Chapter Nine: Banks and Scenarios

The pub lunch went quite well. Stephen however made a point of ordering the cheapest thing on the menu. He had less than 500 pounds in his bank and needed it to last for the next two months or so. Geoff agreeing to putting his name on the will made up for him losing nearly forty pounds on this. Stephen dropped him off outside his flat again. Geoff promised to phone him when he needed him over for the will. So that was good enough for him as he told him he would see him another day. Thus he drove Elaine's car back onto the road. He may have drove a bit further than he should have but he wanted to clear his head. He drove past the canal one last time before heading back to the street. Parking outside Tim and Sally's as that's where she was briefly staying. The door opened on his arrival, Stephen getting out of the car as he passed Elaine back the car keys.

"You didn't sell it then? That's good" Tim spoke up with his arms crossed.

"Tim. Stop...I'm sorry about him" Elaine quickly cut in.

"Don't say sorry on my behalf. I'm not sorry...He's scum" Tim said firmly.

Despite Sally holding onto his arm as if trying to stop him. Stephen didn't dare to reply as he couldn't risk Elaine turning on him too. Insulting her son would certainly be the way to do that. Deep down however he wanted to call him an idiot as that's exactly what he classed him as. Tim however had no problem as he walked over with an annoyed looking Sally.

"I don't know what your problem is, Tim. I'm paying back every penny" Stephen insisted.

"When?"

"In a couple of months, three months or so. I already got the ball rolling on the whole thing"

"Oh right. Well three months gives you enough time to book a one-way flight back to Canada, doesn't it?"

"I'm not going back to Canada"

"Why not? Does everyone hate you over there too?"

"Tim! Stop now...That's out of order!" Elaine shouted at him.

"Yeah Tim. Come on, let's go back inside. It's your mother's business...If he doesn't pay her back in three months. Then we can have a go" Sally chimed in.

Tim giving him one last glare before agreeing. He would just go round in circles anyway if he stayed. Elaine watching her son and daughter-in-law until they were departed inside. At least Sally was willing to let it go for now however she did agree with Tim.

"I'm so sorry about him. He's just overprotective sometimes. After everything his dad did to me. How did the pub lunch go then? Do you think he will accept you're offer?" Elaine asked.

She had been lied to as well. Stephen told her he was having lunch with a client, not his father.

"Oh. Yeah. He's happy...I think it may take a few more meetings and a clever manoeuvre. Apart from that though, it's going how I want"

...

"I feel stupid for even asking you for advice on this. I haven't really had many men in my life. Geoff was my last proper relationship which tells you everything you need to know. Should I tell Stephen I want a date or am I just too old for this now?" Elaine asked Yasmeen.

As she came round to her house for a cup of a tea and a chat the morning after. For she had really fallen for Stephen in these last couple of months. Despite the money problems. Though she had noticed he wasn't really as enthusiastic back but maybe he just didn't know she thought. He can't read minds, can he?

"Never too old. I understand though...I only had three proper relationships myself. Stuart is the best one I must add. Though do you really want to get into a relationship with somebody who has something over you?" Yasmeen questioned with concern.

"Not on purpose. It's not like he forced me to lend him money"

"He may not have forced you but he took it knowing he's in debt. Now I don't really know Stephen as well as you. He seems nice I suppose but he's got too much baggage, hasn't he?"

"It isn't his fault"

"Did he tell you that or have you seen these problems in person?"

"He told me some things that nobody else knows. There's a reason he's got so many money problems and it's not his fault. If I tell you, do you promise to not tell anyone? Not Stuart or anybody?"

"If it will help you. You can rely on me. Mum's the word"

"Thank you. Well you know he's going through a divorce with his wife Gabrielle. Well she's the reason he's struggling so much with his money. He and her had a joint bank account. Not really his idea but he went along with it anyway. They had a few arguments about the business" Elaine paused as she stated..."The business was mostly an outlet for her though"

"That doesn't explain much. He still has access to this joint bank account I assume" Yasmeen replied in confusion.

"He never really had access to it. Just the business side and even then, he couldn't do anything without her permission or say so. Do you get what I'm getting at?"

"No"

"She was controlling him for decades which included his money. He told me all this and that's why he came back to England. To get away from her. So as revenge, she closed the account in his name and now she's taking the rest in the divorce proceedings" Elaine finished as if it made perfect sense.

Despite being a victim herself of this sort of control. Yasmeen didn't have rose-tinted glasses on like Elaine as she could see some flaws in this explanation. Elaine could see her going through this in her head. She was a businesswomen unlike Elaine too and knew about this sort of stuff more. So he had a joint bank account with Gabrielle for decades and she had full access to everything? Yet he comes back with a spring in his step and gets his shoes under another businesses' table like nothing was amiss.

"And he told you this? Word for word?" Yasmeen asked after a few moments of silence.

"Yes. I even seen texts from her as proof...Calling him useless and things like that. He couldn't buy anything without her permission or anything" Elaine insisted.

"What I don't understand is this. It took us both a while to move on but for him. No time at all. He was chasing after Jenny not long after he came back, does that sound like an abused man? Never mind that though. Businesses are complex and require a lot of thinking. You can't just get your mojo back like that, not if he's been supposedly running everything past somebody for decades. You can't just do it on your own after that like it's nothing"

"What are you saying? You think he's made all of this up?" Elaine asked with a scoff.

"No. I don't think he's making everything up. Maybe just exaggerating slightly...I'm sorry but it doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure you heard more details than me though" Yasmeen nervously answered.

"I thought you would understand"

"I understand all too clearly, Elaine. I don't trust him but if you do. That's great. And I don't want our friendship to change over it"

Though maybe it would as Elaine just made an excuse she had to get on.

...

Stephen was back at Audrey's meanwhile. He had been in his bedroom all morning as he had a notepad on him. Writing was already in it. It was mostly his thoughts and feelings, stuff he can't say to anybody in person for obvious reasons. He was currently noting down fake sceanrios taking place in his father's flat. Fake burglaries, spiked drink, a simple blow to the head or an induced heart attack. Awful things that nobody should be thinking about. His father was fit for eighty years old, could have a few years yet. He didn't have a few years, he had three months. He kept looking at the induced heart attack bit. A shock could do that maybe or a large amount of LSD. He didn't know and he didn't want to Google it to find out. Less it gets traced back to him. His mother gave a knock at his door, making him close the notepad as he placed it underneath his pillow. Getting up and opening the door...

"I'm here to see if you had any luck in finding a job. I can't wait forever for a new car" Audrey began.

"I don't expect you to. I'm looking for one"

"And you're going to find one in your bedroom?"

"No. Look I'm looking online and I put my resume in a few places. I'm speaking to old business associates and one of them is really keen to let me have a share. So give me a few months"

"Alright. A few months but only a few mind. How is your father anyway?"

"He's good but he's been a bit under the weather lately. Not too much but enough to make him feel groggy" Stephen lied, laying the seed early.

She just nodded in response. Though she was secretly disappointed. How did her handsome and successful businessman son end up like this? Blanche would have loved to have gloated to her about this if she was still there. She really didn't mind him living with her though as he's never really lived with her before. Which is why she was a lot less hard on him than she was on Gail.

...

"I would like to meet you for lunch sometime. Unless you're busy of course but if you aren't. Perhaps it can be like a date" Elaine nervously spoke on the phone.

Her granddaughter Faye sitting on the couch arm as she winced at her grandmother's words. She didn't understand why her gran was so intent on wanting a jobless Stephen who owes her money for a date or anything else. Not like she would say it that harshly to her face.

"A date?" Stephen asked like it was the most shocking thing he ever heard.

"Yes. I really like you and I know it's hard to get past a bad relationship. Which is why we should do it together. I got a new house I want and it would be nice to share it with someone instead of on my own" Elaine expressed.

"Well...I don't know. Could we just do a date first and discuss everything else later?"

"Yes. Where do you want to go? Anywhere but 'Speed Daal' mind you"

"I don't know. You know how my money problems are"

"Then come to mine and I'll cook it here" Elaine said keenly despite Faye mouthing "No" as she dismissed her.

"Okay then. I'll come round whenever you're free" Stephen agreed (thinking about the house).

"Saturday?"

"Saturday"

"Alright, see you then, bye" Elaine said with a smile.

She put the phone down with a sigh of relief. The worst part was over in her mind and all she had to do now was find something to cook. Faye though wasn't impressed as she thought Stephen was a waste of space. She saw him in the factory and how he was. She was just concerned for her grandmother as she knows what a bad track record she has with men.

"Are you sure this is what you want, gran?" Faye asked.

"Yes I am. I know what you and your father think but he's going to pay me back. He promised me and I trust him"

"He can't even afford to take you out to dinner. What makes you so sure he's going to get this money?"

"Because he told me"

"Well he's said a lot, hasn't he? A lot of talking and no action. Did he give you a time limit or an idea of when he's you paying you back?"

"Three months. Okay...Just give him three months. Trust me Faye, I'm going to be telling him myself if he doesn't give it me back but he's been a lot of stuff. Just trust my judgement"

"Okay then"

"If you want to be helpful. You can help me pick my outfit." Elaine suggested.

Faye gave another wince as she told her fine. She would be nice for the three months but if it doesn't happen. Then Tim wouldn't be the only one demanding he give Elaine back the money.

...

TBC