No Repeats

by Emily Hudson

  ‘I hope, I’m a little more than a client.’ Oh God, yes I want you to be more than a client but I’m not sure my heart can survive you right now, I thought.

  ‘Seriously,’ he reiterated. ‘Let me help you. Come on, or I’ll make you blush again.’ This time his tone made me giggle. ‘There she is.’ He said, this man could read me better than anyone else before him. Signalling for the bill, he threw down enough Euro’s to probably buy my monthly food shop.

  ‘Come let’s walk and talk.’ He urged leading me down the steps on the beach. Stopping to help me as I removed my sandals. I couldn’t believe it the sand was so soft, not gritty, more power like.

  ‘Can’t we just stay here, that might solve all my problems.’

  Marcus jumped on it quickly. ‘Aha, so the lady admits, she has problems, but let’s just focus on that ‘we’ part for a moment, ‘we’ sounds good, doesn’t it?’ he said with a sparkle in his eye.

  ‘You are incorrigible.’ I said nudging him playfully, he took that as the opportunity to slip his arm around me.

  ‘So, come on, do I need to tickle it out of you?’ His fingers teased me around my waist. My weak spot, that was enough, after all what harm would it do if I told him. I hadn’t told anyone. By the time, I finished, I was relieved, it didn’t solve the problem but it felt good to face the fact that I did have one. I’ve never seen a man so enraged as I confessed my dealings with my landlord. It was the same look my father had when Billy Whittaker had pulled my skirt down in front of everyone at some ridiculous garden party when I was six. Having admitted I hadn’t even told Licia how serious things were, he asked about my parents. As I told him, I had no doubt, they would wave their magic wand, make it all go away but I have to do this myself, I’m not going cap in hand to them. That would be all to easy and then I would never I’ve it down. That’s when his offer came.

  ‘How about you help me out with a little problem I have?’

  I listened as he told me about his childhood nanny, it was touching to find out a little more about him, but sad at the same time he’d didn’t appear to have a great relationship with his parents. Whatever my parents were, whatever their opinions were. I knew they loved me unconditionally and would do anything for me. Then he mentioned that Kitty had left him her house, her words, ‘make it a home for the homeless, if you wish.’ Well I would be that, that was for sure.

  ‘So, you see, I have two problems. 1) The house needs to be emptied and 2) All the while it stays unoccupied it’s a worry, if squatters hear about it, they’ll be in like a shot. So, what do you say?’ I would be mad, stupid, crazy to turn this down.

  ‘Really, that would be amazing, thank you so much.’

  I really couldn’t thank him enough.

  ‘It’s nothing, like I said, you’d be doing me the favour.’

  Yeah, yeah! We all knew different but he had this wonderful way of twisting it to say I was the one helping him out.

  ‘I’ll pay you rent, this is going to be all above board.’ I said slightly anxiously.

  ‘Lucy, I’m not your landlord, I’m not about to ask for some sexual payment, I don’t want to hear another thing about rent. That’s one problem down, think I’ve done all I can to steer your boss towards the best divorce lawyer in the land. But if it doesn’t pan out the way you want it to, we can cross that bridge when we come to it too.’

  “We” there was that word again, oh how I loved the sound of it. Marcus had waved his magic wand, he’d solved everything just like that and I didn’t feel beholden or a failure, it felt right. For the first time in months, I felt relaxed, snuggling into his side as we walked. He pulled me closer, I didn’t want this to end.

  Sadly however, all things do have to come to an end, the rude shrill of Marcus’ ringtone alerted us to Frank’s first problem, napkins did we want luncheon sized or dinner size, was this the right shade of blue or did I prefer this. Tour of the island abandoned, I had to get back to my actual job, I’m sure, much to Frank’s relief.

  Back at the villa, Frank and I had collaborated to form a team to be reckoned with. Occupying one of the drawing rooms off the main hall we had quite the operation going, what with my resourcefulness and his negotiation skills, we were soon whittling our way down the list. Marcus ensured we were watered regularly but for the most part, left us to it. It wasn’t until Frank had finished up on his last call that I felt Marcus hovering in the background.

  ‘I hope you two can make time for dinner, I’ve cooked.’ He announced.

  Wow, was that the time? Frank jumped, cursing something in Italian, ‘Sofia will kill me, Ciao!’ and as quick as lightening he was off.

  ‘I’m guessing he’s a no, but I’m famished.’ I joked at Frank’s hasty departure. He held out his hand, this was becoming a regular thing and not one I wanted to lose. ‘Great come this way.’ he said, our fingers entwining and he led me out to the terrace. Half way there I started to get the feeling he was up to something but nothing could prepare me for the sight of twenty or more candles, of varying sizes, flickering on the table, which had been purposefully set for two.

  ‘Remind me to have a word with Frank.’

  Marcus’ smug grin was plastered all over his handsome face.

  ‘Go easy on him, he is on my payroll after all.’

  ‘Hmmm and I presume these candles are here to keep the flies away.’ Now laughing, 'If that’s what you want to choose to believe.’ he beamed.

  That was far from the end of the banter this evening.

  It turned out that Marcus really could cook and the wine, OMG!

  ‘We have to have this at the party.’ I noted, taking my second sip.

  ‘You don’t stop, do you?’

  It was all I knew, I’d thrown myself into work a lot of late but I’d always been a driven person.

  ‘Ahh, I guess, you wouldn’t be you, if you didn’t.’

  The tears very nearly started to roll again, that one phrase, that sentiment meant so much, I couldn’t tell him how much it meant. It had been the very excuse, the lowlife who shall never be named again, gave as a reason for sticking his dick in every, Cheryl, Courtney and Tracy or whatever the female equivalent is to Tom, Dick and Harry. Marcus was supporting my life choice and work ethic.

  ‘Did I say something right?’

  I could only nod, fighting back the emotion.

  ‘They’re happy tears, I promise.’

  ‘Come here you soppy thing.’ Holding his arms wide open, inviting me in for a hug, he moved his chair nearer. I hadn’t felt this happy or alive since the wedding.

  ‘I think you are good for me Marcus Davenport.’

  Kissing my forehead, ‘I’m glad you are coming to that conclusion. Do you think now I could possibly have your mobile number?’ he said.

  The laughter erupted out of me. ‘You do realise, I’m usually very careful about who I give my number to.’

  ‘Is that so?’ he eyed up his target instantly, snatching it before I even got a look in. ‘You know you really should put a PIN on your phone, anyone could get hold of it.’ He said as he playfully dangled it out of my reach whilst doing god knows what. Grinning in victory he handed me back the phone eventually.

  ‘What have you done I can’t find you?’

  Just a little too smug he picked up his phone and tapped away as he stopped, ‘Your future’ flashed up as the name on the screen. My initial reaction was to think Ha Ha! But he meant it. ‘So, what have you saved me as?’ I dared to ask. Proudly he turned his screen… “My Future”

  ‘You couldn’t be anything else.’

  Wow, what was this man doing to me. I exhaled rather loudly.

  ‘Too much?’ he sweetly asked. I shook head, no it wasn’t too much, it was everything I wanted and then some, but the same barrier existed, he was still my client.

  ‘Come on I’ll help tidy this away, remember you’re still a client.’ I reminded him, standing to clear away the dishes.

  Entering the kitchen we fell in to a
natural rhythm, he opened the dishwasher and as I passed him the plates, he filled it.

  ‘I would like to pay for another member of staff from your company to ensure everything runs smoothly for the party.’ He blurted out, instantly I took offence.

  ‘Are you questioning my ability.’ I asked slightly riled.

  ‘Oh, God no, it’s just, I would very much like you to come to Livvy’s party as my guest, not as an organiser.’

  I was touched, ‘You do realise how hard it will be for me to relinquish control. I might end up organising anyway.’

  He chuckled, ‘I’m sure you probably will, but that night will be the end of our “professional relationship”. I want you beside me.’

  My heart fluttered, he’d more or less promised to be a perfect gentleman, but at the end of ‘Livvy’s party he ceased to be my client anymore.

  ‘I can’t tell Carole that I’ve fallen for you and you want me to attend as a guest, its professional suicide, she’s my boss and a tyrant to boot.’

  ‘You must have someone in the office who could do with some on the job training.’ he asked.

  ‘I’ll see what I can do!’

  ‘Ensure you do, otherwise, I’ll phone Carole myself and use my charm, you have until tomorrow!’

  ‘What? No, this is best sorted out face to face?’

  ‘And what, you put the moment off until it’s too late, I think not. If you don’t phone her tomorrow, I will.’

  'Ok!’ I said reluctantly. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate that he wanted me as his guest, at his sister’s party, it was just Carole. I hope she’s in a good mood tomorrow. Shit, had I just admitted I’d fallen for him?

  ‘A nightcap?’ he offered. That was a great idea and I duly accepted. Wandering off to the bar he came back with a Brandy Warmer. I watched as he lit it turning the glass and releasing it when judging the brandy to be at the right temperature.

  ‘Where do you see yourself, you know, in five - ten years down the road?’ His question made me think back to my notebook. As he got comfortable I explained what I most wanted to do was run my own event management company. It had been my dream ever since I was at university.

  ‘I suppose I want to be happy, hope to have settled down by then, but who knows. How about you? What’s in store for you?’

  That’s when he explained about jacking it all in. That Kitty’s illness and subsequent death had provoked him to change his life and plough his efforts into something more meaningful than getting fat cats even richer. He looked like a little boy lost when he explained that he actually had no idea what he wanted to do next. He’d thought about offering companies legal advice on a consultancy basis, but even the thought of that wasn’t floating his boat at the moment.

  ‘The thing is I was pushed in one direction by my family and I don’t know what else is really out there.’ I felt quite sorry for him, I’d always known what I had wanted to do. But at the same time he was well qualified, highly regarded, he could offer guest lectures in universities or offer refresher training courses for lecturers to update their knowledge. ‘You’re definitely an ideas person, aren’t you.’

  ‘Wouldn’t be any good at my job if I wasn’t.’

  ‘Another?’ he offered raising his own empty glass.

  ‘I better not, a lot to do tomorrow.’

  With a wink he said, ‘That there is.’

  ‘Tonight has been lovely, thank you.’ I said stepping up onto my tiptoes, grazing his cheek with my lips. ‘Goodnight.’

  ‘Goodnight, sweetheart.’

  I made my way back to my room. The word sweetheart echoing in my mind, I loved it, he always used it. I was his sweetheart, with that thought I nearly danced up the last few steps.

  Chapter Fifteen

  I thought I would take the opportunity to phone Carole first thing the next morning; that way she wouldn’t have had the chance to have a drink and morph into the nasty she devil with a bite.

  ‘So tell me, is he as impressive as his enormous feet would indicate?’ Carole inappropriately suggested not two minutes into our conversation.

  ‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’ I questioned, shocked when she then repeated it. ‘Carole!’ I shrieked down the phone.

  ‘Don’t tell me you two haven’t, I take it he’s the one that sent you all those parcels.’

  ‘Not since he’s been a client, no and how the bloody hell did you know?’

  ‘My dear I may be old, grey, nearly divorced with more wrinkles than an elephant but I can still read a man. His body language sang like a canary. So if you have got any brains left in that head of yours, you’ll take my advice. Go get it girl! Enjoy life while you still can.’

  I shuddered with the awkwardness of the conversation. ‘Ok then, ummm, can you think of anyone we could spare, just to help on the night?’

  ‘How about Gemma?’

  Phew, good choice, better than Tess and Georgia, the cackling “Bitches of Eastwick”. They’d jump onto this piece of gossip like a freight train with no brakes. ‘Was that all?’

  ‘Yes Carole, thanks.’

  ‘Fine, I’ll leave it for you to arrange.’ And she was gone.

  Shellshocked I relayed the conversation with Marcus; he couldn’t contain his laughter. ‘Don’t! She was probably still drunk from the night before.’

  ‘Who cares, you’re going to be my plus one.’ He said swinging me around.

  ‘Enough of that, back to business. Accommodation; do you have that copy of the guest list. Then we need to consider the seating plan.’

  ‘You’re so demanding.’ he said, pretending to sulk across the room; he did, however, come back with the list in hand.

  ‘So I am assuming Livvy will stay here with you.’ He shook his head.

  ‘Where then?’ I said puzzled.

  ‘Here with us!’ he clarified. I couldn’t help grinning.

  ‘OK, moving on! How about these two? I said pointing to Charles and Lotte Hamilton.

  ‘Oh don’t worry about them they’re on holiday in St. Tropez; they’re planning to sail down and moor up on the jetty.

  Of course they are! I laughed, refraining from verbalising my thoughts. ‘What about this one?’

  ‘She’ll be flying in from Paris.’

  ‘and this one…’ This was the way it continued until we had ascertained that we would need accommodation for 15 guests totalling 10 rooms. My next dilemma, finding a hotel that could accommodate, at such short notice. After a dozen phone calls I had managed to secure two hotels, no way round it, not this late in the day. ‘Now who goes where?’

  ‘You know we could be so non-“p.c.” and put all the Europeans in one and the Brits in another.’

  ‘Could be wise, what with Brexit and all.’

  Having whittled our way down our to do list, I was completely parched. ‘Can I make you a cup of tea?’ I offered.

  ‘No, let me,’ he said, placing his hands on my shoulders, ensuring I stayed put. A girl could get used to this, very used to this. Sadly there was no rest for the wicked; late that afternoon we drove out to a vineyard. By the end of our tour, I was exhausted, we’d been shown the terraces, row upon row of vines by the proud owner. I mentally calculated the number of bottles to suggest for the guests and Marcus did the tasting and rest of the leg work. We were turning out to be quite the team. My eyes were growing tired as Marcus said he wanted to show me one more place. I found myself nodding off with the motion of the car combined with the winding nature of the roads. I wondered where on earth he was taking me as he turned off the tarmac onto a dusty track.

  ‘Marcus?’ I questioned as we stopped.

  ‘Follow me.’ He said opening my passenger door. It wouldn’t be long before sunset, but where was he taking me. It just looked like we were walking in a dust bowl and then suddenly the ground fell away and there was nothing in front of us except the sea. To the left of us an old watchtower; making our way over to it, Marcus helped me down so we sat with our backs to the ancient stone, w
atching something so predictable we take it for granted each and every day but there was nothing inconsequential about it today as the pair of us sat, motionless, watching the sun slip below the horizon; the wind soon whipped up a little chill to the air as the golden streaks darkened in front of us.

  I don’t remember the journey home, I have a vague recollection of being carried like a child, but very little else until I was tucked up into bed. Kissing me so gently, I stirred wanting more.

  ‘Baby girl, you’re exhausted, sleep now.’ He soothed.

  ‘Stay.’ The last word I murmured.

  I woke to find myself constricted by a dead weight, namely Marcus’ arm around my waist. Realising I still had my clothes on from last night, I wriggled, shifting to turn to face him. Clad in just his boxers he was a feast to behold. His defined biceps and chest were just screaming to be touched.

  ‘Good morning beautiful.’

  It was a good morning, a very good morning!

  The next few days went by in a whirlwind. Marcus was determined to show the island to me. I’d seen more watchtowers, crystal clear waters, powder white beaches, even wild horses and travelled on the most hair raising coastal roads you could very possibly want to drive. But tomorrow we were flying home; far from being disappointment at leaving this idyllic island, I was excited; new beginnings.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Within a few days I’d managed to move all my belongings into Kitty’s. I had suggested it was perhaps better if Marcus didn’t help just in case he felt obliged to knock my landlord into next week. As for our relationship status, we hadn’t put a name to it; in my eyes, it was still complicated but I wasn’t going to go there again. Safer to say that the pair of us soon settled into a routine as the days passed. Marcus would take me out usually on a Friday, cook dinner twice a week and at the weekend we would sort through Kitty’s belongings. Systematically, we’d cleared the house over the spate of a few weeks. I felt a little weird going through the belongings of someone I didn’t know but as I did, I felt like I got to know Marcus a little more; gaining an insight into his life through stories as he’d reminisce.