Читать книгу Closing In - Sue Fortin, Sue Fortin - Страница 14

With the laptop charged, Ellen sat propped up against the headrest of her bed. She logged onto the email account she and Kate had set up. One message in the draft box. Ellen clicked it open.

Hi lovely

Just wishing you good luck in your new job. So glad you’re back in the UK now. When things have settled down for you, we will have to meet up. Sussex is only a train ride away. I’ve got some post to send off today so you should get it tomorrow or the day after. I think it’s only bank stuff.

There is one thing. Toby. Don’t be alarmed, everything is okay. He called by the other day and left a card and present for you. I told him I didn’t know where you were and he seemed to accept it. What do you want me to do with the gift?

Right, I must go and get ready. It’s Patrick’s 13th birthday today and we are all going out for a family tea. Thanks for his card and the money, he was delighted with it. I can’t believe my little brother is a teenager now! Hormones, testosterone – ew!

Love, hugs and kisses.

xx

Ellen smiled at the thought of Kate’s little brother becoming a hormonal teenager. Patrick, a rather late addition to the Gibson family, was doted upon and thoroughly spoilt by everyone. A small chord of homesickness plucked at her. She wished she could be there.

Deleting the email from the draft box, Ellen began a new one.

Hello yourself!

I can’t believe it either, little baby Patrick is 13 already – wow! Wish him happy birthday from me. Glad the card got there safely. By the time you read this, you will have already been out for his birthday. Hope you all had a lovely time and I’m really sorry I couldn’t be there.

As for Toby and his card/present – do with it what you like. I don’t want it at all. I hope he was okay when he called round and didn’t give you any trouble. It goes without saying, don’t trust him, you know what he’s like.

Everything is good here. My boss, Donovan, seems really nice, his daughter Izzy is lovely, so sweet. The PA on the other hand – can’t say I’m won over yet, but it’s early days. It’s great being by the sea. I am glad to be back in the UK. We will definitely catch up soon. Give me a few weeks and we will sort something out.

Love, hugs and kisses coming back your way.

Xx

Ignoring the frostiness from Carla, Ellen soon began to feel comfortable and at ease in the Donovan household. Despite her reluctance at the word routine, she had to acknowledge, she had settled into a regular pattern of getting Izzy ready for school and driving her in before taking a stroll along the seafront or around the village and then returning to the house. There wasn’t a great deal to do while Izzy was at school and once the playroom was clean and tidy, she had time on her hands. In recent days, Ellen had found herself in the kitchen with Mrs Holloway, helping to prepare the tea. Again, this was despite her statement that she wasn’t there to do domestic duties. Ellen liked Mrs Holloway and from chatting to the older woman she had learnt more about the Donovan family.

‘Mrs Donovan, oh she was a right one,’ said Mrs Holloway, as Ellen helped her peel the potatoes. ‘Liked a tipple or two, I can tell you.’

‘Don’t we all?’ said Ellen with a smile.

Mrs Holloway put down the potato peeler. She eyed Ellen. ‘That’s as may be, but not quite to the extent that Mrs D drank. It caused no end of problems between her and the boss. He hated her drinking. She used to get legless. Many a time, he’d have to put her to bed and cancel guests at the last minute or worse still, sit through the whole meal while herself was upstairs in a drunken slumber.’

‘How awful,’ said Ellen. ‘Couldn’t she get any help for her drinking?’

‘Didn’t want none.’ It was said with disdain. Mrs Holloway picked up the peeler and began stripping another potato. ‘It all came to a head one day when Mrs D insisted on driving up to the school to collect Izzy. Been on the G&T all afternoon. Luckily, the class teacher had the sense to call Donovan. Apparently, he got up there with Carla just as Mrs D was bundling Izzy into the car. Had every intention of driving off in that state. The teacher had tried to stall for time but Mrs D had got fed up. Dread to think what would have happened if Donovan hadn’t got there when he did.’

‘Oh, my God, that’s terrible,’ said Ellen, genuinely shocked at the thought.

‘The next day, Donovan had Mrs D checked into a private clinic, changed the locks and applied for sole custody of Izzy.’

‘I suppose Mrs Donovan couldn’t object, not after what had happened.’

‘Oh good God, no. Best thing for the poor child too. Not wishing to speak out of turn, but that Mrs D isn’t fit to be a mother.’

‘Is she still like it?’

Mrs Holloway shrugged as she dropped a halved potato into the pot of water. ‘Says she’s not. She got herself sorted and then ran off to Paris with some French bloke. More fool him.’

‘I’ve yet to have the pleasure of meeting her,’ said Ellen.

‘Don’t rush yourself on that score.’ Mrs Holloway lifted the saucepan of potatoes over to the hob. ‘Now, a little birdy tells me it’s your birthday tomorrow.’

‘I didn’t realise anyone knew,’ said Ellen in surprise.

‘That will be Carla for you. She’s extremely organised. Nothing gets past her.’

‘I’m not sure she would worry about my birthday.’

‘She wouldn’t want to let Donovan down. He’s been very good to her,’ said Mrs Holloway, turning to look at Ellen. ‘Besides, she’s not that bad really. Her bark is worse than her bite. Right, clear those peelings away for me and I’ll show you how to make puff pastry.’

The next morning, Ellen was practically dragged downstairs by Izzy and was greeted in the kitchen by the rest of the household singing Happy Birthday. Even Carla appeared to join in.

‘Thank you,’ said Ellen, a smile stretching across her face. ‘What a lovely way to start the day.’

‘We’ve bought you presents,’ said Izzy excitedly. She grabbed a beautifully wrapped pink box from the table. ‘It’s chocolates.’

‘Izzy!’ chorused Donovan, Carla and Mrs Holloway.

‘What?’ said Izzy looking round.

‘You’re supposed to wait for Ellen to open the present herself otherwise there’s no surprise.’ Donovan gave a laugh and turned to Ellen, mouthing sorry across the top of Izzy.

‘It’s fine,’ said Ellen. She bent down to Izzy, who was looking embarrassed. ‘Hey, want to help me unwrap these lovely chocolates then?’ Awkward moment over.

‘Happy birthday,’ said Mrs Holloway, taking a chocolate from the box Ellen offered round. ‘Don’t mind if I do.’

‘Not for me, thank you,’ said Carla. ‘Too early in the day. Oh, and happy birthday.’

‘Donovan?’ Ellen held the box towards her boss.

‘Well, seeing as it’s your birthday.’ He took a chocolate and then slipped it to Izzy with a wink and a stage whisper. ‘Don’t let Ellen see I’ve given you another chocolate.’

‘Are you going to give Ellen the other present?’ said Izzy as she stuffed the second chocolate into her mouth. ‘You know the …’

‘No! Don’t say anything. Remember, it’s a surprise.’ Donovan pressed his finger to his daughter’s mouth. ‘You concentrate on eating.’ He picked up another beautifully wrapped box and held it out to Ellen. ‘This is from all of us. Happy birthday.’ He stepped forward and leant in, kissing her on the cheek.

Ellen hoped she hadn’t blushed as much as she felt she probably had; her face definitely warm. ‘Thank you.’ She took the box and unwrapped it. ‘Oh, I can’t believe it. Really, you shouldn’t have. I can’t accept this. It’s too much.’

Donovan held up his hand. ‘Shhh…’

‘No, really Donovan, it’s very generous but I couldn’t possibly …’

‘You’re as bad as Izzy.’ Donovan picked up a chocolate and popped it in Ellen’s mouth. ‘Be quiet, eat your chocolate and enjoy your present. You haven’t got a laptop and this is only a small notebook. It’s not expensive, but it will do the job for what you need. Now I don’t want to hear another word about it.’

Ellen guessed that objecting any further would be futile and might possibly offend. She concentrated on swallowing the chocolate before speaking. ‘Thank you. I’m delighted and extremely grateful. It’s very kind of you.’

‘Right, well I must get off. I’ve got a very important meeting with the local constabulary this morning.’

‘One that might involve eggs and bacon?’ said Ellen.

‘You’ve got the idea. A breakfast meeting with the DCI.’ He scooped Izzy up and kissed her. ‘That’s Uncle Ken to you. Now be a good girl, have a lovely day at school and when I get home tonight, we will all have birthday cake!’

It was a touching scene, if you liked that sort of thing. If you didn’t know any better you’d think they were one big happy family. He shifted from his spot in the bushes, his legs beginning to get pins and needles where he had stood still for so long observing the early morning birthday celebrations. Time to take his leave. He’d seen enough. His suspicions were confirmed. He now had plans to make. He was going to enjoy himself.