The art of deception Read online

  Around mid-morning, an email popped up from Davidson & Co in Burnfield; the subject line was ‘Your Enquiry’, which gave nothing away. Her heart fluttered as she opened it … an interview on Thursday the 4th[AB23]! She tried not to get too excited, and decided she wouldn’t say a word to anyone yet, not least because Burnfield was twenty miles from Dexford, and her dad was bound to be against it.

  To emphasise her determination, she browsed the Davidson website for the prices of flats. Since Dad was letting her stay for free, she could easily afford the deposit for a rental …

  On the Thursday, she slipped out and drove over to Burnfield, and had a bite to eat before going over to the estate agent’s offices. She’d taken an extra tablet that morning but was still nervy and hoped to bluff her way through this pg. 182

  without incident. This was her passport to a new life and if she messed it up, she’d cry a river of tears.

  When she came out an hour later, she needed a drink. The barman in the nearest pub served her a double whisky that warmed her insides and calmed her down. Looking back, she had no idea how it had gone; they had seemed impressed with her qualifications and her achievements but wondered why she wanted to work so far away from home. A messy divorce and a new start were the answers she gave. Now all she could do was wait.

  In the meantime, although she hadn’t even got the job yet, she viewed a few rental properties. A couple caught her eye and when she expressed an interest, they gave her first option. But it would all depend on her getting that job.

  When she got home, it was late; Alan was in the kitchen cooking the evening meal. He turned around when he heard her come, relief came over his face.

  ‘Dear God, Angie, where on earth have you been?’

  ‘Out.’

  ‘I know that. Out where?’

  ‘To a job interview.’

  ‘Oh, any joy? Whereabouts is it?’

  ‘Not that far.’

  His eyes narrowed. ‘How far?’

  ‘I’m not saying yet. If I get it, I might tell you.’

  ‘For God’s sake, Angie, what’s all this cloak and dagger stuff about?’

  ‘That’s my business.’

  ‘Come on, love – we’ve never had secrets before.’

  ‘Oh, haven’t we? So what’s Rachel then, if she’s not a secret? How long had it been going on before I found out?’

  ‘All right, a while, but this is different. Why you can’t say where the job is? I can’t stop you wherever it is?’

  ‘No, you can’t. We’ll never be as close as we were before, Dad. From now on, you’ll always be closer to her. There’ll be lots of things you don’t tell me, won’t there?’

  ‘Only stuff that concerns Rachel and me. It’s only the same as you when you were with John.’

  ‘I’m not arguing. Call me when dinner’s ready.’

  <><><>

  A week later, a letter came in the post from Davidson & Co. The interviewer had said they’d only write to the person chosen.

  She slit it open with shaking hands and stared at the job offer. To start in a week’s time; she had told them she needn’t work any notice because she was on pg. 183

  maternity leave. Fantastic – she couldn’t wait. And the money was better too.

  Now she must find a flat and be on her way.

  She took a furnished ground-floor flat which was easily affordable, and paid the first month’s rent so she could go in when she wanted. She wouldn’t tell her dad as he’d do everything in his power to stop her. And she hated the hassle.

  Best to slip out at the first opportunity and leave him a note. The thought of Rachel picking over her private thoughts and those horrible dreams was too much to take. She needed to be out – now.

  pg. 184

  Chapter 36

  o, are you coming bowling or not?’ David asked John on Wednesday, as they sat in the staff room with Joe and Sarah and a few other

  ‘S colleagues.

  John flushed. Normally he loved these nights out – but of late he hadn’t socialised much, because of Angie and the baby.

  ‘I’d love to, but I have to take care of AJ.’

  ‘How about a babysitter? You must know someone who’ll help. Come on mate, you’re our star player. If we haven’t got you on the team, we’ll struggle,’

  David said.

  John groaned. ‘There’s only my parents, but they already have him five days a week. It’s a lot to ask.’

  ‘John, it’s only one night – it should be over by nine or ten. When did you last have a night out?’ Joe asked.

  ‘Can’t remember, must be before Angie got pregnant … early December, maybe.’

  ‘That’s a long time,’ David said.

  ‘Tell me about it. I’d love to go out, but I’d still have to pick up AJ

  afterwards.’

  ‘Up to you, mate, so long as you don’t leave before we finish the game,’

  Joe said.

  ‘Oh, I’d never do that. OK, I’ll speak to Mum.’

  That evening, after work, he was on edge. He needed a boost since Angie continued to refuse his attempts to make contact. This bowling night would put his worries to one side for a few hours, but it wouldn’t solve his problems.

  He hated asking his parents. They sensed his subdued nature when he came to pick up his son and have dinner; even his mum’s Lancashire hotpot didn’t raise a smile.

  George looked him square in the eye. ‘You all right, son?’

  John shook his head and took a deep breath. ‘I … I need your help again.

  Sorry, but I’ve got nowhere else to go.’

  His dad put his hand on John’s shoulder. ‘John, ask away. To see AJ is a pleasure for us.’

  ‘I’m being selfish, I know, but I need a rest. My work has a bowling night tomorrow night. Could you have Alan for the evening? It’s a one-off, I promise you.’

  Both his parents were beaming at him. ‘Oh, love, it’s no bother. We love having him. He’s a little angel. Tell you what – say we have him overnight? So you can get a good night’s sleep?’ his mum said.

  John was gobsmacked. ‘You don’t have to. I’ll be home by ten o’clock at the latest.’

  pg. 185

  ‘By which time he’ll be fast asleep. If we move him, he might wake. No let us have him for the night,’ George said.

  ‘Are you sure? It grieves me, it really does.’

  ‘We’re positive. You’re our son and AJ’s our grandson and we love you both to bits.’

  ‘How will I ever repay you?’

  Susan laughed. ‘No need.’

  John hugged and kissed them both; they were the best parents in the world, always supportive in whatever he did.

  <><><>

  Come Thursday morning, after dropping AJ off, John felt tearful; after all, he wouldn’t see his son again until Friday morning.

  He’d ring later to find out how they were getting on.

  His day was busy, with enough work to keep him going beyond six.

  Joe caught him wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He laughed.

  ‘You look exhausted, John. Hard day?’

  ‘You try looking after a baby on your own – and working full-time. It saps your energy, I can tell you.’

  ‘I bet. You still coming, then?’

  ‘Yeah, just shutting down my computer. Whose car are we going in?’

  ‘Sarah’s.’

  John’s heart missed a beat; this would be uncomfortable. Although the two of them were on speaking terms, they only discussed work-related items and no longer had lunch together. In fact, he was surprised she was in the team.

  ‘Sarah, David, ready for the off?’

  ‘Yes, just getting our coats,’ Sarah said. ‘We’ll be outside in the car park.’

  John and Joe sat in the back, David in the front by Sarah. They were chatty, the atmosphere good; even John joined in, although he was careful not to speak directly to Sarah.

  ‘So, who are ou
r opponents?’ John asked.

  ‘Brightwell Ellis,’ David replied. He had organised the match.

  ‘We played them two years ago, do you remember? They beat us four-nil,’

  Sarah said. ‘Hope you’re on form, John, we’ll need you.’

  ‘It’s all of us. I can’t do it on my own.’

  Joe laughed. ‘No pressure, eh?’

  John smiled. He wanted to do well and not allow his troubles to defeat him.

  They sat waiting for their opponents to arrive, and decided to have a few practice runs first. John was rusty but got a strike with his last ball. They cheered him, hoping he’d come good later on.

  Sarah was clapping enthusiastically. ‘Nice one, John.’

  ‘Don’t expect too much, or you might be disappointed.’

  pg. 186

  ‘I’m sure you’ll be great.’

  ‘Thanks for the encouragement – let’s hope it does some good.’

  ‘We’ll see.’

  The Brightwell Ellis guys arrived soon afterwards and exchanged familiarities. Then the match began.

  Sarah delivered her first two balls down the gutter. They all laughed, but she picked herself up and gave her opponent a run for her money in the end, even though she still got beaten. Next came John. He was psyched up and started with a strike; he won his match easily, with five strikes. It was up to Joe and David.

  David squeezed through his match in a nail-biter.

  ‘OK, Joe,’ John said, grinning, ‘it’s up to you now. No pressure, eh?’

  ‘I’ll do my best,’ he said.

  Joe played a blinder and beat Brightwell Ellis’s best player. They whooped with joy once it was over.

  ‘What a victory!’ David exclaimed. ‘This calls for a celebration! How about a drink and a bite to eat?’

  The four of them were in raptures, and even John joined in with the celebrations as they all praised his play, saying he’d inspired them with his bowling.

  ‘I reckon we could go further,’ David said. ‘So long as we keep our team together, eh, John?’

  He blushed. ‘I can’t promise anything, David. I still have my family commitments.’

  David tutted. ‘The next game won’t be until a month’s time – surely you can manage one night?’

  ‘I’ll do my best.’

  Sarah gave a knowing look and smiled but he looked away.

  Around an hour later, they left. Sarah drove them to the company car park where they went to their respective cars. Just as John was about to get into his, she shouted after him. ‘John, you’ve forgotten something.’

  ‘What?’ He turned and walked back towards her car.

  ‘Fancy coming over to my place for a drink? Jack’s out at a European match until lunchtime tomorrow.’

  ‘Are you joking?’

  ‘No, I’m not. And I’m fed up of this small talk and avoiding the obvious.

  Let’s be honest with each other for once, shall we? For instance, Angie still hasn’t come back, has she?’

  ‘No, I haven’t heard from her since the day she left and she won’t return my calls. She isn’t interested.’

  ‘There you are, then. She could be having an affair – who knows, maybe that’s the real reason why she ditched you. I know for a fact Jack’s been seeing other women. I’ve seen messages on his phone. That’s why he never wants me in pg. 187

  bed and why he won’t let us have a baby. John, we’re doing nothing wrong. It’s not as if we’re really married to our partners anymore.’

  ‘Yes, but having a kid makes it more complicated.’

  ‘I disagree. She deserted you and AJ first. She’d never get custody of the child since you’ve always looked after him.’

  John was tempted. What she said was true. A tiny voice inside egged him on.

  He hesitated for two minutes. He missed the company of a woman and Sarah was very attractive …

  She was still staring at him, a slow smile spreading on her face. ‘I knew it.

  I was sure I could persuade you. She doesn’t want you, John. I told you that before, didn’t I?’

  ‘All right, I realise that. I held on, hoping she’d recover from her illness and see sense. But as you say, the door’s been shut in my face, so …’

  ‘You’re well rid of her. You’ll never be happy with her and she’d have dragged you down with her. AJ needs a stable family life and maybe I can help provide that.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘I know so.’

  Within ten minutes, they had parked on the drive outside her newly built semi-detached house, and slipped inside. It was modestly furnished and decorated, and John couldn’t help thinking that Sarah was the only one spending money on it; her husband spent his on a football team.

  In the hall, she put her arms around his neck. Their lips met and John melted into her. He hadn’t been so aroused since before Angie’s pregnancy.

  ‘Shall we have a drink?’ she asked when they broke off.

  ‘Only a coffee for me.’

  ‘Not something stronger?’

  ‘Absolutely not. I want to remember this in the morning.’

  ‘So do I.’

  They snuggled together on the sofa, Sarah leaning her head against his.

  ‘When you told me what Angie was doing – the violence, I mean – I could relate to it straight away. Because he’s been violent to me frequently, but to my body and not my face. He has a terrible temper. He flies off the handle over the slightest thing.’

  ‘I hate men who hit women – it’s such a cowardly act. And I don’t go a bundle on women who hit men, either. I never wanted to retaliate, could never hit her and she knew it. I may be stronger than her, but I loved her.’

  ‘Me neither although for different reasons. If I had, he’d have beaten me black and blue. If I’m not careful, one day he’ll go too far and kill me.’

  ‘Not while I’m around, he won’t.’

  ‘He’s a tough cookie, John, been in a few fights in his time …’

  ‘I can’t think about him now, or Angie. Let’s concentrate on the moment.’

  pg. 188

  She stood up and held out her hand, guiding him up the stairs.

  ‘There’s a bed in the second bedroom. I don’t want to sleep in his bed. This bed will be ours, John,’

  ‘Of course,’ he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Afterwards she lay in his arms and wept.

  ‘That was so beautiful, the way it should be. I’ll never forget tonight –

  whatever happens, this moment will be ours forever,’ he said.

  ‘Yes, but we must be careful. If someone sees us together, he might get wind of what’s going on.’

  ‘If it wasn’t for AJ, I’d run away with you to where no one will find us.

  Make a fresh start and forget what I’ve left behind.’

  ‘But AJ must come too, and then our little family will be complete. I love him as if he were my own.’

  He hugged her close, but feared the dreams they had for each other would never come true. For now, he’d take what was going and be satisfied with that.

  pg. 189

  Chapter 37

  ohn woke early; he hadn’t got much sleep in the single bed he’d shared with Sarah. She was fast asleep, and he wondered if he should wake her. He J slipped on his clothes and looked at his watch. Six-thirty. He had a wash, then returned to the bedroom.

  ‘Hey, you,’ he said, giving her a gentle shake. ‘Got to go now.’ He kissed on the lips.

  ‘Stay a little longer,’ she yawned rubbing her eyes.

  ‘I’d love to, but what if Jack catches us here together? We can’t risk that.

  And we should go into work separately. The fewer people know, the better. The bosses hate seeing colleagues having relationships, it can complicate matters – do you agree?’

  ‘Maybe, but we’ll have to come clean eventually.’

  ‘Yes, but not right now.’

  She seemed hurt.
‘OK, John. As you wish.’

  ‘I’ll get my car early before anyone else arrives, then drive to Mum and Dad’s to see AJ and be in at the normal time.’

  ‘Sure thing.’

  ‘Are you … are you sure you want to go through with this, Sarah? We’ll be under a lot of pressure. What with your husband and my wife and baby AJ.’

  ‘I never said it would be easy. But if we stick together, we’ll get through this.’

  ‘Yes, I hope so. See you later.’

  ‘Thanks for a fantastic night.’

  They kissed again.

  ‘It’s not light yet, so I should be safe.’

  ‘There’s a bus stop further on down the road, the number five stops there and takes you into Dexford town centre.’

  ‘OK, wonderful.’

  Daylight was breaking through as he slipped out and hurried to the bus shelter, where a timetable told him the next bus should arrive in ten minutes.

  The bus was empty save for two early morning workers. He got off at the Town Hall and from there took just five minutes to get to Sachs Gordon’s car park. Then he drove over to his parents’.

  His dad let him in, looking pleased he’d come.

  ‘Thought I’d look in at AJ. Is he all right? Did he sleep well?’

  ‘He’s fine – took a while getting him to sleep but since midnight, he hasn’t woken once.’

  ‘Good.’

  John popped through to see his mum sitting on the sofa, her eyes glued on AJ who was still fast asleep in his pram.

  pg. 190

  ‘Glad he didn’t give you too much trouble, Mum. I worry he’ll wear you out.’

  ‘Not at all. As I’ve said before, he’s no problem. Any time you need us, let me know.’

  ‘Well, I hate asking you, but … would you be willing to have him one night a week?’

  ‘No problem. The weekends are better because we don’t have him during the day. And if you bring him over at seven or eight, he’ll be asleep, anyway. He won’t need looking after except if he wakes during the night.’