Paparazzi by Jo Fenton (best free e reader .txt) 📕

I get back to my house, Will’s outside in the car waiting for me.

“Are you okay, Becky? I left Mum at home – she’s got a bit of a stomach-ache.”

“In that case, I’ll just come and pick up my car. Maybe we can catch up later this afternoon, after I’ve heard back from Finn.”

He agrees, and twenty minutes later, I’m in my house, with my car on the drive, ready to ask Matt what the hell I’ve got myself involved with.

***

Matt is out when I get indoors. There’s a message on the kitchen table. Gone for a walk. Back soon. A bit frustrating, but at least he’s finally taking doctor’s orders. I make myself a coffee and turn on my laptop to check out the details of tomorrow’s journey. When I’m sure it’s practical, I search the contacts on my phone and make a call.

“Dan?”

“Oh my God! Becks! How are you doing, love?”

As always, he’s very free with his ‘loves’. His husband is American, and he’s picked up a few questionable phrases, but it’s easier these days for me to suppress the pangs of my first love. I’m just delighted to see him so happy.

We exchange pleasantries for a few moments, then I explain that I’m coming to London the next day and ask him if he’s free to meet up for dinner.

“Sure. It’ll be adorable to see you again, love. We’ve not seen you since the wedding. Are you inviting Gray along too, or just me?”

“Whichever. I don’t mind. Obviously I want to see you most, but he’s a lovely guy; I’m always happy to see him.”

“What day is it? I lose track of time. I’ve been writing a paper, so working from home this week. So much easier to concentrate.”

“It’ll be Wednesday tomorrow.” I smile into the phone. I know he can’t see me, but it’s so lovely just to hear his voice again.

“Perfect. It’s Gray’s bridge night. He tried so hard to get me into bridge, but I just don’t get it. This is my reward. I get you all to myself for a few hours. What time do you have to head back?”

“I should probably aim to get the train back at eight or thereabouts. I don’t want to be getting into Piccadilly much after ten.”

“Of course not, love. Very dodgy. I’ll book us a decent restaurant near Euston, so we can get you on that train in time. I’ll text you the details. What time are you available?”

I explain that I have a meeting at the record company at half past four, and we arrange that Dan will meet me in the Starbucks next door at four o’clock. We can have a quick coffee first, then he’ll work on his laptop until I’m finished.

“I’ve got a meeting with a client at half past two, but I’ll be with you as soon as I can. I’m not sure how long my meeting will be, but I’ll message you if I’m going to be late.”

With my day in London completely arranged, I get my handbag ready. Train ticket, purse (with Roger’s forty pounds, twenty of my own, a couple of credit cards, and some coins), Sylvia’s address, hairbrush, lipstick, ibuprofen and Rennies. I put a note on the fridge for me to remember my phone and keys, but it’s unnecessary really. I would never go anywhere these days without my phone, and I need my keys to drive to the station.

I’m just attaching the note with a fridge magnet, amongst the mess of information about school concerts, reminders to take the cat to the vet, and hospital appointments for Matt, when he arrives home.

“Becky, are you back?”

“I hope so. Both the cars are outside.”

“Hilarious. I was just checking. Are you okay? How was Cheryl this morning?”

I dig back through my memories. It’s been a hectic day, and it’s only just gone three o’clock.

“Fine.” I put the kettle on and tell him about Lesley and the plan for revolution within the school student hierarchy. He seems impressed, but I really want to talk about my trip for tomorrow. I make us both a cup of tea first and persuade him to settle in the lounge with me.

“Do you know someone called Sylvia? One of Roger’s connections?”

Matt’s eyes widen. “Wow. How did she come up in the conversation?”

“I met Roger today. He was watching me while I was having lunch at the Village.” I don’t bother explaining who I was having lunch with. It’s too complicated, and I don’t want to derail the current discussion.

“What was he doing there?”

“Waiting to speak to me, apparently. Although I saw him and made the first approach.”

“He does that a lot. It’s his MO. He hangs around somewhere visible but inconspicuous and somehow indicates that he wants you to make contact with him. I’m used to it now, but the first few times I wasn’t sure whether I should go up to him.”

“Useful to know, thanks.”

“So where did Sylvia come in? I heard she’s a bit incapacitated right now. Just between us of course.”

“I believe so. I have to go to London tomorrow. Apparently she wants to interview me about something.”

“Very interesting.” Matt has a swig of his drink, then puts his mug decisively on the coffee table. “She’s Roger’s boss. I’ve not actually met her, but we’ve been in contact via video call. All highly encrypted of course.”

“What’s she like? And why do you think she wants to meet me?”

“She’s highly efficient. A great people-manager. She seems very sweet, but there’s an iron core in there. People put themselves into highly dangerous positions just to please her. It’s crazy, but she’s reached a fairly high-up position I believe. I think you’ll like her. As to why she wants to meet you, she vets most of the operatives. And Roger called me on Sunday and asked me a few questions about your school record and abilities.”

“Do you know anything about my time at school?”

“I knew where your school report was. I hope you