“I’ll get my revenge on Monday.” I told her, standing up.
“No you won’t.” She laughed.
13
PIPPA
For the last month Jude and Addy had met us at the trampoline park. This last Saturday, Jude had come to Jamie’s football and presented him with a Chelsea DVD. I wasn’t sure what was happening. We got along at work. I was learning to anticipate what Jude needed without overstepping. He was explaining more of the processes to me and suggested I could take a few slush pile manuscripts home if I liked, to get an idea of the kind of things he was sent.
Now, Addison had insisted that Liberty, “My new best friend forever,” came for tea and got to see her playroom. I had to accompany her. The problem was, the more time passed, the more I’d really started to lust after my boss, and the thought crossed my mind that I’d quite like to see his room.
“So, if you’re bringing Libby around, I’ll make us some pasta. I’m not the best cook ever but I can manage to rustle up spag bol.”
“Erm, okay.” I agreed, not knowing how I could avoid it given I needed to keep an eye on my sister. I was in deep trouble.
Maybe I needed to get myself a date? Distract myself from my hot boss.
It was that which was at the forefront of my mind when Thomas Arkell came in for yet another meeting with Jude. He wasn’t really my type and I didn’t fancy him, but he seemed like a really nice guy and he had no wedding ring. Perhaps I’d flirt with him a little?
“Hey, Thomas.” I flicked my hair and smiled at him. “Good to see you again. Can I take your coat?”
He passed it to me and I hung it on the coat stand.
“Coffee, milk, two sugars, right?”
“Right.” He smiled. “Have I been coming here too often?”
Jude came out as I spoke.
“You couldn’t come here too often, Thomas. It’s always a pleasure to see you.” I flicked my hair and smiled again.
Jude looked from me to Thomas strangely. “Do you want to come through, Thomas?”
Thomas looked at me. “Pippa was just getting me a drink.”
“Oh, I can bring it through, no problem at all.” I answered breezily. “Would you like a cookie to go with it?”
“Oh wow. I am being spoiled today. That would be great.” He turned to Jude. “You’re so very lucky to have this woman to organise you. I could do with a Pippa.”
“Yes, well she’s mine.” Jude grumbled. “So don’t get any ideas.” He followed it with a fake sounding laugh.
“I work alone with a kettle and tea bags. I don’t think I could offer Pippa what you do. Your assistant is safe from me.” Thomas joked.
Then as he went into Jude’s office, he gave me a wink.
WTF?
All was revealed when Thomas came back out. “Thank you, Jude. I’ll see you next week. I’m just going to have a word with Pippa before I go.”
Jude’s expression clouded over again, but he shook Thomas’ hand before going into his office and closing his door, a bit louder than usual.
Thomas turned to me. “I do believe my publisher is a little bit in love with his assistant.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, Pippa. Did you not notice how jealous he was? When all of that shit went down with Tillie, we were all very sad. Jude is an amazing publisher, but he lost his way for a while. He got back on track when Irene took him in hand, but he’s not had that spark back in him; not until you. You’re bringing the life back into him. So if you feel the same way, for heaven’s sake let him know, or please, let him down gently, won’t you?”
He looked at my slack-jawed expression.
“Sorry, that news seems to have knocked you sideways a little. Oh and also, you might want to get your fringe cut. You kept flicking it when you were offering me a drink, looked like you had a tic. I guess you’re not getting it trimmed as regularly now you don’t work at the salon?”
Could I just crawl under my desk and die?
“I’ve not had it cut since I started here.” I pretended to blow my fringe out of my eyes when it wasn’t even in them. “I’d better get on that.”
“Your hair or your boss?” Thomas quipped. “Anyway, I’d better get back. Janet’s having a night out tonight and leaving me in charge of the children. Burgers and chips it is! They’ll be asking me who I am though, I’ve been blasting this next novel out and doing rewrites for the past two weeks.”
With that he went on his way, and I sat down feeling even more confused.
Was it possible Jude liked me too?
And how did a person find out without potentially destroying their employment?
14
JUDE
Even though I knew Thomas lived happily with his partner and their three children, it still made my hackles rise when I went outside and saw Pippa being extra friendly with him.
I was being an idiot. She was just being courteous to one of our authors.
Wasn’t she?
She’d flicked her hair. The universal sign of a woman flirting.
Had she been flirting with Thomas?
Anyway, I couldn’t think of that now. I had my client to talk to.
“Lovely girl that Pippa. You’re very lucky your mother found her.” Thomas said.
“Yes, she’s a very good assistant.” I replied.
“Certainly seems to be having a good effect on you. I’ve not seen you so animated and enthusiastic in a long time.” He straightened his tie. “I’ve always stayed loyal because you started my career, Jude, but I have to admit there were times when I was sorely tempted to change publishers, feeling you’d lost your way and weren’t going to find your way back. But Pippa seems to have managed what even good old Irene couldn’t. She’s made you find your old spark. It’s fabulous to see my friend back. Whatever you do, don’t let that one slip through your fingers.”
“Well, I hope she stays in post, but that’s largely up to Pippa.”
“Yes, let’s keep pretending we’re talking about her being your assistant. I strongly suggest you do everything you can to hold on to your assistant.”
I was positive he mumbled ‘preferably around the waist’, but when I looked up from my desk Thomas was his usual composed self and the rest of the meeting passed without anything other than business talk.
When he left, my mind went into overdrive.
I couldn’t let her know how I felt, could I?
What if she rebuffed me and then left her post? Then where would I be?
No. I really couldn’t risk it.
A knock came at the door and she walked in. I wasn’t going to be able to get up from behind this desk without a very thick set of files in front of me.
I was in deep trouble, and she was coming over later for a meal…
Addison was buzzing around like I’d fed her all day on e-numbers alone. The doorbell rang.
“She’s here. She’s here. She’s here. She’s here.” She went running off and I trailed after her, my heart beating extra fast.
“Can you move back from the door, sweetie, so that I can actually open it?”
When I finally got the door open, Libby burst through from the other side. The two girls hugged hard and then Addy grabbed Libby’s hand and they ran in the direction of Addy’s playroom. As she ran through, I heard Libby shout, ‘You didn’t say you lived in a castle’.
“I almost brought her over an hour early because she was driving me mental asking what time it was.” Pippa said as she followed me into my home. I watched as she took in the interior of my five-bedroomed detached home. “Wow. What a beautiful home.”
“Thanks. Could you keep an eye on the kids while I just check I haven’t burned the kitchen down to the ground?”
“Yeah, sure. Is the playroom easy to find if I just walk in the direction the kids went?”
“Straight on and turn left. There’ll be a trail of toys leading your way towards it.”
I made my way into the kitchen noting the slight tre
mor to my body. I was nervous and my mind began swirling with thoughts. What did Pippa’s house in Acton look like? Would she judge me because I had more money? Would it drive a wedge in conversation as my wealth become so apparent? I couldn’t hide who I was. I was a very wealthy man, most of it coming from my parents, but I earned a decent wage of my own. I began to feel like some kind of spoiled prince when I saw myself through Pippa’s eyes. It hadn’t always been this way. I just wanted Addy to have everything she possibly could to make up for the one thing I couldn’t give her—her mother back.
I walked back into the playroom with two plates of fish fingers, French fries, and beans and put them on the small table I’d set up earlier.
The girls hurried and began tucking in, while still chattering away, talking with mouths full of food.
“They’ve not come up for air. I think Libby thought Addy was a real-life princess for a moment.” Pippa took a look around the playroom. “I can see why she made the mistake.”
I looked at the playroom through Pippa’s eyes. It was a large room, with an art corner, a library corner with a sofa, a dressing up area with play equipment, and a place to eat and drink with friends, though this was the first time anyone had ever been around. I’d been too busy to have people around and also the same rules applied at home—I didn’t want women hitting on me. Some single mums had made their feelings very obvious at the school gates and so had a couple of the married ones. It wasn’t that I thought I was the World’s Most Eligible Bachelor. It was just I wasn’t ugly and even if I was, my wealth made me attractive on its own. Add to that the sob story of Addy’s loss of a mother and well, we were a family who needed ‘saving’ in the eyes of the school gate crowd.
“You’re thinking she’s spoiled to death, aren’t you?”
Pippa shrugged. “It’s only what all parents would do if they had the chance. Libby’s spoiled in her own way. I’m actually looking at it, thinking I’d have killed for this room when I was younger. I’m wondering how I can make myself a grown-up version when I finally get my own place.”
“Have you plans for that?”
Another shrug. “I can’t see it happening until the kids are a lot older and can help out with our mum. She can’t be on her own when her symptoms are bad.”
“It can’t be easy, being unable to live your own life. Having restrictions…?”
“It’s not, but there’s nothing really I can do about it. It’s how the cards have been dealt, and we have a housekeeper now, who I’m hoping will become a full-time carer for Mum in time. I’m just letting Mum get used to her as someone who helps with housework and meals first, and then she’s going to slowly start helping her. My mum’s very proud. I couldn’t just say, you need help. She’d shut down and refuse it.” Pippa picked up a toy from the floor and put it on the shelf it had fallen off from. “Gosh, sorry, I’m oversharing. I’ll shut up now.”
“No, you’re not. And it’s good we’re getting to know each other better. It helps with our working lives. I understand if you have a problem with your mum that means you need to drop everything and run; you know why I avoid the school gates and send my mother.”
She laughed. “True.”
“Come through to the kitchen and I’ll cook us that spag. I have a monitor so we can keep an ear on what the girls are up to.”
Once in the kitchen, Pippa hitched herself onto a stool against the central island while I stood nearby at the oven, putting dry spaghetti into a pot on the hob.
“Shall we be decadent and have one glass of wine on a school night?” I shook an already open and breathing bottle of red at her.
“Well seeing as the cork’s out it would be a shame to waste it.”
I’d thought conversation between us might be awkward, but it wasn’t. We chatted about the kids. Pippa told me more about life with her mother and siblings, and about her previous job.
I’d moved us to the dining table and Pippa remained polite as she ate some spaghetti that was still clumped together in a huge piece. As we sat eating a chocolate fondant which I’d confessed came from Waitrose, the air around us became more charged. I don’t know if it was the fact the evening had turned dusky, the second sneaky glass of wine each, or the close proximity we were sitting in, but something changed.
“Are you glad you made the move to Davenport’s?”
“Yes.” Pippa nodded. “I think the job has potential.”
Then she looked at me.
And I stared back at her.
Chocolate sauce had dripped onto her chin, and I took my thumb and wiped it away.
“You had a little chocolate sauce there.”
Pippa’s breath hitched.
“Thanks.”
My thumb was still on her chin. We were both caught in the moment.
Take your hand away, Jude. See if she wants a coffee and leave the table. Once you cross this line, there’s no going back.
As I dithered, she said quietly. “Do I have sauce anywhere else?”
Her dark brown eyes were filled with hunger and I leaned forward. “I think there’s some on your mouth. Let me check.”
And I leaned in and kissed her.
Her mouth opened surrendering to mine. She tasted of the cinnamon and berries from the red wine, mixed with dark chocolate; while the aroma of orange notes from her perfume filled my nostrils creating a heady mix that I was no match for.
My hands tangled in the back of her hair and our tongues tangled together as we succumbed to each other.
Then…
“DADDDDDYYYY, I KNOCKED OVER MY DRINK.” Boomed out of the monitor. We shot apart, staring at each other. Breathing heavy. Pippa’s chest rose and fell, her nipples stiff peaks through her pale top.
“I’d better…”
“Yeah, I’ll help.”
Pippa grabbed the kitchen towel, and I got a wet cloth and we dashed back to the playroom.
The moment was broken and shortly after that Pippa and Libby left as time was getting on.
I got Addy ready for bed, only vaguely listening to her constant chattering about her new best friend, while I wondered if Pippa would show for work the next day, or whether I’d just made a huge mistake.
But as I replayed the kiss in my head, it had felt anything but.
15
PIPPA
“Pippa, are you even listening to me?” Libby whined as we reached home.
“Yes, but I also have to concentrate on making sure we get home safely, so you know I can’t answer you every time.” I turned to her and stroked her cheek. “But I know you’ve had the best time with Addy, and I know she had great fun with you.”
“And I’ll see her again on Saturday at trampolines.”
“If her daddy can take her.”
“Oh, I hope he can.” Worry lines creased my little sister’s forehead, and I smoothed them away. “I’m sure he will.” I lied.
Because I really didn’t know what came next.
“Had a nice time?” Mum asked us both as we walked into the living room. I didn’t have time to reply before Libby launched into a play-by-play of everything from the moment she’d met Addy at the door. I raised a brow, but Mum just smiled and mouthed, ‘Thank you’. I nodded. “I’m going to get a shower and chill in my room. Give me a shout if you need anything. I’ll check in on Jamie.”
“He’s watching that football DVD in his room again. Again!”
I laughed. “I’ll have to see if there are any different ones.”
“Oh well. It could be worse. He could be shouting and screaming at Fortnite.”
I answered back ‘true’ but it was lost in the loud voice of Libby commanding Mum’s attention for her tales again.
After saying a quick hi to Jamie, I went into my room, grabbed my robe and hair towel and I went into the bathroom. Standing under the hot stream of water, I finally allowed my thoughts to properly run through the events of the evening and I lingered on the kisses that had happened between us.
But no
w what?
Had we made a mistake?
Would Jude regret this by tomorrow?
Was work now going to become the most awkward and uncomfortable place to be?
And what about Ann? Had I made getting my monthly bonus null and void? If anything did continue with myself and Jude, I would have to tell her. She had given me an amazing opportunity that would benefit my family. That kiss could have ruined it all.
Yet, I couldn’t regret it myself.
Not one little bit.
I’d barely been able to sleep, spending the night tossing and turning and dreaming of kisses and tangled bodies. I’d woken up sweating and disoriented. A colder shower had woken me up.
I laughed at my own pathetic behaviour as I put on a tight skirt and more revealing blouse, before taking them off and changing into plain black trousers and a red blouse with a high neck. I would not be a woman who dressed to seduce her boss.
Jude would have to make the next move.
“Morning, Pippa.” Jude said, greeting me with enthusiasm, but I noted the tenseness to his shoulders. It was fake buoyance.
“Morning, Jude.” Jeez, now I was doing it too. “Libby still hasn’t stopped talking about her playdate.”
“Addison too. What have we done?” He said and I flinched.
I walked towards the coffee machine turning my back towards Jude. “Coffee?” I busied myself preparing mugs and adding pods, so much so that I didn’t hear Jude behind me until I felt him there, so close I felt his warm breath on the back of my neck, eliciting a shiver running up my spine.
“I’ve thought about nothing else, Pippa. Nothing else but my mouth on yours.” His voice had a lower cadence than usual, lust dripping with every syllable. “But I understand you might not want to take things any further. Especially given my reputation with previous assistants.”
Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection Page 126