The Architect (10 page)

“I thought you and your acquaintance needed some privacy.” My voice oozes irony.

“Ruth, stop behaving like a bloody teenager. I told you, it's just work.”

“Ha. Like a teenager? Well, I suppose you could say that.”

“What does that mean? Where are you?”

“What does it matter to you where I am?”

The taxi driver eyeballs me in the mirror. “Left here?”

“Who are you with?” Heath's tone is now fierce.

He obviously just heard the taxi driver, and I'm not in the mood to reassure him, so I let his mind run wild.

“It doesn't matter, I've got to go now, Heath. ‘Bye.” I press the red button, and a state of satisfaction takes over.

Chapter Fourteen

The dreaded day arrives, and I stare out of my window up to the clear blue sky and say a few words to my dad, before dressing myself in a white blouse, tight black pencil skirt and court heels to go and confront the dragon Veronica. I know today probably isn't the right day to do this, but I just have to get it out of the way.

As I pace the downstairs rooms, feeling sick at the thought of seeing her face again, and at the thought of losing Heath after my childish behaviour last night, my phone rings. Flashing on my screen, I see his name and I get ready to apologise after answering with a sweet, “Hello”.

“Hello.” He still sounds pissed off, so I jump in before he can say another word.

“I'm sorry about last night.”

His tone becomes friendlier. “It's okay.” He carries on with a caring voice. “How are you feeling today?”

“I'm as good as I can be. I've decided to take your advice.”

“Really? What advice was that?”

“I'm going to see my stepmum.”

Shocked, he replies, “Today?”

“Yes. I was just in the middle of psyching myself up as you rang.”

“Are you sure today is a good day to be doing this?”

“I'm not sure, but it's now or never.”

“Well, I hope it goes as well as it can. Make sure you ring me when you're through with her.”

“I will.”

He changes the subject, probably in the hope that it will lighten my mood. “So, are you bringing your fine self up to the Highlands to see me, or what?”

“I'll have to let you know tomorrow when I have had a word with work, if that's all right.”

He jokes, “No,” then carries on, “but I suppose it will have to do.”

“It will have to do, Mr. Berkley. I'm not getting myself into any more trouble.”

“Trouble? I'm yet to get you into any of that, Miss Watson.”

“Hmm, you're right, but I'm hoping you will soon.”

Silence hangs on the air until I realise what I just said. I've probably scared him half to death with the idea of ‘getting me into trouble'.

I laugh. “I didn't mean-”

“I know what you meant. You want to be naughty purposely so I take you over my knee and give you a good thrashing, don't you?”

“You're evil.” I giggle.

“Nowhere near as evil as I want, or am going to be with you, my darling.”

I smile. “Well, you're going to have to tell me all about that after I'm through with this old witch.”

“I would be happy to. Now, go and do what you've got to do, and remember, I am here if you need me.”

“Thank you, Heath.”

“You're welcome. Speak to you later.”

I end the call with a goodbye and finish off my coffee, before grabbing my keys and taking the driver's seat of my car.

Pulling away from my house and heading towards my childhood home, my stomach starts to swirl, and I feel sick. Opening the window and putting on some happy tunes, I calm my nerves and concentrate on the roads.

Parking up just around the corner from the witch's lair, I check my face in the rear-view mirror and fluff my hair. If I'm going to do this properly, I have got to look good and feel confident. Grabbing my emergency lip gloss from the glove box, I give my lips a thorough coating, then take a deep breath, and proceed down memory lane until I reach the parking bay outside the house.

Looking up at the building that is set back from the road on a small hill, I remember the last time I was here. Memories of my father's funeral come flooding back to me.

Shaking away the worst memory known to my mind, I grab my phone and text Heath.

Well, here goes.
Wish me luck. X

Clutching the door handle, I stop. The front door of the house has opened and Veronica has walked out. I watch as she steps out in her everyday white trouser suit with her perfect blonde bun, and turns to say goodbye to an unseen person. A kiss is exchanged between the two, but I can't work out who it is. It's a man, for sure, her husband-to-be no doubt. She steps away and trots towards her red BMW, and finally the man is exposed.

My insides race as my adrenaline pumps, and my mind goes hazy for a second or two.
No. It can't be.
I look again, almost knocking myself out on the window.
It is. Oh my God it is.

It's George Randall! And he's standing there all broad and mighty in the doorway, waving her off like he owns the place. He's the love affair. The friend. The rich guy. The reason my dad is dead!

My mind and body turn numb, and I sit and watch as she drives away. George shuts the door. Wanting to jump out of the car and race up there to confront him, my devious mind takes over.
This could work in my favour.
I could hurt her like she hurt my dad. Like she hurt me and Sally. I could make the pair of them lose everything if I play my cards right. I could have this bastard eating out the palm of my hand before sundown if I wanted. Then what would she do? To find her fancy man in love with her detested stepdaughter?

My phone pings.

Good luck, darling, not that you need it. You're amazing. H x

Throwing the phone down onto the passenger seat, I drive away calmly, so I don't attract attention. Away from the proximity of town, I park up outside an old abandoned pub and let the disgust fall from my eyes as my memory smacks me in the chest with the emails I sent last night, and the thought of him touching me in the club.

Trying to steady the fall of my tears, I hear my phone chiming. I inhale and calm my shaking hands before answering with a pert, “Hi.”

“Hey. Sorry, I just wanted to catch you before you went in. Are you in?”

“No, there was nobody home, would you believe,” I lie.

He sounds pleased. “Always the way. But I'm glad, because there was something I wanted to ask you.”

Trying not to sniffle and give my emotion away, I ask what.

“I'm not really sure how to say it.” He stops and I can almost hear his body becoming nervous. “After last night... The thought of you with another man... Well, to be honest, it drove me wild with jealousy.”

I smile and remain quiet.

“I don't know what you've done to me, Ruth, but I feel as though I want to possess you. Do you know what I mean?”

I frown. “I'm not sure.”

“I want to own you. Control you. Take care of you, and know that you only have eyes for me.”

My heart swells. “Say no more. I'm coming up to see you.”

“Now?” he asks in amazement.

“Yes, now, so text me over the postcode and I'll go home and pack a few things and be up there for tonight.”

“What about work?”

“Never mind all that, I'll call in sick or something.”

“Well, okay then, get your fine self home and I'll send over the address.”

“Great. I'll see you soon.”

“You're amazing, you know.”

“Tell me that again later,” I tease, before ending the call.

***

After throwing casual sexy clothes into a bag, and even sexier lingerie, I grab my toiletries and sat nav, jump in my car, and head for the motorway.

The whole journey up is a mixture of excitement and ruthlessness, as I daydream wonderful things about Heath and scheme against Veronica and George. I've tried to put the evil pair to the back of my mind for now, but I can't. However, I know as soon as I see Heath, the thoughts of them will diminish. Which is why I am doing this. It seems such a rash thing for me to do, call in sick for a week, throw a suitcase together, jump in a car and drive miles, but I know it's the right thing. I know I need him. I need him to hold me in his healing arms and take the pain away. And after hearing him tell me he needs me, too, I just couldn't bear to be apart from him any longer. I'll deal with this whole mess when I come back. For now, I just want to be with him.

After miles of breaking the speed limit, service stations, queues, and for the last three hours, squinted eyes, I finally arrive at The Grey Stone Hotel.

Reversing my little car into a tight spot, I squeeze out and hastily make for Reception. Setting off the automatic doors as I near them, I hear my name called. I turn to find Heath hidden amongst the manicured bushes, smoking.

I swallow, before casually walking his way. He stubs his cigarette out, and as soon as we are close enough we embrace, and every negative thought is squeezed out of me by his arms.

“I've missed you,” I whisper.

Withdrawing only his head from our embrace, he looks me in the eyes and replies with the same words.

We stand in the warmth of each other's arms for a while, then he takes my hand and we head for the doors.

“How the hell did you get up here so fast?”

I bite my lip. “Well, I think I may have broken a few speed limits.”

He grins. “Well now, Miss Watson, that is very naughty.”

I bow my head. “I know, but I needed to see you.”

He fidgets as we walk into the foyer. “I think you best get your little bottom up to my room, don't you?”

“Whatever for?”

He smiles. “For that trouble you just got yourself into.”

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