MODS & ROCKERS - CHAPTER 33
Edward
I've been to Jasper's mother's apartment several times before but I'm always astounded by the sheer opulence that's on show just in the golden foyer and the sparkling glass-walled elevators. Alice and Bella can't stop giggling all the way up to the penthouse, and I'm pretty certain from the looks they're being given, that the concierge presumes we've picked up a couple of street girls for a bit of fun. I'd taken on board what Bella said about girls and women still being seen as second class citizens and men not noticing when it happens in front of their eyes. I'm now determined to make sure Bella is treated with respect whenever she's with me so I make a mental note to make sure the concierge is aware that Alice and Bella are our girlfriends, before he makes any sort of snide comment that once spoken can never be retracted.
When we get into the apartment, Alice takes Bella on the grand tour and I can hear lots of oooh's and aaaah's, especially from the bathrooms which have more marble on show than Versailles. I'm actually relieved Bella has this as a distraction as the day so far has been doom and gloom. The interview process was traumatic for both of us, but I'm relieved I'm now fully aware of what Bella has been through. If James knew what I was feeling right now though, he would be praying the police catch him first because at this moment in time I actually want to kill him.
After Jasper makes us all sandwiches for lunch which we eat on the apartment's private open air terrace that overlooks Hyde Park, the four of us take a stroll over to the Serpentine for some light relief. It's a gloriously sunny afternoon so we hire two rowing boats and have races up and down the widest section of the lake. I whoop Jasper's arse of course because I rowed for Cambridge, but only for their Goldie crew. (I don't tell him though). Alice almost fell in the lake when she tried to grab hold of one of my oars as we passed one another, and we end up being shouted out by the guy who's in charge of the boats as we're making too much noise trying to soak each other, and, to be honest, behaving like juveniles. After our time is up and we're called in, we make our way over to the lakeside cafe, still laughing because all of us are wet through. We sit outside having coffee and cake while we dry ourselves off in the sunshine and Alice tells us about her photoshoot in her usual ebullient way.
"It was amazing," she proclaims excitedly. "The photographer took hundreds of pictures of me looking up, looking down, looking sideways, with pout, without pout, hand on face, hand on head, with hat, without hat; it was great fun."
"Was Barbara there?" Bella asks.
"Yes, she was there the whole time. She told me that when she saw how I'd done my hair and make-up in Brighton, she knew she'd found the 'look' she'd been searching for to go with the clothes. She says I'm a modern version of the 1920's 'flapper'. She's planning to use my face for some of her promotions, but she'll also show them to her in-house artist and ask her to copy my style when she's drawing fashions for the catalogue. My dad said I should patent my image, but I don't think you can do that, can you?"
I told her I wasn't certain whether she could because company or business law wasn't my avenue, but I told her to get some legal advice and I knew someone she could talk to. She hadn't signed a contract yet, and it was not as if she'd ever need the money because of Jasper's wealth, but business is business and she needed to know what her rights were.
When we've dried out, Bella and I leave Jasper and Alice at the café saying we'll be back at the apartment at about six o'clock and then we could go and have dinner somewhere. We walk hand in hand back to Park Lane where I hail a taxi and ask to be taken to the rough end of Tottenham Court Road where there are several car showrooms. The cab drops us off near the Ford dealers and we have a look at the Anglia's and Cortina's, but they don't impress me at all.
The next showroom is Triumph cars but we walk straight past the showroom without going in. Their two-seat sports cars are awesome but their four-seat models are old fashioned, unreliable and boring, and I definitely want four seats if we plan to go out with friends. I intended by-passing the Austin showroom as well, but Bella takes root on the pavement and refuses to budge as she wants me to look at the Mini's.
"I don't want a Mini," I plead. "They're stupid little cars with no oooomph! They sound like a spin dryer and don't go above sixty."
"Please," she begs. "Just go in and look at them for me, will you, Edward."
"Just for you," I say reluctantly so I follow her into the showroom where we're greeted by an enthusiastic young salesman obviously eager for his commission. I go straight to the point.
"My girlfriend wants me to buy a Mini. I'm not convinced. What's the fastest one you've got?"
I thought the guy was about to have an orgasm when I say that as he eye-rolls before rubbing his hands with glee.
"Well, Sir, if speed is your thing, then I'm sure you'd be interested in the Cooper S, which is the souped-up version of the Mini Cooper which has just won the Monte Carlo Rally. It's incredibly fast and lively and great fun to drive. We happen to have one parked behind the showroom. It was only delivered two days ago and was ordered for a client who can't achieve the finance now, which means if you like it, you could buy it immediately rather than be on the waiting list for six months?"
"Six months?" I reply, trying not to sound too shocked.
"They're sought after cars, Sir. Would you like to test-drive it?"
Bella is nodding her head vigorously so I agree to give it a go, just to please her of course I say to myself, but to be totally honest I'm more than interested now.
We follow the salesman as he leads us through the showroom to a secure parking area at the back where there are several Mini's lined up in a row. My eyes are immediately drawn to a cherry-red one which looks different from the others. It seems slightly lower and wider than its neighbours and has different headlights and front grille. My first impression is that it looks as though it's ready to pounce on me, like a hunting cat, which takes me by surprise.
The salesman walks over to that very car and after opening the passenger door, tips the front seat forward so Bella can climb in the back. I have to move the driver's seat around to accommodate my long legs but get comfortable very quickly. When I've tested the pedals, I start the engine and wind the window down so I can listen to her engine, and I'm impressed that it actually sounds quite meaty, in other words nothing like what most Mini's sound like.
I gingerly move off and head towards the road, deciding to turn left and drive towards the City rather than the West End where the traffic is more congested. As soon as there's an opportunity to pull out, I put the car in first gear and roll it slowly onto the road, then put it in second gear, take my foot off the clutch while putting my other foot down hard on the accelerator. It moves so fast my head is flung backwards and I nearly hit the car in front of us.
"Fuuuuuuck" I yell and then apologise profusely to the salesman who had already taken the precaution of putting one hand on the dashboard and the other was gripping his seat. He's now grinning from ear to ear because he's obviously used to this reaction and is enjoying every minute of the thrill-ride. Bella is looking slightly shocked, but I can see the look of supreme satisfaction spreading over her face.
I slow right down and hang back until there's a nice long gap between us and the car in front, then put my foot down again and I'm blown away by the acceleration this little car can achieve. Also, being low to the ground, it feels as though we're going much faster than we actually are.
"This is fun," I admit as we belt along Tottenham Court Road and into the City. I can actually visualise myself driving this and it would easily fit into the stable with Tara and Sadie (until I sell them of course). I can see Bella grinning widely in my rear-view mirror which helps to make my mind up as this Mini would be 'our' car, rather than 'my' car.
I turn around at the earliest opportunity and drive it back to the showroom then park it in its original spot and help Bella from the back.
"Okay, I'll take it," I say to the salesman.
I thought he was going to kiss me when I said that.
We follow him into the showroom where we complete all the paperwork and I give him a cheque for the full amount. Unfortunately the cheque would have to clear before I can collect the car so I ask him to fit a radio, an eight-track stereo, some head restraints and seat belts before then as they're not standard equipment. Bella is hopping up and down with excitement by now and I'm delighted this has taken her mind off the events of the morning. The salesman assures me I would definitely have the car by next weekend which would give us something to look forward to.
We catch a bus to Park Lane then meet up with Jasper and Alice and have dinner with them in a nice little Italian restaurant which had just opened in one of the back streets. Neither Alice nor Bella had tried pizza before, so this was another first.
After we'd eaten, Bella brought us back down to earth and talked about moving in with Alice.
"I've decided I'm not going to lie to mum and dad. I'm going to tell them about the Rockers who assaulted me in Brighton and that they've come after Edward and the police have advised us both to live elsewhere until they're apprehended. I've never lied to my parents before, apart from silly little fibs when I was a kid, and I'm not going to start now. If we end up having to go to court, this will all come out and they'll know I didn't tell the truth which would hurt them."
She was right of course and it was the sensible path to take so we walked back to the apartment block and piled into the campervan and set off for Poplar.
I hold Bella in my arms for the whole journey. I'm yearning to make love to her again but that would have to wait a few more days. Keeping her safe was my number one priority now and speaking to her parents was the first step towards my goal.
Bella
Mum and dad occasionally go to the pub together on Saturday nights as they have a piano-player there and the locals have a sing-song. Nobody can do sing-songs as well as East Enders and all the old war-time anthems would be belted out and it all gets very nostalgic. Occasionally you'd get someone (usually drunk), who thinks he's Frank Sinatra and would sing solo until he was told to shut-up, but most of the time it's communal singing with lots of alcohol consumed to aid the vocal chords. I occasionally go with them and it's really good fun but I haven't been for a long while. Mum said this morning she'd be going tonight so not to forget to take my key, just in case I came home early.
I feel really nervous as we pull up outside my house. Thankfully the lights are on so mum and dad are already home and are probably watching a bit of TV before going to bed. I've warned Edward that dad will have had a drink, so he might be a bit more aggressive than usual. As we pile out onto the pavement, I stop everyone before we walk up the path as I want to lay some ground rules.
"I'll do the talking," I say firmly. "I know how they're going to react, so just follow my lead, please."
I open the door and call out it's me. I can hear mum getting up from her armchair so I dash in as I want to speak to them together.
"Mum, dad, something's happened and I need to speak to you both. Don't panic, we're all okay, but I'm going to move in with Alice for a while."
"What do you mean?" mum gasps. "Aren't you happy here?"
"Of course I'm happy, mum. Can you just listen to what I've got to say before jumping to conclusions? Alice, Jasper and Edward are here with me and they can back-up what I'm about to tell you." I draw a deep breath and launch into what happened in Brighton.
"Last weekend, Edward rescued me from being assaulted by a pack of Rockers. I told you what happened when we got home, but I admit I played down what happened a bit as I didn't want to worry you. To be honest it was slightly scarier than I told you; in fact it was terrifying. Edward recognised one of Rockers and he knows this man is dangerous and a bit crazy. We thought that would be the end of it, but he's come after Edward and we've informed the police who've advised us both to move addresses. This man has somehow found out where Edward lives so he's moving to Jasper's parent's apartment in London. Alice says I can stay with her until this man is arrested. When that happens I'll come home."
Dad jumps out of his chair when I've finished speaking and shouts for the others to come into the living room.
"How do you know this man, Edward?" he spits accusingly. "What type of people do you hang around with if he's as dangerous as you say he is?"
"I know him from the Ace Café…," he starts explaining but dad butts in.
"I've heard of the Ace Café; it's a rough place from what I've heard. Not the sort of location where lawyers hang about. What the hell were you doing in there?"
"I wouldn't call it rough at all. It's a place where genuine enthusiasts meet to talk about bikes. I've been going there ever since I bought my first bike when I left university. Rockers and Hells Angels congregate there, I admit, but most of the guys at the Ace have proper jobs and families and mortgages and are not trouble-makers at all. This man was banned from the Ace a few weeks ago as he is a troublemaker and we don't tolerate his sort there. He's just a violent thug disguised as a Rocker. He's after me in revenge for being barred as I instigated it, and also for rescuing Bella last weekend."
Dad turns to me and I can tell he's confused. He wants to be angry about the situation but he obviously realises my safety is the number one concern here.
"Alright, you can go, but I'm speaking to Alice's parents first to make sure they're there and they haven't gone off on holiday. There's going to be no hanky-panky going on, do you understand?"
"Dad!" I exclaim. "Edward has his own house and Jasper's got an empty apartment because his mum's away. If we wanted to get up to 'hanky-panky' as you call it, we wouldn't have to be sneaky about it. Can't you just trust me?"
Dad harrumphed but Edward cut in.
"Mr Swan, Bella is my number one priority now. She's more precious to me than you could ever imagine and I'll protect her with my life, as I'm sure you would too, and I would never disrespect her or put her at risk either."
"They're fine words, Edward, but I'm still concerned. Let's hope this man's caught before anything happens. You're staying here tonight, Bella. You can go to Alice's tomorrow."
"I'll get my dad to come over in the car in the morning, Mr Swan," Alice pipes up. "You can talk to him then about rules and boundaries. By the way, Jasper isn't allowed in my bedroom, so don't worry on that score."
"Okay, enough of that talk," dad chokes out and I can tell he's embarrassed about the 'bedroom' word. I was still his little girl and would remain so until he walked me down the aisle so I wasn't going to push it.
"We'll say goodnight then," Alice proclaims brightly. "We'll be around in the morning, okay?" and I nod in agreement as I push the three of them out of the living room. Jasper and Alice shoot into the campervan while I say a proper goodnight to Edward."
"I'm sorry it's come to this," he mumbles with his face in my hair as we cuddle for the last time of the night.
"Stop apologising," I reply firmly. "It's not your fault James is a head-case. Off you go and I'll see you tomorrow."
I give him one final kiss and stand on the step to wave him goodbye. As the campervan draws away, I can't help checking up and down the street for psychopaths hiding in the bushes, but there's no-one there so I close the door and sigh, then wander up to my lonely bedroom. As I lie in my bed unable to sleep, I work out that it's two exact months to the day since I caught Edward staring at me in Lyons, and now I cannot contemplate ever being able to live without him.
Sunday
Alice's father turns up just after eleven to collect me. While I'm loading the car up with my bags, he reassures dad that he'll 'keep an eye on me', which is dad-speak for 'no boys in the bedrooms'. Mum is quite tearful when I'm ready to leave and says she's been lying awake worrying about me all night, even though I could hear her snoring as I was lying awake all night worrying about Edward. One bit of good news though, our telephone is being installed on Monday morning and she already has the telephone number; POP 1305. I memorise it and promise to call her every day from Alice's when I get home from work.
When we arrive at Alice's, Jasper is already there. He tells me Edward has ridden over to Emmett's house this morning as he hasn't seen him since Brighton and wants to talk to him and some of the other Rockers about James. He'd be back in the afternoon and would meet us in Park Lane, so after dumping my stuff in the spare bedroom, we set off for Jasper's apartment and kill time wandering around Hyde Park and listening to members of the public ranting from their soap-boxes on Speaker's Corner.
While Jasper was listening to a chap called Anthony Wedgewood-Benn talking about the inequalities in society, Alice whispers in my ear.
"Bella, I think I'm pregnant."
I didn't think anything else would shock me after what has happened in the past few weeks, but Alice totally manages to render me speechless.
Edward
Jasper drops me off at the mews on his way to Alice's on Sunday morning. I call Carol's house at just gone ten o'clock to let her know I'm coming over to talk to Emmett. He wasn't there, but Carol said Rosie was asleep upstairs so he'd definitely be back later.
After I've got over that surprising, (but not surprising), piece of information, I tell Carol to ask Emmett to stay put until I get there. I guess he's gone to church as usual, but, as usual, I wouldn't mention it.
It's a beautiful, sparkly Sunday morning. The sun is shining in a baby-blue sky and the air is clean and fresh and smells of summer. There's no wind to chill me as I make my way towards Kilburn and I'm in no hurry to rush as I guess Emmett won't be home until about eleven.
Tara is performing beautifully this morning and it's almost like she's taunting me not to get rid of her. As I weave in and out of the slow-moving traffic she becomes part of me again, and I begin recalling all the good times we've had together. Driving the Mini yesterday was a reminder that I still loved speed, so maybe I've just been associating being on a bike with all the negative aspects of my life, which were amplified by the frustration of not being with Bella before we finally got together in Brighton. As the miles pass by I'm enjoying the journey even more, and it becomes obvious to me I'm not ready yet to give up my bikes, so I can put off that decision for another day.
Rosie is up and dressed when I reach Carol's house and she makes me tea and a bacon sandwich which is gratefully received, even though I've already had breakfast at Jasper's. I know I'm being ridiculous, but I can't help watching how she's moving to see if I can spot any changes in her posture or gait which would be evidence that she'd been negatively affected by Emmett's giant dick, but thankfully she's still able to walk and function normally.
Emmett breezes through the door at just after eleven while I'm half-way through my sandwich.
"Hey, Edward," he exclaims then high-fives me before going over to Rosie, planting a kiss on her cheek and slapping her bottom.
"Where's my bacon sandwich, wench?" he cries. "Are you trying to starve me?"
Rosie giggles girlishly then throws a mountain of bacon into the frying pan. Emmett pours himself some tea from the pot and sits down at the kitchen table.
"How's it going, Eddie?" he asks cheerfully.
"Good and not so good," I reply philosophically. "Bella and I are an item now and James is trying to kill me. Other than that, pretty normal."
Rosie stops cooking and turns to me with her mouth open and Emmett sprays tea all over the table as he'd just taken a mouthful as I was speaking.
"You'd better give us the full story, Ed," he splutters as he's wiping his chin and the fortunately vinyl tablecloth, so I launch into a timeline of everything that had happened since we parted in Brighton, including what James and his thugs did to Bella.
"Jesus dude!" he exclaims. "We all knew James was borderline psychotic, but I thought he was all talk and no action. What are you going to do?"
"I've moved in with Jasper, and Bella is staying with Alice for the moment. The police say they're on the case, but apart from issuing every Bobby with a photofit of James, there's nothing much we can do until he's apprehended. I'm going to ride down to the Ace now and see whether there's anyone there who has any information on him, like where he's living, who he's hanging about with at the moment, that sort of thing. I'll pass anything I learn on to the police."
Emmett whistles through his teeth and looks at Rosie who by now is plating up three bacon sandwiches the size of doorsteps.
"Rosie and I were going to the Ace this morning anyway. On Friday the guys arranged to meet up at midday if the weather was good and go out for a blat. Are you up for it?"
"I'll come with you to the Ace and talk to the guys but then I'm going back to London."
"Okay," Emmett mumbles with his mouth full of sandwich.
"I'll go and get changed then," Rosie says and disappears out the kitchen and up the stairs. My eyes follow her but she still looks and acts like the same Rosie to me.
I couldn't keep my mouth shut; I had to ask.
"So you and my sister are really serious then?"
Emmett chortles as he shoves half a sandwich in his mouth.
"Yes, we are, but it's not what you're thinking."
"What am I thinking?"
"That my dick and your sister have become acquainted?"
"Well, have they?" I ask, even though it's none of my damned business. Emmett answers the question indirectly.
"Do you know where I've been this morning, Eddie?"
"I'd guess at church?"
"And your guess would be right. I'm not perfect, Edward, but I'm no sinner. The Bible says in so many words, 'no sex before marriage', and that's what I believe in. I'm not saying that your sister and I haven't had some loving moments, and there's a lot of stuff you can get up to without committing the cardinal sin, but that's as far as we're going until our wedding night."
"And she's happy with that?"
"Absolutely."
"Hold on a minute, did you just say 'wedding night'?"
Those two words had just registered in my brain and had taken a couple of seconds to sink in.
"Yep! I haven't spoken to your father yet, but I intend to sooner rather than later. I want to marry Rosie as soon as practicable. I might profess to be a Christian, but I'm still a hot-blooded male and its difficult being around her. I'm not exactly beating myself with chains at night, but the temptation to break my commitment to God is just about killing me."
"Holy Fuck!" I exclaim and then apologise profusely to Emmett for blaspheming, even though the words were apt in the circumstances.
Emmett roars with laughter then slaps me on the back.
"I've always wanted a brother, Eddie, and if I was choosing one off the supermarket shelf, I'd choose one just like you."
"Likewise," I reply as I re-align my shoulder blades, and I really meant it.
Half an hour later we're on our way to the Ace, which was the one place I never thought I'd set foot inside again. It actually feels good to be travelling behind Emmett and Rosie on the bike; roaring up beside them and occasionally overtaking, then being overtaken again. Rosie is laughing all the time; she's in her element and I've never seen her so happy; so free and easy. I'm beginning to rethink my decision to end my love affair with biking, especially as I can imagine Bella sitting behind me and going out as a foursome with my sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law.
We get to the Ace just after midday and there's quite a crowd gathering on the forecourt. I receive a warm welcome from the guys, including Tanya, who is sitting on Sam's pillion with her arm across his shoulders. I can tell by the way she's looking at me that she's subliminally telling me to back off and I nod my head at her to indicate I've got the message.
Emmett shouts out in his booming voice, "Eddie's got something to say before we ride off. Can you guys listen up for a minute?"
I cough a couple of times to clear my throat then commence telling the guys an abridged version of what happened in Brighton and that James has found out where I live. Then I ask for their help in getting information on where he hangs out and who his friends are; if he has any that is.
"I know his mum lives in Whitechapel," one of the guys shouts out.
"He told me he works on the Isle of Dogs for some freight company," another one yells.
"James came here last week asking about you, Eddie," Sam adds. "We told him to fuck off, but I saw him talking to a guy who doesn't come here much then they both rode off together."
"Shit!" I exclaim. "What did he want to know?"
"Where you worked, where you lived, if you had a girlfriend and where she lived, that sort of thing. He was really aggressive when we told him to sling his hook and he threatened all of us. He's a fucking psycho. We didn't tell him anything though as we presumed he was looking for revenge for what happened in the Ace."
"Thanks," I reply, "even though you guys don't know that much about me so couldn't have given him any useful information anyway."
To my dismay they all laugh at that statement until Sam comes up to me and pats me on the back.
"Most of the older guys know who you are, Eddie Masen, or should I say Edward Cullen, and we know who your dad is and what you do for a living, and we're pretty sure James does too. We've known since not long after you first started coming down here. See Pete over there?"
A skinny guy with scruffy black hair puts his hand up in acknowledgement.
"He was two years above you at Eton. His real name's Sebastian. His dad's a merchant banker and his mum's a model. See that guy over there?"
Another guy raises his hand and grins at me.
"He works at the court where you presented a case recently. You were spouting off about contracts or something boring like that. Not only that, most of us saw your picture in the paper after your dad's heart attack."
I'm shaking my head in denial by then. It feels like I'm in an episode of 'This Is Your Life' and Eammon Andrews is going to appear from behind one of the advertising hoardings holding a big red book.
Sam continues.
"Look Eddie, when we come down to the Ace we leave our day to day lives behind us. We all become different people as soon as we put our leathers on. I don't dress like this all day, none of us do, and none of us cares who you are or what you do for a living. To us, you'll always be Eddie Masen, a biker and a Rocker, if that's who you want to be."
"Right," I mutter, not knowing whether to feel stupid, embarrassed or what. I'd been playing the part of Eddie Masen for over three years now and for most of the time they'd known I wasn't who I said I was. I turn to Emmett and Rosie who are both beaming from ear to ear.
"So you knew who I was, even before I owned up when you saw the picture of me in the newspaper?"
"Yep," Emmett replied. "I only mentioned it because Carol recognised your picture and was planning on doing the housemaid thing with the tea tray. It's your business, Eddie. We don't judge here, unless you're an asshole like James."
"You should be on the fucking stage," I sort of hissed at him, but it showed the quality of the guy that he'd kept my secret for all this time and had not been tempted to mention it.
I needed to get the guys attention again so I shout out for them to listen.
"If you see James or know where he is, will you call the police, or if you'd prefer, call me. I'll give you my telephone number at my office and at my friend's flat in London. If I could have your phone numbers too that would be helpful. If he's arrested, the police may want to speak to you."
One of the guys had a notebook in the storage compartment under his seat so names and telephone numbers were exchanged and I was amazed that quite a few of the guys went by aliases, like Sebastian. I was grateful that the rest of them were just as eager as me to get James off the streets and I promised to let them know when he was arrested.
With about fifteen names and telephone numbers in my pocket, I give Rosie a kiss and a hug and wish them all a good trip before heading back to London. I don't feel at all envious as I pull away that they plan to have a fun afternoon tearing around the winding country roads north of London. My love affair with biking is being rekindled, but the thought of putting my arms around Bella again is much more appealing.
Monday 25th May 1964
Bella
Waking up in Alice's house is always great fun. I've stayed over many times since Alice and I became friends at school aged eleven and I've always been made to feel welcome by her parents. When I got to know her really well it was like having an instant-sister, which was something I'd always yearned for.
She bounds into my room like a kangaroo on happy-pills and flings herself on the bed. For someone who suspects they may be pregnant she seems remarkably cheerful.
"Come on, sleepy head," she chirrups like an annoying budgie. "Get up, get cleaned up, get dressed and get downstairs. Mum is making breakfast then dad will drop you off at the Advertiser."
"Really?" I gasp and then it sinks in that he's probably promised dad he'll do this every day until James is apprehended. I'm really very grateful, but embarrassed I'm being such a burden to this lovely family, even though I know my mum and dad would do the same if Alice was the one in danger.
I shoot out of bed and get washed and dressed as quickly as possible as I don't want to make anyone late for work. Alice's mum makes me poached eggs on toast and even packs me a sandwich for my lunch, and then of course I realise she's ensuring I won't need to go out and buy anything during the day.
I arrive in my office earlier than usual and get stuck into work quickly. The post bag contains lots of supportive letters and ideas for future articles, some of which are great, and Johnson tells me the paper's owners are very pleased with the amount of advertising revenue the pull-out is raising. The morning flies by and I end up eating my sandwich at my desk because I've so much work to do.
Johnson puts his head around the door just before four and tells me he's had a call in his office from a Pirate Radio DJ called Dave Diamond who's in the area today and is happy to give the paper an interview. He's arranged a meeting with a music executive at four o'clock in a trendy coffee bar which is roughly about a ten minute walk from the Advertiser, so he suggests Johnson sends a reporter at five and he would give him or her about twenty minutes.
"Do you want to do it?" Johnson asks me. "You can go straight home afterwards."
"Okay," I reply, then I think about the possible consequences of meeting a stranger in a coffee bar on my own. "Can I take Keith with me?" I shout out after Johnson.
"Sure," he replies and goes back to his office to inform Dave the DJ. I giggle at the name which I'm sure is made-up.
Keith is in the main office so I'm unable to tell him about the interview until just after half past four. He says that's fine, but he'll have to disappear promptly when we get back here at five thirty because he has a dentist appointment. Alice's dad has arranged to pick me up from the office every day at five-thirty, so the timings work out perfectly as Keith and I can walk back together.
At just before ten to five, I switch my phone through to Johnson and pack up my things. After saying cheerio to everyone in the Jungle, Keith and I leave the building and walk out to a warm and sunny evening, which feels extra-nice because I've been cooped up indoors all day. We set off at a brisk pace towards the coffee bar; our route taking us past the deserted, bombed-out industrial wasteland that lies between our office and the shops where the coffee bar is situated. We've been walking for about two or three minutes, chatting about Keith's wedding photos which he picked up at the weekend, when I hear running feet behind us.
Even though I haven't turned to see who's coming up behind me, I freeze on the spot as memories of being chased in Brighton flash through my mind. As the footsteps get nearer, I somehow know if I look over my shoulder, I'll see the same face that has been giving me nightmares every night since the day he assaulted me.
I close my eyes and wait for the inevitable weight of his filthy hands grabbing me. There's no point screaming as there's no-one around to help, and there's also no point in running like before because he's almost on top of me. If Keith is stabbed or is unable to fight him off, there's no way I'm going to escape this time.
James has somehow found me, and I know with absolute certainty that my life is in terrible danger again.
Edward
Monday drags at work until about three o'clock when Jasper comes in to talk to Jenks about buying the company. Jasper's shareholders had made him a verbal offer for his part of Harry's business but he refused it as it was ridiculously short of what his share is worth. He told them to come back with a sensible offer or he would put his majority shareholding up for sale on the open market which he knows they don't want. He guessed the wheeler-dealing over the final offer would take some months, but after having a frank discussion with Jenks, the two of them agree to not rush their transaction through so that Jasper could get the best price for his father's shares.
I've just started thinking about packing up to go home when Jasper puts his head around my door.
"Fancy a drink after work?" he suggests with a grin. "I'm in the mood for a pint of something."
"Sure," I readily agree. "Let's make the most of the evening sunshine. Jenks won't mind if I leave half an hour early" I add as I grab my jacket and follow him down the stairs. We say goodnight to Margaret and Jane and walk out to a fine evening.
Fleet Street is world famous for being the home of practically every national newspaper in the land. Street vendors yelling the headlines at the tops of their voices are selling the evening editions by now and are stationed about fifty yards apart from one end of the street to another. Jasper and I have passed at least five of them before I glance at the headline on the Evening Standard and the words make me stop dead in my tracks.
GIRLFRIEND OF LORD CULLEN'S SON ATTACKED BY ROCKER
Jasper grabs a copy of the newspaper and throws some money at the vendor then holds the paper up so we can both read the story.
The Metropolitan Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of James Pearce, 29, whose last known address was Whitechapel, East London. Pearce allegedly attacked Miss Isabella Swan of Poplar during the altercation between Mods and Rockers in Brighton last weekend. He is known to be carrying a knife and should not be approached.
The Hon. Edward Cullen, son of Lord Carlisle Cullen, Master of the Rolls, reported the attack to the police, and his witness statement was corroborated by photographic evidence supplied by local reporters. Miss Swan, who works for the East London Advertiser as a junior reporter, is said to be very shaken by the incident.
The police have asked that anyone who has any information as to the whereabouts of James Pearce, should contact their local police station, or dial 999.
"Holy shit!" I exclaim loudly. "How long has this paper been out on the street?"
"An hour and a half maybe; why?"
"Because if James sees this, he'll know now that Bella's my girlfriend and where she works, which means she's in dreadful danger."
I stare at the time on my watch and it's still nowhere near half past five which is when she leaves work for home, so I've got a chance to stop her leaving.
"We've got to get to a phone and tell her to stay in the building until we get there. I need to get back to the office, fast."
Jasper and I turn on our heels and run at full pelt through the crowded street. I'm screaming at the other pedestrians to get out the way as the office door comes into view. I'm also cursing to hell whoever it is in the police who has given Bella's location to the press, as their mind-bending incompetence has put Bella in acute danger. When I find out who it is I'll tear them limb from limb.
I know it's not yet half past five, which is when Bella usually leaves her desk, but as I burst through the office door I have a terrifying premonition that when I call the Advertiser I'll find out it's already too late. Bella for some reason will have already left the building and she'll be out on the street without realising the danger she's in, and once again she'll be walking blindly into the path of a maniac.
So someone in the police has stupidly given the story to the newspapers, including Bella's personal details, without warning either Bella or Edward that's what they were going to do. James and his cronies will know where she works now, so was that James waiting for her to come out the office? You'll soon find out.
FYI
The famous Oxford and Cambridge boat race that is held on the Thames every year is now four races since the introduction of the women's competition. Both universities field four teams; their number one men and women elite teams, and their men and women reserve teams, which for the men are the Cambridge Goldie crew and the Oxford Isis crew. The reserves row first. To be chosen for any of the teams is quite an honour.
London is made up of two 'Cities'. The City of Westminster, which is where Parliament and Westminster Abbey are, and the City of London, which is where St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Law Courts are situated. If a Londoner mentions the 'City', they are generally referring to the City of London rather than Westminster. I know it's confusing for visitors as they think of London as just one city.
At the corner of Hyde Park near Marble Arch there is an area called Speakers Corner which is a place where ordinary citizens can take a box to stand on, and speak to anyone who wants to listen about matters close to their heart - usually politics or religion. Anthony Wedgewood-Benn (aka Tony Benn) was a left-wing Labour politician who often used to speak there in the 60' and 70's and drew large crowds.
A Bobby is another name for a British policeman. The man who is recognised as starting the British police force was Sir Robert Peel, which is why they were called 'Bobbies', or 'Peelers'. Peelers is very rarely heard now, but Bobbies has stuck.
The next chapter will be a wee bit scary I'm afraid!
Joan xx