After speaking with his grandmother, John replaced the receiver and turned to Pearl, his eyes brimming with tears again. ‘Gran can’t get hold of Kevin, and she’s in a terrible state. She … she’s all on her own and it doesn’t seem right. Do you think Dad would run me down to see her?’ he asked anxiously.
‘Yes, on Sunday,’ Pearl nodded. ‘Though she may have got hold of Kevin by then.’
‘He might have been telling the truth about going abroad and I don’t want to wait until Sunday. If Dad will take me I’d like to go to Gran’s now. If not, I could go by train. She needs me and perhaps I could stay with her for a while.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that, darling.’
‘Please, Mum. School breaks up in about ten days so it’s not as if I’ll miss much.’
‘I … I’m not sure.’ Pearl stammered as she desperately sought the right words. ‘Your gran can be a little unstable and I’m not sure you’d cope.’
‘I know she takes pills, but Gran has always been nice and kind to me when I’m there. It’s never worried you before when I went to see her.’
Pearl floundered, still unsure, and said, ‘Darling, you’d be alone with her.’
‘What difference does that make?’ John cried, and then tears began to flow in earnest, ‘Please, Mum, I haven’t seen Gran for ages and I feel rotten about it. The last time Gr … Granddad was here he wanted me to go back with him, but … but I wouldn’t.’
Pearl could see how guilty John felt, and was torn in two. ‘Let me talk to Derek,’ she said. ‘I’ll ask him to run you down to your gran’s and if he thinks she’s stable, that you’ll be fine with her, you can stay for a couple of nights, but no more.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘If you stay, I want you to promise that you’ll ring me immediately if … if your gran becomes difficult.’
‘I’m sure she won’t, but yes, I promise.’
Pearl went to have a word with Derek, and when he said he’d make sure that Dolly was stable, she felt reassured.
To begin with, Kevin had his foot down on the accelerator, but then, realising that he might be pulled for speeding, he slowed down. He didn’t think Rupert would dob him in – sure his parting threat had been enough to ensure his silence – but he’d had to run off empty-handed and Kevin was beginning to panic.
If he went back to Adrianna without any money, she’d bugger off, and he didn’t want that. He’d played the gent, kept his hands off her, and it had been a bit of a shock to his system to realise that the feelings he’d had in the past, the need to dominate, to punish women, hadn’t arisen with Adrianna. It was different this time – he wanted her willing, and when he finally took her it would be with triumph. He’d have taken Vincent Chase’s property, without forcing her, and though the bastard might not be around to see it, he would still savour that sweet taste of revenge.
Kevin made a swift decision. He would have to take a chance, go back to Rupert’s, and he swung the wheel to change his direction. It didn’t take long to get there and he pulled into a quiet road, deciding to give it an hour to make sure the coast was clear.
With the engine off, Kevin’s thoughts turned to his father. So he was dead. It was just a shame that it hadn’t happened earlier, before the old git had been to see Rupert. His father had ruined everything, putting doubts in Rupert’s mind and scuppering all his carefully laid plans. Kevin’s only regret was that his father had died before he could punish him.
He found his head beginning to ache again, so he slumped low in the seat and closed his eyes, deciding to pass the time by having a little nap, but the nap turned into a long one and it was nearly two hours later before he woke up again. Kevin rubbed his eyes, his mouth dry, but then saw the time. He had to get Rupert to the bank before it closed, so gunning the engine to life, he put his foot down hard on the accelerator and sped off.
When Kevin arrived at Rupert’s, he found he couldn’t get in. He rang the bell, thumped on the door with his fist, and then looked through the letterbox. There was no sign of Rupert and startled by a voice, Kevin turned.
‘Rupert isn’t there. He’s gone away.’
It was the elderly lady who lived next door, her equally elderly poodle on a pink, leather lead studded with diamantes. ‘How do you know?’
‘’Because, young man, I saw him leaving with a suitcase and he told me.’
‘Where has he gone?’
‘I have no idea and I’m not one to pry. Now if you’ll excuse me, Fifi has had her walk and now she’ll be expecting her dinner.’
Kevin’s jaws locked in anger as he watched her walk away. Rupert had done a runner, and with no idea where he’d gone it would be impossible to find him. He’d failed, and seething, Kevin got into his car and drove off, his mind desperately trying to think of an alternative way to get his hands on some money.
He drove aimlessly, but then his hands tightened on the steering wheel. His mother! With the old man out of the way she’d have control of their money – but how long would it take before she could get her hands on it?
For now, Kevin knew he had to get back to Dover before dark. If he didn’t Adrianna would leave. He drove steadily, and as he reached the hotel, it at last hit him. He’d get some money out of his mother, but that wasn’t all. His father had said he’d make him his heir, and that meant he’d inherit the house.
Kevin was smiling as he got out of his car. He’d flog the house of course, and though it might take a little time, he’d find somewhere secluded to lie low with Adrianna, a place well out of the way, where he’d at last be able to explore the delights of her body.
Derek drove to Dolly’s place, and though he didn’t have any time for the woman, he’d promised Pearl that he’d stay long enough to make sure it was safe to leave John with her. There were times when Derek felt Pearl should loosen the apron strings on John, but recent events had made her tighten them. He understood and didn’t blame her. When it came to Kevin and his mother, he too was wary.
John had rung Dolly to say they were coming and when they arrived Derek pulled John’s suitcase from the boot, and then stood behind him as he knocked on the door. When Dolly opened it, she not only greeted John warmly, she welcomed Derek in too. When they stepped inside Derek saw a middle-aged man sitting at her table.
‘Here they are, doctor,’ she said to him. ‘I told you my family were coming. This is Derek, and this young man is my grandson.’
The man eyed the suitcase in Derek’s hand and then rose to his feet, smiling. ‘It’s nice to meet you.’
‘Nice to meet you too, doc,’ Derek returned.
‘I’m sure you’re busy, and as you can see, I won’t be alone now,’ Dolly said, ushering the man to the door.
‘Yes, I had an unusually packed surgery and then several house calls to make, hence the lateness of the hour,’ he said, stepping outside.
‘Good night, doctor,’ Dolly said and swiftly closed the door.
Derek’s eyebrows rose, but she turned to him to say, ‘Derek, it was good of you to drive John here. You must have something to drink before you leave. What can I get you?’
‘A coffee would be nice if you’ve got any. I’m uh … really sorry for your loss,’ Derek said awkwardly.
‘Thank you for your condolences,’ Dolly said, then headed for the kitchen.
‘Your gran doesn’t seem to be in a state,’ he said quietly to John. ‘She seems calm enough now.’
‘I might know why,’ John said and when Dolly returned, he asked, ‘Gran, when I rang you, had you taken your pills?’
‘No, I’m afraid not, but I have now.’
‘That’s good, but you mustn’t forget them again,’ John said firmly.
‘I know, dear,’ Dolly acquiesced.
Derek was impressed by John’s maturity. The lad had also promised to ring if there were any problems, and if he did, Derek would drop everything to drive down here like a shot.
When Dolly handed him a cup of coffee, he thanked her, and then watched as she fussed over John. It was obvious that she was very fond of him. Derek felt reassured, and left twenty minutes later, after telling John that he’d pick him up on Sunday.
As he was driving home to Battersea, Derek had no idea that someone else was on their way to Dolly’s place. If he had, he would have done a swift U-turn and driven straight back.