Talk to Me (17 page)

‘Only if you want to tell me,’ I lied.

It turned out that, despite her earlier denial, she had seen Bill when in he was in Australia. Being a rugby player in Australia was next best to royalty, so he’d been put up in one of the best hotels.

‘It was so amazing. The Swarovski crystal fountain in the lobby was incredible and you should have seen the room Bill had. Complimentary everything. Veuve Clicquot champagne, Godiva chocolates, you name it.’

‘Wow.’

‘I was only going to stop for a quick drink. Say hello, but then he invited me for dinner. And it was so lovely to see him. I’d forgotten how easy he was to be with. And so English. And the restaurant had a Michelin star.’

It sounded as if she was so homesick and lonely she’d have met him for a Big Mac if he’d asked.

‘I went up to his room for a nightcap and … It just felt so good to be held for a change. Someone looking after me. Someone thinking I’m wonderful instead of taking the piss out of my accent and the things I say.’ She put her head in her hands, starting to cry again.

I took her hand, squeezing it.

‘I didn’t want to go back to my place. He was home … and when he kissed me. It felt so right. So I stayed.’

My heart lurched in sympathy. I stroked the back of her hand. ‘So what now? How pregnant are you?’

Kate gave me a wry smile. ‘Totally.’

We both giggled hysterically.

‘Sorry, I …’

‘I’ve done four tests and every time that blue line appears.’

‘So, when? I mean how long?’

‘Nine weeks.’

Neither of us said anything. I wasn’t sure what to ask next. The obvious question was, ‘What are you going to do?’ but I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.

‘Are you going to tell him?’ I asked quietly

Kate sniffed, put her head up and stroked her neck thoughtfully. ‘There’s no point.’

‘Kate, whatever you decide to do, you know I’ll support you, but don’t you think you ought to tell him?’

‘What for?’

‘He’s the father.’

‘Olivia, it’s the size of a coffee bean, if that. I’m going to have an abortion. In Australia. I’ve done some research. They do them up to twenty weeks. Anyway Bill won’t want to know now.’

I stared at her. Surely, she didn’t mean that. ‘He might.’

‘No, I don’t want him to know.’

‘But you don’t have to go back. Stay here. You can’t face this on your own.’

‘I have to go back. If I don’t Mum and Dad will want to know why.’

‘But you can tell them. Come on, they’re pretty liberal, hardly the “never–darken–our–door” sort. You know they’d be supportive.’

Her breath exhaled noisily. ‘Yeah, and they won’t want to know who the father is? Mum will never stop badgering me. The worst thing is they know Bill. They really like him. Knowing my luck they’ll tell him or insist I do. He’s playing in your bloody Bodgers match next week.’

Shit, I’d forgotten he’d be there. How was I going to face him knowing this?

‘But—’

‘Olivia. I’ve made my mind up. I have to … have an abortion and I don’t want him to know.’

‘But why not? He’s a decent guy. He ought to know.’

‘Because …’ she started to cry again

‘Because,’ I prompted.

‘I made a mistake.’ She paused, looking at her hands. ‘All that time when I worked for him … I really didn’t fancy him. You saw what he was like … never dressed properly. He ran a bloody plumbers-merchant, for God’s sake. That’s why I went to Australia. To get away. When I saw him out there, he was just Bill. All those times I’d turned him down. Been rude to him. Ignored him. And he was still prepared to look me up, take me out and look after me. I realised that night … I’d really missed him.’

‘So what’s the problem?’ It sounded as if she really did feel something for him.

‘I panicked.’

‘You,’ I said.

‘Yes. My whole life is a mess. I ended up working with tradesmen who swear like troopers, with a boss who’s self-made and would do anything for me. What happened to working in the City and being swept off my feet by a sophisticated banker or lawyer in a Hugo Boss suit? Bill thinks the height of fashion is a pair of Johnnie Boden cords! I thought by going to Australia I’d get away from all that. Make a fresh start.’

‘But, Kate, you were good at that job. I thought you enjoyed it.’

‘I did. It just wasn’t where I thought I’d end up and now it’s too late. Bill probably hates me.’

‘Why? He spent so long chasing you and then he saw you in Australia.’

‘Take it from me. He hates me and even if he doesn’t, I don’t stand a chance with him now. I’ve really messed up.’

It turned out that the morning after they’d slept together, Bill thought that they’d got something going but Kate had had too much time in the night to think and in her usual blunt way had quickly disabused him of that idea.

‘But you could explain—’

‘Olivia. The timing couldn’t be worse.’

I stared at her. I was obviously missing something. Her eyes filled with tears again.

‘He’s just been picked to play rugby for England, hasn’t he? All of a sudden he’s a big hero. Doing some modelling. A celebrity. So how’s it going to look if I roll up and say actually I’ve changed my mind, I would like to see you and by the way, I’m having your baby?’

I could see her point but I still didn’t think going back to Australia was the best plan.

‘Couldn’t you stay here and have an abortion? Cancel your flight. Don’t go back.’ A tear began to roll down my cheek.

Kate tightened her mouth and straightened up. ‘Olivia, I have to.’ She turned and looked at me. ‘If I stay any longer someone might realise. Mum’s already suspicious. Besides I’ve got a good job over there. Nice flat. I just need more time to get used to … you know the culture. But I want you to do something for me.’

‘Anything.’

‘Don’t come to the airport to say goodbye.’ She managed a sad smile and with a wet tissue dabbed my tears away. ‘I know what you’re like. You’ll get upset. Give the game away to Mum and Dad.’

‘But I won’t see you after tonight.’ I sniffed. ‘You fly the day after tomorrow.’

‘Yes, but now I’ve told you, it’s a bit of relief. It’s been so—’

The knock at the door startled us both.

‘Who?’ she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. I had no idea. Could it be room service? ‘I’ll get rid of them.’

‘I need some tissues. I’ll …’ She cocked her head towards the bathroom and disappeared inside as I went to open the door.

Daniel stood there, a tentative smile on his face. With so much emotion swirling around me, for a moment I wanted to hurl myself into his arms and let him take care of me the way he had at the hospital.

‘I heard you didn’t get in to the premiere. Sebastian texted. Wondered if you wanted…’ his voice faltered, and I followed his gaze over my shoulder as it fixed on the pair of champagne flutes on the table. His mouth snapped into a firm straight line and his eyes flashed with sudden emotion.

‘You’ve got company.’ He shook his head, a sneer twisting his face. ‘I should have realised. I hope he’s worth it.’ He spat the words and looked me up down.

My mouth flapped feebly, the words completely lost. He looked so furious and disgusted with me, my heart raced. I put my hand out and touched his forearm, to make contact and slow him down.

‘Daniel?’ My voice wobbled.

He shook my hand off as if it was contaminated and then he wheeled around and stormed off, his long strides eating up the distance back to the lift.

Finally I managed to get my vocal chords back under control. ‘Daniel,’ I cried. ‘Stop. I can …’ Even to my ears it sounded a terrible cliché.

It should have been bliss after the premiere to climb down from 95,000 feet but I couldn’t stop worrying about Kate, now back in Australia, and Daniel, who might as well have been.

I phoned and texted him several times. Anxiety at the injustice of not being able to find out what had made him so angry made me sleepless and irritable. It wasn’t like him to jump to conclusions or to get so mad without giving someone a chance to explain. I felt aggrieved that he hadn’t and still wouldn’t talk to me and the more he ignored my attempts at communicating, the angrier I got and the more determined that this was it. I’d had it with his constant about turns.

I certainly wasn’t going to say anything to Emily, who happily lapped up the success of the event and the resulting press coverage. It made a very pleasant change for her to be so easy-going. I made the most of it.

The best part of my week was the premiere post-mortem with the happy clients from Beautiful Babes Luscious Lips. They were delighted with all the pictures in the
Sun
and
Mirror
of Miranda and the close-ups of the Minx Red kiss on her bottom. They might have been even happier if we’d been able to show them the five minute slot we got on the BBC news, but someone had forgotten to arrange for it to be recorded.

How many ways can you interpret, ‘Please ring the press cuttings agency and make sure they monitor all broadcast coverage’. Unfortunately by the time I realised that Emily had failed to even manage this, it was too late to even resort to BBC iPlayer.

‘That went well,’ exclaimed Emily, as the client disappeared escorted by David. I glanced at her. She was perfectly serious. No sweaty palms for her then when the client asked where the DVD of the news coverage was. Shaking my head, I started to pack up my desk.

‘Well, I’ve had enough for one week. I’m off. Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind and come down with me? Nip back to the flat and get some stuff for the weekend. I don’t mind waiting.’

What a total hypocrite. At least making the offer for her to come along made me feel better. Not quite so guilty. She was staying at home by herself while I was heading off for a weekend at home, the big cricket match and to face Daniel. After a lot of heart searching, I knew I needed to make more effort stay away from him. Maybe I should go out and join Kate in Australia. This weekend would be the last event I’d go to where I knew he’d be without Emily. Avoiding him was difficult in the flat, if not impossible, but doable. I would just do social chit chat when I had to and then retreat to my room, making sure I stayed out of his way as much as I could.

Unfortunately there was no way I could back out of the weekend. My family would know something was wrong. I never missed this fixture. It would be a dead giveaway if I didn’t go at this late stage.

Emily fidgeted in her seat before looking up at me with a pitying expression on her face. ‘Thanks, Olivia, but no thanks. I’ve got better things to do than play cricket widow.’

It never occurred to me at the time that she really did have ‘better things to do’. I thought it was just sour grapes.

‘I don’t see why I should spend my Saturday making sandwiches for a bunch of blokes I don’t even know. Some women might enjoy being a throwback to the fifties, humouring their men – not me. Daniel’s welcome to play cricket. His choice, but I’m not giving up my weekend to have the pants bored off me. It’s all right for you. You know everyone. You’re staying with your family. I’d have to stay at Daniel’s and I can’t stand his stepmum.’

My guilt pangs curled up and died. They’d done well to survive the snide remarks about cricket groupies and teas that had been tossed my way in the last couple of days. Sod her. I didn’t care if she was on her own this weekend.

Heaving my holdall over my shoulder, I was about to leave when David appeared in the office. He didn’t say anything but with one finger he beckoned to me. Shit, was I going to be in trouble about the missing BBC coverage? Emily exchanged a quick, nervous glance with me and then shrugged her shoulders, as well she might. It wasn’t her problem, was it?

As if I hadn’t had enough drama for the week, David’s summons to his office was just what I didn’t need late on a Friday afternoon. I thought I knew what was coming and was fully expecting a bollocking.

The satisfied grin on his face belied his words. ‘I’ve had a few complaints about you.’

‘Really. I’m surprised,’ I said coolly. He’d dumped me with the job from hell. If there was any complaining to be done it should be coming from me.

‘Miss Emily Mortimer is not very happy with your management skills.’

I frowned at him, that wasn’t what I was expecting him to say. Bloody cheek. I wasn’t too chuffed with her either.

‘Isn’t she?’ I said grimly, thinking of the missing coverage, the single ticket and her general ineptitude. ‘Eleanor Braeburn looked pretty pleased – and she’s the client. I’d have thought her opinion counted most. She’s the piper after all.’

‘Smart girl. That’s why I made Fiona give you the job. Eleanor is crapping herself with delight. But don’t think you’re getting a pay rise out of this.’

‘What about a car? After all you pinched mine.’ The words just popped out of my mouth. I’m not sure who was more surprised, me at thinking so quickly on my feet for once, or David at my outright gall. He’s not used to that. Most people are either so busy tugging their forelocks that they miss the wicked glint in his eye (he does have a very warped sense of humour) or so darn scared of him, he treats them with contempt.

He put his head on one side, studying me. ‘Think you deserve one, do you?’ he asked, his blue eyes dancing with arrogant mischief as he reclined in his chair, his ankle hooked over his knee.

‘Yes I do,’ I said, tilting my chin to emphasise that I was taller than him. He pushed himself up. ‘Go on then. Speak to HR. I suppose I’m going to have to promote you permanently – which means I do have to give you a bloody pay rise.’

He picked up a small plastic box from the windowsill and tossed it at me.

‘You’ll need these.’

Typical David. Through the clear plastic lid I could see my name, Olivia Middleton, Account Director. In my head I did a goal scorer’s wiggle. One to me.

‘By the way, what did you do to upset Emily? You’ve achieved in two weeks what Fiona’s been trying to do for three months.’

I frowned at him, puzzled. There was a letter on his desk, which he picked up and with a flourish he began to read.

‘It is with regret that I formally tender my resignation. Since the advent of Olivia Middleton in the role of temporary Account Director, I have found my position totally untenable.’

He tutted, looking sternly at me.

What? Cheeky cow. How many times had I saved her bacon?

David continued. ‘Since assuming responsibility for the team, Olivia has made my working life intolerable with her constant, unfounded criticism and the unremitting undermining of my position in front of other team members.’

I stared at David, my face frozen while my mind raced. Two-faced witch. Five minutes ago in the office she’d given no clue that this was how she felt.

Giving an exaggerated sigh, he shook his head with mock disapproval at me. ‘Sadly I have no choice in the circumstances but to terminate my employment with Organic PR.’

He laid the letter on his desk and looked at me. ‘What do you have to say for yourself?’

‘You don’t believe all that,’ I started indignantly.

‘Noo! Think I’m dense!’ He slapped his hand on his desk and cackled with laughter. ‘God, she’s a pain in the arse. You deserve the car for putting up with the silly cow and not coming moaning to me every five minutes. Bloody Fiona’s in here every week. She’s—’

‘Did you give me this job to piss her off?’ I interrupted, clenching one hand behind my back as the pennies and pounds began to drop. My stomach was churning and I felt sick and shaky.

He grinned devilishly. ‘It did the trick, well done.’ Completely ignoring my outraged glare, his expression changed to one of shrewdness. ‘You’re a smart girl, Olivia. Luscious Lips pay us a quarter of a million every year – I don’t piss about when fees are involved. She’s off to another agency. Says she’s taking her expertise and ideas where they’ll be appreciated. Silly bitch.’

Her ideas. That was rich. Ever since I’d known her she’d been desperate for promotion. Now I knew why it had never happened and why it was unlikely to. I bet she’d taken all the credit for the Luscious Lips campaign to impress the new agency.

‘She’s on a month’s notice. I’ll leave it up to you whether she pisses off straight away, or stays for the month. Still have to pay the little madam. Make it bloody clear she won’t get a reference if she plays silly buggers.’

With that I was dismissed. He was a wily devil, he knew damn well after reading that little litany that my blood was up but he had just given me carte blanche to do as I pleased.

As I left his office, he growled, ‘Just don’t tell everyone what a pussycat I am.’

As if.

David might have thought I was a sharp cookie, but he was wrong. The contents of Emily’s letter had been a complete surprise. Leaving the top floor, I’d taken the back stairs, very slowly, disbelief running through my head. My hand was shaking so much I could barely grasp the handrail. Any delight at the unexpected promotion was well and truly overshadowed by the tone of Emily’s letter. Had I really upset her that much?

By the time I got back to my desk, she’d gone. I had a vague recollection of an arrangement to go to Bar 29 next door for post-work drinks. As the office was virtually empty, I guessed most people had decamped there. No doubt Emily was among them. No one hung around long on Friday evenings. Unfolding the A4 paper, I stared at it, my stomach twisting uncomfortably. The words jumbled up on the page as my eyes ran over the offensive words again and again.

We’d had our ups and downs but they’d always been normal flatmate irritants. Like pinching the last teabag and not buying more, generally her, or using all the hot water, usually me. Although it had been difficult recently, I thought that with the stress of the premiere over we were back on an even keel.

I don’t bear grudges. With every fallout we’d ever had, I was always the first to apologise or smooth things over. I couldn’t believe that this was what she really thought of me.

Shaking, I pulled out my phone. Sod the cost, I needed to speak to Kate.

Snatching up my holdall with one hand, my mobile in the other, I headed for the stairs. Pressing buttons as I stumbled down, I never gave a thought to what the time might be on the other side of the world.

She answered as I hit the pavement and the Friday night throng on the street. To get out the way, I ducked into a doorway on the opposite side of the road. From my vantage, I had a complete view of the office, stretching up three floors above the busy street. Waiting for Kate to answer, I eyed the top floor bitterly.

‘Kate, it’s me,’ I said, when she finally answered; I’d had to dial twice.

‘Olivia, it’s the middle of the night. I’ve still got jet lag,’ she muttered in response, her words blurred by sleep.

I bit my lip, looked anxiously at my watch, and realised it must be about four in the morning there.

‘No one’s died,’ I said, inhaling a sob.

‘It had better be good, now that I’m awake. Honestly, Olivia, you are hopeless. You’re not still trying to get me to talk to Bill are you?’

‘No, it’s Emily.’

Stumbling over the words, I told her what had happened. I’m surprised she could understand what I was saying.

‘Olivia.’ She gave a long sigh. ‘It’s about time you woke up and smelt the sewage, sweetie.’

That wasn’t what I wanted her to say. She was supposed to be on my side. Where was the sympathy?

‘I’ve been telling you for ages. Emily is bad news. You wouldn’t have it. Why do you have to always see the best of people, even those that don’t deserve it?’

Taken aback, I ventured softly. ‘But isn’t that better than always seeing the bad?’

‘No, it’s not. You’re too nice. You think everyone is like you – they value honesty and want to do the right thing. Not everyone does.’ Her voice was getting louder, as she warmed to the theme. ‘People like Emily coast on other people’s coat-tails. And yours was a very comfortable ride. Nice flat, great friends, and she even pinched Daniel from under your nose. Easy pickings, thanks very much, Olivia.’

‘No …’ I tried to stop her. This was not what I wanted to hear.

‘I’m sorry, hon, it’s about time you realised she’s been using you. Not that I think it was personal. She’s a parasite. Latches onto the nearest free meal. It wasn’t as if she was that attached to Daniel. He was just handy at the time.’

‘It doesn’t explain why she had to be so horrible in her letter to David.’ That really hurt. Especially all the lies.

‘She’s just saving face. Anyone that hopeless is never going to get on if they stay put but she couldn’t admit it, could she? So you got the blame. Bet she genuinely believes all that guff. Ask yourself, what’s Emily ever done for you?’

‘She cleaned the flat from top to bottom when I hurt my arm. That was really nice of—’

‘I’m not saying she’s all bad, but overall she’s just not that great. And what about Daniel?’

God she was determined to keep bringing him up, just when I was trying very hard not to think about him any more.

‘Don’t tell me she didn’t know that you liked him.’ There was a pause as if she was considering her next words carefully. ‘I think she stuck the knife in that night at Ben’s birthday party. You told me that one minute Daniel and you were getting on like a house on fire, the next she’s waltzed off with him.’

Thanks for sisterly sympathy. Now I felt even worse. Especially when I realised I’d hung up and not asked how she was feeling.

Friday night was hell on the tube. So much for my quick exit from work to beat the rush. David’s little meeting and the call with Kate had played havoc with my plans. It was now after six. I felt more like going into the pub and downing a pint of vodka than braving the packed underground.