English Rose ( Part 2)

“Sorry Jim. I’m not sure I follow. She asked you to kill her?”

“Yes. We booked into the hotel under the names of Mr and Mrs E.Rose. She never did ask me why I used that name. We took the lift up to the third floor. The room was perfect. She kissed me as soon as the door was closed. Then we sat on the bed and talked."

“What about Jim. What did you talk about?”

“Everything. We played a game where we both had to ask each other ten questions. They had to be the same ten questions for both of us. And, we had to be totally honest. Kathy started."

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“Are you married?”

“Yes.”

“Children?”

“Yes, two. Boy aged four and a girl who’s eighteen months.”

“Are you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Where do you live?”

“Surrey.”

“House or flat?”

“House.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“A brother. Older. He lives in Canada.”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty two.”

“Are your parents alive?”

“Yes. Mum is fifty eight and dad is fifty nine.”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes.”

“Will you help me with something?”

“Yes.”

That was my ten questions done. Now it was Kathy’s turn. We sat on the bed holding hands. I asked her the same ten questions. She wasn’t married, she had no children, she wasn’t happy but said she pretended to be. She lived in a bedsit in Islington. She had no brothers or sisters and her parents were alive but living in Lincolnshire. She was twenty seven. She said she loved me and would help me.

We almost drank the mini bar dry. We fell asleep fully clothed on the bed. We never had sex. Just held each other close. The next morning I walked her to the station and we swapped numbers. I wasn’t sure if I would ever see her again. I got the train home knowing that I was in serious trouble. I’d been out all night, I hadn’t called my wife. She would be angry but she would also be worried. I came up with a story. I’d met up with an old mate from school purely by chance when I was between appointments. He’d convinced me to take the afternoon off and go on a bender. I ended up sleeping on his couch absolutely legless. Bless her, she believed every word. She was just so relieved to see me. I took the rest of the day off, called in sick again.

*********************************************

“So when did you see her again?”

“Sorry?”

“Come on Jim, we need to get through this. When did you see Kathy again?”

Jim closed his eyes as though he was picturing the scene.

“It was three days later. A Friday, I think. She rang me. I was back in London.

**********************************************

“Jim?”

I was so relieved to hear her voice again. I thought she would never call.

“Yes. Hello Kathy.”

“Can I see you?”

“When?”

“Today?”

“My last appointment is near Liverpool Street at three. Should be finished by four. Any good?”

“Perfect. Where?”

“Opposite the main station entrance is an old pub called Dirty Dicks. Meet you in there at four.”

“Thanks Jim. Love you.”

I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the day.My heart was pounding like a bass drum. I finished my last meeting early. I could see it was going nowhere so just stood up and said that I didn’t think our products were right for his company and walked out. I was at the pub by twenty past three. I walked in. She was already there. God she looked beautiful. Her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail; she was wearing a tee shirt and jeans. Once again her pale skin looked luminous in the half light of the pub. I wanted her.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t little Miss interview from Islington.”

Her giggle was back. She hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. She whispered in my ear.

“I’ve missed you Mr stationary man.”

I got us a bottle of wine and we went to a quiet corner of the pub. I remember the sun was shining that day. It was quite hot so everyone was standing outside. The inside of the pub was practically empty.

“How have you been? Did you get into big trouble for staying out all night? I’m sorry if I got you in trouble.”

She held my hand as she spoke. Her big blue eyes looked so apologetic.

“It’s okay. I came up with one hell of a story and it’s all fine now. It was just as much my fault as yours anyway.”

She giggled again.

“It was fun though wasn’t it?”

“Yes it was.”

She squeezed my hand tightly, then leaned across the table and kissed me softly on the lips. She tasted wonderful.

We finished our wine and I made the mistake of looking at my watch. She noticed.

“Do you have to leave?”

“Not yet. More wine?”

“No. I need to ask you something first.”

“Okay. What?”

“You know in the hotel when I asked you if you’d do something for me and you said yes. Did you mean it?”

“Of course I did.”

“Really?”

“Yes really!”

“But you don’t know what it is yet.”

I smiled at her. At that moment in time I would have walked to the end of the earth for her.

“Anything.”

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll have that glass of wine now.”

She giggled, like it was some sort of game and she’d just won. I went to the bar and got us two large glasses of wine. When I returned to the table, she’d gone. She’d written something on a napkin.

I’ll call you in a few days to explain. Love you, mister paperclip.

*********************************************

The larger man put down his pen and paper and looked across at Jim. He’d stopped talking and there was an intense silence. His eyes were still closed.

“Jim, come on, let’s carry on.”

His eyes opened. The larger man noticed tears were rolling down his cheeks.

Jim stood up and shouted.

“I did what you wanted Kathy. I kept my promise!”