Chapter 23
‘Thanks for coming, Roger and for organising the glazier. I do appreciate it,’ Freya spoke.
The police had been and gone, the glazier had fixed the broken window and Freya and Roger were rejoining Jolie in the living room with fresh drinks and nibbles.
‘It isn’t a problem. Stop thanking me. I’m just surprised someone got over that fence, that’s all,’ Roger said. He sat down in an armchair.
‘Oh don’t! I know exactly what Nick is going to say when he gets home. He’s going to say, “That’s it, we have to have the electric fence back.” Jolie, we had this twenty-foot-high, electric fence at our old house and it was so ugly. The birds kept getting electrocuted when they landed on it and…’ Freya began.
‘She’s exaggerating. They got slightly singed.’ Roger laughed.
‘It was cruel and it was like living in a compound. Like Guantanamo Bay or something.’
‘I’m not sure I’d like one around my home,’ Jolie admitted as she helped herself to some potato chips.
‘I know you have reservations about them, but it’s one sure way of almost guaranteeing no one can get in here again,’ Roger stated.
‘Notice he said “almost” guaranteeing,’ Freya said to Jolie.
‘Well, the only way someone could get in would be if there was a major power out, or if it was turned off from the inside.’
‘Oh, enough! I don’t want to talk about security anymore tonight. We have Moonlighting to get through yet.’ Freya got up and headed towards the DVD player.
The intercom buzzed.
‘Do you want me to get that?’ Roger asked, standing up.
‘No, don’t be silly. I’ll go. Start the DVD without me. I’ve seen them all before; I’ll catch up.’
Freya left the room. She went into the kitchen and pressed the connection button.
‘Hello.’
‘Hi, Freya. It’s Jonathan.’
‘Oh, Jonny. What are you doing here? It’s late and…’
‘Can I come in? I really need to speak with you. It’s important,’ he interrupted.
‘Well, I have friends here. It’s not really a good time. Can’t we do this tomorrow?’ She looked at her watch. She had hoped Nicholas would be back by now. She should have stopped him. What if Eric had done something?
‘No, it can’t wait. I need to talk to you tonight. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.’
‘Oh, OK. I’m opening the gate. Come on up to the house.’
She hurried back into the living room, told Roger and Jolie she had someone coming about a business matter and went to the door.
He was just getting out of his car when Freya opened it. He looked awful. He was wearing a suit but it was crumpled. His shirt was hanging out and he wasn’t wearing a tie. His hair was ruffled and his beard was untrimmed.
‘Hi.’ His greeting was lacklustre.
‘Hi. Are you OK? You look terrible.’
‘I’ve just had a difficult meeting, that’s all. I could do with a drink, though. Is that OK?’ He looked uncomfortable and started to tuck his shirt into his trousers.
‘Sure. Come on in.’ Freya stepped aside to let him pass by into her home.
‘I’m sorry to barge in on your evening like this, but I didn’t think this could wait until morning,’ he said as they made their way into the kitchen.
‘That’s OK. Jolie and Roger are amusing themselves with Bruce Willis. We’re good for half an hour or so.’ She smiled. ‘Wine? Beer? Or tea?’
‘Beer would be good. So, is Nick not here?’
‘No. Not at the moment. I’m expecting him back soon, though.’
If her father hadn’t hurt him. No, she shouldn’t think like that. There was CCTV everywhere these days and Nicholas wasn’t stupid.
‘He missed all the drama again. I had another broken window,’ Freya told him. She pointed at it.
‘What happened? Are you OK?’
‘Someone broke the window and dumped another dead bird on the floor. If it wasn’t so freaky I’d thank them. Willis is lapping it up… literally.’ She passed him a bottle of beer.
‘Willis?’
‘Our mad cat.’
‘Oh.’
He seemed disinterested and distracted.
‘Are you sure you’re OK? Sit down.’ She pulled out a stool from under the breakfast bar.
‘God, Freya. I just don’t know how to do this.’ He let out a weighted sigh.
‘Oh no! You’re going to pull your support from the Every Day project, aren’t you?’ She put her hands to her mouth, anticipating bad news.
‘What? No. No, not at all. It’s nothing to do with the project.’
The phone rang.
‘Do you mind if I get that? It might be Nick.’
Jonathan shrugged. He took a swig of his beer and wiped his mouth with his hand.
‘Hello.’
‘Freya, it’s Nick. Are you OK?’
‘Are you OK?’
It was so good to hear his voice.
‘I’m fine.’
‘Did Roger call you? I told him not to.’
‘Roger? No. Why? Has something happened?’
‘Oh, someone broke a window and flung in a dead crow again.’
‘What?! Again! Is Roger there now? Have you called the police?’
‘Nick, calm down. I can hear you’re driving. I called the police. They’ve been. The window’s fixed and Roger said he’d stay until you got home. He’s getting to know Jolie in the company of Bruce and Cybill while I talk to Jonny.’ She looked to her companion. ‘He’s just turned up, looking like shit I might add, and he’s acting a bit weird. I think it’s woman trouble.’ She smiled and winked at Jonathan.
‘Jonny’s there?’
‘Yeah, he just turned up.’ She moved with the phone, out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
‘I want to speak with him.’
‘Nick, is something wrong? Haven’t we been through the jealousy thing already? He isn’t undressing me with his eyes or any other part of his anatomy. He isn’t even flirting with me yet.’
‘Freya, please. Let me speak with him. Put Jonny on. Now. It’s important.’
She walked back into the kitchen and held out the phone to Jonathan.
‘Nick wants to speak to you.’
Jonathan took the phone and put it to his ear.
‘Hello.’
‘Listen, I know why you’re there and you are not going to tell her anything. Do you hear me?’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’ He forced a smile at Freya.
‘You know exactly what I mean. Don’t piss me off, Jonny! I know all about it. I’ve just been to see your father.’
‘Uh huh. Is that so?’
‘I do not want you to tell her. I mean it. If anyone’s telling her this, it’s me. Have you got that?’
‘I don’t think I can let you do that. I think I need to explain things for myself.’
‘If you tell her, she might never be the same again. How the hell d’you think she’s going to feel about this?’
‘How do you think I feel? How do you think I’ve been feeling?’
‘I am begging you. If you feel anything for her, you’ll leave this to me.’
‘I’m sorry. I can’t.’