, and Buster tangled up with Justin, coming in through the door with a couple of suit carriers in his arms. Judy instinctively put out her hands to save him, but, off balance, he slammed into her and she found herself, the breath knocked out of her, flat against the wall with Justin and the suit bags squashing her.

  She pushed at his shoulders, and took a deep breath as he pulled away from her.

  'Sorry! Are you hurt?' he asked, dropping the bags and taking her by the shoulders.

  'Just – just winded!' she managed. 'I'd better go and catch those wretched dogs! They saw a cat,' she explained.

  'I'll take these upstairs, then come and see if you need help.'

  The dogs were bouncing up and down at the foot of one of the cherry trees, and on a branch just out of their reach the grey cat sat, looking down so superciliously Judy couldn't help laughing.

  'Come here, you wretches,' she called, but before she could move from the front door someone rushed across the lawn in front of the neighbouring house and began to lash out at the dogs with a broom handle.

  'Get away! Go! Shoo! Leave my cat alone!'

  Judy ran towards the dogs, who were cowering away. It was a woman, dressed in scarlet shorts and a skimpy top wielding the broom. Judy just avoided being hit.

  'Hold on, they're not hurting the cat!' she shouted, and the woman turned on her, holding the broom handle threateningly.

  'That's all you know! Persians are delicate, sensitive animals, it takes so little to terrify them.'

  'Then perhaps you oughtn't to let it out in a strange place!'

  'Take your beastly dogs away! It's brutes like them ought not to be let out!'

  'My fault, I'm afraid, for leaving the front door open. Can you reach the cat, or shall I get her down for you?'

  It was Justin, and both women turned towards him. Judy thought she had never seen so rapid a transformation from broom-wielding fury to a friendly, confiding and helpless creature.

  'Hi. You must be my new neighbours. Sorry about that, but Pusskins is all I have in the world, and it would just destroy me if she were hurt, I know it would.'

  Judy looked more closely now. The woman was tall, with a slender figure that the skimpy top and abbreviated shorts did little to hide. Her legs were long, shapely and tanned, and ended in bare feet, toenails painted to match the scarlet shorts. She had long black hair tied up in a loose pony tail, and was, Judy had to admit, beautiful when she wasn't snarling with rage. She was probably in her late twenties, and even without make up looked fabulous.

  'I'm Sadie Pem – that is, Flynn. Oh dear, you must think me an utter fool not to know my name, but Pemberton was my married name, and now I've disposed of Mr P. I decided to revert to my maiden name.'

  Disposed of? By being pushed off a cliff or under a train? Judy thought the woman would be capable of it.

  Sadie held out her hand to Justin, and he touched it briefly.

  'Justin Danby.'

  'And you must be Mrs Danby?'

  She didn't offer her hand. Judy wondered if that was because she had now caught both dogs, and was holding them by their collars. She would give the wretched woman the benefit of the doubt.

  'No, I'm here while my sister is away,' Judy replied, thinking it was more diplomatic not to say she was looking after the dogs, or the harpy would be rude again. 'I'm Judy Morton.'

  'So, you're not married? Or are you one of these modern woman that keeps their own name? I only wish I had.'

  Before either of them had time to reply she was talking again.

  'Look, I'm sorry about losing my temper over the dogs. Come and have a drink with me. Can you bring Pusskins, Justin? But not the dogs, I'm afraid, Judy.'

  ***

  Chapter 3

  Justin could see that Judy was considering retreating to the house and staying there, but he was not about to let her be vanquished by the cat's bad tempered owner. Leaving Pusskins where she was in the tree, he took Buster from her and put his arm round her shoulders to guide her back into the house. He put the dogs in the kitchen and shut the door on them.

  Judy was trembling, and he hugged her to him.

  'Sorry about that, my fault for leaving the door open.'

  'Did you see her trying to hit the dogs? And for a minute I thought she was going to hit me! I don't want to have drinks with her. It's too early in the day, in any case,' she added.

  'I know, but it could make things difficult for Paul and Fay if we get on bad terms with their new neighbour. Come on, we needn't stay long. We both have the excuse of work to do.'

  Judy shrugged. 'I suppose you're right. But I am not going to stay any longer than is polite.'

  They left the house and saw that Pusskins had descended from the tree and was strolling unconcernedly towards her own front door.

  Justin laughed. 'Not a lot wrong with that moggy.'

  Judy, feeling better for his support, though the close contact had sent shivers down her spine, grinned.

  'So sensitive, the precious Persians! I bet it will be ruling the entire Close before long, including Ken's two dogs.'

  Sadie was waiting for them on the front door step, but she was more concerned with her pet than welcoming them.

  'Pusskins, my sweet, come to Mommy! It's all right now, those nasty horrid dogs have gone, you're safe.'

  Pusskins ignored her and swung away to pass on towards the next house, and with a shrug Sadie turned to her guests.

  'They are so independent!'

  Well able to look after themselves, Justin thought, suppressing a grin.

  Sadie stepped back into the hall and gestured to them to follow her.

  'I'll leave the door open for her. Come in, and please do excuse the mess. I haven't had time to get straight yet, and of course I mean to have the entire place redecorated. It's not my style at all, but I had little choice. I had to take what settlement I was given by that wretched judge, and this is the only sort of house I can afford. He had no idea of how much simple living costs today.'

  Going into the living room she gestured towards the big squashy leather sofa, and frowned when Justin steered Judy towards it and sat down beside her. Sadie was the archetypal man eater, he thought, and he wondered what the other men who lived in the Close would think of her. He would bet Ken Tibbetts would be issuing invitations for drinks the moment he set eyes on her. What was the man's wife like? Could she compete? Was she used to him?

  *

  Judy looked round at the expensive furniture. Not a bad sort of house for a divorced woman, she thought. Fay and Paul had needed a substantial mortgage, even though Fay had sold her old flat at a profit.

  'Do you work?' she asked.

  There were crates and boxes stacked high against one wall, but an elaborately decorated drinks cabinet had been fully stocked with an array of bottles and glasses, a tub of ice cubes and some slices of lemon in a cut-glass bowl.

  Sadie shuddered. 'Heavens, no, just the occasional modelling job when I'm asked. For friends, naturally, I don't join the mob of hopefuls besieging agents. I'd go crazy with nothing to do all day. What will you drink? Justin, be a pet and do the butler act. I'll have a gin and tonic. Julie, how about you?'

  'It's Judy, and the same for me please, Justin.'

  He rose and went over to the drinks, and Sadie took the opportunity of sitting down on the sofa next to Judy, and crossing her legs as she leaned back into the soft leather cushions. She waved Justin towards a chair facing them.

  'Thanks, Justin. Exactly how I like it. Now, tell me all about yourselves, and my real neighbours.'

  They complied, and when Sadie discovered they were neither married nor a couple, she laughed and winked in a way that made Judy want to use the
broom handle herself.

  'An architect? Oh, Justin, I must get you to advise me what I can do to this dreadful house to make it livable in. I'm tempted to gut it, but I suppose that's not practicable. But I'm sure there are some things I can do. I have some ideas already and you must come and discuss them with me one day soon.'

  'You had better ask Fay when she gets home. Some interior decoration would be possible, and that's her speciality.'

  Sadie looked dubious, then turned to Judy.

  'Both you and your sister are artistic, then, Julie? You teach art? How sweet.'

  'I said I had resigned,' Judy said through clenched teeth.

  'Well, naturally. What else can one do when schools are such dens of violence and hooliganism? Perhaps your little business idea will be successful.'

  I'll bet she was one of the worst, Judy thought. Heaven help any teacher who had to deal with Sadie.

  'I must go,' she said when she had downed her drink. 'I have to phone someone.'

  'Oh, you're not both going to leave me, are you?' Sadie asked with a pout. 'I want to hear so much more about Oman.'

  'Sorry, I have work to do as well,' Justin said, standing up and taking the gin glasses to the cabinet.

  Sadie sighed. 'Before you go, is there anywhere half way decent round here where I can find some food tonight? I've been living on snacks and sandwiches, and am longing for a meal I don't have to cook for myself. Besides, I haven't had time to shop yet.'

  'There's a pub, the Green Man, just round the corner. It has a good reputation.'

  'Oh Justin, how marvellous. Real country pub food. The only thing is, I don't fancy going into a strange pub on my own. I know, why don't you both come with me tonight? My treat, of course.'

  *

  Judy flatly refused to go, without making any excuse. Sadie accepted her refusal with a smile.

  'I do understand,' she purred. 'Three is a crowd.'

  Judy didn't bother to say goodbye. She turned on her heel and marched out of the house, then into her own, almost slamming the front door in Justin's face. She hadn't cared whether he followed her or not. She wasn't able to keep quiet, however, when Justin said he felt obliged to accept the invitation. They argued while eating a salad lunch.

  'How can you endure such a – a – dreadful woman?' she asked, changing the first words that had come to mind.

  'I've told Sadie it has to be early and I need to be back by ten for a phone call,' he said. 'It would be rude for us to back out.'

  'You think I'm being rude? I had quite enough of being patronised this morning. To her teachers are clearly beneath her notice, and all artists decadent. She made it perfectly obvious, without having seen any of my work, that she didn't think I'd make a go of it.'

  'Come on, Judy, it wasn't that bad. And as for that, I haven't see any of your work either. You're not going to leave me to the man eater's tender mercies, are you?'

  'You can look after yourself,' Judy snapped, refusing to smile. 'Now I have work to do, and I thought you did too.'

  They didn't speak again until Justin poked his head round the door of the study to say he was off.

  'Have a good time.'

  'I won't be late, and I'll take the dogs out when I get back, you needn't bother.'

  'It's no bother. I enjoy their company,' Judy said rather pointedly.

  Though despising herself for it, as soon as he had shut the front door Judy ran up to her bedroom and watched through the window. Sadie wore a close-fitting dress in scarlet silk, and had a black lacy shawl round her shoulders. She wore high heels that raised her almost to Justin's height, and clung to his arm as she staggered slightly on the gravel of the driveway. Her hair was loose, a shining curtain floating round her shoulders, and even at this distance Judy saw her eyes were lavishly made up. No doubt she had false eyelashes, she thought, then told herself not to be a bitch, and anyway, it was nothing to do with her if Justin found the woman attractive.

  She worked on for half an hour but her concentration was lost. She made scrambled eggs for supper, wondering what Justin and Sadie were eating. She took the dogs out, but was too restless to go far and finally made coffee and curled up in the living room, the dogs sprawled at her feet, to watch TV.

  *

  Justin was amused when the waitress at the Green Man raised her eyebrows at the sight of Sadie. She must be wondering if I have an attractive girl for every night of the week, he thought. Oh well, if he had to get a reputation as a Lothario, so be it. He'd be gone in a few weeks.

  A few weeks? He caught his thoughts. Almost without thinking about it, he seemed to have decided he was not going to move to an apartment of his own. But that was, he firmly told himself, nothing to do with Sadie's arrival on the scene. Nor, he added quickly, was it to do with Judy. It wasn't, was it? He was curious, felt sorry for her, knew something serious was troubling her, but it was simply a friendly concern, because she was a family connection.

  He was given little chance for reflection. Sadie was not pleased with the table they were shown to.

  'It's too near the door to the kitchen,' she complained. 'Why can't we have that one by the window?'

  'It's reserved, madam,' the red-haired waitress said, and Justin could sense she was taking a dislike to Sadie.

  'But we booked. You did, didn't you, Justin?'

  'Yes, but only this afternoon. I expect they booked days ago.'

  Sadie shrugged, and took the menu. At least it surprised her, judging by her indrawn breath, and she took some time deciding what to have. Having given her order eventually she turned to Justin, holding up her wine glass and glancing across it at him.

  'Well, Cherry Tree Close is turning out much better than I expected. Much better. I wasn't looking forward to living in suburbia. But Mr P. is a mean devil, and managed to hide a lot of his worldly goods, and convinced the wretched judge he couldn't afford to give me a fair share.'

  'Where did you live?'

  Justin decided he had to show some interest, and Sadie was clearly eager to talk about herself. He sat back and only half listened as she expiated on the social life in Sunningdale, the golf and country clubs, and the flat in Chelsea. Why hadn't she preferred an apartment in London? It would have suited her much more than the suburbia she despised. He wondered how soon it would be before she found another wealthy husband. Did she think she would find one in Cherry Tree Close?

  She seemed to want to draw the evening out, but he declined a dessert and coffee, mentioning he had to be back to await a phone call.

  'But you have your mobile with you, surely,' she pouted.

  'They are ringing the land line. You don't have to leave if you want something else. Just order it and I'll pay the bill, then you can stay as long as you like.'

  'Oh Justin, you wouldn't leave me all on my lonesome, would you? I don't fancy walking home in the dark, so late at night.'

  'The Close is well lit, and too far out of town for casual hooliganism.'

  She sighed. 'Very well, I suppose I must come with you. But next time, we must be sure there is nothing to rush back for.'

  Next time, Justin promised himself, if there was to be a next time, he would force Judy to come, and he might even invite Ken Tibbetts and his wife if he couldn't find a single man to make up a foursome.

  *

  It was half past nine when the doorbell rang. Had Justin forgotten his key? But he wouldn't be back this early. She'd drawn the curtains across the window, so couldn't look out without making it obvious to whoever was outside that she was peering. Judy slipped the chain on as she opened the door. It was, after all, late and dark, and she was in the house on her own.

  'You!' she gasped. 'How on earth did you find me?'

  'Let me in, Judy. It's getting cold out here.'

  'No, you're not coming in. I said I didn't want to see you again, Mark, and I meant it. How did you find me?'

  He shrugged and leaned against the door jamb.

  'Well, if you insist on discussing our relatio
nship out on the street, so be it. Your friend's husband, who is sending on your letters, told me the address, but it's taken me a while to find it. They don't put these new developments on maps for years, and none of the locals knew where it was.'

  'Well, you can just find your way back again.'

  'You've put your flat on the market. That's rather impetuous, isn't it? Like you were when you gave in your notice before you had another job.'

  'What I do is no longer any of your business. Now please take your foot out so I can close the door.'

  'Judy, you OK?'

  It was Ken, walking his dogs, and Judy gave a sigh of relief. Surely, with someone watching him, Mark would give up. He did turn to look at the newcomer, standing under one of the street lamps, but he didn't move his foot and Judy, though she pushed the door hard, couldn't shift it.

  'I'm trying to persuade my fiancée it won't ruin her reputation to let me inside the house,' he said. 'Why, don't I know you? Haven't we met up in Manchester? Mark Simmons, I'm a deputy head at – '

  'Simmons? I know you now. I'm Tibbetts, used to teach games in Manchester, but we moved here a year ago. Small world, as they say. You must pop in and say hello to the little woman while you're here. You did meet Magda once, I believe, at some civic do. But I didn't know you were engaged to Judy.'

  'He's not. Not any longer, and I wish you'd take him away!' Judy said as soon as she could get a word in.

  'You heard the lady.'

  Judy breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't seen Justin and Sadie coming towards them, and wondered how long they had been standing there, listening.

  'Just who do you think you are?' Mark demanded, glaring.

  'I live here and I'd be grateful if you'd remove your foot and yourself.'

  Mark spluttered with indignation, but he did remove his foot. Justin gave Sadie, who was looking exceedingly disgruntled, a gentle push towards her own house.

  'Go home,' he said, and rather to Judy's surprise Sadie went, though she shrugged and cast a rueful glance at the other two men as she left.

  'But where am I supposed to stay? I thought I could stay with you, Judy,' Mark complained.

  'There are several cheap motels and B&Bs in the area, if it's the expense that concerns you,' Justin said unsympathetically.