Nothing.
There are no windows to peer through and no letter box to rattle. I was resting everything on the hope that Danny might be in his office doing paperwork but it doesn’t seem like anyone is in, not even the cleaner. I reach into my handbag and pull out my mobile. I’m just about to call Oli when—
‘Sue? What are you doing here?’ The speaker above the buzzer crackles to life. ‘I’ll buzz you in.’
‘So, Sue,’ Danny places two steaming cups of coffee, complete with saucers and tiny Italian biscotti on the white resin table and pats the velveteen seat beside him. There are half a dozen booths exactly like this one running across two walls of the club. There are three small poufs, decorated in an identical deep red velveteen material around the resin tables, making enough space to seat six. I can almost imagine how this booth will look in five or six hours time – rammed with friends, clinking glasses, downing shots, shouting, laughing and scanning the dance floor for talent. It’s been years since the smoking ban was introduced but the air still smells musty – the unique nightclub blend of cigarettes, spilt drinks and sweat.
I perch beside Danny. ‘Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.’
‘No problem at all. Any mum of Oliver’s is a mum of mine.’ He laughs and places his hands on the back of his head, pushing out his elbows in an exaggerated stretch which makes his broad chest appear even broader. An effect, I’m sure, that’s not entirely unintended.
‘So,’ he lowers his arms and twists to face me, giving me his full attention. ‘This is all very mysterious. Tell all!’
With his bright blue eyes, wide generous smile and strong jaw I can see why Keisha – why most young women – would find him irresistible. There’s no doubt that he’s an attractive young man but his gaze is that little bit too piercing and his smile a little too arched to be genuine. I’ve never been alone with Danny before and now I’m starting to understand why Brian doesn’t trust him.
‘The thing is,’ I say, ‘I recently found out that Charlotte and Ella skived a school trip.’
Danny laughs, then catches himself. ‘Sorry. That was immature of me. You must have been furious, Sue.’
‘Not really.’ I reach for my coffee, bristling as I take a sip. ‘Although I might be with the person who encouraged them to skive.’
‘Oh.’ He looks intrigued, like I’m about to share some wonderful piece of gossip with him. ‘Who’s that then?’
I peer at him over the rim. ‘You.’
‘Me?’ His hand flies to his chest. ‘Me?’ He tosses back his head and laughs but when he checks my reaction the smile has gone from his eyes. ‘That’s ridiculous, Sue. Whoever told you that obviously has a screw loose.’
‘Or they were there too.’
‘What?’ Beads of sweat shine in his immaculate hairline and he runs a hand over his forehead. ‘Who? This is ridiculous. I’m a nightclub promoter not some kind of … some kind of weirdo encouraging schoolgirls to skive off.’
I place my cup of coffee back on the table. It slips back into its saucer without rattling. ‘So you’ve never heard of Greys nightclub in London then?’
‘Greys in Chelsea?’ He sits up straighter. He’s on safer ground here. ‘Of course I do. It’s my job to know what’s hot and what’s not.’
‘Is that why you encouraged Charlotte and Ella to skive their school trip and go there instead? Because it’s hot?’
‘Of course not. I didn’t encourage anyone to go anywhere. Why would I? It’s not my club. And besides, I barely even know Charlotte. She’s Oli’s little sister.’ He looks me straight in the eye. ‘I hope you’re not implying what I think you’re implying, Mrs Jackson.’
‘What’s that, Danny?’
‘That I … that Charlotte and I were somehow involved.’
‘Were you?’
‘God no.’ He clutches his chest again but this time I’m tempted to believe him. ‘Never. Like I said, she’s Oli’s kid sister. I’d never look at her that way. Besides, I’m with Keisha.’
‘I see.’ I glance around the nightclub, taking in the empty DJ booth, the sprawling dance floor and the sparkling bar. ‘But you still thought it would be fun to take the girls clubbing in London.’
‘No! Why would I do that? What would I possibly gain out of taking two fifteen-year-olds clubbing?’ He suddenly becomes very still, very collected. ‘Is that what you’re implying? That I’m some kind of kiddy paedo? Because if you are—’
‘I’m not implying anything. I just want the truth. I’ve been told that you and Keisha were in Greys nightclub in Chelsea with Charlotte and Ella on Friday, ninth of March. Look me in the eye and tell me you weren’t.’
‘I wasn’t.’ His gaze doesn’t so much as flicker. ‘I wasn’t even in London that weekend. I took Keish on a romantic getaway to …’ he eyes dart to the left ‘… Oxford.’
He’s lying through his teeth but giving him the third degree isn’t going to achieve anything. He’ll just keep lying. James was the same.
I glance at my watch. I’ve got fifteen minutes to get home before Brian.
‘Well …’ I hold out my hand. ‘Thank you so much for the coffee and the chat.’
Danny frowns. ‘You’re off?’
‘Yes.’
‘So you … you’re okay?’ He stands up. ‘You believe me when I say I didn’t go clubbing with Charlotte and Ella?’ He bares his teeth in an exaggerated smile. ‘You’ve obviously got the wrong man.’
I smile. ‘See you again soon, Danny. I’ll see myself out.’
I hurry to the exit before he can follow me and twist the handle to open the side door. I’m just about to yank it open when OOMPH!, it flies open, sending me reeling backwards against the wall.
‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I totally didn’t see you there I – oh!’ A face appears around the door. ‘Mrs Jackson. What are you doing here?’