Forget-Me-Nots in September (5 page)

Bev turned to her. “What did you think?”

She took a deep breath. “Bit of a cop out ending wise. Yes, we know that Basildon Tyne always wins and they need him for the next movie, but no way could he have survived a building falling on top of him like that.”

He nodded. “My thoughts, exactly. And there is no way that part in the desert would happen like that either. He'd need water to survive a three day trek, at least.” He stood as the crush ended. “What would you like to eat?”

“I don't mind. What have you missed the most?”

“Pizza. Try as they might, the chefs can't make a proper pizza for toffee.”

“Then pizza, it is.” She'd just have to stick to one slice and watch what she ate tomorrow.

The meal passed in a blur. She picked at her food, jealous of the way he could just eat slice after slice without worry. He ate five slices to her one.

He grinned at her. “How about coming for a walk tomorrow night? I'll pick you up from work and then we can walk back to yours and try out those cakes.”

She shook her head. “Are you still hungry?”

“It's called being a soldier. We eat and sleep when we can.”

He drove her home and parked on the drive outside his gran's house. “I'll walk you to your door.”

“It's only over there,” she replied. “Nothing will happen.”

“Just in case.”

“OK.” She was about to step off the pavement, when he grabbed her and pulled her back sharply.

A car whizzed past them with no lights. “Idiot!” Bev yelled. “Not you—him. He could have killed you.”

Jude's heart pounded. If he hadn't stopped her she could be dead right now. “I didn't see him,” she managed.

“Are you OK?”

She nodded. “Yes, thanks to you.”

He glanced both ways and led her safely over the road and up to her front door. “Well, good night.”

“Thank you for this evening. Good night.” Jude went in quickly and shut the door. She deadlocked it and leaned against it, her hands covering her face as her whole body shook.
The bloke in the car wasn't him. It can't be him, because that bloke was stalking her, not trying to kill her.

4

Bev ran along the pavement, his morning five-mile run almost complete. He had no intention of letting his fitness level drop while he was on leave, as he'd regret it as soon as he went back. Besides, he had a PT test coming up in about two months and needed to be at peak form to pass it.

He reached the bakers and the smell was enough to make his mouth water. He headed inside, intending to buy rolls for lunch and maybe breakfast. He grinned as he saw Jude behind the counter. He had found her shop by accident rather than anything else. He wasn't sure she'd be at work as her car was still parked outside her house. But at least he now knew where to pick her up later. “Morning. How are you?”

“I'm OK. You?”

He nodded. “Look, about last night. I wasn't calling you an idiot.”

“I know.”

“OK, it's just you left so quickly I wondered if I'd said or done something.”

A blonde bombshell in an over-tight uniform came out from the back, and Jude shook her head, backing away. Bev took the hint. “OK. What time do you get a break?”

“I finish at six.”

He frowned. “You work all day without a break?”

“Pretty much.”

“You can't skip lunch…”

“I don't eat lunch,” she interrupted. “I—”

“She doesn't eat full stop.” The bombshell stuck out a hand. “I'm Kate, by the way, as Jude hasn't bothered to introduce me. And you are?”

“Bev.”

“Are you new around here?”

“No,” he said honestly. “Just taking a different route for my morning run.”

Jude sighed. “Kate, serve the gentleman please. I think the delivery lorry is here.”

“No, it isn't.”

“Just do it.” Jude headed out the back.

Bev stood there confused about the mixed signals she was giving out. Hopefully he'd get to the bottom of it tonight.

Kate shot him a dazzling smile, evidently trying to impress. “Don't mind her. So, what can I get you?”

Bev had to think for a moment as he'd completely forgotten. “Umm, half a dozen white rolls and two croissants, please.” He paid without entering further into conversation, aware of Jude watching him through the crack in the door. He prayed as he ran home. There was something bothering her. Maybe if she'd trust him a little he could help, or at least he hoped that God would provide a way for him to reach her.

Gran was in the kitchen. “Is that you, Bev?”

“Nope,” he replied, toeing off his running shoes. “It's the abominable snowman with rolls and croissants.”

“Do snowmen eat?”

Bev winked and kissed her cheek. “This one does. But first I need a shower. Then I want you to tell me about Jude. She intrigues me.”

“I hope you're not asking me to gossip about my tenant.” Gran looked askance at him over the top of her bifocals.

“Whose tenant?” he teased. “And as if I'd encourage you to gossip, anyway. All I want to know is what's public knowledge, so I don't say something I shouldn't next time I see her. Think I already managed to tread on her metaphoric toes somehow.”

~*~

Jude spent the rest of the day baking. It had been one horror of a day. Starting with a damaged car, necessitating her walk to work, and burning three whole trays of buns, it soon went rapidly downhill into running out of flour and having to wait for a delivery. Kate coming on to Bev hadn't improved her mood any.

If Kate wanted Bev, that was fine. Good luck to them. Kate was far slimmer and prettier than Jude would ever be.

Jude finished the pastry and slid it into the fridge for morning. She ought to send the next parcel now so it'd be there when Bev got back. She'd send hand warmers in this one, along with a hot water bottle, vapor rub, tissues and bed socks. Actually, she could knit those in an evening.

“I'm off,” Kate called. “Want me to lock up behind me?”

“Please. I'll finish up here so I'll be a while yet. See you tomorrow.” She carried on working as the door opened and closed. For a while she buried herself in folding and beating.

Something clattered outside and she froze. A door squeaked.

Jude's heart thudded. “Kate, is that you?” Wiping her hands on her apron, she headed to the door to the shop. “Kate?”

A tall, masked figure dressed entirely in black stood there, his back to the counter.

“We're closed,” Jude managed.

The man turned, eyes glinting. His hand reached out for her.

Jude backed away, terror filling her. She reached the office door and slammed it shut, locking it. She dived under the desk, her heart thudding in her ears. Footsteps moved around the shop for a few minutes, and then came closer. Why hadn't she moved the phone in here? She'd left her mobile at home. Most days she didn't use it at all.

The door handle moved.

Jude's breath caught.

“Is anyone here?”

Relief filled her as she recognized the voice. “I'm here, Bev…” She scrambled up and ran to the door, unlocking it.

Bev looked at her. “Are you OK, Jude?”

She nodded, trying to act as if she always locked herself in the office and hid. “I'm fine. Why…why are you here?”

“The door was open and the place was in darkness. Are you sure you're all right? You look spooked.”

“Kate can't have locked up properly. I should get home.”

“I came to give you a lift. I know you didn't bring your car.”

Her heart pounded again. “How…”

His smile disarmed her. “It's parked outside your house.”

O
f course it is.
She sucked in a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “It's got two flat tires. Even if I changed one I still can't drive the thing.”

“I'll get it fixed for you tomorrow. If you'd like me to.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you ready to leave? I thought perhaps we could go for a walk before eating those cakes.”

Jude had to think quickly to remember what he was talking about. So much had happened. “OK.”

A frown crossed his rugged features. “Are you sure you're all right?”

She nodded. She turned around checking everywhere, and making sure the shop was locked before she followed him onto the street. She glanced up and down the road, and then dove into the car as he unlocked it. She pushed back into the seat, trying to make herself invisible.

Bev got in the other side and turned towards her. “OK, level with me. Did something happen in there?”

Jude hesitated for a moment, and then the story poured from her in a rush. “Some bloke came in after Kate left. He had a mask on and he was all in black and he just scared me, that's all.”

“Did he hurt you?” Bev's frown deepened, concern filling his voice.

She shook her head. “No, I ran and locked myself in the office. He didn't touch me. Can we go now?”

“Did you call the police?”

“No—I didn't have my phone and there isn't one in the office. Please, can we go?”

He sighed and straightened in his seat. “Sure. But I would like to know why there's no phone in your office.”

“It's in the shop.” Jude closed her eyes as he started the car, making sure her seatbelt was fastened. Only as the vehicle began to move, did her heart slowly begin returning to normal.

“Can I be honest here?” Bev asked.

She nodded. “Sure.”

“I thought we were friends.”

She glanced at him. “We are.”

“Then please level with me, because I'd like to help if I can. Something is really bothering you.”

“It's nothing.”

“Please. Talk to me, Jude. You'll feel better for telling someone, I promise.”

“OK.” She paused, wondering how to say it without it making her sound like an idiot of the first degree. “I keep seeing the same car all over, but then it's a small town, so you would. And I see the same people at the same time each day. But again, that's only normal in a town like this one. It's just me being stupid, that's all.”

Bev pulled away from the lights. “That doesn't sound stupid to me, and someone breaking into the shop in a mask isn't normal, no matter how you try to pass it off. What does this bloke look like?”

“Tonight the guy was in a mask but the man I've been seeing is tall, has a beard and dark hair,” she said automatically. “He's just everywhere I am. Follows me when I go for a walk, or go shopping, stuff like that.”

He frowned. “Have you reported it?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“You should.” He stopped at a junction before turning right.

“And tell the police what?” Jude pushed a hand through her hair. “That I think I'm being followed by a bloke who probably lives in the same street I do? He's undoubtedly a customer or something, and what if I'm just being paranoid?”

“Paranoia aside, there's no harm in asking for advice,” he told her bluntly. “I would in your shoes. They won't call you silly or ignore you. They'd rather give advice and chase up something that turns out to be nothing, than have to inform a family of a death or something. Call 101 when we get back. Better still, do it from Gran's while I check out your place. I don't want you getting in to find someone hiding in the lounge with a crowbar.”

“OK, thank you. I don't have my phone. It's at home in the kitchen charging up.”

“You can use ours.” He parked and opened the door for her. His hand rested against her back in a protective motion as he guided her inside. “Gran?”

“In the kitchen.”

Bev led Jude down the hallway. “Someone broke into the shop and Jude needs to call the police. I said she could use our phone while I check out her place.” He held a hand out. “I'll need your keys.”

Jude reached into her bag for them and managed a grin. “Bossy.”

“No, just used to giving orders.” Bev winked at her. “And that's Lt. Col. Bossy to you.”

“I'll put the kettle on and make you some sweet tea,” Mrs. Bowen said. “The phone is in the lounge, dear. Bev will show you.”

Bev led her into the lounge to make the call. He handed her the phone. “You're perfectly safe here. I'll be right back.”

“OK.” Jude took the handset and debated calling 101 or Milly. 101 would connect her to the local nick, but Milly was a DI and a friend and would tell her not to be so stupid as to let her worries and idiocies get to her. She plumped for Milly.

The phone rang twice. Milly answered as the doorbell rang. “DI Jenson.”

“Milly, it's me. Something happened at work and I was told to report—” She broke off as a familiar voice came from the hallway. She peeped around the door. A man stood there, peaked cap hiding his face, clipboard in his hand.

“I'm really not interested,” Mrs. Bowen said.

“I'll just leave you some information—”

Jude backed away, pressing into the wall behind the door.

“Jude?” Milly's voice echoed from the phone. “Jude, are you there?”

Jude cut off the call and dropped the phone. She buried her face in her hands. Bev said she'd be safe here, but she wasn't. She wasn't safe anywhere.

5

Bev knelt by Jude's car, examining the tires. Both of them had been slashed. He'd checked the house and that was secure and fine. He left a light on in the front room, taking care to pull the curtains. It wouldn't be dark for an hour or so yet, but better safe than sorry. He stood and headed back over to Gran's.

“I don't want a leaflet. I've already asked you to leave.”

Bev glared at the bloke on the doorstep. “Hey, if the lady isn't interested, then it's time to take a hike, mate.”