36
Silly Season
Arsenio stared at his computer screen. He’d read and reread Scott’s report from Monday.
What was the importance of White Lightening Drycleaners?
And why had Liz been there too? Scott’s report showed Liz had visited the very same drycleaners, so there was obviously something connecting them to that particular branch, but Arsenio couldn’t for the life of him work out what.
He looked at the photos Scott had sent him, which showed Liz had neither taken in nor picked anything up.
Arsenio reached over to his phone and searched for Paul’s number. After two rings Paul picked up.
“Liz was in White Lightening Drycleaners yesterday, the same branch that Jonathan went to,” Arsenio said bluntly, not even bothering with the pleasantries.
“I’ll do some digging. But it’ll be after Christmas now, I’m short staffed as it is and I don’t want to put anyone on that I can’t fully trust.”
“Of course, we need to keep this quiet for now. I’ll keep Scott and Gary on it.
At least if they’re keeping an eye on the place when either one of them goes in.
That’s something. To be honest I can’t see Liz being away from home over Christmas anyway, unless she’s confident that Jerome won’t pick up on anything.
So for the next few days things should be quiet,” sighed Arsenio.
His usual patience was starting to wane.
Christmas had now thwarted their plans and it would be the same again over New Year.
“I think you’re right. We need to meet up though. Maybe over the weekend? I’ll be stacked out until then.”
“I’ll keep in touch and send you whatever I get.”
“Good.”
“Have a good Christmas Paul, and thanks.”
“Thanks Seni, you too. I’ll be glad when it’s over,” Paul huffed.
JEROME WATCHED THE SECURITY camera footage from Monday.
Leaning back on his office chair he grinned to himself watching both his mother and Dani laughing and running from the car, laden with different boxes of decorations.
They’d just made it in to the restaurant before the rain started to come down.
He scanned through to the function room and watched their comfortable interaction.
Gia periodically touched Dani’s arm affectionately as she often did with people she was fond of.
They were totally at ease with each other and seemed to be laughing a great deal, constantly joking around and talking non-stop.
It pleased him to see his mother so happy.
That wasn’t to say she was unhappy normally, but it was good seeing the interaction between the two women.
It was even better seeing Gia actually having fun.
The computer lessons, along with Dani’s continuous company and their collaborating on the decorations, were a new dynamic for Gia.
She’d always been surrounded by men and was obviously enjoying the new female companionship she’d now forged with Dani.
Jerome would have been more than happy to sit and watch the whole recording of them both but firstly, he didn’t have the time and secondly, he realised it was a little perverse to be spying on them.
Jerome moved the recording forward, curious as to what time Dani actually left.
The footage showed Dani’s little white Fiat leave at a quarter to eight.
She’d really put the hours in, he thought to himself.
Jerome then moved on the recording at a fast speed but stopped it when he saw a dark BMW car pull into the car park.
Jerome shuffled forward in his seat. The car looked familiar but he wasn’t sure from where.
Then he saw Doctor Ray Holmes step out of the car holding a large bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.
Jerome huffed to himself, unsure of how comfortable he felt about his mother entertaining the doctor, at home.
He moved the recording forward and watched as Ray was let in by Gia, via the intercom, then he took the lift to the second floor where Gia was waiting for him.
She stood in the doorway of her apartment dressed in a figure hugging blue dress, looking so glamorous, Jerome saw Ray’s step falter as he stepped out of the elevator into the foyer.
They greeted each other with a kiss to the cheek and then went into the apartment, shutting the door behind them.
Jerome furrowed his brow. His mother had never dated, well not to his knowledge anyway, though he had a sneaky suspicion that she must have while she’d holidayed back at La Garda. He sighed to himself. She must be lonely and Ray seemed like a good man. He’d just have to get used to it.
His attention was alerted to his phone ringing and he picked it up. He smiled seeing the image of Cosimo flash across his screen.
“Hey Cos, how are you?” Jerome paused the security recording, not wanting to miss anything.
“I’m good, thanks. The office is closed, so I’m relaxing. How about you?”
“Not relaxing that’s for sure,” Jerome answered dryly. “It’s silly season and it’s going to be a long couple of weeks.” Sometimes Jerome’s brothers forgot that when everyone else kicked back at this time of year, he was doing the complete opposite.
“Aw, you love it. Stop complaining,” Cosimo chortled. “Look, I know things are crazy for you right now and the last thing you need is any, how shall I put this? Er… drama. But I won’t be coming for Christmas lunch this year.”
“What? Why ever not?” Cosimo’s declaration clearly surprising him.
Cosimo sighed deeply before explaining. “Well, as you know I’m with James now, and he has nowhere to go, no family so we just thought we’d spend it together. I’ll come around and see Mama and you sometime in the morning but lunch will be just me and James this year.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I’m just giving you a heads up before I tell Mama. She’s not going to like it I know but…”
“No, she won’t.” Jerome knew his mother lived for days like these, where she had all her family around her and this would be the first year that Cosimo wouldn’t be spending Christmas with them.
To be honest he didn’t want to spend Christmas day without his brother, especially after all the support he’d given him over the last few weeks.
“Don’t say anything to her yet. Let me just smooth the path first.”
“You really don’t need to do that. I can handle Mama.”
“I know… but just let me talk to her first, okay?”
“Okay, if you insist.”
“I do. So you and James are serious, then?”
“Well, he puts up with my difficult nature and doesn’t give me any pressure at all, I mean ever.
He’s the easiest going guy I’ve ever met.
We’ve been together nine months now, that’s the longest I’ve ever been with anyone.
He bends over backwards to keep me happy.
That’s why I can’t leave him on Christmas Day and to be honest I don’t want to. ”
Jerome smiled to himself. Cosimo hadn’t answered his question directly but it was patently obvious from Cosimo’s uncharacteristic, candid description of James that he was important to him. So much so, he was prepared to put James above his own family if needs be.
“Well in that case you should spend it with him. I’ll call you once I’ve spoken to her.”
They said their goodbyes and then Jerome focused back onto the security video forwarding it to see what time Ray left.
Two twenty-three! The digital clock read at the bottom of the screen.
What were they doing until two twenty-three?
Jerome screwed his eyes shut and shuddered.
He knew exactly what they were doing and now he wished he’d never even looked at the God damn tape.
He erased the footage and shut down the computer, thankful he’d got to it before Peter had.
“THAT’S DELICIOUS!” Chloe ran her finger around the bowl and popped the frosting in her mouth again. “Please tell me you made us one too.”
“Of course.” Dani smoothed over the chocolate and hazelnut frosting on the hazelnut cake, then picked up the piping bag.
She swiftly piped the rosettes around the cake and then placed a chocolate covered hazelnut on each.
Capo’s favourite flavours were chocolate and hazelnut so his birthday cake was easy.
Nicole had left it up to Dani to choose her cake.
“Oh I haven’t had red velvet cake in ages. Is this Mum’s recipe?” asked Chloe, watching Dani start to spread the cream cheese frosting over the heart shaped red sponge.
“Yes, and before you ask, I made one for you too. I put both your cakes in the utility room so the kids wouldn’t see them.”
Chloe huffed, “The kids are well behaved and won’t touch them, its Adam we need to watch!”
Dani laughed and carried on with her decorating while Chloe started to wash up the few things Dani was done with.
“Thanks. I was going to do them once I’d finished.”
“It’s okay. So what’s your programme over the next couple of days?”
“Well today I’m finishing off the decorations for the anniversary party on Boxing Day. We’re having our staff Christmas lunch at four today and then we’ll be working tonight.”
“And tomorrow? You’re working lunch but you’ll home about six,” confirmed Chloe, trying to remember the schedule Dani had told her.
They were purposely delaying Christmas Dinner to the evening so Dani could also be with them.
It would be the first Christmas Dinner they’d had together since their mother died.
“Yes, that’s right. Then on Boxing Day I’ll be in as usual and working through.
” Dani picked up another piping bag with red frosting and piped Happy Birthday Nicole on the now white cake.
“I’m just glad we can go in later today.
It’s been so busy and this next couple of days will be even busier.
” Dani blew air up her face causing her fringe to move to the side.
“Before you shoot off today you’d better try on the dress for your costume. I’ve altered it for you.”
“Really? Oh thanks. I’ll just box these cakes up, then I can try it once I’ve tidied up.”