At the far end of the kitchen was a table and bench nestled into a corner, two further chairs had been placed under it.
Anne went to sit on the bench whilst Jenny knocked at the window, beckoning David.
Telling the children he’d be back soon, he left them to play.
Walking through the back door and into the kitchen, he noticed Anne sitting in the corner and smiled.
“It’s been awhile. To what do we owe the pleasure?” he said in his easy manner.
David took everything in his stride. Nothing was ever too much of a problem. The most frightening experience he’d ever had was when his wife had gone into labour without him. He’d never forget the feelings of terror on that journey to the hospital, not knowing what he would find. His family was the most precious thing in the world to him and hated the fact he was away so much. Well, that was going to change soon – he didn’t want to tell Jenny yet in case things went wrong but...
Apart from the birth of his twins, nothing had ever fazed him. Each problem he tackled with logic and calm, and a never-ending optimism.
His tall body folded into the seat opposite Anne, who marvelled at his boyish good looks – thick dark blond hair, green eyes and wide smile. He was quite unaware of his charm. He could be quite the lady-killer, she knew; if he were that kind of man – but there was only Jenny for him, his childhood sweetheart.
Anne returned his smile and answered, “Well, for one, I hope you and your lovely family will come over for dinner tomorrow night. It’s been ages since I’ve seen anyone properly.”
“What does Jen say?” he asked looking over at his wife who was coming over with a tray of coffee.
They could hear the children playing happily outside.
“I think it’s a great idea. The girls love Anne’s house, and so many things to explore in her garden. We’d love to – David?”
She looked over at her husband knowing his answer.
“Great, yes...what time?” he asked, though his antennae knew there was something more to this surprise visit.
“I thought I’d make it an early dinner so the girls could enjoy the garden,” Anne told them. “More like a picnic really, about five thirty – the weather is supposed to hold.”
“Sounds brilliant, these summer evenings can be so hot inside. We accept your invitation and look forward to coming,” David replied, raising his coffee cup as a toast.
They laughed.
“Okay, so tell me the real reason you’re here,” he said, after putting down his cup, his tone now serious.
“Jenny has something to tell you first,” Anne stated.
David looked at his wife, frowning when he saw the anxious look on her beautiful face.
He took her hand in his and said gently, “Come on, Jen, tell me. What’s the matter? You can tell me anything – as long as you’re not having an affair! You’re not, are you?”
He was suddenly worried. Why else would Anne be here if she felt she couldn’t talk to him alone?
Jenny looked back at her husband’s troubled eyes and smiled. “It’s nothing like that. In a way that would be simpler to deal with.”
“That’s okay, then! Anything else will be easy.”
David sighed.
“I don’t know how to begin. It’s probably nothing, as I’ve told Anne.”
Jenny looked uncomfortable as she spoke.
“I did try to tell you before, but there was never the right time. You’ve been away such a lot and you’re so tired when home, I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Look, Jen, whatever it is, we’ll tackle it together, like always. I’m sorry about being away so much, though things are going to change, I promise you. I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but it looks like I’m going to be promoted, and this means a desk job in the city. So I’ll be home everyday – you’ll get sick of the sight of me!”
David squeezed Jenny’s hand as he spoke.
“Oh, thank goodness! To have you home...that’s probably what’s been the matter, me being on my own so much,” Jenny said, obviously relieved.
“Well, nothing’s definite, but Larry told me on the QT; it seems I’m the man for the job. Anyway, even if it doesn’t work out, I’m going to tell the boss I’ve had enough of all this travelling.”
“But you love it, David! Don’t give it up just for me.”
“It’s not just for you, my love. I hate being away from you and the girls. Things are going to change, one way or the other. But tell me, what’s been going on?”
Jenny explained what had been happening over the past year, just as she had told Anne.
David didn’t say anything until she had finished while looking at the notebook, full of times and dates.
He looked at both women, and then said, “This is serious, and we must call the police – right now! Jen, why didn’t you tell me before? For you to keep something like this from me for so long...surely you knew you could tell me? Oh, sweetheart!”
David pulled his wife onto his lap and held her close.
Her tears began to flow with all the pent up fear she had held for so long
. It’s going to be alright, David knows, it’s going to be alright,
she thought with relief.
Anne watched her friends and allowed them some time together. She walked over to the window and saw her goddaughters playing happily in the garden. She watched as they chatted to each other in their own special code, piling sand high then jumping on it and trampling it down again, giggling.
Glancing back at Jenny and David, she saw that they were once more sitting next to each other but holding hands.
“More coffee?” she asked.
After Anne had made the drinks and had once more taken her place on the bench, David said, “Right, I’m going to call the police.”
With a determined look he dialled the number and arranged to speak to someone on Monday.
“They said,” he told them, “that these cases were very difficult to prove. That it was virtually impossible to know who it was.” He looked at his wife. “You were right to write down all the times and dates. They’ll look for a pattern and talk to a few people in the hope of finding a connection.” He shook his head and sighed. “They don’t hold out much hope though, as there haven’t been any real threats. You don’t even know if the person is male or female.”
He took Jenny’s hand. “I told them I was going to be here over the weekend, so they thought Monday would be a good time to file a complaint. That will make it official. We’re going to see an Inspector Meakin at midday.”
“We?” responded Jenny.
“You don’t think I’m going to leave you to it, do you?”
“Well, no but what about work? Anne can come with me.”
She looked at Anne, who nodded.
“I am going to be there with you. I can call work, they’ll understand – they’ll have to.”
When Jenny saw that stubborn look in her husband’s eyes she knew not to argue. She smiled with relief.
“Right, you two, I must go. I’ll see you all tomorrow – it’ll help your mind to concentrate on something positive. Don’t worry, Jenny, it’ll all work out. You have David and me to help you through it. Whoever it is, will be caught, especially now we’re onto the case!”
She smiled reassuringly at both of them.
“Now, I’ll just say a quick hello to my beautiful goddaughters and tell them about tomorrow.”
She bent to kiss Jenny and give her a hug.
“I’ll let myself out by the garden gate.”
“Thanks, Anne, I’ll see you tomorrow. ‘Bye.”
******
On the drive back to her place, Anne thought about everything Jenny had told her. She didn’t want to worry her but Anne had heard only bad news about stalkers – which seemed to be the fashionable crime of today’s world.
Usually, it affected the rich and famous – fans becoming obsessed by their idols, but she knew it could happen to anyone.
The perpetrator had one purpose, such single-mindedness – their victim was theirs alone. Though not all were dangerous, only sad, lonely people who think they are in love. She knew that the hunter could be said to be a victim too – but that was no consolation to the hunted.
If what Jenny had told her were true, then this had started a year ago – a long time.
This was serious.
It seemed strange though that the first incident seemed so random – for someone to accidentally see Jenny at her children’s birthday party, and become obsessed.
It couldn’t have started then.
They must have seen her before.
But Jenny was such a home bird. She wrote for that magazine, her stories sent in by courier – a condition she set so she wouldn’t have to leave the children.
Perhaps someone saw her at the art gallery? Though Jenny usually stayed in the background.
Maybe someone saw her at the supermarket...something as simple as that?
What did it take for these obsessions to begin?
A year!
Jumbled thoughts tossed about in Anne’s brain while she drove.
Well at least now the police are involved; something can be done.
She determined to make more time to see Jenny – all her friends. She had neglected them for too long.
Jenny especially needed her now...Barbara too.
She felt guilty. She’d put her work first for far too long.
And she missed them.
She nodded, determined that from tomorrow things were going to change.
Before going home, Anne drove to Genelli’s to collect some supplies for the picnic.
Not only was she lucky to have found such a lovely house but its location was just as perfect for her. Though her home was private and in a pocket of isolation, she only had to drive a short journey to find the local shopping complex.
Somehow it had escaped the city’s big, razzmatazz outlook and kept the old-fashioned village-type atmosphere that came from a bygone age.
After she’d parked her car, she walked along the familiar and comforting small shops, which catered for just about everything she could possibly need. Very rare was it that she shopped in the city.
Father Genelli – as the locals knew him – was serving today, his broad smile welcoming as Anne entered his shop. Like greeting a long lost friend, he raised his hands in typical Italian fashion and shouted his warm hello.
“Anne,
Anne
, how are you? Bella – you look beautiful, as always. Why are you not married?” he said, as she smiled back.
“You always make me feel that way, Father; it does me good to hear your praise.”
“Nonsense, I am sure you have plenty of men after you.”
Anne couldn’t help but smile; it was always the same when he was here. Forever asking when she would marry. “Listen, Father, I need some supplies for tomorrow – I’m having a picnic.”
“You are entertaining...for a friend?” he asked, his eyebrows raised, a wide smile on his face.
Reading between the lines, Anne answered, “Just a few people coming round for the evening.”
“Ah, a few...oh well.”
He seemed disappointed.
“Every woman should have someone to love her,” he murmured.
“Yes, a few work colleagues and friends,” Anne responded, unable to stop the smile. Trying to veer him away from his favourite subject, she added, “Yes, just a few friends...and Sam will be there.” Although she hadn’t asked him yet, she felt sure he would come if he wasn’t busy.
“Ah, Sam; very good man...you and he...?”
He smiled in expectation.
“No, not Sam, we’re just friends.”
His look of dissatisfaction was obvious.
Veering him away again, Anne asked about his family.
He threw up his hands in glee.
“They are wonderful, growing every day – I have two more grandchildren on the way.”
He beamed with pride.
“That’s wonderful!”
“Yes, yes...so, what about this picnic – you need supplies?”
“Yes, I’ll need an assortment of your marvellous cold meats, sausage and some of that tomato chicken. I’ll have lots of pasta, breads, cheeses and pickles. Oh, and fruit – those grapes look luscious.”
A while later, grasping two bags full of aromatic goodies, Anne made her way back to the car then drove home.
Soon after stepping through the door, Anne had packed away all her groceries, put the bread in the freezer to keep fresh and the cold meats in the ‘fridge’, together with a selection of white wine and soft drinks. She had washed the fruit and added that to the cold store.
It would all be delicious and fresh, and yet very simple.
If the weather held – heat often brought thunder – it would be great to see all her friends and show off her beautiful garden.
Going into the bedroom Anne changed into something more comfortable, and then made a sandwich and grabbing an apple and coke from the ‘fridge’ she flicked on the answering machine and made her way to the garden.