Countdown to Terror

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Jenny was meeting Anita for lunch later. They had not been in touch since returning from Florida, and had much to catch up on. But it was still only ten thirty, so she phoned Samir’s parents again. She’d had no success after several previous attempts; it was possible they were away on holiday. This time she was in luck: they had been away on a short city break to Venice, and they agreed for her to visit the following day. She freshened up and changed into fawn cut-off slacks with black high-heeled shoes and leather jacket over a pure white top.

She took the train to Manchester.  From there she walked the quarter mile to Harvey Nichols department store, and was in the second floor brasserie restaurant overlooking Exchange Square near to the Cathedral in a few minutes. Anita, jacket off, was receiving admiring glances from lunching males, dressed as she was in a tight low-cut pink tee-shirt and short black skirt. She was already part way down a fruity-looking cocktail complete with umbrella; Jenny settled for a dry white wine. The place was full, and some lunching ladies had strategically folded and placed jackets over their chairs in an obvious display of the ‘right’ labels. Studying the menu, Anita went straight for the jugular, ‘How’s your Good Samaritan gent, then. Is he good in bed?’

Blushing, Jenny replied, ‘Hey, I’ve only seen him once since our holiday and that wasn’t really a date, I’ve not officially dumped Samir yet, because I can’t get hold of him, although I am going round to his parents’ house tomorrow to see if they know where he is or why he is not returning my calls.’

Anita looked at her witheringly. ‘It seems like you’re dithering. If your mind’s made up does it matter if you can’t reach him? If you don’t look like you’re interested, someone else will snap up your new man…’

 ‘I have been quite busy with a few things as well as Samir. As you know, my granny has just gone into a care home with Alzheimer’s, so my mum needs more support.’

Anita was sympathetic now. ‘Oh, I am sorry. I had no idea.’ She paused. ‘What’s the situation work -wise? I thought you were doing well at that solicitor’s in Stockport.’

‘Oh, yes, I had an annual review the other day. You know I’ve been working in the conveyancing department? Well, they want me to head up the team when my boss leaves next month.’

Anita was impressed. ‘That’s great! Will you get a big salary increase?’

‘Yes, of course, but it also means I get to look after the celebrities.’

The conversation ended as the waitress arrived to take the order. Anita chose linguine with crab and Jenny a chicken caesar salad.

Jenny spent the journey home wondering how to approach Aisha and Mansoor Khan, Samir’s parents, when she visited the next day.

Jenny parked her red Ford Focus car in the driveway of the Khan household and made her way tentatively to the door. She had dressed plainly in a white blouse and jeans. Her finger never quite made the bell as Aisha opened it, in a loose-fitting floral dress, obviously expecting her and looking a little worried.

‘Please come in, dear,’ she said, leading the way through a bright spacious hall into a square lounge with a view overlooking fields. Mansoor entered at that moment from the kitchen and they exchanged greetings and shook hands. Once seated, the atmosphere was strained as Aisha offered tea or coffee, which Jenny declined.

Mansoor drew his old-fashioned brown cardigan around his shoulders as though feeling cold. He opened the conversation. ‘Samir has mentioned you, Jenny, so how can we help you today?’

Cautiously Jenny said, ‘It’s that I haven’t been able to get hold of him for some time now, and I wondered if there was someone else or whether he had gone away.’