Chapter 9

It was Tuesday afternoon. We had just closed for the day. Jennifer and I were in the office going through the books with the accountant. Like I explained before, my sister likes to put everything on the books for tax reasons. Except for some cash transactions which go under the table.

It was almost six when we finished with the accountant. I walked with him to the entrance of the shop, letting him out. Locking the door once he was gone. That is when I noticed a vehicle parked across the street. I recognised the two occupants of the vehicle at once. It was two of Sparks men.

Taking my smartphone out I dialled John’s number, with the device to my ear I waited for him to answer. It went straight to voice mail. “John call me back as soon as possible.”

Bang Bang Bang.

It was Melissa, standing outside the cafe. She was knocking on the door to let her in. Unlocking the door, she came inside.

“Jason, I need to speak to you,” she panted.

That is when my smartphone started ringing. “One-minute Melissa!” I spat back at her. Still angry at what I saw on Sunday. Seeing it was John on the phone, I walked away so I could speak to him in private.

“Hey, John.”

“Everything OK Jason?”

“Just to let you know, I have some of Sparks henchmen parked across the street. Also, do you have any news on Melissa’s involvement with Sparks?”

“We don’t have anything on Melissa. But we may have something on Robert Clark. Melissa may be working together with him. That is all we have. I’ll let you know when we have something else.”

Pressing the end call button, I started making my way to Melissa. “You wanted to speak to me, Melissa!” I barked at her. That is when my mobile started ringing again. Rolling my eyes, I looked at the screen. The call was from Samantha.

“Hi, Samantha, how are you? Are the kids ok?” I asked worriedly.

“Hi, Jason we are all ok. We are down in London. The kids kept on asking about you. So, we got the national rail to come and visit you for the day. They had to divert us due to problems with the railway line. Instead of getting here at two in the afternoon, we just arrived.”

I could hear Tina and William protesting in the background that they were hungry. “Are you at London Euston?” I asked. She took a while to answer my question.

“We’re in a taxi outside Robert Clarks Solicitors. It was the only one in the Yellow Pages in North London. Are we near where you are?

Angry at her for getting the kids and coming down here, I tried not to show it in my voice. “Could I speak to the taxi driver Sam.” Giving him directions to the cafe, I then hang up.

Looking at me, Jennifer quizzed me, “Who is Samantha?”

“You will see in about ten minutes.”

Seeing the taxi pull up outside, I hurried to unlock the door. Checking to see if Sparks men were still there. Breathing a sigh of relief when I saw the car was gone. On seeing me, Tina and William rushed towards me. Almost knocking me over when I kneeled down to embrace them.

Introducing Samantha to Jennifer and Melissa, I explained to them that Samantha was a neighbour living on the same tower block as me. Lillian was not too happy about meeting her. The way Samantha approached me when she saw me. Kissing me and hugging me. I guess Lillian was a little jealous.

Jennifer on seeing the children, went down on one knee asking them their names and how old they were. Tina with her adorable ways just melted Jennifer’s heart. Even Melissa and Lillian were getting excited with the children.

It didn’t take long for Tina to ask her mum, “Mummy can we go and get something to eat?”

Going red with embarrassment Samantha started apologising, “I am so sorry, I don’t know what came over her to ask me something like that in front of people.”

Quickly getting up, Jennifer took Tina by the hand. “Food? We have lots of food here. Let’s go and see what we have in the fridge that you like.”

Lillian took William by the hand. “You hungry too.” William was a little shy with someone he didn’t know. So, he just shook his head up and down.

“Samantha, what were you thinking, coming down here on your own with the children? You should have given me a call first!” I wasn’t worried about her coming to London on her own. I was more concerned about Sparks trying something. “I will call the hotel I am staying. Hopefully, they have a room available for the night.”

“No need to do that, they can stay at the house,” Melissa offered.

“No, we don’t want to be a burden.”

Melissa took Samantha by the hand. “It’s not a burden at all my dear. You and the children are staying with us, and that is final. Now let’s go and see what there is to eat? I bet you are famished.” Together they marched to the kitchen to find the others.

Tina and William did not say a word once they started eating. Their little faces buried in their plates. Poor Samantha couldn’t stop apologising about their manners. “They never act like this. You must think I never feed them?”

“No don’t think like that. It’s just been a long day for all three of you,” Jennifer assured her.

When Tina finished her food, lifting her little head up from the plate, she reminded her mum about something important for her. “Mummy don’t forget my teddy bears batteries need changing.” Lifting the cuddly toy from the arm to show her mum.

“Ok Honey. We’ll get some later,” Samantha reassured her.

“Don’t forget mummy,” Tina answered back with a worried look on her face.

“It’s the soft toy she takes to bed with her. It’s an animated talking bear that tells stories. She won’t sleep without it telling her a story.” Samantha explained to us.

Don’t worry we’ll get some batteries for your teddy bear,” Melissa reassured the little girl.

We stayed till late that evening at the cafe. Anthony and his sister Sophia joined us as well. Samantha sat there praising me. How I helped her fix up her place and been there whenever she needed me. Everyone seemed to take a liking to Samantha and the children. By nine Tina was sleeping on Jennifer’s lap and William on Lillian’s chest.

That evening Melissa and Jennifer took Samantha and the children in as house guests. Putting them in the guest room, which consisted of a double bed and sofa bed. It was just perfect for them for the night.

The following day when I woke up, Lillian was not in bed. I called out her name, but there was no answer. Checking my mobile, it was six in the morning. I quickly sent her a message.

Jason: “Good Morning. Where are you?”

Lillian: “Downstairs preparing the breakfast for today.