Trials of Love, page 9
“You have been in a fight, haven’t you?” She looked at me and her hand went to her mouth in shock.
I explained what had happened over the weekend and Rachel listened patiently.
“Wow, that was some reunion. So, it’s Emily, not Miss or Mrs Emma Lee, and she’s moved here and has the flat for at least a month, is that right?” Rachel turned back to the television, which was still on.
“Yes,” I replied. “She still has friends here. She’s in a real dilemma. She loves the school where she teaches, loves her pupils and headmistress. But she hates the idea of returning to Bridgwater and meeting people who whisper to one another when they see her coming.”
Rachel raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“About her being a slag, I mean. Gordon has been doing what he’s good at – spreading lies. Even worse, she hates the thought of bumping into him.”
We talked for some time before going to bed. We made love, which was wonderful as always. Afterwards, instead of cuddling up to one another and chatting aimlessly like we usually did, we simply kissed and went to sleep.
The following morning when I arrived at work I made myself a cup of coffee, checked my diary for the day, and then contacted Companies House. I gave them details of Davies Motors Ltd., ordered a copy of their last two sets of accounts, and then promptly forgot about it, as the busy working day unfolded.
Chapter 18
Emily
Over the next couple of weeks, the bruises began to disappear and I began to walk more confidently. Even the headaches subsided and my reliance on aspirin eased. Matt got into the routine of popping in to see me on his way home from work – often talking about Rachel, until he had to go. One topic we felt compelled to discuss was the way in which our parents’ mistakes had so drastically affected our own lives.
There was no animosity or finger-pointing; it was simply a reality check. We talked through how and why our lives had been separated until we understood that neither of us was to blame and that it was outside our control. Having accepted that, it was no longer ‘Why did she not tell me?’ or ‘Why did he not answer my letters or return my calls?’ It was simply part of our singular and joint history.
The days went by, and I took to walking up the Malvern Hills, partly to build up my strength, but also to reflect and consider my future. One day, after one such walk, I decided. Returning home, I picked up the phone.
“Can I speak to Mrs Palmer please?”
“Hello,” said the distinctive voice I knew so well.
“Molly, I’ve decided I’m not coming back.” I rushed the words out before I could change my mind.
There was a pause.
“Things happen for a reason and perhaps I was meant to move here. Gordon was simply the catalyst.”
Still no answer.
“Speak to me, Molly.”
There was a sigh. “You’re such a fatalist, Emily, but I think you’re right, no matter how sad I am that you won’t be coming back. You’re a brilliant teacher. The children love you and will miss you. But you need a new challenge. Give me your address and I’ll send a reference on to you. Remember, if things don’t work out, or if you just want to talk, give me a ring.”
I knew I was going to miss Molly Palmer; she had been such a good friend. But I had to move on. I had to find a new job. Not just any job; it had to be the right one.
When Matt came round later that day I told him what I had done.
“That’s brilliant, Emily, absolutely brilliant.” He put his arms around me and gave me a hug.
“I’m going to start a new life, Matt. Find a new job, join the tennis club, make new friends.”
“New boyfriend?” he enquired.
“No!” I said firmly. “That is not on the agenda. No way.”
I had also decided that I should contact my father, who was only eight miles away in Worcester. I phoned my mother to let her know my plans and casually asked her for Dad’s phone number. If she was surprised by the question she didn’t show it. She was a different woman now – happy, contented and more loving than she had ever been in the past. When I put the phone down I resolved to speak with her more often.
*
Two days later I was in the local supermarket when I saw Matt gazing unenthusiastically at the vegetables in front of him. I waved to catch his attention and he smiled back. As I moved towards him a ginger-haired girl appeared by his side. The closer I got to them, the nearer she moved to him.
“Hello,” I said with a brightness I didn’t feel, “you must be Rachel. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Matt interrupted quickly, “Rachel, this is Emily, Emily, this is Rachel.” He looked unusually flustered.
“I was so sorry to hear about your accident, and your, um, difficult times with your ex. I’m so glad that Matt has been able to help.” The words were kindly meant but her eyes had a guarded look.
“Oh, Matt has been a real treasure – we’re just very old school friends. Perhaps I can repay you by inviting you both to dinner one evening?”
“That would be great,” said Matt, smiling.
“Yes,” said Rachel.
I left the supermarket, lost in thought, my mind full of Matt and the attractive ginger-haired girl by his side, when I caught the gaze of a man doing a double take as he passed me. I had become used to the admiring glances of young men and ignored them, but this was different.
“It is, isn’t it?” the man said, stopping and walking back towards me. “It’s little Emily Austin, isn’t it? Wow, you’ve changed, you’re a real looker now – who would have thought it? That tooth brace certainly did the trick. The rest of you isn’t bad either,” he added as he looked deliberately and provocatively down my body with a smile.
I laughed. “And you, Douglas Bottomley, haven’t changed at all: you’re still full of yourself.” We grinned at one another.
“I can’t remember the last time I saw you,” he said, giving me a peck on the cheek. The anger and scowl had gone, and I couldn’t help but notice that he was now an attractive man.
“You wouldn’t have done. I’ve only just moved back to the area.”
I saw Douglas look down at the fingers on my left hand. “Still single I see. How about we get together for a drink?”
I laughed. “You don’t waste time, do you?”
“Can’t afford to. Girls like you are soon snapped up,” he replied, grinning.
What the hell, I thought. I needed to get to know people, and it would be good to have an evening out.
“Yes, I’d like to.” I suddenly felt mischievous as he walked away and shouted back at him, “Have you done your essay yet?”
He looked at me, bewildered.
“Christmas Day.”
The penny dropped. Laughing, he said, “I knew it was you. I just knew it. I spent many an hour lying awake trying to work out how you did it. It’s going to cost you.”
I walked away, laughing louder than I had for many a day.
Chapter 19
Matt
We went on shopping without any of the usual carefree conversation or meandering along the isles. There was a barrier between us and as soon as we were back home Rachel turned to me with those green eyes blazing.
“You didn’t tell me she was so…so…gorgeous.”
I took a step back. “But she’s just Emily.”
“Just Emily, my foot. You let me believe that she was just an old school friend with horn-rimmed glasses and buck teeth, and she’s not. She’s gorgeous.”
I couldn’t help it – I burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing? It’s not funny!”
“It’s what you said about Emily. It just sounded funny.”
Rachel gave me a good, hard look, giggled and ended up in my arms. It was the start of a gentle day and Emily wasn’t mentioned again.
*
Two days later I opened my post at work to find copies of the Davies Motors Ltd. accounts. I leant back in my chair and read. Turnover had gone up substantially over the last four years. I tapped away at my calculator. Up by twenty-five per cent. Gross profit was up during that period by fifteen per cent, but net profit way down. Three years ago, pre-tax profit had been nearly £500,000, and last year it was £120,000. Miscellaneous expenses and entertaining expenses had gone through the roof. I looked to see who the auditors were. Charles Eden & Co – what luck. I picked up the phone and dialled.
“Is John Sweeney still with you?” I asked as I crossed my fingers.
“I’ll put you through.”
“John Sweeney,” said a crisp voice.
“John, you old mucker, how are you? It’s Matt Bishop.”
“Bishop, you old bugger! How the devil are you?”
We exchanged small talk for some time, recalling past misdemeanours at university, then John asked, “Matt, it’s good to talk to you, but why are you ringing?”
“John, you audit the books of Davies Motors Ltd., the Ford motor dealer in Bridgwater?”
“Yes, that’s no secret, we’re doing the interim audit now.”
Wow, that couldn’t be better. “I’m aware of some private expenses by one of the directors that may possibly have been put through the company’s books, and I know it’s none of my business but I wondered if someone could just check.”
There was a loud sigh. “I think I know which director. Give me some details.”
It was late in the afternoon when John rang back. This time there was no laughing or joking; he was all business.
“Matt, you said you might be able to supply details of other possible irregularities perpetrated by one of the directors of Davies Motors?”
“I may be able to, but I won’t be able to find out until this evening. What did you find out about the transactions I gave you details of?” I knew he had to be careful, client confidentiality and all that, but couldn’t stop myself from asking.
He ignored me. “Please give me a ring as early as possible tomorrow morning. Oh, and thanks for the tip-off, Matt.”
I quickly phoned Rachel. “Rach, something’s cropped up and I may be late this evening. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
“OK,” she said. “Give me a ring when you get home, and I’ll come over then.”
*
I left work as soon as I could and went round to Emily’s, where I found her at the kitchen table, writing away.
“I’m sending off my CV to Alice Ottley School. Yesterday I sent one to Malvern Girls’ College and Dyson Perrins – there seem to be very few openings at present.”
I felt agitated, but tried to hide it. “You’ll find somewhere soon, I know you will.” I smiled a reassuring smile. “Emily, you know I was suspicious at the level of luxury and high spending invested in Gordon’s place in Bridgwater?”
“I know you were concerned about it, and you contacted Companies House to get accounts to look at.”
“I did, and they showed that business and profit have grown lots, but overheads have gone through the roof over the last three years. I queried this with the auditors of Davies Motors. I gave them the date and amounts for your ring and bracelet. They haven’t told me whether anything is untoward but they have asked for information on any other transactions that could possibly be suspect. I don’t suppose you have any bank statements, invoices or anything like that?”
Emily had pushed her pen and paper to one side and was listening intently. “Gordon always used to give me all sort of papers to file for him as he couldn’t be bothered. I think you shoved some stuff in the bags that you brought back from his place by mistake. Let me see, I may have something in that lot. Help yourself to a glass of wine, Matt, while I go and look.”
I found myself a glass and helped myself. Emily reappeared clutching a piece of paper, which she passed to me. “I’m not sure if it’s of any use.”
It was a statement from Bernard’s of Bridgwater for a three-piece suite, and attached to it was a guarantee. The total was for £2,850.
I looked at Emily. “Wow, can I take these?” I asked.
She nodded. “He wasn’t honest in any way, was he?”
I shook my head. “You do realise that if he has done what I think he has, there could be serious consequences for him?”
“If he has done wrong he deserves to be punished.” She pushed the hair away from her eyes, and for a moment I could just make out the remains of a deep cut on her forehead. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and left.
*
By the time I got home it was seven o’clock, and I called Rachel immediately. She sounded subdued.
“It’s too late to cook. I’ll get a takeaway. Is Indian OK?”
She arrived with the delicious aroma of curry wafting from the containers that she carried through to the kitchen.
“Busy day again?” she asked.
“What? Oh, yes.”
Rachel looked at me, expecting more.
“Oh, I see, because I’m late home. No, I called in on Emily.”
Rachel concentrated hard on her food while I explained my concerns about how Gordon might have been using company funds for his own purposes.
“So I’ve passed on some information to Davies Motors Ltd’s auditors, and now it’s up to them.”
“What does Emily think about all of this?” Rachel asked.
“As far as she is concerned, if Gordon has done anything wrong he deserves everything that’s thrown at him,” I mused. “Actually, Rachel, she has left Bridgwater and Gordon behind her. She wants to sort out a job and move on. She’s sent her CV off to two schools, but neither is taking on any new staff at present. When I went round she was busy writing another one to send to Alice Ottley School.”
Rachel gazed away into the distance before replying. “If she doesn’t get anywhere with that one, let me know. I may be able to help.”
My eyes lit up. “Would you, Rach? She would be so grateful – she really would.”
*
It was about a week later when John Sweeney from Charles Eden & Co phoned. I was instantly on alert.
“John, how are you?” I asked.
There was none of the laughter and banter that we had enjoyed on our first phone call. “Michael Davies, the owner of Davies Motors Ltd and the father of Gordon Davies, has asked me to give you a ring. First of all he wanted me to thank you for bringing certain, um, irregularities to light. It appears that Gordon has been living a life of luxury and has found a way to fund this lifestyle.” John cleared his throat. “Michael Davies is supposed to sign off all expenses over a certain limit, and let’s just say Gordon has found a way round it.”
“Wow,” I interjected. “How much has he stolen from the company?”
“I did not say that he’d stolen anything.”
“No, but.”
John coughed. “We’ve not finished our investigations yet, but a high six-figure sum has gone missing.”
“Will he be prosecuted?”
John paused again. “This brings me to the other reason for ringing you. While Michael is very grateful to you, he wanted me to make it absolutely clear to you that Gordon is no longer with the company. He says if you try to take the matter further, he will deny everything and you will end up looking very stupid.”
“I see, so Gordon walks away scot-free?”
“I have passed on the message that Michael Davies asked me to convey to you.” It was clear that there was to be no further discussion on the matter.
*
I called in to see Emily on the way home to tell her what John Sweeney had said, but that was put to one side as I looked at her unhappy face.
“What’s happened?” I asked.
She pointed to the letters on the table. “Have a read.”
The first one was from Malvern College. ‘I’m sorry to inform you…’ I didn’t need to read any more. I picked up the second letter. It was from Alice Ottley School. ‘I regret that on this occasion…’
“Oh, Emily, I’m so sorry.” I gave her a hug. “The good news is that Rachel said that she might be able to help.”
Her face brightened. “You mean with a job?”
“I think so. I’ll find out more this evening.”
Chapter 20
Rachel
When Matt told me that he was going to Weston to meet up with an old school friend I didn’t give it much thought. He chose not to give me any details about it, and as far as I was concerned that was his business. I just hoped he would be sensible and not drink too much.
I knew he kept a photo of a young schoolgirl in his wallet – it had always intrigued me as I’d watched him transfer it into a new super-deluxe leather wallet I’d bought him for his birthday. But I never put two and two together about the reunion, until the morning I told him about my phone call with my friend Alice from Weston Hospital. Matt’s shocked reaction made me realise that Emily, as I found out she was called later, had indeed been a very, very special childhood friend.
Subsequently, he had devoted a lot of time and trouble to looking out for her. Finding a flat for her. Calling in on her after work so that she wouldn’t feel too lonely while she settled in. And I’d never forget that Sunday when he arrived at my place, barely able to stand and with bruises all over his face. I suppose I was suspicious and perhaps a little jealous of the time he was giving her. Things hadn’t quite been the same between the two of us since he’d met up with Emily again.
However, saying that, Matt was a caring person, someone you could rely on in difficult times. That was one of things I loved about him – and love him I did, of that I was certain. Oh, I know I had told him that I wanted to keep my own flat and my independence, but I had long regretted saying that.
The first time I saw Emily was when we were shopping in the supermarket. I’d been standing to the side of Matt, peering at the apples in the fruit aisle, when I noticed his face light up with a look of delight I’d never seen before. I followed his gaze and saw this stunning blonde woman making her way over to us.
