Chapter 4:
Katy was feeling exceptionally guilty. After Chris had walked off, she ended up buying them more clothes than what they would need. She wasn't thinking correctly. Christmas was in a week, but she still took them to the toy department and bought them both a couple of toys. To entertain them with, she thought to herself, while she tried to talk Chris out of whatever he was planning.
"Mummy," Josh said to her, as she was going downstairs, "Are you going to buy yourself anything?"
"No."
"What are you going to do with the money Mr. Deakin gave you?"
Katy thought for a moment. "I'm going to use it to buy a present for daddy. Something nice and expensive that he would like. But not right now, honey. Mummy needs to get back to the hotel now."
"But he told you to buy a dress," Josh said.
Katy knelt down to speak to her son. "Sweetheart, never underestimate your mum and dad. Mr. Deakin is not a nice man, and I don't have to do what he tells me. And once your daddy finds out what he said to us today, I hope that we won't have to see him again."
Josh smiled at his mum. Maggie gave her mum a hug and so did Josh. "I love you mum."
"I love you too, both of you." She kissed them both on their cheeks, hugging them. "We'll be alright."
She carried the bags in one hand, and took Maggie's hand. Josh took his sister's other hand and they walked out into the throngs to fight for a taxi.
* * *
Once they got back to the Savoy, they went up to the room. Katy let the kids play with their toys in the bedroom, while she used the phone in the loo to call John.
"Hi, we're not in right now, leave a message."
"John, it's me. You're right, we never should have came back to the UK. I ran into Chris Deakin, of all people, on Oxford Street today. I had the kids with me, and didn't he put two and two together? Anyway, he's blackmailing me, John. He says that either I go out with him tonight, or else he's going to track all of us down. I'm leaving here in a few minutes, as soon as a sitter for the kids comes. I love you John. I'm so sorry. I would jump on the next plane out of here but he said he can trace my passport back to where we live. I don't know what to do. Don't tell Don, please, not yet. I'll see what he has to say for himself tonight, and let you know."
Katy paused, "He really upset Maggie. You would have been proud of Josh, he tried to stick up for me and tried to tell Chris to go away. He's so sweet, he reminds me of you. I love you sweetheart. I'll call you as soon as I know anything. Bye."
She then called down to the front desk and arranged a sitter for the evening. She told them it might be all night, or it might be for a couple of hours.
Quickly, she put some makeup in her handbag and did her hair, simply, piled on her head with a few loose strands. Ten minutes later, the sitter knocked on the door. She kissed her kids goodbye and left. She had less than an hour to get to Liberty, buy a dress, and get back there.
At quarter to eight, she returned to the Savoy. Luckily, Christmas shopping hours were on her side. She nipped into one of the lavatories off of the hotel lobby and changed in a cubicle. Freshening her makeup, she stuffed her clothes in the bag that her dress was in, and took them to the concierge to take to her room. She didn't want her children to see her dressed like this for another man. To that end, it sickened her that she was dressing this way for Chris Deakin. To calm her nerves, she went up to the American bar and had a shot of whiskey. It was time. Taking a deep breath, she left the bar, walking down the steps, and into the lobby.
Chris had entered the Savoy, cocky, sure of himself and what he wanted, but when he saw her, that flew out of his mind. Did he really call her matronly earlier? The woman, a tanned, toned goddess walking towards him was light years away from being remotely matronly. She was wearing a long black dress, that had a split at the top of her thigh, and went down to her ankles. It cut dangerously low in the back, and in the front as well. The tops of her breasts were revealed, and as far as Chris could tell, they were still gorgeous. She had the tiniest sliver of a gold necklace circling her neck, a diamond bracelet and a huge diamond ring, and wedding band. He could smell her perfume, Chanel no. 5, always his favourite.
"Hello Chris. My, you look nice this evening." He was wearing a black tuxedo, embroidered waistcoat, and had a red rose for her.
Chris was still speechless. He took her hand and kissed it. He held out his arm for her and she took it.
"Where are we going?"
"Here." He approached the front desk. "I have a private dining room reserved for Deakin." The lady nodded and emerged from behind the long mahogany desk, and took them into the winding corridors of the hotel. The private room was a small room, with a single table for two, overlooking the river.
He held out her chair for her and helped her into her seat. Sitting himself, the waiter asked him if he wanted to start with the champagne now or to wait for later. He told the waiter to bring both the wine and the champagne now. The waiter nodded and shortly produced a bottle of Delarche 1998 Grand Cru Corton-Renardes. Uncorking it, they went through the wine ritual, and then the waiter decanted it and set it on the table. Then he brought the champagne. Krug 1998 Vintage Brut. The waiter popped the cork and poured the champagne, then he left them. Katy sipped her champagne, enjoying the intense assault on her palette from the Krug.
"You seem to have a thing with 1998, Chris." Katy noted, eyeing his choices.
"Not at all. It was a red-letter year for wine, you know this. If I was going to choose vintages based on significance, I would pick 1997, the year we met. But that wasn't such a good year for wine."
The waiter brought out their starters, trio of seafood, quenelles in lobster and brandy cream with wild mushrooms. As they ate they were silent. Chris kept looking at her. She was stunning, magnificent, and was going to be his. Nobody was going to stop him from claiming her. He didn't care about her kids, heck, if she agreed, she could send the kids back to wherever John was and let him raise them. He'd let them come to visit her every so often, because after all, they were her kids. Somehow, Chris just knew she'd go along with it. If for any other reason, because she loved John and couldn't bear to see him behind bars. And he loved her, and would give her a happy life, the kind of life she deserved, not with kids and some classless Scouser, but with him, eating fine foods, drinking fine wines, going to the opera, making love, being bon vivants.
They finished their starters. Taking a sip of water to clear their palettes, Chris smiled at Katy. She was beginning to feel highly uncomfortable. Why wouldn't he say something to her? She decided to call his bluff.
"Chris, what do you want? Why did you bring me here?" She asked.
"Just enjoy dinner, Katy. We'll talk business later." Chris said, putting his finger to his lips. He reached across the table and patted her hand. She glared at him, pulling her hand away from underneath his.
"Now, is that any way to treat the man who's buying you dinner?"
"I'd rather have a McDonalds."
"You and I both know that's not true. Look at this, Katy. Look at your surroundings, the wine, the food, this is what you enjoy. This is your kind of life. And this is what I enjoy, the life I want to have. And I want to have it with you."
"At one time this was my life but I've changed, Chris. I'm not like this anymore. Yes, I still enjoy good food and wine, but after you become a parent, your priorities change. I've got two children and a husband to think about. I've got a happy family, and actually, until I bumped into you this afternoon, my life was going perfectly. I am married to the man I love - do you know I met John when I was 18 years old? I've loved him ever since. In spite of the stupid things he did. In spite of him leaving me for seven years to get promoted through CID. In spite of everything, I love him and I would never, ever leave him. Not for money, not for the threat of jail, not for anything. I will not break up my family, hurt my children and abandon the man I love for you or for anyone."
The waiter brought their dinners. Loin of veal filled with spinach and ricotta on thyme and lemon flavoured jus, crushed olive potatoes, with carrots and courgettes. Chris poured the red wine. He said nothing. Katy stared at him for a long moment.
"If that's all?" he said, picking up his cutlery.
Katy nodded sadly, and they started to eat their dinners. Chris said nothing, and just let the alcohol and the food do it's work. Like a true lady, Katy knew that a dessert/cheese course was coming and only ate two- thirds of her meal. Of course, the red wine complemented the veal perfectly. After their plates were cleared, they took water again to clear their palettes. The waiter took away the remainder of the red wine in the decanter, mostly sediment, and they poured more champagne, which had mellowed nicely in the bottle to complement their dessert.
The waiter brought out their dessert, baby pineapple filled with sorbet and topped with a soft meringue. He also brought out a cheese board. Finishing their meals, Chris topped up their champagne, and the waiter cleared away their plates, leaving the cheeseboard. Then, as if on cue, all of the staff disappeared.
"Did you enjoy that?" Chris asked.
"Of course I did." Katy shot him a look. "But it doesn't change anything. If you think that by taking me for a fancy dinner, that I will just acquiesce to what you're asking, well, you're wrong."
"No, I didn't assume you would, to be honest." Throughout their meal, music had been playing softly in the background. Chris stood up and held out his hand, for her to dance. When she refused, he pulled her up out of her chair and forced her, much to her disdain. She glared angrily at him and refused to be led, instead forcing him to pull her along.
"Come on Katy, don't be childish," he said, "Dance with me. The more you resist, the more I'm going to keep trying."
"Is that what this is to you? Some kind of petty game?"
"No, it's much more important than that. It's pride, Katy. My pride. John and you both took that from me, John by forcing me to transfer to teaching, and you, by using me for a one night stand. You didn't even have the courtesy to end it with me decently. You didn't return my phone calls. The only way I found out you were gone is when Tony bloody Stamp answered the phone and told me."
"Look, Chris, I'm sorry. I really am. I never should have slept with you in the first place, and secondly I should have ended it properly. Do you want to know what happened?"
Chris said nothing. He held her in his cold blue stare and continued to dance with her.
"When I returned home after our night together, a man was there. Somehow he had broke into my house and had spent the night waiting for me. He had been following me since my release from Holloway, waiting to give me a message from John and a plane ticket. When I found out John was alive I was so confused that I didn't know what to do. I decided I had to go see him for myself to find out. So I took the flight and found John. We talked and I realised I was still in love with him, and I stayed."
"So, you went to see John, and even though you weren't sure about your feelings, you still gave your house to Tony Stamp?"
"That house had too many memories for me. If I would have came back, I would have wanted a new house anyway. Besides, Tony needed a decent place of his own. They closed the Section House."
"Did I ever figure in your heart, Katy? Or was it all just a one night stand?"
Katy sighed. She pulled away from his embrace and looked out the window at the Thames. Gazing over the bank at Waterloo Bridge, she ran her hands over her arms and touched the small scar on her upper arm.
"Chris," she said, turning to look at him, "What do you want me to say?"
"The truth. I want the truth. I deserve it."
"Alright. The truth is that I fancied you. If things would have been how they had appeared to be, I would have seen you again. If that man wouldn't have been waiting in my house with a note and a plane ticket for me, I would have returned your calls. It just didn't work out that way. I was confused, in shock, and still getting used to life outside of prison. Having four years behind bars does a lot to a person, and I wasn't thinking properly at that time. All I knew was that, even though both Tony and you were mad for me, John was still alive and waiting for me. Do you see this?"
Katy held out her wrists. Chris looked at the faded scars that crisscrossed them.
"This is what I did when I found out John was dead. They found me just in time. I was kept under heavy sedation for months afterwards. Do you have any idea what it's like when you find out your partner, your soul mate is dead? And you're locked up, doing a stretch, and can't even go to his funeral to tell him goodbye? All your plans, dreams, goals, your future together, is gone? There was nothing worth living for in there, after that newspaper landed in the cell."
Chris held her hands in his. He felt his anger and outrage slowly run out of him.
"I remember the day you came to visit me. It was one of my better days. They had let me out of the medical block a few days before, and it was so good to see a friendly face. You were like an oasis - someone who cared. And then when Tony showed up on my release day, I felt, well maybe I won't be alone after all. Tony was never the one, although he's a hell of a nice bloke. You came close to being the one. But when I found out. how could I help myself? He's my love, Chris. Do you remember when I sat in the DI's office with you at Sun Hill, and I told you that not even death could keep John and I apart? Well, I think that's been effectively proven, don't you?"
"The fact is, Chris, if you love me like you say you do, you will let me go. You will let me live my life and let me love who I want to love. I want to be your friend, Chris, and I'm sure John would want to be as well, but you can't do this to us. Not if you have any feeling in your heart for me. I'm sure if you apologize to Charlotte she'll get over it."
"I don't want Charlotte," Chris said sadly. "She was a one-night stand gone wrong."
Katy smiled at Chris. She could tell that she had gotten through to him. He walked away from her to the other end of the room, looking out the window. He glanced over at her and he felt his heart ache deep inside of him. Katy walked towards him, and embraced him from behind, hugging him to her. Chris turned around and took her in his arms, holding her tightly. He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her. Her body went stiff for a moment, but she allowed him to kiss her, softly probing her tender, sweet mouth.
Katy broke out of their embrace, shaking her head. "No. I can't do that, Chris."
"He wouldn't have to know. Please, just one time. And when you leave the UK, you can leave this secret here. Just one more memory for me, and I promise I'll never see you again, if that's what you want."
"He's a detective, you know that. He'd know. All he'd have to do is look at me and he would know. Listen, Chris, I want us to be friends. Who knows, you could even come visit us."
"Come see your marital bliss with another man? No, I couldn't do that to myself. Please, Katy. I am not above begging, not for you. Just one night."
"I'll think about it. Ok, Chris? I'm here for 13 more days. I will let you know."
"Is that the best I'm going to get?"
"For right now, yes." She ran her fingers over his face. He had a few more wrinkles than the last time she saw him, and his hair was nearly platinum, but he still was handsome and distinguished looking. Chris kissed her fingertips, and smiled sadly at her.
"Then I will be waiting for your answer. Please call me. Even if the answer's no, don't leave without saying goodbye."
"I will, Chris. I promise."
"And please apologize to your children for the way I behaved earlier. You've got good kids there. John would be so pleased to see how his son tried to protect his mother and sister."
"Yeah, Josh is a chip off of the block. He's so precious. John's little shadow."
Chris sighed, and looked at her, his heart still aching for her. "Right, I'm going to go. Look after yourself, Katy, if I don't see you again."
"Thank you for dinner, Chris. Goodnight." Katy kissed him on his cheek. Chris turned and fled from the room, overwhelmed with sadness and desire, strange bedfellows in his heart.
Katy picked up the bottle of champagne from the ice bucket. There was still about a glass and a half left. Shrugging, she picked up her glass and topped it up. Pulling a chair over, she sat and looked out at the lights of London, getting drunk.
* * *
"Ah, Ms. Bassett," the nanny said, "The little ones got tired waiting for you and went off to bed."
"Thank you, Claire."
"And your husband rang for you, ma'am. He spoke to the children, and they had a good giggle."
"I'm glad. They needed to hear from him."
"They were in a rather bad state when I arrived, ma'am. Poor little Maggie was so upset. You've got good children, Ms. Bassett."
"Thank you."
"Shall I charge the services to the room, ma'am?"
"Yes, that would be fine. Oh, and here's a little something for your time. I may need you one more time while I'm here. And, please, take this dress as well. Sell it, wear it, give it away, I don't want to look at it."
The nanny looked at the woman stepping out of the dress, and quickly putting on a bathrobe. Katy picked up the dress off of the floor and handed it to the nanny, along with £30.00.
"Are you sure, ma'am? I've never been given a dress before."
"Well, I've never been blackmailed before either. Take it. Please, take it. I'm sure you know someone who would want it, or give it to Oxfam."
"Right, ma'am. Thank you." The nanny left the room.
Josh stirred in his sleep and rolled over. Katy slipped into her pyjamas and slipped into the bathroom. The red light on the phone was blinking, there was a message for her. She dialled voicemail and received it.
"Katy, love, it's me. I don't believe it - of all the fucking cheek, that bastard! How dare he? He always was a fucking twat. Call me when you get this, wake me up, I don't care. Baby, don't do anything with him just to save me. I'll gladly get sent down before I'd see you hurt yourself. I'd do anything to protect you and the kids and if it means that I have to get sent down for what happened, well, I don't care love. Call me please. I love you so much. I had a chat with Josh and Maggie - I told Josh how proud I was of him for sticking up for you, and I told Maggie a story about a baby bird and how it's mother protected her from the evil cat that was trying to eat it. I miss the kids sweetheart. It's too quiet here without you and them. It reminds me of the time I lived here while I was waiting for you to come to me."
John paused, then said, "It's really hard being without you. I feel like half a person. The next two weeks can't go fast enough."
Katy smiled to herself. She was missing her husband as much as he was missing her.
"This has to be a record for me, I never leave messages on machines like this. So I'm going to say goodnight, my love, and please call me when you get this. Wake me up, whatever. Take care angel. Bye."
Katy splashed some cold water on her face. She then dialled John.
The phone rang seven times before John picked up. "Hello. whozit? Katy?" he murmured.
"Hi honey, it's me."
"Sweetie." John said, through a haze of sleep. "What did that twat do to you?"
"He bought me dinner. But I talked him out of it, John. He won't be hurting us."
"Are you sure?" John asked. "Deakin's not one to let up."
"I took a page out of his book. If he feels about me the way he claims he does, then I made him realise the only one he'd be hurting would be me by doing what he proposed. So he saw sense and backed down."
"You're amazing, baby," John murmured, sleepily. "I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart. I'm going to bed. I'll call you in a few days."
"Ok lover. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sweetheart."
Katy went in the other room and crashed next to her sleeping daughter, the sound of her beloved husband's voice still echoing in her ear.
* * *
Chris went up to the room he had reserved. Even though she wasn't with him, no use letting the room go to waste. He looked around, champagne bottle chilling, flowers, giant bed. who was he trying to kid? It had been a futile mission, trying to get Katy to go with him in the first place.
He flopped down on the giant bed and closed his eyes. It was like she said, if things would have been as they seemed to be there wouldn't have been a problem. She would have been his. They would have been married. Those kids. well, no they wouldn't be his. He still didn't want kids. Still, what if, he thought to himself. What if, indeed. He took a pillow from the other side of the bed and wrapped his arms around it. Fully dressed, he felt himself drift off to sleep.
The next morning he woke up in a haze of alcohol, disoriented, unsure of his surroundings. He stumbled out of bed, and into the bathroom. Looking at his reflection bouncing off of the glass, metal and chrome fixtures, he felt like weeping. He wasn't sure what was making him feel worse, the alcohol, or the irrational, unreasonable way he treated Katy.
Even though he didn't have a change of clothes he decided to take a shower. He ran it as hot as he could stand and stripped off. For being 54 years old, age had taken its toll on his physique. While he was still strong, and could still run down a crook if he had to, he was glad to leave that up to younger officers. He remembered thinking of officers like Tosh Lines, a DC but highly unfit, and promising he'd never get like that. Every day he was creeping towards it, slowly but surely.
Stepping underneath the giant showerhead, he closed his eyes and let the water rinse away the alcohol and desperation that was hanging over him like a giant black cloud. Steam billowed around him, and for one brief moment he contemplated the dream he had yesterday when he made preparations for this room, of Katy standing naked under that showerhead with him, making love. Could he have really been so daft in his old age to think that she and John would have just given up the ghost and gone along with him? He knew John was a fighter, and would have sacrificed himself for her and their children. Whatever he was thinking, whatever plan he was contemplating, it was doomed to fail from the start.
Chris thought of John and shook his head. What could she possibly see in him? The man had no class, no taste, probably didn't know a Pinot Gris from a Chardonnay, and to add insult to injury, was a Scouser. Surely everything he knew about food, wine and manners she had taught him. Why would she take on a charity case like John when there was a decent, distinguished man like him that could offer her a life and be a true partner to her, intellectually, culturally, socially and physically? There's one thing about having a bit of rough, like Tony Stamp, but it's a whole other thing to take on that bit of rough for life.
Remembering what he had once said about John, he chuckled to himself. John on the job, and at the critical moment he'd jump off and go nick someone. Chris reckoned he was still that way. Maybe not go nick someone, but with two kids around, their sex life couldn't be all that active. Her lifestyle may have changed but Chris knew she appreciated the food and wine last night. Out of all the hotels in London, she chose The Savoy, old money, old school elegance, as opposed to some trendier or lower budget place. She still had an eye for luxury, and while motherhood and marriage to John Boulton may have made her put her tastes on the backburner, they were still in there.
Lifting his face up to the stream of water, he felt the droplets hit his lips. A memory from the night before came rushing back to him. Her embracing him, touching his face, kissing him. She obviously felt something for him if she held him like that. Maybe fighting with her wasn't the answer. It was her heart that was the way in. Chris felt a flicker of hope in his heart and his thoughts fanned it into a roaring fire. That was the way he would get her. Appeal to her romantic sensibilities, and charm his way into her heart. He did it once before, he could do it again.
Chris stepped out of the shower and dried himself off. He looked over at the clock. It was 9:30. He contemplated calling her but decided to let it wait. Getting dressed, he smiled to himself, and went downstairs to check out. He had some plans to make first, over the next few days.
Katy was feeling exceptionally guilty. After Chris had walked off, she ended up buying them more clothes than what they would need. She wasn't thinking correctly. Christmas was in a week, but she still took them to the toy department and bought them both a couple of toys. To entertain them with, she thought to herself, while she tried to talk Chris out of whatever he was planning.
"Mummy," Josh said to her, as she was going downstairs, "Are you going to buy yourself anything?"
"No."
"What are you going to do with the money Mr. Deakin gave you?"
Katy thought for a moment. "I'm going to use it to buy a present for daddy. Something nice and expensive that he would like. But not right now, honey. Mummy needs to get back to the hotel now."
"But he told you to buy a dress," Josh said.
Katy knelt down to speak to her son. "Sweetheart, never underestimate your mum and dad. Mr. Deakin is not a nice man, and I don't have to do what he tells me. And once your daddy finds out what he said to us today, I hope that we won't have to see him again."
Josh smiled at his mum. Maggie gave her mum a hug and so did Josh. "I love you mum."
"I love you too, both of you." She kissed them both on their cheeks, hugging them. "We'll be alright."
She carried the bags in one hand, and took Maggie's hand. Josh took his sister's other hand and they walked out into the throngs to fight for a taxi.
* * *
Once they got back to the Savoy, they went up to the room. Katy let the kids play with their toys in the bedroom, while she used the phone in the loo to call John.
"Hi, we're not in right now, leave a message."
"John, it's me. You're right, we never should have came back to the UK. I ran into Chris Deakin, of all people, on Oxford Street today. I had the kids with me, and didn't he put two and two together? Anyway, he's blackmailing me, John. He says that either I go out with him tonight, or else he's going to track all of us down. I'm leaving here in a few minutes, as soon as a sitter for the kids comes. I love you John. I'm so sorry. I would jump on the next plane out of here but he said he can trace my passport back to where we live. I don't know what to do. Don't tell Don, please, not yet. I'll see what he has to say for himself tonight, and let you know."
Katy paused, "He really upset Maggie. You would have been proud of Josh, he tried to stick up for me and tried to tell Chris to go away. He's so sweet, he reminds me of you. I love you sweetheart. I'll call you as soon as I know anything. Bye."
She then called down to the front desk and arranged a sitter for the evening. She told them it might be all night, or it might be for a couple of hours.
Quickly, she put some makeup in her handbag and did her hair, simply, piled on her head with a few loose strands. Ten minutes later, the sitter knocked on the door. She kissed her kids goodbye and left. She had less than an hour to get to Liberty, buy a dress, and get back there.
At quarter to eight, she returned to the Savoy. Luckily, Christmas shopping hours were on her side. She nipped into one of the lavatories off of the hotel lobby and changed in a cubicle. Freshening her makeup, she stuffed her clothes in the bag that her dress was in, and took them to the concierge to take to her room. She didn't want her children to see her dressed like this for another man. To that end, it sickened her that she was dressing this way for Chris Deakin. To calm her nerves, she went up to the American bar and had a shot of whiskey. It was time. Taking a deep breath, she left the bar, walking down the steps, and into the lobby.
Chris had entered the Savoy, cocky, sure of himself and what he wanted, but when he saw her, that flew out of his mind. Did he really call her matronly earlier? The woman, a tanned, toned goddess walking towards him was light years away from being remotely matronly. She was wearing a long black dress, that had a split at the top of her thigh, and went down to her ankles. It cut dangerously low in the back, and in the front as well. The tops of her breasts were revealed, and as far as Chris could tell, they were still gorgeous. She had the tiniest sliver of a gold necklace circling her neck, a diamond bracelet and a huge diamond ring, and wedding band. He could smell her perfume, Chanel no. 5, always his favourite.
"Hello Chris. My, you look nice this evening." He was wearing a black tuxedo, embroidered waistcoat, and had a red rose for her.
Chris was still speechless. He took her hand and kissed it. He held out his arm for her and she took it.
"Where are we going?"
"Here." He approached the front desk. "I have a private dining room reserved for Deakin." The lady nodded and emerged from behind the long mahogany desk, and took them into the winding corridors of the hotel. The private room was a small room, with a single table for two, overlooking the river.
He held out her chair for her and helped her into her seat. Sitting himself, the waiter asked him if he wanted to start with the champagne now or to wait for later. He told the waiter to bring both the wine and the champagne now. The waiter nodded and shortly produced a bottle of Delarche 1998 Grand Cru Corton-Renardes. Uncorking it, they went through the wine ritual, and then the waiter decanted it and set it on the table. Then he brought the champagne. Krug 1998 Vintage Brut. The waiter popped the cork and poured the champagne, then he left them. Katy sipped her champagne, enjoying the intense assault on her palette from the Krug.
"You seem to have a thing with 1998, Chris." Katy noted, eyeing his choices.
"Not at all. It was a red-letter year for wine, you know this. If I was going to choose vintages based on significance, I would pick 1997, the year we met. But that wasn't such a good year for wine."
The waiter brought out their starters, trio of seafood, quenelles in lobster and brandy cream with wild mushrooms. As they ate they were silent. Chris kept looking at her. She was stunning, magnificent, and was going to be his. Nobody was going to stop him from claiming her. He didn't care about her kids, heck, if she agreed, she could send the kids back to wherever John was and let him raise them. He'd let them come to visit her every so often, because after all, they were her kids. Somehow, Chris just knew she'd go along with it. If for any other reason, because she loved John and couldn't bear to see him behind bars. And he loved her, and would give her a happy life, the kind of life she deserved, not with kids and some classless Scouser, but with him, eating fine foods, drinking fine wines, going to the opera, making love, being bon vivants.
They finished their starters. Taking a sip of water to clear their palettes, Chris smiled at Katy. She was beginning to feel highly uncomfortable. Why wouldn't he say something to her? She decided to call his bluff.
"Chris, what do you want? Why did you bring me here?" She asked.
"Just enjoy dinner, Katy. We'll talk business later." Chris said, putting his finger to his lips. He reached across the table and patted her hand. She glared at him, pulling her hand away from underneath his.
"Now, is that any way to treat the man who's buying you dinner?"
"I'd rather have a McDonalds."
"You and I both know that's not true. Look at this, Katy. Look at your surroundings, the wine, the food, this is what you enjoy. This is your kind of life. And this is what I enjoy, the life I want to have. And I want to have it with you."
"At one time this was my life but I've changed, Chris. I'm not like this anymore. Yes, I still enjoy good food and wine, but after you become a parent, your priorities change. I've got two children and a husband to think about. I've got a happy family, and actually, until I bumped into you this afternoon, my life was going perfectly. I am married to the man I love - do you know I met John when I was 18 years old? I've loved him ever since. In spite of the stupid things he did. In spite of him leaving me for seven years to get promoted through CID. In spite of everything, I love him and I would never, ever leave him. Not for money, not for the threat of jail, not for anything. I will not break up my family, hurt my children and abandon the man I love for you or for anyone."
The waiter brought their dinners. Loin of veal filled with spinach and ricotta on thyme and lemon flavoured jus, crushed olive potatoes, with carrots and courgettes. Chris poured the red wine. He said nothing. Katy stared at him for a long moment.
"If that's all?" he said, picking up his cutlery.
Katy nodded sadly, and they started to eat their dinners. Chris said nothing, and just let the alcohol and the food do it's work. Like a true lady, Katy knew that a dessert/cheese course was coming and only ate two- thirds of her meal. Of course, the red wine complemented the veal perfectly. After their plates were cleared, they took water again to clear their palettes. The waiter took away the remainder of the red wine in the decanter, mostly sediment, and they poured more champagne, which had mellowed nicely in the bottle to complement their dessert.
The waiter brought out their dessert, baby pineapple filled with sorbet and topped with a soft meringue. He also brought out a cheese board. Finishing their meals, Chris topped up their champagne, and the waiter cleared away their plates, leaving the cheeseboard. Then, as if on cue, all of the staff disappeared.
"Did you enjoy that?" Chris asked.
"Of course I did." Katy shot him a look. "But it doesn't change anything. If you think that by taking me for a fancy dinner, that I will just acquiesce to what you're asking, well, you're wrong."
"No, I didn't assume you would, to be honest." Throughout their meal, music had been playing softly in the background. Chris stood up and held out his hand, for her to dance. When she refused, he pulled her up out of her chair and forced her, much to her disdain. She glared angrily at him and refused to be led, instead forcing him to pull her along.
"Come on Katy, don't be childish," he said, "Dance with me. The more you resist, the more I'm going to keep trying."
"Is that what this is to you? Some kind of petty game?"
"No, it's much more important than that. It's pride, Katy. My pride. John and you both took that from me, John by forcing me to transfer to teaching, and you, by using me for a one night stand. You didn't even have the courtesy to end it with me decently. You didn't return my phone calls. The only way I found out you were gone is when Tony bloody Stamp answered the phone and told me."
"Look, Chris, I'm sorry. I really am. I never should have slept with you in the first place, and secondly I should have ended it properly. Do you want to know what happened?"
Chris said nothing. He held her in his cold blue stare and continued to dance with her.
"When I returned home after our night together, a man was there. Somehow he had broke into my house and had spent the night waiting for me. He had been following me since my release from Holloway, waiting to give me a message from John and a plane ticket. When I found out John was alive I was so confused that I didn't know what to do. I decided I had to go see him for myself to find out. So I took the flight and found John. We talked and I realised I was still in love with him, and I stayed."
"So, you went to see John, and even though you weren't sure about your feelings, you still gave your house to Tony Stamp?"
"That house had too many memories for me. If I would have came back, I would have wanted a new house anyway. Besides, Tony needed a decent place of his own. They closed the Section House."
"Did I ever figure in your heart, Katy? Or was it all just a one night stand?"
Katy sighed. She pulled away from his embrace and looked out the window at the Thames. Gazing over the bank at Waterloo Bridge, she ran her hands over her arms and touched the small scar on her upper arm.
"Chris," she said, turning to look at him, "What do you want me to say?"
"The truth. I want the truth. I deserve it."
"Alright. The truth is that I fancied you. If things would have been how they had appeared to be, I would have seen you again. If that man wouldn't have been waiting in my house with a note and a plane ticket for me, I would have returned your calls. It just didn't work out that way. I was confused, in shock, and still getting used to life outside of prison. Having four years behind bars does a lot to a person, and I wasn't thinking properly at that time. All I knew was that, even though both Tony and you were mad for me, John was still alive and waiting for me. Do you see this?"
Katy held out her wrists. Chris looked at the faded scars that crisscrossed them.
"This is what I did when I found out John was dead. They found me just in time. I was kept under heavy sedation for months afterwards. Do you have any idea what it's like when you find out your partner, your soul mate is dead? And you're locked up, doing a stretch, and can't even go to his funeral to tell him goodbye? All your plans, dreams, goals, your future together, is gone? There was nothing worth living for in there, after that newspaper landed in the cell."
Chris held her hands in his. He felt his anger and outrage slowly run out of him.
"I remember the day you came to visit me. It was one of my better days. They had let me out of the medical block a few days before, and it was so good to see a friendly face. You were like an oasis - someone who cared. And then when Tony showed up on my release day, I felt, well maybe I won't be alone after all. Tony was never the one, although he's a hell of a nice bloke. You came close to being the one. But when I found out. how could I help myself? He's my love, Chris. Do you remember when I sat in the DI's office with you at Sun Hill, and I told you that not even death could keep John and I apart? Well, I think that's been effectively proven, don't you?"
"The fact is, Chris, if you love me like you say you do, you will let me go. You will let me live my life and let me love who I want to love. I want to be your friend, Chris, and I'm sure John would want to be as well, but you can't do this to us. Not if you have any feeling in your heart for me. I'm sure if you apologize to Charlotte she'll get over it."
"I don't want Charlotte," Chris said sadly. "She was a one-night stand gone wrong."
Katy smiled at Chris. She could tell that she had gotten through to him. He walked away from her to the other end of the room, looking out the window. He glanced over at her and he felt his heart ache deep inside of him. Katy walked towards him, and embraced him from behind, hugging him to her. Chris turned around and took her in his arms, holding her tightly. He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her. Her body went stiff for a moment, but she allowed him to kiss her, softly probing her tender, sweet mouth.
Katy broke out of their embrace, shaking her head. "No. I can't do that, Chris."
"He wouldn't have to know. Please, just one time. And when you leave the UK, you can leave this secret here. Just one more memory for me, and I promise I'll never see you again, if that's what you want."
"He's a detective, you know that. He'd know. All he'd have to do is look at me and he would know. Listen, Chris, I want us to be friends. Who knows, you could even come visit us."
"Come see your marital bliss with another man? No, I couldn't do that to myself. Please, Katy. I am not above begging, not for you. Just one night."
"I'll think about it. Ok, Chris? I'm here for 13 more days. I will let you know."
"Is that the best I'm going to get?"
"For right now, yes." She ran her fingers over his face. He had a few more wrinkles than the last time she saw him, and his hair was nearly platinum, but he still was handsome and distinguished looking. Chris kissed her fingertips, and smiled sadly at her.
"Then I will be waiting for your answer. Please call me. Even if the answer's no, don't leave without saying goodbye."
"I will, Chris. I promise."
"And please apologize to your children for the way I behaved earlier. You've got good kids there. John would be so pleased to see how his son tried to protect his mother and sister."
"Yeah, Josh is a chip off of the block. He's so precious. John's little shadow."
Chris sighed, and looked at her, his heart still aching for her. "Right, I'm going to go. Look after yourself, Katy, if I don't see you again."
"Thank you for dinner, Chris. Goodnight." Katy kissed him on his cheek. Chris turned and fled from the room, overwhelmed with sadness and desire, strange bedfellows in his heart.
Katy picked up the bottle of champagne from the ice bucket. There was still about a glass and a half left. Shrugging, she picked up her glass and topped it up. Pulling a chair over, she sat and looked out at the lights of London, getting drunk.
* * *
"Ah, Ms. Bassett," the nanny said, "The little ones got tired waiting for you and went off to bed."
"Thank you, Claire."
"And your husband rang for you, ma'am. He spoke to the children, and they had a good giggle."
"I'm glad. They needed to hear from him."
"They were in a rather bad state when I arrived, ma'am. Poor little Maggie was so upset. You've got good children, Ms. Bassett."
"Thank you."
"Shall I charge the services to the room, ma'am?"
"Yes, that would be fine. Oh, and here's a little something for your time. I may need you one more time while I'm here. And, please, take this dress as well. Sell it, wear it, give it away, I don't want to look at it."
The nanny looked at the woman stepping out of the dress, and quickly putting on a bathrobe. Katy picked up the dress off of the floor and handed it to the nanny, along with £30.00.
"Are you sure, ma'am? I've never been given a dress before."
"Well, I've never been blackmailed before either. Take it. Please, take it. I'm sure you know someone who would want it, or give it to Oxfam."
"Right, ma'am. Thank you." The nanny left the room.
Josh stirred in his sleep and rolled over. Katy slipped into her pyjamas and slipped into the bathroom. The red light on the phone was blinking, there was a message for her. She dialled voicemail and received it.
"Katy, love, it's me. I don't believe it - of all the fucking cheek, that bastard! How dare he? He always was a fucking twat. Call me when you get this, wake me up, I don't care. Baby, don't do anything with him just to save me. I'll gladly get sent down before I'd see you hurt yourself. I'd do anything to protect you and the kids and if it means that I have to get sent down for what happened, well, I don't care love. Call me please. I love you so much. I had a chat with Josh and Maggie - I told Josh how proud I was of him for sticking up for you, and I told Maggie a story about a baby bird and how it's mother protected her from the evil cat that was trying to eat it. I miss the kids sweetheart. It's too quiet here without you and them. It reminds me of the time I lived here while I was waiting for you to come to me."
John paused, then said, "It's really hard being without you. I feel like half a person. The next two weeks can't go fast enough."
Katy smiled to herself. She was missing her husband as much as he was missing her.
"This has to be a record for me, I never leave messages on machines like this. So I'm going to say goodnight, my love, and please call me when you get this. Wake me up, whatever. Take care angel. Bye."
Katy splashed some cold water on her face. She then dialled John.
The phone rang seven times before John picked up. "Hello. whozit? Katy?" he murmured.
"Hi honey, it's me."
"Sweetie." John said, through a haze of sleep. "What did that twat do to you?"
"He bought me dinner. But I talked him out of it, John. He won't be hurting us."
"Are you sure?" John asked. "Deakin's not one to let up."
"I took a page out of his book. If he feels about me the way he claims he does, then I made him realise the only one he'd be hurting would be me by doing what he proposed. So he saw sense and backed down."
"You're amazing, baby," John murmured, sleepily. "I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart. I'm going to bed. I'll call you in a few days."
"Ok lover. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sweetheart."
Katy went in the other room and crashed next to her sleeping daughter, the sound of her beloved husband's voice still echoing in her ear.
* * *
Chris went up to the room he had reserved. Even though she wasn't with him, no use letting the room go to waste. He looked around, champagne bottle chilling, flowers, giant bed. who was he trying to kid? It had been a futile mission, trying to get Katy to go with him in the first place.
He flopped down on the giant bed and closed his eyes. It was like she said, if things would have been as they seemed to be there wouldn't have been a problem. She would have been his. They would have been married. Those kids. well, no they wouldn't be his. He still didn't want kids. Still, what if, he thought to himself. What if, indeed. He took a pillow from the other side of the bed and wrapped his arms around it. Fully dressed, he felt himself drift off to sleep.
The next morning he woke up in a haze of alcohol, disoriented, unsure of his surroundings. He stumbled out of bed, and into the bathroom. Looking at his reflection bouncing off of the glass, metal and chrome fixtures, he felt like weeping. He wasn't sure what was making him feel worse, the alcohol, or the irrational, unreasonable way he treated Katy.
Even though he didn't have a change of clothes he decided to take a shower. He ran it as hot as he could stand and stripped off. For being 54 years old, age had taken its toll on his physique. While he was still strong, and could still run down a crook if he had to, he was glad to leave that up to younger officers. He remembered thinking of officers like Tosh Lines, a DC but highly unfit, and promising he'd never get like that. Every day he was creeping towards it, slowly but surely.
Stepping underneath the giant showerhead, he closed his eyes and let the water rinse away the alcohol and desperation that was hanging over him like a giant black cloud. Steam billowed around him, and for one brief moment he contemplated the dream he had yesterday when he made preparations for this room, of Katy standing naked under that showerhead with him, making love. Could he have really been so daft in his old age to think that she and John would have just given up the ghost and gone along with him? He knew John was a fighter, and would have sacrificed himself for her and their children. Whatever he was thinking, whatever plan he was contemplating, it was doomed to fail from the start.
Chris thought of John and shook his head. What could she possibly see in him? The man had no class, no taste, probably didn't know a Pinot Gris from a Chardonnay, and to add insult to injury, was a Scouser. Surely everything he knew about food, wine and manners she had taught him. Why would she take on a charity case like John when there was a decent, distinguished man like him that could offer her a life and be a true partner to her, intellectually, culturally, socially and physically? There's one thing about having a bit of rough, like Tony Stamp, but it's a whole other thing to take on that bit of rough for life.
Remembering what he had once said about John, he chuckled to himself. John on the job, and at the critical moment he'd jump off and go nick someone. Chris reckoned he was still that way. Maybe not go nick someone, but with two kids around, their sex life couldn't be all that active. Her lifestyle may have changed but Chris knew she appreciated the food and wine last night. Out of all the hotels in London, she chose The Savoy, old money, old school elegance, as opposed to some trendier or lower budget place. She still had an eye for luxury, and while motherhood and marriage to John Boulton may have made her put her tastes on the backburner, they were still in there.
Lifting his face up to the stream of water, he felt the droplets hit his lips. A memory from the night before came rushing back to him. Her embracing him, touching his face, kissing him. She obviously felt something for him if she held him like that. Maybe fighting with her wasn't the answer. It was her heart that was the way in. Chris felt a flicker of hope in his heart and his thoughts fanned it into a roaring fire. That was the way he would get her. Appeal to her romantic sensibilities, and charm his way into her heart. He did it once before, he could do it again.
Chris stepped out of the shower and dried himself off. He looked over at the clock. It was 9:30. He contemplated calling her but decided to let it wait. Getting dressed, he smiled to himself, and went downstairs to check out. He had some plans to make first, over the next few days.
