The Watchful Neighbour - Debbie Viggiano Page 0,22

upstairs to the bathroom, she had an idea.

Forget tackling Greg Good about sneaking into her home. There was no need to have a blazing row with her neighbour because it was obvious what she should now do. She required a locksmith. If the locks were changed, he wouldn’t be able to access her home.

Stripping off her wet clothes, Jade gave the smallest of smiles. It was time to play her neighbour at his own game and be as devious as him.

Chapter Thirteen

On Tuesday morning, Jade rang work to say she’d overslept and would regrettably be an hour late. The reality was something else.

Instead of Greg Good’s lace curtains twitching, now it was Jade’s. She stationed herself by the window looking out for the emergency locksmith she’d found on a local traders’ Facebook page. She’d been concerned that Greg might spot the locksmith’s arrival and make it his business to see who was visiting Number 3. Fortunately for Jade, her neighbour had had more pressing matters to oversee.

At a little after eight that morning, an ambulance had arrived in Gresham Terrace. Paramedics had hastened up the path to Number 2. Jade had stood back, screened by her own window’s nets, and watched a mini drama unfold.

She was relieved that Greg was now preoccupied with Mother’s health and wouldn’t be around to make Jade’s business his own. The last thing she wanted was her neighbour sussing what she was up to and interfering.

Jade had no doubt that if Greg rumbled her, he’d be on the phone to Mrs Sims or the letting agency to report her breaking the tenancy contract. She didn’t want an irate landlord insisting Greg have a replacement key or, even worse, terminating the tenancy.

Ten minutes later, the ambulance had departed with Mrs Good on a stretcher. A visibly anxious Greg had climbed into the rear of the vehicle. Jade had heaved a sigh of relief when the ambulance had headed off in the direction of the local hospital.

Unfortunately, this reprieve had been short-lived. Instead, another person had noted the arrival of Jade’s visitor.

‘Morning,’ Dee chirped, as Jade stepped aside for the locksmith to enter.

‘Oh, hello,’ said Jade coolly.

It was immediately obvious to Dee that her neighbour wasn’t happy that a visitor had been witnessed entering Number 3.

‘Everything all right?’ asked Dee, staring after the stranger.

‘Yes,’ said Jade tersely. ‘Why shouldn’t it be?’

‘Well, if you don’t mind my saying’ – Dee arched an eyebrow quizzically – ‘you looked out of sorts when I saw you at Greg’s last night. What was that all about?’

The locksmith hovered. ‘Sorry to interrupt, love, but I’m on a tight schedule. Where do you want me to start?’

‘Oh, er–’

‘Got problems?’ asked Dee.

‘Nothing that can’t be fixed,’ said Jade, with a tight smile.

‘Make sure you let the landlord know,’ said Dee. ‘Don’t go paying for anything out of your own pocket.’

‘No, I won’t. Now, if you would excuse me?’

And before Dee could ask any more awkward questions, Jade shut the door in her face.

Bugger. Jade hoped Dee kept her trap shut and didn’t inadvertently mention to Greg that a workman had been inside Number 3. She didn’t want any prying questions from him later.

Jade steered the locksmith into the kitchen.

‘You can start on this door first.’

Leaving the workman to it, she returned to the bay window in the lounge. Peering through the nylon veil at Gresham Terrace, Jade spotted Dee Parker getting into her car. Moments later, the vehicle accelerated away.

Jade’s eyes scanned the road. Brad Grimshaw’s car wasn’t about. Good. He’d already gone to work. So far, in her brief time at Gresham Terrace, Jade had barely exchanged a nod with the other residents. Therefore, she didn’t expect anyone else to be curious about this morning’s visitor.

It didn’t take long for the workman to attend both doors. Jade paid him in cash. When he pressed four new keys into the palm of her hand – two for the back door, two for the front – Jade felt as if a dead weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Ha! This would put a stop to Mr Nosy letting himself in.

Thanking the locksmith, she waved him off. Humming to herself, Jade then went upstairs to gather her belongings and belatedly get off to work. She paused in front of the dressing table as a delicious thrill stole over her. She’d outwitted her neighbour and it felt glorious. She should celebrate. But how?

Reaching into the drawer of her dressing table, Jade extracted a lipstick. It wasn’t