A Secret Schemer by Charley Dee Page B

downstairs to be greeted by Jena. ‘Have
I missed out on a girlie chat?’ She quizzed.
    ‘You haven’t missed much Hun
just a conflab about teenagers.’ Kate assured. ‘Anyway girls see
you in the morning.’
    ‘Good luck Kate.’ I mutter,
with my fingers crossed behind my back, as my recollections of
being a teenager is total defiance.
    ‘We’re running the bar tonight
Jena, so how do you fancy fish and chips before we take over?’
    ‘Shall I get them? Jena
proposes.
    ‘If you like, I’ll lay a table
up.’
    ‘What about Tim will he want to
join us?’ Jena urges.
    ‘No love he sorts himself out,
not sure what time he gets in anyway.’ I explain.
    As Jena dashes off to buy our
supper that very thought runs through my mind, I really have no
idea what time Tim gets home or where he eats come to that. I know
he’s only been here a few days; however I’ve hardly seen him.
Certainly not the start of an average relationship, nevertheless
I’d dislike someone constantly bothering me, so this way is
plausible. My life is busy so I don’t think too deeply about run of
the mill stuff, only things that affect the running of my pub, i.e.
Vie Butler.
    I didn’t see Tim until I was in
bed, in fact not so much saw him as felt him as he slipped under my
duvet. We made love…and I remember falling asleep in his arms. When
I woke up this morning, I was on my own…this guy is such an elusive
character, mystifying even. I daresay his ways will eventually fall
into place.
     
    When Kate arrived for work she
certainly didn’t look a happy bunny, so my immediate reaction was
things had not gone well with Jodie. ‘I’m gathering by your look
Kate that Jodie’s response wasn’t good.’
    ‘My ears are still ringing from
the verbal Lucy, her vocabulary includes words even I haven’t heard
before.’
    ‘Well teens seems to have their
own language anyway, shortened syllables I believe.’ This was my
attempt to lighten the mood.
    ‘Lucy I wouldn’t even repeat
them apart from informing you I’m a fatherless snoop, or words to
that effect.’
    ‘She didn’t believe the story I
take it?’
    ‘Totally incredulous.’ Kate
adds grimly.
    ‘So now you’re going to try
plan B?’
    ‘Jodie has declared if I speak
to Archie she’ll do a runner.’
    ‘I’d take that with a pinch of
salt Hun, as how would she survive without food, clothes, mobile,
money, shall I go on?’
    ‘That’s as maybe Lucy but I
can’t take any chances, the media is full of horrific stories about
teens these day. God forbid I’d never forgive myself.’ Kate added
tearfully.
    ‘Ok Hun leave it with me, there
has to be a way of overcoming this without you being involved.’ I
assure.
    ‘Tread carefully please Lucy;
because she’ll know I’ve told you.’
    ‘Mum’s the word.’ I add as I
tap my nose. Truthfully I hope I can deal with this, at the moment
I probably sound a lot more positive than I’m feeling. Leaving Jena
in the kitchen with Kate and Grace I go in search of Archie.
    With Jayne already behind the
bar made it easy for me to call Archie to one side without
interruptions.
    ‘Archie there’s an issue I feel
I should make you aware of, however I would be grateful if you kept
the information purely between the two of us.’
    ‘I’m intrigued, what’s wrong
Lucy.’ He replied curiously.
    ‘Nothing wrong as such, in fact
as I relay the story I’m sure you’ll understand.’ So as tactfully
as possible I conveyed the story to date. As I was talking I was
also watching his facial reactions, which were very expressive. I
was trying to define if he was aware of Jodie’s interest, as the
thought had crossed my mind that he could be. Jodie may only be
sixteen years old; nevertheless she’s an exceptionally pretty girl
with an hour glass figure. At the end of my account I was somewhat
baffled by his reaction, as his expressions had changed
throughout.
    ‘Well Lucy I don’t really know
what to say, of course I know Jodie and