Dead End

by Andrew Hamilton

  27

  Zoe was texting her new phone number to Diane and Bob. No one else was getting the number for now but she had so many people she depended on that such a situation couldn't last for long. She had been using Bob’s phone while he used his company phone and had meant to send the text earlier in the week but had been so tied up with her daily routine she had forgotten. Bob was out speaking to the gardener. She had her usual Saturday morning appointment with Jonathan lined up and it was a beautiful day so she thought she might manage an afternoon stretched out on the decking with a couple of cocktails while Bob sorted a barbeque. Maybe they could invite Diane and Carla over for some food and champagne. Bob was oblivious to the plan but that wouldn't be a problem.

  “How did the cards go last night?”

  Bob looked away. He couldn't look her in the eye when he was lying. “Reasonable really. I held my own.”

  “Good.” Zoe had lost interest in that conversation already. She would have been much more inquisitive had she suspected the truth.

  “What do you fancy doing today?” said Bob changing the subject.

  “I’ve got my hair and nails.”

  “Yes, but later? Maybe take a run out somewhere?”

  “I thought you were talking about a barby?”

  “Was I?”

  “Yeah! I half mentioned it to Diane.”

  “I must be losing it? Ok. Will you get the food when you're out?”

  “Be better if you did, you are the barby king after all.”

  Bob liked that title and Zoe knew it. “Ok. But let's go out tomorrow. I want to show you something.”

  “Oooh! Sounds interesting.”

  Bob went back to chatting to the gardener as Zoe zoomed down the drive in the Audi.

  “Calling Diane,” announced Zoe’s Bluetooth.

  “Hello!” said the voice that wasn't Diane.

  “Hi!” Do you and Diane fancy coming to ours for a barby and some cocktails?” Zoe knew it was Carla and wished they could get on better. She was always pleasant enough but sometimes it felt like she was a colleague rather than a friend.

  “We’ve just had a shower after the gym, she’s still in there.” Carla was making a point.

  “Ooh! Sexy stuff.” Zoe was lightening the mood or so she hoped.

  “I’ll get her to call you back, think it will be fine though.”

  “Ok Great! I’ll wait to hear but we’re doing it either way so you’re more than welcome.”

  When she got to town she parked in her usual space. In the adjacent space was a harassed mum of four. She was carrying a tiny one in her arms while two slightly bigger ones, clearly twins, confirmed by their dress code, were running loose. The fourth one was medium sized and presently sulking in the front passenger seat. She was loading shopping from her trolley into the boot of her 4x4. Her hair was bedraggled and she looked slightly dazed, maybe even had a touch of the zombies. The twins were chasing each other around the car with newly purchased light sabres; the evidence of packaging was lying on the road next to the trolley. They had presumably been bought in the hope of keeping them happy and calm. It wasn't working. Zoe skipped off towards the town centre. She hadn’t wanted children and suddenly felt elated in what had been an excellent decision.

  She could see the young woman watching from her desk as she approached. Everything was going her way as the song goes and she decided she was going to be the perfect customer.

  “Love your new hair” Zoe chirped to the receptionist. Her face went from stern spinster to happy school leaver, with a new boyfriend.

  “Thanks, would you like a coffee?”

  “I’d love one, not stopped all day.”

  “Same here it's been manic all morning. I’ll let Jonathan know you are here.”

  “Thank you so much.” Zoe gave a big smile and the girl headed off to fetch some coffee.

  Zoe was called through and as she lay down Jonathan unclipped her bra.

  “Remember and warm your hands first,” said Zoe.

  “I always do,” he replied as he pulled her knickers down towards her coccyx.

  “Steady, not too far.”

  “You might have an amazing body my darling but it's not got the accoutrements I like.”

  Zoe laughed and stretched her arms forward on the massage table. She was completely relaxed and could smell the fragrance from the oils. She loved the citrus detox one which meant that when she got home she could have some wine without feeling any guilt.

  “So what else you up to today?” asked Jonathan.

  He was a gorgeous hunky looking guy, thirty years old, 5’9” and went to the gym five times a week. He lived with his partner and they were into cultural holidays rather than sun resorts. They loved the classics and had been to La Scala, in Milan to see Romeo and Juliet which would remain with them forever, as he had explained to her. They also liked naturist holiday and were scared of scorpions. Who wasn't, thought Zoe. She knew everything about him and his life. She also knew, after the first few minutes of meeting him, that he was gay. Maybe it was all those adventures with Diane that had given her another sense.

  She had often thought about introducing him and his partner, Derek, to Bob as they had such a love of Opera and probably had lots in common. But, Bob wasn't exactly relaxed about the idea of Diane and Carla, whom he knew well and liked. He didn't even know that Jonathan got to rub almost every part of her body on a weekly basis.

  “Hair and nails after this, then home for a barby.”

  “Oh! Nice! Think I might make a home visit one day?”

  “Ha! Bob doesn't know about you and your hands of gold. You will need to remain my secret lover for now.”

  “Please don't take this the wrong way but, Yuk!”

  Zoe cackled loudly and the waiting room wondered what the hell was going on in there.

  28

  Diane had a giant fluffy white towel wrapped around her and a smaller version of the same covering her hair. Zoe was holding Diane’s mobile phone. She had just managed to scribble down Zoe’s new number and had pushed it into the depths of her purse before Diane appeared.

  “You had a call from Zoe,” Carla explained.

  “She Ok?”

  “Yeah. She wants us to go to theirs for a barby.”

  “Lovely, no cooking for us?”

  “I still think she wants you despite what she says.”

  “God you are so insecure, I love you, simple as that.”

  “Wish I wasn't but I am. Zoe is so beautiful, she scares me.”

  “Ok! Ok! I was keeping this for later but now seems the right time.”

  “Keeping what for later,” Carla felt her pulse start to race.

  “Let’s get married?”

  Carla squealed and leapt onto Diane throwing her legs around her. They went crashing backwards onto the sofa. Carla was now sitting on top of Diane who was trying to get her breath back.

  “I’ll take that as a yes then?”

  Diane went to get dressed and Carla recovered the note from her purse. She ripped it into tiny pieces before throwing it, confetti-like, off the verandah into the streets below. She had realised that the last call she had made using the voice changer had backfired and instead of trying to get Zoe to move out of the area it had sent Diane racing to her aid. The marriage proposal had now changed everything and all she needed to do was get rid of that device. The calls would just stop and no one would be any the wiser.

  Carla called Zoe and left an excited message saying they would love to come to the Barbeque.

  29

  Zoe called Bob once her hair and nails had been reinstated to stunning. She wanted to make sure everything was going to plan and, as always, with Bob, there were no hitches. She had a missed call from Carla saying they were coming round after all. The message was so unusually chirpy and made Zoe wonder what was behind it. It sounded like she might have won the lottery.

  Zoe watched the gates close behind her and parked at the front next to Diane’s
Range Rover. As soon as she got out she could smell the smoky richness of Bob’s cooking. She went straight to the rear of the house without going in. Bob met her with a loving smile and a kiss. He handed her a classic Negroni. a cocktail of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, loaded with ice.

  “Hold on, put that down,” ordered Diane.

  Zoe had the glass touching her lips and so wanted to take a swig but didn't.

  “We’ve decided to get married.”

  Zoe burst into tears and moved toward Diane and Carla who were now holding hands. She threw her arms around both women and almost choked them in a girly huddle. All three women were now laughing and crying together as a gang. The squeals made Bob wince and he moved in to give a brief but awkward hug before heading towards the patio doors.

  “I’ll open the champers, be back in a moment.” He was glad to leave them to it.

  The barbeque had been well and truly hijacked and while Bob sizzled away the ladies were inside googling themselves into oblivion looking at venues, dresses, cakes and diamond rings. Bob had been sampling as he cooked and eventually didn't need to eat at all. He handed in a plate of skewer free chicken kebabs, perfectly cooked. There was a rich creamy coleslaw and some grilled peppers and mushrooms and onions. The women were talking and eating as they sat around the laptop. They ate with their fingers, reaching out blindly towards the plate and lifting food at random. Occasionally one of them would stop long enough to scoop up some coleslaw with a fork. Bob felt really happy for all of them. It was going to be an amazing event, a family celebration and one in which Zoe would have a big part.

  Diane and Carla left in a taxi and were beyond tipsy. Zoe kissed Bob on the lips but he knew she wasn't in any condition to be amorous.

  “I’m going up, I’m really tired.”

  “Yes, I can see that,” said Bob sarcastically.

  “I think we could give them one or two of the diamonds. A nice personal gift. What do you think?”

  Bob hoped that she might have forgotten about that idea come morning. “We can talk about it tomorrow.”

  30

  Bob had just parked the Range Rover and was about to head into the office. It was a busy Monday morning and some crews were already heading out. The car park was full and he didn't notice the dark blue BMW 5 Series. As he went to walk past the suited passenger stepped out and opened the rear passenger door. Bob stopped abruptly, confused momentarily, but then quickly realised.

  “It’s not four days yet?’

  “Please get in. The Manager would like to discuss payment options with you.”

  “But the Manager doesn’t see people or negotiate? I’ll get the money. I need to get into work.” Bob was rambling slightly.

  “Exceptional circumstances I believe. Please take a seat.”

  “But my work?”

  “It won't take long. We will bring you back.”

  Bob got in and wondered for a moment if he was going for a swim but was counting on the fact that they wanted the forty thousand so he was safe for a while or so he hoped.

  Bob sat waiting in an office which could have been that of a CEO of a multinational. A boardroom table and chairs straight out of a designer catalogue. The whole room impressed and it made him think of his office and his second-hand furniture. The door opened and a man and a woman sat down opposite him. Bob didn't understand what was happening and wondered for a moment if Zoe was going to appear through another door and shout ‘surprise!’.

  “Bob, I don't think poker is your game, is it?” said Diane. It was more of a statement than a question.

  “But you are a top interior designer?”

  “Kind of you to say so.” She smiled briefly.

  “Does Carla and Zoe know?”

  “Of course not,” she looked at him with disdain. “This is Danny. He will be looking after your repayment.”

  Bob had already met Danny back at the office car park. Danny had chatted politely during the journey but the driver had said nothing. Bob had noticed he was short and heavy with lots of brown facial hair. He wondered how much he could actually see over the steering wheel and through all the fuzz. He reminded Bob of an Ewok from Star Wars.

  “So what’s your plan?” she enquired.

  “I’ll get the money, please don't mention any of this to Zoe.”

  “A source tells me you might struggle to pay.”

  “A source? Oh! you mean Carla?” Bob was annoyed that Carla had discussed the company's position with Diane. But he quickly surmised that Diane might just have got that information without Carla even realising what was happening. He was seeing Diane in a completely new light.

  “Look Bob. The only reason you are here talking to me is Zoe. There are two people in this world that I love and you’re not one of them.”

  “Can I pay when business picks up?”

  “No! One! that might never happen and Two! I can only protect you for so long.”

  “How long have I got.”

  “I might be the Manager but the Management will not stand for signs of weakness.”

  “Is a couple of months ok?”

  “What about the diamonds?” asked Diane.

  Bob looked away. He explained that they had been temporarily replaced.

  “This is not good,” said Diane “I know your company cars are worthless. But, what about the Jag?”

  I couldn't sell it even if I wanted to. It might be worth something close to that kind of money but it’s not an easy sell. It's a buyer’s market and might take months.”

  “You don't have months you might have weeks.”

  Diane scribbled a note and handed it to Bob.

  “Speak to him. He can help you with the car,” said Diane referring to the note. “And Bob, remember, my focus is Zoe, she can still have the lifestyle she has become accustomed to with or without you.”

  The Ewok dropped Bob back in the car park without uttering a word. When he entered the office Carla gave him a big smile and a cheeky ‘good afternoon’ comment. He gave her a scowl which she thought seemed a bit out of character as he was usually up for a bit of banter.

  Bob closed the office door and looked at the note. He loved that Jag and hated the idea of someone else driving past him in it and waving to him. But he had no other viable solution outside buying some lottery tickets. Carla came into the office and bob looked coldly at her. He was looking to blame someone, anyone, except himself.

  “Coffee?” Carla sat the cup on his table mat. “Sorry about the ‘good afternoon’ thing. I was just joking.”

  Bob instantly mellowed. Carla had been one of his original and best staff. He knew she had the company at heart and got on really well with him and Zoe.

  “No! I’m sorry. Just a bad morning. Is Dario about?”

  “He was in earlier but left on his bike, said he had a meeting.”

  “Did he get his car back yet? So many cars out there it's hard to tell?”

  “Not sure. I can call and ask?”

  “I’ll call him. We have a meeting this afternoon and I’m not going on the back of that bike.”

  Carla went back to her office happy that everything was okay again.

  That afternoon Bob was driving and Dario was changing the station on the radio. “Can we have no radio and talk instead,” ordered Bob.

  Dario pressed the button. “You ok?”

  “Why is everyone asking if I’m ok?” Bob said slightly annoyed. Bob had just stopped at a set of lights and was looking at a white van which had drawn up next to him. He could only see the diver from the side and he was partly obscured by the dishevelled character in the passenger seat but he thought it looked like ‘cake’ loving Smith. The lights changed and the van drove off right and Bob went left.

  “That guy driving that van looked the spit of Smith.”

  Dario had spotted that Bob was staring and was glad the lights had changed. As usual, his ability to develop a story came to the fore.

  “Yeah. Did look a bit like him. I spoke to
Smith this morning and he was in London waiting to fly to Spain. Probably a freebie from someone.”

  Bob seemed convinced. “Did he say anything about the contract?”

  “He thinks it will be announced in a week to ten days.”

  Bob knew that payments from a new contract were far in the future and no good to his current situation.

  “Did you get your car back?”

  “Yeah, but I had to take it back in. It’s still not running properly.”

  “We are paying a fortune for these company cars. Think I’ll complain and see what they say.”

  “Don't worry, leave that to me, I’ve already spoken the Jane at leasing. She’s going to speak to the boss and get back to me.” More, quick thinking from Dario.

  “You still having a quiet night in on Thursday?” Dario was keen to check that their plans hadn’t changed.