Funny Business - Part 9, The Trap is Sprung

by

Samantha Michelled Davies (SAmanthaMD)

As soon as Liz had got off the phone with Yaroslav & Jake, she didn’t hesitate in calling Charlie even though it was 6am in New York.

“Good Morning Sleepy Head. Time to get going”

“What’s wrong”?

Liz laughed.

“Out on the ‘raz’ again eh? Yeah, I’ll wait for you to get decent. I really don’t know why, it is not as if I can see you from this side of the Pond”

She waited patiently for nearly a minute.

“Ok, Yaroslav said that this guy was interested in the designs earlier. He said that this guy was asking about what he was going to do after he graduated. Yaroslav told him that he was going back to Croatia to work in the family business”

“I think it is very much as we’d hoped”

“According to Yaroslav, the guy was interested in possibly offering him a job and would be back tomorrow”

“Look Charlie, I know you don’t count you chickens and all that”

“I know it has been nearly six months”

“Yes Jake. I promise I’ll play it cool”

Late that evening, Liz was at Heathrow’s T5 waiting for Charlie’s flight to arrive.

His flight was a little late landing. The place was nearly empty when the Arrivals Indicator changed to say ‘Baggage in Hall’.

Charlie was almost the first passenger to appear.

Liz ducked under the barrier and leapt into his arms.

“I’ve missed you so much”

“Me too”

“How was the flight?”

“I couldn’t wait until it landed. When the Seat Belt sign went on I almost got up an and tried to open the cabin door”

“What stopped you?”

“I still had my seat belt on”

Liz kissed Charlie again.

“Come on let’s get out of here”

Liz led Charlie out to the Taxi rank and they grabbed a cab to take them into London.

They didn’t talk much but Charlie was able to tell that Liz was pleased to see him by how tightly she held his arm.

That night, they didn’t make love but just held each other and kissed. There was just no need to go any further.

They slept late the following morning. Neither wanted to be first to get out of bed. Eventually, Liz had to run to the bathroom leaving Charlie alone in the nice warm bed.

The smell of breakfast cooking eventually forced him to get out of bed.

“I thought that might get you stirring”, joked Liz after she kissed him.

“I’ve really missed this”

“What ‘this’?”

“Being here with you and you making breakfast”

“Me too. Everything about being with you. God I’ve missed you so much”

“Well, I’m here now and we have things to do”

“Yes. Lets discuss this over breakfast”

“Where did you agree to met Yaroslav?”

“At a pub near Southwark Bridge”

“Why there?”

“Because the show is being setup in a Warehouse nearby”

“Ok. Lets go”

“Like that?”

Charlie was stark naked. He suddenly realised his predicament.

“Well in a few minutes then”

“I’ll be a just a little bit longer getting ready. I have to put on my beauty face. Besides, we don’t have to be there until midday”

“You are beautiful what ever face you put on”

“Fibber” said Liz before rushing to the bathroom ahead of Charlie.

They took the Tube to Southwark and began walking towards Bricklayers Arms. Suddenly Liz grabbed Charlie’s arm and stopped walking.

“I can’t go that way”

“Eh?”

“I can’t go down there”

“Why?”

“Because. Just because! Please. We need to go another way”

Charlie saw something in Liz’s face that really worried him.

“Sure Liz. We can go another way”

They found another way to the warehouse by walking past the Globe Theatre.

When they arrived, Charlie said.

“You go on in. I have a phone call to make”

“Ok. I’ll wait for you inside”

When Liz was inside, Charlie pulled out his phone and called Bill.

“Oh Hi Kat. I was after Bill”

“In the bath eh?”

He took a deep breath.

“Kat. I’m worried about Liz”

“We are in London. Somewhere near the Globe Theatre. A place called Bricklayers Arms”

“Yes. We were walking down this street and when we came to this junction, she refused to go any further.”

“I think it was a small street called Bear Lane”

“Yes. That’s the place why?”

Charlie listened for nearly three minutes.

He said very few words but at the end, he said,

“Oh Shit”.

Kat continued for a while longer.

When she finished, Charles was visibly shocked at what he’d heard.

“I think I understand. Thanks Kat. But please don’t tell her I called. I need some time to sort this out in my mind”

“Thanks Kat. I owe you one”

Putting on his best ‘smiling’ face, he went into the pub to find Liz sitting with Yaroslav.

“Hi there. Sorry about that”

“That’s ok Charlie. Yaroslav has just arrived”

He sat down.

“Thanks for getting the beer in. So what’s up?”

“Apparently, this guy who was interested in the designs is supposed to come back today”

“Did he give a name?”

“He gave me his card. I have it here”

He produced the card.

Charles read it.

Then he laughed.

“The address is fictitious. The Zip code on it according to my estimation lies somewhere between Manhattan & Staten Island”

Then he added.

“The name is probably an alias as well. Have you ever heard of anyone called ‘Martin Amos’?”

“So we are no further forward then?”

“Maybe yes. Maybe no”

“What does that mean?”

“The phone number looks genuine. I’ll make some calls later to a PI in Queens a little later”

“Why not now?” asked Yaroslav.

“Because it just after 7am in the Big Apple. The PI I was thinking about is hardly an early riser”

Liz changed the subject.

“Are you meant to see this…”, Liz looked at the card,

“this Martin Amos later today?”

“Yeah. He said sometime after two”

“Great. I really want to get a look at him”, said Liz.

“Isn’t that a bit risky. What if you are recognised?” asked Charlie.

Liz smiled.

“Give me an hour. Then you’ll see”

“Where are you going?”

“Down to the Elephant” said Liz with a smile and then she was gone.

Just over an hour later, a Taxi drew up outside the Warehouse where the student’s show was being setup.

A woman got out. She was wearing a short black stretch lycra skirt, fishnet tights, high heels topped with a gaudy fluffy pink top. Her hair was very full and blonde and she wore a large amount of makeup.

Liz was back!

She ran up the stairs to the first floor room where everything was being setup.

She spied Charlie & Yaroslav over in the far corner.

She sauntered over and calmly said.

“Hi guys”

They turned and had to do a double take.

“Yes. It’s me. Now will he recognise me”

Not only was her appearance changed but her voice was very ‘South London’ or ‘Sarf Lundun’ as some of the locals pronounce it.

“Where did you get that outfit?”

“As I said at the Elephant Shopping Centre. Cheap, pretty tatty but it will do for today”

She paused.

“Do I pass muster then?”

“Yes I think you do”, said Charles.

“What about you?”

“I hardly recognised you”, said Yaroslav.

“Good”. She turned to Charles.

“Now you skedaddle. You look far too American for the somewhat eccentric clientele of this establishment”

“What do you want me to do?” asked Charlie

“Go back to Billy’s. I’ll phone you when he’s been and be back later. Ok”

“I suppose so. I feel a bit redundant”

“Just for the moment you are. Don’t worry, I won’t put myself in danger”

Reluctantly, he realised that Liz was right.

“Ok”.

Charlie went to kiss Liz goodbye.

She deflected his lips onto her cheek.

“I don’t want to spoil the lippy”

With a smile on his face, he left them alone.

About an hour later and just as Liz started to feel her feet complaining at the far too narrow shoes, the ‘guest’ arrived.

“He’s here” whispered Yaroslav.

“Ok. Just play it cool”

The mysterious Mr Amos came over to their part of the room.

“Hello Mr Amos”, said Yaroslav cheerily.

“Hi there”

“Liz & I were just checking all the clothes for tomorrow. Liz is an old family friend. She helped me make up some of them”

He nodded in the direction of Liz.

Liz put the top that she’d been examining back on the rail and said.

“These are all fine. If there’s nothing else, I need to go and get me nails done.

All the time, she was chewing loudly on some chewing gum.

Charlie’s taking me up west tonight for a bit of posh nosh”

“Ok Liz. See you tomorrow”, replied Yaroslav going along with her acting.

Liz sauntered off towards the door. On the way, she stopped to glance at some of the other work being prepared. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Mr Amos was in deep discussion with Yaroslav.

Quickly, she ducked behind a rail of clothes and took out a newly purchased Digital Camera from her shoulder bag.

This one had a 15x zoom lens and image stabilisation.

With a little bit of effort, she was able to get a series of pictures of Yaroslav & Mr Amos with them both holding garments and the vitally important drawings.

As they’d planned, and after a few minutes, Yaroslav offered to get Mr Amos something to drink.

Yaroslav went off in search of the drinks while Liz waited.

Sure enough, as soon as he was out of the room, the strange Mr Amos pulled out a digital camera from his briefcase and began systematically photographing the designs.

Liz duly obliged by photographing him at the same time.

Cutely aware that she might be discovered at any moment, she left the room once she was sure she had enough evidence.

On the way down the stairs, she ran into Yaroslav on his way back with the drinks.

“I’ve got it all” she said proudly.

“What do I do now?”

“Just carry on as normal. Give him the drinks. Talk to him but don’t give him any clue that we are onto him. Can you do that?”

“I think so.”

“Great. We’ll see you this evening then?”

“Yeah. About 8pm as agreed.”

“Fantastic. See you later. Good luck”

*

Liz got back to the Pimlico Flat about half an hour later. Charlie was there, pacing up and down as he waited for her.

“You made it then?”

“Yes”

“Did he copy the designs?”

“Well, he certainly took enough pictures so I’d say yes”

Then she showed him the camera.

“And so did I”

Liz opened her laptop and after some effort, managed to copy the pictures from the camera onto the machine.

“These are excellent. Just what we needed”, said Charlie as the viewed them.

“I’ll upload them to the magazine while you get changed” he added.

“Don’t you like my new look?” teased Liz.

Charlie went red.

“Yes I do but it’s not really you is it?”

“Then we’ll keep it for just us in future”

“That would do nicely”

Yaroslav & his girlfriend Maria arrived just before 8pm. Liz had prepared dinner for them to celebrate.

“This is a nice place. It must cost a lot to rent” remarked Maria.

“It belongs to a friend of ours. He lets us use it when we are in London”

“You sure have nice friends”

“Yaroslav will meet one of them when he graduates”

“What do you mean Liz?”

“This flat is owned by the Vice Chancellor to the College”

“Your accent this afternoon didn’t sound fake” asked Yaroslav.

“I was born in Bermondsey in a Council Flat”

“See Maria, it is possible to get on in this world”

“If you have a bit of luck then you can”

They went into the dining room.

There were six places set at the table.

“Is there anyone else coming tonight? I see six place settings?” asked Maria.

“Well, there should be two more. They have been probably delayed in traffic. We can wait for them if you like or do you have anywhere else to go to tonight?” asked Liz.

“Not really. This is quite enough for one evening”, said Yaroslav.

Charlie went around keeping everyone’s drinks topped up. This was Liz’s definition of keeping him busy. He didn’t mind really. This was Liz’s show.

About half an hour late, the front door to the flat opened and in came Bill pushing Kat in her chair.

“Sorry we’re late. You should have started without us”, said Kat.

“Nonsense. Anyway, you are here now”

“Just give up a few minutes and we’ll be ready”

Bill pushed Kat into their bedroom.

Yaroslav looked concerned.

“Don’t worry, they won’t bite. This might be the bit of luck you need ok”, said Liz in a quiet voice.

A few minutes later, Kat walked out of the bedroom with Bill steadying her.

“I’ve just got this new set of pins. I’m still a bit unsteady I’m afraid so please excuse me if I appear like a drunken sailor at times”, she said smiling.

“Bill & Kat, this is Yaroslav & Maria. Yaroslav has been instrumental in making our work here in London come to almost to a conclusion”, said Liz.

Bill & Kat soon put the other two guests at ease.

“I think we should eat”, announced Liz.

Liz disappeared into the Kitchen and was followed by Yaroslav.

“Is that who I think it is?”

“Bill? Yes he’s the vice chancellor. He has something to talk to you about later”

Dinner was excellent. Everyone commented on the food and the wine but it was Kat who became the centre of attention.

Her jokes really put Yaroslav & Maria at ease.

Towards the end of the evening, Bill said,

“I hear that you want to change your degree and do more of the design of materials rather than the garments themselves”

“Yes. I’m really not very good with the fashion design side of things. Besides, the job opportunities seem to be pretty limited at the moment. At least with the textile design, I could find a job even if it means moving to Croatia and the family business”

“Yes. Liz explained that”

Bill paused for a moment.

Then he opened a manila folder that was sitting on a cabinet near the dining table.

He extracted a couple of sheets of paper that were stapled together.

“I know you have a contract with Liz & Charlie but I think I might have something that will help you even more.”

He placed the pages in front of Yaroslav.

“This is an application form for a scholarship. It has been created just for people such as yourself who want to change tack in their final year. There is also a guarantee of at least 12 months paid employment upon completion of the course and the award of a degree with at least 2:1 honours”

He read the document thoroughly which seemed to impress Bill.

“How does this affect the contract I signed with Liz & Charles?”

Bill smiled.

“Any financial settlement contained in the contract is of course still valid and is expected to he honoured on both sides. It appears that your part is just about over for the time being”

“Eh? What do you mean ‘for the time being’? I don’t understand?”

Charles laughed.

“When the shit hits the fan, I think you would be expected to attend a news conference in New York. You may have to return once more for the trial but that does assume that the designs showed are copied. Even so, you had better make sure your passport is in order.”

Yaroslav looked a bit concerned.

“Don’t worry, any trips to the US would be all expenses paid”

This appeared to satisfy him.

Bill added.

“Take a look at it again. Take some time to think about it. Just give me an answer by submitting the application form for the scholarship”

The evening broke up soon after with everyone appearing to enjoy the event.

Any plans that Liz & Charles might have had for a smooth flight home the following day was ended with Bill bursting into their bedroom just after 6:00am.

“Liz, we need your help”

“Go away Bill, can’t you see we are sleeping”, complained Liz.

“Liz, ‘Crystal Girl’ is having problems foaling. Can you help? The vet wants to do a caesarean. That will probably stop her from having any more foals”

“Shit Bill. Why didn’t you warn me? I wouldn’t have drunk so much wine last night if you had”

“I’m warning you now”

By now, Liz was sitting up in bed revealing her breasts for everyone to see. She didn’t even think about it until Bill reminded her.

“Liz, don’t you think you should cover up?”

“There is nothing there that you haven’t seen before Bill”

“Liz?”

“Ok”

She pulled the bed cover over breasts.

“That good enough? Now what’s the problem again?”

“Crystal Girl is having trouble foaling. The vet thinks that the only way is a caesarean.”

As soon as she heard the words ‘Crystal Girl’, Liz was getting out of bed.

She shook Charlie.

“Time to get up sleepyhead. We have to leave”

Charlie opened his eyes.

“The flight isn’t until two. Why the rush?”

“We are going up to Bill’s place. They need my help”

“Who’s they?”

“The vet and a thoroughbred called ‘Crystal Girl’ who is in Foal”

“Why do they need you?”

“If you get up and come with us, you will see”

Fifteen minutes later, Liz & Charlie were in a Taxi heading for St Pancras. Bill was going to come on later with Kat.

By a freak of luck, they made the 07:00 train to Wellingborough where Andy Thomas, Bill’s head trainer was waiting anxiously for them

“Glad to see you Liz. She’s in a bad way and the Vet is getting impatient”

“That’s not like old Doc Halliday?”

Andy smiled.

“The Old Doc retired last year. We have a new youngster who thinks he knows it all”

“Then he’s going to get a lesson isn’t he?”

“Will someone please tell me what is going on?” protested Charlie for the umpteenth time.

Andy said,

“Pour yourself some coffee from the flask on the seat. Pour one for Liz. Then wait a while. If I told you, you wouldn’t believe it”

As he poured the drinks, Charlie said once more,

“What is it?”

Liz grinned.

“I have a skill that is going to be very useful in about 20 minutes. It is the same skill I used to save Kat’s life. Ok”

She turned to look at Charlie who was in the back seat of the Range Rover.

“Look darling. Wait a while. See what happens and then I’ll answer any of your questions. What I do is difficult to explain. I don’t really understand it myself. Ok?”

Reluctantly, Charlie agreed still none the wiser.

Andy drove them to the stud farm that was a few miles from Bill’s home. Charlie had never heard about this place until that day.

When the car pulled up the all went into the stables.

There, they saw several stable lads and the Vet who was indeed looking anxiously.

Liz said to him.

“Hi, Can you tell me what the situation is?”

“Are you a Vet?”

“Nope. I’m here to save the Horse and its Foal. Perhaps we can work together”

The Vet looked at Andy who nodded.

“I’ve given her as much sedative as I can. She should be out cold by now. The last time I tried to get near her, she reared up at me”

“Ok. Let me have a look at her”

Together, they went into the large loose box. Standing there was the mare who was obviously in great distress.

“Ok I’m, ready”

She turned to the Vet.

“When I quieten her down, can you get your hand inside her and pull the Foal out. You may need the breech rope”

“What are you going to do? I can’t get near her?”

“Magic” said Liz smiling.

When the Vet was ready with the rope in hand and wearing shoulder length rubber gloves, Liz approached the mare.

She started making funny noises. This got the Mare’s attention. Gradually, she got closer & closer all the time making funny noises.

After a minute or so, she was holding the Mares Bridle. Then she got closer and started talking right into the Mares ear. Then she rubbed her face right onto that of the Mare.

The effect was starting. The Mare relaxed completely.

Then Liz started blowing gently into the Mares nostrils. Her head went back down onto the bedding. Liz sat next to the mare and kept talking to her. She also stroked her ears very gently.

After a minute of that, Liz signalled to the Vet to begin his work.

All the time, Liz was talking or blowing and gently touching the Mare’s face and head.

Some fifteen minutes later, there was an audible plop as the Foal slid out of the Mare’s womb.

Half an hour after she’d arrived, Liz stood back and watched the Mare licking the afterbirth off of the Foal.

The stable lads all cheered.

The Vet looked totally nonplussed.

Charlie was staggered.

Liz cleaned herself off out in the yard and said to Charlie.

“Well?”

“I don’t know what to say?”

“There is a horrible phrase that some people use to define this skill I have. Don’t ask me where it comes from. I don’t have a clue. Anyway, some people call me a ‘Horse Whisperer’.”

“Like in the film”

“How did I know you were going to say that?”

She laughed.

“Yes but a lot more. A whole lot more. The thing is I can’t explain the ‘it’, whatever that is. I just do it”

Charlie stood thinking for a few moments.

“God Liz, there is so much I don’t know about you. When were you going to tell me about this?”

Liz looked concerned.

“Does this matter about us? Us a couple what with me being what some people would call a Witch as well?”

“Probably not but I really need you to tell me everything”

Liz smiled and took Charlie’s hand.

“Ok. I promise to tell you everything about me. But not here and not in New York”

“Where do you want to go then?”

“Can I be a bit of a spoil-sport?”

“Ok” replied Charlie with a big sigh.

“Why don’t we go back to New York and update the article with the recent events. Then perhaps we can spend some time together. Then is no rush as it is almost 4 months to New York Fashion Week. Why don’t we spend it together and … well live as a couple. See how it goes?”

“Liz, sometimes you frustrate the hell out of me. But yes, I’m willing to wait a week. No longer or I’m going to drag you off somewhere whether you like it or not. Ok”

“Promise?” said Liz with a gleam in her eye.

“See what I mean”

Any further content was denied as Liz planted her lips on his for more than a minute.

Charlie rebooked their flight back to New York for the following day. When Bill & Kat arrived home, he sought out Bill and they spent most of the afternoon walking around the estate deep in conversation.

Liz realised that crunch time was approaching. She also spent a lot of the afternoon relaxing in the spa with Kat. The only topic of discussion was how Liz was going to bare all to Charlie.

Dinner that night was subdued but a small celebration was due as Crystal Girl and her Foal were doing well. The Vet was sworn to secrecy about the events of the day. Liz was adamant that she didn’t want any publicity.

The pair flew back to New York the following day and met with Jake that night at the house in Southampton. A plan of work was agreed for the next few days.

After good lie in on their first full day back on Long Island, Charlie went of to see a PI about a little sleuthing. Liz was settling down to writing up the events in London in all the detail she could remember from memory and her copious notes.

It was the middle of the afternoon when the front door bell rang.

Liz was not expecting anyone so she ignored it. But whoever it was, wouldn’t go away.

Reluctantly, she got up and went to answer it.

She opened the door.

Standing there before he was a late middle aged woman.

From her face, it was obvious that it was Charlie’s mother.

Before she could do anything, she barged past Liz into the house.

“What have you done with my son? You. You total abomination you. If I’d have my own way, I’d have you strung from the nearest tree up this instant

Liz stood there with her mouth wide open…

[Continued in Part 10]