“But who are they and where have they come from?” Fenella asked bluntly.
“Donald will know Neil,” Liz told her. “As I understand it, the other four are friends of his from across. Many of Neil’s business interests are in the UK, of course. I gather one of the men has just retired to the island and the other three have come across to visit or something like that. They were a bit vague, really.”
“Did you get their names?” Donald wondered.
“Yes, but I don’t know that I remember them. The tallest one is Lance something. He’s the one who just retired here. The other three are called Adrian, Eric, and Jared, but I’m not sure I remember which one was which.”
“No surnames?” Donald asked.
“They have them, but I don’t remember them,” Liz said apologetically. “We were introduced before the bidding started, so I didn’t really pay that much attention. If I’d known that they were going to outbid everyone on everything, I would have taken notes or something.”
“It was odd behavior,” Donald suggested.
“Perhaps that’s simply how these things work in London,” Liz replied. “Maybe things are done differently over there.”
“I’ve been to more than my fair share of charity auctions in London,” Donald told her. “I’ve never been to one where a small group dominates the entire event. I probably should have outbid them on something, just to make a point, but there are limits to how much over the odds I’m willing to pay for something I don’t actually want or need.”
“I hope this won’t stop you from coming to our next event,” Liz said a bit anxiously.
“You know I wouldn’t miss it,” Donald assured her. “But maybe you could forget to invite Neil and his friends.”
Liz laughed. “I didn’t invite them this time. They came with Laura Munroe. I believe she’s involved with Neil at the moment. And now I must dash around and apologize to everyone for letting strangers buy everything. Hopefully I’ll see you later.”
The woman vanished into the crowd before Fenella or Donald could reply.
“Okay, who’s Laura Munroe?” Fenella asked in a low voice.
“Why don’t I introduce you?” Donald suggested, taking Fenella’s arm. He escorted her across the room to where a tall and very slender woman was standing on her own. Her grey hair was pulled up into a tight bun at the back of her neck and her makeup was impeccable. As they approached her, Fenella couldn’t help but admire the woman’s dress.
“I don’t know who you are, but I do know Timothy’s work when I see it,” she said to Fenella before Donald could speak. “And the shoes have to have been done by Samuel. He’s the only one would could match Timothy’s designs.”
“You’re right, of course. I was admiring your dress, as well. Is it also one of Timothy’s?” Fenella asked.
“It is. The one and only thing he ever made for me. I used to beg, plead, and throw money at him, but he really didn’t care. Mona Kelly was the only woman who properly inspired him. He made her dozens of dresses, gowns, jackets, and goodness knows what else. I’d sell my soul for access to her wardrobe.”
Fenella glanced at Donald, who laughed. “Laura, this is Fenella Woods. Fenella is Mona’s niece and the lucky woman who inherited Mona’s estate. Fenella, this is Laura Munroe.”
“You’ve had that gown altered, then?” Laura asked.
“No, not at all,” Fenella said in surprise.
“Mona had a very different shape to yours. I can’t see how you could possibly be wearing one of her dresses without having had it altered,” the woman argued.
Fenella stared at the woman and then looked at Donald. She couldn’t think of any way to reply to Laura’s words.
“I understand you brought Neil and his friends to the party,” Donald said, rescuing Fenella from the awkward situation.
“Yes, I don’t suppose I’ll be very popular after tonight, will I?” Laura said with a laugh.
“They did rather dominate the auction,” Donald replied.
“I probably should have stopped them after the first dozen items, but they were having such fun, bidding each other up higher and higher, that I simply didn’t have the heart to interrupt. It’s all good for Liz, anyway.”
“That’s very true. Tell me about the Neil’s friends, then,” Donald requested.
Laura raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“I’m curious about them and why they’re even on the island,” Donald replied.
Laura didn’t look as if she believed him. “Of course, you know Neil,” she said.
“Yes, I do. I understand you two are together. Congratulations,” he said.
Laura laughed. “I’m not sure that we’re together, or that I deserve any congratulations, regardless, but let’s just say that Neil and I arranged to come to tonight’s little gathering together, shall we? This afternoon he rang me and asked if he could bring some friends. I had originally planned on coming with, well, a different group of people, so I had extra tickets and told Neil he could bring whomever he liked.”
“So who are they?” Donald asked after Laura stopped speaking.
“Oh, yes, sorry. I do get rather bored with talking about other people. The tallest man is Lance Thomas. He actually grew up on the island, but moved away in his teens or some such thing. Now that he’s retired, he’s come back and has moved into Promenade View.” She glanced at Fenella. “Are you living in Mona’s amazing flat, then?”
“I am, yes,” Fenella replied.
“I always thought that I would have made Max a good deal happier than Mona ever did,” Laura told her. “And I would have been far more grateful to him for all of his generosity, as well.”
Again, Fenella didn’t know how to reply to the woman.
“Who is the man in the blue suit, then?” Donald changed the subject back to Neil’s friends.
“His name is Eric Palmer. The one with the moustache is Adrian Graves, and the rather nondescript man that is left over is called Jared Welch. They are all business associates of Neil’s, and that is just about all I can tell you about them. Did you keep Mona’s car?” Laura asked.
“I did, yes. I haven’t driven it yet, though. I’m taking my driving test on Monday,” Fenella replied.
“Shall I tell you how I passed first time?” the woman asked. She leaned forward and whispered something in Fenella’s ear. Fenella felt her face flame.
Donald gave her a curious look, but Fenella quickly looked away.
Laura laughed. “You aren’t much like Mona, are you?”
Donald slid an arm around Fenella. “No one is like Mona,” he said. “But Fenella is pretty wonderful.”
Laura raised an eyebrow. “It isn’t like you to get involved with an actual adult,” she said. “Perhaps she does have some of Mona’s magnetic effect on men.”
“Sorry to have left you on your own for so long,” a voice said loudly. “But it took forever to sort out paying for everything.” Neil Hicks came and put his arm around Laura.
“Perhaps you and your friends shouldn’t have bought absolutely everything, then,” Laura replied.
“But that was half the fun,” Neil laughed. “Sorry if that’s upset anyone,” he added, giving Donald a smug smile.
“It’s done a lot of good for Manx Cloan, which is why we’re all here,” Donald replied easily. “How are you, Neil?”
“I’m very well, thanks. Obviously doing very well financially,” he replied. “But I haven’t met your friend.” He held out his hand as Donald performed the necessary introductions.
“Fenella, what a lovely Manx name,” Neil said, covering her hand with his other one. He squeezed his hands together as he stared into her eyes. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you.”
Gentle pulling didn’t seem to be working as she tried to get her hand away from Neil. She really didn’t want to make a scene, but she also didn’t want Neil touching her. She pulled again, only to find his grip tightening.
“Honestly, Neil, I’m stan
ding right here,” Laura said in a bored voice. “If you must flirt with other women, at least wait until I’m at the bar.”
“Surely you need a drink,” he said over his shoulder, his eyes still firmly fixed on Fenella.
“I do, now that you’ve mentioned it,” Laura snapped.
“Take Donald with you,” Neil suggested.
“Not going to happen,” Donald said tightly. He put his arm back around Fenella and then slid his hand down her arm. When he reached Neil’s hands, he pushed them away, pulling Fenella’s hand free.
She very nearly wiped her hand against her dress, feeling as if she wanted to get rid of the other man’s touch. Donald took the hand and rubbed it gently while he spoke to Neil.
“I didn’t realize you were even on the island at the moment,” he said.
“I just got back yesterday. I’m starting to think about retiring, so I’m winding down a few of my business interests in the UK. Unless things change substantially, I’ll be retiring to the island in the next twelve to eighteen months.”
“How nice for you, and for Laura,” Donald said.
Neil laughed. “Laura and I aren’t serious. She’s fun, but she’s a bit too old for me, really, but please don’t tell her I said that. We’ll keep having fun together until one of us meets someone else, I suppose.” He winked at Fenella, who couldn’t stop herself from shuddering.
Donald chuckled. “Tell me about your friends,” he invited.
“You should meet them,” Neil replied. “They’re all business associates of mine. Lance is from the island, and he’s just retired back here, actually. He’s one of the reasons why I’m thinking about doing the same.”
Neil glanced around the room and then waved at his friends, who were standing at the bar. A moment later, they crossed the room to where Fenella and the others were standing.
“Come and meet one of my local business associates,” Neil told them. “Donald and I did a few deals together before I started focusing my energies in the UK. He stayed behind and made his money here.”
Neil’s tone was dismissive, as if Donald’s fortune was insignificant, which made Fenella wonder about both men.
“Donald, this is Lance Thomas,” Neil said. The pair shook hands.
“And this is my friend, Fenella Woods,” Donald told Lance.
“But you’re Shelly’s friend,” he exclaimed. “I must speak to you before the night is over.”
Fenella nodded as Neil continued with the introductions. She shook hands with Eric Palmer, Adrian Graves, and Jared Welch in turn.
“What brings you all to the island?” she asked once the formalities were out of the way.
“Lance is retiring and we wanted to see for ourselves what island life was like,” Adrian replied. “The tax situation over here makes the island tempting.”
Donald nodded. “That’s one of the reasons why I live here.”
“I would have thought that Fenella was reason enough,” Neil said.
“What do you think of the island so far?” Fenella asked, doing her best to ignore Neil.
“It’s small, but lovely,” Jared said. “I can almost imagine settling into a flat on the Douglas promenade for the tax advantages, as long as I could fly back and forth to London on a regular basis, of course.”
“I can’t see it,” Eric said. “There are other places in the world with low taxes and much better weather.”
“Yes, I was trying to persuade Fenella that we should investigate the Canary Islands, but so far I haven’t managed it,” Donald said.
“Perhaps it wasn’t the islands but the company she was objecting to,” Neil suggested.
Donald stiffened but didn’t reply. Fenella forced herself to smile. “How long will you be on the island?” she asked.
“Oh, a fortnight, maybe a bit longer,” Adrian replied. “We’re looking to mix business and pleasure while we’re here.”
“Really? What sort of business?” Donald asked.
“Nothing you need to worry yourself with,” Neil replied. “We’ve plenty of capital for funding it ourselves. We won’t be looking for any additional investors.”
“I’m getting bored with this party,” Laura said in a loud voice from behind Fenella. “Perhaps it’s time to move on.”
“I can’t imagine being bored in this company,” Neil said, staring at Fenella again.
Laura laughed. “If you weren’t so adorably transparent, I’d probably be quite cross with you. Stop chasing after Fenella. You’re only interested in her because she has Mona’s fortune.”
“Mona’s fortune? Are you related to Mona Kelly?” Neil asked.
“I’m Mona’s niece,” Fenella replied.
“Does that mean you have Mona’s car? I’ll give you fifty thousand pounds for it, in cash,” he said excitedly.
“I’m not interested in selling Mona’s car,” Fenella said, trying to keep her voice firm and ignore how much money he was offering her.
“It’s worth a good deal more than that, if you were selling,” Donald whispered in her ear.
“A hundred thousand, then,” Neil replied.
“I’m still not interested,” Fenella said, not entirely truthfully. A hundred thousand pounds sounded like a fortune to her, and if she sold the car she could cancel her driving test, which was even more incentive.
“How much would it take?” Neil demanded.
“It’s not for sale,” Fenella said firmly.
Neil stared at her for a moment and then nodded. “Perhaps I could persuade you to let me take it for a drive one day, then,” he said in a low voice.
Fenella stared back at him. “I don’t think so.”
Neil sighed and then chuckled. “That’s a shame, but maybe once I get to know you better, you’ll change your mind.”
“Darling, I think we should be leaving,” Donald said. “We did leave champagne on ice in your flat, and you know Katie will be chasing the ice cubes all over the kitchen.”
Fenella laughed. They’d done no such thing, but if they had, Katie probably would chase the ice cubes. “Yes, we should go,” she agreed.
“I’m sorry, but could I have a quick word?” Lance asked. When Fenella looked at him, he glanced around. “Maybe somewhere in private?”
Donald frowned, but Fenella was just curious enough to go along. “Sure, let’s step outside,” she suggested.
They walked a few paces away from the entrance to the tent, and Fenella felt as if she were in another world. Crumbling ruins loomed around them in the dark as Fenella waited to hear what Lance would say.
“I’m sorry to drag you away from the party, but I wanted to tell you again how sorry I am that I upset Shelly. I feel as if I know her after all of the wonderful things John said about her in his letters, but clearly he never bothered to mention me to her. As I always swore I’d never return to the island, I suppose I can understand why.”
“I’m sure Shelly will be fine. It’s difficult right now, with the anniversary of John’s death approaching.”
“I wish I’d known,” Lance sighed. “I would have written to her first, asked her if we could meet, done something differently. I would have warned her about my appearance, as well.”
“Your appearance?” Fenella blurted out, blushing when she realized she was probably being rude.
Lance just laughed. “I suppose I simply appear to have had too much cosmetic surgery or something, but in truth I was in a bad car accident a few years ago. The work I had done was meant to repair the worst of the damage, but it has, well, altered my appearance to the extent that I hardly recognize myself.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. It’s been surprisingly difficult, and I’d never thought of myself as particularly vain. One of the reasons why I was hoping to see John again was because I was hoping he might have some photographs from our childhood. After the accident and the first of the surgeries, I, well, I was rather upset about what I saw in the mirror. In a fit of anger, I destroyed every
photo I had, from my childhood through to right before the accident. I even shredded my passport and declared it lost.” He blew out a long breath. “As I said, I’d never thought of myself as vain.”
“I don’t know if Shelly has any photos from John’s childhood or not,” Fenella said apologetically.
“It doesn’t much matter, really. What I’d like most of all is a chance to get to know Shelly. The way John described her, she sounds like an amazing woman. Do you think she’d agree to have lunch with me? Maybe even as early as tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. I suppose you’ll have to ring her and ask.”
“I have a better idea,” he said with a grin. “Will you have lunch with me tomorrow? I’m happy to buy you lunch anywhere you’d like, as long as you invite Shelly to come along.”
“I won’t do anything behind her back.”
“I don’t want you to do anything behind her back,” he assured her. “Tell her that you’re having lunch with me, by all means, just ask her to join us as well. What’s her favorite restaurant?”
Fenella thought for a moment. “There’s a nice Chinese restaurant not far from our apartment building. They do wonderful combination platters for lunch. I know Shelly likes those.”
“And do you?”
“I do.”
“Excellent. Meet me there at midday, with or without Shelly.”
Fenella hesitated and then nodded. She didn’t trust Lance. Maybe she would be able to find out more about him over lunch. It would be up to Shelly to decide if she wanted to come along or not.
“And now I should get you back to your friend. He doesn’t look very happy,” Lance said, looking over Fenella’s shoulder.
Donald was standing in the tent’s doorway, frowning at Fenella.
4
Sorry about that,” Fenella said as she reached Donald.
“I was just worried about you. After the way that Neil behaved towards you, I didn’t trust his friend,” Donald replied. He put his arm around Fenella and began to lead her away from the tent. “I hope everything is okay?”
Friends and Frauds (An Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Book 6) Page 5
