She typed the week’s notes then printed and filed them ready for the office on Monday.
Whilst finishing the Armstrong notes, she thought about how sad Peter’s life had been after years of looking after his mother. Harming herself had become a ritual that only professional help could hope to cure. She admired the way he had tried to protect her over the years but even he had admitted defeat – the better for both of them. Perhaps now he could learn to live his life without guilt and find some happiness? She would continue to see both he and his mother until things were on a more even keel. And although she had relinquished responsibility by passing Mrs Armstrong over to Tadmore, she always liked to follow through.
Too involved, Sam would always tell her.
She had just put the last file into her briefcase and was thinking about changing for her get-together with Barbara, when the ‘phone rang.
“
Hello, Anne Blake,” she answered.
“
Anne, thank goodness you’re there. It’s Jenny,” said the stressed voice on the other end.
“
Jenny! It’s been ages. How are you? I’ve been meaning to call – it’s my turn to cook, isn’t it?”
“
Yes, it has been a long time. I…I…I don’t know how to tell you.”
Jenny stumbled over her words.
Anne knew something was wrong.
“
Jen, tell me, what’s the matter?”
“
Listen, I can’t say over the ‘phone. Can we meet, it’s just that…?” stammered Jenny.
“
Of course we can. Are you busy this morning? I’m meeting Barbara at eleven fifteen at Alice’s Coffee House. Why don’t you meet me at ten thirty? That way we can talk before she arrives. She’ll like to see you again, anyway. Don’t worry, Jen, nothing can be that bad, can it?”
“
Thanks, Anne. I really need to talk to someone. Are you sure Barbara won’t mind? It’ll be good to see her again.”
“
No, of course she won’t mind. And anyway, we’ll have talked things over before she arrives,” Anne reassured her friend.
“
Great! I’ll meet you later…and thanks, Anne.”
The line disconnected before she could respond.
Anne had hoped to spend some time in her garden room before she went out, but now thought she’d better change or she’d be late.
Before she moved however, she made a call to Tadmore Hospital to enquire about Mrs Armstrong.
“
Doctor Blake, hello,” answered the nurse on duty.
“
Yes, I’m just enquiring about Missus Armstrong, has she settled in okay? I’ll able to see her Tuesday afternoon, but I wanted to check on her.”
“
Well, she hasn’t checked in yet. But that’s not unusual. Our ambulance pick-up service is a little behind at weekends. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Do you want me to contact you when she arrives?” asked the nurse.
“
No, I’m sure she’ll be okay, I’ll see her on Tuesday. Ring me if there are any problems, however.”
“
That’s fine. Have a good weekend, Doctor.”
After dropping the ‘phone back into her bag, Anne went upstairs to change.
*****
As Anne drove to the coffee-house, she thought about the conversation she’d had with Jenny. She hadn’t known her as long as Barbara but was a good friend all the same. They had met about five years earlier at their local library. Anne was researching an obscure medical disease; Jenny was looking for background on a story she was writing. Though it was only a local library, it was particularly good for browsing the Internet. She could have done it at home but Anne liked working in its atmosphere; it gave her the same peace as her garden room.
They had seen each other on previous visits and this time they had sat at adjacent computer terminals -which were situated at the very back of the library. Jenny had glanced at Anne’s monitor and quietly questioned her topic.
“You must be a doctor,” Jenny had whispered. “That looks very technical.”
She’d smiled at Anne.
Answering her smile and liking what she saw – petite and blonde with startling blue eyes – Anne whispered back that she was indeed a doctor and was used to all the jargon that went with the job. Rather than annoy the library staff, they had agreed to go for a coffee when they had finished their research.
Gathering their notebooks and bags, they silently – feeling a little like naughty schoolgirls – made their way out of the library into the bright sunshine.
As if by mutual assent they made their way to Alice’s, where the warmth of the day allowed them to use one of the white tables that sat waiting outside the coffee-house.
So quickly had they become friends that Anne had been invited to Jenny and David’s wedding. She’d also been with her at the birth of the twins – David had been delayed, arriving sweaty and worried just as the twins put in an appearance. There had been problems, but after the birth everything was fine. Both Anne and Sally were the image of their mother.
Anne thought about their years of friendship. Being godmother to their children, visiting each other when time allowed, and there for each other when needed. David was called away a lot with his job so Anne tried to find the time to visit as much as possible. Yes, she had neglected Jenny; it had been some time since they met.
Anne parked her car and walked round to the coffee-house; it was 10.25am.
She was early!
Jenny was sitting at one of the outside tables waiting for her. She rose when she saw Anne and they embraced.
“It’s been too long,” said Anne.
“Yes,” Jenny said simply.
They both sat; white cloth and a vase of pretty dancing heads between them.
“Aren’t they gorgeous?” said Anne, if only to give Jenny time to settle.
She looked pale.
“Hmm, I always liked sweet peas, beautiful scent and such a fabulous array of colours. It’s so good to see you, Anne.”
“Yes, I’m sorry it’s been so long.”
“I...” Jenny began, but was cut off.
After the waitress had taken their order – one white, one black coffee – Anne looked at Jenny.
“You seem tired. Are you okay?”
Jenny shook her head. “Not really,” she said, not elaborating until after their coffees arrived.
“Mmm,” said Anne, “I’ve forgotten how good the coffee is here.”
She looked about her and felt comfortable in the morning sunshine. There were quite a number of people here already, Saturdays always brought out many shoppers and Alice’s was a favourite meeting place.
Looking at Jenny, Anne said, “Come on, tell me about it.”
“It seems so stupid, really. It must be my imagination; I’m just tired but...” Jenny took another sip of her coffee, putting off what she needed to say.
“Come on, Jen, it’s me, Anne, you can tell me anything, I’m always ready to listen.”
She leant over and touched her friend’s hand.
“Okay,” Jenny spoke, as if coming to a decision. “But it’s probably nothing.” She took a deep breath. “About a year ago, I saw a figure at the bottom of our garden. You remember; it was the twins’ birthday party. At first I thought it was a new neighbour or someone coming to see about the noise. I thought I’d welcome them – you know what it’s like when you’re a newcomer?”
Anne nodded waiting for her to continue.
“While I was on my way to see who it was, one of the children started crying. I was distracted, and when I looked back, whoever it was had gone.”
Jenny stopped for a moment.
“Well, it must have been a newcomer or someone looking for directions.” Anne ventured. “Was it a man or woman?”
“But that’s just it – when I asked around later, I found there was no-one new to the area. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman. The figure was shielded by all those trees and bushes both in our garden and the field beyond.”
“Well, it must have been someone who was lost and didn’t want to disturb your party,” Anne reassured.
“Yes, I thought that at first. I just shrugged it off at the time. But it’s happened again – many times in fact. I have this awful feeling someone’s watching me. It sounds very dramatic I know, but I can’t shake off the feeling. I’ve wondered if it’s because David is away so much – perhaps I’m becoming nervous with my own company?”
Jenny was becoming agitated while she spoke and her hands shook as she drank.
She looked at Anne, trying to gauge her reaction, worried her friend would think she was going mad.
“How many times has this happened?” Anne asked, curious and worried at the same time.
“You do believe me, then? I’m not going mad? I’ve even written it down – all the strange things that have happened. It would be great for a story if it weren’t so real...and frightening.”
She reached into her bag to pull out a book, sliding it over to Anne.
“Of course I believe you. I have known you too long to think anything else. But perhaps it’s all just a coincidence? Have you told David?” Anne asked, whilst picking up the notebook and flicking through it.
Jenny was silent, giving her friend time to look at the details in the book.
Anne was shocked at its contents.
Listed were several incidents, together with the dates and times. Things ranged from the first sighting at the bottom of the garden, and a car following her, to seeing a familiar figure in the supermarket, and many such occurrences.
“Do you think I’m paranoid?” inquired Jenny, an anxious frown on her face.
“This all seems very strange. What does David think?”
“Well, I tried to tell him. But he was so tired after his recent trip that I couldn’t. He’s so busy; it’s very difficult for us to have the time together to talk. He’d probably think I just need a holiday. He’s been talking about taking a break for ages, so he could give the girls and me some quality time. I thought I’d wait until we could talk properly.”
“Firstly, please stop looking so worried – I don’t think you’re paranoid. All these events seem very odd. I think you should tell the police.”
“Oh no, I don’t think...”
“Oh yes. Look, if this is some crank; they need to be stopped. I’ll go with you. But you must tell David. After Barbara has gone, we’ll go and see them or do you want to tell David first?” Anne’s insistence gave for no argument.
“Okay, if you think I should. I’m quite relieved to have told someone. I’d like to speak to David first though. Perhaps we could go to my place then go to the police? Look, here’s Barbara now, don’t say anything about all this – it may be nothing...I feel such a fool already,” Jenny whispered.
“That’s fine, we’ll see David first. I won’t say anything to Barbara, don’t worry.”
She smiled both at Jenny in reassurance and at Barbara in welcome.
“You two look cosy. Hello, Jenny, I didn’t expect to see you, how are you?”
Barbara sat down at their table.
It wasn’t long before the waitress arrived once more with two more coffees and a cappuccino for Barbara.
The three chatted for some time in the congenial atmosphere – an onlooker would have been impressed.
One woman with flaming red hair; today tied loosely down her back, her green cotton dress making her eyes more brilliant as they looked at her companions. Although not as slim as the tiny blonde by her side, her curves only served to emphasise her graceful long, shapely legs.
The shining halo of the woman beside them kept falling into her blue eyes, so she was constantly pushing it back. At shoulder length, her hair framed her face perfectly, so black its sleek lines glowed in the sunlight. She had chosen to wear simple white cotton trousers, topped by a blue shirt, whilst the tiny blonde wore a stylish black fitted dress that showed her perfect figure for all to admire, the beautiful jade necklace and matching earrings echoing the tints of green in her warm, if weary, brown eyes.
After another hour, Anne said she needed to make a move, making no mention of going to Jenny’s house.
“Listen, why don’t the two of you come over for dinner tomorrow night? Bring David and the girls and whoever you wish, Barbara,” Anne suggested.
Why not, it’d been too long?
“I’ll see if Frank can come too,” she added. “And who knows who he’ll bring?”
She rolled her eyes, the others understanding Frank’s fondness for the fairer sex, they grinned.
“And Sam of course,” she finished.
Both women smiled and said it would be great. They’d let her know this evening to confirm.
After paying the bill, they rose, kissed and went their separate ways.
After finding her car, Anne made her way to Jenny’s house.
{12}
Anne and Jenny arrived at the same time.
Jenny pulled into her drive first allowing Anne room behind. They entered the house and, and both went into the kitchen.
Anne loved this room. Pale yellow walls, one of which was covered in children’s art-work, oak cupboards and easy wipe clean surfaces. On the windowsill was a vase filled with wild flowers from the garden, which Anne could see through the window beyond. David and the girls were playing in the sandpit.