Reckoning by Heather Atkinson Page A

said tactfully. “If you talk to him he’ll listen.”
    “In my experience people like that don’t listen to anyone, no matter who they are.”
    “Then maybe you could, oh I don’t know, make him listen?”
    Rachel was shocked. “You’re asking me to break the law and hurt someone because you don’t like the fact that they’re in a relationship with your daughter?”
    Kirsty sighed, letting her shoulders slump. “Yes, I am.”
    “And why should I do that when you’re not willing to do it yourself?”
    “Because I’m desperate,” she exclaimed. “I’ve already spoken to him and you know what he did? He laughed in my face. Then I read in the papers about your and Ryan’s pasts and I thought these people might be the answer to my prayers. I’ll pay you.”
    Rachel’s face turned to stone. “We don’t need your money. Please don’t insult me.”
    “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that, I know you don’t need the money.” Her expression was still determined. “But I know about something you do need. The Tower.”
    “And how do you know that?”
    “My husband’s on the Council. He’s very influential, he could make sure it’s sold to you.”
    Rachel was actually tempted because she wanted to see her vision come to life but she wasn’t about to let Kirsty know that. “I’m going to need more than your word. I want your husband’s too.”
    “You can have it. He’s as keen as me to get Gloria away from Billy.”
    “Then why isn’t he here?”
    “We both thought it would be better if we spoke woman to woman.”
    “I want assurance from your husband himself before I’ll even consider it. Me and Ryan will be at Empirica Thursday evening at seven. If you’re serious you can bring him there and we can discuss it in more detail. If you don’t show up we’ll know you’ve changed your mind and we’ll never speak of it again. Agreed?”
    “Yes,” smiled Kirsty, elated it had gone so well, even though Rachel had actually committed to nothing. “We’ll be there, I promise.”
    “In that case I’ll arrange a quiet table for four.”
    “Great, see you Thursday evening,” smiled Kirsty, suddenly much chirpier, picking up her handbag and getting to her feet, rushing for the door, leaving Rachel with her thoughts.
    A few minutes after she’d gone, Tracey stuck her curly head around the door. “What did she want?”
    “Believe me, you don’t want to know.”
    “I never liked her, stuck up cow. The daughter’s nice though.”
    “What do you know about Gloria?”
    “Nice girl, really bubbly and giggly. She’s seeing a local boy, Billy Whitelock. He has a dodgy past but since he’s been with her he’s got himself together, even gone back to college. Kirsty and her husband have given the poor boy a hard time because they’re snobs who don’t think he’s good enough for their darling daughter, even though he makes her happy. Why?”
    Rachel swallowed down the rising anger and smiled pleasantly. “Nothing.”
    “You’re back,” screeched a voice.
    “Hello Daina,” Rachel smiled when a pair of arms were thrown around her neck.
    “How was Scotland?”
    “Really good. We needed it.”
    Daina’s expression turned saucy. “And how was Thane?”
    “He’s fine thank you. What?” she added when Daina continued to grin at her.
    “I think he still has crush on you.”
    “He does seem to have a little crush, I’ll admit that.”
    “Who’s Thane?” said Tracey. “Come on, spill.”
    “Spill what?” said Daina.
    “It’s a saying,” explained Tracey. “It means tell me everything.”
    Daina considered this statement. “Spill, I like this.”
    “Well, go on then,” Tracey urged Rachel. “Who is this mysterious Thane? Whoever he is he can’t possibly be as hunky as Ryan.”
    “Almost,” said Daina. “But not quite.”
    “Almost? Where is this God? I must meet him and is he single?”
    “Yes but you’re not,” smiled Rachel.
    “Thane is gorgeous, he is a c…”