The Geary Series Boxed Set (21 page)

It was the end of another working day and Lilly let herself into her flat and dumped her bags in the hallway along with her shoes. She loved to wear heeled shoes, but they were a joy to remove at the end of the day. Moving through the flat, she flicked the switch on the coffee machine and headed for the shower. She needed to clean off the day and make herself dinner. The plan in mind was to spend an evening drawing, there was a lot to think about and drawing relaxed her, she could drift off into space and process what she needed to think about.

Everything Elijah had said to her today and over the last six months was good advice, she was becoming short tempered at work and less tolerant of the women she worked alongside. Lilly never was one for confrontation. She had no issue with confronting the men that were mean, nasty and behaved disgracefully. In her time at the company, she had to work hard to prove herself. Lilly had a lot to prove to her parents, she spent most of her energy trying to show them that she was good at what she did. The money that they spent on her was well spent. It didn’t make any difference. Her biggest supporter was her God Mother, Elizabeth, who was Harry’s sister. She looked out for her and tried to guide her into an excellent lawyer. She died a few years ago. Lilly lost her way and Harry tried to help but since that time Lilly had lost all desire to carry on as a lawyer. It didn’t stop her being the most-successful lawyer in the business, but her heart wasn’t in it.

Harry’s birthday was coming up, and Lilly wanted to give him a present. The gift was a portrait of Elizabeth for his office. Lilly, was left a pendant by her, it was one of a pair, Elizabeth’s granddaughter had the other one, and she treasured it. Elizabeth had always worn the pendant, with every outfit she had. Elizabeth called it her lucky charm. The pendant, currently draped over the corner of the canvas, was the one that Lilly was painting. The photo of Elizabeth was clipped there too, and she spent some time each evening working away at the portrait. Lilly had completed the sketching outline a while ago, and now she needed to start the painting. She had been putting it off but now had the desire to make a start tonight.

Stepping out of the shower and throwing on sweatpants and a t-shirt, Lilly padded out to the kitchen, scrunching her toes into the carpet as she went. Reaching the counter top she picked up her post. She hadn’t remembered picking up the post from the floor at the door so assumed that William had been in today. That also meant that she was probably out of food. Lilly lent William at least two hundred pounds a month and never saw the money returned, and he still raided her kitchen for food when she was at work.

Her brother was an insecure person. Lilly had offered her place as a haven because she remembered all too well what it was like to live at home with her parents and didn’t want to subject William to that if she could help it. She wanted him to have a safe refuge if he needed it but at the same time was getting fed up lately at his constant need to be at her place. She contemplated changing the locks and forgetting to give him a key but would feel guilty if she did that. He never used to come over when she was out, but now that was a frequent event. If she saw him, she would tackle him about it, but he was either elusive or her parents were within earshot. She needed to decide how she was going to bring the subject up with him.

Lilly decided on something light to eat, so she could eat and paint at the same time. Cooking for one was never something she enjoyed. She didn’t feel like making the effort and often ate little in the evenings. Taking her plate of food through to the morning room at the back of the apartment, she perched on a stool staring at the incomplete canvas. Taking bites from her sandwich, she stared into space and daydreamed about Elijah. To her he was everything she wanted in a partner, a friend and lover.

She wanted to sketch him, but needed to finish Elizabeth’s portrait before she plucked up enough courage to ask Elijah if he would pose for her. She wanted to use charcoals, the naked contours of his body could be brought to life. She had her work cut out to get him to agree to be sketched naked. She wanted him naked for other reasons too. Ever since she laid eyes on him, she had wanted him, but he was a serial dater, and he only treated her like a friend. His advice was good, and he seemed to care very much about her life decisions. It was disconcerting to have a perfect stranger be so demanding that she made the most of her life. Lilly enjoyed the attention he gave and dreamed that it was more than simple, polite advice over the bar at lunchtime.

Thinking back to six months ago, after a particularly stressful morning at work she decided that she would have a lunch break. Lilly hadn’t had a lunch break since the day she had started at the law firm over a decade before. She felt a little rebellious as it would cause shock waves through the corridors. Lilly going for lunch without an appointment would be breaking news. She hated that it was that way, but it was.  Working at the law firm and also being a senior partner’s God daughter had a few people annoyed.  They assumed that she wasn’t any good and managed to secure a job through family connections and not on merit.  She had spent the last ten years proving them wrong.

Grabbing her coat she made her way past the secretaries and ignored the stares. The noisiest of the group asked her where she was going as her dairy didn’t have any appointments. She ignored the heckle and walked by them and into the open elevator.

Stepping out into the overcast day, she looked around, deciding in which direction to go. Across the road, she saw the bar opposite and looked at the name, Blue’s. She hoped they served food and had a quiet corner where she could hide.

Spending the hour she had in a bar seemed inappropriate but she didn’t care, this was the most rebellious she had been in many years. If her mother caught her, she would be very disappointed in her daughter. Lilly almost wished her mother would walk in, she was fed up with her demanding ways as well.

She was just about to pull the door when a gorgeous couple walked out, they were laughing hard and holding hands. She envied what they visibly had and she wanted that, she needed to feel that carefree and happy. Too many years wasted in a job she didn’t enjoy. The man held the door open for Lilly to step through but didn’t look at her, he was too busy looking at the woman he was with to notice her.

“Don’t come back in here until you can behave yourselves, or at least tone it down to PG rating.”

Surprise took her by the tall man standing in front of her shouting over her head through the open door at the couple. His voice made her jump as it had startled her. She breathed in his scent and was instantly attracted to him.

“I’m sorry sweetheart to make you jump, I just needed to warn my brother to stop trying to have sex with his fiancé in my bar.”

Lilly was dumbstruck, she didn’t know what to say, she had taken in his height, good looks, amazing body and now his voice. She had the urge to wrap her arms around him for a cuddle and never leave. She was in lust with this man and yearned to know more about him.

“That’s ok.” Lilly said absent-minded, she was lost in lustful thoughts.

“Are you ok there? Am I standing too close? Sorry about that I have a habit of being too familiar.”

Lilly felt herself redden, she had no problem with his proximity, in fact, it wasn’t close enough.

“I’m fine, I’ve not been in here before, my name is Lilly, is this your bar?”

“Hi Lilly, it is a pleasure to meet you, I am Elijah and yes this is my bar. Come in and have a seat at the bar, I’ll get you a drink, on the house by way of apology and you can tell me everything about you.”

“It’s lovely to meet you too Elijah, lead the way.”

Elijah smiled down at her and held out his hand for her to take, she took it without hesitation.

It was warm and completely surrounded hers, she felt tiny in his hand but loved it all the same. She could get used to holding this man’s hand.

“Take a seat and I will be right back, what can I get you to drink?”

“Elijah, I have been waiting for my drink for ten minutes while you’ve been talking with your brother and that girl of his, any chance you can get it before you get this girl’s drink?”

“Yeah, sorry Elaine, coming right up. Lilly, I’ll be with you shortly, I just need to attend to Elaine. I’m not a very attentive friend, take a look at the menu and choose what you would like to eat.” Elijah told Lilly.

Lilly’s heart plummeted, he had a female friend who was demanding, that usually meant they had a history. She shouldn’t be surprised as he was a stunning looking man and also seemed to be friendly, kind and humorous. It still stung that she wanted this man, and he might have a girlfriend.

“No hurry Elijah, I have plenty of time.”

That was the first time she had met Elijah and since that day she had been in Blue’s at some stage during the day every day as her escape from her job. Over the months, she had told Elijah about her job and her parents, and he had listened intently and had given her advice from day one, and that was life was too short to be miserable. He had tried to talk her into leaving her job from the first day.

She had tried to do it many times but had backed out at the last moment. Harry, her boss must have thought that she was losing her mind, cancelling meeting after meeting with him.

Making an appointment, was as far as she had got with handing in her notice. She focussed on the canvas and was surprised with how much she had painted while thinking back to her first meeting with Elijah. The picture was coming along very well and she hoped Harry would be thrilled with the painting.

Putting down the paint brush, Lilly swigged back the last of the fruit juice she had next to her and called it a night. Thinking about Elijah had sparked a decision in her. She would speak with Harry tomorrow, she had written the letter months ago. She had written it in the evening after meeting Elijah that first day. She mused that she didn’t need to hand it to him, she could just talk to him about how she felt.

Picking up her phone, she dialled her best friend’s number.

"Angie, it’s me.”

"I know it’s you, modern phones have caller ID.” Angie said in a bored tone, she kept just for Lilly when she was in her efficient mode. Angie adored Lilly and made her pay for her lawyer tone when she used it.

"Excellent, good to hear your sarcasm is in full swing. Just so you know I am quitting my job tomorrow.” Lilly said and waited for the questions to come.

"Thank God for that, you can stop being miserable now, are we celebrating?” Angie asked.

"That's it?” Lilly asked.

"What do you want from me, I've told you that you need to leave there for years, I'm not going to talk you out of it.” Angie replied.

"Good, pleasant chat, as always.” Lilly said and laughed out loud.

"Can I go now?” Angie asked.

"Yes, you may go.”

Lilly laughed as she heard Angie sniggering at the other end of the phone before she hung up.

Lilly would still sleep on it but was happier that she had heard Angie's confirmation that she was making a good decision.

Lilly walked through the plush halls of her offices, the cream carpet muted the click of her high heels. Her hands were sweating from the nerves she was experiencing. She never thought that she’d have the courage to quit her job, but Elijah had given her a reason to do this. She wasn’t looking forward to telling her parents, they would not be forgiving. Her brother even less so. Lilly had to do this in order to save her sanity. What she hadn’t shared with Elijah was that she felt physically ill every day she walked into the luxurious lobby of her work offices. Her only joy was the prospect of having her lunch in Blue’s each day.

Passing her colleagues’ offices she nodded her good mornings to them and carried on to the end office where she had spent a large part of her life. She had been working long hours for the past decade. She had earned her partnership fair and square and earned a small fortune but hated every second of it for too long. Lilly only continued to work there because she felt guilty giving up the career her parents had financed. Misguided as it may be she felt obliged to carry on because they had paid for her to go to the best schools and colleges to get her degree. Doing her internship at the best lawyer firm in the city was the icing on the cake and her parents were the proudest two people in all of Edinburgh. Outwardly to their friends but to her they told her that she should be a senior partner by now. Lilly, on the other hand, felt trapped but worked hard because that was what she did best.

Relationships were the last thing that Lilly concentrated on, she had her fair share of boyfriends and enjoyed dating, but had a reputation of not dating a guy more than three times. She had no desire for commitment with a guy and had no plans to marry or have children. She didn’t feel that she would ever like a person enough to want to spend twenty-four hours a day with them. Her patience was thin at the best of times which came in useful in her job, and she tended to get people to the point quickly. Until she met Elijah, then her viewpoint changed, she could finally see a happy future.

Walking down the hallway, she pondered Elijah and his relationships, she only ever saw him during the day and hadn’t spent any time with him socially at the bar or outside of it. She wondered as she approached her office door what he was like in bed. He showed such care and concern for her wellbeing, she wondered if that transferred to the bedroom. Would he be considerate when it came to her orgasms, would he let the lady go first? It was the wrong time to be thinking of Elijah naked, his sexy good looks and kind eyes. His eye colour matched hers, and she warmed to his stare when he bored holes into her with one look.

She shook her head to shake the thoughts from her head, she needed to concentrate. Turning the handle of the door she walked into her large, cream coloured office. Walking over to a glass table, she hoped this was the last time she would enter the room. Placing her handbag on the floor next to the table, she sat in her chair and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

Could she do it? Yes, she could, she was Lillian Harrison, and she was a successful lawyer. Everyone could go to hell, she was going to quit and get happy. Then she would find out what she wanted to do with her life.

Sitting upright in the chair, she reached into the drawer next to her and lifted out the white thick envelope and traced her finger along the seal. She had written a letter to Harry, a senior partner, keeping it to the point, she wanted to leave immediately and had written she would buy herself out of the partnership.

Not having many hobbies or outside activities she rarely spent any money, apart from work clothes and her apartment. She had money in the bank, but it didn’t make any difference to her happiness. She was miserable. Simple.

Taking in a deep breath, she lifted the envelope and strode out of her office and headed to Harry’s office. Lilly nodded her way past the people she worked with but didn’t utter a word, she couldn’t afford to stop and talk for fear of losing the will to do what she needed to do. If they thought her rude, at this stage, she couldn’t care less. It wasn’t her usual attitude outside of the courtroom, but today was different. Approaching Jenny, she drew in a breath and braced herself for the acerbic tongue lashing she was about to receive. Jenny was a dragon of a PA, and there was no getting passed her if she so inclined.

“I need to see Harry.” Lilly said to Jenny.

Jenny didn’t look up from what she was looking at on her screen, so Lilly waited impatiently. Remaining calm on the outside but seething with anger on the inside. She stood stoically and didn’t utter another word for five minutes until Jenny decided that she wanted to address her.

Looking up Jenny narrowed her eyes at Lilly, painting on a thin smile, she knew she had to give Lilly the respect of junior partner but she was going to make her wait for it. Jenny hated Lilly with a passion only reserved for special people. She hated that Lilly was adored by Harry, in his eyes Lilly could do no wrong and gave her everything she wanted. Jenny had the opposite affection from Harry and only ever got to see his stern side. Jenny wanted to be Harry’s favourite.

“Oh, I didn’t see you standing there Lilly, you should have said something. Have you been standing there long?” Jenny said with a sickly saccharine voice.

“Not long Jenny, I need to see Harry now, please.” Lilly advised her.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible he is busy with a client.” Jenny said and looked back at her screen.

“He isn’t Jenny, I have access to his diary, and he has no one in there with him. Announce me, or I will just go right in. Which way shall we play this Jenny?”

Jenny growled a few choice words, stood up and smoothed down her pencil skirt as she made her way to Harry’s office door. Opening the door and speaking quietly, Jenny moved to one side and let Harry come out of his office.

Harry strode towards Lilly and wrapped her in a bear hug. He was a large framed hulk of a man and drowned Lilly’s small frame as he hugged her hard.

“To what do I owe this honour Lilly, it’s so lovely to see you, and you should come up more often.”

“I’m sorry I’ve not been up sooner, to tell you the truth I have been avoiding you. Can we go into your office?” Lilly asked, looking over her shoulder at Jenny.

“Of course, do you want some coffee?” Harry said taking the hint.

“No, I’m fine thanks, I just need a chat.”

“Is everything ok Lilly?”

Lilly looked over her shoulder again at Jenny, she jumped when she saw that Jenny was directly behind her. Frowning, she stared at Jenny until she backed off and went back to her desk with a scowl. Lilly walked behind Harry and closed the door once they were both in the room. Harry invited her to sit on the sofa and sat opposite. His face was showing concern of what she was about to discuss. Harry’s office had always been a comfort to her, even as a child when she used to come and visit Elizabeth.  Old fashioned seats and wood panelling, it was more of a study than an office.

“I’m leaving the firm Harry. Here is my letter of resignation.” Lilly said and handed over the envelope she took out of her inside pocket.

Harry stood up and took the letter from her and dropped it onto the glass table. He circled round to her side and grabbed her into a second hug.

“Well done sweetheart, I never thought you would have the courage.” He talked quietly into her shoulder. “I’m so glad you’ve come to this decision. I thought I was going to have to start an intervention.” Harry chuckled as he said the words.

He released her, and they both sat down next to each other. Lilly had known Harry since she was a child.  He along with Elizabeth had mentored her throughout her career. She was shocked at his response to her leaving. She thought that he would be angry or try to talk her out of it. She hoped her parents were as understanding. What she didn’t understand was his comment an intervention.

“Why would you have to stage an intervention?”

“I can see that you have become steadily disillusioned with your job and role here. You have done a stellar job, and I have no complaints, but you’re not happy. If you hadn’t had come to me in the next month, I would have given you a sabbatical so you can find a new direction for your life. You should be loved and taken care of while you find your new path.” Harry declared.

Harry took her other hand in his and squeezed it lightly. “If your parents give you any hassle over this decision, you send them my way and I’ll put them straight Lilly. I mean it, I have known them a long time but you need to remain focused. I am officially accepting this resignation and am sending you home. You can come back tomorrow and clear your office out. I’ll take over the cases you have. I know you don’t have any cases you’re in the middle of. Now go, go and get drunk, have some fun.” Harry said.

Lilly was shell shocked at his reaction, and what he was saying, he knew the hassle she would get from her parents and had pre-empted that they would make her take back her resignation. It had been accepted now, so there was no going back. She had no idea what she would do next but had a bubbling of excitement in her belly. She was going to go straight to Elijah and tell him what she had done. Kissing Harry’s cheek, she stood and spun in a circle and grinned at the thought of a blank page of her future. She never had, in her thirty-two years not had a plan of action. It was scary as hell to her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Harry and thank you for being my biggest champion. I’m going to miss working with you.” Lilly said, holding back her sudden wave of emotion.

“You won’t get rid of me that easily, I will be following what you do very closely. I can’t wait to see what you do next. Whatever it is, it is going to be great. Now get out of my office.” Harry said and kissed her cheek whilst pointing to the door.

Grinning, Lilly headed for the door, she opened it wide and looked out to find the sour-faced Jenny scowling at her. Lilly had half a mind to drop her grin and remain stoic as she left, but the rebellious side of her thought better of it. She grinned wider and skipped out of the office and passed Jenny’s desk wishing her a good day.

Jenny frowned as she watched Lilly jauntily walk down the carpeted corridor and immediately messaged her friend in accounts to find out what was going on. Susan who kept a record of all monies going in and out of the company also kept a record of all gossip on its employees.  She knew everything that went on in the company.  Jenny would get Susan to find out soon why Lilly had found her smile again. She didn’t want Lilly to be happy.

Lilly walked briskly to her office to collect her handbag and left her office to the elevator and out of the building. As she stood at the elevator doors, Lilly tapped her foot waiting patiently for her escape. As she stood there, she heard the clicking of heels coming closer to her.

“Hi Lilly, where are you off to so early in the day, I hope you’re not sick?” Susan asked with concern a mother would use on her child.

“No, not sick, just heading home for the day.” Lilly said. She didn’t trust Susan, she was the most indiscrete person in the company. She wanted to tell Elijah first and then her parents and brother. Blue’s was her first port of call.