Thank you, Dan. I'd hoped you would understand. Raising a child as a single mom won't be easy, so I'm grateful for you support. The words single mom made him feel lonely and excluded. Let's have a coffee sometime and we can finalize the details. Sounds like a bloody business deal, Dan thought. You asked me about Britney, Keke continued. I've been following her, but I've been sick quite a bit, so I've put Janice on the job. The only time Britney went anywhere unlikely, Janice lost her in the traffic somewhere near Shelborne Springs. Do you know anyone there?
No. Dan's mind was still thinking about the horrific prospect of Keke raising their child without him. It's got to be a secret.
What has?
Your pregnancy. If people find out, my future may be at risk.
Okay. I won't tell anyone. Dan? Dan?
Dan had hung up.
Britney was driving towards Shelborne Springs when her cell rang. Hi babe, it's me.
Dan. How very inconvenient, he never calls me during the day, she thought. And why did he call me babe? What's up?
Can you meet me in town, I want to talk to you?
Sure when?
An hour.
A line of cocaine flashed across her mind. She gripped the steering wheel harder and tried to block the thought, but it was impossible. She needed it and the thought of having to turn back to Dallas and go without was overbearing. Only a few days, keep it together girl, she told herself.
Dan liked Mary's tea room. It was a copy of one of those old fashioned bakers shops, with a tea room at the back. Britney arrived at the same time as the waitress. Dan ordered a pot of tea and scones with cream.
Don't mess it up Britney, told herself as she approached the table. Give him a kiss, make sure he suspects nothing. She flashed a false smile and sat down opposite him.
Dan looked at her. He was right, she really was behaving oddly, and she looked as thought she needed to sleep. Enough now, though, both your parents think she's a great girl, the fun you had when you first started dating will come back, and sure, she's nervous. After all, she's marrying into a dynasty.
Are you okay? she asked. not really caring if the answer was yes or not.
Fine. Listen I've been a bit aloof lately. I just wanted to tell you I'll help you finalize the wedding. I' haven't been much help so far. I thought it was time I did my bit.
Did you drag me away from a good screw and a line of cocaine to tell me that you mean son a bitch? she thought. Yes great. I'll brief you when we get home.
And one more thing. You mentioned the insurance papers. James Ridley will be here in a few minutes. Remember him? The broker from Allinson and Allinson. We'd better get all those boring little details sorted before the wedding. You never know, I might walk under a bus, and you'd be destitute otherwise.
Britney beamed back at him. Finally, she thought.
Janice yawned as she pulled up, a couple of hundred meters away from Britney's car. Get yourself a new job, she thought. This is boring as hell. She'd spent day after day, sitting in her car, either outside Dan and Britney's house or following her on another shopping trip. The only time she'd left central Dallas was to go to some God forsaken town and then Janice had lost her. Today would be like all the other days, she thought.
When Britney got out of the car, she headed into a clothes shop. Janice followed her at a discrete distance, her hand on the camera in her bag. Keke had told her to keep back and take photos' if Britney met anyone suspicious. Particularly men.
Janice watched as Britney walked around the store. Britney picked up the odd garment and looked at it before replacing it. When Britney looked at her watch and suddenly made for the door, Janice was alert. She followed her outside and across the road to the park. Britney sat down on a park bench, and Janice hid behind a tree. After a couple of minutes, Janice reached for the camera. Britney was talking to a very tall, thin man.
Keke was just about to throw up again when Janice arrived looking hot and sweaty. I thought they called it morning sickness because it's supposed to happen in the morning, Keke complained. I've been ill all day. She looked at Janice and noticed her familiar guilty look. What's the matter?
I've messed up.
Keke wasn't surprised. What?
She met a guy. Janice slumped into the armchair and looked at Keke, who'd take the secretary's place for the day.
And?
And I tried to take a photo, but the camera.
The camera did what?
Well, that's the problem. It didn't do anything.
Why?
I forgot to charge the batteries last evening.
Janice, how many time are you going to...... Keke got up and rushed to the bathroom. In the time she was away, she decided not to fire Janice. For now anyway. She'd give her one more chance. Do you, at least, have a description? she asked when she returned.
Yes. Tall and quite thin with a full head of gray, black hair.
What was he wearing?