Read Online False Charity by Veronica Heley - Free Book Online Page A

in her face. ‘Welcome home,’ said Piers, stepping inside the hall. ‘By the way, have you got a bed for the night? I seem to be temporarily homeless.’
    Wednesday, midday
    The team was listening to the news on the television.
    â€˜â€¦ taking his dog for a walk on the Heath stumbled across the body of a man early this morning. If anyone has any information, they should contact …’
    Lena used the remote to turn the television off. ‘Home and dry. No identification. No problem. The keys went down a drain, the jewellery I wiped clean and dropped into a charity shop. We’ve been lucky. But Noel, don’t you ever …!’
    The lad pouted, and she bit back the rest of what she’d been about to say. She turned to Richie, who was folding menus with neat movements. ‘What’s the latest on the DJ? Can we get him again?’
    â€˜Cash up front. I’ve not been able to beat him down at all. Do we play?’
    She tucked a strand of blonded hair behind one ear. ‘Sometimes we have to spend, in order to rake it in. And the cabaret?’
    â€˜I’ve found a lad who’s been on one of those talent shows on TV but never made it any further. He wants cash on the night.’
    Lena nodded. ‘Give him half in cash on the night, and a cheque for the rest.’
    Noel yawned, grabbing the remote to turn the TV back on. Neither Lena nor Richie remonstrated, though Richie looked as if he’d like to do so.
    Noel said, ‘Is the Appealing Orphan coming out to play again?’
    â€˜She’s upped her price,’ said Lena. ‘A minicab to pick her up and a fifty-pound note. I’ve told her not to embroider her story. Last time she said she’d lost five brothers and sisters, and six uncles and aunts. Two of each would be better.’
    Richie nodded. ‘One child lost, is a tragedy. Two thousand dead is news.’
    â€˜I think I’d better tell everyone about the tsunami, and let her add her voice at the end. That way, she can’t exaggerate. She’s so photogenic, we must use her.’ Lena raised her voice. ‘Do you hear me, Noel? You make sure Ana gets round to all the tables on Saturday night.’
    Noel grunted, and switched channels.
    Lena booted up her laptop. ‘There’s a thousand and one things still to do.’
    Richie folded the last menu and pushed the pile aside. ‘I’ll go and collect the cosmetic samples we’ve been promised for giveaways, but it’s going to take me a while because the warehouse is out in the sticks. Someone ought to check at the shop, see if there’s any more requests for tickets. I suppose I could do that on my way back.’
    Lena was frowning. ‘I promised I’d drop a replacement cheque into the hotel. We have to let them have some money today or they’ll cancel. I’ve still got to check on the caterers, get the balloons up, fetch my dress from the cleaners.’
    â€˜I’ll collect the mail from the shop,’ said Noel, losing interest in the television programme. ‘Then on the way back I could drop the cheque in at the hotel, chat up the little receptionist, find out if our friend’s been missed yet.’
    Lena was uneasy. ‘I’m not happy with your going anywhere near that girl. It was bad enough your taking her out for the evening, but to give her your phone number was asking for it.’
    â€˜It was only my mobile number, and she didn’t know why the barman wanted it.’
    Lena tried to convince herself he was right. ‘I suppose she’d have tried to blackmail us, too, if she’d caught on.’
    Noel shrugged and looked up at the ceiling. Richie glowered at Noel, but knew better than to say anything.
    One of Lena’s phones rang, she checked the label on it and answered. ‘International Relief and Development Fund … oh, how are you? It was a good night, wasn’t it! … What’s