Chapter 33

 

April had finished in the toilets at the gallery and was wiping down the air conditioning vent when the door opened.

Ingrid smiled. It wasn’t a genuine smile. “When you’ve had your break, Gemma, can you come to my office? I need a quick word.”

April wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand. “Sure, do you want me to come now?”

“No, have your break first. Rachel was making the coffees when I poked my head in the staff room.” She glanced at her watch. “Come up at half past and we can have a chat.”

“Will do,” she nodded.

Now, what the hell does she want?

 

April stood outside with Rachel and Joey while they had their cigarettes.

“Did you see Ingrid?” Rachel asked taking a sip of her coffee, “she was looking for you.”

“Yeah, I’ve got to go and see her at half past.” She checked her watch, “I’d better not be late.”

“What’s it about, do you know?”

She shrugged, “I don’t. I hope there’s nothing wrong with my work.”

“It won’t be that,” Joey cut in, “nobody works harder than you. I reckon they’ll be begging you to stay on here when your twelve weeks are up.”

“I doubt it, but I don’t really want that, to be honest.”

“Why? It’s not a bad job,” he said.

“And it’s good pay,” Rachel added.

She needed to choose her words carefully. The last thing she wanted was to offend either of them.

“It is a great job, but I want to move on. I’ve only ever seen this as a stepping stone. I don’t want to stay here indefinitely; I’d like to go somewhere where nobody knows me, you know, doesn’t know about my past.”

“I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself,” Rachel said, “everyone makes mistakes, and it’s not as if you’ve murdered anyone or anything. You like it here working with me and Joey, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. I love being with you two, but I still need to move on.”

“But where will you go? Why don’t you stay for a year or so then think about moving? Me and Joey love you being here with us.”

“Aw, Rachel, don’t say that. You’ll make it even harder for me to leave.”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do,” Rachel grinned.

April gulped the last of her coffee. “And you’re doing a brilliant job,” she checked her watch again, “I’d better go and see what Ingrid wants.”

“It’ll only be about your probation. What else could it be?”

It wouldn’t be. Her parole officer, Tom would be there if it was.

“Yeah, I expect so. I’ll let you know on the way home tonight.”

Joey took a last drag of his cigarette and crushed it against the wall. He put the stub back in the packet.

He let them back into the gallery with the code and his badge.

“See you in a bit.” He gave a reassuring wink, “Good luck.”

April gave a nervous smile and made her way to Ingrid’s office.

 

The next few minutes were crucial. She couldn’t afford to get on the wrong side of Ingrid. Tom had warned her in the beginning she’d be out on her ear if she did, and then it would all have been a complete waste of time.

She tapped on the office door.

“Come in,” Ingrid said and she entered. April had never been inside her office as Ingrid cleaned it herself. That seemed to be the only job she did do.

“Ah, Gemma, come and have a seat. Have you had your coffee?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She took the seat opposite her. Ingrid would love sitting behind the imposing desk wanting her to feel subservient.

If she only knew.

“Good. I wanted to catch up with you to touch base, so to speak, to see how you’re getting on.”

Yeah, right.

“Fine.” April put on a fake worried expression. “Is everything alright with my work?”

“Your work is excellent as far as I can see.”

The relieved expression came next. “Good, ’cause I’m really trying.”

“Yes, I can see that. You’ve made quite an impression with us all . . . especially Mr Rider.”

Oh, I get it.

The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head.

“His housekeeper said they were pleased with the work I’d done at his house.”

“I’m sure you’ve done a great job there too, but that’s almost finished now, isn’t it?”

April nodded, “I’ve actually finished already. His regular cleaner’s back this week.”

Come on. Why don’t you just cut to the chase?

This isn’t about my work.

“I see. Right, well, there was another reason I wanted to have a chat with you,” she lowered her voice slightly, “and this is completely confidential, you do understand, just between the two of us.”

Cut the crap . . . please.

“Yes, of course.”

“How can I say this . . . erm . . . Mr Rider seems to have a bit of an eye for the ladies. I’ve seen him looking at you on occasions. I don’t know whether you’ve noticed that?”

Well actually we’ve moved on from the sexy looks.

We’re fucking now.

April shook her head vigorously.

“Haven’t you? I am surprised. I would have thought a girl with your looks gets lots of admiring glances.”

She didn’t answer, even though it was yes, she did attract men.

“I just want to say you need to be careful with him, or any man for that matter linked to the gallery.”

That must be a warning about Joey, too.

“I think it’s important while you’re going through this parole period that you don’t . . . how shall I put it . . . don’t become emotionally attached to anyone, if you understand my meaning.”

Too late.

The horse has already bolted.

Ingrid carried on, “Mr Rider for example. He’s a very wealthy man, and wouldn’t seriously be interested in a cleaner, not for anything long-term, although men like him do get carried away when there’s an attractive female around. And that’s what worries me. I’d hate for anything to happen that could jeopardise your rehabilitation. Do you get my drift?”

“I think so.” April faked uncertainty. “You’re worried I might become involved with him if he showed an interest in me?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“I wouldn’t,” she replied emphatically. “I don’t see him much but when I do, he only asks how I’m getting on. He’s a perfect gentleman really,” especially with his dick inside me, “so I can’t imagine he’s got any designs on me.”

“That’s reassuring to hear. The last thing I’d want is for you to have your head turned. Mr Rider is a very attractive man.”

April nodded her head again, implying she was in agreement with everything Ingrid was saying. She took a deep exaggerated breath in. “I do understand. And while we’re talking confidentially,” she swallowed, “I don’t think I’ll be staying on here much longer after my twelve weeks. I want to make a fresh start somewhere else . . . you know, where nobody knows about my past.”

Ingrid’s expression turned to one of relief. “Very wise. I’m pleased to hear it, and I’m more than happy to supply you with a reference about your work. Anything I can do to help, you just need to say.”

“Thank you. That really is kind of you.”

“Right then, I’m pleased we’ve got that settled. And don’t forget, let’s keep this conversation to ourselves shall we?”

“Of course,” April smiled reassuringly and stood up. “Shall I go make a start on the staff-room now?”

“Yes, you do that. Thank you, Gemma.”

Stupid cow.

I’ll be fucking Dylan Rider as often as I can until I get what I want.