27 #2
Jerome watched as Dani walked into the kitchen, then back to the restaurant, greeting Peter and then starting her morning ritual of making the coffees for the staff.
Jerome watched Peter and Dani chat comfortably with each other.
They’d become familiar with each other, he noted.
Some comment made Dani laugh and Peter grinned.
Jerome clenched his teeth together as he continued to observe them.
Who was he kidding? He was crazy about her.
SCOTT WAS SITTING IN HIS car patiently waiting for Liz as she kissed her children outside the school gates, then waved them off watching them run into school. He started up the engine of his car and followed her back to her home where she parked up in the garage and re-entered her house.
Since Arsenio had asked him to increase his present surveillance, Liz hadn’t been to her agent’s office.
She’d been in London with Jerome all day on Wednesday and yesterday, she’d been home alone or with Jerome again.
He looked at his watch. It had just turned nine.
It looked like she wasn’t going to see her agent today either.
Scott picked up his phone and dialled his employee Gary who had started his surveillance on Jonathan.
“Hey, where are you?”
“Outside his house,” Gary’s gruff voice replied.
“He hasn’t left yet?”
“Nope, and I don’t think he’s going training today either. The last two days he was out by eight.”
“Okay, well let me know if he’s on the move.”
“Sure.”
Scott put down his phone and picked up his binoculars.
He focused them on the house, scanning over each window to see if he could get a glimpse of Liz.
He saw nothing. The familiar sound of Jerome’s Maserati coming down the road averted Scott’s attention.
He sunk down in his seat to avoid being spotted.
It was just ten fifteen. Scott quickly scribbled the time in his notebook.
This was unusual. Jerome didn’t usually come back until late afternoon.
Scott waited for around fifteen minutes, then saw both Liz and Jerome emerge from the front door of the house. Jerome was rolling a suitcase. He popped open the boot of the car and placed it inside. Once they’d both got into the car he sped off in the direction of Leeds Bradford Airport.
Within ten minutes Jerome had pulled up to the drop off area and was retrieving the suitcase. Which Scott now realised was only for Liz. Scott watched on as they discussed something by the car. He was distracted by a call coming through from Gary.
“Gary.”
“Boss. He’s just left the house with his a large leather holdall. He must be going to one of his clients again.”
“Just keep on him.”
“Sure, boss.”
Scott watched Jerome hug Liz, holding on to her for a few seconds, then kissing her softly.
She took the handle of her suitcase from him and then made her way into the airport departures building.
Jerome stood and watched her until she disappeared through the sliding doors, giving her a quick wave, then he got into his car and drove off.
Scott picked up his phone and dialled up Arsenio.
“Hi, Scott, everything okay?”
“Fine. Liz has just been dropped off by Jerome at the airport. Did you know she was going away?”
Arsenio’s chair creaked as he leaned back in it. “No. But there was talk of a shoot in Spain. Maybe that’s where she’s going. What about her calls?”
“She probably had emails with all the details. On the odd occasion she actually went to her agent they probably discussed it, then. I’m going in to find out where she’s flying to.”
“Good, let me know.”
“Will do.”
Scott hung up, quickly parked up his car and headed inside the departures terminal. He dialled Gary as he walked.
“Which direction is he driving in?” he didn’t bother with a greeting.
“Northwest.”
“I think he’s heading towards the airport.”
“You think? It’s possible. He just stopped off at a drycleaners.”
“Right. Well, I’m just going inside the terminal.”
“You’re there already?” Gary clearly confused.
“Liz has just gone in alone.”
“Ah, I see.” Gary now understanding Scott’s previous assumption of Jonathan’s destination.
Scott hung up and stepped through the sliding doors.
DANI PLAYED WITH HER fork as Rosa chatted away to her about her daughter’s parents evening she’d attended on her half day off.
Dani nodded and smiled but she just wasn’t listening.
She stared at the empty chair opposite her.
It was fast becoming an addictive habit of hers.
Where was he this morning? She’d seen his car when she’d pulled up.
Her heart always skipped a beat every time she saw it.
Dani lifted her fork to her mouth and chewed on the delicious mushroom risotto Matteo had produced for them today.
Even his culinary masterpiece couldn’t shake off Dani’s disappointment this morning.
Dani sighed deeply realising she was just being ridiculous, it was one dance for goodness sake!
She furrowed her brow as she also realised Gia wasn’t in too, which was unusual.
It was almost eleven fifteen and even if Gia didn’t make it on time she always came in.
Come to think of it she wasn’t there in the morning either, her car had been missing.
Dani quickly got up and helped clear the table, stacking the dirty dishes into the dumbwaiter, then walked over to the window and looked down into the car park.
Jerome’s car was missing but Gia’s car was back.
By now most of the staff had left the dining room and were heading to the restaurant.
Dani loaded the last of the items with Silvanna and then they both made their way out of the door.
Gia was just stepping out of the lift as Dani closed the door. After quickly greeting Gia, Silvanna skipped down the stairs to the kitchen.
“Buongiorno, Gia.”
“Buongiorno, Daniella,“ answered Gia, her smile weaker than normal. Dani noticed she was wearing one of her stylish coats. Her wardrobe must be huge, she thought fleetingly.
“Are you leaving?”
“Er, no, I just came back now. I um…” she pushed open the main door that led to the offices as she spoke. Dani noted a slight crack in her voice so she followed her.
“Gia are you alright?” they were in the corridor now and Gia’s eyes flitted nervously to Jerome’s office.
“I just… well um…” Gia’s hand shook as she fumbled with the handle of the door that opened to her office.
“Gia, what’s wrong?” Dani asked a little more forcefully, genuinely concerned now. She’d never seen Gia so flustered or on edge. Gia pushed open the door and Dani followed her in uninvited.
“I went this morning… for my mammogram.” Gia placed her bag and matching gloves on her desk, her back to Dani.
“Oh, I see.”
Gia slipped off her coat and dropped it absent-mindedly on a chair.
“They found a small lump.” Her voice cracked. Dani stepped quickly to her and instinctively put her arm around her now hunched shoulders.
“Oh, Gia.”
Gia let out a soft sob and buried her face in her hands.
“Gia don’t, please don’t worry. Most of the times it’s just nothing. Really.”
“I know… the Doctor said the same…” she spoke through shuddery breaths. “But it was a shock. You know, you go for these routine tests and you think everything’s fine and then… I just wasn’t expecting it,” she huffed. “I suppose no one ever expects it, do they?”
Dani’s arm dropped from around her shoulders to allow Gia to find a tissue in her bag. Dani swallowed hard thinking back to her mother. It was because she hadn’t gone for her routine tests that she’d not survived breast cancer. Dani let out a deep sigh in an attempt to calm herself.
“So, I suppose you need to have some more tests? What did the doctor say?”
Gia dapped under her eyes. “Yes, I need to go in for a biopsy, to check it out. The lump, that is.”
“Uh-huh. Have you booked it in?” Dani asked softly. Her eyes rested on Gia’s forlorn face. Gia nodded.
“I booked it for Monday morning.” She lowered herself into her chair and took a deep breath.
“Gia really, I’m sure it’s nothing.” Dani stepped forward desperate to try and comfort the woman she’d become close to over the last few weeks. Her heart broke seeing this normally confident, charming woman look so worried and distraught. “Shall I make you a coffee? Are you hungry?”
Gia shook her head. “No, really.” Her eyes looked up at the antique clock behind her desk. It was almost twelve o’clock. “I could do with a brandy actually.”
Dani’s eyes widened at the comment and Gia smirked. “It’s not too early is it?”
“Oh I think under the circumstances you’re allowed.” Dani grinned.
“I’ve got some in my apartment.” Gia pushed to her feet gracefully. “I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have burdened you with it.”
“Don’t apologise. I’m glad I was here. Are you alright now?”
Gia nodded. “I’m fine.”
The phone on Gia’s desk rang causing them both to jump. They both chuckled and Gia reached over to answer it.
“Yes, Peter, Dani’s with me.”
Dani cringed, she was supposed to be downstairs.
Gia’s eyes darted to Dani. “I asked her to show me something, on the computer… well, if you could manage for a little bit without her, we’re still not finished.” Gia winked at Dani. “I’ll send her down as soon as we’re done.”
Gia replaced the receiver and turned to Dani. “Come on, you can go down in half an hour. If I’m going to start drinking before midday, I’m not doing it alone!”
Gia settled into one of her soft couches nursing a rather large Armagnac as Dani made them both an espresso. She’d poured one for Dani and left it on the coffee table. Thankfully Gia was looking decidedly better.
Gia lifted her glass. “Salute.”
Dani picked up the heavy crystal brandy glass and clinked Gia’s “Salute.”
They both took a sip. Dani wanted to gulp it but knew she’d need her wits about her when she returned to work.
“So on Monday? What time is your appointment?” asked Dani.