The art of deception Page 20

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  At three o’clock John got a phone call. His mum.

  ‘John, I don’t know if you’re aware, but Angie dropped off little AJ with us this morning. She asked if we’d look after him while she went out with colleagues from work. Only time is moving on and she still hasn’t come back for him. I was just worried something might have happened to her.’

  ‘Oh, I see. No, I had no idea. Have you tried phoning her?’

  ‘Yes, but her phone appears to be switched off.’

  ‘What about her dad? She sometimes goes over there.’

  ‘No reply there either.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say, then. She could be anywhere; you know what it’s like when girls get together. I’m sure she’ll turn up. Are you all right to have him for a bit longer until she comes back? I mean, if it’s a problem, I’ll pick him up myself. I could come out of work early if need be.’

  ‘We’re fine, and we haven’t got to go anywhere, but she only left two feeds, which we’ve used. His next one is due in about an hour.’

  ‘Tried ringing the house?’

  ‘Yes – no reply from there, either.’

  pg. 144

  ‘Very strange. All right, Mum, if she isn’t there within the next hour, ring me and I’ll come to you. I’ll buy another box of his milk on the way, all right?’

  ‘I was amazed when she appeared at the door with AJ. She very rarely comes here on her own,’

  ‘Probably fed up of being stuck in the house, I should think. I told her to join a baby group, but she didn’t seem that keen.’

  ‘Has she been all right? She looked a little upset when she was here.

  Wouldn’t even have a cup of tea.’

  ‘She’s still depressed, but no more than normal. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be in touch.’

  He wiped his brow, not knowing what to think. She was unstable, sure, but why had she left AJ with his mum and dad? His heart skipped a beat – this was all he needed.

  Just over an hour later, he rang his mum again; still not a word from Angie.

  He went in to see his boss.

  ‘Sorry to be a pain, Stu, but I need to leave early. Angie’s left the baby with my mum and dad, but she hasn’t come back for him and we don’t know where she is. I’ll have to fetch him.’

  ‘That’s odd. Of course, mate, you go – hope nothing bad has happened to Angie. Any problems, ring me at home. You’ve got my number, haven’t you?’

  ‘Yeah. Thanks, Stu, I appreciate it.’

  John rushed out as Sarah and the others gaped at him, puzzled. He would tell them tomorrow.

  Luckily, his parents didn’t live far away; it was only a fifteen-minute journey in the car. He was there in twelve. No other car stood on the drive besides their own, so Angie still hadn’t returned, by the look of things. He ran up to the front door, adrenaline pumping through him.

  ‘Has she come back yet?’

  ‘No, not a word.’

  ‘Is AJ all right?’

  ‘Yes, he’s fine. Your dad’s got him. What happened to your nose?’

  ‘Don’t ask. It’s a long story.’

  He rushed through to find his dad. AJ lay contentedly in George’s arms; John came over and waggled his fingers at him. He wriggled his little arms in response, which brought a smile to John’s face.

  John pulled out his mobile and tried his home landline. Nothing. And when he rang her dad’s number again, no reply.

  ‘I don’t know what to do.’

  ‘Why don’t you call the police or Dexford hospital? I can’t imagine she’s been hurt, but you never know,’ Susan said.

  ‘Not yet, Mum. Best try to keep calm – it’s only been six hours. She might still be celebrating with her friends, who knows? But I’m sure she’ll have an explanation for me.’

  pg. 145

  ‘Let’s hope so,’ his dad said.

  ‘We’d better get going. If she comes back here, tell her I’ve taken AJ

  home.’

  ‘Sure you don’t want to wait for her, then you could go home together?’

  ‘No, I’m not waiting any longer. I can’t believe she’d be so irresponsible, not to come back when she said. I’ll speak to her.’

  ‘John, don’t have a row with her. She deserves to let her hair down once in a while, especially when she’s been so down about everything. And we didn’t mind looking after him – quite the opposite, in fact.’

  ‘If she has a feasible explanation, there won’t be a row. Right now, I’ll just be glad to have her back. Can’t tell you what a strain this is on me.’

  ‘We’ll ring straight away if she comes here. I promise.’

  ‘Thanks, I’ll see you later.’

  As he drove, he wondered if she’d be home when he got there. He didn’t know what he’d do if she wasn’t.

  pg. 146

  Chapter 30

  allo, Angie. This is a surprise. Where’s AJ?’ her dad said.

  ‘Oh, he’s with John’s parents. Don’t worry, he’s in capable hands.’

  ‘H ‘OK, you’d better come in. Want a drink? Sit yourself down.’

  ‘Just a coffee, thanks, Dad.’

  Five minutes later he returned with the drinks. She hoped he hadn’t put a drop of rum in, as she needed to keep a clear head. But he had.

  She took a sip and then left it by the armchair.

  ‘Dad, I want to ask you something.’

  Surprise came over his face. ‘Go on.’

  ‘Can I stay here with you for a while?’

  ‘Eh? You mean move back in? But why?’

  ‘Because John and the baby are driving me mental.’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘Because … looking after AJ is just too much for me. I’ve tried my hardest, but it’s no good.’

  He snorted. ‘I never imagined a baby was such hard work. Feed him, change his nappy and put him to sleep. Even I could do that.’

  ‘It’s not that easy. I have to care for him twenty-four hours a day. And I’m not bonding very well and … I resent him spoiling my life. But when John takes over, he really gels with him. And he doesn’t understand why I’m like I am. He’s not sympathetic to my needs. When I asked go back to work early, he got so mad.

  I’ve had enough, Dad, I had to leave. You’re the only person I can turn to now.’

  ‘Hey, come here.’

  She moved to him, went into his arms. Cried and felt safe there, as she did after her mother had died.

  ‘Everything will be fine. You just need some breathing space to get yourself together again.’

  ‘But I’m not cut out to be a mum.’

  ‘That’s not for me to judge. As I’ve said before, there’ll always be a home here for you. Stay as long as you like. But ask yourself, do you really want to live with your old dad? I mean you’re young, your whole life is still ahead of you. In the long run it won’t do you any good – much as I wish that wasn’t true.’

  ‘I need you, Dad. You look after me better than anybody.’

  ‘Yes, but that won’t always be the case. And what then?’

  ‘I’d die without you.’

  ‘You wouldn’t. Life moves on. You must take care of yourself, love. I won’t be here forever.’

  ‘If I hadn’t left home, this wouldn’t have happened. John could have had a baby with someone else. I had a new job, Dad, but AJ was ill and I couldn’t go.

  That would have made a difference, but the baby spoilt everything as usual.’

  pg. 147

  ‘So, what will you do with yourself if you stop here? You’ll be bored out of your mind.’

  ‘I won’t, because without the baby I’ll get a job. And in five months, I’ll be working at the estate agent’s again.’

  Alan sighed. ‘Well, it’s a shame it’s come to this, but I can’t tell you what to do. No pressure, honestly. But does John know you’ve left him?’

  ‘No, but he will do when he gets home and sees my stuff has go
ne.’

  ‘Well, I’m not telling him. You can do that yourself. Want your old room?’

  ‘Please.’

  ‘I’d better get it ready for you – no one’s used it since you left. I’ll make your bed and air it up. Bring your stuff in.’

  ‘Thanks, Dad.’

  She put her suitcases on the bed and surveyed the room she’d lived in for over twenty years. Nothing had changed. The same wallpaper and paint, except it now needed a fresh coat. The flowered curtains were the same, too; she wondered when he’d last washed them.

  Suddenly the phone rang. Alan looked at her. ‘That’s John. You get it.’

  ‘No way. I’m not speaking to him.’

  ‘Well, me neither.’

  So, it rang and rang and finally stopped.

  ‘You’ll have to talk to him at some stage.’

  ‘But not now.’

  ‘I bet he’s worried sick. Why don’t you text him, at least tell him you’re alive and well?’

  ‘I will later.’

  ‘Angie, it’s cruel to keep him wondering.’

  ‘All right, Dad, don’t go on.’

  She took out her phone from her handbag. There were more than a dozen messages, all from John and his parents. She typed a brief message to him: she was staying with friends, she said, until she got a place of her own. She deleted all the messages without reading them.

  Then she unpacked and wondered how John was getting on with the baby.

  Not well, she guessed. How long before he got reinforcements in, in the form of his parents? They wouldn’t miss her and neither would he once he had his helpmates.

  <><><>

  When John turned into their road, he expected to see Angie’s car parked on the drive. But it wasn’t there.

  He carried AJ inside and put the pram in the living room. AJ had slept right through the journey, which was good, as John needed time to find out where Angie had gone. Downstairs looked exactly the same as when he’d left that pg. 148

  morning; now for upstairs. As soon as he saw the open bedroom door, he knew the answer.

  The wardrobes were open, as were the drawers by her bed. Most of her clothes and toiletries had vanished, along with jewellery and knick-knacks.

  She’d done what she’d threatened. And he was devastated. Tears filled his eyes as he thought of AJ with no mother and himself without a wife.

  He checked his phone again. She’d sent him a text to say she was alive and not hurt, but there was no indication of which friend she was staying with. He’d never find her, unless she wanted to be found.

  Then he wondered if her dad knew where she was … although he guessed Alan would deny all knowledge of her whereabouts. He wasn’t answering the phone, but Alan was his best hope. If not for baby AJ, he’d have paid him a visit.

  Maybe he should ring him again. But the man still wasn’t answering his calls.

  John shook his head in despair. He was no longer angry, only sorry for her.

  What a terrible plight she was in. But what could he do? He’d tried ringing and texting again, but her phone was switched off.

  And now he had AJ to consider, too. Starting from tomorrow. For now, he’d ask his parents to have him but in the longer term – if it came to that – it would be too much for them.

  But first things first: dinner. He didn’t relish cooking or going down the chippy with AJ. He settled for a tin of soup and some bread.

  Not long afterwards, AJ woke. After feeding and changing him, John held the baby close to his chest and felt the full force of his love for the boy. He looked forward to seeing him grow up and sharing in his life. If not for Angie leaving, he’d feel happy. But she wasn’t here – and may never be again.

  Best not to dwell on it.

  He needed to ask his family about tomorrow and the rest of the week. He picked up the phone.

  ‘Hallo, Dad.’

  ‘Everything OK? Heard from Angie yet?’

  ‘As a matter of fact, I did …’

  ‘Oh, that’s great news. How is she?’

  ‘She sent a text saying she hates being a mum and needs to get away. But she doesn’t say where she is, except she’s with friends.’

  ‘She’s been through it. It’s too much for her. Leave her be for now – she’ll be back when she’s good and ready. Be patient, son.’

  ‘If I could just talk to her, I might convince her to come home.’

  ‘Or you might make matters worse and you’ll never see her again.’

  ‘But what about AJ? I’ll have to find a childminder or something. I don’t know where to start.’

  ‘No, you won’t. We’ll look after him for you. We’ve got lots of time on our hands, which we’d love to spend looking after our grandson. In fact, we’d be offended if you didn’t accept our help.’

  pg. 149

  ‘I’ll pay you the going rate.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. We don’t want paying. We want to look after him because he’s our grandchild. Just tell us when you’re bringing him over.’

  John relaxed. They were falling over themselves to help him in his hour of need.

  ‘You mean that?’

  ‘I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t. And I’m speaking for your mum, too.’

  ‘Thanks, Dad. It’s a big help. OK, so I’ll drop him off at half-seven. And I’ll fetch him at six. God, that’s an eternity, isn’t it? Five days a week. I can’t expect you to do that.’

  ‘You can and you will.’

  ‘It won’t be for long. She’ll be home soon, I hope.’

  ‘Yes, with luck.’

  ‘OK, see you in the morning. Thanks again, Dad.’

  ‘Great stuff, son – we’ll look forward to it.’

  Once they’d gone, he was angry at Angie, for forcing him to have his parents mind his son while he was at work. He wanted to ring her but knew she wouldn’t answer. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

  pg. 150

  Chapter 31

  ngie felt sad. The guilt and failure at being unable to be the wife John wanted played on her mind. But it was no use; she’d never cut it as a A mother.

  She realized her dad was watching her as she stared into space.

  ‘Do you regret coming here?’

  ‘No – not at all. I’ve let him down, but that’s my own fault. I should have done what you said, then I wouldn’t be in this mess. But I wanted to be a good wife and thought if I had his baby, we’d be happy. I thought I could manage. I was wrong.’

  ‘Well, I’m not going to say I told you so, love. Why didn’t you tell him the truth about how your mum died?’

  ‘I thought I’d lose him if I did. When I got pregnant, I knew I’d made a terrible mistake. I’ve ruined his life as well as my own.’

  ‘Yes, but now a child is involved. You’ll always be his mother, but without getting John’s agreement to an adoption, it won’t happen. Perhaps John might meet someone else who’d take on AJ.’

  Angie shuddered at this. ‘That would be hard to take. I love John, and I can’t bear the thought of him being with someone else – but I can’t live with his child.’

  ‘Then you have a big problem. Have you thought about starting afresh?

  Get as far away from them as possible. Move to a different part of the country.’

  ‘But I’m happy here. It’s where I work, where my friends are, where you live and where Mum is buried.’

  ‘Then all I can do is to give you a roof over your head.’

  ‘I’m not asking for any more than that, apart from your company and your advice.’

  ‘OK, so we know where we stand. Want a bite to eat? I haven’t forgotten how to cook. What do you say?’

  ‘A cheese sandwich will do fine.’

  ‘Coming up.’

  ‘And go easy on the butter – my stomach is delicate.’

  He nodded.

  He did as she asked, but the bread was thick with butter. It made her smile.

  ‘I can’t promise to
finish these.’

  ‘Try your best. Oh, and here’s a drink for you.’

  ‘Thanks, Dad.’ She took a sip and grimaced. ‘Have you put a tot of whisky in this tea?’

  ‘A small one. I’ll make another one, if you don’t want it.’

  ‘No. Doesn’t matter.’

  He sat beside her, put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed.

  pg. 151

  ‘It feels good to be here. Only wish it was under different circumstances.’

  He nodded, then took a gulp of his drink. He cleared his throat. ‘Angie, I’m sorry to bring this up, but there’s something I have to tell you.’

  ‘Pardon?’ She frowned.

  ‘Ever since your mum died and you left home, I’ve been on my own. I’ve mourned for her ever since, but now I need to start living again. I have needs, Angie, the same as everyone else.’ He coughed again. ‘Thing is, love, I’ve met someone. We get on well and I’ve been thinking about asking her to move in.

  Right now she stays over two nights a week …’

  Angie slammed her mug down. ‘You kept that quiet, didn’t you? What about Mum? You’ve always said she was the only one for you!’

  ‘I’m not cheating on your mother. How can you say that? I’ve grieved for too long – it’s time to move on. I’m only fifty and I don’t want to spend another twenty or thirty years alone. I deserve a little happiness, wouldn’t you agree?’

  ‘I suppose,’ she conceded.

  ‘She’s coming over tonight. We’re going out for a meal and then she’s staying the night. Why not come along? It’d be good for you two to meet.’

  ‘You must be joking. I don’t like playing gooseberry. It’s too soon to do that stuff yet. No, you go on your date – and if she stays over, I’ll lock myself in my room until morning.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Angie. I’ve wanted to introduce you to her for ages, but what with AJ coming on the scene, and you being ill, I held off. But now you’re set to stay here, it’s the perfect opportunity. Tell you what: we’ll stay in instead – I’ll open a bottle of wine so you can chill out.’