There was a slight pause. ‘Maybe we should meet?’
Ros was frantically shaking her head.
‘Why?’ asked Darla.
‘Because I’ve got some of the money and I want to make things right between us.’
This was far too hard to mime so Ros grabbed a pen and paper and hastily wrote on it:You could pay the money intomy bank account.
Darla read it out. ‘You could pay the money into my bank account.’
‘I could but I would really like a chance to explain and say I’m sorry,’ said Patrick, unhelpfully sounding sincere.
‘Thanks, but it’s only the money I’m interested in,’ said Darla, looking like she was trying hard not to be swayed.
‘But I really want to apologise so I guess that’s a stalemate.’
There was silence from both of them. Ros waved her hands about but Darla only looked alarmed by the gesture. ‘I’m away at the moment,’ said Darla. ‘So I couldn’t meet up even if I wanted to.’
‘Yeah, I heard that your mum seems to think you’re travelling around Europe but according to the last entry on our joint account you paid money in at a branch in Southampton two weeks ago.’
Darla covered the phone. ‘Shit! Now what do I do?’ she whispered to Ros.
‘Are you still there?’ asked Patrick.
‘Where? Southampton? No. You see what that was—’
‘Oh, it’s okay, Iknowyou’re still in Southampton,’ said Patrick.
Darla gasped. This was not going well at all. ‘What makes you think that?’ asked Darla, her hands visibly shaking.
‘Let’s not get all testy with each other. I’d like to see you face to face and I’m happy to come to you. That’s not such a bad thing, is it?’
‘You tried to ruin my life!’ snapped Darla angrily.
‘No, I didn’t, and that’s why I want to meet, so we can sort this all out. Please let me put things straight. How about we meet somewhere of your choosing in Southampton, tomorrow?’
Ros was vehemently shaking her head. ‘And then you’ll leave me alone?’ asked Darla.
‘If that’s what you decide, then of course.’
Darla covered the phone. ‘He sounds like he’s being honest. This is such a dilemma,’ she whispered to Ros.
‘He’s anything but honest. He’s fooled you before. But it’s your decision.’
Darla bit her lip before uncovering the phone’s microphone. ‘There’s a café on London Road. I’ll text you the details,’ said Darla.
‘Great. I can’t wait to see you again, babe. I’ve been th—’
Darla ended the call and let out a huge sigh. She looked at Ros. ‘Don’t say it. I know I wasn’t meant to meet him but I can’t risk him spilling what he knows to my parents and there is a chance that he has the cash he owes me.’
‘I understand,’ said Ros. ‘I’ll take time off and I’ll sit nearby in the café so you have someone to call on if needs be.’
‘Thanks, Ros. You’re a good friend. I knew you’d have a plan.’
‘Always,’ said Ros, with a smile.
***
