EPISODE THIRTY-FIVE
Nicky was
talking to Savita by the water cooler when Malcolm marched across the open plan
office, making a beeline for them.
‘Just relaxing, passing the time of
day, I see,’ he sneered. ‘No work to
do?’
Nicky began to stammer. ‘Um,
ac...actually we were discussing the t-team report...’
Malcolm cut her short with a
sarcastic laugh. ‘Pull the other
one. Oh, by the way, Nicky, I didn’t
tell you, did I? I’ve been having riding
lessons. They’re coming on a treat.
Bank holiday Monday I’ll be out hunting with
our M.D.Of course, it’s not quite the
same as it was. They can’t use a whole
pack to tear the vermin apart anymore.
Still, as long as the weather stays fine, it should be an excellent day.’
He winked at Savita, then strode
across the office, whistling tunelessly, and walked through to the reception
area. Nicky watched him go, then turned
to Savita.
‘I hate that man,’ she said.
‘I hope he falls off his horse.’
Savita grinned at her.
‘Perhaps with a little help he might.’
Interest flickered in Nicky’s
eyes. ‘How d’you mean?’
‘I hate him as well.
And I owe him.
He’s always making nasty remarks about my
race, and curries and arranged marriages.
I’m sick of it. Then the other
day, he called me into his office for an appraisal.
Know what he said? He accused me of having
communication difficulties.’
‘That’s rubbish,’
Nicky protested.
‘I know.
And he went on to imply that I have a chip on
my shoulder. “That’s fairly typical
of...” he said. I think he was about to
say...“typical of an ethnic minority person.” I’m sure of it.
But he stopped himself in time.
He probably knew he could get into serious
trouble for it.’
Nicky frowned thoughtfully.
‘So when you said that he might fall off his
horse with a little help...’
Savita’s grin widened. ‘I’ve been
telling my boyfriend about Malcolm. And
he’s furious. He’s got something planned
for the bank holiday.’
‘What?’
‘I promised I wouldn’t tell
anyone. But...what are you doing after
work tonight?’
‘Nothing. Why?’
‘I’m meeting Damian for a
drink. Why don’t you join us?
If he knows how much you hate Malcolm, he
might let you in on what he’s got up his sleeve.’
‘Yes, I’d like that,’ she replied.
Nicky suddenly felt more cheerful.
Not only was this a burden shared, the
prospect of revenge was exhilarating.
And she was keen to know how Savita’s boyfriend could unseat the odious
Malcolm on the bank holiday hunt.
*
‘Car’s all loaded up,’ said Dave as
he came into the kitchen. ‘Where are the
kids?’
‘Out
in the garden,’ Mary replied. ‘I’ll get them.’
‘No
rush. Let’s have a quick cuppa before we
go.’
Dave
switched the kettle on, then came and sat opposite Mary at the
hideously-patterned Formica table. He patted her hand reassuringly.
‘As we’ll both be away for a while, maybe the
phone calls’ll stop.’
‘I
hope so. But we’re only away for half
term.’
‘And
an extra week,’ Dave added.
Mary
nodded. ‘Yes, the school secretary was a bit snotty about taking them out for
an extra week at half term, but...what the hell!’
Dave
frowned and stared down at the edge of the chipped table.
‘I hope the arrangements will be okay.
Four of us squashed into a caravan for two
weeks. Could be a bit cramped.’
‘At
least it’ll be good to get away for a while.’
Dave
caught her staring thoughtfully at the kitchen walls.
He took her hand in his and squeezed.
‘I don’t mind doing this house up,’ he
said. ‘Now that...well...I’ve got a
purpose, if you see what I mean.’
She
offered him a sympathetic smile, the sort you offer the recently bereaved.
‘I think you’re a lovely bloke, Dave, I
really do. And I’d like it to work out
between us. The kids really respond well
to you...’
‘I
like them, an’ all.’
‘It’s
just that...’
‘I
knew there had to be a but.’
‘You’re
not over her yet, are you? I’ve seen you staring at her photograph.’
‘It’s
not what you think.’
Frowning,
Mary asked, ‘What d’you mean?’
‘I’ll
tell you one day.’
‘Why
not now?’
Shaking
his head, he rose from the table to make the tea.
‘Time’s not right.
But I will tell you soon.
I promise.’
‘Oh
well, I guess I’ll just have to be a bit patient.
Listen, Dave, when we get back in two weeks’
time, d’you think we could talk about the other bedroom?’
Dave
spoke hurriedly, panic in his voice.
‘We’ll be okay as we are. You can
manage with two bedrooms, can’t you?’
‘I
just thought it would be nice if Simon and Thomas had separate bedrooms.’
‘No
I keep all my costumes in the third bedroom.’
‘Why
d’you keep it locked?’
‘I’ve
got lots of props and costumes in there.
I don’t want them to get spoilt.
I wouldn’t want Simon and Thomas to get into any trouble.
You know what kids are like.
Natural curiosity.
They start mucking about and...well, I like
to keep all my stage gear in tip-top condition.'
She
realized he was protesting too much. And
the way he avoided looking at her as he spoke, busying himself with making the
tea.
She
wondered what on earth he kept in the third bedroom under lock and key.
And she began to have doubts about where their
relationship might lead. Especially as
she knew very little about the private life of Dave Whitby.
IN EPISODE THIRTY-SIX
Nicky meets Savita’s boyfriend and
hears of his plans for the bank holiday hunt..