Accounting for Love

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘Fine. I’ll leave you to it. I might go and sit outside for a while. It looks nice out there.’

  ‘There’s a daily paper somewhere, if you want to read it.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She saw it on the side and picked it up, taking it out onto the terrace. It was a magnificent view over the city. She could look at this scene for ever, she thought. It felt rather strange to be so far away from home and family. Suddenly, she felt homesick. She pulled out her mobile and dialled her mother.

  ‘Hi, Mum.’

  ‘Fiona. How are you?’

  ‘Fine thanks. And you?’

  ‘We’re all fine. Missing you, of course. What’s the flat like?’

  ‘It’s wonderful. There’s even a television in the base of my bed. And Adam’s got just about every DVD there’s ever been. And he’s teaching me how to cook. I made omelettes for supper last night.’

  ‘Well done you. He’s obviously more talented than I am. I remember trying to teach you and you said “no thank you”.’

  ‘It was a case of learn or starve. Anyway, I’d better go now. Adam’s taking me shopping this afternoon. I’m hoping to buy some London clothes.’

  ‘I hope you’ve got your credit card handy. You’ll need it. Have fun dear.’

  ‘I will. Love you, Mum.’

  ‘I love you too. You are quite sure you’re all right with this?’

  ‘Course. Who wouldn’t be? Bye now.’

  ‘Bye.’

  She sat back on her sun-lounger and picked up the paper. She looked inside towards the office, but there was no sign of Adam. She hoped there was nothing dramatically wrong. She wanted to enjoy herself and not have to worry about finances. This was the sort of luxury lifestyle she really wanted. She finished her second coffee and glanced at the paper. She wasn’t really interested. She wanted to get out to the shops, once Adam was sorted. After half an hour, she went inside and back into the office.

  ‘How’s it going?’ she asked.

  ‘It’s okay. Well, I think it is.’

  ‘You might as well tell me the worst. Come on. I can see something’s wrong.’ He remained silent and gazed at the screen, pressing occasional buttons. ‘Tell me, Adam. Please.’

  ‘Okay.’ He sighed and turned round to look at her. ‘It seems the end of year figures weren’t right. I’d trusted Melissa to complete them and didn’t check her calculations. She’s a bright lady, and I didn’t think I needed to check. However, it seems we didn’t make nearly as much as I thought we’d done. We paid tax, of course, but her expenses don’t ring true.’

  ‘To what extent?’

  ‘I’m really not sure yet. I need to speak to her about it. She won’t be back till much later, so we could go shopping now, if you like.’

  ‘If you’re sure. That would be terrific. But only if you’re sure.’

  ‘I need to talk to Melissa. Until she’s back, I can’t do anything. Are you happy to go out like that? Or do you want to change?’

  ‘I’d be happier in jeans. I’ll go and change. I must admit, I do feel a bit over dressed.’

  They drove out of the building, using the card again.

  ‘I suppose I’ll need a card myself won’t I? Mind you, if I haven’t got a car, it won’t matter I suppose.’

  ‘You can always use my car if you need to.’

  ‘That’s nice of you. Thanks. I’m not sure if I’ll need to, of course.’ She was burbling again, she realised.

  ‘Do you fancy Harvey Nicks or somewhere else?’

  ‘I’m not sure I can afford their prices. I’d quite like a look at the store though.’

  ‘Okay. We’ll start at Harvey Nicks and then go on somewhere else.’ He accelerated into the fast lane and soon they were looking for somewhere to park. ‘Damnation. We should have taken a taxi. I’ll park somewhere and we can get a taxi back to the car.’

  ‘Please don’t trouble. I’ll look there another day. Just park anywhere and we can walk. I’m pretty healthy. I can walk long distances.’ She was smiling as she spoke, and he smiled back, making her feel as if the sun was shining just for her. Suddenly, she felt very happy. Here she was, living in a wonderful flat in the heart of London and driving along with a man she knew she had already half fallen in love with. Even his car was rather special, compared to her boring model back at home. At last, they found a place to park and got out.

  ‘It isn’t too far to the clothes shops. I thought we’d get you some more jeans and tops, and did you bring anything to go out for dinner?’

  ‘Well, nothing more than a suit or jeans and a posh top. Never thought of that.’

  ‘Let’s go then. See what we can find.’

  ‘I hope this is okay with you. I mean, most men don’t like, or even hate, clothes shopping.’

  ‘I’m not most men. I love shopping. Finding nice things for my woman to wear is all part of the fun.’

  ‘Your woman?’

  ‘The woman I’m spending most of my time with.’

  ‘I see. Presumably you shop with Melissa too?’

  ‘Not really. She isn’t my woman in any way. I know I spend time with her but she is her own person. I’m just not sure how she would take me trying to choose her clothes.’

  ‘I’m not sure how I’ll find the experience, actually.’

  ‘You’ll find I’m very easy to please,’ he said with a broad grin.

  Keep smiling like that and I’ll buy whatever you say she thought.

  ‘That sounds good. Let’s go in here shall we?’

  ‘Isn’t this a bit down market?’

  ‘Is it? Some of their stuff looks good. I’d like to try it on anyway. Those jeans are lovely. And there are some tops I might like.’ She dived in and started sorting through the racks. Adam stood back, watching her. He was intrigued by this woman. She seemed so straight in every way. Fun, and possibly amusing, once she relaxed. ‘Just going to try on these,’ she said as she went into the cubicle. He settled himself down on a chair and waited.

  Chapter Five

  A few moments later, which felt like hours to Adam, Fiona came out.

  ‘These are no good but this lot are fine. I’ll go and pay for them.’

  He rose from the chair and followed her.

  ‘Allow me. I meant to buy things for you today.’

  ‘No way,’ she said angrily. ‘I can afford to buy my own clothes, thank you.’

  Feeling stung, he stood back. It wasn’t meant to be this way. He’d intended to spend a lot of money on her today, and here she was refusing his offer. Clutching a heap of carrier bags, they left the store.

  ‘Look, Fiona, I really wanted to buy some nice things for you. When I told you not to bring much, I didn’t mean you had to buy everything you’d need. Please let me buy some things for you.’

  ‘I don’t want to be a kept woman, thanks. I can afford to buy stuff. But thanks for the thought.’

  ‘I’d love to buy you a smart dress for dinners and things. Please.’

  She stared at him. He looked really sad and unhappy. Why would he want to do that? Unless he wanted to have her in his debt, of course. That must be his reason.

  ‘We’ll see,’ she said, sounding exactly like her mother used to sound. ‘Where to next?’

  ‘I’ll take you to one of my favourite stores. It’s expensive, but they are superb quality. I buy most of my stuff from there.’ They walked along the street, through crowds of people.

  ‘It’s always so busy everywhere here, isn’t it?’

  ‘I suppose so. I forget about the crowds when I come into this area. I hope this will last you for a while. I can’t face it more than once a week at most. It’s just along here.’

  They went into a large, elegant store. The whole place seemed quieter than outside, and the assistants all stood back to give people time to look on their own. He led her upstairs to the dress department. Everything breathed quality, and she almost felt afraid to speak in case someone overheard.

  ‘I’m sure there’ll be som
ething here that will suit you.’

  ‘I’m sure there will, but look at these prices,’ she whispered. ‘I could make any one of these for a quarter of the price.’ He stepped back in surprise.

  ‘You really do sew?’

  ‘Of course I sew. You don’t have your father in the fabric trade without sewing. We all do. Well, me and Paula and Mum.’

  ‘Wow. Maybe we can use your talents in the new television show.’

  ‘Me on television? Never. But if I can help in any way, please feel free to call on me. Now, let’s look at these dresses. I may get some ideas.’

  She quickly shuffled along the racks and went back to the beginning again. She selected one or two and decided to try them.

  ‘Please come out to show me this time,’ Adam said helplessly. This was not going to plan at all. She disappeared with an armful. After a few minutes, she came out wearing a wonderful sea-green dress. It was light and frothy and looked a dream on her. ‘Oh, wow, for want of a better word. That is gorgeous. You look astounding.’

  ‘I should do. It’s almost a whole month’s salary. I thought I’d let you see it, but no way can I afford it.’ She disappeared into the cubicle again and reappeared wearing a short scarlet dress. ‘What do you think of this one?’

  ‘That’s lovely too. Not quite up to the first one, but very nice.’

  ‘It would match my red shoes, and it is more reasonably priced. Would it do for these dinners you talk about?’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll take this one.’

  ‘I’m going to look at some shirts,’ Adam told her. ‘Come to the department when you’re done here.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll go and change out of this and I’ll be with you.’

  Deep in thought, he went along to the shirt department. He idly picked up a couple of collarless shirts and took them to the cash desk.

  ‘Put them on my account will you? There’s a dress in the ladies department my companion has just tried on. Can you add that to my bill too? I want to buy it as a present for her and don’t want her to know.’ He described it in detail and said it was probably still left in the changing room.

  ‘I’m not sure we shall get the right one, Sir. Could you go back there and point it out to the assistant?’

  ‘I could maybe sneak back later. It’s tricky, though. I’ll think of something.’ He saw her approaching him and smiled. ‘Just getting a couple of shirts. Do you like them?’ he opened the bag to show her.

  ‘Very trendy. Nice. I like them. Not your usual style though, are they?’

  ‘I felt like a change. You have very positive ideas, so I thought I’d let you see them. Now, how about something to eat? They have an excellent place here. Nice fresh foods.’

  ‘I am actually very hungry. That would be nice.’

  ‘Fine. Come on then.’ He took her arm and led her to the escalator. ‘It’s up on the top floor.’

  She was excited by the views when they arrived.

  ‘Can we sit near the window?’

  ‘Course we can. What do you want to eat? I’ll go and order it while you find a table you’d like.’ She glanced at the menu and asked for a toasted sandwich.‘Is that it? Don’t you want a salad or something with it?’

  ‘Well, yes, please. You choose what you think I might like. And something to drink too, please.’

  He went to order their food and came back to join her.

  ‘I might just go to the loo, if you’ll excuse me.’ He went off, and she sat staring out of the window. He was away for ages and looked pleased with himself when he came back. ‘Sorry. No food yet?’

  ‘Not yet. I was watching two birds over there. They’re funny.’ He watched too, and realised he’d never looked at such things before. He was always too busy to stop and stare. This was about to change, he decided.

  ‘We’d better go back and rescue my car now,’ he suggested when they’d finished. ‘Or I may need to move it.’

  ‘I think I’m about done, actually. I’ve got a load of new clothes, and I can’t wait to go and try them.’

  Back at the flat, Adam went straight to the office to look at emails. Fiona went into her room and began to try on her new purchases. She was delighted with most of what she’d bought, and felt pleased with herself for refusing to let him buy her things. She also felt pleased with his reaction to her sewing talents. She hadn’t brought anything down that she had made, so she couldn’t show it off. She put on her new jeans and a new top and went to see what he was doing. He immediately switched off his screen.

  ‘Anything happening?’ she asked him.

  ‘Not really. I asked some questions of our accountants, but they haven’t responded yet. This a new top?’

  ‘Yes, and new jeans. Nice, aren’t they?’

  ‘Very nice. Don’t you ever wear tailored trousers?’

  ‘I’ve got a pair at home. They don’t really suit me. I think I’m a bit too rounded. I like to see them on people who don’t really have a bottom.’

  ‘Melissa wears them most of the time.’

  ‘Exactly. She doesn’t have a bum, does she?’

  ‘You’re quite direct, aren’t you?’

  ‘I suppose I am. But I prefer to call it honest.’ He laughed, and she found it infectious.

  ‘I don’t suggest you tell her that. She won’t like it. True it may be, but she’d hate to think we were talking about her bum, as you call it.’ They both laughed again. It felt really good. ‘So, do I get a full fashion parade?’ he asked.

  ‘What, now?’ He nodded. ‘Okay. Are you really interested?’ He nodded again. ‘I’ll go and change into something more comfortable,’ she said with an American accent and swept out of the room. She came back with another top, a second pair of jeans in a darker shade and, finally, the scarlet dress with her red shoes.

  ‘Oh yes. Very nice. It really suits you. We should go out for dinner this evening to show it off.’

  ‘You’re just trying to get out of your turn to do the cooking,’ she scolded him.

  ‘Damn it, you spotted that one. Okay, we’ll go out tomorrow night and then you’ll get out of cooking.’ They both laughed yet again. She went back to change into jeans again, and decided she wouldn’t start trying to come to terms with working today. It was all a bit new to her, and she was loving it all.

  Looking over the balcony, she could see an extensive garden below. She decided to go down for a walk round.

  ‘I’d like to go down and look at the garden. Do I have to take any key cards or anything?’

  ‘No. Just use the lift. Turn right when you get out rather than left into the garage. The main door is through there.’

  ‘It’s okay for me to go there, is it? Unless there’s anything you want me to do? I thought I’d try to catch up tomorrow.’

  ‘Fine. I’ll try to have it all sorted before you look at the books.’ He felt relieved that she was going out. He wasn’t used to having a permanent guest in the house, and he really need to tackle Melissa. He hoped he could do it all before Fiona came back up again. Once sure she gone, he dialled his partner’s number. ‘I need to see you. Can you come round right away?’

  ‘Where’s your little friend?’ she asked when she came into the office.

  ‘She’s gone down to look at the garden.’

  ‘Good heavens. Is there one?’

  ‘Now, Melissa. No need to be nasty. You know perfectly well there’s a garden. I need you to explain some of your figures to me.’

  ‘Oh, lord, no. I really haven’t got time for this. I’m going out this evening and, having worked my socks off all day, I need some time to get ready. Won’t it keep?’

  ‘I’m sorry. No it won’t. I left so much to you. You said you could cope, and I trusted you. There are huge holes in the finances.’

  ‘But you’ve sold out to the new little friend’s family, haven’t you? Why worry? It’s all out of our hands now.’

  ‘That is not the point. You falsified the final
takings and made us look a much more viable proposition.’

  ‘So, if I got a little more creative, so what? They are willing to pay the price. I can’t wait to get my money out and be able to live properly again.’

  ‘I can’t say I’ve noticed you holding back.’

  ‘What about you? You hardly stint yourself do you?’

  ‘I have other means. Nothing to do with you or this business.’

  ‘Sorry, darling, but I must go. You sort it out how you like. As long as I get my money, I’ll be happy. Ciao.’ She swept out of the room in a cloud of expensive perfume.

  Adam put his head in his hands and wondered how on earth he was going to deal with this woman. The sooner their partnership was dissolved, the better it would be for him. He would either have to admit she was wrong, or make up the considerable difference in their estimate of the value of the company. Either way, it meant he would miss out. He was so angry about Melissa’s “creative accounting” that he wanted her to miss out on some of the money too. The trouble with that was her father. He was a powerful man in the city, and if he felt his beloved daughter was being cheated, even though she wasn’t, he’d make life very difficult for him and his business. He’d need to give it some serious thought over the next day or so. With Fiona hanging onto his every word, it may be more difficult. Damn, damn, damn.

  He began to think about dinner to take his mind off his problems. He’d make something reasonably complicated that would take up his thoughts. He would make some pasta and a sauce to go with it. If he started from scratch, it would take him a while. He took out strong plain flour and began to mix it. Once the base was made, he put it into the fridge and left it to relax. He heard Fiona coming back, and she rang the doorbell.

  ‘Sorry, I should have given you a key.’

  ‘No worries. It’s a beautiful garden, isn’t it?’

  ‘I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ve ever been down to look.’

  ‘Philistine. You should go. It really is quite a picture. Come on down now to look. I’m happy to go again.’

  ‘I’ve started dinner.’

  ‘Anything that will spoil?’

  ‘Well, no. Not really. All right, I’ll come and take a look.’