Law of Attraction (17 page)

“I’d like to help with the food if you’ll let me.”

“I was hoping you’d volunteer. I also wondered if you’d be my bridesmaid. Not exactly a bridesmaid, but if you’ll just be there to help me out with things.”

“Who’s going to give you away?”

“I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe you would. You could give me away and then do things like hold my bouquet. You’re very good at doing more than one job at once.”

“I’m honoured that you’ve asked me. I’d love to do whatever I can to make this the best day of your life.”

“I think it will be one of the best, but I’m looking forward to many ‘best’ days when Len and I are together.”

* * *

Later that week Michael was in a very good mood after receiving a phone call put through by Vanessa. “Kay,” he called, “please come through.”

Wondering what was happening, Kay hurriedly picked up her notebook and pencil and went to Michael’s room.

“Good news,” he said, closing the door behind her. “Sit down and I’ll tell you all about it.” Kay made herself comfortable, pleased to see that Michael’s despair during office hours lately had dispelled. “That was Mr Twigge on the telephone. Between us we’ve managed to sort things out at the bank. Spencer and Barnes won’t cause any more trouble.”

“I’m relieved about that,” said Kay. “But I’ve a feeling there’s something else on your mind.”

Michael smiled. “You know me well, don’t you? And you’re right. Mr Twigge has asked if we’ll take over a couple of large accounts from his firm as he’s inundated with business.
I’ve accepted and would be pleased if you could help me out.”

“I’d love to help you out. It’s just what I want. Thank you. It’ll be a challenge, but I’m sure I’m up to it. I’ve been a bit pre-occupied with Olive and Len’s plans lately, but I promise to devote myself to you from now on.” Realising what she’d said, her hand went to her mouth. “To the firm, I mean.”

“That’s a pity,” replied Michael, bending and brushing her mouth with his lips. “I’d like you to devote yourself to me.”

Chapter Seventeen

“Oh,” remembered Kay as she was about to slip back to her desk. “Your father phoned earlier today.”

Michael was immediately alert. “I didn’t get that message. Don’t tell me Vanessa didn’t put it through. I wonder what’s going on, do you know?”

“Actually, the call was for me,” said Kay. “He invited me to eat with
your family on Sunday.”

“That’s good news. He said he would. Let me give you a lift. I’ll be there
too.”

Kay had hoped he would be and a lift would be a great help as she had no idea exactly where Mr and Mrs Harris lived.

* * *

Kay was very happy and enjoying the drive. It was a beautiful sunny day and the countryside was looking pretty with its rolling hills and wooded areas. She couldn’t help but wish she was just going out with Michael as she was quite nervous about spending time with his parents. She knew they had a large house and lived a different sort of life from her own family. To add to her confidence, Kay was wearing her new polka dot dress and hoped she would be acceptable.

“You’re very quiet this morning,” Michael said, glancing at her. “Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.” As soon as she said it she realised that she should be honest with him. “That’s not true. Olive told me I shouldn’t worry, just be myself, but I’m anxious about visiting your parents. I’ve only met them at office functions or in relation to work. I find it quite daunting. I won’t know what to say and I probably won’t know which cutlery to use for what.”

He laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad doesn’t mind about that sort of thing and he always gets it wrong. Honestly, Kay, my parents are very relaxed. They’re not ogres waiting to jump at the chance of criticising you. Why would they?”

She didn’t answer. Nor could she understand why she’d been invited in the first place. “Will anyone else from the office be there? The partners, Vanessa or anyone else?”

“No, it’s just you as far as I know.”

That increased the pressure, but it turned out he was absolutely right about his parents being relaxed. Although the house was much grander than she was used to, she soon felt comfortable and the meal went well with lots of chatting about the office, tennis and dancing.

It came as a surprise to Kay that Mrs Harris had cooked the Sunday roast herself; somehow she’d imagined they’d have a cook and a housekeeper, but they appeared to be just a normal couple who lived in a big house. Mrs Harris was happy for Kay to take dishes from the hatch into the dining room and there was a little dog who remained asleep under the table throughout the meal. The roast pork with its deliciously crispy crackling was every mouthful as good as Kay’s mother’s cooking or Olive’s and Kay accepted a second helping.

When Kay mentioned that she was interested in gardening Mrs Harris insisted they go for a stroll round their garden as she wanted help with plans for a new flower bed. It was quite different from Olive’s bare garden and Michael’s functional one, but Kay quickly picked up some new ideas to try out.

“Now that you’ve seen the garden, let’s sit on the bench by the pond and enjoy the sunshine. You look lovely in that pretty dress. It’s nice to have female company for a change. I expect Robert and Michael will be discussing business as usual. It’s been a very important part of Robert’s life and Michael takes it all very seriously. I do wonder how Robert will manage his spare time when he lets go of the reins completely.”

“I have noticed that Michael puts work first.”

“That was very heartfelt. I must tell you that we are very happy that Michael and you are going out.”

“But…”

“He hasn’t ever told us much about his past girlfriends, but your name is forever popping up. He is always saying how wonderful you are. I shouldn’t say this, but I’ve been quite lonely at times. I wasn’t able to have a career. It was expected that I would stay at home and look after the family and with Robert working such long hours I spent a lot of time alone. I’ve got friends of course, but it wasn’t the same as having my husband at home. Things are changing and Michael is different to his father. I think that once he has got things going in Blayton he will be perfectly happy to let the new partners take a large role in the business. He will be able to spend time with his family when he has one.”

Kay would happily have chatted for longer, but she could see Michael coming towards them pushing a wheelbarrow full of tools. “Are you two all right? You look very serious.”

“We’ve been having a nice chat and it wasn’t all about you so don’t think it was. What are you doing?” Michael’s mother smiled at him.

“Dad and I have had our chat. Now I’m going to dig that bed over for you then it will be ready for John to plant up.”

Kay guessed John must be the gardener so they did have help as she’d expected. Michael really did live in a different world from her, but it didn’t seem to have affected him. He was a hard worker and treated others well.

“I’ll go and check on your father. I’ll bring out some lemonade later.”

“I’ll come and help with the digging,” Kay said, following Michael.

“No, you won’t. I don’t want to be responsible for you getting your dress mucky. You can continue to look beautiful making daisy chains.”

I’d rather watch you, Kay thought to herself. Michael rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and set to work. They didn’t talk much. Kay listened to the bees humming and the birds singing in the trees. It wasn’t long before Michael stripped his shirt off and Kay watched his strong muscles working as he dug the soil. She knew she shouldn’t be as mesmerised as she was by his body, but it was difficult not to be.

Mrs Harris brought out the lemonade and Michael stopped briefly to gulp it down. Kay sipped hers and enjoyed the tartness of the drink. She couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. Here she was in a beautiful garden with the man she loved. She remembered what Mrs Harris had said regarding him talking about her a lot and thinking she was his girlfriend. Was she? She supposed she was, but somehow it didn’t quite feel like it.

“There, I’ve finished.” Michael thrust the spade into the ground and walked over to her rubbing the mud from his hands. “What do you think?”

“It’s a wonderful bit of digging, the best ever I’m sure.”

“Flattering the boss?”

They both laughed, but then it struck Kay that the problem with their relationship might be that she was his secretary. Maybe that was always at the back of Michael’s mind. With a heavy heart Kay realised what she must do. If she and Michael were going to have a chance of a future together she would have to look for another job. But there might be a simpler way. All she had to do was tell Michael her feelings and ask him how he felt about her.

She stood up,
his hand in hers
holding his hand
,
“You know, Michael, I don’t always think of you as the boss. Most of the time you’re just Michael.”

He didn’t say anything, simply wrapped his arms round her and hugged her tightly.

She felt the warmth of his body through the thin fabric of her dress, and she breathed in the scent of him. It felt utterly right that they should be together like this. As Michael’s mouth met hers, she was aware of barking from the little dog and the muted voices of Mr and Mrs Harris walking down the garden towards them. She felt she ought to break away from Michael’s embrace, but he was holding her tightly. It was only when the dog playfully jumped up at them that Michael gently let her go.

“You’ve done a good job of digging, Michael. Really it’s too warm to be doing physical labour,” said Mr Harris, beaming at his son.

Michael flopped down on the grass and the dog joined him. Kay laughed and went over to the seat when Mrs Harris beckoned her.

“I’ve never seen Michael as peaceful as this. You’re good for him.”

“But I still don’t really know where we stand with each other,” confessed Kay, feeling very comfortable with this woman.

“Why not ask him?” advised Michael’s mother.

* * *

“Your parents are really nice,” murmured Kay as Michael slowed for traffic lights when they were approaching Blayton. “I enjoyed my time with them.”

“They like you,” smiled Michael. As he reached for her hand the lights changed to green and he put the car into gear and drove off.

When they reached the turning for Elm Close, Michael stopped the car, but neither of them made a move to get out.

“Would you walk in the park with me?” asked Kay. “It doesn’t close until dusk.”

They strolled hand in hand until they found a vacant seat. “Kay, I…”

At the same time, Kay said, “There’s something…”

They grinned at each other. “Ladies first,” invited Michael.

Feeling nervous, but desperately wanting to know the answer to her question, she said, “Michael, I love you and I’d like to marry you. How do you feel about that?”

“Oh my darling, I was wondering how on earth I could ask you the same thing. I once told you I’d considered asking a woman to marry me. I was talking about you.
Almost from the moment I set eyes on you I’ve loved you. I knew you’d been hurt in the past by some man, and I didn’t want to push you into something you weren’t ready for. I thought it might be too soon for you to fall in love again. When George kept turning up lately I wondered if you and he might be seeing each other once more, even though I was delighted to hear you confide in your mother that he meant nothing to you.”

“It’s true, he
does
mean nothing to me. He’s the past.”

“I know that now, but I was also desperately worried that the firm was going to fold after that business with Charlie and then the bank. If that had happened I’d have had nothing to offer you. And you deserve so much. Then you talked about having a career and I didn’t want you to have to give up working just because I wanted to marry you.”

Happiness surged through Kay as she heard what he said. But she didn’t want him to talk any more, not just now. She took his face in both her hands and their lips met tenderly before passion propelled them into a deeper embrace.

THE END

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