Jake sipped his coffee. “You look invigorated. The guy must be good.”
“Invigorated is taking it a bit far.” Suzy smiled aware of the color creeping into her face. “Suffice it to say I am very pleased.”
At that moment, Lilian, Ann, and Brian walked in together and Suzy was glad of the interruption. She was beginning to find more and more lately how very unnerving Jake made her feel whenever they were alone together, how the atmosphere could suddenly appear to be highly charged.
“Any problems?” she heard him asking, and Ann’s reply that the Thomson contract was under wraps evidently pleased him.
“That’s great. I’m glad that’s finally done and dusted.” He rubbed his hands. “Let’s celebrate, shall we, and send out to the deli for a platter lunch. Any special requests?”
Brian grinned. “Please. Will you ask for some of the Hungarian pastrami please, Ann? It’s delicious.”
“Ooh, and those cheesy stuffed chilis,” Lilian said. “I adore them.”
“Don’t order anything for me,” Suzy said. She looked at the four faces watching her. “Have you forgotten?” she said to Lilian. “I’m out for lunch with Darren.”
»»•««
The bistro on the riverside was noisy and brash, Suzy thought. The waiters tried too hard to act Italian and it came across as false. Or is it me? She wondered guiltily.
“The food’s good,” she said in an effort to hide her confusion, for confused she certainly was. Seeing Jake’s face when she’d picked up her bag to leave the office had unsettled her. He’d looked, she imagined, a little put out and slightly angry. Was it because she wouldn’t be joining everyone else in the mini-celebration, preferring instead a lunch with a supplier she’d only just met?
“You look miles away.” Darren poured himself another glass of red wine, but Suzy put a hand over her still half-full glass. “Thinking about work?”
“I was a bit. We’re so very busy at the moment and will probably be more so once the houses on the estate start selling. I already have two properties to look at tomorrow, both couples wanting to sell up and buy there.”
“Yeah, well, I suppose with someone like Mason in charge, driving the engine, so to speak, it’s only natural you’ll be busy. What else has he in mind when the estate’s finished?”
Suzy laid her knife and fork down and wiped her mouth on the napkin and thought about the things Jake had divulged to her. “I don’t know. Though if I did, I’m not sure he’d like me to discuss it. He’s a very private man.”
Darren shrugged, smiled. He leaned forward a little. “Never trust a man who plays his cards too close to his chest, Suzy.”
“Mm. Are we talking about Jake or you?” Suzy smiled. “You’ve been very busy asking questions about me but I know very little about you.”
“Well,” Darren said, leaning his elbows on the table, and Suzy felt something in her draw back a little. “There’s not much to tell. Born in London, stayed there, at home, until I was twenty-one when I took off for Indonesia and then the Middle East. I came back three years ago and started the furnishing company with my sister. That’s about it, really.”
“And you obviously find that very rewarding?”
“Furnishings?” Darren shrugged. “They’re okay but a man needs other interests as well, though for me right now, I’m not sure what they are. By the way, and changing the subject, I did,” he added, “notice a lovely contemporary piece of work in your front office. The large green urn?”
“Oh. Yes,” Suzy said, startled by the complete diversion in the conversation. “Made by my friend, India. I’m a great admirer of her work. She’s becoming very sought after.”
“Ah! And India is based where?”
Suzy explained, gave him directions to the pottery and handed over one of India’s cards. She thought she sensed some reluctance on Darren’s part as the meal drew to a close, that he would have liked to linger longer, but nevertheless, she drank her coffee quickly and apologized, saying she really must get back.
»»•««
Over the following week a team of decorators moved into the two show houses, carpets were fitted, tiles laid, and Darren’s furniture was finally delivered and installed. Suzy was thrilled with both results and even more pleased when Jake complimented her on her good taste.
“You were right,” he observed, “the guy’s stuff is good. I’m impressed with the look. With that job out of the way you’ll be able to relax. What are your plans for the long weekend?”
“I’m going to Spain. My parents have finally bought a villa and can’t wait for me to see it. I fly out Thursday night.”
“Oh.”
Suzy felt a jolt. Had she detected a note of whimsy in his voice? Just as quickly she dismissed it.
“Well enjoy the break,” Jake said. “The sunshine will do you good.”
Suzy looked into his eyes. “Mm. What are your plans?”
“A couple of jobs on my own house, nothing exciting. I was going to ask…” He stopped, rubbed his chin and glanced away.
“What?” Suzy felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. “Did you…um, need me to do anything else here before I go?”
“No.” Jake smiled. “Enjoy your break, Suzy.” And picking up his jacket and flinging it over his shoulder, he left the office, two seconds later popping his head back around the door. “Oh, I never asked. How did lunch go?”
“Nothing special…the food I mean.”
“Sure. See ya.”
Lilian watched him over the rim of her glasses. “Not a happy bunny today,” she observed.
Chapter Ten
The weekend in Spain seemed to pass very slowly. Suzy was delighted to see her parents, and they were keen to show her the villa they’d put a deposit on and wanted Suzy’s help choosing typically outdoor Spanish furnishings. They roamed the shops, finally settling on a wide range of what Suzy privately thought of as beach furniture with a short shelf life. She wanted to advise against it, but seeing how much her mother loved it, said nothing. They had a quiet meal out on the waterfront in the evening and on Sunday spent time in the lovely hillside village of Mojacar. Suzy loved the market where she picked up a colorful cotton bedside rug. But strangely, although she loved her parents dearly and was enjoying herself, she found herself constantly checking her watch, counting the hours to her flight home later that evening.
It’s him, she thought. I’m missing Jake. I want to be where he is. And yet when she asked herself why she felt this way when really, all she could ever possibly be to him was a reliable staff member, it seemed to be quite ridiculous.
In her parents’ car on the way to the airport she thought, with a spurt of irrational annoyance, that she’d come close to ruining a perfectly good weekend wondering what Jake Mason was doing, when he’d no doubt been having a damn good time…and not on his own.
Thoughts of him seemed completely uncontrollable, and this alarmed her. It was something she had never experienced before, and she had no idea how to deal with it. How she wished she was more worldly-wise and not so driven by her emotions. Life would be a lot easier. She stared out at the passing landscape, chin on her hand.
And him. The caring considerate boss. What if any were his thoughts about her?
“You seem miles away, dear,” her mother turned around to say.
“Actually I’ve been thinking about work.” Suzy smiled apologetically. “Bad thing to do when you’re on holiday.”
“Things working out okay with Jake, then?” her dad asked, glancing in the rear view mirror.
“Yes. Fine, thanks Dad.”
“Good. I said to your mum, he’s a fine lad.” Her father’s eyes narrowed cunningly. “A darn good catch for some lucky girl one day.”
“Dad!” Suzy said.
“Tom!” His wife admonished.
Tom Porter chuckled impishly. “True though.”
Suzy watched the arid countryside flash by. The sun was sinking, lighting the hills with a red g
low, and she narrowed her eyes against the brightness, thinking, yes, Dad’s right. He is a very good catch. I bet Amanda Roll thinks so too.
»»•««
As Suzy was packing to leave Spain on Sunday at lunchtime, Darren wandered into India’s studio. He stood, one arm folded across his chest, the other elbow resting on it, with a finger to his lips, and studied her set out pieces with apparent great interest. He saw she was busy taking an order for a set of large platters from a young couple who looked thrilled with her work, and he had to admit, it was very good, very innovative. He waited patiently. He had plenty of time.
The couple finally left and India dealt with a phone call. Darren could feel her gaze on him. As she ended the call he turned around and smiled and held out his hand.
“Hi. I’ve been admiring your work,” he said. “I saw a great piece in the office of a friend of yours and she gave me your card.”
“Oh?”
“Suzy Porter?”
“Ah, yes. The green paisley.” India looked at him thoughtfully. “Do you know Suzy through the housing business?”
“Sort of. I’m not in the business of selling real estate, but Suzy bought furniture from me for Jake Mason’s new houses. I’m Darren Hall. Arighi Furnishings.” He smiled. “I quite like the idea of adding a few of your larger pieces to show customers, but am not sure about carting them around. Wouldn’t want to have an accident with such lovely stuff.”
“No, of course not. I should hate that.” India walked to her small desk. “But I have a catalog here which I think shows my larger pieces of work off to good advantage.” She handed it over. “Take one. If you get an order you can email me. I can’t promise finishing dates, but I do my best.” She gave him one of her cards.
“Thanks. Good idea. Well nice meeting you.” He turned to go. “Oh, by the way, I’ve been trying to reach Suzy, she’s not answering her cell. I have something to show her. Do you know where she is?”
“Spain, seeing her parents. I expect she’s switched off, in all senses of the word.”
Darren grinned, rubbed his chin. “Don’t blame her. I wonder if I should put the stuff in her mailbox?”
“Sure. Why not? She’ll be back later tonight.”
“Well, I would if I could remember where she lived. She did mention it but I forgot.”
“Two Sunnyside Lane, the first left-hand road out of Mawdsley village, her cottage is at the bottom on the right.”
“Ah, yeah, remember now. Great. Well, thanks, India. You’ll be seeing me again I’m sure. Bye for now.”
Darren was delighted. How easy was that? He now had her address, her keys, and with Suzy away in Spain…well, opportunities like this didn’t come up so often. But when they did, they had to be grabbed with both hands. He started whistling, oblivious to the fact that India was watching him from the door of her studio, a frown of uncertainty on her face.
»»•««
Darren could barely contain his glee as he drove up the quiet narrow lane. He’d chosen to come on his motorbike, his pride and joy, a Harley. With his black leathers and concealing helmet he felt a whole lot safer from prying eyes. He thought he looked like a courier. Her set of keys lay snug in the pocket of his tight trousers. That had been so easy to do. When she’d thrown her keys down on her desk and gone to collect her coat, he’d slipped them in his pocket. After dropping her back at Porterhouse, he’d quickly had a copy of each key made. Easier still had been returning them later to the office with the excuse that he’d found them beneath the passenger seat in the car. There had, he must admit, been a moment of unease when he’d handed them over. The look on her face as she struggled to recall exactly how that could have happened. The girl was no fool. Still, he had apparently managed to pull it off.
Sunnyside Lane was easy to find. There were only three cottages tucked away behind hedges and number two was the most private. Fields and meadows to the side, hills and woods behind. Absolutely perfect. He could browse at will. Letting himself in filled him with excitement, but he was disappointed with the interior. It appeared stark and unwelcoming with barely any furniture, and in her job, he thought with surprise―choosing stuff for others when she couldn’t even do it for herself. He did admire the coffee machine though, which he knew from experience must have cost a pretty penny. He studied the notepad lying next to it and flicked through the pages but there was nothing of any interest, certainly nothing of importance relating to work.
He’d had an innate sense for some time that Mason was about to seal a deal. It had become something of a hobby for Darren to keep tabs on him as he moved about town on business, and he wanted to know exactly what was happening. Getting close to anything private of Jake Mason’s was an impossibility, but the Porter girl was another matter entirely.
Upstairs he quickly went through the bedside drawers and dressing table drawers, not entirely sure what he was looking for…a diary, he hoped, but there was nothing. Her laptop was there, but with little chance of having enough time to try and break into her password he didn’t even bother opening it. He glanced in her wardrobe, taking in the tidiness, the neatly lined-up shoes and sandals, something he admired in a woman, something his wife had never been able to manage. The image from the past of continual mess, unwashed clothes thrown everywhere, dirty encrusted dishes in the sink brought a frown to his face and he slammed the door shut and went downstairs. On his way out, feeling disconsolate, he almost missed the small scribbled note lying halfway under a vase on the hall table.
Hawk’s Nest Hall, it said.
Darren read it, pulled his mouth and said it aloud but it still didn’t make sense. Was she into bird watching or something? Slipping it into his pocket he left the house, locking it behind him.
At the top of the lane he stopped. How stupid was that? Taking the note. She’d surely realize. But it was too late to turn around and go back. An old grey-haired biddy in her smart silver car was just turning into the lane and Darren drove on, ignoring her questioning look.
Back in his room over the warehouse he opened his computer and typed in Hawk’s Nest Hall on Google Earth.
He whistled through his teeth as the image came up. “Wow!”
Hawk’s Nest Hall sat on forty-nine acres of lush meadowland bordering the coast. The house was beautiful in proportion. The photograph taken on a sunny day showed the mellow red brickwork and mullioned windows off to perfection. Clearly it had once hosted weddings, as the dilapidated sign showed, yet there was no for sale notice.
Darren quickly came to an abrupt conclusion. The note was in Suzy’s house which meant only one thing. Either she or Jake Mason were showing an interest in signing it up. He tapped his teeth, a smile lighting his face; there was, as he well knew, more than one way to skin a cat. As he’d quickly learned, the locals who spent time in the pubs in these country bumpkin villages had nothing better to do that pass the time of day in idle gossip. Someone with a free pint of beer in his hand would surely know something interesting to pass on.
Chapter Eleven
It was late when Suzy arrived home and she was tired and irritable. The flight had been delayed for almost an hour and the taxi bringing her from the airport stalled at the traffic lights and refused to restart. Eventually a replacement picked her up, but by the time she put the key in her front door, she’d had it. She walked straight upstairs, undressed, climbed into bed, and slept through until the alarm clock awoke her. After a quick shower and equally quick breakfast she drove to the office. Lilian’s car was already in the parking lot.
“How was Spain?” she asked when Suzy walked in. “You look tired.”
“Spain was fine, it was lovely seeing Mum and Dad, but the journey back wasn’t so good. Anyway, I’m glad I went, though I can’t see myself ever wanting to live there, not like my parents who are perfectly happy with it. Anything urgent today?”
“Nope, not as far as I can see.”
The door opened and Ann rushed in. “Sorry I’m late. I was stopped on the
High Street by Mr. Proctor, you know, the greengrocer on the corner? He surprised me by saying he wants to sell the shop. Said he’s had enough and can’t be bothered trying to compete with the supermarkets anymore, which is a shame isn’t it? I hate to see small businesses close down. I said you or Brian would call in before lunch. Hope that’s okay.”
“Brian won’t be able to do it.” Lilian checked the calendar. “He’s at the dentist this morning.”
“I’ll go,” Suzy said. “Perhaps you’d like to come with me, Ann, seeing as he approached you. It might make him feel a little more comfortable.”
Ann’s eyes shone. “I was hoping you’d say that. I’d love to.”
Suzy went into her office and opened her computer. After trawling through and deleting all unwanted emails, she brought up Hawk’s Nest Hall. It really was stunning. Jake’s plans for turning the building into a series of upmarket apartments, would, she felt sure, be a runaway success. The numerous outbuildings would also be restored and made into accommodations. It was a tremendously exciting and totally different venture for her, one she’d be thrilled to be involved with.
At that moment, hearing Lilian’s delighted, “Morning,” followed by Jake’s deep voice, Suzy felt her pulse rate quicken. She went back to emails and started catching up with those which needed immediate answers, all the time aware of him in the next room. Suddenly he appeared in her doorway.
“Morning, Suzy. Good weekend?”
“Yes thanks. It was lovely seeing mum and dad, they both look so well. Glad to be back though. I think I’ll only ever be able to take Spain in small doses.”
“Oh, why is that?”
Pushing her hair behind her ear, Suzy shrugged. “Too busy, too touristy for me, except for Mojacar which I did like very much.”
“Yeah. I believe it’s worth seeing. Um, have you an hour to spare?”
Suzy glanced at the clock. “Yes, as long as I’m back for lunchtime. I’m out with Ann. Mr. Proctor, you know the chap at the greengrocer’s? He told her this morning that he wants to sell.”
Honorable Intentions Page 7
