Monday had come round too soon, as far as Dani was concerned. It had been another intense weekend of lovemaking. Camila had gone back to her flat for a few hours on Sunday morning to do some work; she said she couldn’t concentrate with Dani anywhere in the vicinity. She had a fax waiting for her and several phone messages from Eric telling her she had to go to Madrid on a Monday afternoon flight. So the rest of Sunday had passed in a blur. But at least Dani had remembered to place the order for a special delivery while Camila was out. She smiled at the thought of how the unsuspecting recipient might receive it.
The events of Friday’s party receded into the background. Camila had made a joke of wanting to meet some of Dani’s friends to see if she could do similar damage to anyone’s relationship. Dani reminded her that most of the people she knew would just enjoy a good fight.
They’d had a more in-depth discussion on Sunday morning about whether or not she and Gordon were going to separate or stay together. Camila suggested that if they decided on the latter, they needed to get Annette to draw up a proper business agreement.
Dani said she would think about it. Now, in the office and facing four days of withdrawal from Camila, she did do some deeper thinking. Tempting as it was to try to go it alone, she didn’t really want the hassle of managing the marketing and business side of things. She rang Gordon and asked him to meet her in the pub across the road.
He was already there when she arrived; he had bought her a drink. “So what is this, no lawyers?”
Dani sat and took a sip of the beer before replying. “I think we’ve scored our points. My heart’s not really in it.”
He smiled. “Is it business as usual, then?”
“Sort of,” she said. He raised an eyebrow. “I mean, how long will it last if you’re going to jump every time Melissa pulls your chain?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“You don’t mind working with a ‘fucking pervert’?”
“No. I’m used to you.”
“There’s something else you need to know.”
“Dani, I’m not that interested in your private life, although it was a bit of a shock to find out you really are seeing Redmond’s financial director. Hell, I’ll never be able to look Ms Callaghan in the eye again! On top of that I discover you’re good mates with Eric and Carl Redmond. You haven’t seriously considered joining them, have you?”
“No, although Eric has made me a number of offers. You see, I’ve actually been doing work for them for a long time. They subcontract to me sometimes. I have a business under another name, DBS.”
Gordon looked like he had swallowed a piece of glass. “Shit, Dani! I can’t believe it! And you were threatening me with looking into my finances?”
“Yeah, well. I was just rattling your cage.”
“Jeez! It worked.”
Dani sipped her beer and watched his face as he absorbed this shock. Setting her glass back down, she said, “Okay, here’s the deal. I wind up the DBS business. We have our solicitors do a proper agreement and we get on with doing what we’re good at, together.”
“Right.” He breathed out a huge sigh of relief. “I’ve been thinking too. I’m going to sell the yacht and the timeshare in Portugal. I want to put the money towards upgrading our computer system. Since you’re such good buddies, do you think Carl Redmond would work up a spec for us?”
Dani smiled. “I’m sure he would.” She raised her glass. “To our partnership.”
They clinked their glasses together and drank.
“Better go and tell the troops,” he said, not bothering to disguise his relief.
“Yeah. Oh, and we’ve got a new client to meet this afternoon. Quoting for a brochure, but it sounds like they could do with some point of sale as well.”
“Excellent.” He finished his beer. “Are you going to tell me how you got that shiner?”
“No, but our new client might. She was there when it happened.”
“Oh. She’s not…you know…into things, like you?”
“Not that I know of.” She winked at him with her good eye. “But looks can be deceiving.”
†
Camila finished putting the documents she needed into her briefcase. She had already checked and double-checked she had her passport. Eric handed her a walletful of pesetas. She knew he had a range of European currencies in his office safe. He was looking forward to the day when there would be a single currency throughout Europe, but she privately thought that was a long way off and she hoped the UK would stay out of it. She had welcomed the Black Wednesday of the year before when the government was forced to withdraw the pound out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. To her mind, it demonstrated the weakness of the whole idea.
She walked through to Reception to collect her case. The taxi was already waiting. Someone was shouting at the beleaguered-looking receptionist who was holding her hands in front of herself in a defensive pose. With a shock, Camila saw that the person causing the girl distress was Chris.
“What’s going on?” she asked, keeping her voice level.
Chris turned. “Oh good. I asked to see you and she said it wasn’t possible.”
“I’m on my way to the airport, so she’s absolutely right.” Camila smiled at the girl who promptly wheeled her suitcase out from behind the desk. “Let’s take this outside.”
She walked out through the main doors of the building.
“What do you think you’re playing at? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” Outside, in the clear light of day, Camila could see the bruising around Chris’s taped-up nose.
“Oh, and I suppose none of it’s your fault. You did this to me.” Chris pointed to her face. “And now Debs has kicked me out.”
“About time too, I should think.”
“Don’t come all high and mighty with me. You were a willing partner.”
“I think it was exactly twice and more than two years ago.” Camila moved towards the taxi waiting at the kerb. “Why are you here, Chris?”
“I thought you could put me up at your flat. I know you’ve got an extra bedroom.”
“I heard you were staying at that other woman’s place. The PE teacher.”
“It’s little more than a bedsit. I can’t stay there for long.”
“I guess you’ll have to go the YWCA or something.”
“You really are a hard-hearted bitch, aren’t you?”
“So I’m told.”
“Okay.” Chris raised her voice again. “I’ll just go back in there and tell your boss you’re shacked up with that piece of shit, Dani What’s-her-name.”
Camila smiled as she opened the taxi door. “You do that. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you bad-mouthing one of his friends. Goodbye, Chris.” She climbed into the back of the cab and didn’t look back as it pulled out into the traffic. Her heartbeat slowly returned to normal as the taxi turned the corner. She checked her watch and thought there was just time. Leaning forward, she asked the driver to make a detour to the MBE offices.
†
Dani had refused to tell Gordon where they were going and he’d given up trying to guess by the time the taxi was crossing Blackfriars Bridge.
“I had lunch somewhere around here once. The Tall House, that was the name. It looked like those houses you see in Amsterdam along the canals. Squeezed like a tube of toothpaste. Speaking of toothpaste, I’m not sure the client’s going to like what you’ve done. Still, I guess you know what’s best.”
He knew he was babbling. But the knowledge that their partnership was intact had lifted a weight off his chest. With that and the fact Dani’s solicitor would no longer be probing into his financial dealings, he felt quite light-headed.
The taxi stopped on an unfamiliar side street and they climbed out. The fare would go on their account, but Gordon passed the driver some coins for a tip. When the taxi had driven off, he looked at the sign on the building. VidScreen, suppliers of video walls for corporate events, concerts, multimedia of all descriptions.
“Damn, Dani. You are a sly one. I’ve tried to get something out of this lot for years.”
“Yeah, so don’t blow it. Leave the talking to me for a change.”
Gordon agreed and followed her inside. Only minutes later they were shown into the sales manager’s office. Niki Preston stood to greet them, and after Dani introduced Gordon, they settled into chairs at the round conference-style table in the middle of the room.
“Hey, Dani, you’re looking better than the last time I saw you.”
“Thanks.”
They talked through the briefing notes Niki presented them with, and Gordon only intervened when the discussion veered into the budget area.
On their way back to MBE, he could hardly contain his excitement. “VidScreen! This is great, Dani. Think of the contacts Niki has with the work they do for multinationals, television, roadshows.”
“Calm down, Gordon. It’s only a brochure.”
“Yeah, but who gets the brochure, that’s the thing. They’re looking to expand their markets into other countries, so this could go global.”
†
The young man she had seen with Dani before showed her into the studio and said his boss was on her way back from a client meeting. Camila thanked him and dropped her briefcase on the chair in front of the desk. If Dani didn’t turn up within the next ten minutes, she would have to leave without seeing her.
She wandered over to the drawing table near the window. The incomplete storyboard images caught her eye. The angle of the tube of toothpaste was rather suggestive. Perhaps Dani was aiming for a subliminal message. Not something she would associate with brushing her teeth, though. Moving the board aside, she was startled to see her own eyes staring back at her.
“Hey. Is that your taxi waiting outside?” Dani kicked the door shut and covered the distance between them in three quick strides.
“Yes. I just have a few minutes.” Camila looked down at the drawing. “This is really good.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“But that’s not why you’re here, is it?”
Camila reached out and pulled her close. “Chris ambushed me at the office just now. Seems she thinks I owe her something. Like letting her stay in my apartment.”
“Shit. I’m so sorry.”
“I think she’s really lost touch with reality. She even threatened to tell Eric about our relationship.”
Dani snorted. “Hardly news now.”
“Until the other night, I didn’t realise she had such strong feelings for me.”
“She might be an arsehole, but she has good taste.”
“I’m worried she’ll make more trouble for Deborah.”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about Debs. She’ll be okay.”
Dani’s arms enfolded her, and Camila gave herself to the kiss as their lips met. After a few minutes, she broke the contact reluctantly. “I really have to go now.” She lowered her arms to grasp Dani’s butt cheeks. “And don’t you forget, I’ll be back to take care of this.”
“Damn. Is it really going to take five days?”
Dani’s tremulous smile tugged at her heartstrings. If she could cancel the trip, she would.
“Yes. Unfortunately. The Spanish don’t rush anything. Dealing with the Germans is much more straightforward. But I can look forward to excellent food and wine in Madrid.”
With one last lingering kiss, Camila finally broke away and rushed out the door before she could be tempted to stay longer. She was cutting it fine to make her flight as it was.
†
Deborah opened the door cautiously. Although Chris had stopped phoning every hour since Sunday morning when Sandy had come round to collect the belongings Deborah had left in black plastic bags on the driveway, she didn’t want a face-to-face confrontation with her now ex-lover. The messages had been escalating into full-on threats.
A young woman wearing leather biker gear, helmet tucked under one arm, stood on the step holding out a very expensive-looking bouquet. If this was an attempt by Chris to win her over, she wasn’t going to accept them.
“Deborah Grant?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been asked to make sure you get these personally.”
“Well, you go back and tell Chris to shove them up her arse.” Deborah prepared to shut the door.
“No, wait, please. I don’t know who Chris is or what she’s done to deserve that treatment. Perhaps you should read the card first.”
The courier handed her an envelope. Her first name was written in an elaborate script on the front. Deborah pulled the card out and read the message. For the first time in days, she felt a smile tugging at her lips.
“I guess you’d better come in…” She checked the name on the card. “…Jan.”
†
The cupboards and the fridge were bare. There wasn’t even any beer left. Dani sighed and wondered how she was going to get through the week. Camila wouldn’t be back until late on Friday.
She was just thinking of walking across to the Lion when her doorbell chimed. Deborah was standing on the step holding a casserole dish.
“What’s this? No one’s died, have they?”
“Just my way of saying thank you for the flower delivery.”
“Good timing. I was heading over to the pub for some nosh.” Dani led the way into the kitchen. “I can’t offer you a beer right now. But I can pop over the road and get some.”
“No need. All part of the service.”
The doorbell chimed again. Dani looked at Deborah with a raised eyebrow.
“Go on. Answer it.”
“I do love a bossy woman, you know that, don’t you?”
Deborah flicked a tea towel at her. “Go and answer the door.”
Jan stood there, holding two six-packs of London Pride. Dani smiled at her. “Come on in.”
“You were right.” Jan gave her a wide grin and whispered, “She’s hot.”
“Did she like the flowers?”
“Aye, and the rest.”
When they reached the kitchen, Deborah had set the table and ladled a wonderfully aromatic curry onto three plates.
Dani put glasses out for her two guests while Jan put three cans of beer on the table. “I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I didn’t expect all this. A simple thank you for the flowers would have done.”
“I don’t think thank you would have covered it.” Deborah gave Jan a quick smile. “The flowers are lovely, but the bonus delivery was delightful.”
“I thought you might need some protection. Turns out I was right. Chris made a scene at Camila’s office this afternoon.”
“Fuck’s sake. What did she want?”
“I think she thought Camila would let her stay at her place. Obviously not going to happen and Camila’s in Madrid for the rest of the week.”
“Good thing we’re here then, making sure you’re fed and watered.”
They all sat at the table, and for a few minutes the only sounds were ones of appreciation muffled through mouthfuls of vegetable curry.
Dani leaned back and patted her stomach. “That was wonderful. Better than any takeaway.”
“Yes. While the cat’s away, so to speak, I’m going to teach you how to cook.”
“Ah, come on, Debs. That’s not necessary. I can get anything I want by picking up the phone or walking across to the pub.”
“That hardly makes for a healthy lifestyle. One day it will catch up with you.”
Dani looked at Jan for support, but she was just watching Debs and grinning like the Cheshire cat.
“Camila’s just as bad. When she’s not eating at fancy restaurants, she exists on toast and jam. Allison was the cook.”
Grasping at the chance to change the subject, Dani asked, “Did you know Allison well?”
“We weren’t particularly close, meeting up at other friends’ parties a few times a year. Allison was very easygoing, definitely the more dynamic of the two. She was fun to have around, telling amusing stories about the people she met in her job, not naming anyone, of course. I never really got a handle on Camila. She seemed content to sit back and let her partner do the talking. Even now, she’ll just watch and rarely join in the conversation.”
“If she’s that boring as a guest, why did you keep inviting her after Allison was gone?”
“We felt sorry for her. Chris said we should try to get her to come out of her shell. I guess Chris took that a bit further than the occasional dinner party.”
Jan reached out and put a hand on Deborah’s arm. “She’s an idiot.”
Deborah smiled at her. “Agreed. But Dani, what do you two talk about? You couldn’t be more different from Camila.”
Dani took a sip of her beer and set the can back on the table before answering. “Um, so far we’ve covered all the Russian authors and agreed that Anna Karenina was a better read than War and Peace. Tolstoy really could have done with a good editor for that one. I was surprised to learn that she prefers the Brontë sisters over Jane Austen.”
Jan made a choking noise and looked like she was having difficulty swallowing.
“We’ve agreed not to talk about football. I mean, really, I don’t know how she can support Chelsea….”
This time, Jan failed to hold it in and started to laugh uncontrollably. Deborah glared at Dani. “It was a serious question.”
“I know. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Anyway, we just talk. Maybe being different helps. And even when we don’t talk, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. I lose myself in drawing and she communes with her spreadsheets.”
“Sounds perfect.” Jan raised her glass to her. “She doesn’t really support Chelsea, though, does she?”
“We haven’t actually discussed it. Something we do have in common, neither of us follows sport of any kind. If she did, I would think she would be a cricket fan.”
Deborah nodded. “Yes, I can see that. I guess my idea of matchmaking was bound to fail. She wasn’t going to be interested in a rugby-obsessed PE teacher.”
“You don’t mean in-your-face Sandy?”
“Yeah. My mistake. I invited her to the dinner party we had on Chris’s birthday, her actual birthday, not the barbeque.” Deborah caught the look of disgust on Dani’s face. “I thought it was worth a try. I knew Chris was still interested in Camila. After that party, Chris told me Camila had met someone through work. I was relieved and it seemed Chris had encouraged her to go for it. So I thought maybe she was finally over that particular obsession. How wrong could I be?”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. People at work are used to seeing me come in on Monday mornings with a black eye or two.” She stood and collected the plates. “Why don’t I clean this lot? Jan, you know where everything is. Put a record on and you two put your feet up.”
A few minutes later the sound of Fleetwood Mac’s “Monday Morning” filtered through the open doorway. Dani grinned. This evening was turning out to be better than she’d expected. The only thing missing was the person she would have liked to share it with.
†
Madrid was one of her favourite European cities, but Camila wasn’t enjoying it as much as on previous visits. Her hosts were charming but they couldn’t be rushed into making business decisions and she couldn’t let her frustration show.
She was happy to return to her room for the post-lunch siesta. Taking a nap wasn’t on her mind, but spending a few hours with the book Carl had secreted in her case was. The note he’d placed as a bookmark in the middle of chapter ten, said he hoped she would find this useful.
“A bit too academic for my taste, but some exquisite descriptions and anecdotes make up for that.”
The author, Lillian Faderman, was indeed a professor who had written several award-winning books. Looking at the image of the two women on the front and the title, Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, Camila wondered what had made Carl buy this book in the first place. As she delved into the portions of text he had helpfully highlighted, she realised he viewed it as a training manual. It certainly did clarify the terminology she had been struggling with and explained the roles for the kind of relationship Dani was clearly hoping to have with her.
Camila had never thought it necessary to give her sexuality a label and she didn’t think she needed one now. Could she really be comfortable with the description of herself as a “femme top” to Dani’s “butch bottom”?
The memory of Dani’s naked body on the bed twitching with anticipation as she gripped the cane, wondering if she could make that first stroke—Camila replayed that scene in her mind. The sound of the cane as it moved through the air, and the angry-looking stripe it left on Dani’s skin were vividly etched in her senses. Her hand moved down her body. The book fell to the floor as she touched herself, the wave of arousal catching her unawares.
As each stroke landed, her fingers delved deeper. “Oh, God, Dani!” Her lover’s name tore out of her throat as she came. Never, in any of the times she masturbated, had she experienced such intensity. Only as she withdrew her fingers, did she wonder if anyone was staying in the room next door, and if she might have disturbed their peaceful slumber.
Glancing at her watch, she realised she only had time for a quick shower and change of clothes before her next meeting. She picked the book off the floor and shoved it into the closet. “Damn you, Carl.” But she smiled as she walked out of the room ten minutes later, whispering, “And, damn you, Dani, but you are in so much trouble when I get back.”