Scared Yet? by Jaye Ford Page A

Lenny’s for the next month as a thankyou for the other night.’
    â€˜That’s not necessary.’
    â€˜Maybe not but it’s done already.’ She cocked her head towards his cup, like he should take it and stop carrying on.
    He raised it in a toast. ‘Then thanks.’
    â€˜Just help yourself to anything at Lenny’s.’
    â€˜Really, the coffee is enough.’
    â€˜Have you tried his lemon tart?’
    â€˜Should I?’
    â€˜If you know what’s good for you.’
    She returned his toast with the second cup from the tray and took a long draught. She knew all about the morning fix.
    â€˜Your face looks a little better today,’ he said.
    â€˜Yeah right.’
    One side of his mouth moved with the beginnings of a smile. ‘How’s your hand?’
    She held it out, flexed the fingers a couple of times. The knuckle felt like a balloon under pressure. ‘It’s going to take a while.’
    â€˜I saw you on the news last night. It was gutsy.’
    â€˜Thanks.’
    â€˜And I take back what I thought about you punching your attacker in the car park.’
    â€˜What did you think?’
    â€˜Something I’m guessing doesn’t apply to the daughter of a heavyweight boxer.’
    She raised an eyebrow. ‘Probably a good guess. Can I ask you a question?’
    He paused. It looked more cautious than curious. ‘Okay.’
    â€˜I’m wondering if you do home security.’ She nodded towards the lettering on his door.
    Another pause. ‘Is this about the assault?’
    â€˜Sort of.’ He’d already done enough running to her rescue. He didn’t need to know about the note.
    â€˜I don’t usually do domestic work. I consult on workplace issues. What were you after?’
    â€˜I’ve just moved into a new place and I want the locks updated. Do you know anyone who can do it?’
    â€˜How big a job is it?’
    â€˜It’s a two-bedroom townhouse.’
    â€˜Do you want an alarm?’
    An alarm was exactly what she wanted. ‘I can’t afford a wired-in system. I was thinking of big, solid, unbreakable locks. Front and back doors and all the windows.’
    He pulled a mobile from his shirt pocket. ‘I can give you a couple of names.’
    â€˜How quickly would they do it?’
    â€˜How quickly do you want it?’
    â€˜Today.’
    He kept his eyes on her face for a long moment, maybe deciding how serious she was about the time frame, then glanced at the stacked boxes. ‘I’m seeing my supplier today. I can get you the locks at a good price and I know someone who might be able to install at short notice. He owes me a favour. Let me make a call and get back to you.’
    *
    â€˜Who’s sending you flowers, Tee?’ Liv asked when she finally walked into Prescott and Weeks.
    Teagan peered from behind a spray of orchids, looking just like Kelly at the same age. ‘They’re for you. Here’s the card.’
    â€˜Me?’ Liv took the slip of paper and read it. Hope you’re feeling better soon. Best wishes from Hanney and Partners. A client. A very thoughtful client.
    â€˜And the others.’ Teagan pointed past the orchids to a posy in a gift box and hot pink roses wrapped in cellophane. Liv read the attached notes with surprise. ‘We haven’t got enough clients but the ones we’ve got are lovely.’
    â€˜That’s not all. There’s a bunch of cards for you, too. Kelly told me to open them so you wouldn’t have to do it with your sore hand. They’re on your desk.’
    â€˜Who would’ve thought getting beaten up would make me so popular?’ She glanced at Kelly’s office. She was on the phone with the door closed but she waved at Liv, pointed at the receiver.
    â€˜Who’s Kelly talking to?’
    â€˜It’s Toby Wright again.’
    That was better than flowers or a card. She