Chapter 10: Friends or Enemies?
THREE DAYS LATER
"Lionel and Alexis went on date?! He's really grown on her", Clarisse said with laugh.
"Yes. It seems so", Joseph said, chuckling over his coffee.
"And maybe you too?", Clarisse asked with a smile, "Don't think I haven't noticed that you have been getting along with him these past few days"
"He hasn't been screwing up for once", Joseph said with a shrug.
"You look at him differently now, knowing he grew up without parents. Don't you?"
"I'm a compassionate person. I suppose it does explain some things. He still has a long way to go before he's a top guard, but he is trying. He's doing a good job with Alexis. I'm just trying to give the kid a brake"
Clarisse smiled at him, "You're a good man Joseph"
"Anyhow, I am not sure you could say they had a date. He bought dinner and brought it up to her"
"Wilkes still won't let Alexis leave the house? That must be driving her crazy!"
"According to Lionel, they are going into Manhattan tomorrow. Eloise has gone with Kay on a trip and Alexis wants to do some Christmas shopping"
"Do you think that is wise?"
"The girl has to live", he said with a shrug, "Lionel will be with her, as well as Roger. It should be fine"
"I remember when you never used to let me do anything. Always so concerned that a sales girl from Bloomingdales would be preparing to assassinate me", she said with a laugh, "I know it was your job to guard me however. I always felt safe with you"
"I hope you still feel safe with me"
"Of course. I trust no one with my life more"
"It was a bit more then my job", he pointed out, "Watching the woman you love, who happens to be a high profile world leader, walk around in society not knowing when the next mad man is going to jump out, is a kind of torture I would wish on no one"
"I know darling. Our lives have never been easy... and they never will be"
"They'll be better. Very soon. I promise you. It's time we get to sit back and let someone else rule the country and attend every function under the sun"
"Yes. After we deal with Rosa... It's our time", she said with a smile
He took her hand over the table, just as Catherine walked in the door. She had a paper bag full of Groceries that she dropped on the table. She looked as if she had seen a ghost.
"Catherine? What happened?", Clarisse asked.
"Have you seen Nanny or Wilkes this morning?", Catherine asked them.
"I saw Wilkes' car leave early this morning when I was out front with the guards. I haven't seen him since", Joseph replied.
"Nanny was just out in her garden a few minutes ago. She gave us a big wave. I must say we were happy to see her in good spirits. She was so upset on Thanksgiving and we haven't seen her much since", Clarisse added.
"Well, her spirits won't be up for long", Catherine said, taking a seat.
"What are you talking about?", Clarisse asked.
"This can't be happening. It can't be true", Catherine said, closing her eyes.
"What can't be true? Don't tell me they stopped making Ding Dongs", Robert asked, looking through the bag.
"This is serious Robert", Catherine replied.
"You bet it is. I love those things! Oh good, here they are"
"What is going on Catherine?", Clarisse asked again.
Catherine exhaled, "I think Wilkes is having an affair"
Clarisse and Joseph looked back at her shocked, as Robert cracked up laughing.
"What is so funny?!", Catherine demanded.
"Wilkes? Have an affair? Wilkes! You're a riot Catherine", Robert replied.
"I must admit it does seem very unlikely. Despite this past week and a half, he and Nanny are so in love!", Clarisse commented.
"That is what I thought too... until I walked in on him kissing Emily"
"What?!", they all replied.
"On Thanksgiving. I was going to tell you Robert, but I wanted to be sure. I kept replying it in my mind, thinking maybe it was a friendly kiss... although it was on the lips. Wilkes has certainly never kissed ME on the lips, but he and Emily are very close..."
"Yeah, he better not kiss you on the lips", Robert commented.
Catherine continued, ignoring her husband, "But then this morning... I was at the market and heard the most awful rumor"
"You have to be very careful about rumors Catherine", Clarisse warned.
"I know, but I checked it out afterward and they were right"
"Who was right about what?", Robert asked.
"I overheard Margo, the woman that runs the market, telling Joyce Naslow, from across the lake... Oh! I hate even repeating it!"
"Come on Cath. You've got to tell us", Robert said, moving closer.
"Apparently Wilkes' car was at that little dive of a motel at the top of the hill on Friday morning and again on Saturday... and again this morning!"
"What?", Robert asked, "There's no way"
"I saw it Robert!"
"A car that LOOKED like Wilkes' maybe"
"Yes, and had Wilkes getting into it"
"You saw HIM", Robert asked.
Catherine nodded, "I still feel sick. He came out of one of those little rooms and I am fairly certain... no, I am SURE that he leaned back in to kiss someone goodbye"
"My God", Clarisse replied, "I NEVER would have guessed"
"He got in the car and drove away. I didn't see any other cars around. So then I went to the front desk and asked about it. The manager wouldn't confirm that it was him, but he did tell me that the guest had been in three mornings in a row and had only stayed a couple of hours"
"Who do you think he's meeting there?", Joseph asked.
"Emily! I'm sure of it now", Catherine replied.
"She doesn't strike me as a motel type", Joseph pointed out.
"Definitely not", Clarisse agreed.
"But neither is Wilkes. Perhaps that is the point. They feel they won't get caught there", Catherine supposed, "Robert, what do you think?"
"What do I think? ...I think I'm gonna kill him!", Robert said as he began to pace the kitchen, "No. First I'll brake his nose. Then I'll kill him. What's the matter with him? Here we've trusted him and let him into our lives... Nanny is a good person. A damn good person! To hurt her like this... He is my best friend! Well... not any more!"
"Perhaps you should be certain before you brake anyone's nose", Joseph suggested.
"Joseph's right", Catherine said, thinking about it, "It is not enough to see him leaving the scene. We need to catch him in the act. Then once we are certain we can tell Nanny... and brake her heart! Oh my poor chum"
"How are we going to catch him?", Robert asked, "Seems like you got as close to the scene as you can get"
"He gets the same room every morning", Catherine replied, "We'll get there first. You can pick the lock and we can hide in the room"
"I don't know Catherine", Robert said, thinking it over.
"For Nanny. We have to know for sure"
"It's a really strange thing to do Cath..."
"Nanny would do anything for me. I intend to do the same for her"
"Alright", Robert agreed, after thinking for another moment, "Tomorrow morning"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
LATER THAT NIGHT
"Sounds like things are a bit more peaceful over at your place then", Clarisse said to Wilkes and Nanny, as the group sipped their coffee after dinner.
"A bit, yes. We still 'ave Alexis, Lionel, 'enry and Katie with us, but having all the children gone makes it a bit more peaceful. Not to mention 'illary and Kay who act like children for Lord's sake! I am embarrassed sometimes that I 'ad a 'and in raising those two"
"That's not your fault Nanny", Catherine replied, "Some people are just spoiled, especially people who come from wealth. They think they can have anything they want whenever they want no matter who it hurts!"
Wilkes noticed Catherine was looking at him, but no. He must have been mistaken.
"It is no trouble having Lionel and Alexis. Of course we still want to get to the bottom of this stalker business...", Nanny added.
"No updates there. The guards have seen nothing", Joe replied, "I have a feeling Lionel may be wanted to guard her for the rest of her life however"
"They are kind of cute together, aren't they?", Nanny said with a smile, "They're going Christmas shopping tomorrow"
"I'm a bit nervous about that", Wilkes admitted, "What do you think Joseph?"
"I think she has to live. Lionel will be by her side and Roger will follow them. As I told Clarisse this morning, I should think it will be fine"
"I wish I could simply keep everyone I love under my wings so that no one could harm them", Wilkes said with a sigh.
"Yeah, they'd be safe from harm then!", Catherine said sarcastically.
"I bet you will be happy when the Duke and Katie leave", Robert added quickly, after shooting Catherine a look.
"Yes!", Wilkes said with a laugh, "Just a few more days. Isn't that right sweetheart"
"For sure, sure, sure", she sad with a sigh of relief.
The others nodded politely.
"Well, we had better get going", Wilkes said, looking at the time, "I have an early morning tomorrow"
"Oh? Doing what?", Catherine asked.
"Oh... err, golf game"
"Oh yeah? Maybe Robert can join you", Catherine said, looking Wilkes in the eye.
"No. No. I am already paired up. Perhaps next time"
"Who are you playing with?", Catherine pursued.
"Oh... err"
"It doesn't matter Cath. Let's let them get home and get some rest", Robert said, thinking Catherine was being too obvious.
"Sure thing", Catherine said to Wilkes, before turning to Nanny, "I love you Nanny!", she said, hugging her tightly.
"Oh!", Nanny said with a laugh, almost falling over, "I love you too chum. See you tomorrow everyone"
"Goodnight"
"Night"
"Bye now", Joseph said to Nanny and Wilkes, before he let the guards know they were locking the door for the night. He locked the door and turned back to the others, "I don't understand it. They looked so happy tonight"
"That doesn't mean anything. She's happy because he's in a good mood and they are getting along and he's happy because he's getting... well, you know", Robert pointed out.
"Robert!", Catherine scolded.
"Well, I'm just saying it explains their moods"
"He was certainly lying about the golf game", Joseph commented.
"Clearly", Clarisse agreed, but feeling this was all a bit out of the realm of their business, added, "perhaps we should turn in darling"
"Sure", Joseph said, taking her hand.
"Night", Catherine and Robert said to the other couple.
"Goodnight", they replied, as they left hand in hand.
"Well, looks like it is just you and I", Robert said to his wife.
"You know I am not going to be able to sleep tonight", Catherine said, taking a seat on the sofa in front of the fire.
"Oh yeah?", Robert asked, arching an eyebrow.
She gave him a look that told him not to push his luck.
"Sorry", he said.
"Don't be. You're one of the good ones. Come here"
Robert sat beside her and draped her legs over his lap, "There might be a reasonable explanation"
Catherine gave him a look that said she very much doubted that.
"Alright. Probably not. Life is going to change. That's for sure"
"She's keeping that house! If he even THINKS about taking it from her..."
"They may stay together. People do move past this kind of thing"
"I wouldn't!"
"I'll keep that in mind for future reference", he said seriously.
She smacked his arm and he caught her hand, before bringing them down to a laying position and kissing her. It wasn't a passionate kiss, though not boring either. It was an embrace that expressed safety and love.
"Why can't all men be gentlemen like yourself? ", she asked when the kiss broke.
"Can I get that on a tape recorder?"
She smiled at him, playfully smacking his arm, "No, but you can get the scrabble board and a bottle of wine"
OOOOOOOOOOO
THE NEXT MORNING
"Hurry up! He'll be here soon!", Catherine said as Robert walked over. He had parked the car in the shopping plaza across the street.
"Wow. This place is a dump!", Robert said as Catherine shut the motel door behind them.
"Were you expecting it to be nice?! Where should we hide?"
"Gees. I don't know. Do you really want to touch ANYTHING in this room?"
"Robert be serious!"
"I am!", he said, looking around.
"How about the bathroom?", she suggested.
"One of them may go in there, but maybe in the shower?"
"Alright", she agreed and they made their way to the bathroom shower.
Upon opening the curtain and looking inside, Catherine closed it again immediately.
"Pretty nasty!", Robert commented.
"Where now?", Catherine asked.
They walked back out to the main room and Robert walked over to a closet. He turned the knob, but nothing happened.
"Locked", he replied.
"There IS nowhere else!"
"There is one more place", he said, pointing to the bed.
"Under the bed?!"
"Yep"
"Robert, no! That's the last place I want to be once they... begin"
"Well, we can go in the bathroom and hope they don't have to pee!"
"She'll have to pee! Trust me", Catherine replied.
"Well then it's under the bed or we forget the whole thing"
Their minds were made up for them when they heard a key in the door. Catherine froze, her eyes fixed on Robert, who grabbed her hand and rushed to the bed. Catherine slid under easily, but it took Robert a bit longer to maneuver himself underneath. He had just managed to get under when the door opened.
"Here we are", Wilkes said as he closed the door, "This door really sticks. I am sorry that this place is so, you know, shabby... but at least no one suspects we are here"
Catherine's nails dug into the carpet. How dare he! Robert struggled with the smell of the carpet below his nose. He wasn't sure how long he could stay under there.
"Let me take your coat", Wilkes said.
Catherine and Robert heard the rust of them taking of their coats off. Followed by the unmistakable sound of two people kissing. It went on for quite a while, Catherine's anger rising closer and closer to the surface all the while.
"You're so beautiful", Wilkes said in between kisses, "I could barely sleep last night thinking about this morning"
"Are you alright?", Robert whispered to Catherine, seeing her face turn bright red.
Catherine nodded, thinking about how satisfying the smack of her hand across Emily's face was going to be once she came out.
"You're so quiet on these mornings", Wilkes said, followed by the sound of more kissing.
They heard some muffled whispers, followed by Wilkes moaning just a bit and continuing in a quieter tone, "Well, certainly. I wouldn't want to take your attention away from that"
Wilkes was wearing suit pants and dress shoes. Emily, brown flat heeled boots that came up to below her knee and panty hose. They couldn't see above that, but she presumably had a skirt on. Their feet shuffled a bit closer to the bed and Catherine gulped. Should they come out now? No, they would wait a little bit longer to REALLY catch them in the act. That way their was no lies about what they were doing there. Robert saw them getting closer and shook his head. He couldn't believe he was doing this.
"Do you think anyone knows?", Wilkes asked, when they stopped a few feet from the bed.
Emily must have shook head, because they heard Wilkes reply that he didn't think so either. Before the sound of more deep kisses. Catherine looked at Emily's legs then. She smiled to herself, noticing that Emily was putting on weight. Wilkes then suggested that he put some music on. He stepped away to the bedside table and put some soft music on the little clock radio. Mean while, Emily walked to the bed and sat down. She took off one boot and then the other, before her legs swung up onto the bed out of sight.
"Comfortable?", Wilkes asked, approaching the bed, "You know, even in a room like this you look so classy, so beautiful"
Catherine and Robert heard more kissing, as Wilkes bent over the bed. Catherine had to fight the urge to kick him as hard as she could in the ankle. They then heard a whispered giggle from Emily, followed by a pair of pantyhose floating to the ground. Wilkes kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed with her. More kissing. His belt landed on the floor next, followed by his pants. They would need to make their move soon. Catherine had no interest in actually hearing them do, what they were clearly there to do.
"I remember the first time I saw you", Wilkes said through his kisses, "Seems like yesterday, though it was years ago"
Catherine rolled her eyes at Robert.
"We have to do it soon", Robert whispered to her.
Catherine put her finger up. She wanted to wait one more moment. After all the pain they were causing poor Nanny they deserved to be humiliated, she reasoned.
"I love the way you do that", Wilkes said after another moment,seeming to be enjoying himself quite a bit.
"Catherine...", Robert whispered, starting to feel very uncomfortable. He had to get out of there.
Catherine was about to agree when the bed shifted above them.
"I'll be right back", Wilkes said, "We forgot to put down the silk sheets. God only knows what is living on these sheets"
They saw Emily's feet get out of bed then and Wilkes protest that no, he would have gotten them. She shushed him, kissing him before she she crossed the room to where their things were.
"When she gets back in", Catherine whispered in Robert's ear.
Robert nodded in reply. They watched as Emily's feet came back to the bed. She was doing a little tip toe dance, probably not wanting to put he bare feet on the carpet for too long Robert reasoned. After smelling it for the last ten minutes, he didn't think he would be eating any time soon. Catherine noticed what big feet Emily had. Why they were almost as big as Nanny's. Emily went a little to far to the right then, stubbing her toe.
"Aoww! My sainted Aunt Fanny!"
Catherine's and Robert's eyebrows shot up as they looked at each other.
"Are you alright sweetheart?", Wilkes asked from the bed.
"Aoww, yes, yes, yes. I just stubbed my toe. I'll be alright love", she said as she reentered the bed.
"It's Nanny!", Robert whispered to Catherine.
"Yes", Catherine said, her mouth forming into a smile, "Oh, I am SO happy!"
Robert looked at her, not believing what he was hearing.
"Catherine... it's Nanny!"
"I know", she replied.
"Our FRIENDS, whom are MARRIED and doing absolutely NOTHING wrong are about to share a very private and personal moment... to which we are about to hear every second of!", he whispered as quietly as possible.
"Let's get out", Catherine said, about to slide out of her side. He grabbed hold of her before she did.
"How the heck are we going to explain this?!", Robert hissed.
The bed above them started to make some suspicious little creeks and Catherine knew it was now or never.
"Stop!", she shouted.
"Oh God", Robert said, placing his hands over his face. He was never going to be able to face Wilkes again.
Above them, they heard Wilkes say, "What on earth!"
"I think there's someone under there!", Nanny said to Wilkes.
"Don't be alarmed", Catherine continued, thinking how frightened she would be if she thought someone was under her bed, "It is just... Robert and Catherine"
She covered her own face then. Trying to think of what on earth she and Robert were going to tell them in way of an explanation.
TO BE CONTINUED...