‘Nothing’ Nathan groans, letting his elbows slide sideways and hitting his forehead on the desk. He sits, unmoving. ‘You think we can hide it?’ His voice sounds muffled.
‘What?’
‘Charlene’s poxy dictionary’
‘Don’t be mean’
‘Where is she?’ He raises his head slightly.
‘Just popped down to see Dave’
‘Quick! Now’s our chance’ Nathan scoots his chair backwards.
‘Touch that at your peril!’ Ingrid giggles, throwing her arms out at the side to block the doorway.
‘I had a lecture this morning’ Nathan sighs, sitting down again.
‘You did?’
‘Uh huh….’ He rests his chin on his hands and drums his fingers against his cheeks. ‘About how my immoderate intake of alcohol no doubt leads to impercipient involuntary inclusion of inferior women when indulging in intercourse’
‘Blimey!’
‘Yeah…slow…like she’d memorised it and been practising’
‘That’s brilliant’ Ingrid says, impressed.
‘Brilliant? Why can’t she say I get beer goggles when I’m pissed, like any other normal person?’
‘Noo….That she’s up to ‘I’ already’
‘Oh God’ Nathan hits his head repeatedly on the blotter.
Samms Plant Hire, Oatfield
Chapter Fourteen
Rose Cottage, Albans Lane
‘Hope you don’t mind. He needed a friend even more than he needed family around him right now’
‘Of course I don’t mind’ Jessie says in a guarded whisper, craning her neck to be sure that Ernie is safely ensconced in the living room while she is talking to Anthony. ‘Wasn’t George home?’
Anthony grins wryly. ‘You weren’t second choice if that’s what you mean’
‘Not what I meant at all…I just thought what with them being mates…’
‘No…it was you he wanted to see…explain to’ He looks at her fondly ‘I want to thank you for what you did’
Jessie waves his thanks away with a flick of her hand ‘I didn’t do anything apart from threaten him with all sorts unless he went to the police. So, what did they say?’
‘He’ll give you all the details…’ Anthony glances over his shoulder ‘But basically, he’s on bail pending charges being brought’
‘They didn’t believe him then?’ she groans.
‘Not a case of believing him or otherwise, he went there and confessed to a killing. He’s pretty shaken up, Jess. Took more out of him than he cares to admit. I’m taking him back with me but he needed a stop off first…and where better?’ he smiles.
‘Why, thank you, Mister Knowles’ Jessie drops a playful curtsey. ‘George will be a bit miffed though…he’s really worried’
‘Perhaps you can persuade him George isn’t going to laugh at him if we call round?’
‘Laugh?’
‘For being so stupid as to go and tell ‘the rozzers’ all after this length of time; It’s not what he wants to hear right now’
‘I’ll sort him out, don’t you worry’ Jessie hands him the tea tray and waves him towards the door.
The White Horse
‘On me’ Vivienne sets a pint on the bar in front of Nathan as he reaches it.
‘On the house?’ Nathan looks incredulous ‘Bloody hell. How long have I been coming here and this is the…’
‘Keep your voice down’ Viv puts a finger to her lips ‘The boss’ll have a head fit if he thinks I’m giving it away. The beer..’ she adds in response to Nathan’s quirked eyebrow. ‘I’ll make it right with the till when I get me break’
‘Thanks very much…Your good health’ Nathan says, lifting the glass and taking a hefty swallow. ‘Your birthday or something?’
‘You know damned well it isn’t. I got my hug a couple of months back’
‘And there was me thinking you were making it up just to get close to me’ Nathan winks.
‘Oh, I don’t need to make anything up. If I need a hug, I’ll just come right out and ask for one’
‘Fair do’s’
‘Look…’ Viv starts with an earnest sigh and leans across the bar. ‘Can you not say anything to anyone…you know…about that fella you saw me with’ she says in a furtive whisper.
‘Why would I?’
‘I know what you’re like and I know how my private life is open to all sorts of speculation from all and sundry in here but it’s not what it looks like’
‘It looked like you were having a day out in town with a bloke…so what’s not to talk about?’
‘Please. You’d be doing me a big favour. It’s not a big secret or anything but…’
‘You wouldn’t’ve been walking through town in broad daylight if it had been….’
‘I know…but please….no gossip or anything…okay?’
‘Moi?’ Nathan crosses his hands on his chest and looks affronted. ’I am the soul of discretion’
‘Don’t take the pee…this is really quite important to me. Please?’ Viv begs.
‘No worries…you’re all right. I won’t say anything’
‘Thank you’
‘Viv…you okay?’ Nathan asks quietly, seeing tears well in her eyes.
‘I’m fine, darlin’ she slaps on a smile and moves further along the bar ‘Yes, love….what can I get you?’
