by Olivia Swift
They strolled down to the waterside. Jules had the larger camera slung around his neck. Miller was carrying the case with the things he might need, and true to his word, he explained about light, shade, and shadow as he took shot after shot. He swung around and took in the whole panoramic view. His powerful long lens with its shades was very like the ones used by journalists when they were a long way from their target. He could take an eagle soaring high across the mountainside when it was not even a speck to the human eye. Miller enjoyed seeing him in his element but wondered why he suddenly stopped and went back.
“What caught your eye?” she asked. He swung the camera back and forth to follow down the road to the hotel.
“I think someone is tailing us,” he said, and put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve seen the car before near the shop and your house.” He held her hand.
“Let’s go inside and see what that photo tells us. We can send it to Mackay.”
The camera was so powerful and he had been quick enough to catch the shot so that the plate was visible. He sent the shot of the plate to the detective and told him where they were.
The restaurant was situated with fantastic views, and they ate out on a sheltered terrace. The car had taken the shine off the outing.
“Don’t worry,” Jules told her. “We stick together, remember?” They walked in the private gardens of the hotel and sat looking out over the lake. He pointed to the side. “I’m told there is a dam over there that is quite spectacular. We can go and look in the morning.” Miller nodded doubtfully.
“If I say I’m sorry, will you get mad and stop being worried?” he asked, and she gave him a friendly punch on the arm.
“Why would it be interesting to follow us?” she asked and Jules phone rang before he could answer. Mallarchy Mackay told them that the local detective had the information and was sending out a bulletin to pick up the car. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Tell him thanks,” she said.
13
Jules had booked two rooms for them, and as she changed into her lacy piece of nightwear, she closed the curtains and felt just a little bit fearful. The hotel was secure and well run and the police would have found the car by now, but she still found it impossible to lie down and sleep. In the end, she wrapped a robe around herself and tapped on Jules’s door. When it opened, she slipped inside and held onto him.
“I really don’t want to be on my alone,” she told him. He wrapped her in his arms, carried her to the sofa, and poured her a drink.
“Let’s just watch an old movie and have a drink,” he said, and privately wondered if he could be a gentleman all night. As the fear subsided and the television played away, Miller drifted off to sleep and Jules pulled across the cover from the bed to keep them warm without disturbing her. It was a long time before he fell into dreamland himself. She woke to the pale light of the next day falling on his face and stroked his cheek with a finger.
“I have fallen in love with you, Jules Callander,” she whispered quietly and thought to herself what she would do if anyone tried to hurt him. The thought followed that maybe the car tailing them was after him and not her. “Why?” she asked out loud, and he stirred and automatically pulled her close to him.
“Why what?” he mumbled. She pushed her mass of curls away from her face and tried to sit up.
“You are not getting away that easily,” he grinned. “Especially when I’ve been a gentleman all night.” She smiled back and snuggled against him.
“Why are they following and who? Is it you or is it me?”
“Let us hope they are cramped and cold in a car outside somewhere and we are safe, warm, and together.” He stopped any further conversation by claiming her lips with his own and the questions and worries disappeared in the sensations that took over at his touch. It was quite a late breakfast that they finally ate, and Jules found a text from Mackay saying that the car had been found abandoned.
“They knew they had been spotted,” Jules said. “Whoever they are, they’ve gone. Let’s get out to this dam and take some photos.”
There were no more scares and the day was spent looking at water in one form or another. Jules clicked away and occasionally gave her notes to take down for him. He knew what the client expected and took in the water sports hire shops as well and knew he had some action shots already saved. In the end, he was well satisfied with the results, and they had sat overlooking the dam and eaten the lunch provided by the hotel.
“I’ll charge this to the client,” he said. “I have to eat when I’m out on a shoot.”
“It was exceptionally delicious,” Miller said, and they went back to the hotel.
“Would you like another evening here or make a start for home?” Jules asked and she smiled.
“I think it’s too late to start back now.”
He draped an arm over her shoulders as they went into a lounge on one of the many verandas. He called the client and left a message that the photos were taken and he would be in touch. Miller called her mom and Carly and said they would travel home early in the morning.
“And then will you start on cleaning up the house?” Carly enquired.
“I guess,” Miller answered. “I would rather paint furniture, but I suppose the place has to be cleaned.” She mentioned to Jules that it was an odd thing for Carly to ask but soon forgot about it at the thought of another night in his arms. They used the lovely swing seat on the hotel decking to watch the sunset and darkness fall over a wonderful view. There were no more scares about cars or anything else.
A lazy breakfast finished off their two days away before they set off for home.
“It has been a lovely two days,” Miller said, as she took in more staggering views on the way back to the highway.
“And I have the shots. It will take a bit of time on the computer, but I think we have what they are after.”
“I will have to do a trip around the junk shops shortly to find more old pieces to refurbish,” Miller told him. “I always enjoy that.”
“I have never done anything like that. It would be something new for me.”
“And you could photograph the pieces in their awful condition and then when they are made over.”
“Between us,” Jules added with a quick glance across at her animated face, “we could set up a workshop and display the pieces that you do and frame my prints.” Miller gazed at him and he thought she was against the idea but she was simply speechless.
“You mean, set up a workplace together? That is a fabulous idea,” she leaned across and kissed his cheek. “I can make throws and cushions as well. We could make it look wonderful.” They were both carried away by the idea and talked about it all the way home. When he stopped the car at her parents’ front door, they were decided that it was a project they would both love and would look for a property that would suit them. Miller ran up the steps and started to jabber away to Maddie about the idea. Her mother laughed and pushed her into a seat.
“Stop. Stop,” she said. “Have a coffee and slow down.” Rick came and joined them and Jules carried the bags from the car.
“Were you successful?” Rick asked, and Jules told him that he would need to work on the photos, but he was sure it was what the tourist board were after. Miller broke in to tell them about Jules’s idea for a workshop between them.
“That is an excellent idea,” Rick told them. “I’ll help if I can.” The phone rang and Maddie answered it. She handed it to Miller saying that it was Carly.
“Hi,” Miller said, and then listened as Carly told her that Dex had gone to check if her front door was still alright, and she thought that Miller had better come down and see for herself.
“On my way,” Miller said with a worried look and told the others.
“Let’s go and see,” Jules said and grabbed his jacket.
“We are coming as well,” Maddie added, and the four of them set off for Miller’s house.
“I knew this good stuff would come to an
end,” Miller said gloomily. Jules reached across with one hand and told her whatever it was; they would face it together and put it right. That raised a smile and they drove up to the house.
“That is strange. I thought Dex would be here. There’s no car.”
“And the door looks fine,” Maddie added. “Let’s go inside.”
Miller opened the door and cautiously stepped inside to switch on the light, when suddenly the light went on as if by magic and a whole lot of friends shouted, “Surprise!” Miller screamed with shock and then delight as they saw a whole party had been planned. The table was laden with food, wine was cooling, along with a good supply of beer, and music was switched on in the background. Carly and Jazz rushed over to hug their friend and she saw Katarina and Auntie Kim, holding Molly Kim. There was Ben, grinning like an idiot, and Rob Manners, as well as Dex and Evan. Evan handed Jules and Rick a beer and Miller came out of shock to ask what it was all about.
“We decided to lend a hand, and all of us came and scrubbed the place clean for you. We heard it was that Valeriana that spoiled the door and decided to try and do something to help. I didn’t like that woman on sight,” Jazz told her. “We roped in Ben and Rob for more muscle power and at least the place is clean.”
Miller found there were tears streaming down her cheeks and she was laughing at the same time. She looked around and saw a gleaming, clean kitchen with new crockery added to the shelves and saw that there were curtains at the windows.
“The curtains are just until you find some that you want,” Jazz told her and took the baby from her sister. Molly Kim was looking around with wide eyes and held her arms out for her daddy. Evan took her onto his knee and watched everyone tucking into his fantastic food. Jules and Miller talked about the photo shoot but also how the camera had spotted the car tailing them.
“Oh, that was frightening,” Jazz said when she heard the tale. Miller nodded.
“We sent the photo to Mackay and the local police found the car abandoned. We are no further ahead, but they must have known they were photographed and got away. There was no more trouble.” Rick told the rest about Valeriana losing her financial backer.
“We have to assume she blamed Miller and took it out on the door,” he said, “but we still don’t know who trashed the house.”
“I still blame that Glenda thingy,” Carly said. “She is a horror.”
“I cannot see her getting down and dirty with the ripping the place apart. Too much like hard work,” Jules added. “But she could have paid someone else to do it.”
“Forget them,” Rob Manners called out and raised his beer bottle. “To a new start for this house and Miller’s new business.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Jules answered, but it’s not just Miller’s business, and they both talked about the idea of running a workshop together.
“We can have prints and other art work, furniture, soft furnishings, and quirky bits and pieces,” Miller enthused. “And maybe jewelry and plants.”
“What a fantastic idea,” Carly said. “To the new venture.”
“The new venture,” everybody repeated and Miller sank onto the sofa beside Evan.
“I just cannot believe you all did all of this for me,” she said.
“Have something to eat,” was his practical response to the tears that started again. She kissed Molly Kim on the head and went to see what delights he had cooked.
Maddie and Rick had a drink and a snack and then left the younger generation to enjoy themselves.
14
The atmosphere of a group of friends sticking together was a lovely feeling, and Jazz stood and rocked the baby while she looked fondly at the people chatting together, having a drink, and enjoying themselves. She felt sort of responsible for bringing them together and it was good. Miller stood up and came to take the baby for a while.
“She is such a good little girl,” she said as she held Molly Kim in the crook of her arm.
“Well most of the time,” Jazz agreed and grabbed a snack now that her hands were free. “We will all have to keep an eye out for a suitable property for your workshop. It’s a great idea.” Miller told her that it was amazing that she never knew she could make a business from her furniture upcycling.
“Now that it is underway, I am having loads of ideas, and if we have a place to display them, I can make other things as well.”
“And have a few plants to decorate and sell like Carly does,” Kim joined the other two and took a sip of her beer. “I am going to expand the shop at the nursery and there will be space if you want it, but it won’t be ready for a few weeks.”
“That sounds great. We need somewhere in the meantime. I have to be able to plug in electric saws and sanders and it seems a bit noisy for Carly’s place.” Miller answered. “My simple quilts are nothing like your fantastic creations. Will you be having somewhere for those?”
“Yes, a crafter’s section,” Kim told her.
“I will tell Jules later and see what he says,” Miller said. She handed back the little one and went to talk to Carly.
“She’s absolutely stuck on him,” Jazz said to her sister. “I hope it works out for them.” Kim watched Miller across the room.
“The workshop idea is good because they will find out if they can work together.”
“And they can both keep their tempers under control. Two redheads together,” Jazz laughed.
The drinks flowed as Jazz and Evan left with the baby, and eventually the others drifted away as well. Jules and Miller washed up the dishes and locked up the house.
“The place is not quite as tidy as it was, but they did a great job,” Miller said. “They were fantastic.”
Maddie was waiting to hear how things had gone, and Miller told her about Kim’s offer of a place when it was finished.
“That is good,” Rick added. “We had a call from the detective when we came back. He says that the car belonged to someone who worked for the Marine conglomeration. Not a known name but definitely connected. They are following it up, but no crime was committed and they are still telling you to be careful.”
“We will be,” Miller promised.
“Glenda could have asked someone working for the family to watch where I went. I don’t know why, but I guess they will get sick of it eventually. One thing about Glenda, if she cannot make money, she leaves it alone.”
“Is she someone who likes revenge?” Maddie asked, and he thought about it and nodded.
“I guess so but it would be a knee-jerk reaction. When she saw no profit, she would give up.”
“So, we keep safe and wait for it to go away?” Miller asked, and they all agreed that was the best thing to do. “I hate not being able to do anything about it though,” she added grumpily. “I would like to go and have it out with them.”
“Well, in this case, you can’t,” Rick told her gently. “We want you in one piece.”
Rick and Maddie left them to say goodnight, and before long the house was dark and quiet. Shortly before six in the morning, Jules heard his phone ping and looked at the message. He sat bolt upright and read the note from his father. That in itself was unheard of and made him read it again.
“Help. I need your help urgently,” the message said. Jules was already pulling on clothes and slipped his phone and keys into his pockets. Then he tiptoed quietly down the stairs. He paused at Miller’s door, carried on, and didn’t disturb her but halted in the kitchen to find a paper and pencil.
“She will be frantic if I just disappear,” he thought and scribbled a note saying urgent call from the family. Then he slipped outside and started his car. The big house where his parents lived was about half an hour’s drive away, and he tried not to break any speeding laws. The streets were just starting to come alive with people going to work, but not too busy, and he drove up in front of the house. There was a dim light shining from somewhere at the rear and no other vehicles. He opened the front door and walked through cautiously. He didn’t want to call
out in case it caused a panic. The light was shining under the kitchen door and he opened it and stepped inside.
Less than half an hour after Jules left, Miller wandered downstairs to find a cup of coffee and saw the note. She read and reread it and then swore very loudly, ran back upstairs, and threw on some clothes. Like Jules, she grabbed her phone and car keys and then stopped at the note and added that she had followed him and to call the police. Then Miller ran for her car, muttering all the way about doing things together.
“Fat chance,” she said out loud. “Call comes and off he goes on his own.” The same sort of conversation with herself kept her going until she drew up at the entrance gates to the big house. There was no sign of life but Jules’s car was out front. She drove past, parked, and then walked quietly back and made her way up to the house, keeping under the trees to avoid being seen. There was still no movement or noise from inside, and she skirted around to the rear of the property to see if there was anything to be seen. There was a light on in what she assumed was the kitchen, because the window she was peering through was into a large laundry room. She tried the door but it was locked. Then she found that the window was on a loose catch and, with a little jiggling, it opened and she hitched up onto the sill and slid her legs inside. Her heart was thudding like a drum so she stood still and listened. When she felt more calm, she stepped up to the door and put her ear against it. Jules was in there and seemed to be all right because she could hear his voice. That was at least a relief. She stood stock-still and pressed her ear to the wood.
“Well good for you, Dad,” he was saying. “It would be worth ten million to me to get rid of Glenda forever. I’ll sign the bloody paper and be done with it.”
“There you are,” his mother’s voice added. “I’ll sign it and Jules signs it and Glenda goes away happy.”
“I didn’t put the extra cautions in place for that---that--- woman to walk away happy. I would like her to be very unhappy. You will have to get a lawyer to witness the signatures or it is null and void and the bank will not pay out.”
