Chapter 9
"A word of warning Samantha, Duncan Lennox is in the building."
To her surprise Samantha didn't seem overly shocked, instead just rolling her eyes and laughing bitterly, "Oh I know, but I'm assuming you're not aware of just where in the building he is?"
"No. Where?" Gina asked, a feeling of dread mounting in her.
Samantha laughed that laugh again, "He's in my bed." She said, and then, before Gina could pump her for more information, added, "Screwing my daughter."
Gina paled, turned to the barman and ordered a treble Jack Daniels and briefly questioned God as to why he was dead set on turning her into an alcoholic. She put a comforting hand on Samantha's shoulder, "Are you ok?"
Samantha didn't answer, her attention captivated by the arrival of both Abbie and a very nervous looking Duncan.
"He looks terrified." Gina pointed out needlessly.
"Good." Came Samantha's sharp retort, "It's a shame Abigail doesn't have more of a conscience."
Gina smiled sympathetically, glancing at Abbie who, she could tell just by looking at, had too much front and too few clothes, "Or more fabric in her dress."
Samantha tried to laugh but failed miserably, "She disgusts me." She tore her eyes away from her daughter and Duncan, and turned her attention to the barman, "Gin and tonic please, easy on the tonic."
"Infact," Gina chipped in, "forget the tonic. And make it a double." She grinned at Samantha, "I think we're going to have to get you very drunk tonight."
"But�"
"No buts Samantha, just do it."
Duncan was feeling distinctly uncomfortable. He could feel Samantha's gaze on him and he didn't much like what said gaze was conveying since it seemed to indicate that he was about to have a vital part of his anatomy hacked off.
"I shouldn't be here." He whispered to Abbie, "You should have let me leave."
"Sorry?" Abbie seemed distracted and when he realised that this was because she was staring intently at Phil Hunter he wasn't entirely surprised. Not to be put off he repeated himself and was treated to a mouthful Nixon style.
"And leave me to deal with my insane mother on my own? No chance buster. This is as much your doing as it is mine. You can sort it out."
As she stalked off to join her new apparent prey he found himself questioning at length why he hadn't twigged she was Samantha's daughter - they were incredibly alike, even more so when they were angry.
He was half tempted to join her and be hidden in the crowd by the time Samantha and Gina got back from the bar. However he knew he owed it to Samantha to make more of an effort than that, and so headed over to the two women feeling like a condemned man.
"Hello Duncan." Gina's welcome was polite but sufficiently cool enough so as to let him knew that she knew exactly what he'd done. Samantha on the other hand totally blanked him.
"Gina," he said hesitantly, "can I have a moment with Sam?"
That got a reaction.
"My name is Samantha, and no you can't."
"Please� I want to explain."
She turned on him, eyes blazing, "What's to explain Duncan? You screwed my daughter. What exactly is the big deal with that? You're not the first and I'll stick 50 quid on you not being the last." She looked over to their group where Abbie was already introducing herself to Phil, "Infact I'd stick 25 quid on you not being the last tonight - should Phil want to bother with your leftovers."
"Mr Hunter would bother with anything with a pulse." Gina pointed out.
Samantha laughed, "Well that makes him a superb match for Abigail then." She glared at Duncan; "You're an idiot. That's your luck out but you don't have to explain anything to me."
It was bravado, that much was obvious, and Duncan really didn't want to let it go while she was so upset. "Samantha," he said gently, "if I'd have known, I wouldn't have done this to you, betrayed you like this."
But she wasn't listening, infact she was already moving away from the bar, "Like I say Duncan, you don't have to explain yourself to me - we worked together, we're not married. Anyway you're the one that looks an idiot, not me." She turned away from him, "Come on G, let's go back to the others."
Not feeling much better about the situation he fought the urge to ran away, joined the group and got a warm reception from everyone especially Debbie McAllister who was greeted him like he was some kind of God. Suddenly, in spite of the fact Samantha was giving him death stares and that Abbie was practically sat on Phil's lap he was glad he'd come. It was good to see everyone again and Gina had worked out a pretty hectic and varied itinerary as she took great pleasure in telling them all.
"Tonight boys and girls," she announced sounding very much like she had done when giving briefings back in her Sunhill days, "you're all going to eat and drink until you pass out. And tomorrow, for the boys, and me, and anyone else who's up for it, Arsenal versus Manchester United. I've hired an Executive Box."
Gary couldn't contain his still boyish excitement, "Excellent."
"The girls on the other hand are apparently going shopping, correct Gemma?"
Gemma nodded, "And I booked into Nobu for lunch, our treat on Gina's Gold card." She giggled, "I love sleeping with a millionaire."
Duncan wondered to himself how long Gina had been a lesbian but decided it was best not to question it, then he wondered what else was going on that he didn't know about and decided to catch up with Robbie later - if anyone knew, she would.
Gina rattled through the rest of the itinerary at a frightening pace finishing up with a highly pointless, "Any complaints?"
There weren't.
"Sounds like we're going to be busy." Duncan said.
"Very." Samantha murmured, "So busy you probably won't have time to sleep with any more of our daughters. Which must be a relief for Kerry at least." The table fell silent and Samantha laughed, "Sorry. Did I say something wrong? Is foetus shagging a taboo subject."
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