Chapter Fifteen
Daniel
Nicola’s arrival this morning brings a wave of relief.
After yesterday’s chaos, I have been half expecting her not to turn up, but she walks in and hangs up her coat and bag as if nothing has happened. I force a smile, determined to keep things as normal as possible.
‘Good morning,’ I say.
‘Morning,’ Nicola replies.
I take a deep breath.
‘I apologise for yesterday. Mrs Neal was abruptly called away to a conference in France. I only found out last night.’
Even as I say it, the words sound ridiculous. Nicola’s eyebrows shoot up.
‘France?’ she echoes, incredulous. ‘Can she leave the babies just like that?’
Her naivety catches me off guard.
‘There are other surgeons,’ I say.
She studies me, searching my face for something. I keep my expression neutral. ‘She wanted me to apologise,’ I add. ‘She’s quite embarrassed.’
Nicola huffs, unimpressed. ‘She could have messaged me, though.’
This conversation is becoming more challenging than I expected. ‘It was urgent,’ I say. ‘She probably got caught up in everything.’
I turn away, grabbing my briefcase and avoiding her gaze. Nicola drifts past me to where Joel sits at the kitchen table, crayoning. ‘Good morning, my handsome lad,’ she says, her tone softening.
Joel looks up and grins. Nicola fills the kettle, then mutters, ‘Still, she could have answered my calls.’
Bloody hell, will she ever drop it?
‘Her phone died,’ I say. Even I wouldn’t believe that one.
I lean down and press a kiss on Joel’s forehead. ‘See you later, dude. I’ll be home by six,’ I tell her, then check my phone as I walk towards the lift. Donald has called twice already, so I call him back. I can hear Julia in the background. She sounds frantic and is begging him to call the police.
‘He’ll call,’ I tell him. But for the first time, I’m starting to doubt it.
***
I can’t focus on work. My stomach churns. My phone stays glued to my hand, my eyes constantly darting to the screen.
Where is the call?
I’m still staring at my phone when Nic strolls into my office.
He doesn’t even knock anymore. His arrogance irritates most of the other employees.
He’s handsome and aware of it. He wears the best designer clothes and only frequents the best restaurants.
He lives beyond his means, but it doesn’t worry him.
Women find his supposed wealth and generosity hard to resist.
‘Everything cool?’ he asks.
‘Sure,’ I say, even though I want to scream, No; everything is far from bloody cool.
He perches on my desk, annoyingly relaxed. ‘Up for tonight?’
‘Can’t. Jo’s at a conference in France. I need to be home for Joel.’
‘Ah, too bad. Can’t your nanny stay later and babysit?’
I shake my head. ‘Wait till you’re a father. You’ll understand then.’
He scoffs, pushing himself off the desk. ‘Fuck off. That’s not happening. No responsibilities for me.’
At that moment, my phone pings with a WhatsApp message. ‘I need to…’ I say, looking at the door.
Nic raises his hands in mock surrender. ‘Okay, I can take a hint.’
The door closes. I click on the message. It’s a photo of Jo. She sits stiffly in a chair, posing like a model; but her eyes tell the truth. I see the fear lingering there. She’s holding a copy of a newspaper: The Sun. I zoom in. It has today’s date.
The photo trembles in my hand, but the sense of relief is overpowering.
I immediately forward the photo to Donald. Then my phone rings. It’s an unknown number.
‘A million today,’ the voice says.
I grip my phone.
‘There’s a roadside garage on the A44. There’s a toilet at the back.
Leave the money in an envelope in the third loo.
It will say Out of Order, but you can still go in.
Leave it behind the cistern. I’ll be watching you, so leave right away.
Trust me; I’ll know if you’re being followed.
Don’t take risks with her life. Be there at eleven a.m. and leave immediately after you’ve dropped the money. Do you understand?’
‘Yes,’ I say.
I check my watch. It’s now ten. I’ve been concentrating so hard on what he’s been saying that I haven’t realised I’ve been pushing my nails into the palms of my hand, leaving deep purple marks.
‘A44 garage,’ I say. ‘I know it.’
‘Don’t try to use this number because it will be dead within the next two minutes.’
The line goes dead. Before I have time to think, my phone rings again.
‘Where and when?’ asks Donald.
‘A44, garage, men’s loo at eleven. I’ve got to go alone. He said he’ll be watching. He probably won’t be, but I can’t be certain.’
‘I’ve got the money ready. She seems well looked after, and we’re grateful for that.’
I pick up my briefcase and leave the room. I pass Nic’s office. He sees me and raises his eyebrows.
‘Got a client with a problem. Be back in an hour.’
‘Charge him well,’ he says with a smile. He’s sitting with his feet on his desk. I often wonder how he manages to get any work done. How he even manages to keep his job.
***
I reach Donald’s in record time and am barely out of the car when my father-in-law rushes from the house with a brown envelope in his hand.
‘Good luck. Let us know, okay?’
I nod and swiftly leave.
***
I arrive at the A44 garage five minutes early.
I decide not to wait in the car; I don’t want to draw attention to myself.
Instead, I step into the garage, purchase a chocolate bar from the shop and ask for the loos.
The shop assistant points to a door at the back.
Glancing at my phone, I note that it’s precisely eleven a.m.
The caller’s directions were spot on. The third toilet along bears an Out of Order sign. Despite my scepticism, I push the door and it opens. I discreetly place the envelope behind the cistern and make a hasty retreat.
As I stride toward the exit, a voice stops me. ‘Excuse me, sir.’
My stomach churns. I turn to find the garage shopkeeper holding up my car keys. I left them on the counter before going to the loo.
‘You nearly forgot these,’ he says.
I snatch the keys and rush out.
‘You’re welcome,’ he says. His words, dripping with sarcasm, echo in my ears.
I jump in the car and speed away, my hands shaking so much I can barely control the steering wheel. I did it, I actually did it! Euphoria overtakes me. I pull into a lay-by to call Donald, and see that I have three messages from Gil.
What’s happening?
Can you call me?
Daniel, I’m worried.
I decide to call her first. An anxious Gil is the Gil who may call the police. I can’t risk that now.
When she answers, her voice is trembling. ‘Did you get proof? Is she okay?’
‘Yes. Sorry, Gil; it all happened so quickly. I’ll send you the photo. She hasn’t been harmed, and I’ve paid the first lot of ransom.’
‘Oh God, Danny, was that wise? What if they start asking for more?’
‘They won’t,’ I say. ‘Look, I have to phone Donald and get back to work. Keep things normal.’
‘Everyone here thinks that Jo has some kind of awful bug.’
‘That’s what I told them this morning.’
‘I’d better go. I’m on a short break.’
I’m relieved to be rid of her. I call Donald and tell him everything went well, and that we must wait for the next contact.