The art of deception Read online

  Within minutes, she turned onto the motorway, still unsure of what to do.

  In the fast lane, she put her foot down, driving at well over the speed limit. The speedo hit one hundred miles an hour and she giggled, filled with an urge to see pg. 120

  how much faster the car would go. And if she crashed head-on into another vehicle … she wondered if death would be instantaneous.

  The sight of blue lights flashing brought her back to reality. She slowed, glanced in her mirror and caught sight of the police car coming alongside, telling her to pull over. Oh God, just what she didn’t need.

  An officer strode towards the car, indicating for her to wind her window down.

  ‘Sorry to disturb you, madam, but do you know how fast you were travelling just then? You were well over the speed limit.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry, officer, I didn’t realise, I apologise, I won’t do it again.’

  ‘Please get out of the car.’

  She did.

  ‘Breathe into this,’ he said, holding the breathalyser out towards her face.

  ‘But I haven’t been drinking, officer.’

  ‘Just blow into the bag.’

  The officer looked at the breathalyser. ‘Seems you’re right. Can you show me your driving license?’

  She took it from her purse and handed it over.

  ‘Right, Mrs Greaves. I have to caution you. Your car’s speed was measured at 82[AB14] miles per hour. Since your license is clean, I’m giving you a verbal warning this time, but if you are caught again, you will be liable to a £100 fine and three points on your license. Driving at that speed is very dangerous. You’re putting yourself and others at risk. I advise you to keep to the speed limit in future.’

  Consider yourself told off, she thought. John would be so mad at her again if he found out; thank goodness she’d escaped with a warning.

  She guessed she hadn’t been out for that long. As she stopped on the drive, she noticed the lights were still on. John wouldn’t be happy, having to do it all himself.

  He’d cleaned the place up, and now he sat in the armchair, reading a magazine. She glanced at the empty pram, guessing AJ was upstairs in his cot, fast asleep.

  She made herself a cup of coffee and switched on the TV – better that than sitting in silence. He ought to be careful how he treated her, or she’d go somewhere from where there’d be no return.

  ‘Did you have any trouble getting AJ to sleep?’

  ‘No – ten minutes and he was out like a light.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘We’re lucky with him. When I heard all the scare stories from the guys at work, I expected the worst, but I reckon he’s done us proud.’

  ‘Yes.’

  She picked up the laptop from the coffee table and began her nightly ritual of looking for jobs, without any real hope. John carried on reading in silence.

  pg. 121

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  A peck on the cheek was all she got in the morning.

  ‘See you tonight,’ he said. ‘Why not take AJ out later? The weather’s good, it’ll be nice in the park.’

  ‘Yes, I may do.’

  The day passed slowly. She did take AJ for a walk in the park, but didn’t stay for more than half an hour as it clouded over and rained. Back home, staring at four walls and seeing to her son bored her to tears – literally. If only she’d thought to call in at the off-licence while she’d been out.

  The phone rang at one o’clock; John, she assumed, checking up on her. But she got a big surprise.

  ‘Is that Angie?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘This is Helen Blewitt from Betterbuy Stores. You applied for the part-time job. Could you come for an interview?’

  ‘What! Yes, of course. When?’

  ‘Is tomorrow at two o’clock convenient?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Wonderful. I look forward to meeting you.’

  ‘The same here.’

  After she’d ended the call, she yelped with joy, but quickly realised she had a problem: what to do with the baby. She didn’t want John to find out yet, nor his parents – which left only her dad. That would be fine, surely? AJ wasn’t any trouble. In fact, he might sleep right through. She felt giddy with excitement.

  She sailed through the afternoon, and was even pleasant when John rang.

  Next, she had to ring her dad.

  ‘Hallo, petal.’

  ‘Dad, I need to ask you a favour…’

  ‘Now, let me think. You want to leave the baby with me while you go out.’

  ‘How did you guess?’

  ‘You get to know a person after you’ve lived with them for twenty-five years. So, am I right?’

  ‘In a way, you are. Can you keep an eye on him tomorrow while I go to a job interview?’

  ‘Job interview already? That was quick.’

  ‘Well, I’ve been trying really hard. But it’s just for six months, to get me out of the house.’

  ‘Is that wise? I mean, who’ll look after the baby, for a start? I hope you haven’t got me in mind. I’m too old to do that sort of thing on my own.’

  ‘No, Dad. I’ll hire a nanny.’

  pg. 122

  ‘Well, they don’t come cheap. And you’ll miss AJ. He needs you for these first few months.’

  ‘Don’t you start. I’ve got enough of that with John and his parents.’

  ‘OK, it’s your life. You have to sort it out yourself.’

  ‘But can I bring him over tomorrow afternoon for an hour?’

  ‘I suppose so. I’ve never turned you down yet, have I?’

  ‘Thanks, Dad. What would I do without you?’

  pg. 123

  Chapter 25

  he left the interview room in a daze. When the job offer came, it was unexpected – and to start next week was scary. That gave her very little S time to find a nanny. She’d be working mornings from eight until one, and every other weekend. Not ideal, but it wouldn’t be for long; she’d be back behind her desk at Elliott’s within a few months.

  As she drove to her dad’s, she guessed he’d be horrified, but she was confident of talking him round.

  She tiptoed into the living room, where she found him sitting with AJ on his lap. He was giving him his bottle, lost in another world.

  ‘Make us a drink. There’s coffee in the cupboard.’

  ‘Dad! “Hallo” might have been nice.’

  ‘Come on, love. My hands are full, and I’m gagging for a drink.’

  ‘All right,’ she conceded.

  She came back with the drinks, noticing the time. She needed to go home soon and face the music with John.

  ‘I say, he doesn’t hang about, does he? Never seen a baby drink so fast, he’ll be getting a stomach ache. He’s been as good as gold, by the way. A real pleasure.’

  Angie smiled.

  ‘So, come on then. How did the interview go?’

  ‘Good – they offered me the job.’

  ‘Did they now?’

  ‘I start next week.’

  ‘Wow, that’s a surprise.’

  She nodded. ‘Yes. It was.’

  ‘So, are you pleased? Over the moon, I suppose.’

  ‘Not exactly; excited, nervous – it’s hard to say.’

  ‘Well, you know my feelings about it, love, but it’s up to you. I’m not going to interfere.’

  ‘Good. You won’t, unless you want a fight.’

  ‘All right, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself. As I’ve always said, you only learn from your own mistakes.’

  Angie drank her cup of coffee, hoping the conversation was over. Her dad meant so much to her, and she wanted to leave on good terms.

  ‘Sorry, Dad – I must dash.’

  ‘Keep me informed, won’t you? I hope it works out for you.’

  ‘So do I.’ Her heart was racing.

  pg. 124

  On her way home, she thought of nothing else but how John would react.

  But if this was
what she wanted, she must stick to her guns and fight for what she believed in.

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  John came home early, having visited a new prospective client, a chain of dental practices, where he did a presentation of his firm’s services and prices. It had gone well; Sachs Gordon stood a good chance of winning the contract. He was in good spirits, until he opened the front door to find Angie gone. Where had she got to this time?

  The house was a mess; left for him to put right, obviously. Well, he didn’t see why he should be left to deal with it. He had other things to do.

  He tapped away on the computer, writing up notes and observations from his meeting. Half an hour later, she came in, carrying AJ in his car seat. She looked surprised, even shocked, to see him.

  ‘What brings you here at this time?’ she said.

  ‘The meeting finished early, and it wasn’t worth going back. So, I decided to work from home.’

  ‘I’ve been over to Dad’s. He absolutely dotes on AJ.’

  ‘Bet he’s thrilled to have his grandson named after him.’

  ‘Yes, and he loves spending time with him. It was great to see them together. I might take him over more often.’

  He smiled, then turned back to his computer.

  ‘John, I’ve something to tell you.’

  ‘What’s—’ And then the baby bawled. ‘Shit. I’ll go.’

  Twenty minutes later, he sat down again.

  Angie was doing something in the kitchen; when she’d finished, she came in, looking nervous. She blushed when he looked at her.

  ‘You all right?’ he said.

  ‘Fine, couldn’t be better.’

  ‘Great – the tablets seem to be working, then? You’re more positive now, aren’t you?’

  ‘Am I? I just take it one day at a time. Most days I still cry or want to run away and never come back.’

  He gasped. ‘But why? I thought things were settling down for you, with AJ

  and everything.’

  ‘Maybe so, but that butterflies in the stomach feeling never gets any better.

  I’m frightened, John. I’m a failure, a bad mother, a bad wife, a bad worker. And I don’t know how to get better at any of it.’

  ‘You’re not a failure. Those feelings will stop once you realise how lucky you are.’

  pg. 125

  ‘They won’t. They’ll only stop when I do something about it. That’s what I was going to tell you before AJ started crying: I’ve been offered a job.’

  ‘You what! A job? This is ridiculous. And pointless, too, since you’re already getting paid by the estate agents. I told you that before.’

  ‘It’s nothing to do with money – it’s me going out to do something useful.’

  ‘So, did you accept the offer?’

  ‘I did. I start a week today.’

  ‘But what about AJ? We’ll never get a nanny by then. There’s always my parents, I suppose, although it depends how many hours you’re doing …’

  ‘Five mornings a week from eight until one, and every other weekend.’

  ‘My God, you’re joking.’

  ‘I’m not. Did you get me that list of nannies?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Oh, thanks very much, so I’ll have to do it myself now.’

  ‘Angie, I’ve been at work all day. When was I supposed to have time?’ He sighed. ‘Well, I can’t stop you – but I won’t encourage you either.’

  ‘You bastard!’ she screamed. ‘You never give me a thought, do you? All you’re interested in is me being a good wife and mother. But that’s not me. I want to be independent and fulfil my dreams. I’ll never be a stay at home mum, John – I’ve made that clear more than once.’

  ‘I’m not arguing with you. Just let me know what’s going on. I mean, I’d jump at the chance to be a stay at home husband, but it’s impossible. We couldn’t live on just your wage.’

  ‘You don’t say.’

  ‘All right, I’ll leave you to it.’

  ‘OK, but now I’ve apparently got to find a nanny myself, can you look after AJ?’

  ‘Of course. It seems to be mostly my job anyway.’

  Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Angie on the laptop, taking details, emailing nannies and writing down phone numbers. It made his blood boil, but he didn’t speak. If anything happened to AJ because of her selfishness he’d never forgive her.

  pg. 126

  Chapter 26

  fter John went to work on the Friday morning, Angie interviewed another prospective nanny over the phone. By lunchtime she had spoken to four A professional and experienced women, but only one of them was available to start work in time for Angie’s first day at the shop When she told Alison [AB15][AB16]the good n .

  ews, she was pleased and

  promised to start at eight o’clock on Monday. Angie intended paying her out of her own money so John couldn’t complain. But she’d wait until the weekend to tell him.

  The atmosphere remained tense for the next two days, and she knew that when he learned what she’d lined up, he’d be in an even worse mood. It took her until after Sunday lunch to pluck up the courage.

  ‘Just so you know, I’m starting work tomorrow.’

  He rolled his eyes. ‘Right. I wondered when that was coming. You’ve left it late to get someone to look after AJ, though. Shall I ask Mum and Dad if they can help?’

  ‘No, there’s no need. I’ve found a nanny, and she’s starting tomorrow morning.’

  He looked crestfallen. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes. Sorry. You probably think I’m a selfish bitch, but this is for everyone.

  If I’m stuck here on my own with AJ, I’ll go to pieces. It’s so claustrophobic and I’ll feel like the walls are closing in on me.’

  ‘I’m so sad it’s come to this. I always dreamed of having kids, but so far it seems to have done us nothing but harm – first when you were pregnant, and after he was born too. The only positive is that AJ has been far less trouble than I imagined. But I wish you could get over this anxiety.’ He wiped a tear from his cheek.

  She’d never seen him cry like this before; it struck a nerve.

  ‘I can’t help how I am, John. I’m sorry. I long to be like other mothers but it’s not to be.’

  ‘There are lots of things you can do, even if you don’t take this job. Baby groups to join, support groups, websites …’

  ‘Been doing your homework, I see. You never give up, do you? Trying to convince me to stay at home. It won’t work. I’ve made my decision and I’m sticking to it. Now please leave me alone.’

  His fresh tears made her guilt worse. But she wouldn’t change her mind, no matter what he did.

  ‘Oh, fuck you!’ She stood up quickly and her chair fell over backwards.

  ‘Take him upstairs when you’re ready. I’ve had enough of both of you.’

  pg. 127

  She stormed up to their bedroom, where she undressed and found herself a book that she could pretend to be reading if he came up after her.

  He didn’t come up until eleven; the light was off, but she saw him put the baby in his cot before getting into bed himself. There was no touching and for that she was grateful. Now all she had to occupy her mind was her first day at work.

  She set her alarm for six o’clock, hoping this would leave her enough time to get ready and pass AJ over to Alison.

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  As soon as she got up, she realised John wasn’t there.

  She glanced in the other rooms but saw no sign of him. Only on looking out of the living room window did she discover that his car had gone.

  AJ started crying. Typical. John was supposed to take over until Alison arrived. Still, she couldn’t allow him to bellow in pain.

  She went back upstairs, picked him up and laid him on the bed. The stench was awful, and there was dried sick on his sleepsuit. His nappy was full and the contents were spreading up his back and down his legs. Gagging, she pulled out a change of clothes for him.
/>   It took fifteen minutes to clean him up; now she needed to feed him before Alison came. But when she tried to put the teat in, he spat it out again and again.

  He’d never refused a bottle before, and now he felt incredibly hot. The boy wasn’t well. This was all she needed on her first day.

  She took him downstairs, put him in the pram and phoned the emergency doctor, who advised her to take AJ to his own GP when the surgery opened at eight. She’d need to let Alison know; she must be on her way by now. But her mobile wasn’t answered and neither was the land line. Angie swore under her breath, but AJ was crying again and she needed to get him ready. Her anger at John was acute; leaving her in the lurch was unforgivable.

  When they got there, she got an appointment for half an hour’s time. She hated waiting but had no choice. At last they called her.

  ‘He’s been sick, and his nappy was really runny this morning,’ she said.

  The doctor nodded. ‘OK. How many times?’

  ‘I’m not sure – it happened in the night.’

  ‘Let’s have a little look at him.’ Angie held him close while the doctor examined him. ‘He’s boiling – must have caught a bug. I’ll give you some medicine to get his temperature down and his stomach right. See how he goes, and if he’s no better within two days, bring him back at once.’

  ‘I don’t know where he’s caught it from, he’s hardly with any other people.

  I’m baffled.’

  ‘These things happen. It’s surprising how easy it is for babies to pick up these bugs. He should feel better in a day or two.’

  pg. 128

  ‘Thank you, doctor.’

  Having got his medication, she drove home. As soon as she got in, she realised she hadn’t phoned work; she should have been there at eight-thirty, but it was now well after nine. Alison must have found the house empty and gone home. Shit. She put AJ down while she tapped in the number on her phone.

  ‘Hallo, this is Angie Greaves, is Mrs Blewitt there, please?’

  ‘Yes, speaking.’

  ‘Hi – I’m really sorry. I’m ringing to tell you I’ve had to take my son to the doctor’s. He’s got a bug. I’ve got to speak to the nanny when she arrives, and then I’ll be in.’