by June Tate
Edward was as punctual as usual, looking immaculate in a dark-grey suit, white shirt and striped tie. Kay wondered if there was ever a time when he was dishevelled? Was he a handy man? Did he garden? She realized she knew so little about him … except that she was attracted to him, liked his company and wondered just how the evening was going to end.
They drove out to the Clump Inn at Chilworth. It was a nice change to get out of the confines of the town. They sat chatting over a drink before choosing from the menu at the bar.
He held up his glass and asked, ‘Are we celebrating or drowning your misery?’
‘I’m definitely not miserable,’ she said, laughing. ‘All right, divorce means failure, but I’ve decided that I can now start life all over again, without the worry of knowing my husband is with another woman. I have to tell you, that’s liberating. So cheers!’
He smiled his approval. ‘Cheers, Kay. I’m delighted for you. A liberated woman sounds very promising!’
Over dinner they discussed many subjects, some serious. The situation in Cyprus, how Makarios was an evil influence, how the Queen Mother’s horse Devon Lock fell and lost the Grand National – and about the buildings being overseen by the Council.
When they got to the coffee and liqueurs, Edward stared at her and asked, ‘Have you still got feelings for your ex-husband, or is that all behind you?’
She hesitated, knowing that her answer was important. ‘Because of Susan, there will always be a bond, but apart from that, there’s nothing.’
‘Are you absolutely sure of this, Kay?’
‘Absolutely!’
His expression was unfathomable, and she felt a fluttering of excitement in her stomach as he just gazed at her, as if trying to gauge her conviction. Then he spoke.
‘I’m so very happy to hear this, you have no idea.’ He looked at his watch, then he asked, ‘What time have you to be home?’
Kay felt her cheeks flush as she told him, ‘Susan is staying overnight at my mother’s. She’ll take her to school in the morning.’
‘In which case, would you like to come back to my place for a nightcap?’
‘Yes, I would.’ Her answer was decisive.
He called the waiter over, paid the bill, rose from his seat and, without saying a word, held out his hand.
Kay took it and they walked outside to his car.
Edward didn’t speak as he drove and Kay wondered where he lived – was it a house or a flat? She had no idea.
He drove away from Chilworth and then into Basset Avenue, a very prestigious part of the town, and turned into the drive of an impressive-looking house with a manicured front garden that had a small lawn and shrubbery. Kay found herself wondering if he tended the garden himself, or did he employ a gardener?
He stopped the car in front of the large porch, climbed out of the driving seat and came round to her door and opened it.
‘Well, here we are.’
The entrance hall was spacious with a large round mahogany table in the centre and a chandelier hanging above it. The staircase was wide with paintings spaced along the cream wall, the stair carpet was a dark, rich green but parquet flooring covered the hallway. It was exquisite.
‘Did you design this house, Edward?’
‘Yes, I did, do you like it?’
‘From what I’ve seen. It’s beautiful, but isn’t it too much for one person?’
Chuckling, he said, ‘Yes, of course, but when I built it I envisaged it to be a family home, which one day it might be. Come into the sitting room.’
The room was large, light and airy, with French windows leading on to the garden. Two large sofas were either side of the fireplace with a long coffee table in between. A basket of logs sat beside the fireplace, and Kay could envisage sitting there on a cold winter’s day, beside a roaring fire, the smell of the logs filling the air. Around the room were other easy chairs, an odd table, here and there, and wall lights and standard lamps lit the room. Although it was all furnished in good taste, it had the warmth of a home – not a showpiece. She was enchanted.
‘Oh, Edward, this is beautiful!’
Walking over to one of the tables, he took out a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket, popped the cork and poured two glasses. Handing her one, he said, ‘Come and sit down,’ and led her to one of the sofas.
As she followed him, she laughed and said, ‘You are well prepared.’
He shrugged. ‘Well, let’s say I was hopeful.’ He raised his glass. ‘Here’s to your liberation!’
They both sipped the champagne.
Putting an arm around her shoulders, Edward asked, ‘Have you made any plans for the future?’
‘Not really,’ she confessed. ‘I’m just glad it’s all over. We have sorted the finances. I stay in the house with Susan and, of course, I’ll still have to work, but that’s as far as it’s gone, really.’
‘And your ex?’
‘He’s no longer my concern.’
Staring into her eyes he asked, ‘Do you have room for me in your new life?’
‘If you want to be part of it, certainly.’ She held her breath.
He cupped her chin in his hand. ‘I most certainly do,’ he murmured and kissed her. Then, taking her by the hand, he led her upstairs.
Kay’s heart was pumping wildly as they walked into the bedroom. She’d only ever slept with John and was feeling more than a little nervous.
Sensing this, Edward took her into his arms. ‘You don’t have to do this, you know … unless you really want to.’
She put her arms around his neck. ‘I do want to, very much,’ and this time she kissed him.
They slowly undressed one another, exploring each other’s body with tender caresses until they lay on the bed together, entwined. As she ran her hands over his chest, Kay realized how fit he was. His body was muscular, without any spare flesh. The arms that held her were strong, yet he was gentle with her, kissing her eyes, her mouth, her neck, murmuring words of encouragement, helping her to relax as he explored the rest of her body.
Never before had she felt every nerve in her respond to each kiss, each caress, until she was without any inhibition whatsoever. She gave herself to him, completely.
They eventually lay back against the pillows, curled up together, breathless and sated. He kissed her forehead. ‘You are a beautiful woman, and that was amazing,’ he said softly. He pulled the bedclothes over them, held her close and said, ‘Now go to sleep.’
When Kay eventually woke, for a moment she was confused, looking up at a strange overhead light, then she felt an arm close tighter around her. Turning she looked into the blue eyes of her lover. He was smiling.
‘Good morning!’ He leaned forward and kissed her lightly.
‘Hello. What time is it?’
‘Seven thirty. You slept well, and so did I. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’
‘Oh, coffee would be lovely.’
Edward climbed out of bed, walked over to a chair and put on a dressing gown. He took another from the fitted wardrobe and threw it on the bed.
‘Here, put this on. We’ve got time to have some breakfast and a shower before we leave for the office.’
Kay pushed back the sheet and quickly covered her nakedness with the silk gown.
Edward chuckled. ‘You don’t have to be shy about your body, Kay. I now know every beautiful inch of it, and I love it!’
She blushed. It was true. She remembered every touch, every kiss.
She followed him downstairs to the kitchen where, to her surprise, Edward made toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and delicious coffee.
‘You’re very competent in the kitchen,’ she remarked as she sat at the breakfast bar.
‘I live alone, and I certainly don’t intend to starve … Besides, my mother taught me to cook. She said if I was going to university later, she wanted to be sure I could look after myself. I ended up cooking for the other students who shared the accommodation!’
After breakfast th
ey went back to the bedroom. Edward walked into the en suite and turned on the shower. ‘Coming?’ he asked.
Kay hesitated, and Edward raised his eyebrows.
‘There’s no need to be shy. If I’m to be part of your life, you’ll get used to it. Come on!’
As they stood beneath the large shower head, Kay thought this was just as sexually exciting as being in bed with this surprising man as he sponged her naked body, before handing the sponge to her. His broad shoulders glistened, his arms enfolded her until she complained and said he wasn’t playing fair. He laughed and kissed her longingly. Eventually, he turned off the shower and wrapped her in a large bath towel.
‘There! That wasn’t so bad, was it?’
She had to admit she’d thoroughly enjoyed the sensation.
As they drove out of the house, Kay said, ‘Should we be seen arriving at the office together?’
‘Perhaps not. Not until you get your decree absolute. I’ll drop you off at the corner, but after that, what does it matter?’
When he stopped the car for her to alight, he kissed her briefly. ‘I’m away on business this weekend but I’ll call you at home on Monday evening … and thank you for a wonderful night.’
Kay walked into the office feeling like a new woman. If only her colleagues knew! That would really give them something to talk about. She gave a gleeful chuckle.
Fifteen
Jake Barton arrived at the council garages beneath the Civic Centre and proceeded to wash Edward Harrington’s car, in preparation for the morning’s rounds of the various building sites to be inspected. It would take up all the morning; outside visits depended on the work in progress. Sometimes it was later than expected. If the weather was bad it could delay the inspection.
At the appointed time, Jake sat waiting. On hearing the familiar footsteps, he alighted from the driving seat to open the door for his employer, who gave him the first address to be visited.
On their arrival, Edward was greeted by the foreman, who handed him a hard hat, and the men walked away, leaving Jake with the car.
He leaned against the vehicle and, taking a cigarette from his pocket, lit it. As he did so, he saw his mate Gerry Cooper walking towards him. Cooper looked furtively around and, seeing no one, wandered over to Jake.
‘Any worries?’ asked Jake.
‘Not as far as I can see,’ muttered Gerry, ‘so far so good,’ and he sloped away.
Meanwhile, Edward Harrington was inspecting some steel girders, piled up on the ground, waiting to be put in place. He frowned. ‘These are not what I specified,’ he said with some surprise.
The foreman looked concerned. ‘But that’s what’s on the order sheet.’
‘Show me,’ Edward demanded.
‘The sheets are in my office, Mr Harrington.’
‘Then let’s take a look at them,’ said Edward, and the men walked off towards the temporary hut on the site, used as the hub of officialdom during the building of the premises.
Edward studied the sheets in question. ‘I don’t understand this at all! Here is the strength of girders I ordered, but this is not what was delivered. Those outside will never be strong enough to hold the structure above it!’
‘Oh my God, I’d never have noticed. They are due to be placed today.’
‘Then stop all work now! Give me the rest of the order sheets; I want to go through them all. Something’s not right here, and I want to make sure that’s the only mistake before we do anything else.’
Jake was suddenly aware of a change in the atmosphere of the area. Whereas before there had been the usual noise of construction – the banging of hammers, the sound of drilling, the clang of metal – now it was quiet.
He walked over to the corner to see what was going on. The men were standing around talking, smoking, chatting – looking puzzled – but no one was working. He felt a certain tightening in his stomach as he waited.
It was two hours later that Edward Harrington returned to the car. His face was set in grim lines. ‘Take me back to the office, Barton,’ he said as he stepped into the car.
As Jake drove, he glanced in the mirror at his passenger, who appeared to be deep in thought, poring over sheets of papers. Jake began to feel uneasy.
Sam was waiting outside the staff entrance to Tyrell and Greens at the end of the day, perched on his motorcycle. He thought he’d give Connie a surprise. The staff began to filter out of the building, and he looked up expectantly.
John Baker appeared and saw him sitting there and walked over to him.
‘No car today then?’
Sam smiled as he recognized him. ‘No, it’s being worked on ready for the next race.’
‘I suppose all these preparations take up a lot of your time?’
‘Yes, pretty much. But there are no short cuts in my business. It’s all about safety.’
‘Not good for your love life though. Connie likes a lot of attention.’
Sam’s eyes narrowed. ‘Really? How would you know that?’
John met Sam’s puzzled gaze. ‘Perhaps you should ask her,’ he said and walked away.
Moments later Connie appeared. When she saw Sam she rushed over, flung her arms around him and kissed him. ‘I didn’t expect to see you here today,’ she said, looking delighted.
‘No, I thought I’d give you a surprise. Let’s go somewhere for a quiet drink, shall we?’
‘That’s lovely,’ she said and climbed on to the back of the bike.
Sam drove to a nearby pub and parked the machine. He seemed a bit subdued.
‘Something wrong?’ she asked.
‘I’m not really sure,’ he said, ‘but first, what do you want to drink?’
‘I’m really thirsty so a shandy would be lovely.’ She walked over to a table and watched Sam at the bar. Whatever was the matter, she wondered.
When he came and sat beside her, she asked him. ‘What’s wrong, Sam?’
He studied her closely as he said, ‘I had the strangest conversation with your boss.’
Connie’s heart sank. ‘Who do you mean? John Baker?’
‘Yes. We’ve chatted before when I was in my racing car waiting for you, and when he saw me tonight, he came over.’
She held her breath. ‘Oh, really?’
‘He was asking if my work took up much of my time, and when I said it did, he said he didn’t think that would suit you. He said you liked a lot of attention. When I asked what he meant, he said I should ask you. What did he mean, Connie?’
She felt sick. The bastard! He couldn’t have her, so now he was trying to ruin her life. What on earth could she say?
‘I’ve no idea. Mind you, at the moment I’m his whipping boy! Every week he has it in for someone, and this week it’s me. Whatever I did seemed to displease him, so he has been round my department a lot.’
‘This isn’t the first time you’ve said he’s been giving you grief. If he’s upsetting you, sweetheart, I’ll have a word with him.’
‘For goodness’ sake, don’t do that! You’ll only make it worse; anyway, it’ll be somebody else next week.’
Sam didn’t look entirely convinced.
‘It happens when you work in a big place, Sam. You wouldn’t know because you have Tom and Harry who are your mates, but in my world and the world of commerce it’s part of life. You just get on with it or get out.’
He stared at her, making her feel uncomfortable. ‘Then perhaps you should leave and find a job elsewhere.’
Connie was taken by surprise. She enjoyed her work, and apart from her association with John, there was no reason for her to want to leave.
‘But I like my job. I like the store and the people I work with, I’m doing well, why should I leave?’
He shrugged. ‘I didn’t like the way he spoke. It was as if he was alluding to something else. Something he thought I should know.’
‘Like what, for goodness’ sake?’ she bluffed.
‘That’s what I’m asking you, Connie.’
‘Oh, for God’s sake!’ She pretended to be outraged. ‘Don’t you trust me? This is beginning to feel like a third degree. You’re cross-questioning me here as if I’m on trial, and I don’t like it, and if you don’t stop this minute, I’m walking out of here!’
At last he was convinced. ‘I’m sorry, darling, I didn’t mean to upset you, I just didn’t like his attitude, that’s all.’
‘You should work for him, then you’d understand the man. Now can we have a decent conversation?’
To her great relief he dropped the matter, and when he took her home he kissed her lovingly before taking his leave.
Connie went straight to her bedroom and flung herself on to the bed. She felt drained. ‘Bloody hell, that was close,’ she muttered. She was going to have to do something about Mr Baker. She couldn’t let him get away with this or goodness knows what he’d say next.
The man in question was standing on the doorstep of his old home, ringing the bell, feeling like a stranger. He’d arranged to take away his belongings, which Kay had packed for him, and he resented having to wait to be let into what he still considered to be his home. Yes, he’d rented a one bedroom flat, but in his bones he thought of it as a temporary arrangement.
Kay opened the door. ‘Hello, John. You’d better come in.’
As he shut the door behind him, she pointed to two suitcases on the floor in the hallway. ‘Well, here you are. I think I’ve put in everything that’s yours. If I’ve missed something, then let me know once you’ve unpacked.’
Kay just stood waiting.
‘Don’t I get offered a cup of coffee? I could kill for one, as I’ve come straight from work. Surely that isn’t asking too much, is it?’
She hesitated for a moment. ‘Oh, very well.’
He followed her to the kitchen, taking in all the details around him which were so familiar. He was surprised how much it hurt.
‘Where’s Susan? I was hoping to see her.’
‘Mother’s taken her to Brownies. She joined a few weeks ago.’ She put the kettle on. ‘So how are you, John? Keeping well?’
