by Orla Bailey
I hear his hesitation. “There is no problem.”
If he won’t tell me what’s bothering him about me taking the train then I’m not going to give in on it. “Then I’ll come home the same way I got here. By train.”
“If you’re going to be so obstinate, I’ll just send the car for you now. It’s almost six o’clock anyway. Blackstock will be there within half an hour.”
“So how will you get home? By train?” I throw out the challenge with an impertinent tone.
“I’ll be in the car too, Tabitha.”
Blast. I’m not giving in so easily or he’ll always think he can outmanoeuvre me to get what he wants. “Well I won’t be here.”
“What do you mean, you won’t be there? Where will you be?”
“I’m going for a drink with Libby.” I make it up as I go along.
“I have the car, Tabitha. I can pick you up from wherever you are.”
He doesn’t intend to give in on this. Neither do I. “Don’t bother. I don’t know how long I’ll be out.”
“How long are you planning to be out?” He actually sounds concerned.
“Not long enough to get drunk if that’s what you’re implying.”
“I wasn’t. I’m just trying to make sure you stay safe.”
“Now you’re beginning to worry me. What is it you’re not telling me?”
“I don’t want you worrying.”
“I wasn’t until you started,” I point out.
“You have nothing to worry about.”
I still don’t like the sound of that. “Good. Then I’m going for a drink after work and I’ll take the train home.”
“You’re not taking the train home at night, after you’ve been drinking.”
“All right! I’ll take a taxi.”
“Why won’t you let me pick you up?” He sounds quite suspicious. Does he think I’m meeting a guy?
“I told you. I’m going for a drink with Libby. She wants to get a closer look at the engagement ring.”
“Christ, you’ve not been riding the train with that diamond on your finger have you?”
“You said people will expect to see it. I can’t win with you.”
“Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?”
“If that stupid ring is so damn precious to you then you can send the car to pick the ring up. I’ll be going for a drink!”
“It’s not about the ring.”
“Then why bring it up?”
“I didn’t bring it up. You did.”
“Why are you arguing with me?”
“Because you never do as you’re told.”
We both sit in exasperated silence for a bit, snorting down the phone at each other.
“Tabitha.” He sounds so conciliatory I sort of give in.
“Okay, I won’t take a train. I’ll take a taxi. Happy?”
“There’s no need. Blackstock is already on his way.”
“You’re impossible.” I haven’t even asked Libby if she wants to go out. I was simply making a point. But I’m ready to give in. Just hearing his voice makes me want to be near him.
But I hear another voice I recognise at his end of the line. I’d know her shriek anywhere. It’s twenty-four seven Amanda. When I hear her call him darling, I seethe. I picture her standing behind him at his office desk with her crabby hands massaging his argument-tensed shoulders. His reply to her becomes garbled. He must have his hand over the phone so I can’t hear what he says to her.
Well he can stuff it.
When he acknowledges me again I sound totally cool. “Tell Blackstock he’ll find the valuable object you’re so concerned about in the top right-hand drawer of my desk. I’ll be down the pub when he gets here.”
“Tabitha…”
“Getting stinking drunk!” I throw that in for good measure and hang up. I don’t answer the immediate redial. I stuff the ring in the drawer, grab my handbag and go through to the outer office.
“Fancy going for a couple of drinks to iron out the kinks?”
“Perfect way to end a Monday,” she says. “Let me get my bag.”
“Perfect way to celebrate our new company too.”
We link arms and leave. As we’re the last two out of the building we set the alarms and lock up. I don’t give the stupid ring or Jack a second thought. As neither of us has a car we walk to a great pub we know nearby: The Prince Albert.
“Do you want to eat too?” Libby asks me.
“D’you know, I think I do. I don’t really want to drink on an empty stomach.” I haven’t eaten since the croissants on the plane this morning. I never even got a bite of Lenuta’s cheese sandwich before she shoved me out the door.
We find a cosy table in a corner. The place is popular with locals and is packed already with the after-work crowd.
“Fancy a cocktail? My shout.” I dig out my purse as she smacks her lips and I head to the bar.
As I wait to be served I remember those delicious Clementine Crush cocktails Jack ordered at brunch the last Sunday I was in London. I pick up the cocktail list. Although there are no Clementine Crushes, everything on it reminds me of the pair of us. My eyes scan Dark and Stormy, Hurricane, Pink Lady, Jack Rose and Orgasm. I slam the card back on the bar and order the first random cocktail that comes to mind.
“Pina Colada please. Can I have a jug and two glasses?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart,” the bartender tells me. He’s cute and fresh. He looks at me in an interested way so I give him a shy smile.
“Thanks.” I’m not deliberately trying to be provocative but he breaks out into a leery grin when I do.
“Where are you sitting? I’ll bring them over.”
I point, then pay him and return to Libby to settle down.
“Who’s the hunk?” she says raising an eyebrow. “I see you haven’t lost your touch.”
I blush. “I don’t know what you mean. I didn’t encourage him.”
“You don’t need to encourage them, honey. You’re a babe. That’s all it takes. That and a missing ring.” She stares at my hand.
Too late I shove my fist under the table. “I didn’t think it was safe to wear it. Frankly it scares me to death.” In more ways than one.
“That expensive, huh?”
“I reckon so. I don’t really know, but can you imagine Jack Keogh buying a bargain basement diamond?”
Libby laughs. “Not really.”
“He seemed very concerned I’d worn it on public transport.” He obviously doesn’t trust me with that much money. Yet he was the one who insisted I wear it everywhere.
“I’m sure he was only thinking of you.”
“That’s what he said. Perhaps I’m only allowed to wear it when I’m indoors or he’s around.”
“It might be safer. There are some vile people around these days who wouldn’t think twice about mugging you for a few quid, let alone a pink diamond.”
“He said it was insured.”
“To hell with the insurance, if a thief had any idea what that gem was worth they’d cut your hand off to get it.”
I look shocked. Was Jack truly only showing concern for my safety when he didn’t want me travelling around wearing it?
“Sorry, honey. Perhaps it’s better left off until you have a bodyguard.”
“Great.”
The cute bartender arrives with a huge jug of frothing liquid in one fist and a couple of big glasses with straws and pineapple chunks in the other. He places them on the table and begins to pour, looking at me in an over-heated manner as he does so. I try to ignore him. I find myself feeling for the security of my non-existent engagement ring.
Libby breaks the tension. “Any menus?” She’s highly amused.
“Sure thing. I’ll fetch a couple. Food’s good tonight.” He whips off back to the bar.
“That was embarrassing,” I say.
“Stop complaining. The guy can embarrass me any time. You should have worn your ring and leave all the great single gu
ys for us poor single girls.”
“Now you sound just like Jack. About the ring thing.”
“What time’s he expecting you back?”
I widen my eyes at her and shrug. “When he sees me.”
She looks at me suspiciously. “Have you two had a row?”
“Kind of a row.”
Libby slurps her drink. “Uh oh. So you’ve come out to get drunk and forget about it.”
“Something like that.” I squint at her. I don’t want her to think I’m using her to get back at Jack. Libby and I have been friends for too long. We often used to go out together. “I don’t want to change who I am or what I do.”
“Is that what he wants, then? To change you?”
I’m not sure how to answer her. I try to be diplomatic. “He’s trying to help me to become a more effective CEO. Apparently.”
She raises her glass. “I’ll drink to that. I’d say it’s working already. This is the first time you’ve ever kicked Brent Tapper in his big rear end.”
That much is true. I don’t think I’d ever have tackled that man if it wasn’t for Jack. I raise my glass to chink hers. “Here’s to bossy CEOs and butt-kickers.” I down half my glass in one go. It tastes really good. I’m hoping it’ll take the edge off the butt-kicking I’m going to get from Jack when he catches up with me.
“And here’s to tasty barmen who make a mean Pina Colada,” Libby cheers.
A couple of toasts and we’ve finished off our first glassful. They go down far too easily and I really haven’t given a thought as to how drunk I’m going to allow myself to get before taking that taxi back to Belvedere.
We drain the jug into our glasses as the guy arrives back with a couple of menus.
“Can we get another jug?” Libby asks, ogling him without a mixed message in sight.
“Sure thing.” The bar is far too busy for him to hang about.
I laugh at Libby’s disappointed face but I’m relieved. Even though I’m not really engaged to Jack it doesn’t feel right to flirt with anyone else. This whole business has left me in a weird sort of limbo.
Libby hangs her tongue out after him and pants pathetically.
“Stop it, you.” I swat her.
“Us single girls have to keep trying.”
The next hour or so flies by as Libby and I catch up on news. I have to keep my wits about me a bit so I don’t reveal the charade I’m living under. I know Libby would keep my secret and she would understand but it just seems easier to stick to one story.
We opt for rib-sticking bar food and I feel infinitely better by the time I put down my knife and fork. I’ve had my phone switched off and resist looking at how many missed calls I’ve accrued when I go to the ladies room to freshen up. Jack will be fuming that I hung up on him and he can’t contact me.
When Blackstock tells him the office is all locked up with me nowhere to be seen, I dread to think about his reaction. I’ve noticed he’s always ten times worse when he can’t deal with me immediately. He’s an in-the-moment kind of guy. I head straight back to the bar to settle the bill and order us one last round of drinks for the road and Dutch courage. I know I have to face the music sometime.
The barman leans across the bar both to be heard over the noise and, I suspect, to get a little closer. “What’s it to be, sweetheart? Same again?”
I’m about to reply when my throat dries. A damp chill shivers through my body. An unmistakeable Sirocco. The first faint waves of Clive Christian only confirm my worst fears. I close my eyes.
I must look as if I’m about to faint as the barman reaches out an arm to me as he speaks. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
“Yes. What is the matter? Sweetheart.” Jack’s voice behind me comes out in a low, angry rumble.
Chapter Thirteen
I turn and brace my elbows back against the bar. “How did you know where to find me?”
Jack’s mouth twists in a mirthless smile. “I’ll always know where to find you, Tabitha. The real point is why I keep having to.”
“Are you okay there, sweetheart?” The barman must wonder if I’m in danger from this huge guy looming over me, scowling menacingly.
I don’t even get a chance to tell him I’m alright. Jack glares over my shoulder. I get the distinct impression the barman’s glad there’s a whole lot of bar between them. I know I would in his position.
“My fiancée’s fine.” Jack’s drawled tone sends a clear message. Don’t mess with me. She’s mine.
“I am. I’m fine.” I hastily mirror Jack’s words to calm both of them. I don’t want blood on my hands.
The barman slides away without question and I don’t blame him. Who would want to take on Jack Keogh when he looks like that? His Arctic eyes spark blue fire. It’s as if he’s barely controlling his temper and now it’s all being directed my way.
“Why can you never be reasonable?”
“I’m a grown woman.” I feel like a naughty puppy who’s just been busted chewing up the toilet roll.
“Then act like one.”
His arrogance irritates me. “Meaning?”
“If I say I don’t want you travelling around on public transport, I don’t expect you to disappear without a word instead, just because you’re sulking.”
“I’m not sulking. I said I was going for a drink.”
He isn’t listening. “It’s childish and it isn’t safe.”
He’s worried about the ring again. I hold my naked hand up. “I’m not risking your precious ring. See?” I know I sound ridiculous and I swear I hear him growl.
He grabs my hand and digs around in his pocket. He produces the ring and puts it on my finger. I’m stunned. It’s identical. I know I locked my one in the drawer in my office. I remember setting the alarms and securing the place before I left.
“How…?” Is this a fake substitute? Or is the original not the real one at all? I laugh. It’s partly a nervous reaction. Perhaps I’ve been wearing a big fat fake all the time. It would make sense. A fake ring for a fake engagement. The thought makes me sad and angry at the same time.
Of course. Jack wouldn’t trust me with a real diamond.
It’s Amanda’s real diamond probably. I wonder if she’s here somewhere too. He doesn’t seem to go anywhere these days without her.
Libby comes over which is rather brave of her under the circumstances. “Tabitha? Are you all right?” She ignores Jack for a moment which isn’t easy. He’s snorting like a raging bull. He looks like he might have been rushing all over town searching for me.
“I’m fine.” I seem to be telling that lie quite a lot lately.
“Libby.” Jack acknowledges her with an instant rein on his emotions. He’s known her since she started working as one of the office juniors back in Harry’s day too.
“Hello, Mr Keogh. Tabitha and I came out for a bite to eat and a quick drink.”
Jack looks at his Patek Philippe sceptically as I glance at the big clock on the wall. It’s gone ten o’clock. I had no idea it was getting quite this late.
“Celebrating.”
They both stare at me.
I’m not going to tell him my ideas yet. They’re mine. And I don’t want him influencing my decision over changes at CaidCo. I need to keep something that truly belongs to me. By the time he’s through with me I can’t have every little thing reminding me of him.
“Celebrating?”
I wish I’d kept my mouth shut and just let him think I was being a wilful bitch. “Our engagement.” I shoot Libby a quick look to tell her not to interfere. She gets the message instantly.
“Without the ring?” Jack knows I’m hiding something but unless he’s planning a public row I don’t think he can investigate his suspicions here and now.
“I left the one you gave me in my office for safe-keeping. I know you don’t want me causing a public menace with something of that value.” I guess I’m goading. I want him to admit it’s a stupid fake and as worthless as the occasion it’s m
eant to represent.
He shakes his head slowly and narrows his eyes at me. “It isn’t about the ring,” he says slowly and emphatically.
“Not the one you gave me anyway.” I decide to call his bluff over the authenticity of the one I currently wear on my finger and the replica I left in my office. “So where did this version come from?” I ask pleasantly.
“From where you left it, sweetheart.” He places his arms on the bar on either side of me, trapping me between them. I know he’s still mocking the fresh guy behind the bar. He forgets nothing. I can’t stop myself feeling pleased he might be jealous.
Libby looks shocked by the intensity. You’d think I’d be used to it by now but I’m not. I know she thinks Jack’s a catch. She’s all soft and docile around him but he’d bring out the latent femininity in any female. Quite a few in the bar are throwing looks his way. They must be wondering what a gorgeous man like him is doing with someone like me.
“How can it be where I left it Jack? I secured CaidCo before I left and it must still be there.” I arch my eyebrow at him.
Jack turns to Libby. “Gather your things and Tabitha’s. My car’s parked right outside. It’s the silver Bentley. You’ll be perfectly safe in my driver’s care. He’ll give you a lift home.”
We all know she’s been dismissed. It’s me he wants to deal with. She glances at me and I nod. I don’t want to drag her into our imminent row. She follows his instructions and Jack waits until she exits with my jacket and bag in her arms. My eyebrows wing their way into my hairline, I’m so shocked by his arrogant attitude to my friend and me.
“Anything else you want to get off your chest?” The Boss is back.
I may lower the offending eyebrows but I’m not letting him off the phony hook. “Admit it, Jack. At least one of these rings is a fake.” It takes shock tactics to turn his attention from my wayward facial habits. “The question is, which one?”
He grabs my hand and pulls me to the corner table Libby and I vacated earlier. He pushes me into the booth and slides in behind me preventing my escape. I notice the barman glance our way but he’s smart enough not to interfere.
Jack takes out his phone, hits a number and waits a second. “Blackstock. Drive Libby home, then return for us.” He hangs up, turns in his seat and stares without saying a word until the silent treatment begins to feel really uncomfortable.