‘I’ve got some chick coming round to entertain me. What about tomorrow?’ He tried to sound matter of fact.
‘Cheeky git!’ She laughed. ‘I’ll be there about half seven.’
They talked about nothing in particular for a few more minutes before saying goodbye, then he put the phone back on its charger unit and took his cup of coffee upstairs, wondering how she’d react when he told her.
Once Katie arrived, the evening passed quickly and easily as the couple ate, then curled up together on the couch to watch the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film on DVD. Ordinarily, he’d have been engrossed in the film, since he loved anything starring Keira Knightly, but tonight Jack’s mind was working continuously, wondering how best to broach the subject of his training. He was only too aware of the fact that they hadn’t had an argument, not a proper one, since she’d accused him of having an affair with his own sister and Katie had revealed herself to be very fragile emotionally thanks to a catalogue of bad relationships.
‘There’s loads of training to do for this job,’ he began suddenly.
‘Oh yeah,’ she answered, still watching Johnny Depp flirting with Keira while doing a more than passable imitation of Keith Richards as a pirate.
‘Hmm. We have to do courses and all sorts eventually. Once they’re sure about us.’
‘You’ll be fine.’ She kissed his chest through his t-shirt without looking away from the television.
‘We have to go to some conference as well.’ He tried to sound as disinterested in the prospect as possible, but she was beginning to take notice now.
‘When?’ Katie asked immediately, looking up at him from where she lay with her head resting on his stomach.
‘Er, day after tomorrow.’ He saw her eyes widen as she lifted herself up to level her head with his. ‘It’s only for one night. It’ll be crap; you know how these things are.’
‘Who’s going?’
‘Just five of us. The new starters and the trainer.’
‘Any women?’ Katie asked anxiously, looking straight at him.
‘Well, yeah. But…’
‘Oh God.’ She laughed and tipped her head back.
‘It’s just one night. We come back the next evening.’
‘How many blokes?’ She demanded.
‘Does it matter?’
‘How many?’
‘Just me,’ he replied, knowing that they’d reached the problem he’d been worrying about all day.
‘Brilliant.’ She sat up and moved to the end of the couch, still looking at the television.
‘Come on,’ he said, trying to soothe her, knowing she was already thinking the worst, ‘I’ll ring you so much you’ll be sick of hearing from me, and I’ll bring you back a pressie.’
‘I don’t want a pressie. I don’t want you to go.’
He’d been expecting this and he hated seeing her upset, but he’d no choice if he wanted his job.
‘I know angel, but I have to. Can’t you try and trust me perhaps? I barely even know any of the others, I only met them yesterday.’
‘You’ll be in a hotel with four women. You’ll come in from your little conference and be in the bar all night. And who’s sleeping where?’
‘I’ll have my own room of course.’
‘A likely story,’ Katie fumed. ‘But then, you can tell me anything because I’ll never know will I?’ She was being ridiculous and she knew it, but she couldn’t help herself. She could see him having a great time while she waited by the phone for a call that he’d forget to make.
‘I’m not going to get drunk, and I certainly won’t be going near anyone else. There wouldn’t be any point anyway.’
She looked across at him. ‘Why not?’
‘Because I’ve got you stupid.’ He leaned over and slipped an arm around her. ‘And you’re perfect for me.’
‘Tell me it will be alright,’ she said after a pause.
He bounced along the couch and wrapped his other arm around her, holding her tightly and kissing the side of her head. ‘It’ll be fine. Absolutely fine. I’ll ring you all the time and I’ll leave my mobile on no matter what. I’m not going to fuck us up you know. I’m not like that last knob you had.’
‘Oh I know that.’ She smiled. ‘I just don’t want to lose you over something as daft as this. I know I sound mental but I worry about everything. Besides, they’ll all fancy you rotten. How could they not?’
They kissed; it had gone better than he’d dared hope. Now all he had to do was get the conference out of the way and they could get back to normal.
* * * * * *
‘So what’s the plan then?’ Em asked Ben, giving him an It’s-up-to-you-but-you-know-what-I-fancy-doing look.
‘I’ll phone for a taxi. I’m knackered and drunk. I’ll drop you off at your place eh?’
Em had been moving her face progressively closer to Ben while he was speaking, doing her best to maintain eye contact as he tried to look over her, past her, around her. It was too late to pull anyone else and she’d put in too much effort here to miss out now.
‘Right,’ she said, now near enough so they could feel each other’s breath. Ben opened his mouth to speak, to say anything to keep the conversation going, and then she made her move. She closed the remaining centimetres between them and their lips pressed together. He inhaled sharply through his nose, surprised, even though he knew the kiss was coming.
She pulled back to look at him, gauging his reaction. He was unaware of any expression on his face, but she evidently saw something encouraging and kissed him again, this time harder, trying to force his mouth open with hers. Ben closed his eyes and kissed back.
Chapter Thirty-three
‘Right you,’ Jack said pulling Katie close to him, ‘I’m off. I assume you’re going to bombard me with phone calls the whole time I’m gone?’
‘Of course.’ She smiled up at him. He could see she was worried and how brave she was trying to be at the same time.
‘Good.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘Wouldn’t have it any other way.’
They’d spent the previous evening together and were both feeling tired since they always slept poorly when they shared a bed. They would curl up together, then play for a while, then they’d make love and talk for a bit before trying to sleep. One of them would be too hot or uncomfortable and before they knew it, it was morning and they were exhausted.
Normally, now that Jack had a full time job as well, they tended to stay at their own homes during the week and take it in turns to stay over at weekends. Since the announcement about the conference, however, Jack had stayed with Katie. He was tired, but he wanted to make sure she was going to be okay with him leaving her for two days to spend the night with a bunch of women in a hotel. He knew that, to most people, her concerns would seem ridiculous, but Jack could see what a state Dave had left her in, and was willing to do whatever he could to ease her mind.
‘I’ll ring as soon as I get there. If you don’t answer I’ll leave a message so you know I’m okay.’
‘Cool.’ She walked him to the door.
‘Don’t be late for work either you. You’re not even dressed yet,’ he pointed out as he opened the front door.
‘So I can remind you what you’re losing if you go near anyone in that bloody hotel.’
‘You what?’ He asked, confused, walking out on to the step.
‘This,’ she said firmly and quickly opened her robe to reveal herself totally for a split second.
‘Jesus Katie!’ Jack spluttered, looking around frantically to see if anybody else had seen the gesture. ‘Anyone could’ve seen you.’
‘But they didn’t did they? Just you. That’s how I want to keep it.’
‘I get it. Don’t do that again you nutcase.’ Now the initial shock had subsided, Jack’s brain processed the image and he smiled, playing it back in his head.
He closed the front gate behind him and started walking to the end of the street where the others had arranged to p
ick him up on the way past. Katie laughed at his shock and embarrassment.
‘Oh Jack,’ she called after him seductively.
‘What?’ He half turned, still walking.
She made as if she were going to expose herself again but stopped short of displaying anything this time, laughing at his horrified expression.
‘I’m fucking with you,’ she shouted after him, ‘Ring me later.’
‘Will do. Go inside. Bye.’
She closed the door and her expression immediately changed. She was concerned about Jack’s trip but she thought she could trust him and felt that everything would be okay. What bothered her more was being alone with nothing to distract her from thinking about Dave. She showered, then dressed and left for work, already wondering when Jack would call.
* * * * * *
Jen was wandering around the grounds of the mansion that belonged to Norm’s uncle. It was the fifth time she’d been to the house and she now managed to keep the amazed look from her face when she came through the gates. Being with Norm had introduced her to a whole new life that she hadn’t ever imagined she’d experience. Norm was wealthy and from a very well respected, and well connected family. His parents counted some of the Royal family as friends and his uncle held a seat in the House of Lords. It was breathtaking to think that she was going out with someone like that, but she was more surprised with herself for actually liking Norman for himself. From the very first night she’d met him, he’d held her attention. The more she learned about him, the more interested she became. He didn’t make her feel uncomfortable at all and regularly stayed at her little flat instead of traipsing all the way out of town to his own house.
They’d only been together a short time, less than a month, but he was already so important to her and she loved being with him. He made her feel as if she could trust men again, and that maybe not all men were like her shit of a father, or like Dave, Katie’s ex.
* * * * * *
Ben opened his eyes, his alarm clock buzzing frantically on the table next to his bed, shocking him into consciousness. His head ached a little and at first he didn’t recall the night before. He rubbed some of the sleep from his partially focused eyes with the balls of his hands and suddenly the memory appeared with alarming clarity in his head. He’d been out with Em and they’d kissed in the pub, outside the pub and again in the taxi on the way back.
A wave of guilt washed away the remains of any weariness and he sat up in bed, trying to remember all the events of the previous night. Em had been very drunk indeed, much more so than himself, who’d managed some degree of restraint. She’d made several passes at him and they’d ended up kissing each other a few times. He’d quite enjoyed himself but he could clearly recall phoning a taxi to take her home before things went too far. He’d dumped her on the back seat and climbed in beside her. The tongue warfare had continued as the cab wound its way through the streets. The next thing Ben could remember with any confidence was tucking her into bed and then collapsing in his clothes on top of his bed.
‘Morning.’
His head snapped round to the doorway where Em was standing in one of his t-shirts, a mug of coffee in either hand.
‘Hiya,’ he said calmly. Oh my God! How the hell did she get here? Shit, she’s wearing one of my shirts.
‘I’ve made you a coffee,’ she said, placing the mug into his outstretched hand.
‘Cheers,’ was all he could manage. Ben sipped the coffee and put it on the bedside table next to the alarm clock.
She walked across the room and dropped down on to the edge of the bed where, judging from the rumpled covers and dented pillows, she’d obviously slept. Ben was horrified, he was so sure that nothing had happened, convinced that he’d been sober enough to keep control of the situation. He reached for his coffee, any excuse to turn away from her for a second while he tried to remember what the hell had happened.
‘Thanks for last night,’ she said turning to face him, ‘I know I behaved like a total dick.’
‘No worse than I have done in the past Em,’ he reassured her, ‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘Thanks for letting me stay too.’
Of course! Now it was coming back to him. She’d passed out in the cab and he couldn’t for the life of him remember where she lived, so he’d brought her back with him and dumped her in his bed.
‘No problem at all mate. You were too pissed to go home on your own anyway and I couldn’t remember the name of your street.’
‘Nightmare.’ She smiled weakly, obviously embarrassed by her behaviour.
‘Either way,’ he said after an awkward pause, ‘I’d best have a shower and get out of these clothes’.
She nodded, watching him get off the bed in the clothes he’d slept in and head for the bathroom.
While he was in the shower, she took the opportunity to get dressed and go downstairs to wait for him. She felt terrible, angry with herself for pulling her boss, especially since she didn’t even fancy him. This would do her chances with the new boy, Jack, no good at all once word got round.
When he came down, Em was sitting on the sofa watching the news. He put his empty mug in the sink and joined her in the living room, choosing the chair on the opposite side of the room. For some reason, he noticed that they were seated the way he and Rhia had been the day she’d told him she was pregnant by his best friend.
Em tried to make small talk for a few minutes before deciding that enough was enough.
‘Thanks for not taking advantage of me last night,’ she said suddenly, ‘I know I was coming on to you a lot but I’m glad now that we didn’t…you know.’ She nodded at him to make the point.
Ben took a second to register what she was telling him. Thank God for that, nothing happened.
‘As if I would,’ he replied with the first genuine smile of the day, ‘It would’ve been awkward as fuck if we had.’
‘God yes.’ She agreed. ‘Anyway, thanks. For being so nice and that.’
Ben was overjoyed that he hadn’t slept with Em. He was sure it would’ve been nice, but it was a hassle he could live without. He must’ve just put her to bed in his room, then collapsed next to her. No wonder he couldn’t remember correctly, he’d assumed that he’d taken her home to her flat.
Ben, in his role as manager, told Em it would be fine if she were a little late for work so that she could dash home and have a shower if she wanted. He noticed that she was uneasy, as he was, and that she was still wearing the previous days clothing. She thanked him and left in a taxi a few minutes later, leaving him alone to contemplate where he went from here. There was to be no doubting Em’s feelings toward him now, and he had to admit he liked her, but he loved, was in love, with Rhia.
* * * * * *
‘I’m there,’ Jack said, tired from travelling.
‘Hey chicken.’ Katie replied, overjoyed to hear his voice so soon, realising that he could only just have arrived. ‘How was the journey?’
‘Tedious,’ he answered, ‘Long and tedious. This conference had better be good to be keeping me away from you overnight.’
‘It’ll be crap. I’ve been to loads and they spout on about developments in this and that then everyone comes back to work and takes no notice.’
‘Great. I’m missing you like mad of course,’ he stated, as it if were obvious.
She smiled. ‘I’m missing you too. I keep looking at my watch to see when I can get away with going home but I’ve got hours yet.’
‘I’ve got my first talky, meetingy thing in an hour so I’ll go and get cleaned up.’
‘Okay then. Thanks for letting me know you’re alright.’
‘I’ll ring you after I’m finished. Talk to you later. Mwah.’
‘Mwah.’
She looked at her mobile, pleased and relieved that Jack had phoned when he said he would. She looked at her watch again, in about thirty hours from now he’d be home and they could curl up in bed together. She looked forward to it, hoping that she
wouldn’t lose her grip too much and wondering whether or not to phone Jen for some evening company.
The next moment her phone rang again. Jack must’ve forgotten something.
‘Hello again my love,’ she said brightly.
‘I told you I’d ring.’
‘Dave!’ She exclaimed. ‘Hell, you caught me off guard. I thought it was…someone else.’ His name is Jack and you’re supposed to be in love with him.
‘Right. Anyway, I said I’d ring but if you’re busy…’
‘Erm, yeah, I am a bit.’ She was flustered and didn’t want to speak to Dave now. ‘I’ll have to go.’
‘What are you doing tonight? I don’t want to seem pushy but I’m at a loose end and wondered if you’d like to meet up maybe?’
Her head was spinning. She knew it was a terrible idea and that she should tell him to take a running jump but, against her better judgement, Katie found herself agreeing to see him. What the hell was she playing at? After all the fuss she’d made about Jack being straight with her and now, the first chance she got, she was meeting Dave, her lying, cheating ex, for a drink.
That evening, after almost ringing to cancel several times, Katie was standing in front of her full length mirror trying to decide what to wear. She didn’t want to look too attractive in case she gave off the wrong impression, but at the same time she wanted to avoid looking dowdy and plain. In the end she chose her new Ted Baker jeans with a sequined patch on one leg and a black top from French Connection with three-quarter length sleeves.
Just as she was leaving her flat, the phone rang in the hallway. A wave of guilt washed over her.
‘Hello, it’s me. Everything okay?’
‘Hiya Jack. What you up to?’ Oh God, I’m a lying infidel who deserves nothing.
‘We’re having a few drinks to discuss the day and then I’m off to bed. What about you?’
‘Oh nothing. I might go see Jen,’ she lied.
‘Bit of company eh? Cool. Anyway, I’ll ring you later when I’m going to bed.’
They said goodbye and Katie stopped to think over what she was doing. She’d just told a direct lie to Jack, the man whom, until a few days ago, she thought she might love. Now, she was sneaking around behind his back to meet a man who’d broken her heart and made her feel utterly worthless. Feeling very unsure of what she wanted, and unable to stop herself, Katie set off to meet Dave.
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