Hush money

Would money be enough to buy Kerry' s silence?

Dee was the woman in the park, but her husband wasnÕ t the guy sheÕd been meeting

So, I mused, my new neighbour, pretty Dee Baxter, was a love cheat, eh?

The Baxters were a married couple, and when they' d introduced themselves, I was taken aback.

Dee was the woman in the park, but her husband wasn' t the guy she' d been meeting...

I liked to finish my Thursday afternoon swim with a coffee at a café in town.

There was a park opposite the café, and for the fourth week running, I' d noticed a woman around my age (in her 30s) meeting a young, good-looking guy there.

They hugged, kissed, held hands and then ambled off together.

Well, I thought, it'd g ive me and Ian something to talk about!

Ian and I had been together for three weeks.

We' d met via a dating app.

He was attractive, funny and charming. This made up for him living with his mum and his stingy ways.

He was a warehouse worker on a zero-hours contract.

I told myself that if money was tight, he was bound to be careful with it, so I' d paid for all our dates.

I worked full time in a call centre, but Thursday was my day off.

I should have kept myself to myself, but just for fun, I decided to visit the park the following Thursday, to see what Dee had to say for herself.

No doubt she' d tell me to jog on. Only, to my surprise, she took a different approach¼

Hello, Dee!' I breezed, as I headed towards her usual bench.

She looked wary. Oh, hello, Kerry.'

I took a seat beside her. Have you and your husband settled in OK?'

She glanced at her watch. Fine, thanks.'

Are you meeting someone?' Yes, my brother.'

Really?'

She turned to me. What do you mean by that?'

For the last month, I' ve watched you from that café.

You' re cheating on your husband, aren' t you?'

Dee paled as she spotted her lover making his way towards us.

I' ll give you cash to keep quiet,' she hissed. I gulped. Hush money?'

She nodded. I' ll catch up with you later. But for now, please make yourself scarce, Kerry.'

I did as she asked.

What? This Dee Baxter is going to pay you to keep quiet?'

Ian was astonished when I told him the tale.

Yep, that' s if I take the cash.'

Come on, Kerry. It' s free loot take it!'

I shifted in my seat, slightly on edge. Yes, but¼'

It was the weekend, and at place, Ian was tucking into a tasty three-course evening meal. I' d spent hours preparing and cooking it. I' d provided the wine too. To Ian' s dismay, I' d stopped booking the fancy restaurants he liked. They were way too expensive.

I' d also bought some

DVDs instead of going to the cinema.

He' d wanted big buckets of popcorn, plus sweets and drinks every time and I' d covered the cost of it all.

Ian had grumbled about the DVDs. It' s not exactly an absorbing movie night experience, stuck at home, is it?'

I' d bristled. I expect not, but unlike you, I have rent and bills to pay.'

Back to Saturday evening¼

How much is she offering you?'

We haven' t got around to discussing that yet.'

As I answered, I realised I felt uncomfortable with Ian' s attitude about this.

Start at £300 and negotiate upwards,' he advised.

I almost spluttered over the soup. Three hundred! Are you joking?'

This is a fantastic opportunity, Kerry. Grab it while you can!'

After the meal, I pretended I had a headache. I needed thinking time.

Ian was reluctant to leave, but eventually I persuaded him to return to his mum' s.

The following Thursday, there was a knock at the door.

I' d skipped my swim and café visit this week because of bad weather.

I hadn' t fancied venturing out in a howling gale and driving rain.

When I answered, I found Dee there, and she looked upset.

Oh, what' s the matter? Come in.'

She sank on to the sofa and burst into tears. He' s ditched me!'

I was puzzled, as I handed her a box of tissues. Who has?'

My boyfriend the one

I' ve been meeting in the park.'

Oh I see.'

The only reason he got involved with me was because he thought I was

Adair Baxter' s daughter!'

Light dawned¼ Adair Baxter was a local property developer in fact, he was a millionaire!

Although Adair and his trophy wife were often seen out and about, their only child, Deborah, an adult daughter, was rarely seen. Then a thought stuck me. Did you give him that impression?'

She looked shifty. Well, when I didn' t deny or confirm anything, he must have assumed I was her. She lives a quiet life away from the press, and she' s not on social media.'

Did he know you were married?'

Yes, I told him I' d married in secret.'

Which added to the mystery¼' I finished dryly.

Yes, it' s a mess.' Her tone was sad.

It wasn' t my place to judge, but I couldn' t help thinking that the mess was all down to Dee!

You need something to take your mind off things. Have you got a job?'

No. I don' t need to work. My husband earns enough to cover our monthly outgoings. He gives me an allowance,' she replied airily.

Right. I wasn' t exactly warming to Dee. She was a lazy, manipulative, selfish and lying cheat.

Talking of money¼ remember our meeting in the park, Kerry? Will 50 quid a week suit you?'

I was astonished. She still wanted to offer me hush money!

No thanks.'

You' re turning it down? Does this mean you' re going to tell my husband that I' ve been unfaithful?'

I sighed. No. I want to stay out of your marriage.'

She was confused. So why did you approach me in the park?'

I shrugged. For a bit of drama, I suppose. Life can get boring sometimes.'

She nodded. That' s why I felt drawn to my boyfriend. We didn' t just talk about meals, the weather or TV programmes it was exciting and fun.'

Was it really worth it, though? The affair has left you heartbroken, Dee,' I pointed out. Oh I expect I' ll meet someone else soon. I' d better make tracks. I' ve got an appointment at the nail salon.' Apparently soothed and comforted, she trotted off.

I mentally added flippant' , vain' and shallow' to her character traits.

On Saturday evening, as I waited for Ian, I reflected on my relationship with him.

I' d thought Dee was selfish, manipulative, and lazy¼ well, wasn' t Ian selfish, manipulative and lazy as well?

Not forgetting his mean streak! After all, he hadn' t contributed a penny towards all of the fancy meals I' d made for him.

I' d been such a fool, forking out for our expensive dates.

I' d had enough I was going to break the relationship off today!

He arrived early, which was unusual. And then he got straight down to business. How much did you manage to get from your neighbour?' were his first words to me. Nothing.'

He stared. What do you mean nothing?'

I didn' t take Dee' s cash.' There was a tense silence and then he exploded: How can you be so stupid?'

The only stupid thing I did was to get involved with you!' I yelled. Now get out!'

He fled, slamming the door.

I' d learnt my lesson. From now on, I' d keep my nose out of other folk' s business.

ÔIt wasnÕ t my place to judge, but I couldnÕ t help thinking that the mess was all down to DeeÕ

I' d wanted a bit of drama, so I joined the local amateur drama group.

I made friends and had lots of fun.

Then a month later, Ian sent me a gloating email message:

Hey Kerry, I'v e got a new girl, and guess what? She's gorgeous and rich! When you mentioned your neighbour' s name, it seemed familiar. So I carried out some research¼

I bet you didn't know that Dee is Adair Baxter's daughter, Deborah. No wonder she could afford to pay you hush money!'

I carried on reading¼

I found Dee (as she likes to be known) on social media and sent her a message.

We met and got on great. When I eventually steal her away from her hubby, I'l l be set up for life!'

I smiled.

Oh Ian, I thought, you are going to end up being so disappointed...