Lisa Stone: Stalker

Derek made a note. ‘In respect of the monitor I suggest this fifteen-inch colour monitor.’ He opened another leaflet.

‘You wouldn’t run it through the television then?’ Russ enquired.

‘No. It’s the less expensive option but using the television as your surveillance monitor is cumbersome and ineffective in practice. If you have a separate monitor you just glance at it. I would suggest situating it in the hall.’

‘We’ll have the monitor you recommend,’ Russ said. ‘What about voice warning alarms? You know those that give a recorded warning message – you are being recorded on CCTV – or similar.’

‘I can install one if you wish – it’s not a problem – but I don’t usually use them.’

‘Why not?’

‘They can be very annoying to neighbours and in practice they are more likely to deter your newspaper boy than a would-be intruder. I think the money would be better spent on additional security lights.’ He paused for their reaction. He never rushed his clients.

‘Yes, go ahead,’ Russ said. ‘We have one security light down the sideway so we can see our way to the bins.’

‘Noted,’ Derek said. ‘And I would suggest another at the rear and down the other sideway.’

‘Not at the front as well?’ Russ queried.

‘Not necessary. You have the ornamental down lights, which you leave on all night.’

‘How did you know we left them on?’ Russ asked, looking at him.

A slight hesitation before Derek replied. ‘You seem sensible and it’s a reasonable precaution to illuminate the front of the house rather than leaving it in darkness.’ He smiled reassuringly and moved on. ‘That’s the external security taken care of. Have you considered having a surveillance camera indoors?’

‘Whatever for?’ Julie asked surprised. ‘There’s only us and the children here.’

‘You don’t ever use a nanny, au pair, babysitter or cleaner?’ Derek queried, assured of the answer.

‘We have a cleaner,’ Julie replied. ‘But she’s been with us for years. Our babysitter is our goddaughter, a lovely girl. I trust them both.’

‘I’m sure you do – as would most folk – but many of my clients who take this option are surprised by what they find goes on in their absence. I’m not trying to scare you into buying something you’re not comfortable with, but I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t suggest all the options. Think about it and let me know. If you do decide to go ahead I would suggest one camera in the living room. You can easily turn it off on the monitor so you don’t have to keep seeing yourselves.’

‘We’ll think about it,’ Russ said.

Derek nodded. ‘Nearly finished,’ he said, glancing at his watch. ‘I won’t keep you much longer. Now to the NVR – that’s the video recorder. It records constantly and keeps the recording for thirty days and then resets. I’d like to situate it out of the way in the garage.

‘That’s fine,’ Russ said.

‘And last but certainly not least I’d recommend connecting your surveillance system to the Internet, so you can watch your home and see it is safe when you’re out.’

‘Yes, of course,’ Russ said.

‘You’ll be able to access your CCTV on your phone, tablet or laptop. Here, let me show you my office.’ He always gave this little demonstration although clients rarely needed convincing. Blokes especially were eager to sign up to the latest online technology and impress their mates and work colleagues.

He placed his phone on the table between them so they could both see it and tapped the icon. ‘There’s my office,’ he said proudly as the image displayed. ‘It’s empty at present, as it should be; we’re all out on jobs. There’s the lockup where I keep the vans overnight. The system I have is the same as the one I would install here. See how sharp the images are.’ They both nodded enthusiastically, clearly impressed, as most clients were. He allowed them time to savour the images as he zoomed in and out. ‘And here’s my home,’ he continued, swiping the screen. ‘Again, the same system I would use here.’ Julie peered closely at the webcam images of the inside of his home.

‘Do you live alone?’ she asked, which took him by surprise.

‘Why do you ask?’ he said, and closed the website.

‘Just wondered; me being nosy, I guess.’

He raised a polite smile and returned the phone to his pocket. ‘Do either of you have any questions about anything I’ve said? Apart from my private life,’ he added. He saw her glance at him, unsure if he was serious.

‘I don’t think we have; you’ve been very thorough,’ Russ said. ‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll email my quote to you this evening. Go through it, and have a look at the literature. Let me know if you have any questions.’ He gathered together his papers, finished his coffee, and stood.

‘If we were to accept your quote,’ Russ said as they began towards the door, ‘how soon could you do the work?’

He looked at them thoughtfully. ‘Hmm, I have a big job starting the week after next at a building contractors. You obviously want this place securing as soon as possible to stop the same thing happening again.’ He paused. ‘I tell you what, this work here should only take me a day, so, if you were to give me the go ahead tomorrow, I’ll have it fitted for you by the end of the week. How does that sound?’

‘Very good,’ Russ said, and Julie nodded.

‘Well, nice meeting you both and thank you for the coffee.’ They arrived in the hall and shook hands.

‘Try not to worry,’ he said to Julie. ‘We’ll soon have you safe again.’

‘Thank you, I feel safer already.’

‘Good.’

He’d be very surprised if he didn’t get the work.

‘Very nice,’ Paul Mellows said, as they pulled onto the driveway. For a moment Derek thought he was referring to him. ‘The house… it’s a nice pad,’ Paul clarified.

‘Oh yes.’ Derek nodded and switched off the engine, silencing a wave of disappointment ‘So remember, we wipe our shoes on their doormat before we go in. It’s these little marks of respect that clients appreciate.’

Paul sighed. ‘I always do, don’t I?’

Derek glanced at him with an appreciative smile. ‘You’re better than many of my apprentices, I’ll give you that.’ Paul was an attractive lad with fair hair and blue-grey eyes, but at eighteen he was brash with the misplaced confidence of someone who thought they knew it all. ‘Eight twenty-nine. Nearly time to go. Is your phone off or on silent?’

‘It will be.’

‘And remember, we address our clients by their title and surname, so it’s Mr and Mrs Williams to you.’

Paul stifled another sigh. ‘I know. And we don’t accept the first drink they offer even though I’m gasping and didn’t have time for breakfast.’

‘And whose fault would that be?’ Derek asked indulgently.

‘Mum’s for not getting up on time.’

‘You’re old enough to get your own breakfast. So you know the routine.’ Derek opened his door. ‘You stay in the van while I ring the bell and make sure they are all up and ready for us. And no shaking their hands,’ he added, his lip curling into a smile. ‘Who knows what you’ve been doing with those hands at your age.’

‘Wouldn’t you like to know.’

Derek looked away as Paul’s phone bleeped with a message. ‘Girlfriend?’ he asked as he got out.

‘None of your business.’

Derek left him to it. Despite his impertinence Paul was learning the trade fast, possibly a bit too fast. He’d had to keep a closer eye on him. He rang the doorbell. The Williams were up and expecting him. With a brief ‘good morning’, he returned to the van for the equipment they needed, tapping on Paul’s window as he passed.