Disclaimer not mine. Sorry for the delay in updating. Real life got in the way!
Awakening.
Emma woke to find Mickey's arm laying heavily across her waist. She smiled slightly as she looked up to face him. He looked as though he was still sound asleep and she really didn't have the heart to wake him. Instead she decided to watch him for a few moments before waking him. She couldn't resist reaching out and running a finger along his jaw before running it down his arm. It was then his eyes opened.
"Hi." He smiled as she looked down.
"Sorry."
"Why?"
"For waking you."
"Emm, I was already awake." He smiled as she raised her eyes to his.
"You knew?"
"That you were awake and watching me? Yeah." She shook her head slightly.
"Well, we should get up then. Call Ash." She tried to get up but couldn't help but smile as Mickey refused to move, instead tightening his hold on her.
"Nah." He smiled at her. "Not yet. I'm enjoying the view."
Emma rolled her eyes as she felt him move nearer to her. She knew it wasn't like her to be awake so early but it was a big day. She had to make sure everything went to plan. Instead she smiled as Mickey began tracing lazy circles on her back. Mickey grew quiet as she snuggled up to him and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"We go home later."
"Yes." Emma smiled, she was looking forward to seeing the old place again. It was then she realised what Mickey was saying. "This is our last morning like this isn't it?" She was suddenly crestfallen. She felt her heart constrict as she closed her eyes.
"In Cardiff, yeah." Mickey ran a finger along her arms, smiling when he noticed the goosebumps he caused. "But we can work something out, when we are home. If you want."
"I'd like that." She opened her eyes as Mickey smiled. "But we have to get through today first."
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Ash sat at the table thinking about the day ahead. His coffee lay untouched in front of him. It had to work, the sale had to be seen to be legit. He looked up as Albert walked in to the room.
"Morning Ash." He smiled slightly as he picked up his own drink.
"Yeah." Ash nodded as he looked up.
"You ready for this Albert? Your mate ready to help out with this?"
"Yes." He nodded as he sat down. "Myfanwy is going to meet me in the resteraunt downstairs at lunchtime."
"How do you know 'er anyway?" Ash knew Albert had a story behind most things in his life. Usually shared them whether you really wanted to know or not. Albert shook his head, he knew he had been coy as regards his friendship with the welsh woman but he had decided the team didn't need to know.
"I met her along time ago. No need to worry Ash, she is trustworthy." Albert set his cup on the table. "She will meet me and then we will meet Mickey in the Bay before our targets arrive."
"Right." Ash stood up and walked away from the table. "Where's Sean hiding? Please dun tell me he pulled that welsh bird from the hotel?"
"The lovely Leanne? No I think she had eyes for Eddie! Seems she likes the Scouse accent." Albert smiled and shook his head as Sean emerged from his room scratching his head as he blinked the sleep away from his eyes.
"Morning." He yawned as Ash and Albert exchanged glances.
"Leanne preferred Eddie? I can't imagine why looking at that" He pointed at Sean who's jaw hung open. "Get dressed you moron, we ain't got long to sort this out once and for all."
"Eddie. She went off with Eddie!" He shook his head and headed towards the bathroom. Albert chuckled to himself as he checked the time. There had been no sign of Eddie and he couldn't help but wonder where the affable Liverpudlian had got too. He also couldn't help but wonder what was happening with Mickey and Emma. He hoped she had taken his advice.
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The Cardiff rain had given way to sunshine as Mickey took his seat at the tables outside the cafe. He smiled as Albert put the newspaper he was reading away. He waited a moment before turning to the waterfront as seagulls swooped towards the water.
"Did Eddie buy the tickets?"
"Of course. Ash has them." Albert answered. "And Mickey, are you ok with this? Can you keep your temper?"
"Albert. I will be nothing if not professional. The mark is the mark, same as always." Mickey's calm voice did nothing to calm Albert's fears.
"I see." He answered. "You and I both know that isn't quite the truth. This is personal."
"I can do this Albert."
"And you know Ash and Emma are here. Is that going to make a difference? If the Russian sees her?" Albert stared at the younger man,
"I know." Mickey clenched his teeth. "No Albert. You know as well as I do the convincer has already worked. It's just the end game now."
"Good. Good. " Albert nodded as he saw Sean take a seat at the table a few feet away from them. "Here we go." He stood up and watched as the Russian and his henchmen walked towards them.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." Albert stood and shook the Russian's hand as Sean began to stare at them. Mickey shook his head slightly as Sean looked away.
"I thought the lovely Emma was joining us today." The Russian asked as Mickey fought the urge to punch him.
"Ah yes." Albert shrugged. "She will be here shortly. Delayed unexpectantly. Seems we have some rather disturbing family business that I shall have to attend to when we finish here today."
"Really? I am sorry to hear that."
"Thankyou. My niece, Charlotte may be joining her. So I'd be thankful if it wasn't mentioned. Silly girl got caught up in some nasty business." Albert shot Mickey a warning look.
"Children, such worries. Now can we get down to business?"
"Of course." Albert was relieved Mickey had remained silent. He pulled the deeds Ash had created out of his inside jacket pocket as Mickey rested his elbows on the table.
"The money is all there." Borienskov smiled as he placed the black leather briefcase on the table. Albert nodded.
"I won't be so crude as to check. I trust you'll find everything in this envelope to your satisfaction." Albert smiled as he saw Myfanwy walk towards him.
"Hi." She smiled as she kissd him on the cheek before sitting next to him. "Sorry I'm late. Our Charl was in such a state."
"No problem my love." Albert squeezed her hand as he saw Emma and Ash take a seat next to Sean. "But I think the majority of business is complete. I just need to get this gentleman's signiture along with yours."
"Oh, where do I sign?" Myfanwy asked.
"Here." Albert pointed to the piece of paper. "That's if you are sure."
"Oh honey, I'm sure I want rid of all this. It has been nothing but a curse." She sighed as she took the pen.
"Curse?"
"Oh superstitious nonsense I assure you."
"You should tell the man." Mickey glared. "He should know the legend."
"What legend?"
"Oh it is nonsense really it is. Emma my love you are so superstitious."
"It states." Myfanwy began. "Probably nonsense but I think you should know. The owner of the conservatory has to have a guilt free past. The sins come back to haunt you. My grandfather killed a man in World War One. Not as a soldier but he murdered him. Awful awful thing. Anyway when it came to him owning that place he saw nothing but the dead man. It drove him insane. My mother always told me he would have got away with the murder but the vision of the man everywhere he went drove him mad. He confessed and was hanged in Cardiff prison when my mother was a girl." She shook her head slightly. Albert was amazed at her acting skills.
"And you sign here." Ash leant over his shoulder as the Russian fell silent. He daren't look round.
"Do you need a pen?" Emma asked sweetly as she held out a biro. The Russian fell silent as Emma and Albert continued to ignore their friends.
"You!" Borenskov yelled as Mickey rested a hand on his arm.
"I think you'd better sign."
"Yeah. Think of it as compensation." Ash bent to his ear and rested a hand on each of his shoulders. Myfanwy pushed her chair back as Emma walked to stand in front of him.
"Looks like you have seen a ghost." She glared as Sean reached them.
"ALL THIS FOR MONEY!" The Russian man yelled.
"No." Emma glared. "Not about money at all, about making sure a bully and a thug doesn't win."
"You little slag." Mickey had enough and was about to lunge across the table when Emma rested a hand on his back.
"As I said. None of this was about the money. It never was but I think my friend here will gladly accept your donation to her charity." She picked up the briefcase and handed it to Myfanwy.
"Let's go." Albert stood as the group all walked towards the car where Eddie was waiting from behind the wheel of the people carrier he had hired.
Mickey took Emma's hand as they walked towards the car. He fought the urge to look back over his shoulder. He had a feeling even though the con had gone the way he wanted it to the whole deal was far from over.
A/N Please review. Is Mickey right to be worried?