Читать книгу Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 1: Midnight, Blood Brothers, Songbird - Josephine Cox - Страница 21
ОглавлениеTHERE WAS A real buzz in the showrooms, and Jan was more excited than anyone. ‘Ooh! It’s been a long time since we had a party here. The last one was four years ago, when Archie Taylor got promoted to Head Office. I’d only been here six months and I was asked to organise the food and everything – just like now.’
‘I hope you didn’t cook this food yourself?’ Charlie said cheekily. He glanced along the reception desk, where a generous finger buffet had been laid out – more than enough to satisfy the dozen or so staff who had stayed behind for the event.
‘No, I did not cook it,’ Jan replied huffily. ‘Not that I couldn’t have if I’d been asked, but I got all the stuff from the supermarket, like I was told to do, and if I say so myself, I think I’ve done right by everyone.’ She gestured to the many trays. ‘We’ve got sausage rolls, assorted sandwiches and cold potato salad; there’s all kinds of meat and enough bread rolls to build a house. We’ve got various pastries and all manner of desserts, and—’
‘All right, all right!’ Charlie’s stomach was already rumbling. ‘We’ve got eyes. We can see it all, thank you very much.’
‘Right! And have you seen the balloons – forty of them, all colours and shapes? And the banners that took me a good hour to put up all round the walls. Oh, and what about the toy car on top of the cake? I bought that out of my own money,’ She gave a cheeky wink, ‘which I fully intend to claim back.’
Charlie looked at the little red sports-car which had been plonked atop the small round cake. ‘It’s a bit naff, if you ask me.’
‘Damned cheek!’ She clapped him round the head. ‘I wasn’t asking you! Now clear off and find something to do, while I sort out the plates and stuff. The party doesn’t start for another half hour.’
Charlie slunk away, while Bill arrived to take up residence in the same spot. ‘I hope they give me a party when I take up my promotion,’ he said longingly.
‘If they don’t, I will,’ Jan grinned. ‘But it won’t be like this. It’ll be crisps and Twiglets and a can of Coke – if you’re lucky.’
Bill ignored her teasing. ‘I hear one of the top brass is making an appearance here tonight. Why’s that, then?’
‘Three reasons,’ said Jan importantly. She counted them off on her fingers: ‘One, Jack’s leaving here after ten years’ service. Two, on Tuesday, he takes up the managership of a state-of-the-art showroom. And three, it will also be his birthday. So, don’t you think that’s reason enough for them to send at least one representative from Head Office?’
‘Well, I think it smacks of favouritism,’ said Charlie, who had rejoined them. He grabbed a sandwich and wolfed it down before Jan could stop him.
‘Give over, Charlie,’ said Bill. ‘I reckon you want to party, and make a fool of yourself with the ladies. The thing is, you’re worried that the man from Head Office might not approve. He gave a knowing wink. ‘That’s the truth, isn’t it?’ Charlie was not best pleased. ‘I’d say you’re stepping out of line, young man. You’d be wise to keep your opinions to yourself!’ With that he stormed off to his office.
An hour or so later, everyone was in happy mood. The party was in full swing, with the food and wine flowing, and everything as it should be. As might be expected, little groups formed to chat together, while others jiggled to the loud music played by a local DJ.
From outside, Molly saw it all.
Having heard about the leaving party from her gossiping ex-colleague Tina, she thought it might be her last chance to persuade Jack, that it wasn’t too late for them to get back together. After a few playful sessions with puppy-dog Mal, she realised more than ever that she did not want to lose Jack, that she still wanted him in her life. Even at this late date, she was conceited enough to believe that she could still change his mind.
When someone suddenly came outside to light up a cigarette, she quickly stepped back into the shadows. Before she ventured inside, she needed to plan what she would say to Jack, and this time she must not get angry. Last time she had gone about it the wrong way, so now, having thought it through, she knew she must change her tactics. With Jack, honesty and calm debate got the best results.
Oh, but what if he told her to leave? What if he threw her out? She had to convince him that she was not here to make trouble. She was here to mend things between them, to make him understand that he was her man and she was his woman, and she didn’t want him going hundreds of miles away.
The thought of Jack in some other woman’s arms made Molly even more determined to keep her temper under wraps. That way, he would soon realise that she was still the same old Molly he had loved for so long.
Unaware that he was being spied on, Jack made time to do the rounds, chatting to everyone in turn, and making sure they were well taken care of.
‘You’re definitely the man for the job, we have no doubts about that.’ Oliver Mason, Curtis Warren’s second-in-command, had risen in the ranks from salesman to manager, and was now one of the most important men in the business. ‘I don’t mind telling you, Redmond, we gave a lot of time and thought to who we really needed up there, and at every turn your name kept coming up.’ Reaching out, he gave Jack a pat on the back. ‘It’s no more than you deserve,’ he told him. ‘I know you’ll do us proud.’
Jan overheard, and was quick to agree. ‘You couldn’t have chosen a better man, Mr Mason,’ she said, smiling at the big man. ‘But you’re taking him away from us, and that’s not fair, is it?’
Ignoring the fact that she seemed a little too merry, and definitely livelier than usual, he gave her his friendliest smile. ‘Hello, Jan. Sounds to me like you’re here to give me a ticking off?’
Jan giggled, ‘No, ‘course not. Why would I do that?’
‘Well, because I’ve stolen your best boy, of course. But that’s the way it is. We needed the best and we found him in Jack.’
For a time, the three of them chatted amiably, before Mason excused himself. ‘I’ve got less than an hour to do the rounds before the presentation. After that, I’d best be away – long journey back to London and all that.’
He looked up, as though searching for someone.
‘That reminds me. I’d best find out if the driver’s had anything to eat. I hope he’s not been helping himself to the booze. I don’t want to end up in some ditch this side of London, do I?’ Concerned, he hurried away.
When he’d gone, Jan held out her hand. ‘Hey, Jack. Let’s you and me dance, eh? Celebrate.’
‘I’m not sure I feel like celebrating, really,’ he said. ‘I’ve got other things on my mind right now. Like selling my house, and moving from one end of the country to another. Then there’s the scary business of being responsible for the success of a brand-new showroom – or, as Oliver put it, “the company’s showpiece”. It’s a lot to live up to, don’t you think?’
Jan had no doubts whatsoever. ‘You’ll make a huge success of it,’ she said tipsily. Flinging her arms round his neck, she whispered in his ear, ‘I love you to bits, Jack Redmond!’
Jack gently eased her off. He had avoided the booze, and thought it best to humour her. ‘And I love you too,’ he said kindly.
He had not expected her to take his comment literally, so when she got him in a headlock and kissed him passionately on the mouth, he was taken completely by surprise – as were their fellow workers, who began shouting and clapping, ‘Woa! Looks like the party’s started.’
Outside, hidden from sight, Molly saw them through the window, and misconstrued the whole thing.
Turning away in anger, she did not see Jack desperately separating himself from Jan. When she looked up again, she saw how Jack had his hands on the other woman’s shoulders, and his head bent to her, as though in tenderness, when in truth Jack was telling Jan she’d had too much to drink and he thought it might be a good idea if he got a taxi to take her home.
‘Dance with me, Jack . . . please?’ Jan was not ready to leave.
With a great deal of care, Jack got her to the other side of the room, where he sat her down, while he went away to phone for a taxi-cab. ‘Don’t you move!’ he said. ‘I’ll be back in a minute.’
‘Promise?’ Reaching up, she caught hold of his hand and pressed it to her face. ‘Sorry, Jack. I’ve been a naughty girl. I expect the big boss will give me the sack now, won’t he?’
‘No, he won’t. This is a party, after all. But you’ve definitely had one too many, so just you wait there. I won’t be long, I promise.’
Once he was out of sight, Jan waddled to the bar and got herself another gin and tonic, which she knocked back in one choking gulp. ‘I am not drunk!’ she announced to the bartender. ‘And I am not going home yet, because I want a dance with Jack!’
The young bartender had been hired in order to leave everyone else free to enjoy themselves. He acknowledged Jan’s comments with a smile and a nod.
‘What’s your name?’ Hoisting her generous boobs onto the bar, she leaned towards him.
‘David.’
‘Well then, David – I don’t suppose you’d like to dance with me, would you?’
Blushing a fiery shade of red, the young man wasn’t really sure how to deal with her. ‘No. I mean – I would like to dance, only I can’t, because I’m on duty.’
In truth, the last thing he wanted was to be dragged round the floor by a drunken woman, especially as he wasn’t been being paid for tonight, was only doing this job as a favour for a friend, who was just starting up in the party-bar business. This was his first contract, but yesterday he took ill and couldn’t do it.
‘You little liar!’ Steadying herself against the receptionist desk, Jan shamelessly teased the young man. ‘You’re really nervous, aren’t you? Is that because I’ve got big boobs, or because you think I’m about to drag you away and ravage you?’
Laughing, she slithered down the bar out of sight, then popped up again. ‘Don’t be such a party-pooper! Let yourself go!’ Catching hold of him by the collar, she yanked him across the counter, her face mingling with his. ‘Listen to me, David, my lovely. Like Jack Redmond said, this is a party, and everyone should be on the floor dancing.’
‘I can’t. I’m on duty.’ He had to stop himself from smiling at her comical antics, Please, can’t you find somebody else to dance with?’
‘Oh, I will!’ Casting him aside, she confided with pride, ‘D’you want to know my secret, David?’
‘If you like.’ Anything to just get rid of her, he thought.
‘I’ve made a decision. There might be some misery-guts who won’t like it, but that’s tough titty, mate! ’Cause when they do the announcement, I’m gonna stand up there and tell everyone what a wonderful man Jack is.’ She paused. ‘Except he won’t dance with me! And I don’t think that’s nice, do you?’
‘No. That’s a terrible thing.’
‘What would you call a man who refuses to dance with a woman?’
‘I’d call him a rotter.’
At which she collapsed in fits of laughter. ‘You know what, David!’ she screeched. ‘You just called yourself a rotter. What are you like?’
She didn’t even notice as he made his getaway. Tomorrow, he fully intended to tell his friend that he would never do another staff party! Though when he glanced back to see Jan fawning over every man as she passed him, he actually laughed out loud, ‘Women!’
Still giggling, Jan tottered towards the glass doors. She even did a little jig as she wound her wobbly way through the dancing couples. ‘Don’t mind me!’ she said, knocking them about like skittles. ‘A bit of fresh air, that’s what I need. Then I’ll be right as rain.’
In the middle of the dance-floor, while the couples swirled about her, she paused a moment to rummage in her bag, looking for cigarettes and lighter. ‘Damn and bugger it, can’t find nothing in this bloody Tardis. Come out, you little sods!’
Having located the said items, she continued on her unsteady course towards the glass doors, which led to the large area of decking and the garden below.
The company had created this extravagant recreation area to impress the customers, and it had proved to be money well spent. Salesman–customer consultations could take place here, and it was a pleasant spot for the staff to have a sandwich and drink at lunchtime, on the rare occasions when the sun shone. Or even to have a crafty cigarette if there was no one using the facility for business purposes. And when there were organised functions such as a new car launch or business promotions, the decking area had proved to be invaluable.
From her hiding-place behind the fencing, Molly watched as Jan threw open the doors, then positioned herself against the wooden railings as she shakily lit a cigarette. She took a long, lazy drag, held the smoke in her mouth for a moment, then blew it out in a perfect circle of smoke. ‘Hey . . . Wow! Look at that!’ Thrilled when the halo hovered before her face, she blew another, then another. Like a delighted child, she poked her finger into the centre of each and every smoke-ring. Laughing aloud, she blew more, faster and faster, until she was surrounded by a haze of smoke-rings. And as they shrunk into varying shapes, she was beside herself, falling about, breathless with laughter.
A moment later, her laughter was cut short when Molly took hold of her by the shoulders and spun her round. ‘Think you’re really clever, don’t you?’
Assuming the stranger had seen her wonderful smoke-rings. Jan bosted, ‘Yea! I bet you couldn’t make more than me.’
Molly shook her by the shoulders. ‘Don’t you come the innocent with me! I saw you kissing Jack. You’d better keep your hands off him. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
With the daylight fading and the booze having a delayed effect on her, Jan found it hard to focus. ‘Who the hell are you? What makes you think you can tell me what to do?’ She struggled to get loose, but Molly had her in a tight grip.
‘Did you hear what I said, you silly bitch? Leave my man alone!’
‘If you mean Jack, he’s not your man . . .’ She stared Molly up and down. ‘Ah, yes! I know who you are now. You’re the big-mouth troublemaker who embarrassed him in front of everybody.’ In the face of trouble, she was beginning to sober up, though she still felt sick. ‘You’d best face it, lady. You and Jack are finished . . . for good!
‘Shut your stupid mouth! You’re wrong – there’s no way we’re finished.’
‘What?’ Jan could give as good as she got. ‘After what you did the other day, I shouldn’t think he ever wants to set eyes on you again. Jack is done with you. And if I fancy my chances with him, it’s none of your damned business.’
Molly gave her a shove. ‘I’m telling you for the last time. Back off!’
‘Says who? I don’t take kindly to warnings, and besides, this is a private party. You’ve got no right to be here. Bugger off, before I call security!’ With a stomach full of booze and a head that felt three times its size, Jan had an overwhelming need to be sick.
When Molly slapped her hard across the face, it came as a shock. Furious, Jan hit out with everything she’d got – fists, feet and knees. Soon the two of them were writhing on the floor – until Jan brought up the contents of her stomach, the sight and stench of which sent Molly diving for cover. ‘You filthy animal!’ she screeched, disgusted.
Suddenly, Jack was there calling for someone to help Jan inside. Taking Molly by the arm, he demanded, ‘what the devil are you doing here?’
‘I’m here to make up with you, Jack,’ Molly whined. ‘I know I’ve been an absolute cow. I should never have burst into the showroom like that, and I’m truly sorry. I want us to get back together, Jack. At least, let’s talk about it properly. Away from here.’
‘As you may have realised,’ said Jack curtly, ‘this party is to celebrate my promotion. In a short time, there’ll be a presentation, and I can’t just go swanning off with you, Molly. Especially when I know, from past experience, it would be a waste of time anyway.’
Molly was desperate, ‘It won’t be. Honestly. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I miss you so much, I’ll do anything to have it all as it was before. Please, Jack.’
Jack was sorry that she was genuinely upset, but he knew Molly, and he knew the score. However, because he still had feelings for her, he listened to what she had to say. ‘So, what happened to Mal?’ he asked. ‘I thought you had a thing going with him. Weren’t you getting married?’
‘It was just me being angry with you, Jack. It didn’t mean anything.’
‘Does Mal know that?’
‘Yes,’ she lied.
‘And you’re ready to come up north with me?’
Her hesitation gave him his answer, but he asked again. ‘It’s a straightforward question, Molly, and I would like a straightforward answer. Are you, or are you not, ready to move up to Lancashire with me?’
But still she wouldn’t give him an answer. ‘Well, it’s obvious that nothing has changed,’ he said. ‘You have no intention of giving an inch. You want to keep your house, your job and your life here, which is your choice. But I have a choice too, and now that I’ve made it, I’m not about to change my mind. It seems that while you’re prepared to give up nothing, you want me to give up my plans – hand back my promotion and turn my back on the only hope I’ve ever had of getting at the truth of these nightmares.’ His voice was heavy with regret as he told her, ‘I really thought you would be behind me all the way, Moll. If you truly love me, like you say you do, then you wouldn’t be trying to put every obstacle in my way, instead of helping me.’
Realising every word he said was the truth, Molly began to panic. ‘No, Jack! You need to hear what I’m saying, that’s all.’
‘Oh, I am, Molly. I’m hearing you loud and clear. I still love you – I can’t deny that. But I’m not prepared to dance to your tune for the rest of my life. Can you understand what I’m saying, Molly? Do you even want to understand?’
‘Please, Jack.’ The tears began to flow. ‘Don’t do this to me.’
It hurt Jack to see her this way, but he knew he was right to leave, to do what he had set out to do. ‘I’m sorry it’s come to this, but at least let’s part on good terms, eh?’
Molly looked up at him, at that familiar, handsome face, with those sincere, kindly eyes, and knew she would never find anyone like him again. ‘I can’t uproot myself, Jack,’ she said. ‘I’ve worked so hard for what I’ve got, and I can’t let it go.’
Jack gave a sad little smile. ‘But you can let me go, eh?’
‘No, Jack. You’re the one leaving. Not me.’
‘Yes, Molly, that’s very true, but I have my reasons, as well you know – better than anyone.’ His voice softened, ‘So, it looks like the end of the road for you and me. I’m sorry about that, Molly. Really, I am.’
Without a word, Molly reached into her handbag and gave him back his key. She turned away with a parting jibe: ‘You could never have loved me, or you wouldn’t be leaving me behind.’
He watched her go, and his heart was heavy. There was no denying that they had deep feelings for each other, but try as they might, they could not find a way to be together. And that was the hard truth of it.
Downhearted, he made his way back inside.
Outside, Molly lingered for a while, half-tempted to go after him, yet reluctant to do so. Instead, she found herself accepting that their relationship really was over. She felt bitter and used, hoping that he would come to regret his decision to leave her behind.
So many questions flitted through her mind. Why was it that every time she found a man she truly cared for, he always left her sooner or later?
She asked herself, ‘Is it me? Is there something about me that puts men off?’ For the life of her, she could not understand it. ‘I reckon I’m good-looking, and I keep myself smart. I’ve got a good job with prospects, and I’m nobody’s fool. I stand up for myself and I make decisions. So, why do they always leave me?’
She felt sorry. Sorry for herself. Sorry for her predicament, and her failures. But it was not her fault. None of it was her fault. ‘I’m coming up to thirty, and I need someone to be with me . . . to share my life and do the things I like to do.’
Being without Jack scared her.
Being on her own scared her even more.
After a time, when the night air made her shiver, she headed across the courtyard to her car. Once there, she unlocked the door and got in, but she didn’t start the engine straight away. Instead, she sat in the driver’s seat, wrapped her arms round the steering-wheel and, laying her head on her arms, she sobbed as though her heart would break.
What was left for her now? Where could she go from here? Eventually, looking in the driver’s mirror, she wiped away her tears. Assuring herself that her misery was all Jack’s fault, a terrible anger rose in her. ‘I’ll teach him a lesson he won’t forget!’ she vowed. ‘Somewhere along the way he’ll want me back – and then he’ll find it won’t be so easy. Oh yes! I still have cards to play. You’re gonna be sorry, Jack Redmond. Sorry that you ever let me go.’
With a turn of the key, she started the engine, then accelerated away at speed, pleased that she had thought of a way to hit back at him. Congratulating herself on devising such a clever little plan, she could hardly wait to get back home. First though, she stopped off at the pub for a drink, and a chance to get her thoughts together. ‘Just the one,’ she told the barman. ‘I’m driving.’ Normally she might have a couple. But tonight, she had to keep her wits about her.
Some time later, when she pulled up in the drive, the house was in darkness. A quick glance at the dashboard clock told her it was almost 11 p.m. ‘It’s a bit early for the boys to be asleep,’ she muttered, climbing out to lock the car. ‘Maybe they’re out, but they never told me they had plans.’ Lately, Mal seemed to stay over more than she wanted, but when he and Brian were working on a project, they worked day and night, poring over plans and finance. It irritated her. In truth, just lately everything irritated her.
A moment later she entered the hallway to find the entire house in darkness. ‘I thought I told Brian to always leave a light on when he goes out,’ she muttered crossly. Switching on the light, she slammed her keys onto the hallway table and, throwing off her jacket, went into the kitchen. When she switched on the light there, she got a fright because Brian was sprawled across the table.
‘Hey!’ Brian had been fast asleep across the table. ‘Who’s that? What’s going on? . . . Oh, it’s you, Sis. I must have fallen asleep.’ Littered across the table was a sea of paperwork, with an open notebook alongside, into which he’d scribbled copious notes. ‘What’s the time?’ Rubbing his eyes, he looked up at the wall-clock.
‘Time you got some proper sleep.’ Molly had no sympathy for him. ‘Look at you! What d’you think you’ll achieve, staying up till all hours, dozing over your work?’
‘Aw, don’t start nagging me. Mal stayed and we got a lot of work done. He’s such a lightweight – he went off to bed ages ago. Hope it’s OK with you that he’s stayed? I said it was OK.’ Brian gave her one of his little-boy smiles. ‘Are you making a drink?’
‘No.’
‘Aw, go on, Sis. I know you always have a hot chocolate before you go to bed.’
‘Not tonight, I’m too tired.’
‘Well, my throat’s parched, so I’m having a drink. I’ll make you one while I’m at it, if you like?’
Molly declined. ‘I’m going to bed. Goodnight, then. And don’t stay down here too long. Not if you want a clear head in the morning.’ With that, she headed for the stairs.
On the landing, she thought of her plan, and for one minute it seemed so drastic, she wondered how Mal might take it. Then she thought of Jack and how he had dumped her, and her hackles were up.
Once in her bedroom, she stripped off her clothes. Then she sauntered into the bathroom, where she freshened up, sprayed a little perfume over her nakedness and, running a little light mousse through her hair, fluffed it up about her face. The smallest suggestion of eye-shadow. A delicate dash of lipstick, and she was ready.
Across the landing, Mal was in the spare boxroom, fast asleep, when he sensed the duvet being lifted. Startled, he opened his eyes, and she was all over him, kissing his neck, his chest; her body writhing, warm and silky, against him.
In the half-light from the window, he realised it was Molly, and he could hardly believe it.
When he opened his mouth to speak, she placed her finger over his lips. ‘Do you still want to marry me?’ she purred.
Unable to speak, Mal nodded.
‘Have you still got the diamond ring you bought,?’
‘Yes.’ He assumed he must be in heaven, that she was an angel and he would wake up any minute. ‘Are you saying you’ve changed your mind about marrying me?’ he asked drowsily.
She smiled sweetly. ‘Why do you think I’m here . . . in your bed?’
Mal found it hard to believe. Having her here like this, hearing her say she wanted to be his wife, was like his every wish come true. When he took her in his arms, with her words of love ringing in his ears, he was the happiest man in the world.
If only he’d realised, that even in the throes of making love, Molly felt no affection or joy. Nor even the smallest sense of guilt for her betrayal of this kindly man who adored her unconditionally.
What she felt was deep regret – at losing Jack. At the same time, she felt a sense of triumph, that her plan of revenge would soon be accomplished. In fact, she was determined to become Mrs Malcolm Shawncross as quickly as possible. Poor Mal was simply a means to an end. It was Jack she wanted. But first, she needed to punish him.
And if Mal got hurt in the process? Well, that was too bad. At times like these, there were always casualties.
