Chapter 49
49
‘I’d like some credit for not sticking my head up and interrupting: “How did you know my name is Chad Thundercock? How much fucking research have you done?” by the way,’ Connor said, and there was a second before Bel collapsed on the sofa in helpless laughter. ‘The temptation was crippling.’
‘You know he’s halfway to Oxford Road right now,’ Connor said, ‘and he’s thinking … “She’s KEPT my emails? Still got it. ”’
Connor made a finger guns at his groin gesture.
Bel shrieked: ‘Oh, fuck you, Adams! That makes me think I’ll get an email tonight.’
‘Fifty quid says you don’t. I was right before and I’m right now. Accept that I keep being right.’
Something about their trouncing of that crazy Anthony combined with the fact he was a ridiculous little popinjay was now making both Bel and Connor mildly hysterical, as the adrenaline left their bodies.
‘I can’t believe he’s decided how I feel about him, on my behalf? That I don’t get a vote?’ Bel said. ‘Saying, “Your rejection proves you are in turmoil over me”? It was “no means yes and yes means yes.”’
‘You did so well to keep calm. I couldn’t quite believe it,’ Connor said. ‘I’ve never heard anyone Flat Earth like that. “You love me.” “No I don’t.” “That’s exactly what someone in love with me would say.” Twinned souls, haha. Like twinning Paris with Little Shitlingham.’
He’d unguardedly called Bel ‘Paris’ and hoped she’d not notice. Actually, he was trying not to notice.
‘Stomach turning, isn’t it? You see why I said it’s pointless to argue with him? Everything you say is more wood thrown on to the fire.’
‘I think the man is an absolute danger,’ Connor said.
‘God, it feels good to have a witness. Shilpa has supported me every step of the way but you actually heard how he talks to me when he thinks we are alone … How the fuck did he get my address? Work wouldn’t have given it to him, it’s not online anywhere,’ Bel pulled at the neck strings on her hooded top.
‘When he wanted your phone number, didn’t he go to your ex-boyfriend?’ Connor said.
‘Yes, but Tim doesn’t have my address here.’
‘Then he went to someone else close to you who wouldn’t know who he is.’
‘Oh … God.’
Bel did some rapid texting.
Her phone lit up with a reply. Bel read aloud: ‘Oh dear yes– months ago. A nice man from the Yorkshire Post called for a chat, said your old team wanted to send “good luck in Manchester” flowers to you and for it to be a surprise. Should I not have told him?’
‘Utter bastard! My mum, ’ Bel said. ‘So he had my address from the start but he didn’t want to give it away easily, must’ve thought he’d use it to best effect when he was in Manchester. I can’t believe you sussed it all from his using the word “apartment”. Astonishing, really.’
‘I’m actually disturbed that I can get inside his thinking. You said he left you at 1.00 a.m. last time. I assumed someone who can’t afford nights away from his spouse when he’s booked the hotel room was going to treat a legitimate reason to be overnight in the same city as you as gold-dust rare opportunity. He’d have anticipated you walking away from him so his backup would be to make sure he knew where you lived. I know any normal person would think that’s blatant stalking, going to completely freak her out, etc. But, newsflash: he isn’t normal.’
‘What fucks me up is finding out what a normal-presenting person can persuade themselves is justified, if it’s them. Principles disappear. I feel sure if a stalking and harassment story landed on the paper’s news list, Ant would condemn the perpetrator. But once it’s him doing it, it’s noble Anthony’s quest.’
‘Not that normal presenting. The mid-life crisis goatee is a huge red flag. He looks like Mr Tumnus.’
Bel started laughing again. Connor loved how it felt to make her laugh. He remembered when she thought he was carved from a block of ice.
‘His poor wife …’ Bel said. ‘Imagine how controlling he is with her?’
‘Awful, but she’s beyond your help and probably wouldn’t want it if you offered it,’ Connor said.
‘Yeah.’
‘Anyway, if you feel safe now, you have a weekend to have. I should get off,’ Connor stood up. ‘I’ve sent the video to your number and to your email.’
‘Oh, thank you so much,’ Bel said, standing up too.
Connor had no ‘things’ to get so he picked up his tuxedo jacket and said: ‘High-end walk of shame look here.’
Bel smiled.
‘Connor. I hate asking for this, on top of everything else. In fact, I hate asking for it full stop.’
‘Yes?’
‘Can I hug you for a second? I need to be reminded of sanity, friends and allies existing right now. Not that cuddling the intern is bloody sane.’
Connor grinned and put his arms round her.
‘You’re using me as your Emotional Support animal? My exit interview from Manchester is going to be lurid.’
‘Exactly,’ Bel giggled, weakly.
Connor felt the heroic-protector glow return. That Bel had historically been so spiky, and had so little real need of him, made it all the more rewarding. Oh God, he hoped that wasn’t AnthonyBrain thinking. Some straight men really did ruin being a straight man for everyone else.
He was so pleased for Bel that her elegant takedown of Anthony had worked, at no cost to her. Had it gone awry, Connor had been entirely willing to, in Aaron’s parlance, twat the fucker.
‘Tell me Ant’s stopped now? My peace of mind is going to take a while to come back,’ Bel mumbled into his lapel.
‘Put it this way, if he doesn’t, your version of events is now unassailable. He’ll be blowing up his own life, not yours.’
Bel looked up at Connor, eyes cartoon-cat large.
‘I can’t bear people finding out I was stupid enough to suck him off, though.’
They both shook with laughter again. Connor couldn’t bear the thought of it either.
‘I hate to undermine your main character syndrome, but getting involved with someone and later not knowing what the fuck you were thinking, is a pretty common experience.’
Bel squeezed her eyes closed and Connor smoothed her hair, the way he had during the bedroom storm. They had come a long way for sure. He wasn’t certain they were friends, exactly, Bel’s word ‘allies’ was more accurate. They trusted each other.
‘You know what Ant and Glenn Bailey have in common?’ Bel said, quietly.
‘Stamina?’
‘They both think the cover story about themselves is so convincing that no one would ever believe there’s a whole other version that they’re inflicting on unsuspecting women. Ant saying I’d end up looking like the problem if we both went to the police was probably right. They think they’ve pre-invalidated complaints.’
‘One down, one to go,’ Connor said.
‘Yep,’ Bel replied, but she sounded uncertain, and Connor didn’t blame her.