“The woman knows how to wound,” he said dramatically, clutching his heart. “Later then.”
He blew her a kiss and headed for his own office, calling to Gloria to bring him coffee. He really was a charismatic man, and it was easy for Ashley to imagine him bending just about anyone to his will, if he put his mind to it. Some of the animosity she felt toward him was already wearing off, which was weird, given that he was standing between Matt and his aspirations.
Ashley spent most of the morning with Brian, ploughing through staff lists. She made notes on how long people had been with the company, and got inside information on who might be happy to take redundancy. She returned to her desk just before twelve but had her head down, entering names on spread sheets, and didn’t at first realize that Eve was standing beside her, just staring at her.
When Ashley looked up, the first thing she noticed was that Eve was wearing a blouse identical to the one that she herself had on.
This was surreal—and very creepy. Ashley stared back at her for a protracted period, willing herself to believe that it was a coincidence. She’d bought the blouse from a chain store, so it wasn’t beyond the bounds of possibility that Eve might already own the same one.
Nah! That wouldn’t fly. Eve had unpacked Ashley’s clothes and remarked upon that particular blouse, saying how much she liked it, asking Ashley where she’d got it. If she owned one as well, surely she would have said something. Ashley suppressed a shudder. The blouse was a favourite of hers, but she’d never wear it again after this.
“Hello, Eve,” Ashley said, her tone commendably even. “What are you doing here?”
“I am a Director of the company.” Eve spoke with the false-sounding, breathy little laugh that had made Ashley want to throttle her last night. “I had to call in about something else and thought we’d have that lunch we agreed upon.”
“That’s kind, but I don’t really have time to spare. I did tell you that.”
“Nonsense, there’s a really good deli round the corner and then, if you like, we could go shopping.”
For a small woman, Eve certainly had an indomitable will. Every objection Ashley raised was smoothly countered.
“Come on, Ashley, please. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Charlie said you could spare the time for lunch.” Ah, so she’d already run to Charlie to enlist his support and wanted Ashley to know it. “I do so want to talk to you about my plans for the move to Reigate. You know the area, and I’d value your advice. I’m finding it very difficult to get Matt to concentrate on moving. He’s so preoccupied, the poor darling.”
“Well, I do know the area, but I’m not sure I can be of much help. I’ve no idea what’s on the market right now, nor do I know anything about the schools.”
“I need to talk to you about my husband,” Eve said, steel underlining her tone as she removed Ashley’s jacket from the back of her chair and handed it to her. Suppressing a sigh, Ashley forced her arms into the sleeves, knowing when she was beaten. “You’ve been closer to him than just about anyone recently, and I’m concerned about him. He doesn’t seem to be at all himself. Oh, I know he’s worried about the amalgamation and that his work load is impossible, but still—”
“Eve, Matt’s my boss. I’m really not comfortable discussing him with you.”
“He has an increasing family to think about.” Eve’s eyes didn’t once waver from Ashley’s face. “He needs to face up to that.”
“Just a quick sandwich then,” Ashley said, reaching for her bag.
“Oh good.” Ashley schooled herself not to flinch away from Eve’s touch as she linked her arm through hers. “If we’re quick, we’ll get a decent table.”
Eve insisted that Ashley choose her lunch and order it first then told the waitress that she’d have exactly the same.
“We have the same taste in everything,” Eve said. “Even food.”
And men.
Eve appeared to know everyone in the deli, and their conversation was constantly interrupted by people stopping by to say hello. Eve introduced Ashley to them all as Matt’s right-hand person.
“You seem to be very popular,” Ashley remarked.
Eve beamed. “I do have a wide circle of friends, it’s true.”
Ashley couldn’t think of anything else to say and concentrated on her lunch. It didn’t seem to matter that she was quiet because Eve covered her long silences by conducting a conversation all on her own. She banged endlessly on about her life with Matt, not missing any opportunity to mention his name, and bringing her children into the equation with a frequency that made Ashley’s head spin.
Ashley stuck to her guns and refused to be dragged into a shopping trip. She returned to the office but hadn’t been at her desk for ten minutes before a well-known figure walked past.
“Claire, is that you?”
With seeming reluctance, Claire turned to face Ashley. “Oh hello, Ashley, how are you? I heard you were coming down, but I didn’t realize you were already here.”
Ashley hid her surprise at Claire’s appearance with difficulty. The feisty young computer programmer, who had transferred from Reigate to Southampton following her marriage to a Southampton salesman five years previously, looked terrible. Her lovely blonde hair was lank and unwashed, her eyes looked dead, and she walked as though she every step drained her of energy. She was in the advanced stages of pregnancy, but knowing she’d always been keen to start a family, Ashley didn’t think that would account for her lack of vitality.
“Are you all right, Claire?” Ashley asked, standing to greet her.
“Oh yes, just tired,” she said a little too quickly, patting her protruding stomach.
“When’s it due?” Ashley could see now that Claire’s eyes were red-rimmed from crying but pretended not to notice.
“Another month yet.”
“Not too long to go then.”
“No.” Claire made to move away.
“Just a minute, Claire. You’re just the person I need to talk to. You know why I’m here, I suppose?”
Claire offered the ghost of a smile. “Of course, everyone does. You know what it’s like trying to keep secrets in this place.”
“Well then, perhaps you can help me.” She lowered her voice. “Charlie doesn’t want me to interfere with systems, but my job’s going to be pretty difficult if I don’t get a handle on what’s happening there. It’s the key to everything, of course.” Especially Matt’s problems. “Perhaps we could have an informal chat sometime so that I can get my mind round what you’re—”
“I’m sorry, Ashley, but I don’t think I can do that. Things are very sensitive at the moment, what with the amalgamation.” Claire studied her feet—what she could see of them over her bump—and looked everywhere except at Ashley’s face.
“I know that everyone’s worried about their jobs, but you really haven’t got anything to be concerned about.” Ashley tried to sound reassuring.
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“Because it’s true.”
“Credit us with some intelligence,” Claire snapped, showing a little animation for the first time, her gaze briefly resting on Ashley’s face and as quickly moving away again. “We all know that two into one doesn’t go. Everyone’s on edge. We’ve all got mortgages to pay.”
“Well then, the sooner I can do my job, the better it will be for all concerned. And you could help me.”
“No, I’m sorry. I can’t talk to you without direct orders from on high. It’s more than my job’s worth.”
Claire scurried away like a frightened rabbit, leaving Ashley more perplexed than ever. Something was definitely wrong here, and it was more than just uncertainty about the future. Ashley fully intended to find out what it was that had everyone so riled up.
She was just packing up for the evening when Charlie stopped by her desk.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Okay, I have a few suggestions already.”
; “Save them until tomorrow. What’s on your agenda this evening?”
“A long soak in the bath and an early night,” Ashley said with feeling.
Charlie grinned. “Sounds delightful, but I’m afraid it’s not to be. I need you with me.”
“Have a heart!” Ashley groaned. “Not tonight, please. I’m totally wiped out.”
“Sorry, darling, but needs must.”
“You might have given me some notice.”
“Only just found out myself.” She felt his eyes focused on her ass as she bent to retrieve her bag. “Casual clothes, I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“No need.” Ashley had no intention of being alone in a car with Charlie. “Tell me where the restaurant is and I’ll meet you there.”
“Don’t know myself yet, so I’ll pick you up.”
And with that he sauntered off, leaving her wondering if his dictate was as innocent as he’d made it sound.
Ashley had to settle for a brief shower. She took Charlie at his word and changed into loose trousers and a long line top. She gave Matt a quick call and told him what was happening.
“You don’t know where he’s taking you or who’ll be there?”
“No, he just said someone from Stevenson’s wanted to run a few things by me.”
“Keep your phone in your pocket, darling, where you can get to it easily. Ring me immediately if you have the slightest concerns about anything.”
“Matt, relax. It’s just a business dinner. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
“Perhaps not, but I reserve the right to worry. Ring me again as soon as it’s over.”
“Yes, sir!”
Charlie was right on time. Rather than invite him up, she ran down the stairs when he rang the bell and slipped into the passenger seat of his car. He chatted away as he drove, too fast for her comfort. He was dressed in chinos and a polo shirt, looking the picture of casual chic.
“Who are we meeting?” she asked as he led her into a flashy Italian restaurant on the Quays.
“Your opposite number from Stevenson’s.”
Ashley relaxed. ”Stella? Good. We have a lot to talk about.”
“Actually, I don’t think Stella’s coming.”
“But you said—”
“Her boss wants to talk with you.”
“Her boss?”
“Yeah, Philip Roker.”
“Why would he want to speak to me?”
Charlie laughed. “One thing you’ll learn about Phil is that he’s a control freak. He likes to be hands on.”
“It sounds as though you know him well,” Ashley said, sliding into the chair that Charlie held for her.
“Oh, for years. He’s a pedantic man. Likes everything to be just so. But he’s good at what he does.” He glanced at the wine list and ordered a decent bottle of claret.
“Who else is coming? This is a table for four.”
Before he could answer, Charlie was on his feet, kissing Eve on both cheeks. “There you are,” he said. “You should have let me pick you up.”
Ashley felt a chill trickle down her spine. There was absolutely no reason for Eve to be here. She didn’t take an active part in the running of the business. As far as Ashley was aware, Matt never included her in business dinners. Why would Charlie do so?
“Hello, Ashley,” Eve said, taking the chair next to hers. “Surprise, huh?”
“Er, yes.”
Philip Roker arrived, apologizing for being late. His bland features came alive when he saw Eve and he kissed her with genuine-seeming warmth.
“I didn’t know you were coming, Evie.”
“How could I stay away when Charlie told me you’d be here? I haven’t seen you for ages.”
“Matt keeps you well hidden,” Roker said, making it sound like an accusation. “Hello, Ashley,” he said, turning toward her, his face once again an impassive mask. “We meet again.”
“Yes.”
She took his proffered hand. His grip was limp, his hand as cold as his expression. There was something about this self-contained man that set Ashley’s teeth on edge. She sincerely hoped that she wouldn’t have to work with him direct. His dead eyes bored into her profile for a long time. He didn’t seem to realize that he was being rude. He definitely didn’t feel the need to break the silence as he summed her up. Ashley met his gaze and refused to blink first. Eventually he turned back to Eve.
“You ought to be taking it easy,” he said. “You have to look after yourself.”
“Oh, I have a new girlfriend to make sure that I do. Ashley and I are such good chums already.”
Roker absorbed this information, looking almost as startled as Ashley felt. “That’s nice,” he said blandly, turning away from Ashley and starting a conversation with Eve about people she didn’t know.
The evening dragged on interminably. Ashley struggled to stay awake and to contain her anger. Almost nothing was said about the amalgamation, and anything that was said could have been covered in a phone call. Conversation centred on Eve, her baby, her life with Matt…and Eve. Ashley appeared to be the only person at the table who tired of the subject.
It was gone eleven when Charlie dropped her back at the flat. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she called Matt and explained what had gone down.
“What the hell are they playing at?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but I certainly didn’t need to be there.”
“Phil and Eve have always got along well.”
“Yes, I figured that one out for myself.”
“He was Dad’s right-hand man when Eve first came on the scene. He often played referee between Charlie and me when we fought over her.”
“Well, he doesn’t improve upon better acquaintance and still gives me the creeps.”
“It’s just his way. He’s a bachelor, over fifty, and stuck in his ways. But he’s damned good at his job.”
“Shame he left Interactive then.”
“I don’t want to waste this call talking about him. Let’s talk dirty instead,” he said, dropping his voice to a seductive whisper. “I miss you like hell, baby.”
* * * *
Ashley got through her remaining days, counting the time until she could return to Reigate and be with Matt. Eve was leaving on Thursday to spend several days in the West Country with her mother. Eve hadn’t mentioned anything about it. It was Matt who’d told her of his wife’s plans, just to put her mind at rest about Eve stalking her for the rest of the week.
On Thursday, Ashley took Charlie’s secretary Gloria to lunch. Although Eve should be safely out of the way by the evening, Ashley didn’t trust her not to change her plans, so she told Charlie she was going out with some of the girls from the office. The message would get back to Eve, she felt sure. Just to be on the safe side, she turned the deadbolt and enjoyed a luxurious evening with her own company and her laptop. She logged on to the company’s system and delved further into the disputed claims, looking for similarities.
None jumped out at her.
On Friday, she was at her desk by seven-thirty. She took a sandwich lunch and packed up at two.
“I’m off,” she said to Charlie. “I want to avoid the rush hour traffic.” She packed files into her briefcase. “I’ll work on my spreadsheets at home over the weekend.”
“All work and no play.” He shook his head. “You need to relax sometimes.”
“Oh, I shall. My horse will have missed me.”
He chuckled. “That wasn’t what I had in mind.”
“Each to their own.” She shouldered her bag and grabbed her coat. “See you Monday. Have a good weekend.”
“And you. You’ve done great this week, by the way. I can see why Matt rates you so highly.”
“Thanks.”
As she drove away, Ashley discovered that her antagonistic feelings toward Charlie had definitely thawed. He was a charmer, a flirt, and all the other things she’d had him pegged for. Shame he was also Matt’s enemy and was intent upon br
inging the company down. Under other circumstances, he might have been a friend.
Chapter Ten
“Hey, you’re back.”
Sandy gave Ashley a big hug then stood back to let her into her flat. Both of them were almost flattened by Freckles when he heard Ashley’s voice. Laughing, she bent to give him a hug as well.
“I hope he’s been good.”
“He slept every night on Callie’s bed. You’ll be lucky to get him back. They’ve become joined at the hip.”
“Well, I’m glad he was no trouble.”
“How did it go?” Sandy asked.
Ashley rolled her eyes. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
“That bad, huh?”
“No, not really. Just…well, odd, I suppose. I felt like a fraud.”
Sandy hiked a brow. “Because you were doing all the dirty work for the man of your dreams?”
“I offered. No one held a gun to my head.”
“Of course they didn’t. I’m sorry. It’s just that I worry about you.”
“There’s no need,” Ashley said, suppressing thoughts of Eve’s weird behaviour.
“Drink? The sun must be over the yardarm somewhere in the world.”
“Perhaps later.” Ashley glanced at her watch. “Look, I hate to do this to you, but I need to run. I must exercise the nag, and I have a ton of stuff to catch up on after that.”
“You look tired. Can’t you relax this weekend?”
“I went past tired days ago. Besides, riding is relaxing.”
“And tonight you’ll be taming a different sort of beast.” Sandy waggled her brows.
“I know you don’t approve of Matt—”
“It’s not that, I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Again.”
“Sandy, for what it’s worth—”
“Hey, that’s my line.”
“Go on then.” Ashley forced a grin. “Take your best shot.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I do think he cares about you and means what he says about leaving the little wife.” Sandy sighed. “But when it comes to crunch time, I don’t think it’s gonna happen.”
Soliman, Wendy - The Name of the Game (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 12