The Legacy: Trouble Comes Disguised As Family (Unspoken Book 2) T. Belshaw (management books to read .txt) 📖

cigarette, took a final draw, and stubbed it out on the stone table top. ‘I was impressed with you, the moment I saw you. I even admit to being a little jealous as I could see in his eyes that he was really interested in you.’

‘See in his eyes?’

Leonora laughed. ‘At the little restaurant by the river. I sat in my car while you ate. I stood on the bridge as you talked to the swans.’

‘That’s a little over the top isn’t it? Especially as you don’t actually live together.’

‘You might think so, my dear, but I have to look after my interests.’

Jess pulled her hand away; she was sick to death of hearing that word.

‘Don’t be angry,’ Leonora said, soothingly. ‘Anger makes us do things we wouldn’t normally do.’

‘Jess’s mouth dropped open. ‘Don’t tell me you had something to do with the attack on him?’

‘Now you’re being ridiculous.’ Leonora shook her head. ‘I did damage his car when the two of you were canoodling inside your farmhouse though.’ She tipped her head and studied Jess again. ‘Canoodling… that’s such a lovely word, isn’t it?’

‘Does Bradley know you did that? I blamed my ex for it.’

‘No, I doubt Bradley would ever forgive me for damaging his mother’s pride and joy. Are you going to tell him?’

‘No, that should be something you do.’

Leonora got to her feet and picked up her bag. ‘My conscience is clear. I think he deserved it.’

‘But you said you were separated.’

‘We are, but as I said earlier, we still… how shall I put it… comfort each other in times of need. If you see what I mean.’

Jess and Leonora walked side by side along the shrubbery path to the car park. When they reached Leonora’s Golf, she stopped and held out her elegant hand.

‘It’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you, Jessica.’

‘Likewise.’

Jess turned away and walked back to her Toyota. As she flicked the fob to unlock it, Leonora spoke again. Holding the key in her hand, she turned to face her.

‘There is no future in your relationship with Bradley. We’re married, we both come from good Catholic stock. Families like ours don’t believe in divorce. His mother wouldn’t allow it even if we wanted to, neither would mine, actually.’ She pulled two bags of shopping, placed them on the floor, then slammed the boot shut. ‘Having said all that, you do concern me, Jessica Griffiths. I’ll be keeping a wary eye on you.’

Jess watched as Leonora picked up her shopping and walked through the gap in the Cypress trees before disappearing from view. Turning the key over in her hand, Jess unlocked her car and climbed in, then looked back towards the apartment block.

‘Don’t waste your time on me. He’s all yours,’ she said, firmly.

Chapter 40

‘The stupid buggers, what did they think they were doing?’

Bill slammed his hand down on the table as he watched the local news.

Nicola placed a cup of coffee in front of him and looked over to the TV.

‘Oh, Bill, you didn’t have anything to do with that, did you?’

‘Why would you even think that? Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘I just wondered. You did go out in the power cut last night.’

‘Spying on me now, are you?’

‘I just happened to be looking across the road from the shop window. I saw you go out.’

‘Look, you stupid bitch. This attack happened at about six o’clock and if you saw me go out, you’ll know it was much later than that. The lights were still on at six.’

‘Where did you go then, Bill?’

‘What I do and where I go is no business of yours, but, if you must know, I went to see if our Jessica was all right, what with the power going off an’ everything.’

‘That was thoughtful of you, Bill.’

‘She’s my daughter for Christ’s sake. I worry about her living on her own in that big old house.’

‘Was she all right?’

‘Her friends were with her, that trollop, Samantha and some bloke.’ He hesitated. ‘There was a bit of a misunderstanding.’

‘What do you mean misunderstanding? Bill, what have you done?’

Bill swept his hand across the table, knocking the coffee over.

‘I’ve done nothing. I was just making sure she was all right. They jumped to the wrong conclusion, that’s all.’

‘I’ll ask her when I see her next.’

He got to his feet and got hold of Nicola’s arm.

‘Bill, you’re hurting me, let go.’

‘I’ll bloody hurt you all right if you don’t keep your nose out of my affairs.’ He picked the empty coffee cup up and stuffed it into her hand. ‘Now, go and make another one.’

Nicola walked back to the kitchen rubbing her arm.

‘I mean it, woman. Don’t you dare go talking to Jessica behind my back.’

Before Nicola had the chance to boil the kettle, someone hammered on the front door.

‘Nicola! Get that. If it’s that bloody Kaur woman, tell her to sod off.’

Still rubbing her sore arm, Nicola opened the front door about a foot, then found herself pushed back against the wall as a broad, dark-haired man forced his way into the house. Spotting Bill cowering behind the table, he clapped his hands together and a huge smile appeared on his face.

‘Hello, Owen… Oh, I’m sorry, It’s Bill now, isn’t it?’

‘Dougie, I—’

‘It’s Mister Duncan to you, you snivelling little turd.’

‘Sorry, Mister Duncan.’

Duncan pursed his lips. ‘Now then… Bill. I’ve been looking forward to this little chat for about five years. Five, long years, Bill.’

‘I’m sorry, I went away to try to get you your money back but—’

‘Five years without a word, five years without you even attempting to make contact.’ Dougie pulled a sad face. ‘Do you know, at one time I thought you were dead. You won’t believe how pleased I am to find out that you’re alive and well.’

‘Get out of my house,’ Nicola called from the doorway.

Dougie didn’t bother turning around, his eyes never left Bill.

‘In a moment, love. Bill and I need to have a chat first. Isn’t that right, Bill?’

Bill nodded dumbly.

‘Would you like to know