“Jessica, darling. 8:20am. I’ve been expecting your call this morning. I’ve already heard from my son. Fancy you both being in Withernsea.”
“Yes, fancy that. What a coincidence. I’m ringing to tell you I quit. Thanks for everything, but I want to leave. Are there any more openings within the Cupid enterprises before I start contacting agencies?”
“Oh, Jessica. Did you not think I’d anticipate that? You signed a contract stating you’d stay at least three months. Also, there’s no time to replace you, so if you leave, Samara and Max will no doubt fail their probation periods. All because they lacked support.”
I ground my fingernails into my left palm. “Sounds like you have it all worked out, but the thing is, you can’t make me and Lachlan fall back in love. It went wrong for a reason. We’re not suited. You got it wrong.”
“No, I didn’t. I’m Cupid. I don’t get matches wrong. I just happened to match two extremely stubborn people whose heads need banging together. Now if that’s all, you’re being paid to work aren’t you, so you’d best get back to it.”
“Uuurrrggghhh.” I was so frustrated.
“Always a pleasure to hear your voice, lovely. Keep in touch. Speak soon.” He ended the call.
I threw the phone across the room just as Max opened my door. He caught it and did a twirl.
“Hey, girlfriend. Want to talk about it?” He held up a hand as I started to speak. “But first, can we just talk about how amazing that catch was. I should be a cricketer, although I tried once and got thrown out for rubbing the ball on another cricketer’s crotch instead of my own.”
“Have you heard of knocking on a door?” I shouted.
“Ooooh. Is it that time of the month?” Max pulled a face and then pulled up a chair in front of me. “Tell Uncle Max all about it.”
“There’s nothing to tell. I’m just having a very frustrating morning already.”
Max raised a brow. “And it has nothing to do with a certain blonde-haired sex god who reappeared in your life in the early hours of the morning?”
“None at all.” I jutted out my jaw.
“So it’s work then?” He crossed a leg over the other and folded his arms across his chest. Then he smirked.
“Well, no. Oh, I don’t want to talk about it. Can you get some clients so we can focus on their mental health and wellbeing?”
“I’m on it and that’s why I’ve come in. Sorry about not knocking. I was excited. Maisie is coming in for an interview at 2pm. Can you sit in with me because I’m doing her preliminary interview for matches, going over her application she gave the Dating Agency and reviewing her dates so far. I need you there to see if there’s anything blocking her from dating and also because she scares me.”
I laughed. “I’ll be there.”
It wasn’t like I had anything else to do and maybe I could genuinely help Maisie find a date. I needed to throw myself into this whole Cupid Inc thing so that my friends could pass their probation periods and I could help others find love, even if it wasn’t in my own future.
Samara
My doctor had confirmed that I was pregnant. I’d been given a midwife appointment and would be booked in to have my early dating scan in a couple of weeks. I was buzzing, but Johnny and I still agreed that we wouldn’t tell anyone else our news until I passed the twelve-week mark.
I walked into the Cupid Inc office feeling so happy. I had a gorgeous husband, a baby on the way, and a new job. Unfortunately, the first thing I met was the cloud of doom sitting at the desk next to mine. Talk about rain on my parade.
“Good afternoon.” Rebecca said. I would have said she spoke snarkily but that was her usual tone.
“It’s one minute past ten.”
“We all started at eight.”
“I’ve had a doctor’s appointment.” I placed my bag down and hung up my coat.
“Oh yeah? Playing doctors and nurses with your husband more like.”
I looked around. “Where’s Max? Isn’t he supposed to be on reception?”
“He’s just popped in to see Jessica about an appointment he’s booked for this afternoon. Anyway, my files are waiting on your desk. Don’t expect to find anything you can ruin me with. Sorry, but I’m going to have to disappoint you as I’m good at what I do.”
I sat down. “Oh I know. You’re amazing at your job. I don’t expect to turn up anything at all, and then I can just move on to looking after my own past matches.”
Rebecca eyed me suspiciously. “You can’t fool me. I know you’re going to try to embarrass me or get me to fail in front of Cupid.”
“Rebecca. You have me all wrong. I know we’ve never particularly got along but I accept now that you are an amazing Point and Shoot Cupid. I’ll have a tiny look over your files, where I’m sure I’ll find nothing and then I’ll be sure to tell Cupid that you’re amazing. Like he said, we should make sure to get along. It’s best for the future of Cupid Inc.”
She peered at me, her eyes looking me over. “Have you got a twin? It’s not you, is it, Samara? Or a doppelganger. Or maybe you’ve been possessed.”
“Morrnnniinnggg, Samaaarrrraaa.” Max glided out of the back and took his place behind the reception desk. “Huge gossip already. Jess had her window broken last night and the cop who came to investigate was her ex-husband.”
My eyes widened. “Really? What’s he like?”
“Ooh, you’re going to get to see first-hand.” Max pulled a compact from behind the reception desk and fluffed up his hair. “He just parked in the car park out front. He’s on his way in.”
All three of us watched the policeman approach our offices. He pushed open the door. Mabel came bounding out of the back and ground to a halt.
“Oh.”
In fact, as I looked around all four of us were standing there with our mouths hanging open while Jess’ ex stood cocking a hip. “Good morning, Lachlan. How can I help you today? Is it police business or matters of the heart?” Max smiled.
“What would you like to drink, dearie? You upholders of the law need to keep your strength up. I’ll get you a biscuit too.” Mabel seemed all of a dither.
Rebecca moved out from her desk and stalked over to Lachlan. I think she was attempting to do a sexy wiggle, but she looked like she was badly in need of a wee. “Hi, I’m Rebecca.” She held out a hand.
Lachlan exhaled, but took it. “Sergeant Lachlan Hart. Is Jessica Hart here?”
“We have a Jessica Fazakerley…”
He huffed. His jaw set and jutting out. A pulse ticked in his cheek.
“I need to see Miss Fazakerley,” He spat her surname out, “regarding an incident in the early hours of this morning.”
“I’ll just go and get her.” I told him. “Take a seat and Mabel will be getting you that drink.”
Walking through to the back I knocked softly on Jessica’s door.
“Come in.” She said. There was an underlying tension to her tone.
I walked through, seeing that tension holding her body hostage. Heading straight up to her, I placed my arms around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. “You okay? I hear there’s been some shit happening.”
She sighed.
I walked back around the front of her desk and took a seat. “Spill.”
“Never mind me. How did you get on this morning? And how are you feeling?”
“I was nauseous first thing, but it’s passed off at the moment. Doctor confirmed the pregnancy. I shall be a mummy in July.”
“Oh, Samara. That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’re going to keep it quiet for a few more weeks.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“Anyway, back to you. I want full details of your reunion with Sergeant Hart.”
Her back stiffened. “How do you know my ex’s surname?”
“Because, sweetie, he’s currently sitting in reception waiting to see you.”
Jessica ran her fingers through her hair. “For God’s sake. W
hat does he want now?”
“Well, by the way he spat out your maiden name, I’d say you.”
Jessica froze in her chair for a moment before her eyes met mine.
“Well, that ship sailed a long, long time ago.”
“Hmm, don’t think he got the memo. So anyway, what happened last night? I saw the window was boarded up. I just thought Max had visited and had been singing again.”
That made a smile come to my friend’s lips. “Just some stupid youths, I think. Probably thought the building was still empty. Threw a brick. No big deal except it made me jump. And then of course it brought my ex in. I’ve spoken to Cupid this morning. He’s done it deliberately. Says we need our heads banging together and that we are destined. He can’t accept that once he got it wrong. Maybe because it was his son’s match he messed up? We aren’t meant to be.”
A knock came at the door and Max’s voice sounded through. “Sergeant Hart is in reception waiting.”
I stood up. “Me and you are going out to Jetty’s for lunch and you’re going to tell me everything. Then, if it’s definitely all over I’ll help you in getting that message through to Cupid. Now, are you okay seeing your ex or shall I tell him to send someone else?”
“No, send him through. I’m going to have to get used to seeing him around if we live in the same area. I might as well start now.”
“You sure?” I checked one last time.
“No; but send him in anyway.” She sighed.
I almost fell over Max outside the door. “Did you find out any juicy scandal?”
“No.” His face fell. “But I will.” I winked.
“Goody.”
We walked back into the reception area. I found Rebecca sitting on the edge of her desk. Her skirt had ridden higher up her thigh.
“Oh, Lachlan, you are amusing.” She said, flicking her hair.
“Well, if you find local crime rates entertaining.” He said, his brow creasing.
“It’s your voice, it just comes out so… captivating.”
“If you’d like to come through, Sergeant.” I beckoned him towards the back rooms.
“Lachlan. You can call me Lachlan.” He stood up and I realised he was almost a foot taller than I was. I felt safe and protected just by him standing tall.
We walked through to the corridor and I turned to him. “Before you go in, Jessica is my friend. I know you have a past. Please tread carefully with her. She’s not as strong as she makes out to be.”
Lachlan huffed. “I used to think I knew her inside out. Every molecule of her. But I guess I was wrong. I’m here on business. That’s all.” We reached Jessica’s office and I left him to knock on her door.
Returning to my desk I wondered how to respond to Rebecca’s flirting with Jess’ ex. I didn’t want to argue with her, I wanted her out of Withernsea. I decided to start going through the files. The quicker I praised her to Cupid, and she got promoted out of here the better. Plus, if Jess still did have any feelings for Lachlan, it wouldn’t hurt for a little of the green-eyed monster to surface. And Rebecca did have green eyes…
Later, I called through to Cupid Inc Headquarters and asked to speak to the man himself while Rebecca was out doing her pointing and shooting. Surprisingly he was available to speak to there and then.
“Well good morning, Samara. How goes the first few hours of my new venture?”
“I can’t complain. I’ve begun to look at Rebecca’s books.” I lied. I’d so far only chatted with my colleagues. “I actually don’t think I’m going to find much, if anything, there. She actually seems really good at her job. Top notch in fact. Just this morning she’s shot her arrow at two couples. I think she’s wasted here in Withernsea.”
“Really? You deduced that already? Well, all your probation periods are at the very least a month long, so we’ll just have to see if you carry on thinking she’s amazing. I’m sure your friendship will thrive if you tell her so.”
Fuck. He wasn’t falling for it.
“Yes, I’ll make sure to do so.” After Hell freezes over.
“Will that be all, Samara?”
I sighed. “Yes. I just called to sing my colleague’s praises.”
“Well, maybe we could have an employee of the week. I’ll let you organise it, shall I? You could nominate Rebecca this week. I could send a prize, like a trophy to put on the desk all week.”
“Oh, I think someone’s coming in, I’ll have to go.” I said quickly.
A deep chuckle came down the line.
“I’m only messing you with you, sweetpea. Now play nice with Rebecca. I’m glad you called anyway. I was going to give you a couple of days to settle in, but seeing as you’re on the line…”
“Yes?”
“You have your first aftercare project. He’ll have just come in.”
“We haven’t had any customers come in yet, unless of course someone has just walked in since I’ve been in the office. I’d better go check.”
“Oh no. Fate told me my son is already there and should currently be talking to his ex-wife, my ex-daughter-in-law.”
“What do you mean my first aftercare project?”
“Oh didn’t I mention it before? You see I’ve only ever failed with a match once, in that something went wrong and for some reason that I’ve never been able to get to the bottom of, two people who are absolutely perfect for each other broke up. Now I’m Cupid. I don’t make errors, so your first proper job other than seeing what amazing work Rebecca has done is to re-unite Jessica and Lachlan.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” I yelled. “That’s not fair.”
“Well, if you’re worthy of your role-and you told me aftercare was what you wanted to do-you’ll do your best to re-unite them or you’ll come back to tell me, Cupid, that I made a mistake. Anyway, you need to do this to pass your probation. Call it your entrance exam. Oh, I think someone’s coming in, I’ll have to go.” He parroted back at me and ended the call.
“Gaaaaaaahhhh.” I screamed.
Max ran towards me from the reception desk and held out his hands. He was standing determined like a goalkeeper in a World Cup final.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m getting ready to save the phone. I thought you were going to throw it like Jess did hers earlier.”
I placed the phone that I almost had thrown down.
I now had a waiting game until Lachlan left Jess’ office and I took her to lunch to get the low-down on their relationship. Cupid had put me in a very awkward position, and I hoped that nothing I did would spoil the friendship Jess and I had established. Until then I needed to go through the files that Rebecca had left. While I quickly looked through them it crossed my mind that if I’d had anything to hide, I would have made sure to not pass it on, but to try and act stupid if found out. I therefore printed off a list of matches so I could cross them off my list as I checked each file.
Perfect Princess Rebecca was probably squeakly clean, but I was going to look for the dirt anyway. Just in case my plan to get rid of her didn’t wash.
Jessica
I didn’t know how to school my expression for seeing my ex-husband again, so I left the naturally weary look on my face as I invited him in and asked him to take a seat.
“I thought you’d have finished your shift by now.” I queried.
“I’m working a double with us being short-staffed.”
“Ah.”
“What do you mean ‘ah’?” He bristled. “Every single thing you say sounds loaded, like it means something else. Takes me right back.”
“I meant of course you’re working a double shift. You probably never actually stop. That’s what takes me right back.”
“I don’t want to fight with you, Jess.” He rubbed the scruff that was starting to build up on his chin because he’d not been home to shave. I preferred him with it, but I’d never get to tell him that. It wasn’t my place. The thought that one day it might be some other woman’s place made my insides twi
st.
“So are you okay after the broken window? There have been no more disturbances?”
“No, everything’s been fine. I’m fine.”
“There was nothing on the scene to give any indication as to who could have done it.”
“Let’s just put it down to kids unless anything else happens then, yes? And let’s get back to normal.”
There was a pause.
“What is our normal now then?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe we agree to be civil to one another? I’m here for at least three months, so we’re going to bump into one another. Maybe we just take it one day at a time, huh?”
“Yeah, one day at a time.”
He stood up from his seat.
“Well, I’ll keep the file open for a week or so and then if there’s nothing else, I’ll close the case.” He went into his pocket and took out his business card. “Just in case you didn’t keep the last one, or maybe you can keep one here and one at home. Call me if you need assistance.”
“Wouldn’t I call 999?”
“If it’s an emergency yes. Then after you can call me. Whatever our past, I’d always be there for you if you needed me. If you were in any danger,” he added quickly.
I was in danger okay, but the only person causing it was the man who still held my heart in his hands even if he didn’t know it.
He left and despite the fact the clock said it was twelve thirty, I felt like I’d been at work for two years. Samara came to the door that Lachlan had left ajar and she leant on the doorframe. “Get your coat, we’re going to Jetty’s for lunch.”
I went to open my mouth to say I didn’t feel like it, but Samara gave me some serious side-eye.
“Get. Your. Coat.”
“Okay, okay.” I said standing up. “Keep your knickers on.”
“I’m not wearing any, babes.” She answered winking.
“And now I need an exorcist to get that visual right out of my mind. You’ve put me off my lunch.” I moaned.
Cupid and Psych (Cupid Inc Book 2) Page 5