Friday 16th December
11 pm GMT
The Babbage Home
“Can I ask a question love?” Mike
Babbage asked as Sherry and he climbed into bed.
Sherry lowered her glasses and said “of
course you can.”
“Are you still doing bits of work for
Kay and the SIS?”
“Why do you want to know darling?”
Sherry smiled as she pulled back the covers.
“Curiosity I guess,” Mike said with a
smile. “Now that I know you turned down a career in the field when we left
Oxford because of your personal ethics, I’m surprised that she may have talked
you into doing more for them.”
“Let’s put it this way, I’ve signed the
Official Secrets Act shall we say.”
“Oh,” Mike paused for thought, “and I
guess that means you are doing things you can’t tell me about?”
“Only in the broadest terms,” Sherry
smiled again, “I wish in a way I could say it was glamorous and
exciting work, but really it’s just looking at some raw data that Kay
sends me occasionally and asking if I can see anything in that data which
should raise a red flag.”
“Well, you are a very talented
statistician.”
“You remembered? Well it’s an
alternative to crosswords that gives my brain a workout, and I can fit in with
both my housework and the bit of helping out I’ve been doing at Aggie’s school.”
Sherry lay down, “I think doing both things have given me a new interest for a
few hours a week.”
“Life as a mere coppers wife was getting
dull, eh?” Mike took a turn to smile.
Sherry turned over and looked at him. “No,
I love you, I love the kids, but I guess I hadn’t realised quite how routine my
life had become.”
“So are you being paid for this little
bit of work?”
“I refer you to my original statement
regarding the Official Secrets Act,” Sherry giggled, “and why do I think I
sound like Catriona saying that?”
“Seriously?” Mike asked as he climbed
into bed, “how deep are you in this now Sherry?”
“Well I’m not needing to be fitted for
naval uniforms, shall we say that?”
“Okay, that reassures me a bit,” Mike
kissed her.
“I’ve already had them made,” Sherry
smiled inwardly as she kissed him back.
Saturday 17th December
1 AM Central European Time
The British Embassy, Paris
“That finished far later then I thought
it would,” Donald smiled as he passed Agnes a brandy.
“That kind of official function often
does darling,” Aggie took it and collapsed into one of the comfortable old
armchairs in the Ambassadors private drawing room. “At least the girls did not
have to be there. and could get to bed at a reasonable hour.”
“Mike texted me earlier, he thinks that
despite all her denials that she would never do anything more for Kay and the
Security Service that she is in fact still working.” Donald said as he sat on
the chair’s broad arm, “do you know what is going on?”
“I do know a little Donnie.”
“But you won’t or can’t tell me about
it?”
Aggie sighed as she looked at her fianc
. “Let’s just say that events in New York at Shirley’s wedding may have changed
Sherry’s mind a little shall we.”
“Oh?” Donald thought. “Does that mean
what I think it does?”
“Darling I can’t really say.”
“And what about you Aggie, are you still
helping Kay just informally, or is it rather more now?”
“Donald you are jumping to conclusions,”
Agnes laughed.
“Yes, but are they correct conclusions?”
Looking at him, Agnes said “Would I be
able to tell you if they were?”
“Probably not.”
“Look if you mean am I working for Kay
now in a formal sense, then no. She asks my advice from time to time, but not
on high security stuff honestly.
“Now, let’s drink up, and then bed we
have that reception tomorrow for the rugby team “
Friday 16th December
9 pm
Stowe
“So these are the famous lodges, Sister,”
Maisha said as she and Ama walked into the long dormitory room.
“Indeed they are,” Erica said as she and
Mel carried their bags in, “indeed they are. Take a look Mel you’re probably
not going to see a lot of this this weekend beyond sleeping.”
“Young Miss Burton doth speak truth to wisdom,”
Abby said as she sat on the lower bunk of one set, “so get yourselves ready,
and then we go for cocoa and chat before bed.”
“Snow!”
“Yes it is,” Natasha said as she stood
at the window, Alain pointing at the lit white covered ground as he grinned. “And
all of you are going to have fun in it tomorrow, aren’t you?”
Alain nodded as Allan sat with Gale,
April and Judith playing with their dolls on the floor as Clint started to
carry in trays of hot cocoa.
“Did I hear
the younger generation start to arrive,” he said as he put the first tray down.
“You
did indeed,” Jo said as she came in with Nell and Ally Rochermann. “Susan?”
“Helping
me in the kitchen the others should be back from the restaurant soon. In fact,
the only people I have not heard from are “
“Well
HELLO EVERYONE!”
“Mom?”
Sandy and Heather looked at Nessa as she led the party into the chalet, Sands
giggling as Katy Carter looked at her.
“What
the Bestie, are you all right?”
“Never
better,” Sands giggled as she looked at Katy. Paulie, Lee and Glenda smiled as
they whispered to each other at the side.
“Mum,
tell me you have not?”
“No,
I have not taken anything but we had a fun and interesting trip up. What I am
ready for is bed so where are we sleeping?”
“Your
rooms are upstairs,” Sandy said, “while Sands goes into the dormitories under
the tender care of Jo and Ally.”
“When
she gets here,” Jo said with a sigh.
“Hey
Smith you need your eye prescription changing?”
“Scratch
that come on,” Jo said as she took the Rochermann twins into the dormitory.
“No
I hope I’m not interrupting?”
“I
didn’t think that you were going to make it,” Heather smiled as Krys came in,
dropped her bag, and slumped into a chair.
“I
nearly didn’t,” the model paused, then smiled. “I think having so many of you
speeding on your way up meant by the time I drove up every traffic cop was on
high alert.”
“Whoops,”
Heather laughed as she poured a cup of warm milk. “How many tickets?”
“Two,
and I flirted my way out of a third.”
“Not
bad,” Heather laughed, “Sandy actually collected three herself, and even Holly
got one.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah
I think they know that a sinners ski weekend is a great way to replenish their
state coffers at our expense.”
“Well
I’m here now.”
“Yep
better late than never.”
“So
any more news on that matter you talked to me about?” Krys reduced her voice to
a whisper.
“Yes,
and very little of it is good.”
“I
see if there is anything I can do “
“Hey
hey time to par-TAY.”
Abby
laughed as Ally and Nell came back in from the dormitories, Nell walking over
to kiss Mick Harran as he came in. Looking round, he said “very nice so where
do I put this?”
“I’ll
show you and Nell your room,” Sandy said, “while Ally helps Heather take drinks
to the girls.”
“And
so it begins,” Ally said with a laugh as she headed to the kitchen,
“So
who was that arriving Heather?” Sands asked as Heather brought in the hot milk
drinks into the dormitory.
“Krys
Ernst, she got delayed by some encounters with assorted county Mounties.”
Sands
raised an eyebrow before she said “You didn’t say she was coming?”
“Oh it was a last minute change of mind by her.”
“Well
it means I can introduce her to Britt,” Holly smiled as she climbed
down from a top bunk. “I think she’s a fan of Krys’s.”
“She
is?” Sands giggled,” “then that might be interesting.”
Heather
shook her head as she caught the glimmer in the young woman’s eye. Inwardly she
prayed that Sands was sensible enough, and sober enough not to cause a major
scene.
“I
see we weren’t the last to arrive then,” Ally spoke as she came in with another
tray of drinks. “And how come my dear twin gets a room, and I get to bunk with
this lot?”
“Because
she and Mick are a couple, and Ju allocated them a room together.”
“Well
it’s an excuse, not a great one, but an excuse.” For a moment Ally paused to
think, “so if I brought a guy along next time I might get a room as well?”
“Only
if there’s an engagement or wedding ring on your finger,” Heather laughed.
“Damn
I knew there had to be a catch,” Ally laughed back.
“Right,
drink up and into bed early start tomorrow “
Saturday
17th December
6.30 am
Stowe
“Good
morning Mel looking forward to today,” Ama asked as she and Maisha watched the
young teenager walk in with Erica and Poppy.
“Oh
yeah Erica warned me of the early start, but I’m really the last one up?”
“Almost
but not quite,” Maisha said as Diana started to bring food through from the
kitchen.
“Oh
my god “
Paulie
slowly opened her eyes and turned over to see Nessa sitting on the other side
of the bed, her knees drawn up and her chin resting on them. She slowly turned
her head to look at her oldest friend, before she said “hey how are you
feeling?”
“My
mouth could pass for the Sierra Madre but Ness, what happened on the drive up
yesterday?”
“Which
part the part where Glenda was kissing your breasts, the part where Lee made my
granddaughter have an orgasm, the part where the young men “
“Whoa,
whoa back up a second.” Paulie slowly sat herself up and said “what happened
with me and Glenda? And what did Lee do?”
“You
really cannot remember?”
“It
must have been the champagne or was it “ Paulie’s eyes opened wide, before she
said “oh did you “
“No
and I don’t think I want to after seeing what happened.”
“Is
the old Vanessa coming back?”
“No,”
Nessa said as she smiled, “but perhaps I do need to learn my limits. What it
does mean is I cannot discipline Sands for what she did but I do need to keep a
close eye on her “
Krystle
looked at herself in the mirror, the ski suit open to just right the amount to
show her white silk jumper underneath, the snow boots fashionable, but
functional.
“See,
I told you we needed this time off.”
“Perhaps,”
Tommy said in reply in her head, “but remember - one day, and we go back
Sunday.”
“We’ll
see,” Krystle laughed as she heard the knock on the door. “Hey,” Heather said
as she looked in, “ready for some breakfast?”
“I
am,” the blonde said as they walked down to the central room and then Krystle
stopped before she said “Holly, darling I did not know you would be here?”
“I
am Krystle, this is Britt Boynton. Britt, Krystle Ernst I understand you have a
bit of the fan girl about her.”
“Well
any friend of Holly’s is a friend of mine,” Krystle said with a smile. “Where
do you know each other from?”
Britt
was silent for a moment, before she said “my brother is was “
“Is
my boyfriend, Tommy but he’s not here, so we thought we’d have a girls’ weekend
away. Is that fresh bacon?”
Sniffing
the air, Krystle said “I do believe it is shall we?”
“There
you are,” Diana said as they walked into the main room, the table surrounded by
Sinners as they sat and talked.
“Britt,”
Susan said as she looked over, “this afternoon, would you mind helping with the
younger ones? It will give the mothers a chance to hit the slopes.”
“And
show us how to really use a snowboard,” Marina said with a smile as she nudged
Kylie.
“Darling!
I do not think you should give Maisha the impression we are not good
instructors?”
“It
is all right,” Marisha said with a smile, “I am eager to learn from all this
weekend.”
“Really?”
Ally and Nell exchanged glances before Ama said “she means of the sporting
type, my friends.”
“Well,
with Mick here, I’m behaving myself,” Nell said as Ally saw Sands walk in. She
exchanged a glance with Jo, who also noticed the rings round the young girl’s
eyes.
“I
was wondering where you had got to,” Jo eventually said. “Everything all right?”
“Hmm?
Oh yeah,” Sands said quietly as she took some coffee from Katy.
“So,
what does everyone have planned for this morning?” Juliette said as she looked
round.
“Maisha
and I will join Marina and Kylie to try snowboarding,” Ama said as she put her
mug down, “and then join you at lunchtime. Doc?”
“We’ll
join Jeannie doing the slopes,” Anna said as the others nodded.
“Good
Mel, your lessons with Erica are booked.”
“Jean-Claude,”
Erica said quietly, her eyes closed as Poppy shook her head.
“As
for we older ladies,” Lee said as the others came in, “we shall head to the caf
and enjoy the view.”
“The
mountains?”
“Among
other things “
Sands
giggled as George looked across the table, then at Jo and Heather.
“George,
want to join us today,” Jo said as she drained her mug. He slowly nodded as
Katy said “mind if I tag along as well?”
“Oh
George and Katy “
“Under
adult supervision,” Sandy said as she looked at her daughter. “So cleanse those
thoughts from your mind, young Padawan.”
Sands
giggled again as she looked round the table.
9
am
Stowe Mountain Resort
“Oh
wow,” Mel said as she, Erica, Denise and Eva looked at the mountains rising
from the Nursery slope.
“That
is a usual reaction,” Jean Claude said with a smile as he looked over, “so take
a moment to understand the beauty and then we may begin. This is your first
time, Mademoiselle Eckholm and Madame Eckholm?”
“Yeah,
first time,” Eva whispered.
“Bon
let us first try to walk “
Mel
nodded as she started to copy the instructor.
“Are
you sure it is all right for me to come with you,” George said as he skied
alongside Katy, Heather and Jo, “I mean, this is good exercise, but “
“We
need to talk the four of us,” Jo said as she looked at him, “in a private
place.”
“Hey,
the two of us “
“Not
about you,” Heather said as she looked at Katy.
“Oh
. OH. Right.”
“What
an amazing view “
“The
mountains or the men?”
“Both,”
Lee said with a laugh as she looked at the group. She, Paulie, Nessa and Glenda
were sitting at a table outside the Waffle, steam rising from the mugs of
coffee in front of them.
“You
are incorrigible,” Glenda said as Lee unscrewed the top of a small flask and
poured some brandy into her coffee. “Some for me as well?”
“Not
for me,” Nessa said with a smile, “I need a clear head for this clear air.”
“I’ll
pass as well,” Paulie said as she looked round, large sunglasses covering her
eyes.
“Feeling
under the weather?”
“Merely
resting my eyes “
“Ladies,
your order “
“Thank
you,” Lee said as the waiter placed the plate with cake in front of her, and
then she heard him say “well, this is a surprise.”
She
turned to see Steve standing behind her, smiling as he said “so you are all
staying here?”
“Indeed
your friend?”
“He
works in the main building enjoy your stay,” Steve said as he walked off, the
four women looking at each other.
“Oh
god, did we “
“Oh
yes,” Nessa said quietly, “we may have a problem here “
“We
may have a problem here.”
Heather
looked at George, Katy and Jo as they stood in the shelter, hot mugs of coffee
in their hands.
“You
mean sis? What have you three seen that I haven’t?”
“George,”
Katy said quietly, “you have to promise me you won’t lose your temper.”
“Okay,
I promise so what’s going on?”
“Well,”
Jo said quietly, “we think Sands is courting trouble.”
“What
sort of trouble,” George said quietly.
“Do
you know she’s carrying a gun with her?”
George
stared at Katy before he said “I did wonder I know Gran has one as well. I
haven’t said anything to Dad though given what happened with Allyson.”
“There’s
more,” Heather said, “we think no, we’re sure she has taken some cocaine.”
“My
little sister is using drugs who’s supplying her?”
“Not
the most important question,” Jo said, “the most important question is why she
is doing it. Katy?”
As
she looked round, Katy said “Well The other day I saw her get something from a
man at the station. I challenged her about it the next day, and she said she
had got it for her and Liz. I think it’s Liz who got her on this.”
“Liz
“ Heather shook her head as she said “I can ask someone about that but for this
weekend, I need you three to try and distract her as much as possible.”
“Tricky
you’re assuming she will listen to me,” George said quietly, “and she’s under
the influence of Gran and her friends.”
“Your
grandmother is concerned as well, so I think she’s on our side,” Jo said as she
sipped from her cup. “But I take your point, George. Katy, I hate to say it,
but “
“Yeah
the wild child has to be momma. Mom will laugh the place down when she hears
about this “
“Oh
wow this view is spectacular,” Briit said as she stood with Krystle and Holly
at the top of the slope.
“How
long is it since you have been up here?”
“Two
years,” Tommy thought to himself as he lowered his snow goggles.
“But
I did not know that did I?” Krystle purred.
“No,
I know that” Tommy replied before Krystle said “well, this is my first time
here, and I’m only here for today, so I intend to enjoy.”
“Ready?”
All
three nodded as they pushed off, Britt watching as Krystle took the lead,
watching the way she skied and moved. There was something familiar about it,
but what she could not put her finger on
“You
have a natural skill,” Jean-Claude said as Eva glided to a stop at the bottom
of the nursery slope. “And you have improved greatly as well, Madame and
Mademoiselle Burton.”
“It
feels easier,” Erica said, “what about you Mel?”
“How
many times did you fall over when you first tried?”
“Point,”
Erica laughed as Eva hugged her daughter, “but you got the hang of it in the
end.”
“So,
we break for lunch, and meet again at two.”
“You
were right about one thing though,” Mel whispered as she picked her skis up.
“Oh?”
“He
is yummy “
1.30
pm
West Central Park
“All
right,” Adam said as he sat down at the table, “we know why we are here, so let’s
lay our cards on the table. Mom?”
Eleanor
Ball smiled as she said “well, you know what I think, Adam, but I’m open to
suggestions.”
“I’m
not willing to convert to Judaism,” Jan said as she sipped her coffee, “so it
can’t be the full Jewish ceremony.”
“But”
Eleanor said as she looked at them, “if you agree to follow Jewish tradition in
your home, I am told that Tom and Clare’s Rabbi is open to doing a blessing as
part of the wedding ceremony and he knows Alex. Unless you are going fully
civil?”
“Oh
no,” Katherine said with a smile, “she’s not.”
“MOM!”
“So
much for eloping to Vegas,” Adam said as he shook his head. “It does sound like
a compromise, Jan and the ceremony could be on neutral ground.”
Jan
nodded as she said “all right we find a venue, talk to Alex and Rabbi Jacob,
and then we plan “
“Excellent
now the wedding feast I presume a mixture of Kosher and traditional is going to
be in order?”
Stowe
“Ah
and how did you enjoy the snowboarding,” Penny said as she saw Maisha come in
with Ama, Marina and Kylie.
“An
experience,” Maisha said with a smile, “and at least the snow is soft to land
in.”
“But
she does it with grace and style, as is only right darlings,” Kylie said with a
smile.
“Dammit.”
“What’s up Grace,” Sarah said as she and
Harriet looked over and then they saw the unshaven man standing in the doorway.
“Is that?”
“Yes it is,” Grace said quietly as Bruce
Brand walked unsteadily over. “Grace fancy seeing you here?”
“Not really, no and what the hell are
you doing here? How did you manage to get in?”
“Nobody stopped me,” he said with a
smile, “but I need to “
“Is this man bothering you Grace?”
“Only in the sense of his existing,”
Grace said as he turned round to see Caroline standing behind him, his arms
folded as Ama smiled before she sat with Maisha.
“Well, I have a simple choice leave,
now, or I call security. And if I see you here again, I will deal with you and
then call security. Do we have an understanding?”
Bruce looked at the blonde Amazon, and
then walked out as Grace shook her head.
“Who’s up for a cross country ski this
afternoon,” Heather said as she sat down.
“No way,” Nell said as she sat with
Mick.
“I’ll come,” Jo said, “and these two
will as well, won’t you?”
“I was planning to take Judith skating “
“Oh leave her with me,” Britt said as
she and Krystle sat down, “She can help me with the other babies.”
“I must decline,” Diana said quietly, “but
Abigail will go with you and tell me of anything she may see.”
“Oh and what are you going to do,”
Juliette said as she raised any eyebrow.
“I will do something,” Diana said as she
noticed the grey haired man sitting across the floor.
“And what did you do today, Princess,”
Sandy said as Sands came in with Katy and George.
“A few goes down the slope have you seen
Grandma?” She then noticed the waiter taking drinks to another table, and
turned her back but Katy noticed that as well.
“I see him too.”
2.30 pm
Jameson Security
New York
“Lily, my dear,” George Simpson said as
he looked at the computer screen, “Thanks for calling back.”
“Well, even with the boss away, work
continues,” Lily said as she looked out from the screen. “I’ve taken care of
your present requests already, but you said you wanted me to look into
something else?”
“Yes, I did I got a call from the boss.
It seems Bruce Brand has resurfaced any chance you can do a check on when he
came over, and what he gave as a forwarding address?”
“Can do how urgent?”
“Reasonably,” George said as he heard
the knock on the door. “Got to go call you later?”
“Talk later,” Lily said as she ended the
call, George smiling as he said “come in.”
“You wanted a word, boss,” Sharon
Kennedy said as she came in, wearing a blue roll neck sweater and jeans tucked
into over the knee black boots.
“I did Caroline may be away, but your
training continues. Take a seat,” George said as he pressed a button on his
intercom. “Gail coffee for two, please. Now, let’s review your notes on the
plans for the party “
7.30 pm GMT
Bayswater Road
“Well, at least we know now the dresses are
ready,” Kit said as she and Tamsin sat in the plush armchairs, Laura and Miley
carrying some bags to their rooms as Agnes sat down.
“Indeed and is it my imagination, are
they both getting excited for the Christmas holiday?”
“You noticed,” Agnes said with a smile, “but
yes, their first real Christmas for some considerable time.”
2.30 pm
Stowe
“That’s the ex,” Jo said as she, Abigail
and Carina walked across the shopping square, seeing Bruce sip from a bottle as
he sat on a bench.
“This is one of those times when we
really could do with stopping him “
“ but we cannot he is related to a
friend,” Carina said as she looked at Abigail. She then saw Grace walking into
the shopping area, her eyes glaring at Bruce as he stood up and unsteadily
walked away.
“Nessa do you have a moment,” she said
as she saw Nessa and Paulie coming out of the bookstore.
“OF course Grace what can I do for you?”
“I’ll see you later “
“No stay please Paulie, I want you to
hear this as well.”
“Oh sounds intriguing,” Paulie said as
Grace guided them to one side.
“Look earlier this week, Wilhelmina
showed me and Kate something they found when they were clearing some cellar
space out.”
“Oh and what would that be,” Paulie said
as she looked at Grace.
“A commencement certificate a really old
one, printed on Velour and still in the original tube.”
“So why are you telling me this,” Nessa
said with a smile.
“Because the name on it was Vanessa
Richmond.”
The two older women stared at Grace as
she said “the thing is, Nessa do you still wish to receive it?”
“It really is mine?”
“The dates and everything match so my
question is, what would you want us to do “
“Let me let me think it over,” Nessa
said, “I will get back to you right now, we need to meet with our friends over
there.”
Grace nodded as she and Paulie walked
over to where Lee and Glenda were sitting, laughing as they sipped from their
cups.
“There you two are we were just admiring
the scenery,” Glenda said as two well-built men walked past. “Want a snifter?”
“No thanks listen, we may have a
problem,” Nessa said quietly. “Those two boys from the car yesterday work here,
and we need to behave ourselves for at least today.”
“Why?”
“Because, dear cousin,” Nessa said as
she looked at Lee, “the last thing any of us need is to have our faces in some
sordid yellow press story, true?”
“We could be discrete “
“Well, can you? Really?”
“Is there something you want to say, Nessa,”
Lee said as she looked at her cousin.
“I just woke up, I think please, watch
what you are doing, that is all “
“Do you think Dad will like this as a
Christmas present,” Maisha said as she looked at the jumpers in the APCO store.
“Possibly and it does sound good when
you call him your father, sister,” Ama said as she looked at some of the
scarves. “I think Annie might like this.”
“Good afternoon darlings,” Kylie said as
she walked over, “I see you are buying presents as well.”
“We are indeed and I see Aunt Alice has
also caught you,” Ama said as she saw Alice McKinnon talking to the store
manager.
“Ah yes she has been kind enough to
share some profits from my designs with me,” Kylie said with a smile. “The
allure of the slopes now calling to you this afternoon?”
“No we both wished to spend some time
buying presents. I understand you and Marina will be in the city for Christmas?”
“Indeed Katherine Carter has kindly
invited both of us to join them for the meal.”
“Well, the day after, you must join us
in skating.”
“Darling, I would be delighted “
“Okay why am I skating here with you -
and George,” Sands said as they made a circuit of the rink.
“Aren’t we past the point where you get embarrassed
doing something with me,” George said with a laugh.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Sands said with a
smile as Katy nudged her. “but this is a first the two of you asking me along.”
“Well, what would you have done if we
didn’t?”
“Probably joined Holly and Britt so
yeah, thanks.”
“Look if I ask a question,” Katy
whispered, “will you bite my head off?”
Sands looked at Kat, before she said “all
right “
“Why did Liz start, and how did she get
you hooked?”
Sands stopped at the side of the rink,
and waited until George skated on before she said “she was having nightmares,
and some friend of hers gave her some to try. As for me I was looking for the
distraction. But yesterday, on the drive up “
“What?”
Sands shook her head as she said “no
another time, okay? Let’s just say Gran is looking at me as well in a funny
way.”
“You know it’s just because we are
worried about you, Bestie?”
Sands nodded as she said “thanks I don’t
say that often enough, but thanks.”
“Well, do me a favour leave it alone for
the weekend, okay? If you feel the need, find me.”
At the hilltop caf , Grace sat with
Sarah and Harriet as the steam rose from their hot chocolate.
“Oh f “
Sarah watched as Bruce staggered over and
said “Grace, I need to talk to you.”
“Why?”
“Please can we talk?”
“No leave me alone Bruce, or else you
will regret it.”
“You don’t have the guts “
“Try me now get lost.”
Bruce looked at the three women, and
then turned to stagger away.
“You need to get a restraining order or
something,” Harriet whispered.
“He needs to disappear,” Grace said as
she rubbed her eyes, “but yeah I’ll see an attorney on Monday.”
At a nearby table, Gale looked on,
sipping her coffee as she watched Bruce walk away. He had hurt a friend he
needed to pay
6 pm
Stowe
“I’ll leave in the early morning,”
Krystle said as she smoothed down her leatherette pants, “so I’ll come back
early.”
Heather nodded as she said “well, you certainly
seemed to have had a good time today.”
“Yeah I guess I did need the break, but
it does mean Tommy has to catch up hence the early trip tomorrow. I think Britt
has enjoyed the trip as well.”
“Yeah I guess we do look a bit alike,
now that I have had a chance to realize.” Smiling, she stood up and said “but
that is for tomorrow we need to head to the disco tonight, correct?”
“Oh yes “
“So, ready for some food and fun,”
Denice said as she looked in on Eva.
“I think so I just hope that husband of
mine is coping with the others.”
“I’m sure Andy is fine if you are
worried about anyone, think about Adam and Jan.”
“Oh yes the big pow-wow on how much
Eleanor is going to get her own way. I put fifty on the outcome with Sandy.”
“Joining her books? One of us, Eva, One
of us “
9 pm
Sandy had to smile as she saw her
mother, Glanda, Paulie and Lee dancing on the floor, their short skirts barely
covering their bottoms.
“You know, a year or two ago she would have
disapproved so much of that sort of thing.”
“I know lover,” Sandy said as she looked
at Heather, “but she has seemed a bit more serious today, and so has Paulie. I
wonder what has happened.”
“Maybe it’s to do with the two men
looking at them,” Heather said as Sandy looked over at the Bar.
“I saw Sands avoiding the look of one of
them earlier today,” Sandy said quietly, and then she saw Sands dancing with
Holly on the floor next to George and Katy. She also saw Krystal watching from the
side before the two men walked over.
“Well now who
do we have here,” Steve said as he looked at Dave. George looked at both of
them, and said “is there something we can do for you?”
“We want a
dance with your ladies are you going to object?”
“I might
object,” Sands said in a quiet voice.
“You certainly
did not yesterday,” Dave said with a grin.
“Gentlemen,”
Katy said quietly, “we’re saying no. Walk away.”
“Oh the
bubblehead supermodel says no,” Steve said as he made a move to her only for
George to grab his arm and say “No.”
“Sister?”
“I see it,”
Maisha said as she stood up, and stared to make her way over, noticing Krystle
as she walked over as well.
“I think they
told you no,” she said as she stood next to Katy, while George stood beside
Sands.
“And what abut
the pocket rocket here,” Dave said as he grabbed Holly’s arm. Sands growled as
Krystle put her hand on her shoulder and then she heard Britt say “hey,
asshole.”
Dave turned
round and then fell to the floor as Britt’s right hook hit him square on the
jaw. Steve gawped at her and then fell to the ground himself as Krystle drove
her knee into his groin.
“You lot all
right,” she said as she looked at Holly and the others.
“Yeah what
about these two?”
“Security will
take care of them come and sit with us.”
“Well, that was
interesting,” Heather said quietly.
Sunday 18th
December
7 am
Stowe
“Hey,” Holly
said as Brett came into the main area, “I didn’t get the chance to thank you
for last night glad to see the Nunnery still generates fighters.”
“Yeah those
guys were real jerks,” Brett said quietly, “but I’m surprised at Krystle -she
really floored that jerk.”
“She did,”
Holly said quietly, “pity she had to leave already.”
“She did?”
“Yeah early
this morning apparently she had to drive back for a shoot today,” Holly said as
she put her skies down.
“Good morning
darlings,” Kylie said as she walked in from outside with Marina, “it is a
beautiful day outside, and - Diana?”
“Good morning,”
Diana said as she removed her coat, “has anyone started to prepare breakfast
yet?”
“Mama? Were you
out all night,” Abby said as she came in.
“I was talking
with an old friend and we lost track f time, no more, no less,” Diana said with
a smile as she headed to the kitchen, only to stop as she saw Juliette and
Sandy at the stove.
“Oh THERE you
are,” Juliette said with a smile, “nice talk?”
“ A long one I
noticed some police cars heading to the centre on my way in. Has something
happened?”
“Let me find
out,” Sandy said, but before she could move there was a knock on the chalet
door. Juliette raised an eyebrow as she went out, returning with an officer.
“Apologies for
the interruption ladies,” he said as he touched his cap, “I am told I can find
a Grace Brand here?”
“I’m Grace
Brand,” the blonde said as she came in with Harriet, “can I help you?”
“Is there
somewhere we can talk?”
“It’s all right
what do you have to say?”
He removed his
hat as he said “Well, a body was discovered this morning near the end of one of
the ski runs. He has been identified from a driving licence on him I have to
inform you he was identified as Bruce Brand “
Harriet caught
grace as she slumped into a chair, Juliette saying “that was why the police
cars were heading to the centre?”
“Yes and no.
The bodies of two young men were also found behind the club they had been shot “
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