by Gill Mather
“Actually I’m not. But yeah I suppose if you’ve got any more information you should tell the police. They need to know everything.” Ali was eyeing up some sheer tights and thinking about going to get some more of her favourite perfume from Boots.
“Yes. You’re quite right. I know it was Hugh’s car because I know his number. And I know it was about half past ten because we’d been all the way to Stansted and back and I’d even nearly booked into the airport hotel before I realised I’d forgotten my contacts. And I know what date it was because of course it was my sister’s birthday the next day and I’ve checked since and it was definitely the date the assault was supposed to have happened. I’ll pop in about it on Monday. Too much to do before then.”
All this made a vague imprecise impression on Ali. It sort of started to sink in a bit later what Trish appeared to be saying but she dismissed it as ridiculous and when she did think about it at all seriously, she reasoned that, given her relationship with Hugh, she’d better not get involved. You never knew how things would turn out. To be found later to have appeared to have tried to persuade a possible witness to withhold evidence could backfire horribly and detrimentally affect Graham’s chances. No it was best to forget it and leave things to take their course.
ALI SPENT THE FRIDAY night with Hugh after working. Then she passed a day happily messing about at the cottage while Hugh of course worked. She was bringing on some cottage garden flower seedlings to plant out later and digging over borders ready for them.
It was a lovely day and about half past two Hugh went out for a run while Ali worked in the garden in a T shirt and shorts. When he came back he watched her for a time, standing there considering what to do next, what would look best where. He went up to her and without saying anything took her hand, kissed the inside of her wrist and licked and lightly bit all the way up her arm, especially the inner elbow and forced his tongue inside the short sleeve of her T shirt. She was breathing hard by now. Hugh went down on his knees. Is he going to propose, thought Ali. But he did the same thing to her legs as he had to her arms, biting her knees quite hard round the knee caps and putting his tongue inside the legs of her brief shorts.
“Hugh. Please!” she moaned with her hands on his shoulders.
He pushed her down onto the grass, got on top of her, started to kiss her and move against her. She arched her back. He was enormous through his running shorts. They were still both fully clothed. Her cries rang out across the softly undulating Essex countryside. He watched her face as she came, finding it wildly sexy and strengthening even more his bonding with her. He knew she liked to watch him too, to see him she told him so vulnerable and abandoned when he was normally so controlled.
Her eyes opened into his. She rolled them both over, pulled his running shorts down at the front and finished him off in her mouth. They both lay back on the grass looking up at the duck egg blue sky with soft billowy clouds drifting slowly over.
“Hmm. Yum,” she said laughing. It seemed a travesty that she couldn't tell him she loved him. “Hugh I do so adore you,” she said instead.
“I can't kiss you,” he said pulling a face.
“You must. I won't be happy if you don't.”
“Oh all right then. Just this once.” Suddenly a large black panting shape appeared beside them. The dog’s wet nose went unerringly for their crotches. They both noticed the dull humming sound at the same time and, looking sideways, saw a large crowd of middle aged and older people peering over the hedge at them from the public footpath talking in low voices.
“Oh great!” he said, “It’s one of the walking groups. I’ve read about them in the parish mag.” He pulled her to her feet, shooed the dog, gave the group a wave and took her inside.
She had booked Saturday night off of course. Later, she wrapped Jan and Matt’s present, an antique vase, and got ready for the party slowly soaking for an hour in the slipper bath, with occasional interventions from Hugh.
Hugh seemed to get ready in about five minute flat. He used the same bath water as Ali saying the water felt nicer as she’d been in it. They walked to the end of the footpath where they were meeting their taxi. Ali had on an old artificial fur coat which she’d found at a charity shop. The sunny day had transformed into a frosty night. The coat was really warm thank goodness as they waited in the dark.
“You do think the taxi’ll find us don't you,” she started to fuss but a minute or so later they saw from a distance the lights turn down the road and soon they were snuggling up in the back of the heated car.
They arrived about on time and stood around like everyone else for a while making small talk and trying not to drink too much too early. Matt and Hugh appeared to know each other quite well so Ali went off to find Jan or Sam or someone.
Jan and Matt had a marquee in their garden for dancing later with strobe lights and huge speakers. She knew Matt had made the speakers as a teenager and got them out at any opportunity. The marquee was attached to the french windows by a canvas corridor. There were plates of food everywhere.
Everyone seemed to be in the kitchen though.
“So that’s 'Ali’s young man',” Jan was saying to Sam when Ali sidled up behind them. “It’s a big secret in the family so I’m obviously intrigued.”
“It’s not exactly front page news in the office either,” replied Sam. “Oh you don’t know then. The guy’s Hugh Sutherland, Colchester’s most eligible male. At least in the legal world. He’s a partner in PWT.”
“Oh,” Jan said as though some penny had dropped. “The one I keep reading about in the local press. He get rogues off all sorts of charges. Oh,” she said again.
Ali coughed from behind. They both turned round guiltily.
Ali hugged Jan. “You did it then. Reached six years. What an achievement!”
“The happiest six years of my life,” said Jan.
Then Ali hugged Sam.
Sam and Jan looked at each other.
“S’all right. I didn’t hear all that much,” said Ali. “But it’s a good job mum and dad are off on that cruise or I’d face the grilling of the century tomorrow.”
“Poor mum. She’s dying to know,” said Jan. “Well he’s quite a catch. I’ve got to hand it to you Ali.”
Ali realised hearing these hackneyed cliches that Jan was already slightly tipsy. And, Ali thought, why not. It’s her night.
Hugh came in just then so Ali introduced him as “my date”. No-one was fooled by this but she didn’t want to make a big thing of it in front of Hugh. Hugh smiled and was nice and said how well organised it all was and he’d look forward to coming to their twelfth anniversary party.
Please God I hope so thought Ali.
Then he looked at Ali and asked her if she wanted to dance and Ali realised that the “disco” had started up so they made their excuses and left the kitchen. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jan and Sam give each other exaggerated nudges and winks.
“And you wonder why I want to keep it under wraps,” Hugh whispered. Right in her ear where it always had the most effect.
Hugh turned out to be quite a good dancer. Or at least between them, they moved rather well. With most blokes she would have gyrated around and only got together for any really smoochy numbers but Hugh put his arm round her waist and took her other hand and she found that they almost always anticipated each other’s moves. Actually, she thought after a time, it’s him. He’s the one who knows what’s going on.
There was plenty of opportunity to smooch. Most of the stuff Matt had lined up was seventies or eighties or nineties. Ali hadn’t listened to much music from those decades before apart from rock music but there was a lot of really sexy stuff and she melted into Hugh’s arms when the opportunity arose.
He took her outside every so often and they walked hand in hand around the rest of the garden. Ali was tempted to think that he was keeping her away from people and said as much at one point.
“I just want to be alone with you. And you know what
people are like. They always want to pigeon hole you or fit you into their version of things and know all about you. Or worst of all, they want you to do what they expect you to do.”
“Well if you feel that way, why don’t you just disappear and go and live in Thailand or somewhere.”
He looked at her and said: “I love practising law too much. And then of course there’s you.” And he gave her a long lingering kiss.
There were lots of police attending as Ali supposed there would be. DI Hunter was there who’d conducted Graham’s interview. He looked at Hugh and Ali and smiled knowingly and Ali felt relieved that she hadn't tried to interfere with whatever Trish decided to do. He and Hugh seemed to know each other anyway and they had a bit of a chat while Ali went off to powder the proverbial nose.
She took a short cut through the utility room and came across Jan and Matt in there. They were in a clinch up against the central heating boiler and Jan was rubbing Matt’s leg with hers. He was telling her to spread `em and she was asking him if she had the right to remain horny. Ali laughed and they did too and she walked on through.
“So how did you become such a good dancer?” Ali asked Hugh later on.
“I went to a few salsa classes with a girlfriend at uni, but you’re just a natural.” Ali totally hated that girlfriend.
He took her in his arms and said quietly: “There’s never been anyone like you Ali. And there never will be.”
She put her head on his shoulder. “Nor you. Oh Hugh. I could stay frozen with you like this forever. I want to be with you for always.”
And quite involuntarily their lips found each other and they kissed as unobtrusively as they could or so they thought while the music swirled around them until eventually there was a huge crash of cymbals and Matt announced that the fireworks would be in five minutes.
“Oh shit,” said Hugh raking his hand through his hair. “Thank God it’s quite dark in here. Come on. Let's go and get a drink.”
Outside they found Jan while the fireworks were going on. “I thought they weren't going to be until midnight and it’s only eleven thirty,” said Ali.
“Well it was either that or a bucket of freezing cold water!” her sister replied looking at them both.
Ali gave an embarrassed giggle and Hugh put his arm around her and said: “Well you shouldn't have such a beautiful, desirable sister.”
Jan sighed and shook her head. She just hoped it wouldn't all go pear-shaped for some reason as these extra-steamy love affairs sometimes did. She hadn't realised her sister was in so deep. She decided to go and find Sam when the fireworks were over.
She tracked her down taking a breather in the sitting room with Darren. “You couldn't come and help me with some cocktails could you Sam?” And they both went off to the kitchen.
“I was wondering Sam,” she said as they squeezed oranges, sliced lemons and put cherries on sticks, “do you think it’s serious with Ali and Hugh?”
“Well on one level I suppose it is.”
“You mean carnal. Yeah, I kind of got that. But what about, you know, deeper feelings?”
“I’m not sure. They’re obviously besotted with one another by the looks of things but it’s only been a couple of months or so. I know it’s not much longer for me and Darren. But we’ve got kids. We can't afford to mess around or make a mistake a second time. Hugh and Ali. I’m not sure.”
“I’m just worried she might get hurt. Why doesn't he want anyone to know about them? I hope he’s not just using her.”
“Well I expect he just doesn't want the whole office gossiping about them. You can see what they’re like together. If they let it slip a bit in the office they’d be in for quite a bit of ribbing. Especially Ali. There’d probably even be jealousy and snide whisperings about favouritism. Hugh’d probably be all right because he’s a partner. And he’s just so reserved usually.”
“Yes but none of that means he isn't using her. Isn't he friends with that businessman Graham Spellings? Apart from that he’s been charged with molesting some girl, the tabloids make him out to be a bit of a lad. Perhaps they’re one of a kind.”
“Yeah. No. It doesn't actually look like any of that tabloid stuff’s actually true. There’s nothing Graham can do about it. It’d just draw more attention to it. And the assault he’s obviously defending. But I can't say any more about that.”
“No. `Course. I understand. But what about Hugh?”
“Well he’s pretty serious most of the time. As far as I know he hasn’t had any girlfriend in the four or so years he’s been with the firm which is pretty amazing when you think about it. He’s not exactly Mr. Ugly. Except at the beginning. There was some trouble or other about a girl or girls. But that was three or four years ago. I think he was attracted to Ali from when she first came to the firm. I wouldn't think he’s a flighty sort, or unreliable. And, well, if they hit it off in the sack, that’s at least half way there isn't it?”
“I hope so. Anyway, do you want to taste a few of these before we take them in. Make sure they’re not too strong!”
BACK ON THE DANCE floor, Ali caught Sam looking at her and Hugh alternately dancing and smooching and thought that a conflab was in order.
So she told Hugh she’d have to go and powder her nose again and walked out and upstairs and shortly Sam followed her and got her in the upstairs bathroom.
“You know I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. He’s totally besotted with you. The way you move together when you’re dancing. You’re like a pair of gloves. That thing you said about…you know. I can believe it. Wow. And that kiss. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve seen including on TV and in films. I nearly dragged Darren out to the car by his hair for a good seeing-to. It’s a wonder you didn't start off an orgy and find copulating couples all over the floor when you eventually came round.”
“Well it’s not all below the navel you know. Some of it’s cerebral.”
“I saw him whispering sweet nothings into your ear,” Sam was swaying about, leaning on the sink for support. “Or was it lewd unrepeatable suggestions?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Not everyone’s minds are sunk in their nether regions.”
“No. Just yours and Hugh’s.”
“Actually,” said Ali, “we will have to be going fairly soon. I’m working tomorrow night and Hugh’s got a case to prepare. Anyway. I suppose you and Darren won’t be going home later to shell peas together for tomorrow’s dinner.”
“Well possibly not. I dare say we’ll grab an hour or two to ourselves. But it is more difficult with children you know,” Sam said. “Oh to be young and fancy free again!”
Darren suddenly appeared behind her.
“If peas are going to get in the way, we’ll have to adopt other less demanding vegetables.” And he folded his arms around Sam, kissed her hair and looked at her very lovingly. Perhaps people see Hugh looking that way at me. But, Ali thought perhaps prophetically, I must remember, Hugh is that bit more complicated than Darren.
Hugh was suddenly there too. “Our taxi’s here,” he said.
This was a surprise to Ali who didn’t know that a taxi had been ordered for them.
“Matt’s been prowling around,” said Hugh. “He doesn’t obviously want DUI cases resulting from his party to turn up in the next few weeks’ court lists.”
“Well done him,” said Ali and leaned conspicuously on Hugh while he bore her away downstairs.
They kissed and more all the way home in the back of the taxi. Oh dear, thought Ali, full sex was starting to be unnecessary. The taxi driver didn't seem to mind and Hugh gave him a large tip.
“I think I got him off a speeding charge a few years ago actually,” Hugh said when the taxi had gone.
“DID YOU ENJOY yourself?” Ali asked Hugh later. For once they hadn't gone straight to bed and were watching a late film in front of the fire.
“I was with you so of course I did.”
“You can be quite a creep when you want t
o. I enjoyed it anyway.” She kissed him. “And you were there.”
“Let’s go to bed then. And make the most of what’s left of tonight and tomorrow.”
Ali felt a slight shiver go through her. She couldn't have said why. After all they had their whole lives left together didn't they? She hoped.
CHAPTER 23
HUGH DROPPED ALI off at the S&S early Sunday evening and then collected her later and took her home, as in home, afterwards to re-charge her batteries (not to mention his) and collect some new underwear etc. Normally her dad would have collected her but the parents were away. Ed was at a friend’s.
A night or two away from Hugh wasn't too bad. In fact it fuelled her insatiable desire for him. Normally she would be with him again from the Wednesday night onwards so it wasn't too long and she looked forward to it intensely.
On Monday Hugh was expected in late in the morning after a hearing in Chelmsford. But by three thirty in the afternoon he hadn't arrived back at the office. Sheila hadn't been able to get hold of him and the court couldn't give her any information. Ali had to leave to see an older client who lived in a nearby housing estate to talk about a Lasting Power of Attorney. She went on foot and took a short cut through the car park at the back. She was delighted therefore to see Hugh’s car turn into the car park and park in his usual place.
She couldn't of course run into his arms or anything similar but she smiled broadly at him as he got out of his car. He ignored her.
“Hugh. Hello.”
He turned round and his face was like stone and Ali’s heart stopped.
“Hugh. What’s wrong?”
“How could you Ali?”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’ve just spent the last few hours at the nick.“Helping the police with their enquiries”. In other words I was as near as damn it arrested.”
