Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 1: Midnight, Blood Brothers, Songbird

‘The customers are of paramount importance and good judges. They like and trust you. They know you won’t flannel them into buying a car they don’t really want.’

Bill returned the compliment. ‘You taught me that, Jack,’ he admitted. ‘You showed me how the customer is more important than anyone else. ‘Look after them and they’ll look after you.’ That’s what you said.’

‘There you go, then! Keep that in mind, and you won’t go far wrong.’ Picking up his coffee, Jack took it back to the office.

‘I wish he wasn’t leaving,’ sighed Jan. ‘I’ll really miss him.’

‘We all will.’ Bill had no doubts about that. ‘I suppose he’s got a lot to think about, mind you, what with moving up north to take on such a highly responsible position.’

‘Yes, but if you ask me, Jack’s got a lot more on his mind than work just now.’ While Bill was always looking for the next customer, Jan enjoyed keeping her eyes open and her ear to the ground, for any juicy snippet of gossip. Leaning forward, she lowered her voice to a whisper: ‘He’s got woman trouble. After what I overheard earlier when he was on the phone, I reckon he’s about to chuck his girlfriend for good. And about time too, if you ask me!’

‘Why do you say that?’ Against all his instincts, Bill was intrigued.

‘Mind your own business.’ Jan regretted even mentioning it. ‘I’m not telling.’

‘Ah! Now you’re beginning to wish you hadn’t tittletattled . . . You like him, don’t you? I mean, you really like him! In fact, you fancy him rotten!’

‘Keep your voice down, or he’ll hear you!’

‘Admit it, then.’

‘All right, I won’t deny it.’ She glanced to where Jack was seated in his office, head bent over a pile of paperwork. ‘Who wouldn’t like him?’ she murmured. ‘He’s a good bloke.’

‘Yes,’ Bill taunted her, ‘and he’s about to receive a top-of-the-range company car. And he’s on his way to becoming a boss-man, with an outrageously generous salary.’

‘It’s got nothing to do with any of that. Like I say, he’s a good bloke, and there aren’t many of them around.’

Later, with the rush having slowed down, Jack arranged for his calls to be covered, while he took an hour out for lunch. ‘If it’s urgent, just call me on my mobile,’ he told Jan.

Getting into his car, he drove off towards Leighton Buzzard’s town centre. After parking, he made his way to Banbury’s main rivals, Johnson & Everett. For once, it was quiet there, for which he was grateful. He was also pleased to see a familiar face behind the desk. Having met her through Molly, he greeted the young woman with a smile.

‘Afternoon, Tess,’ he said. ‘You’re looking good, I must say.’ Daintily built, she was a pretty woman with a thick cap of black hair and a set of perfect teeth that dazzled when she smiled – like now.

‘Jack Redmond!’ Scrambling out of her chair, she came round to him. ‘How lovely to see you. What are you doing here?’ Peering out of the window, she asked cautiously, ‘Is Molly with you?’

‘So she’s not told you, then?’ Jack asked.

Tess sighed. ‘I sort of heard, but I wasn’t sure. What’s it all about, Jack? You and Molly . . . well, I mean, it seems crazy that you two should split up. One minute I’m thinking of buying a new outfit for the wedding, and the next I hear there’s been a rift.’ She gestured for him to sit beside her on the couch in the waiting area. ‘So, is it final? Have you really broken up?’

Jack was wary. Though he had much respect for Tess, he knew how close she was to Molly, and he warned himself not to say too much. Or he might live to regret it.

‘It seems so, yes,’ he answered.

‘But why?’

Jack gave a shrug. ‘It might be best if you were to ask Molly that.’

‘I did, but she wasn’t very forthcoming.’

‘Well then, maybe we should just leave it there, eh?’

‘If you say so.’ Tess looked him in the eyes. ‘Are you wanting me to speak with Molly on your behalf, is that it?’

‘No, of course not.’ Jack kept his guard up, ‘Molly and I have already talked it through – several times.’ He quickly changed direction. ‘The thing is, I’ve come here to ask that you put my house on the market.’

She gave a low whistle. ‘Does Molly know you’ve come to us?’

‘No.’

‘She won’t be best pleased, will she?’

‘I thought about that, but with the way things are between me and her, I’m sure she wouldn’t thank me if I asked her to sell my house. Especially when she knows I really am making the move away.’

‘Where to?’

‘Distant parts.’

‘Ah!’ Tess gave knowing smile. ‘Now I understand. So, am I right in thinking you would rather I didn’t say anything to her about you giving us the sale?’

Jack nodded. ‘I’ve a feeling it might be better all round if you just took the business, and made as little fuss as possible.’

‘Yes, of course. I promise you, I can be very discreet when needs be.’

‘Good.’ He dug into his jacket pocket. ‘Here are all the particulars, and here’s a set of keys. Please feel free to show people round the house whenever you like. Give me a ring when you’ve taken a look, and we’ll talk about prices. OK?’ He looked at his watch. ‘Got to get back to the office.’

‘Right, I’ll take it from there, then,’ said Tess. ‘I’m sure it won’t take long to find a buyer. Houses in that road are well sought after, as it’s near the train station.’ She could see he was impatient to be on his way. ‘We’ll be in touch, then. I’m sure we’ll have good news for you soon.’

‘Thanks,’ said Jack. ‘See you, then!’

He left with a slight feeling of anxiety. Had he done the right thing? He reassured himself with the knowledge that Tess was a first-class businesswoman. For that very reason, he could trust her to be discreet around Molly. And besides, the agency had an excellent reputation. He knew Tess wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise her position of responsibility.

However, he was unaware that her colleague Tina Morgan, new in the back office, had recently been recruited from Banbury’s, where Molly worked. Unfortunately she had overheard everything. Even as Jack made his way out of the front door, Tina was dial-ling Molly’s number.

Having recently secured a substantial house-sale, and earning an excellent commission along with it, Molly was just handing out some house details to a grey-haired gent, when the phone rang.

‘Can you get that, Molly?’ Hayley, the scatty receptionist, was just on her way out the door. ‘I’m sorry, but I’m already late for my lunch-date. If I don’t get a move on, Pete will just clear off. He’s got no patience at all, miserable git!’ Before Molly could object, Hayley was out and running down the street.

Molly finished dealing with her customer and snatched up the receiver. She gave her usual businesslike greeting, her tone changing when she realised it was Tina – who was eager to impart her snippet of gossip.

Later that afternoon, Jack came out of the office and chatted with Jan at the main desk. ‘Well, that’s a long day almost over.’ He gave a long-drawn-out sigh.

‘You sound weary, Jack. That’s not like you.’

‘It’s just that I have so much going on in my life at the minute, I haven’t had time to properly sort out my thoughts. What I wouldn’t give to leave it all behind, just for one week. Imagine – no paperwork, no phones ringing; nothing to worry about. Just lying on a beach, with the sun beating down on my head. What absolute bliss!’

‘Don’t forget the girl lying next to you!’ Jan said eagerly. ‘How about taking me with you, eh? You can stroke sun-oil on my back any time . . . wherever we are.’

Jack laughed. He was going to miss her sense of humour. She never failed to make him smile.