Sue-Ellen and JR were late down for breakfast. Miss Ellie persuaded her husband not to go upstairs to knock them up. She had sensed that whatever had caused her son and daughter-in-law to have a furious row had calmed down and they were best left alone. "Where are uncle JR and aunt Sue-Ellen this morning?" Lucy asked pointedly. Miss Ellie shot the young girl a warning glance. She was mischief making and Miss Ellie knew it. Jock lifted the newspaper and sighed. It was new year's eve. He hoped that the advent of a new year would bring more in the way of stability for his family. As he started reading Bobby entered the dining room. "Good morning, where are JR and Sue-Ellen?" Bobby had missed the row, returning home only after it had died down and all was quiet in the house.
"They had a massive fight last night!" Lucy exclaimed. "Really?" he looked at his mother quizzically. Miss Ellie simply nodded. As Bobby was just about to enquire further Sue-Ellen and JR came into the room. JR had his hand around his wife's waist and they both looked happy. Changing the subject rapidly Miss Ellie began to talk about the party. "Can Muriel come please?" Lucy asked. "Yes but no alcohol" her grandmother warned. "Are you bringing somebody, Bob?" JR asked. "No, JR. I'm seeing someone but it's early days and I'm not sure that it's her kind of scene." "Lucy, I'm going to the hair and beauty salon later. Do you want to come with me? Get your hair styled and your nails painted perhaps?" Sue-Ellen asked. "Oh yes, thank you. That would be wonderful!" Lucy replied. "JR, will Ella be alright with you while I am away?" "Yes darlin, I have a little bit of work that I need to attend to in the den but she will be just fine with her daddy."
Miss Ellie looked up at her husband and smiled. It looked as though they were going to have a pleasant time this evening. After breakfast JR grabbed hold of Sue-Ellen's arm. "I need to talk to you." He guided her into the den. "I intend to be straight up. I'm going to call Julie this morning and arrange to meet her. If you want to come with me, then fine. No secrets OK?" Sue-Ellen pondered for a moment before responding. "No JR that might be counter-productive. My last encounter with Miss Grey was hardly amicable and my presence might be inhibiting. You get what she knows, pay her and then it's over." JR took his wife gently by the shoulders. "It might have to go a little further than that, sugar. I have a feeling that I will need her to do a little more than simply tip me off as to what that termite has in mind. If I have to pay her a bit extra to go along with my plans then I intend to. This changes nothing though. Do you accept that?" Sue-Ellen nodded in agreement. It was rare indeed for JR to let her in on his machinations.
They parted company with a light kiss and Sue-Ellen made her way up to the nursery. Lucy was in there looking down and smiling at her little cousin. "Sue-Ellen, she is so cute and she has started listening to me when I speak to her!" Sue-Ellen smiled and took her daughter out of the cot carefully passing her to her cousin. "Yes, she is coming on in leaps and bounds." Lucy cuddled the baby girl. "She has the same colour of eyes as JR but otherwise she is pretty like you" she commented mischievously. "Lucy you are a little minx sometimes, always going out of your way to irritate your uncle!" Sue-Ellen giggled.
"Sue-Ellen, I could hear you both last night. Uncle JR was very angry with you. You're not going to leave him are you?" "Good Lord, Lucy, no! We had a disagreement that's all and now we are friends again. When you are older you will realise that relationships are complex and, at times, hard work but your uncle and I love each other and I'm going nowhere." Lucy was visibly relieved. "Good, because I like having you and Ella here. Life wouldn't be the same without you." Lucy may have created a lot of unnecessary drama for her young aunt in the past but her statement was heartfelt and Sue-Ellen appreciated it. She stroked the young girl's arm as a reassurance. "Now give me Ella back and go and get ready. We will be leaving straight after lunch."
Julie's number rang out several times before she answered it. The previous day had been stressful and she had relieved the tension with a bottle of red wine which she drank alone in her trailer before collapsing fully clothed on the bed. "It's me" JR greeted her coldly. "I've been thinking about your proposal. Now, if the information is of good quality and you go along with what I subsequently plan I'm prepared to pay you what you want If we are successful I will give you a generous bonus on top." Julie's mood brightened. This might just be her ticket to a new life. "I want to meet you. Can I come to where you live, to talk in private. Oh, and by the way, my wife knows all about this. There are no secrets between us any more."
Julie was disappointed by the news that Sue-Ellen was in on the plan. She hadn't contemplated this for one moment. The JR she knew was a man of secrets. There must be some reason why he had chosen to tell her, she thought. "No, you can't come here" she replied with alacrity. This place was the last place that she wanted him to see her. "You can come to where I work. It's out of the way so nobody will see us." "Alright, I return to work next week. I'll call you then and make the arrangements to come over. Finally, as a show of good faith, tell me, how did he trace you and what has he offered you?" JR wanted to ensure that it was Cliff and not him that was being double crossed. If he was Julie would struggle to come up with something convincing in reply. JR knew her. She was cunning but much more limited intellectually than him.
"I have no idea how he tracked me down but he's the DA isn't he? He can access all sorts of information I would imagine. As for what he has offered, well, just a job in the DA's office of my choosing." JR was satisfied- her latter answer had the total ring of truth where that cheapskate Barnes was concerned. As for what he had done to find Julie he would get Harry onto that straightaway. "Thank you. I'll be in touch. If and when Barnes contacts you next I need to know, alright? Oh and remember, Julie, you cross me at your peril. Understand?" The young woman realised she was in deep. There was no way back now that she had let JR Ewing back into her life. She was scared but tried not to show it in her voice. "Oh I recall only too well what you can do, JR. Trust me I'm never getting into that territory with you again. It's why I didn't dare to get involved with Cliff Barnes and contacted you instead." JR hung up. He already had the green shoots of a plan. Now it was time to enjoy his last few days at home with Sue-Ellen and Ella and there was a party to look forward to. By this time next year Cliff Barnes will be history, he smirked evilly.
tbc
