Cherry Ghost

Six

The young policewoman had left Linda's office. Details of the attack quickly scribbled down in her notebook; the promise of a follow up with another officer given and the assurance that 'This was being taken very seriously!' A call had been made to the school secretary who had confirmed that Mel was in her class and that no-one had been seen on campus that had brought cause for concern. Never-the-less she had agreed to contact campus security and advise them of the possible threat and to make sure someone was posted outside each classroom which Mel was attending for the foreseeable. This was to be done in such a way as to 'Not arouse suspicion from anyone, as understandably the school could do without this sort of attention!'

"You want a coffee?"

"Thanks, you read my mind, Mark"

She would always function better after a large mug of steaming black organic 'Bolivian Colonial Caranavi' and as a supporter of Fairtrade and all it was seeking to achieve, she had been delighted to discover that this was not only an ethical way to support the local producer but that her bean of choice also delivered one hell of a kick to her jaded system whenever she needed it.

'Double bubble' as Mark would say.

"I've notified your insurance company, and they want a full report sending asap. There should be a claims form in your inbox later today."

"Now you're sure you're ok? I can re-schedule your diary if you want?"

"I'm fine, it's all prepared. I've waited long enough for this interview, and I don't want to cancel it now!"

Today she was lunching with Sophie Harris at 12.30. She'd booked her usual suite at her favourite bar Work, part of an elegant conversion of an old workhouse in the heart of the city. She'd used it extensively over recent years when meeting celebrities, dignitaries or local business leaders. She knew the staff would be immaculately presented, attentive without being over fussy and the prying eyes of any curious paparazzi would be kept well away. Moreover the opulent surroundings coupled with her uncanny ability to put her clients at ease meant that Linda's database of subscribers to lynks, one of the UK's fastest growing and most successful exclusive 'members only' introductions and dating service,now boasted many of societies wealthy and influential. Revenue was buoyant. Things were looking good.

The approaching smell of coffee bore testament to Marks' imminent arrival and so she minimised the background info she'd prepared on Sophie on her laptop and ran her eye over the news headlines on her homepage behind. She sipped slowly from her Purple Ronnie mug, a 30th birthday gift from Mel which somehow how survived two and a half years of office abuse.

By the fourth sip Mark's pick-me-up was having the desired effect and the trauma of the attack and uneasy memories that had surfaced earlier were beginning to subside back into that area of her mind that had become her safety blanket. A place created as a refuge offering her protection from the aftermath of betrayal and the subsequent plethora of emotions that had threatened to submerge her. A safe room where the worst was numbed; the desperation and blinding panic could subside and the seemingly un-ending tears could work themselves out until some sort of equilibrium could be restored.

Holding Purple Ronnie in front of her, palms wrapped tightly around to provide an added sense of comfort, she read on.

Skim reading the headlines she flicked through the pages, this time ignoring anything to do with the money markets, social trend forecasts and the latest football transfer gossip; how she loathed the national fascination with this sport, and diligently digested all the latest social gossip on offer. It paid to be up to speed on this as her business tapped into this world on an ever increasing measure. She prided herself on knowing who was seen with who, when and where.