Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Collection: The Schemer, The Trap, Payback. Kimberley Chambers

was a successful businessman who owned a gym in Leytonstone and a sports shop in Barkingside, while Steph had recently trained to become a fully qualified beautician. Wayne had promised to buy Stephanie her own salon as a wedding gift and Pam was sure that her daughter was more excited about that than the actual big day itself. Deep in thought, Pam didn’t even hear Cathy let herself back in.

      ‘You all right? You look like you’re in a trance,’ Cathy joked.

      ‘I was just thinking about my Steph. She was ever so withdrawn again today. Something ain’t right with her. I mean, you know your own kids, don’t ya?’

      ‘Fuck me, Pam, you were at your dad’s funeral! Anyway, we spoke about this last week and both agreed that the wedding’s probably playing on her mind. It must be ever so stressful planning a big bash like that. She’s probably in turmoil over who she’s gotta invite and stuff. I mean, it weren’t like that in our day, was it? Fifty quid my wedding came to and I did the bleedin’ catering meself. Got up at five in the morning to make me sausage rolls and poxy sandwiches, then the bastard I married had the cheek to get some old slapper up the duff.’

      Pam had to smile. Cathy had a wonderful way of telling a story at times. ‘I don’t think it’s the wedding that Steph’s worried about. It’s something else, I know it is, but she clammed up and changed the subject when I asked her earlier. The only thing I can think of is that she don’t like where she’s moved to. It can’t be the house, you’ve seen it, it’s beautiful, so I’m wondering if she ain’t getting on with the neighbours or something. I know it’s a posh area, but you can get arseholes living anywhere these days, can’t you?’

      Wayne and Stephanie had recently sold their three-bedroom house in Collier Row and were currently renting a beautiful four-bedroom property in Chigwell. It had been Wayne’s idea to move, as he had wanted the kids to go to a good school in a decent area. He had suggested that they rent for six months just to make sure that they were happy with their new surroundings; then, providing they were, they would buy.

      ‘Good job Wayne had the sense not to buy that house straight away if that’s the case. How long did he sign the contract for?’ Cathy asked.

      ‘Six months with an option to buy at the end of it. The owner’s living abroad apparently. Keep schtum now, Steph’s just pulled up in her jeep,’ Pam said as she hobbled into the hallway.

      ‘Nanna,’ Dannielle screamed as she ran up the path.

      Pam hugged her granddaughter then ruffled Tyler’s gorgeous blond hair. ‘You all right, boy?’ she asked him.

      Tyler smiled and nodded. Unlike his sister who had been chatting away like there was no tomorrow at nearly three years old, Tyler’s speech hadn’t developed properly yet. When he did try to speak, it was extremely difficult to understand what he was saying, which seemed to make him frustrated. Pam had recently wondered if this was the main cause of his temper tantrums, but she hadn’t yet broached her views to Stephanie. Her daughter had enough on her plate with the wedding.

      ‘Now, who wants some ice cream? Nanna’s got chocolate or banana. Is it OK for them to have some?’ Pam asked, turning to Steph.

      ‘Yeah, course it is. Actually Mum, I was gonna ask you a favour. A pal of mine wants me to go out with her tonight. Could you look after the kids for me and I’ll pick ’em up first thing in the morning?’

      ‘I can’t, Steph. I start work at half six,’ Pam replied. She had worked in the same baker’s/café for years now, and she daren’t be late on a weekday. The place was rammed by seven with workmen wanting their full English.

      ‘Please, Mum. I promise you faithfully that I’ll get here by six and I’ll drop you off at work an’ all. You don’t have to worry about getting them washed or dressed. They can get in the motor in their nightclothes and I can do all that when I get them home.’

      ‘Who’s this friend then?’ Pam asked, suspiciously.

      Unable to control her emotions any more, Stephanie’s eyes filled with tears.

      ‘Whatever’s the matter? I’m your mother and I know something’s been wrong with you this past week or so, Steph. Is it Wayne? You’re not having second thoughts about getting married to him, are you?’

      Stephanie gave a tearful laugh and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her black coat. ‘No, me and Wayne are fine and I’m really looking forward to the wedding,’ she said.

      She and Wayne had come a long way since their first drunken sexual encounter in an alleyway. Steph had hated herself at the time for how she had treated Barry and had pushed Wayne away. It took six months of him pursuing her before she had agreed to give their relationship a whirl and they had been together ever since.

      ‘Dish the kids up some ice cream, Cath, while I have a quick chat with Steph. The hundreds and thousands are in the top right-hand cupboard,’ Pam shouted, as she ushered her daughter up the stairs. ‘Whatever’s wrong, love?’ Pam asked, as Stephanie sat dejectedly on the edge of her bed.

      ‘It’s Tammy. You know I told you I ain’t seen much of her since she got with this new bloke she met up town.’

      Pam nodded.

      ‘Well, she rang me last week to tell me she’s jacking in her job in the Futures market to move to Spain with him. He’s a property developer, apparently, and that’s where his business is based. What am I gonna do, Mum? We’ve been best mates for as long as I can remember and I can’t imagine life without her.’

      Pam sat down and held her daughter close to her chest. Stephanie and Tammy had been best friends ever since primary school, so she could understand how Steph felt. She would be distraught if Cathy ever sodded off to Spain, that was for sure.

      As a child, Tammy had been slightly overweight and a bit of an ugly duckling, but as the years had passed, she had turned into a beautiful swan. Tammy’s once ginger shoulder-length hair was now long and a reddy auburn. The freckles that had once smothered her face were now barely visible, and she had the most voluptuous size ten figure that Pam had ever seen.

      ‘What am I gonna do without her, Mum?’ Steph repeated. She was now twenty-five, but with her mother’s comforting arms around her, she suddenly felt as if she were fifteen all over again.

      ‘Well, with her looks and that saloon-girl figure of hers, Tammy was always gonna meet the man of her dreams one day, love. Spain ain’t the end of the world. You and Wayne are hardly skint, so you can always go and visit her, and I bet she comes back to England regularly. I mean, all her family still live ’ere, don’t they?’

      Stephanie sighed. She knew deep down she was being selfish thinking the way she was, but she couldn’t help herself. Tammy had had loads of boyfriends in the past, but had never actually moved in with any before. Steph genuinely wanted her pal to meet Mr Right and be happy like she was. She just wished Mr Right wasn’t based in bloody Spain.

      ‘So, is that where you’re going tonight? Out with Tammy?’ Pam enquired.

      ‘Yeah. We’re going for a meal together to have a heart to heart. I’m just a bit worried about her, Mum. That is such a good job she’s got, she’s on amazing money there, and I can’t believe she’s giving it all up for some bloke she’s only known a couple of months. Tam’s always been so sensible in the past, if you know what I mean?’

      Pam smiled. ‘Oh, I know what you mean all right, but it’s obvious to me that the girl has finally found the one. I knew immediately when I met your dad – and look at you and Wayne, childhood sweethearts. You must try and be happy for Tammy, love. She’ll resent you if you’re not.’

      ‘I am happy for her, Mum. I can’t wait to meet him, actually. It’s happened so fast, I know he must be really special.’

      ‘Are you meeting him tonight as well?’ Pam asked.

      ‘No. He’s gone back to Spain on business, but Tam’s gonna introduce us when he comes back next week. All I know is that his name is Richard,