“I can’t believe you still haven’t told him,” Beth said. “It’s almost a week since you came back from that teambuilding thingy.”
“How could I? He’s been out of the office all week. I would have told him today, but I’m going to Mum’s in half-an-hour, and I probably won’t get back until late tomorrow. I’ll try and catch Rob at the office on Monday.”
It was Mum’s birthday, and for her present, she’d said she wanted her two daughters to spend the night under her roof. I’d readily agreed, and Zoe had arranged for her husband, Jim, to take Ben home after the party had finished, so that she could stay too.
“You’re just making excuses.” Beth rolled her eyes.
“No, I’m not. You’re just in a foul mood because Russ isn’t coming down this weekend.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? It’s Russell. And I’m not in a foul mood.”
“It doesn’t sound like it. Have you and he fallen out or something?”
“No. He called late last night to say he couldn’t make it. Something to do with his brother.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t say. Enough with the Spanish inquisition, already.”
“Sorry. I really do have to get going.”
“Say happy birthday to your mum from me.”
“Will do.”
“Any idea what time you’ll be back tomorrow?”
“Not really. Mid/late afternoon, I’d guess.”
***
“Mum, it’s me.”
“I hope you aren’t phoning to say you’re not coming.”
“No, of course not. I’ve just discovered that they’re doing maintenance work on the line between here and Leicester, so everything is delayed.”
“What time will you get here?”
“I’m not entirely sure. It looks like they’ve put on a replacement bus service for part of the way.”
“The party starts at five because Zoe doesn’t want Ben to be out too late.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best to be there by then.”
After the train journey from hell, during which I’d seen parts of England I’d never heard of and hoped never to see again, I finally made it to Leicester. The moral of that story is never travel by rail on a weekend.
Normally, I would have taken the bus or walked from the station to Mum’s house, but I was already running late, so I grabbed a taxi from the rank outside the station. The taxi fare was almost as much as I’d paid for the cheap rail ticket.
I arrived at the house at ten past five. The door wasn’t locked; it rarely was during the day, so I let myself in.
“Hello! I’m here!”
“About time too,” Mum shouted. “We’re in the living room.”
“Sorry, I’m late, everyone, but the—” I stopped dead in my tracks, as I tried to take in what I was seeing. Mum, Zoe and Ben were seated with their backs to me. Seated opposite them were Jim and Rob.
“What are you doing here?”
“Don’t you mean, happy birthday, Mum?” Zoe shot me a look.
“Sorry. Happy birthday.” I gave her a kiss and handed over the present.
“I said no presents,” Mum said.
“It’s only a box of chocolates, and they’ve probably melted after how hot it was on that last train.”
“Go and sit down.” Mum put the box of chocolates on the sideboard behind her. “We’ve set a place for you next to Rob.”
“What are you doing here?” I whispered to him, once I was seated.
“Your mum invited me.”
“You could have told me you were coming.”
“I thought it would be a nice surprise.”
“It’s definitely a surprise. Why didn’t you give me a lift? You could have saved me from that awful ordeal by rail.”
“I’ve just travelled down from Glasgow, otherwise I would have done.”
“Mo, stop interrogating our guest.” Mum gave me the same look she used to give me when she caught me raiding the biscuit barrel when I was a kid.
“Sorry.”
The party was great fun. Mum insisted we play silly games, ostensibly for Ben’s benefit, but which we all enjoyed. The highlight of the evening was when Rob turned out to be the world’s worst charades player.
“How did you not get that?” He directed his question to me because he and I had been teamed together.
“Because that looked nothing like a cuckoo.”
“I was flapping my arms around like a bird.” He gave me a quick action replay.
“I thought you were doing an impression of a windmill. Anyway, you can’t talk. You didn’t manage to work out I was miming ET.”
“I thought you were pointing at something.”
“That was what the alien did in the movie.”
“Stop squabbling you two,” Mum said. “Jim is taking Ben home now, so say your goodbyes.”
After Jim and Ben had left, Mum and Zoe went through to the kitchen to wash the pots—Mum didn’t believe in dishwashers either. As it was her birthday, I’d offered to do them with Zoe, but Mum had insisted I stay with Rob. My mother—always the matchmaker.
“You said you wanted to talk to me about something,” he said when we were alone.
“That’s right.” I’d rehearsed this conversation in my head a thousand times, but now it was actually time to do it, my mind was a complete blank.
“So?”
“Don’t rush me. It’s about the arrangement thingamabob.”
“Arrangement?”
“You know. The one where we aren’t allowed to date until I’ve been working at Q-Ventures for a year.”
“I’m not sure I’d call it an arrangement, exactly. More a—”
“Can you not be so pedantic, just this once?”
“Okay, sorry. Carry on.”
“It was Beth, really. She made me realise that the arrangement was silly.”
“I could have told you that ages ago.”
I glared at him.
“Sorry, carry on.”
“As I was saying, she said I’d already more than proved myself in the job. And she’s right. My work colleagues all seem to have accepted me, which is the thing I was most concerned about. Anyway, the bottom line is that I’ve realised the real reason I’ve been putting you off is because I’m scared of being hurt again.”
“I would never—”
“Shush. Let me finish. Adam really hurt me, even though I tried not to admit it at the time. I’d trusted him completely, so when he cheated on me, it was as if—”
“I would never cheat on you, Mo.”
“You can’t possibly know that.”
“I know how I feel about you. I know I’ve not looked at another woman since you came up with this arrangement of yours.”
“What I’m trying to say is that I want to forget about the arrangement, or whatever you want to call it. If you’re still interested, I’d like to go on a date with you.”
“Oh, I see.” He knitted his eyebrows. “I’ll have to think about that.”
“Of course. I fully—”
He leaned forward and planted a kiss on my lips. It only lasted a matter of seconds, but it left me breathless.
“I’ve thought about it.” He grinned. “And the answer is yes.”
“You kissed me.”
“Yes, I did. Did you like it?”
“I—err—”
“It probably wasn’t one of my best because I’m out of practice. What with not kissing anyone for over three months.”
“No, it was good. It was nice.”
“Would you like me to do it again?”
“Yes, please.”
Before he could, Zoe walked in. “Get a room, you two.”
“We were just—”
“It’s okay. I only came through to get these.” She picked up a couple of plates that had been left on the sideboard. “Carry on.”
I didn’t need telling twice; this time I leaned forward and kissed him.
“I could do this all night,” Rob said. “But I suppose we should arrange this first date of ours. When were you thinking?”
“Err, I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“How about Monday night?”
“The day after tomorrow?”
“You don’t have anything else planned, do you?”
“No, nothing.”
“Monday night it is, then. Eight o’clock?”
“That works for me. Where shall we go?”
“There’s only one place we can go.” He grinned. “Xquisite of course. If that’s okay with you?”
“Yeah, that’d be lovely.”
“Right, I’d better be making tracks now. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.”
“I thought you’d be sleeping on the sofa, like you did last time. I know it isn’t comfortable, but—”
“I’d love to, but I have to get back for a meeting first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Another one? On a Sunday?”
“I’m afraid so, but I’ll be counting the minutes until Monday night.”
The next morning, Zoe, me and Mum ate breakfast together for the first time since I couldn’t remember when.
“This is nice.” Mum beamed. “The three of us having breakfast together.”
“It makes a pleasant change not to be running around after Ben,” Zoe said. “How come Rob didn’t stay last night?”
“He had to get back for a meeting.”
“I’ve told you that you should grab that young man before he loses interest.” Mum took a sip of tea.
“If you must know, we’re going on our first date tomorrow night.”
“First date?” Zoe sounded incredulous. “I thought you two had been an item for some time now.”
“We’re just work colleagues.”
“Where’s he taking you tomorrow?”
“A restaurant called Xquisite.”
“Sounds expensive.”
“It is.”
“Still, he doesn’t look short of a bob or two.”
The journey back home was only marginally better than the one the previous day, but somehow it didn’t seem to bother me. I simply couldn’t stop thinking about Rob and that kiss. Kisses. It had been so unexpected.
But what if after all this time, our first date turned out to be a disaster? Our not-a-date had been a success, but there was more pressure on this one because it was the real thing. What if it fell flat, and we discovered we didn’t actually like one another? What then? Could we simply go back to being just work colleagues?
***
When I got back to the flat, Beth had a stupid grin on her face.
“Have you been drinking all weekend?” I said.
“I haven’t touched a drop.” She waved her hand in front of my face, as if that would somehow prove her sobriety.
“Before you ask, yes I did tell Rob.”
“Great.” She continued to wave her hand close to my face.
“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been banging on for ages for me to tell him the arrangement is scrapped, and now that I have you—what’s that on your finger?”
“This little thing? I didn’t think you’d notice it.”
“You nearly took my eye out with it.”
“Sorry. What do you think?”
“It’s lovely. It must have cost a fortune. Does this mean—?”
“That I’m engaged? Yeah.”
“I thought Russell was stuck in Sheffield this weekend?”
“He only told me that, so he could surprise me. There was a knock at the door yesterday afternoon, and it was him, standing there with a huge bouquet of flowers and this ring. He actually got down on one knee if you can believe it.”
“Where is he now?”
“He had to go back early because he’s got to go to Cardiff in the morning. Are you happy for me?”
“Err—”
“Mo, you have to be happy for me.”
“I am. It’s just so quick.”
“Compared to you and Rob, you mean? That wouldn’t be difficult. And, anyway, I know he’s the one. So why wait?”
“You’re right. I’m thrilled for you. Come here.” I gave her a hug. I genuinely was happy for Beth, even if I did have some reservations.
“Okay, now you can tell me about Rob.”
“There’s not much to tell. Not compared to your big news.”
“What did he say when you told him?”
“He kissed me.”
“That’s a good start. Did you two get it on at your Mum’s?”
“No, we didn’t. He had to drive home last night, but we’re going on our first date tomorrow night.”
“That’s more like it. Where’s he taking you?”
“Guess.”
“Not that chicken wings place again?”
“No, of course not. We’re going to Xquisite.”
“Nice one. We’d better get our skates on, then.”
“To do what?”
“Buy you a new dress.”
“I don’t need one. I’ve got the one from our not-a-date.”
“You can’t wear that on your first official date. He’s already seen it. And don’t tell me you can’t afford it because I’ve seen your salary slips.”
“We don’t have time.”
“Yes, we do. The shops don’t close for another couple of hours. Grab your purse.”
***
The next morning, I stopped off at Bean Shack on the way to the office.
“You look like the cat that got the cream,” Jed said. “I take it your new job is going well?”
“Fantastic, but that’s not all.”
“Oh?”
“Rob and I are going on a date tonight.”
I’d wanted to tell Jed because I felt like he’d played a small but significant part in Rob and I getting together. Had he not taken a chance and given me the job, I may never have seen Rob again.
“I said from the start that you two were made for one another.”
“Not to me, you didn’t.”
“I told Liz. Where is he taking you?”
“Xquisite.”
“I always thought he must be loaded. I’d need to take out another bank loan to afford to eat there.”
“Talking of which, is everything okay with the bank?”
“So far. Touch wood. Now, what can I get you to drink?”
“I’m feeling adventurous today, so I’m going to try something different.”
“Good for you. What would you like?”
“I’ll have a flat white.”
“You really have turned into a wild child.”
***
Hannah had been on holiday the previous week, so this was the first time I’d seen her since I came back from Q-Trials. She was pretending to be engrossed in something on her computer screen, but her grin gave her away.
“You do know I’ll get you back, don’t you?” I said.
“Sorry, Mo, I didn’t see you there. Get me back for what?”
“You know what. Your little ploy didn’t work, anyway. I always knew you were exaggerating.”
“Liar. You were bricking it. How did it go?”
“Much better after someone on the mini-bus told me what I could really expect.”
“Did you do paintball? That’s my favourite.”
“Yeah, we did. That was the final event, and our team won.”
“Aren’t you going to tell her the full story, Mo?” Chelsea had clearly been listening in on our conversation. “Mo shot Rob to win the whole competition for her team.”
“Nice one,” Hannah said. “You must have enjoyed that.”
“Winning the competition? Yeah, I did.”
“I meant shooting Rob.”
“That was pretty sweet too. While I have your attention, there’s something I want to tell you both.”
“You’re not going to quit, are you?” Chelsea asked.
“I knew it. You’ve been headhunted, haven’t you?” Hannah said. “Is it that company that does the fitness apps? They’ve been after me all month.”
“I haven’t been headhunted and I’m not going to quit.”
“Phew.” Chelsea sat back in her chair. “Thank goodness for that.”
“I wouldn’t normally be having this conversation with my work colleagues, but I don’t want there to be any bad feelings or misunderstandings when it comes out, which knowing the grapevine in this place, it’s forced to.”
“What have you done?” Hannah said. “The suspense is killing me.”
“I haven’t done anything yet, but I’m going out on a date tonight with Rob.”
“Is that it?” Chelsea raised her eyebrows.
“I thought it was going to be something really scandalous,” Hannah said.
“I just don’t want you two or anyone else to think I’m only doing it to get a promotion.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Chelsea said. “You’d still get your promotion even if you went up to his office and poured a glass of water over his head.
“Everyone knows you two have the hots for one another,” Hannah said. “No one cares.”
“What do you mean, everyone knows? Rob and I have barely spoken to one another since I started here.”
“Come on, Mo. We’d have to be blind not to see the looks you two give one another.”
“It’s only a date, anyway. Nothing may come of it.”
“Yeah, right.” Hannah scoffed.
“So, you guys are okay with it?”
“Of course.” Chelsea nodded.
“I am on one condition,” Hannah said.
“What’s that?”
“I want all the sordid details.”
***
“I’m really not sure about this.” I was staring at my reflection in the wardrobe mirror.
“You look great,” Beth said. “Do a twirl.”
Somewhat self-consciously, I did as she asked, but my reflection didn’t look any better when I was facing the mirror again.
“I’ve never worn a red dress in my life.”
“Then you’ve been missing out.”
“Don’t you think it clashes with my hair?”
“No way. Red and turquoise are the perfect combo. How come he isn’t picking you up, anyway?”
“He offered to, but I said I’d rather make my own way there.”
“Because?”
“I thought the walk over there might help me relax.”
“You can’t possibly walk there.”
“Why not?”
“Well, for a start, those new heels will cripple you long before you get to the Queensway.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. I’ll take the tube.”
“And arrive there smelling of sweaty armpits? I don’t think so. You’ll get a taxi.”
“It’ll cost a fortune from here.”
“Didn’t you tell me last night you’d just got a bonus?”
“Yeah, but—”
“But nothing. Get a taxi ordered.”
“Okay. Are you absolutely certain I look okay in this dress?”
“You look amazing. When he sees you in that, he’ll probably cancel the meal and take you straight over to his place.”
Even though my cab arrived at Xquisite five minutes early, Rob was already standing outside the door.
“You look terrific,” he said, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he meant it.
“Thanks. Beth said I had to buy something new.”
“You and she are really close, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, even though she drives me mad a lot of the time.”
“Shall we go inside?”
“Sure.”
It was like no restaurant I’d ever seen before. There were fountains, a glass wall containing what looked like fossils, and carpet so deep, I was worried I might lose one of my new shoes in it.
“Are you okay?” Rob said. “You’re dithering.”
I blamed the aircon, but the truth was I was just nervous.
The maître d’ showed us to a table inside what I can only describe as a glass oyster shell. Although I could hear voices, I couldn’t actually see any of the other diners.
“What do you think of this place?” Rob said.
“It’s amazing. I assume you’ve been here before?”
“A couple of times.”
I wanted to ask who he’d been there with, but I bit my tongue. The waiter gave us the food menus and took our drinks order.
“You could have had something stronger,” Rob said.
“I like Coke.”
“My spies tell me that you got a hero’s welcome back at the office last week.”
“Yeah. Most people were only interested to hear how I’d shot you.”
“I’m never going to live that down. Was your journey back okay?”
“Bearable, and when I got home, I discovered that Beth was engaged.”
“To that toy boy of hers?”
“Yeah, but I reckon I’d better stop calling him that now they’re a proper item.”
“Are we a proper item?” He grinned.
“Of course we aren’t. This is only our first date, remember.”
“What about that other one? What did you call it?”
“The not-a-date.”
“Yeah. Plus, I’ve seen you with no clothes on in the bathroom.”
“I had a towel around me.”
“True. Sexy feet, though.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“And we’ve kissed.”
“We have.”
“Several times.”
“Three.” I smiled.
“You’re counting?”
“No, I—err—”
He leaned across the table and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “That’s four.”
When the waiter appeared, I expected him to be carrying our drinks, but he was empty-handed.
“Sir, madam, I’m so very sorry, but there’s been some kind of problem with the power in the kitchen. I’m afraid the restaurant has to close.”
“You’re kidding?” Rob said.
“I’m afraid not. We will of course give you a voucher that will entitle you to a free dinner for two at a day and time convenient to you.”
Rob looked as though he wanted to climb over the table and strangle the man, so I said, “It’s okay. These things happen.”
“Thank you for being so understanding, madam. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” And with that, he scurried away.
“Well, that’s just great,” Rob said. “What now?”
“There’s only one thing we can do.”
“Go back to my place?” His face lit up again.
“In your dreams.” I held out my hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.”
***
I arrived back at the flat just after eleven o’clock.
“What are you doing back here so early?” Beth said. “Or for that matter, why are you here at all? I thought for sure he’d whisk you back to his place after your posh meal.”
“We didn’t get our posh meal.”
“How come?”
“We got as far as ordering the drinks, but then—”
“He couldn’t resist you any longer, dragged you back to his place, and ravished you.”
“No. The power failed in the restaurant kitchen, so we had to leave.”
“If you didn’t go back to his place, where did you go?”
“Guess.”
“I’ve no idea.”
“I’ll give you a clue. I still can’t feel my lips.”
“You spent all evening snogging in the park?”
“No, you idiot. We went to Red Hot Wings again.”
“Boy, I would have paid good money to see you two, dressed up in your glad rags, eating chicken drumsticks.”
“Wings. And at least it wasn’t just me this time. Rob was dressed to the nines too.”
“Priceless. It could only happen to you.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re right.”
“Apart from the whole chicken wings fiasco, how was the date?”
“Fantastic.”
“Thank goodness for that. I was worried it might turn out to be an anti-climax after all this time.”
“Me too, but it was brilliant. We never stopped talking all evening.”
“That doesn’t sound like much of a date to me. What about the part where you ripped each other’s clothes off?”
“He’s really funny. I already knew that, I guess, but he had me laughing all the time.”
“Hopefully, not just after you’d ripped his clothes off.”
“Beth, I’m trying to be serious.”
“Sorry. Carry on.”
“He listens too. Really listens and he’s genuinely interested in what I have to say. Time just flew by. I couldn’t believe it was time to leave.”
“Please tell me he at least asked you back to his place.”
“No, but he did offer to drive me home.”
“And you two finally got it on in the backseat of his car?”
“I refused his offer and took a taxi.”
“I’ll never understand you. Is that it, then? Is that what all these months have been building up to? Another romantic night spent in the chicken wings shop?”
“We’re going out on another date.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
About one year later.
It was Saturday morning, and Beth, Carol and I were seated at the kitchen table, drinking coffee.
“How long are you going to keep up this charade, Carol?” Beth said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve been living at Toby’s for almost a year now, and yet you still insist it’s only temporary.”
“It is. Until I find somewhere nearer the centre of town.”
“Are you actually still looking at properties?”
“Yes.”
“And the last time you went to see a property was?”
“Why all the questions? What does it matter to you?”
“It doesn’t. I’m just curious.”
“She means nosy,” I chipped in.
Beth wasn’t done yet. “And what about poor old Toby?”
“What do you mean? I pay him rent.”
“I meant the way you’re leading him on. The poor guy must be going nuts, seeing you walk around half-naked every day.”
“I never do that. Tell her, Mo.”
“Hey, leave me out of it.”
“We’re just flatmates, that’s all,” Carol insisted.
“You must be aware of the way he looks at you.”
“That’s all in your head, Beth. You always did have a dirty mind.” Carol finished the last of her coffee. “Anyway, I’d better get going. Toby and I are going shopping this morning.”
“I rest my case.” Beth laughed.
“Why do you insist on winding her up like that?” I said, once Carol had left.
“Because I can, and anyway, most of it’s true. She’s given up looking for anywhere else, and Toby is crazy about her.”
“Has he told you so?”
“He doesn’t need to. It’s obvious.”
“By the way, I saw Jen in town the other day.”
“Have they moved into their new place?”
“Yeah, about a week ago. She says they love it.”
“Brilliant. I wonder what Mand will do with her mother’s house now?”
“According to Jen, she’s already put it up for sale.”
“You’ll never guess who I saw coming out of a charity shop the other day,” Beth said.
“Not Dazzer?”
“No, you idiot. It was Nicky.”
“I haven’t seen or heard from her in ages. I assumed she’d gone back to her old ways and was embarrassed to let us know she was in debt again.”
“You couldn’t be any more wrong about that. She’d been looking for clothes.”
“In a charity shop? Are you sure it wasn’t someone who looked like her?”
“She really has turned over a new leaf. After she won that money, she cut up all her credit cards.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“It’s true. She showed me her purse. The only card she uses now is her debit card; she never buys anything on credit.”
“What about loans?”
“She said she doesn’t have any and I believe her. And you know the best part? She was really happy. She said it was time the whole gang had a night out together.”
“What did you say?”
“That I’d have to check with Russell.”
I laughed. “How times have changed.”
Just then, the bedroom door behind me opened, and Russell appeared, wearing shorts and a sports vest. Judging by the sweat on his top, he’d had a rigorous work out.
“Hey, Mo, long time no see.”
“Looks like you’ve had a good session.”
“I always do a longer one at the weekend.”
“Can I take a look at your gym?”
“Sure.”
My old bedroom was unrecognisable. The carpet had been replaced by laminate flooring, all the walls had been painted white, and two large mirrors had been mounted on the far wall. The room was full of all manner of equipment including a treadmill, cross-trainer, weights and a bench, and some other stuff I didn’t recognise.
“It’s looking really good in here. Does Beth ever use it?”
“Yes, I do,” she shouted from the kitchen.
“Only when I twist her arm. She was meant to be working out with me this morning.”
“And I was going to until Mo rang to say she was popping over.”
“Any excuse,” he whispered.
Russell said he was going to take a shower, so I went back into the kitchen.
“He’s looking good, isn’t he?” Beth said.
“He should be after all the work he puts into that body of his. I take it you two are still going strong?”
“Couldn’t be better.”
“How has he settled into his new job?”
Four months after Beth and Russell had become engaged, and one month after I’d moved out, Russell had transferred to the same office where Beth worked, and he’d moved in with her. So far, there had been no talk of marriage, but if I knew Beth, it was only a matter of time.
“He loves it, although he still moans about the commute.”
“I’d better be going because if I’m late like last year, Mum will kill me.”
“Wish your mum a happy birthday from me. I can’t believe it’s a year since you were up there for her last one.”
“Me neither. At least I don’t have to go by train this time.”
***
Even after living there for six months, I still had to pinch myself every time I climbed into the private lift that went straight to the penthouse where Rob and I lived. And even if I lived there for the rest of my life, I would never get used to the three-sixty degree views across the city.
“I was beginning to think you’d got lost.” Rob greeted me wearing only boxer shorts. “I thought I’d have to send out the search party.”
I walked over and sank into his arms. “Sorry, but you know what Beth is like when she gets started.”
“Have those two named a date yet?”
“Not yet.”
“I spoke to Bill Maker while you were out.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Apparently he’d been trying to get hold of me for a couple of days, but I wasn’t around.”
“I’ve not heard from him in months. I’d assumed there was nothing doing.”
“It’s not good news.”
“I didn’t really expect it to be.”
“But it’s not entirely bad either. Do you want me to tell you now or wait until we get back from your mother’s?”
“Tell me now.”
“You already knew that your case is weak because you can’t produce any of your original code.”
“I gave him all my notes, though.”
“And that’s what allowed him to extract the offer he got from them, such as it is.”
“Okay?”
“They’re prepared to pay you one percent of profit from the app as a royalty.”
“I’m amazed they’ve agreed to pay anything.”
“I wouldn’t get too excited because this kind of app relies on advertising for its revenue, which generally means they won’t be making very much at all.”
“Right.”
“There’s more. They’re prepared to include the following credit on the app splash screen and on all the documentation.” Rob picked up a sheet of paper and read, “Ztudy is based on an original idea by Maureen Jackson. What do you think?”
“No way.”
“One percent is low. Maybe Bill will be able to get them up a bit.”
“I’m not bothered about the royalty. Like you said, that’s never going to amount to much, anyway. I’m more concerned about the credit. It has to be Mo Jackson, not Maureen.”
He smiled. “Are you sure you want to accept? We could fight for more, but it will probably take months or even years.”
“I’m cool with the one percent, provided they get the name right.”
“Okay, I’ll let Bill know on Monday.”
“There’s still one thing that bothers me, though. How did they get hold of my code in the first place?”
“Bill hired a private investigator to see if he could find out how that had happened. According to the PI, one of the founders of Ztudy worked at Headrow at the same time as you. His name is Ryan Treadwell. Do you know him?”
“Ryan? That sneaky, little slimeball.”
“I take it you do.”
“Yeah. In fact, he was the one I asked to try to retrieve my code; he told me it had been erased.”
“I think you can guess what really happened to it.”
“If I ever see him again, I’ll—”
“Forget him. Think of it this way, if things hadn’t happened the way they did, you may never have applied for the job at Q, and you and I may never have met.”
“Ryan has a lot to answer for.” I grinned.
“I know you don’t mean that.” He gave me a kiss.
“You’re right, I don’t.” I ran my finger down his bare chest. “What time do we need to set off?”
“In ten minutes.” He pushed me away gently. “So don’t go getting any ideas.”
“Half an hour wouldn’t make any difference, would it?”
“We’re going in ten—no, make that nine minutes. If we’re late, it’s me your mother will blame. Grab your case while I throw on some clothes.”
“Must you?”
“Yes, I must.”
“Spoilsport.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I said when we were halfway to Leicester, on the M1.
“I don’t think I am.”
“Mum knows we’ve been living together for six months. I reckon she’ll have figured out that we share a bed.”
“I know that.”
“What’s the problem, then?”
“Your old bedroom is right next door to your mother’s.”
“So? We’ll just have to be quiet.”
“Oh yeah. Like you’re capable of that,” he scoffed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means that in the throes of passion, you tend to get—how can I put this? Loud. Very loud.”
“I do not.”
“Trust me, Mo, you do. Why do you think the people on the floor below us have asked the contractors to quote for additional soundproofing?”
“You’re hilarious. I still think you’re being stupid. Mum will expect us to sleep in my old room.”
“Your sister and Jim aren’t sleeping together in her old room, are they?”
“No, but only because they want Ben to go home to his own bed, so Jim is taking him like he did last year.”
“Which is why I should sleep on the sofa.”
“Please yourself, but I think you’re crazy.”
Mum greeted us at the door with a huge smile and a hug and a kiss for both of us.
“Happy birthday, Mum.”
“Happy birthday, Shirley.”
“Thank you both. You’re early. Zoe, Jim and Ben aren’t here yet.”
“See,” I whispered. “I told you we had time.”
“Time for what?” Mum never missed a thing.
“Err,” Rob spluttered. “Mo said we had time to take the scenic route, but I didn’t think we did.”
“Take your case upstairs and then we’ll all have a nice cup of tea.”
Rob grabbed the case and led the way up to my old bedroom.
“What do you think of it?” I pointed to the collage mounted above the bed.
“I like it. Has it done the trick?”
“Yeah, I haven’t had any of the bad memories since Mum put it up there. And look.” I pointed to a series of framed photos on the dressing table. “She found those too.”
“So, you’re okay in this room now?”
“Absolutely, which is why you should sleep in here with me tonight.”
“We’ve already discussed this.”
“But just look at that bed. Mum has even bought a new mattress. Want to try it?”
“I think I heard your mother calling. Tea must be ready.”
And before I could stop him, he’d disappeared downstairs.
Zoe, Jim and Ben arrived a few minutes later. Rob and Jim had become firm friends, since they’d discovered a shared passion for rugby. Mum laid on a fabulous spread as always, with a special treat of strawberry jelly and ice cream to finish.
Afterwards, we played a number of silly party games, and somehow Rob succeeded in being even worse at charades than he had the previous year.
“How did you not get that one?” I sighed.
“I almost got it right.”
“You weren’t even close.” I scoffed. “Magnificent seven? Give me strength.”
“I’ve never even heard of seven brides for seven brothers. It was before my time.”
“Hey, Mo,” Zoe said after we’d abandoned the charades game. “Mum reckons you and Rob are running a coffee shop now. Is that right?”
“No, she’s got the wrong end of the stick as usual. I told her that Rob has invested some money into Bean Shack, the coffee shop where I worked for a while last year. Jed, who owns it mentioned to me that he wanted to open a second shop, but the banks were still a bit nervous about lending to him. When I told Rob, he offered to buy twenty-five percent of the business. Jed is using that money to fund the opening of the new shop.”
“Will you be working in there?”
“No chance. My days as an apprentice barista are well and truly behind me.”
It was time for Ben to go home, but when I went through to the hallway to say goodbye, Zoe and my mother had their coats on too. Not only that, but Mum had a small case in her hand.
“What’s going on? I know Rob’s useless at charades, but there’s no need to do a runner.”
“I’m going to stay at Zoe’s tonight.”
“Why?”
After she’d explained what she was up to, they all left.
Rob was in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of wine.
“Put that down.” I took the glass from him, took his hand, and led him towards the stairs.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
“Where are the others? Where’s your mum?”
“Shush.”
I led the way into my old bedroom and closed the door behind me.
“What’s going on, Mo. You’re starting to scare me.”
“Mum has gone to stay at Zoe’s.”
“What? Why?”
“She said how pleased she was that I’ve managed to get over the bad memories connected to this room.”
“O—kay?”
“And she said it was high time that I make some new memories in here. With you.”
“I don’t understand.”
I pushed him, so that he fell backwards onto the bed.
“You will.”
The day starts out just like any other for private investigator, Jill Gooder. Then, she discovers she’s a witch. Mystery, magic and laughs galore.
Whoops! Our New Flatmate Is A Human
Take a shy werewolf, a wizard who fancies himself as a ladies’ man, and a vampire dying for her first taste of human blood. Then add a human for good measure.
Her boss has been murdered. Now she must find his killer. Smart, sassy and kickass tough, private investigator, Kat Royle, is nobody’s fool, but does she have what it takes to keep the agency afloat, and find the murderer?
Website: AdeleAbbott.com
Facebook: facebook.com/AdeleAbbottAuthor