A Secret Schemer by Charley Dee Page B

does seem a bit of a
loner.’ Tim suggested to Andy.
    ‘Each to their own I say.’ He
replied.
    ‘I guess it’s not compulsory to
have a partner I suppose.’ Tim added.
    ‘Well until I met Jena I’d been
on my own a few years, what about you Tim?’
    ‘I suppose, I’ve never really
bothered too much about heavy relationships.’
    ‘So is Lucy different?’ Andy
asked.
    ‘In a way yes, she knows what
she wants.’
    ‘And that makes a difference
because?’ Andy enquires.
    ‘She’s independent, I like
that.’
    ‘OK time to call it a day I
think, unless you and Andy want to have another drink?’ I ask
Jena.
    ‘Yeah you go on Hun I’ll put
the alarms on, see you in the morning.’
    ‘Goodnight guys we say in
unison.’ As we make our way up to the flat.
     
    ‘I don’t know what it is babe,
I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about that guy.’
Andy declares.
    ‘You’ve just said what I’ve
been thinking Andy, what is it with Tim, he’s sociable, smart and
he seems smitten with Lucy…but?’
    ‘Have you said anything to
Lucy?’ He asks.
    ‘No and I won’t at this stage,
she’s pretty clued up where guys are concerned, and I don’t want to
imply that I’m interfering.’
    ‘That’s as maybe but you know
what it’s like when feelings become involved, she’s a good catch
for any guy and you know what I mean.’ Andy emphasises.
    ‘The trouble is love I’m not
sure what it is about him, nevertheless I‘ll keep my beady eye on
him.’ Jena stated. ‘So Mr Wood is it another nightcap or are you
taking me to bed.’
    ‘Well that’s an offer I can’t
refuse.’ He laughs.
    ‘What the drink or bed?’
    ‘Bed woman bed, set that alarm
and let’s get going.’
     
    The Frog and Toad has now been
open for four weeks, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone,
my relationship with Tim has reached dizzy heights, and seems to be
moving in the right direction (I trust), although I had not
anticipated entering into a close liaison at this stage. Sometimes
I guess these romances come from out of the blue…Emma has now left
my employ, as Archie filmed her( on his mobile) giving drinks to
members of her family, for that I’m extremely grateful, the only
problem is Vie Butler shows no signs of going away. I called on one
of the other applicants to take over Emma’s hours and she seems to
be fitting in well, her name is Jayne Lewis and she has offered to
work extra shifts if required. As for my dear mate Jena I’m so
happy that she’s found her soul mate in Andy. At thirty six she’d
been on her own for about four years and with her natural beauty
and brilliant sense of humour meeting Andy was the icing on the
cake. Now I need to see how Kate’s love life is unfolding as she’s
been a tad quiet about it of late.
    ‘Have you got time for a cuppa
Kate?’ I ask hopefully as she strenuously kneads a huge bowl of
dough. ‘I’d offer to help but you’re fully aware of my culinary
skills.’ I laugh.
    ‘If you put the kettle on Lucy
I’ll shove this in the fridge and scrub my hands, so the answer is
yes I’d love a cuppa.’
    While I’m waiting for the
kettle to boil I rummage in the cupboard and find a packet of fig
rolls.
    ‘Mm I haven’t had a fig roll
for ages.’ I mutter with at least two in my mouth. ‘So Kate
Marshall I need a complete update on your love life.’
    ‘I’ve met a new man, his name’s
Jeff and he’s forty, Kate grins widely.
    ‘Is he from the dating site?’ I
quiz.
    ‘No, as a matter of fact I met
him in the restaurant, he’s a local guy.’
    ‘Tell me more please.’
    ‘He came in for a meal a couple
of weeks ago with some friends, as he paid the bill he asked for my
phone number, he said it jokingly so at first I laughed it off,
however when I gave him his change he squeezed my hand and asked
again.’
    ‘So you succumbed to his charms
you floozy.’ I laughed.
    ‘Well he’s pretty hot, so I
thought why not, as to date I hadn’t