Behind a Closed Door (The Estate, Book 2) (29 page)

Scott must have been in it because some of the tape had come away now, making it easier to get her hand inside. She searched around, stretching into all four corners but there was nothing in it. Typical Scott, she thought, leaving me to tidy up his mess. She put the lid back on. Taking the box with her, she stepped backwards into Emily’s room.

It was then that she saw a small plastic bag shoved inside a game that her daughter didn’t use anymore. She pulled it out and looked inside. Then she gasped. Inside it were an old gentleman’s watch, two gold bands slipped through a gold-link chain, and three wallets. They weren’t the only items in the bag. They were on top of piles of twenty pound notes.

She sat on Emily’s bed and counted the money. Once she’d finished, her hand rose to her mouth.

The total came to six thousand, two hundred and eighty pounds.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Kelly sat on her settee in a daze. Where the hell had all of that money come from? This was more than the odd knock off bargain or earning a bit on the side that she was used to Scott doing. He must have done more than a burglary here and there to have thousands stashed away.

Then another thought struck her. Had the money come from more than one job? And if so, how long had he been keeping it away from her? And why the hell had he left it behind? Surely he still didn’t think she trusted him? Not after what he’d done.

She was desperate for someone to talk to, but there was no one she could trust. She couldn’t say anything about this to her parents. She couldn’t ring Jay. He probably knew about it, although he hadn’t mentioned anything to make her suspicious of him. She’d definitely have to keep it a secret from Josie. If Kelly was right and the money was from lots of jobs, then she might have given him an alibi. She used to cover for him all the time, say he was home with her when he’d been out until all hours.

Before she could think herself into a sleepless night, she hid the bag under the sink unit in the kitchen.

After a quiet weekend, Josie started off the week at a planner’s meeting discussing The Workshop. Her head, fit to bursting full of facts and figures, dates for completion and unit sizes, couldn’t spare any room to think of Kelly until lunchtime. It had shocked her to hear what Scott had been up to. She really wanted to call to see how Kelly was doing, but instead she sent a text message, reiterating that she’d be right over if she needed her.

Her mobile phone beeped moments later. Kelly had replied to say that she was holding it together for Emily’s sake and that she’d be in touch soon. Josie felt relieved. She’d always thought that Johnstone was a creep, but what he’d done to Kelly was far worse than she could put into words.

Yet, even if it had been terrible to hear Kelly so upset when she’d last visited, inside Josie had been jumping up and down with glee. If Scott did stay away for good, she was sure she’d be able to keep her on the straight and narrow. It could be the best thing that had happened. Josie felt so proud of her: she wasn’t even the Kelly
she’d
met in January, never mind who Scott had made her into over the years, resigned to her lot and not prepared to fight for anything else because she felt she didn’t deserve any better. Josie knew she’d have a hard job to get rid of Scott – you don’t get rid of scum like him without a fight. She only hoped that Kelly would be strong enough to stand her ground, whatever she decided. She made a note on her pad to check out the benefits he was getting. He wasn’t going to get away with anything if she could help it.           

Her office phone rang next. It was one of the revenue officers asking her to visit a tenant who had rent arrears. Before she knew it, Josie was thrust into her work again. She had another eviction pending, one that she didn’t want to happen and was going to do her best to stop – the family had been torn apart by the death of their six-year-old son from leukaemia and, since then, everything had gone to pot. Josie hoped they would see her first. Maybe she could make things more comfortable for them over time.

Next, she conducted an interview with the Bradley twins. They were acting as if they owned Stanley Avenue again. Neighbours had been complaining about the teenagers’ shouting foul language, throwing bricks and bottles, scratching cars. Luckily for her, getting Gina Bradley onto her turf always subdued her, so it hadn’t been too much of an ordeal.

Then she gave Amy a quick call. She hadn’t seen her for a couple of days and wanted to know if she was okay. Amy had surprised her by answering the phone in a chirpy manner, letting her know instantly that she was feeling happier. It seemed like Sam Pearson was keeping his promise.

It was four thirty when Josie next checked her watch and she gasped at the lateness. Livvy had made an appointment for her at the hairdressers for five fifteen. She switched off her computer – stuff the groaning in tray and the overflowing desk; she’d better get a move on.

Despite the initial shock of being handed her own fairy godmother, Josie had been pleasantly surprised to find that Livvy hadn’t wanted to railroad her into anything she didn’t want to do. ‘One step at a time’, she’d said to her when she’d told her about the appointment. ‘First it’s a good cut and colour and then I’ll take you shopping.’ Josie felt nervous about it, but trusted Livvy not to fit her out like a teenager. Besides that, she had never shown an interest in what was fashionable, so she wouldn’t know where to start.

Home at last a few hours later, she retrieved her things from the back seat of her car before messing with her new fringe for the umpteenth time. The stylist had done wonders with her thick matt of straw. After telling him exactly what she didn’t want, Josie had left him to decide on a longer version of a geometric bob with a short fringe and, after straightening and smoothing for quite some time, she’d been left with a shine that would compete with any supermodel on any television advert. Add to that an all-over chocolate colour strewn with honey highlights, and her transformation was complete.

She ran a hand down the side – it felt really peculiar to stop at her shoulder – and grinned. Now all she needed were the rude heels that Livvy talked about.

There was a whistle from behind her. Josie turned to see James at the end of her driveway.

‘Wow, you look amazing!’ he said.

Josie’s hand shot up to her hair again. ‘Do you think so?’

James nodded.

‘Thank you.’ Not used to compliments, she felt the colour rising to her cheeks.

‘I think I might have to take you out to celebrate.’ James threw her a flirty smile.

Josie blushed even more when she caught a whiff of his aftershave in the slight breeze. Because she was drawn to the twinkle in his eyes, she noticed a different pair of glasses, this time with a thicker frame in navy blue. A recent television advert sprang to her mind and she grinned. He must have gone to…

‘What’s so funny?’ James asked.

‘Nothing,’ she told him. ‘I was just admiring your glasses.’

‘And I thought you were admiring me. Hey, I don’t suppose you fancy joining me tonight?’ he questioned. ‘I’m going out with a few friends for something to eat. It’s a kind of farewell meal as I’m off to America tomorrow for a while. I’m overseeing a project there – bit annoyed that I’ll miss the birth of my first nephew or niece as Louise shows no signs of having the baby yet. I’m sure one more bum on a seat wouldn’t make a difference.’

Josie was taken aback. It would be so easy to say yes. She hadn’t eaten since dinner time and she felt as if she wanted to show off her new image. But to go out with someone she barely knew, in the company of his friends? She’d feel like a fish out of water.    

‘I’ve got a lot to do tonight,’ she smiled, hoping that he wouldn’t be offended by her refusal. ‘Some other time, perhaps?’

James nodded. ‘I’ll hold you to that – in exactly two months.’ He pulled out his wallet and handed her a business card. ‘Maybe we could keep in touch via email? Do you have a card with your details too?’

Josie stood rooted to the spot long after James had gone. She ran a finger over his name on the card. There might not be anything in it, and she might not want to go out with another man so soon after separating from Stewart but it was certainly nice to be asked to join him.

A huge grin erupted across her face as she went into the house.

The following morning, Kelly flung open a wardrobe door and dumped the remainder of Scott’s belongings on to their bed. It had been a few days since he’d left and, after badgering him with text messages telling him to pick up his things, he’d finally agreed to call round. If she packed all his stuff now, at least he wouldn’t have to stay there longer than was necessary. And she knew it would be show time over the money. Even though she wasn’t surprised he hadn’t come back for it – she realised now that he was using the flat as a safe place to keep it – she knew he’d want it eventually. But she wanted answers first. 

She pulled out a drawer and sat down on the edge of the bed next to it all. Tears pricked her eyes again. Pants and socks were one thing but what else would he want to take with him? The television? The fridge, the microwave, the settees; even the bed she was sitting on Scott had provided. She wouldn’t put it past him right now to make things as awkward as possible – even though she knew Anne-Marie would probably have it all too.

Emily chose her moment to bring out the devil. She wouldn’t eat her breakfast and the cereal in her bowl ended up in a clutter on the floor. Then she refused to eat the toast that she’d wanted instead. Kelly nibbled her bottom lip to stop from yelling at her.

Scott knocked on the door less than an hour later. He bounded past her and up the stairs, leaving a sheepish-looking Jay standing on the doorstep.

‘Thought I’d come as the peacekeeper,’ he forced a smile.

Kelly forced a smile too as she held open the door. They could hear Scott banging drawers and opening wardrobe doors from where they were standing.

‘I don’t know what he’s doing up there,’ she said. ‘I’ve already packed up his things.’

They went upstairs into the living room.

‘Do you want to show Jay your new books, Emily?’ Kelly asked. She wanted her out of the room for a moment so she could talk to him.

As Emily raced off, Jay sat down on the settee. ‘I’m sorry, Kel,’ he said, looking troubled. ‘I wouldn’t have said a word if I thought you didn’t know what was going on.’

Kelly sat down too. ‘I’m glad you did tell me,’ she admitted. ‘I wish it had been earlier.’

‘I never did it for my own purposes.’

‘I realise that now. It was just such a shock, but I’ll get over it.’ Kelly placed her hand over his and then drew it away, surprised by the intensity of their touch.

‘Of course you will,’ Jay replied. ‘You’re one of life’s fighters.’

‘Why do you stick with him, Jay?’

The question had plagued Kelly for some time now. Jay seemed nothing like Scott and certainly nothing resembling the reputation of his brothers. It didn’t make sense. She wondered if he knew about the money.

‘Jay, did you know anything about –’

‘I want to watch Pingu!’ Emily rushed back in with a DVD instead of the book she’d been asked to fetch. She pushed herself onto Jay’s knee. ‘Pingu… Pingu… Pingu. Can I, Mummy?’

The door opened and Scott came into the room.

‘Daddy, where are you living now?’ Emily chirped.

‘Nowhere that you need to worry your head about, Em.’

‘Can I come and see you?’

‘Maybe when I’ve settled in.’

‘When will that be?’

Kelly hid a smirk as her little girl played detective for her. Without being prompted, Emily asked him all the questions she wanted to know.

‘Mummy says –’

‘Mummy says lots of things, Emily,’ Scott cut in. ‘It doesn’t mean they’re all true.’

Kelly’s eyes bore into Scott’s. ‘I’m not the liar in this family,’ she said.

His look was cold but she held his stare. Eventually, his eyes moved around the room.

‘Take what you want,’ Kelly motioned with a flick of her wrist. ‘If you want to deprive your child, that is.’

‘I don’t need any stuff.’

‘Yeah, of course,’ Kelly acknowledged. ‘You’ve got it all at Anne-Marie’s house. I suppose you kitted that out as well. What did you do, steal one and get one for me?’

Scott ignored her.

‘Where does she live?’

‘What’s it got to do with you?’

‘I obviously need somewhere to send your giro on to.’

‘Don’t worry. I’m changing my address as soon as I get out of this dump.’

‘Come on, guys. Give the arguing a break, hmm?’ Jay nodded his chin towards Emily, even though she seemed oblivious to anything other than the antics of the penguins.

Kelly turned towards Jay. ‘He started it.’

Jay sighed. ‘I can pick your giro up, if you like.’

Scott nodded. ‘I can see I’m not wanted here.’ Before he got to the door, he turned back. ‘Don’t think you’re getting a penny of maintenance out of me.’

Kelly gasped in disbelief. ‘She’s your daughter, too!’

‘What’s maintenance?’ Emily asked Jay. Jay shushed her.