The door to Owen Hamilton’s office stood open. He sat sprawled out in his chair, his feet propped up on the desk. He had a mobile phone glued to his ear and a smarmy grin on his face.
“All right, Dad. I’m sorry I missed the meeting, but they don’t need me. You’re the Managing Director. I have to go. There’s a new staff member waiting for me.”
He jabbed the disconnect button before slipping the phone into his coat pocket. Slowly, almost leisurely, he removed his feet from the desk and stood up, striking the same intimidating pose of yesterday.
“How are you, Holly?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She fumed as his eyes ranged all over her, lingering longest at breast level. So, Daddy was Managing Director. That explained a lot of things.
“I better take you up to the Radiology Department. They’re waiting for you. Your baby settled in all right at the crèche?”
“Yes, thanks. I think she’ll be happy there.”
“Good.” He came up close. She could smell the cloying male cologne he wore. He must have soaked himself in it.
As he took hold of her arm, she gritted her teeth, forcing herself not to flinch.
Radiology was situated down in the basement. Thankfully, the elevator was made of glass, and everyone could see them. She wouldn’t trust Owen in a closed-in elevator. She wouldn’t trust him anywhere.
The radiologist, a middle aged balding man named Dr. Stevens, smiled and shook her hand but appeared rather standoffish, which suited her admirably. She didn’t like touchy-feely men. Perhaps that’s why she disliked Owen so much.
There were two male radiographers and a female ultrasonographer who also performed the mammograms. They were all young and friendly, and she started to relax. Owen showed her to her office. It contained a dicta-phone machine, so she would obviously be typing the reports from tapes. Strange that a prestigious hospital like this would use such outdated equipment.
What a stroke of luck, she knew the word processing system well, and as long as Dr. Stevens dictated clearly, there wouldn’t be any insurmountable problems. Except maybe Owen. She kept getting bad vibes from him.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Owen said, patting her on the backside. It was galling but she had to ignore it because she needed the job. “I’ll catch up with you soon.” His smile seemed more like a leer. His eyes were lecherous.
Not if I can help it. She tried to quell her rising fury. “Thanks.” This sexual predator should be reported, but to whom? And would anyone believe her word over that of the Managing Director’s son ‑‑ a Managing Director who numbered Justin Devereux among his friends?
She had just finished ringing Cheryl with her phone number when Dr. Stevens strode over to her with a bundle of referral forms and a tape. “Are you familiar with the equipment?” he asked.
“Yes, I’ve used it before.”
“Good. Um, if it’s an urgent report or the patient is waiting to take the x-ray films with them, I’ll do it on a separate tape and bring it out to you. Come into my office every now and again to pick up a new tape and gather up the x-ray bags.” He played with his Adam’s apple. “Part of your duties will be putting the signed reports in the bags, marking them off in a book and leaving them for the courier to pick up.”
“I understand, thanks.”
The first report she typed turned out to be a mammogram, and Dr. Stevens had discovered a malignant tumor in this thirty-eight year old woman’s left breast. It didn’t take long for her to get back into the swing of things again.
***
“Holly,” Mrs. Harris knocked on her door one evening. “There’s a telephone call for you, dear. A nice young gentleman, Justin I think he said his name was. We had such a lovely chat.”
Holly’s heart leapt. Lilly was asleep in bed, so she hurried after Mrs. Harris.
She was shocked to notice a tremor in her hand as she picked up the phone. “Hello.”
“Hi, it’s Justin. How are you?”
“Fine thanks.” What a lie. She felt like a gibbering wreck as she all but collapsed into an armchair.
“How’s Lilly?”
“Good.”
“How’s work.”
“I’ve only been at Glen Fern a couple of days, but I like it. How did you get my number?”
“From the security book in my office building. Would you like to come out to dinner with me on Saturday night?
“Dinner?” Holly queried. When Justin bid her farewell at his work, he looked like he hated her.
“Yes, my way of apologizing for my boorish behavior the other day.”
“Say yes, say yes,” Mrs. Harris waved frantically in the background. “I’ll mind Lilly for you.”
“Whereabouts? I mean, is it posh?”
He laughed. “Not posh, but you’d need to wear a dress. It will give me a chance to ogle your bare legs.” This teasing Justin was lethal. She wanted to go out with him but didn’t have anything suitable to wear. Disappointment surged through her.
“I can make you a dress,” Mrs. Harris said, obviously realizing her dilemma. “I used to be a seamstress.”
“Thank you, I would like to go.” It was foolish leaving herself open to hurt but she couldn’t help it. She was prepared to risk it for a chance to find happiness again.
“Good. I’ll pick you up about seven. Don’t worry. I’ll have you home before midnight, so our coach won’t turn into a pumpkin.”
At the sound of his soft, intimate laugh, a warm fluttering sensation started in the pit of her stomach. She had never met a man with such mercurial mood swings, who ran hot and cold like he did. Robbie had been steady and predictable, so warm and kind it brought a lump to her throat every time she thought about him. She always knew where she stood with him. He loved her with all his heart. Hardly a day would go by that he wouldn’t tell her so, or give her a small token of his esteem.
She swallowed down on the poignant memory. “I’ll look forward to it.”
“Me too. I have to go now. I’m up to my neck in work, see you Saturday.” The line went dead. Slowly, thoughtfully she hung up the phone.
“I’m glad you’re going out with him. He sounds such a nice young man. Now, something for you to wear. Black would be perfect with your blonde hair. I’ve got a black dress that would be ideal. I wore it to a dinner dance a few years ago.”
“But...” She didn’t like to say you’re twice my size.
“Miles too big, of course, dear, but it’s an exquisite thing. I can alter it. There’s a beaded jacket we can use for decoration.”
“I couldn’t let you cut up one of your dresses,” she protested.
“Rubbish, I’ll never wear it again. I might be an old fogy, but I’m right up with the latest fashion. Put yourself in my hands, and I’ll make you a dress that will knock his socks off. Ooh, I haven’t been this excited in years.”
Mrs. Harris waddled off to get the tape measure, and Holly decided to let the old lady have her head. She had nothing to lose. Anything Mrs. Harris concocted would have to be better than what she had, which was nothing.
***
When Holly surveyed herself in Mrs. Harris’ full-length mirror, she couldn’t believe how well she looked. The dress fit perfectly. It was made out of some silky material, cut very simply with a snug fit over her breasts and hips. A high choker collar covered in sequins held the dress in place. She couldn’t believe that an old lady would be so with it as to create something like this.
“I told you, dear, I’d make you something special.”
“Mrs. Harris, it’s fabulous. Thank you so much.” She kissed the old lady’s cheek.
She wore no jewelry except her wedding ring and a gold watch that Robbie had given her for their first anniversary. He didn’t live long enough for them to celebrate a second one, she thought sadly.
“Don’t keep beating yourself up. Robbie wouldn’t begrudge you finding happiness again.”
“I’m only friends with Justin.”
“O
f course you are, dear.” Mrs. Harris chuckled. “You enjoy yourself. Lilly is asleep. If she does happen to wake up, the cat and I will keep her entertained.”
Justin arrived right on seven o’clock. Mrs. Harris opened the door as soon as they heard him on the verandah so he wouldn’t ring the bell and wake Lilly.
Holly watched as he strode into the lounge room chatting to Mrs. Harris as if they were old friends. He looked so handsome in a black dinner suit with a white evening shirt and a black bow tie, her heart wrenched painfully
“Wow, you look sensational.” And she did. She looked so exquisite he began to regret his impulsive decision to invite her to a fund-raising drive for his old university. How the hell could he keep his hands off her with so much creamy white flesh visible? She didn’t wear a bra. He could tell by the slight outline of her nipples against the silky material or he imagined that he could.
He studied the swell of her hips and her slim legs. Her dainty feet were shod in high-heeled sandals, and he swallowed quickly, fighting to get himself under control. Thank goodness the old dear chattered away, giving him a chance to gather his wits and dampen down on his lustful thoughts. Every nerve in his body became attuned to Holly. He felt every breath she took. Her perfume smelt so intoxicatingly sweet, he wondered whether he would be sober enough to drive.
“No problems with Lilly?” was the best he could manage at this very moment. Phew, Holly Kirwan was dynamite, a lethal little package that would blow up in his face if he didn’t watch himself.
“This is my mobile number, Mrs. Harris,” he said, pulling himself together with difficulty. “Any problems, please don’t hesitate to call.” He handed over a card. “I’ll bring Holly home straight away.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine. Enjoy yourselves.”
Holly let Justin help her into a dark colored car. The soft kid seats and plush interior gave it a prestigious ambience. Don’t ooh and ah, it will make you seem gauche. She wanted to appear to have some level of sophistication.
They didn’t speak as they drove along. She felt too nervous to say anything, but had no idea why Justin wasn’t talking. At least he wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen with her. He liked what he saw. His eyes had blazed, and his sensuous lips parted in amazement. She knew she looked good at the time, but now nervous apprehensive almost overwhelmed her.
“Where are we going?” She touched his arm.
He shocked her by saying. “It’s an annual fund raising dinner for my old university.”
“A thousand dollars a head, win a car at the end of the night, kind of thing?”
“Yeah, more or less.”
Her palms turned clammy. All her doubts rose to the surface again. How could she cope with the rich, beautiful people and the academics who attended these functions?
“Hey, it’s all right.” He picked up her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “I’ll be the envy of every man there.”
And every unattached woman in the room will hate me for being with you, she nearly said.
The dinner was being held in a dark stone building that could once have been a church. As they stepped inside, her supposition proved correct. The building was graced by soaring ceilings with carved beams and arched stained glass windows. Thirty or more tables were set around a circular dance floor. Formally attired waiters hovered nearby.
She swallowed down on a nervous lump as she forced her trembling legs into motion. If he hadn’t held her hand in a firm, warm clasp, she wouldn’t have been able to take a step. How would her dress stack up against the designer fashions here?
They were shown to a table where several couples sat sipping their drinks. She recognized one woman, a model-cum TV star, and there was also a barrister whose high profile clients belonged to the top echelons of society. They seemed friendly, obviously thinking she was one of the beautiful people like them, as Justin only introduced her as Holly.
The entree arrived almost straight away. Black sprinkle things… oops… caviar, nestled in little round pasty shells was accompanied by wine and champagne. The servings were small or she would never have been able to eat such exotic fare. A glass of iced water made it easier for the food to slide down her throat. She pretended to enjoy it as much as the other occupants of the table, so they wouldn’t think she was a complete philistine.
After a while, the band started up with a slow number, and when Justin asked her to dance she floated into his arms.
“This is the best part of the night so far,” she said on a sigh, and he gave a soft intimate chuckle.
The lights were dimmed, the tune a slow romantic number and she melted against him. She could smell his male scent, some kind of spicy but discrete cologne and Justin. A powerful blend of power, wealth and primitive sexuality.
Closing her eyes, she rested her cheek against his chest so she could feel every beat of his heart. It pounded like a jack-hammer. His hands were locked around her waist, his thumbs gently caressing her bare back in a slow, circular motion that flicked the flesh from her bones and left her inner being naked and exposed. She never wanted it to end.
“Hey,” his breath stirred in her hair. “The dance has finished, darling.”
“What!” She slowly came out of her trance. “I didn’t realize.” She blinked a couple of times as she was blinded when the lights came on.
“You’re really something special, Holly.” He held her hand as they made their way back to their table where the soup was being served. She didn’t know what kind of soup it was - some sort of consume with a couple of mint leaves floating on top.
Conversation became general, but she learned the men at the table and a couple of the women had gone to university with Justin. She also found out that he had won a scholarship to attend. No surprise there, he seemed to have a photographic memory and his mind stored details like a computer chip.
The guest speaker turned out to be some well-traveled academic who had written several books. “Ladies and gentlemen, fellow ex-students, it is my pleasure...”
Holly concentrated on Justin, trying to memorize every angle and groove of his handsome face, the way his hair curled around his ears, the flecks of silver at his temple. His eyes always seemed to crinkle up at the corners when he laughed. His hand covered hers as it rested on her lap under the table. His fingers idly twisted her wedding ring.
“Why do you still wear it?” He lowered his voice so only she could hear.
She blinked a couple of times in quick succession. “What!”
“Why do you still wear your wedding ring?”
Sudden loud applause interrupted them. “Well said, Anthony,” called out a man from the next table.
“Pull the army out of Afghanistan,” the speaker went on. “Our soldiers are nothing but murderers. Puppets of the English and Americans. Killing innocent people trying to protect their homeland.”
Holly’s blood ran cold before it started to slowly burn. This was followed immediately by pure unadulterated fury.
“We should applaud every time a coalition soldier dies,” he ranted.
“You traitor.” She jumped to her feet. Ignoring Justin’s command to stop and the shocked gasps around her, she dashed toward the speaker.
“You despicable creature.”
“Listen lady, it’s the duty of everyone in this room to donate more money to the Afghan freedom fighters.”
“Freedom fighters?” she screamed. “They’re terrorists. They killed my husband. They deprived my baby of a father.”
“Holly.” Justin dashed up and grabbed hold of her arm, but she shook herself free.
“Look at yourselves, stuffing your faces on expensive food while men are fighting for their lives.”
“Who brought this crazy woman along?” someone yelled.
“I did, and she has every right to speak. This is a free country last I heard,” Justin leapt to her defense.”
“You should be arrested,” the speaker went on.
“Come on, Holly. He’s not worth wo
rrying about.” Justin grabbed her arm.
“My husband lies dead in some English cemetery while you collect money for the men that killed him,” she screamed. “Robbie will never get the chance to see his daughter take her first steps.” Her eyes filled with tears and they trickled down her cheeks. She trembled so much she could hardly stand up. “When your child calls you Daddy over the breakfast table, remember this: my baby hasn’t got a daddy any more.”
Deathly silence descended on the room now.
She was half blinded with tears and deafened by the blood pounding in her ears, but she heard a jumble of voices and saw the color drain from Justin’s face.
“You owe Holly an apology, Anthony. I didn’t pay good money to have to listen to this seditious crap.” His voice sounded so cold, goose bumps broke out on her arm.
She let Justin lead her into the foyer.
“Wait here, I’ll tell the others we’re going.”
She waited, trembling with indignation coupled with gratitude because Justin had jumped to her defense.
“Let’s get out of here.” He put his arms around her still trembling shoulders and helped her to the car. Before driving off, he picked up her hand and held it against his chest.
“Hell, but you’ve stirred up a hornets nest in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t a riot before the night is over. Anthony has always been a raving lunatic, chasing rat bag causes. Not everyone in the room agreed with him. I think they were too shocked to say anything, but they’re saying plenty now.”
“Maybe I did over react, but I couldn’t let him say derogative things about Robbie or his friends. They didn’t ask to be sent over there.”
“I know. You would have made him proud. It took a lot of courage”
“He was a good person. I’m not anywhere near as brave as him, but I tell you this. I’d do anything for Lilly.” She ignored his shocked breath. “I don’t care how illegal, low or despicable. I swear I’d do it.”
It was only ten o’clock when they pulled up outside Mrs. Harris’. It looked so dark Holly wondered whether some of the streetlights had gone out.
The Millionaire's Redemption Page 7