Police Constable Philippa Mead sat in the Police canteen drinking a coffee and brushing sugar off her uniform trousers and was blissfully unaware that at that precise moment decisions that would change her life forever were being made.
Chief
inspector Bill Overend was a great bear of a man, but such was his benign
disposition you might be confused into thinking he was more of an overstuffed
teddy bear, but you would be mistaken, his wits were as sharp as a knife and as
a result he was a good copper and he commanded great respect from colleagues
and villains alike.
On this
particular morning he was on his way to see the Chief Superintendent to discuss
replacements.
His squad
was already one man down, Chris Blenkin, who was on long term sick leave and
was not going to return and another officer, Jenny Hack, who was about to go on
maternity leave, so as he entered George Tiplady’s office he did so with some
optimism.
Philippa,
or as she preferred Pippa, was to the untrained eye a rather plain almost
emaciated looking girl, stick thin with straight shoulder length blonde hair
and as she never wore make up at work, she looked five years older than the
twenty-six she actually was.
Off duty
she was a bit of a tomboy and wore quite masculine looking clothes leading some
to suppose her to be a lesbian.
They
couldn’t be more wrong.
Even though
her features were plain there was something about her that shone through from
within, now whether it was her eyes which were the most stunning green or a
smile that could melt the hardest heart it’s difficult to know but, as a result
she was never short of a date.
She was a
single girl and content to be so for now as she had not yet met the right person,
but she was in no hurry.
There was
no one special in her life at present.
She drained
her coffee and made her way to the muster room for the duty briefing.
Overend
left the Chief Superintendents office after a less than satisfactory meeting;
he did get two out of the three replacements, but not the ones he wanted.
Due to
political pressure from above to change the profile of the police he had been
lumbered with two officers being fast tracked which meant that the ticked the
Home Office boxes but had no experience and were worse than bloody useless.
It had been
his wish to promote three PCs up from the ranks from his own station to CID,
Pippa Mead among them but it appeared that was not to be, for now at least.
He was not
the only one in Abbottsford to have had a disappointing outcome Pippa spend her
entire shift being the public face of British policing without actually
managing to impact crime in any way shape or form but it wasn’t always like
that.
As luck
would have it that night the criminal fraternity were very active in the
Abbottsford police district and as the new officers were not due for another
four weeks Bill Overend got the three officers he wanted if only on a temporary
basis but if he could clear these cases before the new appointees arrived he
would have a strong case for keeping the officers he wanted and the fast tracks
could go and tick boxes on someone else’s relief.
The next
morning Pippa, and PCs, Webster and Griffin were instructed they had been
seconded to CID for a prolonged period.
This came
as a complete surprise to Pippa, who, despite having done several spells in CID
in the past, was not aware of having made any significant kind of impact that
would merit an extended duty in CID, but all that said she was delighted.
Chief
inspector Overend was feeling a little smug at his getting his own way even if
it might turn out to be short term.
The first
order of the day was to place the temporary DC’s to individual teams and then
assign those teams to the growing list of cases, which Overend was anxious to
make inroads into.
Pippa's day
just kept getting better she was added to Detective Sgt Tilly Donnally’s team,
Donnally was someone she admired very much, if a little scary, she was a fiery thirty-two-year-old
red head, who led by example and relied heavily on her instincts, which rarely
failed her.
Then she
was paired with Detective Constable James Pidd who was a quiet unassuming
thirty something man, a very calm and very capable detective not a leader but
blessed with a very analytical mind.
But despite
his unassuming nature, to everyone’s surprise, including his own, he found
himself engaged to Theresa Bennington who was the Granddaughter of the Lord
Lieutenant of the county, though such is the nature of the man he was not the
sort to use his social position to benefit his career.
“Jimmy and
Pippa,” Overend said pausing briefly to consult his notes,
“Clifford’s
Biscuits were turned over last night; the owner is on site and is probably not
a happy cookie.”
“On our way
sir.” Said DC Pidd completely missing the joke, as did Pippa who was already
halfway to the door.
Jimmy Pidd
and Pip Mead had worked together on many occasions in the past and they got on
well.
Also, they
complimented each other he with his analytical mind and she with her razor
sharp instinct and hard graft.
The only
bone of contention between them was the driving.
They both
hated to drive, this was very unusual, as normally partners fight over who gets
the keys.
They had
tried a number of ways in the past to determine who got lumbered with the
driving such as, Rock, Paper, Scissors, Arm wrestling or tossing a coin but
they never worked as they both had a propensity to cheat.
So they
decided the fairest way was one of them would drive there and the other would
drive on the return journey.
Today Jimmy
Pidd was driving and there was only one thing he hated more than driving and
that was driving in the rain.
At least
Clifford’s was in Abbottsford’s only about three miles from the station.
Clifford’s
biscuits was an old family business established in 1879 by Robert Sebastian
Clifford and was currently run by his Great-Great Grandson Donald.
They had
moved to their present location in Abbottsford’s in 1928.
The two
DC’s presented their warrant cards to the Olympic security guard and were waved
through the main gate and directed to the reception.
The broad
white building was a great example of the art deco style with its angles,
curves and symmetry.
DC Pidd got
out of the car and paused for a moment, despite the rain, in appreciation of
the stylish building.
“What a
great building.” Said Jimmy.
“Yes it’s
very…. white.” Said DC Mead running towards the building.
“Is that
all you can find to say about this magnificent structure?”
Said a
stunned
“This
wonderful example of Art Deco architecture?”
She stopped
running, then took a moment to study the façade then said.
“Yes, I
stand by my original statement, it’s definitely white”
“You’re a
philistine Pip.” Pidd said running after her.
Pidd and
Mead walked into reception and were greeted by a middle aged balding man in a
smart suit.
“Good
morning.” He said offering his hand. “Peter Frecknell assistant manager”
“Good
morning sir, I’m DC Pidd.” Jimmy said shaking the offered hand.
“And this
is DC Mead.” He said gesturing toward Philippa.
“Sir.” She
said also shaking hands.
“Would you
like to see the scene of the crime now?” He said relishing the change of
routine.
“Afterwards
I will take you through to the conference room Mr. Clifford would like meet you
before you leave.” And he turned and led them up the stairs.
After
Pidd and Mead had been shown the suspected point of entry and Mr. Frecknell had
given them a tour of the offices, which were in good order save for the power
leads and data cables trailing to and from non-existent PC’s, Printers, and
Scanners etc.
The
factory operated Twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, but the main
offices were seldom used after six PM.
They
were then covered by CCTV and monitored from the security building located by
the main gate.
The
offices were patrolled on foot every two hours through the night from eight PM
to Eight AM.
The
burglary occurred between six and eight. The intruders managed to bypass the
alarm system and they were somehow able to override the CCTV feeding back the
recorded images to security while they stripped the place bare.
They
interviewed staff but no one remembered seeing anything out of the ordinary.
Then
they were shown into the conference room to meet Donald Clifford.
Walking
into the long grandly decorated room with a huge twenty-four-foot-long mahogany
topped conference table they saw an immaculately dressed man of sixty standing
at the far end.
“Good
morning, officers.” He said walking towards them.
He
was wearing a high-quality handmade suit and expensive Italian shoes. His hand
made silk tie probably cost more than Mead’s entire ensemble.
“Mr.
Clifford?” Jimmy asked.
“Goodness
me no.” He said with a hint of a smile. “My name is Tyler-Moore, Marcus
Tyler-Moore.”
“He’s
our financial Director.” Mr. Frecknell
elaborated.
“I’m
DC Pidd and this is DC Mead.”
He
shook hands with them both.
The
door opened behind them and a tall, lean shabbily dressed man in his early
thirties entered.
He
had what looked like a necktie hanging from his trouser pocket and his shirt
was un-tucked.
What
must once have been a clean white shirt was now smeared with grease and dirt.
His
sleeves were rolled up exposing his skinny white arms also smeared with dirt
and his trousers were dirty and torn.
He
was wiping dirt off his hands with a monogrammed handkerchief.
“I’m
sorry I’ve kept you waiting.” He said politely. “A problem with one of the
machines.”
“Don!
We have maintenance people to do that.”
Marcus said in a fatherly way.
“He
can’t help interfering.” Marcus said addressing the two officers. “He forgets
it’s his company sometimes.”
“I
know Marcus but I like to help.”
He
inspected his right hand briefly and offered it to Jimmy Pidd to shake.
“Don
Clifford.” He said.
“DC
Pidd.” Jimmy said. “And this is DC Me…”
“Philippa.”
She interrupted. “Mead.”
“What
a lovely name.” Don said taking her hand and gazing at her.
“The
lover of horses and a sweet honey brew”
Philippa
held his gaze and his hand for longer than necessary.
“Coffee?”
Marcus broke the spell.
Don
and Philippa broke away with a little embarrassment and they both blushed.
“Yes
a good idea.” Don Clifford answered.
“Or
tea if you would prefer?” Looking at Pip again.
“Please
sit down,” He offered with a sweeping Gesture.
“Tea
would be very nice thank you Mr. Clifford.” Philippa said almost coyly.
“Please
call me Don.”
“Ok
Don.” She said and giggled.
Jimmy
was amazed he had never seen this side of Pippa before she was being feminine
and he’d never heard her giggle before. Either.
He
looked at Marcus who shrugged this was obviously new behaviour for Mr Clifford
as well.
“Coffee
for me please.” Jimmy said as he sat in the closest chair.
Marcus
nodded in Peter Frecknell’s direction and he slipped out through the door
almost unnoticed.
After
a few minutes he returned, holding open the door while an overweight middle
aged woman in a type of uniform and apron pushed a trolley loaded with
crockery, tea and coffee pots, milk jug, sugar bowl and a plate of biscuits.
“Thank
you Doreen.” Marcus said as she unloaded the trays onto a side table.
“Sir.”
She turned and left.
While
they drank Jimmy filled them in about bypassing the alarm system and that they
managed to override the CCTV and miraculously managed to leave through the main
gate right under the nose of Olympic security.
He
directed most of his comments to Marcus Tyler-Moore as Mr Clifford’s eyes were
continuously being drawn towards Pip and hers to him.
He
went on to explain that Scene of Crime officers would be on site soon though he
was not hopeful that that would turn up anything as this was a very
professional job.
“If you could provide us with a full inventory
of the stolen items as soon as convenient we can have it circulated.” Jimmy
said. “And we will be able to give you a crime number for the insurance.”
“Thank
you Constable Pidd.” Marcus said.
Jimmy
stood up.
“Yes
thank you.” Don Clifford tore his attention away from Pip and stood up
proffering his hand.
“And
thank you also Detective Constable Mead.”
“Yes
thank you Philippa.” Don said taking her hand again.
“I
think the officers need to be going now Don.”
Marcus said slapping Donald firmly on the back.
He
reluctantly let go of Pippa’s hand and they both blushed again.
“You
can contact me on this number when you have the list.” Jimmy handed a business
card to Marcus.
Pippa
handed her card to Donald and to Jimmy’s amazement she giggled again.
Philippa
and Jimmy didn’t say a word on the short walk back to the car.
But when
she walked to the passenger side Jimmy broke the silence.
“Oy Dolly
daydream.” He shouted. “You’re driving remember”
She jumped.
“Sorry Jimmy I was miles away.”
“I know
where you were and who you were with.”
Then she
flushed red.
Bill
Overend was pleased with the general progress being made on all the major
enquires and was still quietly confident that his expectations of a timely result
before the two new staff members would be foisted upon him.
Jimmy and
Pip were exploring the possible involvement of the Security company in the
Clifford’s robbery as they have been the common denominator in a series of
break ins and for several days had been wading through piles of documents from
Olympic Security searching for any patterns that might appear.
Although
she was enjoying her time in CID Pippa had spent the last two weeks slightly
depressed and more than a little bewildered.
She had
been awaiting, no expecting, a phone call, from Donald Clifford, she was
convinced that they had hit it off, or connected or something and she just
couldn’t understand why he hadn’t rang.
This was
new territory for Pippa because normally she was not short of admirers though
not in any way inundated, most of whom she felt complete indifference.
She was not
used to wanting someone to call and to have someone she was attracted to,
Fancied even, not to call her was something of a novelty, which she was neither
accustomed to nor would wish to become accustomed to.
She had
even committed the cardinal sin, something she had never ever considered, had
never needed to consider, she had called his office, not once, nor twice but
three times.
She was
told on all three occasions that he was not available.
Not
available! Bloody cheek.
Pippa was a
bit of party girl and very good company and she was popular with a large circle
of friends but she hadn’t enjoyed herself since she met that bloody biscuit
man.
She hadn’t
been out at all for the last week.
Bloody,
Bloody man.
As another
week drew to its conclusion Pippa Mead continued to discharge her duties in a
state of anxious bewilderment.
He still
hadn’t called.
What was
wrong with the man?
How could
she have got it so wrong?
After all
she thought he was besotted with her he really seemed to be, she was mow
beginning to think it was merely conceit on her part, to assume that he liked
her.
Pippa was
certainly besotted with him and that had never happened before, and she wasn’t
sure she liked it at all.
She had
even taken the unprecedented step of actually going to the factory, on the
pretext of furthering police enquires, but in reality to see Donald Clifford
only to be told he was not available.
She had
never ever been treated so shabbily she thought to herself indignantly and then
she chastised herself because realized she was being given a taste of her own
medicine.
Should she
talk to someone?
Yes, but
whom?
Tilly? No
far too scary, Gracie possibly, no Jenny, she would talk to Jenny.
Bill
Overend and his opposite number John Holt who was the Uniform Inspector were
having a drink at the “George” this was by way of an olive branch as John Holt
wanted his PC’s back and Bill didn’t want to give them back.
They were
good friends and had been for years and it would take a lot more than poaching
a few PC’s to drive a wedge between them but they both enjoyed playing the
part.
While the
two Inspectors were sparring in the pub over her future Pippa Mead was
anxiously stalking Jenny Hack through the busy market day streets of
Abbottsford.
She had
tried several times to approach Jenny at the station but she was frustrated by
the constant interruptions, either by someone else butting in or by the
telephone ringing.
She even
tried to catch her in the car park, as she was leaving for lunch, but
Superintendent Tiplady got to her first.
So she was
reduced to stalking her like a criminal.
Pippa had
followed her to every baby shop in town and then to several chemist shops.
By the time
Jenny reached the market stalls Pippa was desperate even though she had no idea
what she would say.
When Jenny
stopped at a green grocer’s stall Pippa seized her chance, she waited until
Jenny had paid for her fruit and veg and made her move.
“Hi Jenny.
Can I help with your bags you look a bit over loaded?”
“Hi. Thanks
Pip. I have over done it a bit. It’s a good job I’ve finished.”
Pippa took
a few of the heavier bags from her.
“Are you
heading back to the car now?” Pip asked.
“Have you
finished your shopping?”
“What? Oh
yes I didn’t really need anything.”
They began
walking towards the car park.
“It was
lucky you ran into me I’m not sure I would have made it back to the car on my
own.”
Jenny had
been aware of Pippa in the office and suspected she was trying to talk to her.
She had
even noticed her around town a couple times and looking at her pensive
expression she suddenly realized this was not a chance meeting.
The
conversation was pretty much one sided for the rest of the five minute walk
with Jenny doing the majority of the talking.
When they
arrived at the car park they loaded the bags into Jenny’s boot.
After a
glance in Pippa’s direction and noticing the pensiveness had not left her face
she said.
“Do you
know what I could do with?”
Pippa shook
her head.
“A cup of
coffee.” She answered. “There’s a café over the road. Do you fancy one?”
“Yes. I’d
love one.” Pippa visibly brightened.
Once they
were settled at a table Pippa sat fiddling with a napkin and trying to think of
what to say and Jenny stirred her coffee while she looked on, while Pippa
tortured herself, and smiled to herself.
Finally
Jenny could stand it no longer.
“So what’s
on your mind Pip?”
“Eh?” She
had an expression on her face like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an
approaching car.
“Something’s
bothering you, what is it?”
Pippa took
a deep breath.
“Oh Jenny,
I’ve been dying to talk to someone.”
“But I feel
so silly and I don’t know where to start.”
“At the
beginning is a good place.” Jenny said simply.
“Well you
know Jimmy and me went to that break in at Clifford’s, a month ago?”
Jenny
nodded and sipped her coffee.
“Well we
finished up in the conference room and we met.”
“Donald
Clifford.” Jenny interrupted.
“Yes. How
did you know?” asked Pip.
“Jimmy told
me. He said you were smitten.” Jenny smiled broadly.
“Jimmy?”
“Yes. Jimmy
said he was a nice guy. So what’s the problem?”
“He hasn’t
called me. That’s the problem. I gave him my card and he hasn’t called.”
“You did throw away all of those misprinted
cards you had? Didn’t you? The one’s with the ACC’s phone number on.”
“Oh God I
hadn’t thought of that.” Pippa was horrified.
“Have you
called him?”
“Yes
several times, I even went there to see him I was told he wasn’t available.”
“I can’t
believe he wouldn’t see you or speak to you if he was there. He seemed too nice
for that.” Jenny said finishing her coffee.
“Have you
met him then?” Pippa asked urgently.
“Not to
talk to. He was at the front desk one day talking to Sgt. Frank.” Jenny
replied. “I assumed it was something to do with the case.”
“I didn’t
get a message.”
“That
doesn’t mean that he didn’t leave one you know what George Frank’s like.”
Pippa, the
moment she returned to the station, went directly to reception in search of
Sergeant George Frank.
She found
him in a form of conversation with PC Deacon, which involved Deacon uttering a
few words and Sgt. Frank ranting his response. His ranting's could last for up
to ten minutes depending on the subject.
The reason
for this was simple George Frank was a miserable old pain in the ass who hated
his job and tried to ensure everyone else did as well.
“I took my girlfriend
to the eye on Saturday.” Deacon began.
“The what?”
“The London
eye Serge, at Greenwich.”
“Oh the big
wheel. I never go to London it’s a cesspit.”
“But the
view is fantastic.” Deacon enthused.
“A toilet
is still a toilet Deacon irrespective of the angle from which it is viewed.”
“But you
can see for miles.”
“A sewer is
still a sewer.”
“Serge?”
Pippa stopped him in mid rant. “Have you got a minute?”
“What is it
Mead?” He barked.
“I’m
working on the Clifford’s robbery case.”
“So?”
“I’ve have
been trying to get in touch with Mr. Clifford at the factory and I was told he
came here to the station about a month ago and spoke to you.”
“And?”
“Did he
leave a message?” Asked Pippa.
“I don’t know. It’s busy down here you know a
lot happens in a month.”
“Could you
check Serge?” She asked. “It’s very important.”
He sighed
heavily and put his glasses on and began moving papers around and looking under
things and all the time he was muttering under his breath.
Then he
began on the shelf under the counter and after a great deal of huffing and
puffing he brought out an item and put it on the counter.
The object
had a square wooden plinth at the base through which a six-inch spike was
attached.
Impaled on
the spike were pieces of paper of different shapes and sizes.
He fumbled
through the pieces of paper still muttering beneath his breath until he
suddenly…
“Ah ha.” He
exclaimed.
He pulled
off a wad of papers from the top and the removed an item and replaced the wad
back on the spike.
He then
replaced the spike under the counter where he found it.
“There.” He
said thrusting an envelope in her direction.
“Now
perhaps I can get back to work?”
“Thanks Serge.”
Pippa said rushing out the door.
She ran up
the stairs and straight into the ladies toilets.
When she
got inside she checked she was alone and then chose a cubicle and sat down.
She sat for
what seemed like an hour, although it was only a few minutes in reality,
staring at the envelope.
It was
simply addressed to DC Mead.
What if it
was a list of the stolen goods or a thank you for a prompt and professional
response or a copy of the insurance claim or maybe a donation to the Police
officers benevolent fund?
She steeled
herself and ripped open the envelope.
Inside,
folded in half, was a sheet of A5, expensive, notepaper.
She took a
deep breath and chastised herself for behaving like a silly schoolgirl and
unfolded the sheet of notepaper.
On the
paper was a short hand written note in very neat style of handwriting.
And she
read:
Detective
Constable Mead, Philippa.
I have to
apologize for contacting you in this rather forward manner, but I have been
trying to speak with you for the last few days and I have tried several times
to phone you on the mobile number you provided.
This was,
however, to no avail as all I managed to get was a rather rude and abusive
gentleman whose comments I could not bring myself to commit to paper.
I
understand from the Sergeant on reception that you are out of the office
following enquiries so I am leaving this note.
I have
unfortunately now been called away on family business and will out of the
country for the next few weeks.
The reason
I have been so anxious to contact you is that I would very much like to take
you to dinner, which will now have to be on my return.
I look
forward to hearing from you, and I hope very much that you will honor me with
your company.
My very
best regards.
Donald
At the
bottom of the page, also in his very neat hand, were two phone numbers and an
email address.
She was up
on her feet out of the cubicle and dancing when the door opened and Jenny Hack
waddled in.
Pip raced
over and hugged Jenny.
“It’s good
news then?” Jenny guessed.
“Yes, yes.”
Was all she could manage.
“Don’t hug
to tight I need a wee.”
Pippa Mead
was feeling much happier with the world.
Not only
had she, if belatedly, received, and read, the letter from Donald Clifford but
she and Jimmy had made a major breakthrough on the case.
She was on
top of the world.
She managed
to corner Jenny in reception just as she was leaving, she was with her friend
Lizzie but that was the closest to being alone she had been all day so she took
her chance.
“This is a
little something to say thanks for your help with ... well you know what.”
Jenny
beamed a tearful smile and Lizzie looked puzzled.
“Thanks
Pip, that’s really sweet”
It was now
three days since Pippa had received, and read, the letter and it was also three
days since she had begun trying to contact him on the two phone numbers and the
email address he had included in the letter.
Donald kept
two mobile phones, one for business and one for private use.
When she
dialed the mobile phone numbers all she got was the answer phone, so she left
message after message after message.
When that
failed she emailed, several times, but to no avail.
During
those three days she had gone through every emotion between elation and black
despair.
Doubting
the evidence contained in the letter, which had led her to believe his interest
in her was more than professional.
She even
doubted his motives for wanting to dine with her.
The family
business of which he wrote in his letter was obviously a fabrication and he was
merely playing some kind of sadistic game with her.
But she
played her part in the game by phoning and emailing at regular intervals.
She had
even called Marcus Tyler-Moore, the Clifford family solicitor.
He told her
the last time he spoke with Donald he was in transit to Australia but that had
been over two weeks ago and he had heard nothing since.
Then she
began to wonder if he had been killed and was that the reason nobody could
reach him?
Or maybe he
was lying in a coma somewhere in a filthy foreign hospital.
Then this
morning she awoke early, around four o’clock, and switched on her PC to check
her emails.
While the
PC was booting she went to the kitchen and made herself a hot drink.
Then she
wandered back to PC and sat silently as she logged on and she expected to find
her mailbox empty as usual.
She was
right it was empty but for two pieces of junk mail.
One was
from the financial sector wanting to loan her money and the second, as if to
add insult on to injury, was an invitation to join a singles club.
Then she
cursed herself for abandoning her carefree existence and allowing herself to be
diverted.
She had
never sought a soul mate or a life partner she had an abundance of friends with
whom she had fun.
This was
not fun.
What her
friends must be thinking of her she could hardly imagine.
All she
could do was put this past month down as a temporary aberration.
She would
tell her friends she had been unwell but was much better now.
Pip reached
out and picked up her address book and flicked through.
It was time
to put all this love nonsense behind her, it was not for her, and now she had
to get on with her life.
Finishing
her tea she returned to the kitchen and poured herself another mug.
Returning
to the PC she reached out to switch off.
Ping!
She had
mail.
What this
time, free books, Jesus saves, stripper’s r us or a lonely-hearts site.
She reached
out again to hit the off switch.
But what
if?
No! I’m not
going there again, she thought to herself.
But what
if?
No! I’ve
made my decision, it’s over, and I’m cured.
She
hesitated, her hand poised over the power switch.
“Shit!” She
muttered as she sat down.
She opened
her mailbox all the time cursing herself for weakening.
There was a
new email from an address she didn’t recognize and she moved it to trash
without opening it.
“Why do I
do this to myself?” She said to herself walking towards the bathroom.
“Why didn’t
I just trust my own judgment in the first place?”
She stopped
suddenly.
“AU!” she
shouted, “It ended AU.”
She ran
back to the PC.
Quickly
sitting down she recovered the email from the trash.
Pippa took
a deep breath and opened the mail.
It was from
Donald.
As she
eagerly read the mail all her doubts and fears dissolved away.
Donald was
indeed in Australia and he had had a series of misadventures.
Firstly he
dropped his business mobile in the departure lounge at Heathrow Airport and
then on arrival in Sydney he had the bag containing his laptop stolen.
But it was
only when he tried to use his second mobile phone to report the theft that he
realized it was also in the bag with his laptop.
So that was
why Pippa had been unable to contact him.
The reason
for his protracted visit was that he had been named as executor to his recently
deceased Uncle’s estate and he had been attempting to settle his Uncle’s many
interest’s, for example the last sixteen days had been spent on a remote sheep
station.
He was now
back in Sydney staying at the home of a close friend and was availing himself
of his friend’s computer.
He still
had a few lose ends to tie up but he was hoping to be back in England by the
end of the following week.
Pippa was
overjoyed.
She replied
to the mail immediately and was rewarded a few minutes later with a reply of
her own.
This
continued for the next two hours until she glanced at the clock and reluctantly
dragged herself away to get ready for work.
Pip spent
much of a bright spring Saturday in her flat dressed in “Sloppy Joes” and glued
to her computer trading emails with Donald Clifford in Australia.
The general
content of their correspondence was first date stuff finding out each other’s
likes and dislikes their backgrounds and their aspirations.
This was
interspersed with outrageous flirtation and even a degree of lovemaking.
This was a
new experience certainly for her and she hoped for him also.
She had not
had Internet sex before.
It was
nice.
Even so she
couldn’t wait for him to come home.
A week
later Pippa Mead’s slender frame trembled as she looked up at the board to see
that flight BA145 from Sydney had landed.
She had
arrived at the airport two hours before the flight was due and then the flight
was delayed a further ninety minutes.
She had
spent a sleepless night and even spending two hours getting ready hadn’t eaten
into the time as much as she thought it would so she decided she might as well
waist the time at the airport rather than at home.
Big
mistake.
She had
thought that there would be more distractions at a busy international airport
and the time would not hang so heavy.
The problem
with this theory was that almost everywhere you look at an airport you find a
clock or time display.
She had
bought magazines, she tried reading a book, and she drank endless cups of
coffee and made endless visits to the toilets.
Pippa felt
as though she had been at the damned airport for days.
Now the
plane had landed and she was trembling.
Pippa
turned on her heels and rushed to the nearest toilets.
After
emptying her bladder for the umpteenth time she stood in front of the mirror
and surveyed her reflection.
She was, by
her own admission, a rather stick thin plain looking girl with, two redeeming
features, the most stunning eyes and good legs.
As she
stood before the mirror she combed her straight shoulder length blonde hair and
then touched up her makeup.
She had
discarded her normally masculine looking clothes, which led many people to
suppose her to be a lesbian.
Instead she
wore a short floral dress, showing off her legs, she liked her legs.
She turned
side on to admire herself in the mirror then she stood on her tiptoes to get a
better look at her legs, she nodded to herself, shame I don’t have a bum though
she thought to herself.
Having
viewed herself from every possible angle she gave herself a quick spray of
perfume and put her things away in her bag.
Stopping
briefly for one last look in the mirror she said out loud.
“I scrub up
very nicely.”
Then she
nodded and made her way back to the arrival hall.
As Pippa
reached the arrival gate the first of the passengers were beginning to dribble
through.
Then as
more and more streamed through the gate she began to panic what if he doesn’t
recognize me now I’m not dressed like a lesbian, what if I don’t recognize him.
When she
calmed herself down she thought “I hope this blokes worth all this, my life’s
been a complete disaster since the moment we first met”.
She need
not have worried, the moment she saw him she knew him, and it was not the shabbily dressed man she had
first met.
But
the tall, lean thirty something that entered the concourse was unmistakable
Donald Clifford.
He
was wearing chinos and a sweatshirt and Pippa thought he looked great.
There
was tiredness around the eyes but apart from that he looked great.
He paused
for a moment to glance at the sea of faces then he looked straight into her
exceptional eyes, smiled and walked toward her.
She pointed
towards the exit and they began walking that way, both on different sides of
the barrier and never averting their gaze and totally oblivious to anyone
else’s presence.
When they
reached the exit in the barrier they continued walking still gazing at each
other until they were out of the main flow of travelers.
Now they
were facing each other.
“Hello.”
Don said.
“Hello.”
She answered coyly.
Then they
kissed.
And all the
panic and self-doubt just melted away.
This man
was worth it; this man was her soul mate.
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