‘Why don’t they look at the website?’ Julia muttered. ‘There’s as much information there as in a brochure.’
‘Not everyone has a computer. Copy down the addresses and enter them into the address database. You put a symbol by them to indicate you’ve sent something. Then we follow it up with either an email or a card after a couple of weeks if we’ve heard nothing.’
‘And what about this alarm system? What am I supposed to do about it?’
‘Number’s on the list. Call Dave. He’ll go and check it out. Might just be a false alarm, if you’ll pardon the pun but we need it to be checked out. His lordship’s late again today. Must have been to see his woman.’
‘Oh, so he has got a woman, has he?’
‘’Spect so. Some days he’s quite late in and usually means he’s spent the night somewhere other than at home. Never seen him with anyone, mind you. But at least I know from experience he’s not gay.’
‘Who cares if he is? Nothing wrong with being gay.’
‘You think so? Makes my flesh crawl to think of it.’
‘For goodness’ sake. It’s quite normal these days. And so what? Needn’t affect you.’
‘Sounds like you know someone?’
‘Several people actually. Some good friends of mine are gay. Doesn’t mean I have to join in.’
‘Well, I’m glad I’ve got my Wayne. He’s as normal as they come. Big appetite, if you know what I mean.’ She giggled.
Julia tried to smile. ‘Good for you. I’d better sort this alarm problem. I might have a chat to the guy about my cottage. Might need to alter the arrangements after all the hassle.’
‘He’s a good bloke. Mate of my Wayne’s.’
Julia discussed the cottage’s alarm with Dave, the chap who dealt with the company’s security. He made several suggestions and agreed to call round to look at the system.
‘From what you say, love, it’s a bit old-fashioned. You need one of the newer setups to be sure. Don’t come cheap but what price being safe, eh? Heard you’d had problems lately. I’ll be there at six this evening. And I’ll sort out the problem at the other place. Cheers.’
‘Thanks. I’ll see you later.’ She hung up and, as Lucy had gone out of the office, dialled Ryan’s number. He sounded slightly pressured.
‘I’ve just been chatting to a security guy and he’s suggested improvements to the alarm at the cottage. Is it OK with you if I go ahead with something? Might be expensive but we’ve got Mum’s money.’
‘Course it’s all right. I need to know you’re safe. You are all right, aren’t you?’
‘Course. Well, a bit tired. I’m not sleeping too well.’
‘You’re scared, aren’t you? I can tell.’
‘I’m fine. Don’t worry. I suppose I’m just trying to come to terms with everything. The job’s fine though. Easy stuff so far. It’ll keep me going for now but it’s hardly a lifelong career.’
‘We’ll talk later. Gotta go now. Take care and do whatever you need to stay safe. Go to the hotel or take up Bryce’s offer.’
‘Bye, Ryan. Sorry I disturbed you.’
‘No problem. Yes, Dad, I’m coming. Bye, sis.’
She felt very alone and cut off from her brother, the only real family she felt was left.
Chapter Twelve
Annie Smythe sat in the communal room at her new sheltered housing complex. Someone was giving a talk on ceramics and she had been persuaded to go along to listen. She wasn’t really interested but felt obliged to try to join in with some of the activities provided by the organisation. There were some nice people among the residents but none of them understood her like Betty had.
They each had a small, private apartment and could choose whether to join in with various activities, including a lunch club three times a week, or whether to look after themselves. The warden had encouraged her to come down and finally she had given in.
‘So, as many of you will know,’ the speaker was droning on, ‘some of the older Staffordshire Flatback pieces are making good money at present. If you still have some of those ornaments that used to sit on granny’s mantelpiece, you may have something worth selling. Now, if anyone has any questions?’
A ripple of applause went round the room as the speaker sat down. Annie sighed. She had parted with most of her china before she moved. If she had got a decent price for any of it, she had no idea. Nor did she care very much. Bryce had given her some of the money for the house even before the sale was completed so she was able to buy the apartment. As long as she had money enough to live on there was nobody else to care if she’d been cheated or not.
But her mind was far from ceramics and speakers and company she didn’t really want. Today was the inquest on her beloved sister. Though she felt guilty about not going to court, she had taken the advice of the warden and relied on the statement she had made.
‘It will be much too upsetting for you, dear,’ the warden had suggested. ‘Bring it all back to you. Come to our morning talk and try to forget.’
‘But I shall feel I’ve let Betty down. I ought to be there.’
‘It isn’t necessary. We wrote that statement with the solicitor and he said that was quite sufficient. Nothing more you could add.’
‘But perhaps there’s something I could have said to solve the mystery. Perhaps there’s something I’ve forgotten about.’
‘I think you have given quite enough thought to the matter. Please Annie, try to let it go. We have asked the solicitor to telephone us to let us know the verdict when it’s all over.’
She had been persuaded and so was sitting in this room with virtual strangers, accepting a cup of coffee served in a clumsy earthenware cup and eating biscuits. Betty would have scolded her for letting standards slip. They never, even when it was just the two of them, served biscuits or anything else without a doily and on a china plate. But it was all out of their control now. At least she could keep up standards in her own apartment, even when she was alone. Perhaps she would invite that pleasant Mrs Adams in for tea one day. She finished the cheap instant coffee and rose from her seat. The warden looked anxiously at her.
‘Won’t you stay a while longer, dear?’
‘No, thank you. It’s been very nice, thank you, but I want to be on my own for a while.’
‘Very well. I’ll be up later when I hear something.’
Annie escaped from the room and noticed other residents beginning to move to follow her. Someone had to be the first to go, she thought.
‘Wait, Annie,’ someone called. ‘Why don’t you come to my apartment and have some lunch?’ It was Mrs Adams. ‘I’ve got a nice piece of plaice from the fish man this morning. It’s far too much for me and it would be lovely if you came to share it.’
‘That’s kind of you but I … well, it’s a difficult day for me.’
‘I know it is, dear. The warden told me about the inquest. I thought you might need some company. Whatever the outcome, it won’t do you any good to brood.’
‘Oh dear. I don’t know what to say.’
‘Just come along in a few minutes. I expect you need to go to your own room for a little while. I’ve got it all ready to cook. Ten minutes.’
‘But I need to be in my room for when the warden comes to tell me about the verdict.’
‘I’ll tell her where you are. Don’t worry.’
Annie didn’t know how to refuse, even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. She let herself into her apartment and looked at the little sitting room. Everything was compact, easy to clean, and apart from her few original pieces of furniture, totally bland. She did have a view over the beach but it was not the beach she had known all of her life.
‘Oh Betty, why did you have to go and leave me? I may be safe and secure here but it isn’t home. I have so little to do with my days. They may be nice people here but they’re not my Betty.’
There was a knock at her door. It was the warden.
‘Hallo dear. I’ve just heard fr
om the court. They’ve given an open verdict.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Well, it means that they really don’t know the answer. It could be an accident or perhaps someone was involved. For now, that’s the end of it. Charges could be made later if anything else comes to light. But you have to be prepared that this is the end of it all. I’m sorry it isn’t more positive. Now, are you going to have some lunch with Mrs Adams? I know she is waiting for you.’
‘I suppose so. Thank you.’
So, it wasn’t really over yet. Nothing was resolved and she would have to go imagining the worst for the rest of her life. How could something like this go on and on? What you needed was that nice detective from those Midsomer Murders on the television. He’d soon sort it out. She wiped away a tear and went along to her neighbour’s apartment.
‘Nice china,’ she remarked as she sat down at the table. A hand-embroidered tablecloth too. Perhaps things really weren’t so bad after all.
Hope you’ve enjoyed your couple of nights of peace, Miss Renton.
Don’t worry, I’ve got another little job keeping me busy for a bit. Can’t have you thinking you’re the only one that has my attention. There’s other people still living along that road needing my attention. None of them are very near to you, so it won’t disturb you when I play my little games on them.
They’ll be starting work on the old Smythe place soon. Tidying things so they can let it for holiday folks. Wonder how long that little earner will last? I reckon there’s something more to all this than holiday lets. Must be costing them a fortune to employ me for a start. Can’t make that much out of it, though they do say these places are a small fortune to rent. Just because the bloomin’ sea’s right next door, they think they can charge the earth for them. What’s so marvellous about the sea? Always bin there, ain’t it?
Don’t worry yourself though, I haven’t forgotten you . I’ll be back when you’ve put some decent stuff in there again. Gotta nick some stuff out of Seaways next or they’ll think I’m targeting just you. Favouritism ain’t my style.
Chapter Thirteen
‘Who was that you were talking to?’ asked Gerard.
‘Nobody really.’ Ryan blushed and looked away from his father.
‘So your sister’s nobody is she?’
‘Why ask if you knew it was her?’
‘You’re wasting my time. Time that I’m paying for. You’re getting a very generous wage from me. I expect value. Not time wasted speaking to non-work-related matters.’
‘I’ll make up the two minutes by working through lunch.’ He glared at his father and wondered seriously how long he was going to be able to stick this job.
‘So, is she all right?’
‘I’m not sure. I think so.’
‘She knows the answer. Come back home and stop playing at working. She can go back to her easy life with everything she wants provided for her.’
‘She probably feels she can’t actually buy her freedom and that is what she most wants.’
‘What the hell do you mean by that remark? It’s not as if she was kept in some sort of prison at home. She always did whatever she wanted. Went out when she wanted. What’s that got to do with prison?’
‘You’d never understand, even if I tried to explain it, Dad. Now, I shouldn’t be wasting time talking. You said so yourself.’
‘I came for the last month’s predictions. Have you got them yet?’
Ryan handed over the pages and turned back to his computer. His father stood watching him, snatched the papers, and left the office. Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow his father always had that effect on him. He felt as if the man was peering into his very soul and all his thoughts were being violated. He still felt nervous around his father, as if he were being criticised for every move.
But it was beyond him to know how to alter anything in his life. He’d been trained from his earliest years to be wrapped in the cocoon of safety provided by his father’s wealth. It had never occurred to him to challenge the future his father had planned for him and only when Julia had made her recent break had it made him think twice about his own possible life. But it was pointless. His father had a hold over him that would end everything if he didn’t do as he was told.
An email arrived on his computer. It was from his father.
‘Not content with standing over me, he even goes for cyber-bullying’ he muttered. He opened the file and read the message
Forgot to mention, I’ve invited Jeremy and Hermione for dinner again on Friday. Make sure you haven’t got some alternative event planned. If you have, you’re to cancel it immediately. The girl was very disappointed that you were absent last time. I see her as an ideal partner for you. I expect you to marry her eventually. Useful merger between our companies.
Ryan closed his eyes and gave a deep sigh. Actually marry someone because his father said so? How could he expect him to do even that, just because he commanded it? Who on earth did that sort of thing these days? He took comfort from the fact that this Hermione would probably hate him and show no interest whatsoever in a future with him. He could scarcely remember the girl. A gawky little blonde thing he’d met at some garden party when he was a teenager. Fingers crossed that she’d hate him, he thought.
He shook his head. What sort of man was his father? Julia was right. Control freak was an understatement. He wanted to own everyone, body and soul.
With a sigh, he went back to company predictions and the tiresome lists. It would be a long week and even his free time was no longer free.
He called his sister several times during the week. She seemed less nervous and reported that someone called Dave had been to look at the alarm system. He agreed she should have a landline phone put in and a more sophisticated alarm that contacted the police directly if the cottage was entered illegally. It worried him that she was living alone and even considered abandoning everything and moving down himself. Perhaps his father would relent and hold back on his threats.
Meantime, he had this dreadful dinner party to endure in the evening. At least Jeremy could be reasonably entertaining and the girl might have grown up a bit by now.
‘Good to see you again, my boy,’ Jeremy said heartily, pumping Ryan’s hand enthusiastically. ‘You remember Hermione, of course?’
‘Hi,’ Ryan said, surprised that the gawky kid had turned out rather well and was very nice looking.
‘Ryan,’ she said in voice that was soft and gentle, especially compared to that of her father. ‘Good to see you again. Been a long time.’
‘You’re right. Come on in. I’m deputed to get drinks for everyone. What will you have?’
‘Something soft. I’m driving home. Reckon it’s the only reason Daddy brings me out with him.’
‘Now then, darling. No need for the prickles to show.’ Jeremy put an affectionate arm round her shoulders. Hermione smiled weakly. Ryan immediately picked up that she was feeling as bad as he was about this whole ghastly set up.
‘Come on through to the drawing room. I suspect our parents will have something or other vital to discuss.’ She followed him and stood looking somewhat nervous by the window.
‘Your garden looks lovely. I expect you must have several gardeners to keep that lot in order.’
‘Not really. Just a chap who comes in twice a week to mow lawns and weed. My mother got the whole thing organised for minimal upkeep. She loved her garden.’
‘I’m sorry about, well, you know. You must miss her.’
Ryan nodded, suddenly finding himself too emotional at the thought of his mother’s garden. He took a breath and managed to say thank you.
‘You’ve been on your own for quite a time too haven’t you?’
‘Well yes. Mummy left us many years ago. I suspect she found my father’s lifestyle all too much, since he became such an important wheeler-dealer. I tend not to see too much of him during the week. Always travelling somewhere.’
‘No wonder the pair of them
get on so well. Peas in a pod by the sound of it. Don’t think I know what your father does exactly?’
‘Not sure I do. Whatever it is, it pays very well. I guess the electronics side is similar to yours.’
‘I suppose it must be, as Gerard is often talking of mergers with your company.’
‘Really? I didn’t know that.’
‘Well, to be frank, he’s thinking more of a merger on the family side.’ Hermione blushed furiously and looked away. ‘Oh Lord, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It sort of slipped out. Don’t worry. It wasn’t my idea at all.’
‘I gathered not. I’m sorry it seems such an awful idea to you.’
‘Course not. It’s just that I … well, any mergers I planned would be sometime in the distant future and I’d always thought it would be something that happened naturally. Look, let’s forget I said anything at all.’
‘Keep digging yourself deeper, why don’t you?’ She had twitch at the corner of her mouth at his words, indicating she did have a sense of humour. ‘Hush now. I think they’re coming in now we’ve had suitable time to break the ice.’
‘Thanks. We’ll talk more later. I owe you an apology.’ He lowered his voice as the two men came into the room.
‘Got you something to drink has he? I hope you’ve been entertaining the lovely lady, Ryan?’
‘I’m fine thanks, Mr Renton,’ Hermione said, with a smile that lit her eyes. He looked pleased.
‘Gerard. Call me Gerard. Don’t hold with any of this formality. I’m hoping we’re all going to be the very best of friends.’
‘Thank you … Gerard,’ she replied with hesitancy in her voice.
‘Now then, my boy, get the drinks organised. Jeremy and I are gasping. Scotch for you, isn’t it?’
‘Thanks.’
Jeremy was looking at his daughter for some indication of her feelings for Ryan. Obviously he harboured similar thoughts for their potential merger, Ryan was thinking as he watched the two men.
The evening turned out more entertaining than Ryan could have hoped. Whatever his preconceived ideas about the girl, she was very pleasant. He even wondered if he might delight his father by suggesting a date with her. There was no opportunity to ask her during the evening but no doubt her number would be prioritised somewhere in his father’s phone book. If that was what they all wanted, not to mention expected, the least he could do was to give it a chance. All the same, his own doubts were ever present and on later reflection, he felt pleased that he hadn’t committed himself to anything.
Dangerous Secrets Page 11
