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Chapter Seventeen

THE NEXT MORNING, Jack was dog-tired, having had less than four hours’ sleep. The images of midnight still clung to him. Even now, when he was wide awake and getting ready for work, doing ordinary things – everyday, wide-awake things – like trying to fasten his tie, like brushing his teeth and combing his wayward hair. Even while he was planning the day ahead, praying that the event tomorrow would run like clockwork, he could not shut out the image of those eyes. The expression in them as they looked at him; the sadness . . . the way the moonlight made them sparkle. And the unholy smell.

Afraid that he was going mad, he turned the radio on full blast. The soft piano music pacified his shredded nerves. It smothered the rising panic inside him.

Calmer now, he looked in the mirror and managed to tie the perfect knot in his tie. He examined himself with a critical eye: smart, dark-blue suit; crisp, white shirt beneath. All in all, he now looked like a man about to do business.

He didn’t want to be seen as less than smart in his new position. As Thomas had told him once, ‘First impressions are most important.’ In fact, Jack recalled the very day he’d said that.

He was on his way to school. It was a hot July Friday towards the end of term, and it was the turn of his class to take assembly. Jack had stuffed his tie in his pocket as usual, the minute he was out of the house.

As he walked past, Thomas was at the gate. He asked Jack what he was up to at school that day, and Jack told him they were having a special assembly. ‘There’s a council-man coming to talk to us,’ he explained. ‘He means to ask us why we need a new gymnasium.’ He told Thomas, ‘I can’t stand assemblies.’

Thomas asked where his tie was, and Jack pulled it out of his pocket to show him. Thomas was persuasive but firm. ‘Put it back on, lad. You might not like the idea of listening to some bloke spouting off, but there’s no need to look like a scruff, now is there, eh? Think about it, lad. Have a bit of self-respect.’

That was when he told Jack, ‘Remember: first impressions are the most important.’ It was sound advice, which Jack had never forgotten.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he was satisfied that Thomas would approve. He felt ready to face the world. ‘Right!’ Willing himself not to think about other things, he trained his mind on the all-important test ahead of him.

Jack’s right-hand woman, Susan Wilson, had proved herself to be as reliable as ever. Six of the company’s more experienced salesmen were all geared up and ready for instructions; the ultra-efficient Susan had supplied them each with an information pack and a pen and notepad, in case they needed to make notes during Jack’s welcoming speech as manager.

Jack’s speech was planned for 8 a.m., when everyone involved in the big day tomorrow should be gathered in the main showrooms. After the speech, there would be a question-and-answer session, when every little detail would be gone over for the Saturday event.

Later in the day, a top representative of the company and his aide were due to arrive from Head Office. On Jack’s instructions, Susan had booked two rooms at the five-star Chadwick Hotel. The two men planned to stay overnight, in preparation for attending the Saturday event, at which Curtis Warren himself would oversee the launch of his company’s latest venture.

Susan had been keeping a lookout for Jack’s Lexus. When she saw him arrive she called out to him, ‘Good morning!’ In spite of feeling frazzled by the heavy duties that had fallen on her shoulders, and having been at the showrooms since six-thirty this morning, she greeted Jack with a bright smile, saying, ‘How are you today?’

‘Ready for the fray,’ he replied breezily. ‘Or as ready as I’ll ever be.’ His quick smile amply covered his anxieties.

Susan glanced at her watch. ‘We’ve got about twenty minutes or so, if you want to go over anything? Or, if you’d rather leave it until later, that’s fine.’

‘No, let’s get on with it.’ Although he was satisfied that she could handle the duties he had given her, Jack was keen to see that everything was as it should be. After all, the prime responsibility for the smooth running of this enterprise was his, and his alone.

The next fifteen minutes confirmed his faith in her. Jack went through the advertisements due to appear in all the local papers today. Next, he checked the allocation of radio airtime, with the guarantee that, provided there were no big, unexpected news-stories, tomorrow’s event would be widely broadcast. He also checked the names of each newspaper that had agreed to send a reporter to the actual event.

‘Well done!’ Jack was suitably impressed. ‘You’ve excelled yourself, Sue.’

His comments put a wide smile on her face. ‘Would you like to see one of the banners?’ She pointed to a large box that had been delivered earlier that morning, as arranged.

‘Absolutely!’ Jack slit open the box with his penknife and, taking out one of the large banners, he unfurled it and laid it across his desk. Colourful and eye-catching, the design was first class. In addition, there was also a special promotion offer and an opportunity to draw the winning ticket for a new car, a Nissan hatchback.

‘I’m glad Head Office took up my idea of a draw,’ Jack said. ‘If anything brings in the crowds, it’s the chance of a freebie.’ He gave her a knowing wink. ‘Oh, and the quality of the product, of course.’

‘Of course.’

The two of them went over every last detail of the next day’s event, and before they knew it, it was eight o’clock. The troops were fully gathered in the main showroom, and now it was time for Jack to go out and speak to everyone.

‘I don’t intend making a long speech,’ he confided to Susan as they walked through. ‘I’ll just welcome everyone aboard, outline the schedule for tomorrow, then it’s back to work for all of us.’

With so much still to be done before tomorrow, Susan was in full agreement.

Molly was not content.

Mal adored her so much that she only had to say the word, and he would give her anything that was within his power to give. Yet still, she was not satisfied, and probably never would be.

Not without Jack.

He filled her mind, day and night. Despite the fact that she was now engaged to Malcolm Shawncross, she was still obsessed with Jack.

‘Oh Jack, it was a mistake,’ she murmured out loud. ‘I should never have let you go.’

‘What’s that?’ Mal returned from the kitchen. ‘Sorry, love. I didn’t hear what you said.’

‘Oh, it was nothing. I was just thinking out loud, that’s all.’

Handing her a cup of coffee, he sat on the sofa beside her. ‘Just now when I came in, you seemed upset. Is there something worrying you? Whatever it is, we’ll sort it together.’

‘Like I said – it’s nothing. Stop nagging.’ Repulsed by his nearness, she inched away.

Mal sipped at his coffee. He felt unsettled. They had been engaged for three weeks now, but he still didn’t feel as if Molly loved him like she should. He knew she was disappointed that they hadn’t been away on that fortnight’s holiday he promised her, but he and Brian were at a tricky stage with the barn project. He couldn’t spare the time for a break just now.

Not certain what he should do, Mal decided to keep quiet. He had learned that when Molly was in one of her moods, it was best to leave her alone. She had a scary temper on her at times. So, he drank his coffee and waited. He hoped that if he waited long enough, she might tell him what was on her mind. Instead, the silence thickened.

Suddenly, she was on her feet and looking down on him. ‘There’s something you should know.’ Her voice was intense. Too serious.

‘What might that be, then?’ His heartbeat quickened. And when she answered him, he was shocked to his roots.

‘I made a mistake, getting engaged to you.’ When he opened his mouth to speak, she went on, ‘No! Don’t say anything. I’m sorry, but I realise it now. I’m just not ready for a big commitment. It’s over, Mal.’

There! It was said, and she felt all the better for it. Yet she had to be careful, because if she couldn’t get Jack back again, she might well be left on the shelf.

Mal was devastated. ‘Is it something I’ve done?’ he asked. ‘If I’ve upset you in any way, I’m sorry. I’ll make it right. I love you, Molly – I always have, you know that.’

The smallest semblance of pity touched her cold heart, but she was not about to change her mind. She had been making plans, and today she’d managed to acquire the information she needed. So now, there was no turning back. ‘I’m sorry, Mal. I really am.’

Heartbroken, he bowed his head. ‘Don’t let it be over, Molly,’ he pleaded. ‘Take as much time as you like to think it through, but don’t finish it now, not like this. I can wait. I’ll wait for ever if I have to.’

He felt like a coward. He knew he should be throwing her out, but she was in his blood. He could not imagine life without her.

Molly had a plan. ‘I need to go out for a while,’ she lied.

His heart lightened. ‘That’s a good idea. We can talk about it, away from here. Let’s jump in the car and go to the Black Horse at Woburn. It’s quiet there at this time of evening.’

‘No! I’m going out on my own. Like you said, I need to think.’ But not about him, she thought. Not about spending the rest of her life without him. It was Jack she needed to think about. She wanted him back, and to that end, she was prepared to do anything.

A few minutes later she was on her way out, leaving Mal standing at the window, feeling utterly wretched, watching her go. ‘What’s happening?’ he kept asking himself. ‘Where did I go wrong?’

In the pub down the road, Molly ordered her drink and took it to a corner seat.

‘What’s wrong with her?’ The barmaid had never taken to Molly.

The landlord shrugged. ‘Dunno.’

The barmaid gave a little snort. That bloke of hers – Mal, isn’t it? – he needs his head examined, getting engaged to her. He can’t have known what he was taking on, poor bugger.’

The landlord was surprised at her bitterness. ‘Get over yourself, Sally. She’s just having a bad day, like we all have sometimes.’

Sally swiped a cloth over the bar. ‘You men! A woman only has to have a nice pair of legs and bouncy boobs, and you can’t see beyond them. I’ve got her well and truly sussed, though.’

‘Go on then, enlighten me,’ the landlord topped up a pint of Guinness.

‘She’s one of those women who are all sweetness and light on the surface, when everything’s going their way. But once things begin to go wrong, you see their true colours.’

‘I see.’ He glanced at Molly, who was leaning on the table, arms folded and her thoughts seemingly miles away. ‘If you ask me, she’s had a bit of a barny with that bloke of hers.’

The barmaid tutted, then went to the other end of the bar, where an elderly man was waiting to be served. ‘Yes, my darling – what can I get you?’ Her smile was radiant, but when her attention slid over to Molly, she muttered a piece of advice: ‘What you need, lady, is a man who can put you in your place. A good kick up the arse now and then wouldn’t hurt you, either.’

‘I beg your pardon?’ The old gent didn’t quite catch what she said.

Horrified, she spun round. ‘Oh, sorry – what was it? Vodka and lemonade, and a gin and tonic?’

The old man smiled patiently. ‘No. It was a pint of best, and a shandy for the missus.’

By now Molly had finished her wine and sat in the corner, growing increasingly morose and sorry for herself. ‘Jack should never have left me,’ she mumbled. ‘He said he loved me, and yet he still went away. We should have talked about it more. He should have realised how much I needed him.’

The barmaid continued to keep a wary eye on her. ‘Look at her now!’ She nudged the landlord. ‘She’s talking to herself . . . losing the plot. Batty as a church steeple, she is!’

‘Stop it, Sal.’ The landlord had certain standards to maintain. ‘She’ll hear you.’

‘So?’ The girl gave a shrug. ‘Good job ‘n’ all. Probably time she heard a few home truths.’

She spun round to deal with a customer. ‘Hello, pint, is it? My, you’re pushing the boat out tonight, and no mistake.’ She gave his wife a knowing wink. ‘Play your cards right an’ you’ll be in for a treat later,’ she told her loudly.

The customer laughed out loud. ‘Those treats are long gone,’ he chuckled. ‘It’s a game of dominoes and a hot-water bottle now . . . more’s the pity.’ He gave a long, drawn-out sigh, as though he had lost something very precious.

‘Give over!’ the barmaid teased. ‘It’s never too old to enjoy yourself.’ When he turned away, she called him back. ‘Hey! Come in next Friday – we’ve booked a dancing stripper. That should start your engine, if you know what I mean?’

His eyes sparkling with anticipation, the man asked, ‘Well built, is she?’

‘Absolutely! Goes to the gym three times a week. Name of Jerry – tree-trunks for legs. You’ll like him.’

The customer laughed so heartily, he had to put his pint down again. ‘You’re a one, aren’t you, eh?’ He went away to tell his wife, who judging by the sour look on her face, was not amused.

When, a short time later, Mal heard the front door opening, he ran to meet her. ‘Where have you been?!’ he demanded. ‘When you rang earlier, you said you wouldn’t be long.’ He gave her a snippet of news she did not welcome, ‘Mal’s here. Have you two had a row?’ Just then, Mal appeared in the doorway, ‘I couldn’t let you go like that, Moll we need to talk.’ Ignoring him, Molly headed for the front door.

‘Where are you going?’ Mal was frantic. Let me come with you, please! We can go away . . . Thrash it out together. Please Moll?’

He followed her down the path. ‘Don’t do it, please!’ he begged. ‘I just need to understand what’s happened. What’s changed between us. There’s no need to leave. Let’s talk. We’ll work it out . . .’ His voice broke and he watched, helpless, as she climbed into her car.

‘I need some space,’ she tore the engagement ring off her finger and gave it to him. ‘You said I could have as long as I want, and I’m due a week off work. So, now I’m doing what you said. I’m taking time out – by myself. I’m putting a distance between us, so I can think what to do next.’

Slamming the car door, she switched on the ignition, and before he could stop her, she was accelerating down the road.

‘Don’t forget to let me know where . . .’ His voice tailed off. She couldn’t hear him now, she was too far away. And he daren’t even think about her not coming back.

Where would she go? Walking slowly back inside the house, he had no idea.

Molly though, had her destination all planned.

And she couldn’t get there quickly enough.