Death at Presley Park

Chapter 2

Chapter 2Prior to arriving at the restaurant Johnny and his family had all been at home.

Johnny heard laughter coming from the lounge as he came out of his dressing room and he made his way towards it. He sauntered along the wide, bright corridor and smiled to himself as he gazed out of the floor to ceiling plate glass windows which made up the whole of the exterior wall. The views across the countryside were spectacular and he marvelled at the way his wife Bee had known instinctively how to instruct their builders in order to get the most out of their home. Everything from the on-suite bedrooms to the covered, solar heated swimming pool with its retractable roof was designed to the highest standard. He was good at making money, but Bee knew how to spend it wisely.

The laughter intensified as he approached the room. Sitting at the table with a board game set up between them were Bee, Emma aged ten, her six year old brother Alex and Marie the au-pair.

“But Alex you can't go backwards even if it would let you pick up the book of wisdom,” Emma protested, her intense, hazel-coloured eyes showing her frustration. “Tell him Mum. He doesn't understand that it would be cheating.”

“I suppose having a book of wisdom might have helped in this situation,” Marie said smiling.

“Yes,” Bee agreed. “I'm sorry, Darling, but Alex is just too young for this game. It's designed for players aged ten and over and he's just a little boy. Why don't you get something else like Hungry Hippos?”

“I hate that game. Alex is too rough,” she whined. “I wish he would hurry up and grow up.”

Johnny, who'd been watching from the doorway, looked admiringly at his pretty wife and beautiful children. Bee was petite and slender, she had even features and a fair complexion framed by soft brown curls. She was kind and gentle and she seemed to have a fragility about her that made Johnny, and every other man she came into contact with, want to protect her. When their children were born he couldn't believe how well she'd coped, delivering them with hardly a whimper, proving she was much tougher than she looked. He shouldn't really have been surprised as all through their married life she'd been strong, organised and in control. She ran the household in a relaxed but disciplined fashion and the children felt safe and confident with their well-ordered routine.

“Hello Darling,” he said as he planted a kiss on Bee's cheek. “As usual you look beautiful and perfectly dressed for the occasion. “Hello little chickens,” he said addressing the children. “Hi Marie,” he acknowledged the au-pair. “We'll have to leave in about ten minutes. We're meeting Theo and Mandy at the restaurant.”

Bee stood then went to gather up her coat and handbag. As she walked towards the door Johnny couldn't help comparing her to Mandy. He lusted after Mandy but he loved his wife. How fortunate he was that Mandy had turned down his proposal when they were younger or he might have been stuck in a stressful, loveless marriage with a scheming, high maintenance b***h. Instead he was blissfully happy with this undemanding, wonderful woman who was the love of his life. He could have Mandy, or a dozen other women just like her, any day of the week, but only Bee could truly have Johnny.

Their feet crunched on the driveway as they walked towards the Lexus. On seeing them coming, Colin, Johnny's driver immediately leapt out of the car and opened the passenger door for Bee.

“Good evening Mrs. Rigby. How are you this evening?” he enquired politely.

Bee climbed into the car and Colin raced round to open the opposite door for Johnny without waiting for her reply.

“Looks like rain this evening,” Colin said as he got into the driver's seat. He turned on the ignition and snapped his seat belt closed.

“Thank you for giving up your evening off to drive us,” Bee said. “I do hope Caitlin didn't mind.” Bee liked Colin. The young man was tall and lanky and he had a cheeky smile. He was bursting with youthful enthusiasm and although they looked nothing alike, there was something about him that reminded her of Johnny when he was younger.

“No problem, Mrs Rigby”, Colin replied. “We're saving up to buy our own place so I'm glad of the overtime, besides, Caitlin's working on a paper all weekend. It's to be ready for Monday. She's studying to become a paralegal. I'd just be sitting in front of the telly with her mum and dad. Trust me, I'd rather be working. There's only so much 'Britain's Got Talent' a person can stand.”

Johnny cleared his throat indicating this line of conversation should end. He wanted to discuss the evening ahead with Bee and didn't wish to waste the entire journey listening to small talk between her and his employee.

Bee took the initiative and began, “Don't worry about the restaurant. I've arranged for us to have the small private area at the back. It's still in the main room. There's no solid door but the archway separates it from the rest of the flow of people and it's very discreet. I've asked the front of house manager to bring in some extra lighting with a couple of standard lamps so that you and your guests can see to read any relevant paperwork. I'll look after the wives and I'll make sure Mandy doesn't drink too much. We can't risk her flirting with our guests and becoming the floorshow.”

“I just hope Theo is on time tonight,” Johnny replied. “I've a couple of things to discuss with him before Donatelli arrives.”

“If he's late it'll be Mandy's fault. Everything is always about her. She has no respect for anyone or anything,” Bee replied bitterly.

The edge on her voice was tangible. Johnny felt a cold chill run down his spine and a jag of fear. Did Bee know something about him and Mandy, he wondered? It was just a bit of fun, it meant nothing to him. Mandy meant nothing to him. Bee noticed the frown lines on his forehead and she leaned over to kiss him lightly on the cheek.

“Don't worry, Darling,” she said. “You'll be magnificent tonight and everything will be fine. Emma has informed me she'd like to have riding lessons and she wants you to buy her a pony and Alex would like a helicopter to take him to school. So you'd better secure the deal. Our children have expensive tastes.”

Johnny laughed, “When I was Emma's age I wanted a bike but we couldn't afford one. Now she wants a pony and our six year old wants a chopper, and what about you, my love? What do you want?”

“Only you, Darling, don't worry, I want only you,” she replied smiling.

Johnny returned her smile. He took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze then he settled back in his seat and relaxed. She suspects nothing he thought and he breathed in deeply with relief.