Eye for an Eye (11 page)

Robyn was a
quick study despite her lack of experience, and enjoyed the
role-playing exercises that Mike devised for her. After two days,
she was walking confidently in her new high-heeled shoes, speaking
in a fluting English accent, and was almost starting to believe
that she was a jet-set dilettante looking for a partner. They had
decided on the English background after trials of American or
Canadian accents had proved that they slipped under pressure. Mike
figured that the occasional lapse from English into a New Zealand
accent would probably be less noticeable to Colwyn’s ears.

‘Just as well
my Mum was English, I can do her voice quite easily. Now I just
have to remember not to use any Kiwi expressions that would give
the game away.’

‘What sort of
expressions?’ asked Mike curiously.

‘Oh you know,
“she’ll be right”, “kick it in the guts, Trev”, “box of birds”,
that kind of thing. He’d spot those for sure.’

‘I guess he
would. They make no sense to me!’

‘Of course not,
Henry Higgins. This Eliza comes from a different country from wot
you do. Now, one thing we haven’t covered - what happens if Colwyn
gets um, over-friendly? I don’t have to kiss him or anything, do
I?’ Her mouth twisted at the idea.

‘You’ll have to
judge that by the situation. There’s no script for this kind of
thing, you have to play it by ear. If that’s what it takes to get
where you want to be, you may have to make the sacrifice.’

‘Ugh! I’d be
more likely to sink my teeth into his neck!’

‘Perhaps we
should role-play the situation so that you’re ready for it. If
you’ve had a rehearsal of kissing someone you’re not in a
relationship with, it’ll make it easier to do it with someone you
actively dislike. Ready?’

‘Oh I don’t
know, this is getting a bit freaky.’ She squirmed. ‘It’s just too
personal. I haven’t been close with a guy since I broke up with my
boyfriend, and that was over a year ago. And he was the only one…’
The blush set her face glowing again and she looked away.

‘Don’t feel
bad. I separated from my wife three years ago and haven’t been
seeing anyone since. No big deal.’ He pulled her to her feet. ‘Just
remember you’re acting a role - it’s not you doing all these
things.’

‘All what
things…oh!’ She stopped as he slid a hand under her hair and pulled
her towards him, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. He let her go
again and smiled.

‘See? Nothing.
It’s just a case of stepping outside yourself while you do it -
watch your own performance and do what is necessary to be that
character.’

She grinned
suddenly. ‘Can I have another go?’ She twined an arm round his neck
and kissed him hard, rubbing one leg along his thigh and giving the
clinch everything she’d got. Moments passed, until she pulled back
with a triumphant grin. ‘So, how was that then?’

‘Very good,’ he
said calmly, pulling out a tissue and wiping his lips. ‘Quite
convincing. If you can do that with Colwyn I doubt he’d suspect
that you didn’t mean it.’

She looked
slightly crestfallen. ‘I thought you’d be weak at the knees after
that. I gave it my best shot. I must really be out of
practise.’

He laughed.
‘But I’m an actor, remember. We can appear to be immune to the
advances of leading ladies, no matter how attractive they might
be.’

‘Well thanks, I
think.’ She looked sideways at him for a moment, but decided to let
it go. ‘So, how do I get to meet up with Colwyn, anyway? Have you
got a plan in mind, or do I just walk up to him and flutter my
eyelashes alluringly?’

‘You could try
that, but it’s probably not the best approach. We’ll need to get
you into the same social arena somehow, or into a place where he
goes regularly.’ He clicked his fingers suddenly. ‘Got it! He uses
the gym in his apartment building nearly every day. That would be
perfect.’ He studied her appraisingly. ‘Hm, how’s your fitness
level, Robyn? It doesn’t really matter, of course, but it’ll make a
better showing if you’re not too inept. Have you been to a gym
lately?’

‘Gym? Never
been to one. I’m pretty fit from working on the farm though. Just
you try lifting a full-grown sheep, or doing a full day in the
shearing shed - don’t need any fancy machines for that, boy.’ She
flexed her biceps, and he nodded approval.

‘Good, once I
show you how the machines work I expect you’ll look as if you know
what you’re doing. Of course, we’ll have to get you some gym gear
first.’

‘Oh no, not
those poncy lycra thong things that disappear up your bum?’ she
wailed. ‘They are so wanky.’

‘Think of it as
a tool for social intercourse.’

‘I should think
intercourse was impossible with one of those on.’

‘Just go along
with me on this, will you?’

They purchased
the necessary clothing, then Mike took her to his nearest gym for a
practice session. Robyn eyed the rows of machines suspiciously.

‘They look a
bit medieval, Mike. Where are the handcuffs attached? Do the
attendants bring round the red-hot pokers or do you supply your
own?’

Two rows over,
a sweaty florid man grunted and strained, his face a rictus of
pain. Mike ignored Robyn’s comments and set up the pegs on a
shoulder lift machine.

‘Right, we’ll
start you off with a light weight on this one, OK?’

‘But that’s
nothing! I’ll look like a girl lifting that little bit. I can do
much more that that.’

‘Of course you
can, but think about it - you don’t want to look stronger than
Colwyn, do you? He won’t be comfortable if he thinks you can
bench-press him with one hand. Guys like to be physically dominant,
didn’t you know that?’

‘Well yeah, but
I thought that was just Pete being a pain in the butt. We used to
wrestle ourselves to a standstill as kids, when we were both the
same height. Once he got taller I had to resort to kneeing him in
the nuts, but we were still pretty closely matched.’

‘I’m afraid
Colwyn wouldn’t respond well to that, not unless he’s got a latent
masochistic streak I don’t know about it.’

‘Let me try it
- I’ll let you know.’

‘Robyn, just
learn how to use the damn machine, will you?’

‘Aye aye, sir.’
She saluted him smartly and got to work.

By the end of
the session she had mastered the basic equipment, finding an
unexpected pleasure in the power of her own body. The faintly
narcissistic atmosphere in the gym with its mirrors and posters
encouraged an appreciation of muscle tone and body shape, something
she’d never had time to notice when working in the shearing shed.
She began to understand the attraction of an activity she had
previously considered quite pointless.

‘You know, I
could really get into this,’ she said, flexing her legs. ‘It’s not
bad once you get going.’

Mike wiped
sweat from his face and caught his breath before replying. ‘Glad
you like it! Most people do it because they have to. Colwyn
probably does it to look in the mirrors.’

‘Bit vain, is
he? I knew he was a tosser.’

‘While I was
following him he checked his reflection in every shop window along
the street. Yes, I’d say he’s vain.’

‘That could be
a way to get talking to him, then, eh? Butter him up a bit saying
how good he looks?’

‘Sure, that
could work. If you can do it with a straight face.’

‘After all
you’ve taught me about acting? Piece of cake.’

‘Right then.
We’ll get you into the gym in his apartment building and see how
good you are, shall we?’ His grey eyes lit with a challenge and she
responded immediately.

‘When?’

‘This afternoon
suit you? Got anything else planned?’

‘No. What the
hell, let’s give it a whirl. Hey, what could go wrong?’

He opened his
mouth to give her a list, but closed it again.

‘How are we
going to get in there?’ she murmured as they approached the
apartment building.

‘Back door,’ he
said calmly. ‘I checked it out a couple of weeks ago. They leave a
service entrance unlocked that gives access to the toilets which
give you access to the gym itself. You can change in the toilet
then slip in quietly and start using the nearest machine - nobody
should pay you any attention. As to engaging Colwyn in
conversation, I’ll have to leave that up to you. Are you sure
you’re ready for this?’

‘No, but I’m
doing it anyway. What shall I do afterwards? Should I ring
you?’

‘Yeah, sure –
call me from his apartment! It all depends on how well you get on.
Just play it by ear, and call me when you can do it in private.’ He
squeezed her shoulders. ‘Break a leg.’

‘Great! My
debut performance and there’s no bloody audience to see it! Oh
well, here goes.’ She waved bravely from the doorway and slipped
inside.

Her eyebrows
rose at the luxurious fittings in the ladies room. Polished marble
counters gleamed under concealed lights, while an acre of spotless
mirror reflected her trim figure with a flattering warm glow. The
taps were golden, and a range of expensive soaps and creams stood
ready to use. Fresh white towels hung on sculptured rods, and there
was a pleasant scent in the air.

Robyn got
changed in a cubicle then walked confidently towards the gym door.
Mike had told her that attitude was everything. If she looked as if
she belonged there, nobody would question her presence. If she
looked cautious, anxious or shifty, someone would approach her very
quickly to find out why.

She turned the
handle and walked in.

The first
person she saw was a swarthy egg-shaped man who looked vaguely
familiar. She carefully avoided making eye contact with him, and
headed for an empty machine where she set a light weight and
started to work her arms. In the first few minutes of her workout,
she realised where she’d seen him before. He’d been in the foyer of
the apartment building when she had hurried out after giving Colwyn
his unconventional haircut. Sweat broke out on her face that had
nothing to do with her level of exercise. Suppose he’d seen her?
What if he recognised her? She thought furiously, picturing the
scene in her mind. She’d had make-up on then, heaps of it, and that
ghastly red hair too. And the white coat? Or had she taken all that
off by then? Sweat ran down the small of her back. No, she’d only
taken off the white coat - the rest of the disguise was still on
when she’d left the building. She forced herself to breathe slowly
and relax. The chance that he’d recognise her was pretty remote,
providing she did nothing to draw attention to herself.

Mike had told
her that Colwyn usually had a session in the gym mid-afternoon. She
half hoped he wouldn’t show up, while the other half just wanted to
get it over with.

The second half
won. When she had been in the gym for about half an hour, Colwyn
Symons walked in. Immediately the swarthy egg-shaped man hurried
over, and from her seat across the room, Robyn could see him
fawning until Colwyn waved him away and faced up to the wall mirror
to do some warm-up stretches.

Robyn couldn’t
believe her eyes. She’d been expecting a covered head, or a dye job
to mask her artwork, but he was wearing a cap and a T-shirt
proclaiming “I support child cancer research”, as if he’d been
shaved bald for charity. What a downright lie! She had to admire
his nerve, but was seriously annoyed that her scheme hadn’t had the
impact on his life that she’d hoped for. Why, people were probably
applauding him for his generosity of spirit at the same time that
he was taking their money! She growled quietly, firming her resolve
to get him once and for all.

She spent some
time watching him as he began the circuit, noticing the way the
swarthy man was always on hand to wipe down the machines ready for
him to use. As they worked closer, she picked up snatches of
conversation and learned that the groveller’s name was Harry. Damn,
she thought, I would have called him Igor.

She waited
until Colwyn was using the machine next to her, then tried a smile.
He smiled back briefly then ignored her. She pushed weights until
her arms ached, trying to think of a way to start a conversation,
all the time conscious that either Colwyn or Harry might recognise
her at any moment. She pumped on, eyes screwed shut, sweat pouring.
Finally, gasping, she had to stop for a rest, and got off to do
some stretches.

‘Excuse me, are
you finished with this one?’

Suddenly Colwyn
was standing right there beside her, with Harry standing by to wipe
down the machine she’d been using. Robyn stood up, momentarily
dizzy.

‘Oh! Er, yes,
do go on,’ she said, belatedly remembering to use her English
accent. ‘Terribly sorry, I’m afraid I over-did it a bit and lost
track of time.’

She groped for
a way to prolong the conversation. ‘I say, you’ve done a lot of
work on your abs, haven’t you? Are you on any special diet, to get
that muscle definition?’

He looked
pleased. ‘Why thank you. I don’t eat as carefully as I should, but
then again, who does?’

Robyn smiled
warmly, just the way Mike had taught her. If she played her cards
right, she might be able to lead the conversation round to dinner.
She opened her eyes wide and started to speak, but her words were
cut off abruptly.

‘Excuse me, Mr.
Symons, but your cell-phone is ringing.’ Harry stood there, holding
out the shrilling instrument. Robyn could cheerfully have
drop-kicked it across the gym. Colwyn smiled absently at her and
took the call, moving slowly away towards the window as he spoke.
He nodded a lot, murmured a few quiet comments, and finally said
goodbye and thumbed the off switch.

Robyn prepared
to turn up her charm to full wattage, angling for that dinner
invitation. She ran her fingers through her hair, noting that it
was damp with sweat but hopefully still appealing in an active
out-doorsy way. At least she still had some hair, she thought with
satisfaction. She wondered if the purple dye was left on the skin
at the back of his head. He wouldn’t be able to take that cap off
for weeks!