Chapter Six
Oliver
T he train rattled towards Edinburgh, crossing the Forth Rail Bridge, which never looked that impressive from inside the carriage despite the famous structural design. Oliver only glanced up from his phone to check where he was and make sure he hadn’t been abducted to a strange planet where random women tried to invite themselves along for business trips to London. Maybe it was just as well those messages were there in front of him because otherwise he might have thought he’d dreamt the whole thing. She couldn’t be serious, could she? Did she really want to go to London with him? Surely that wasn’t a good idea.
His phone buzzed, and he ground his teeth at the sight of her name. What now? And did he really want to take this call in the middle of a packed train? But then if he didn’t, he’d wonder all day what she wanted.
‘Yes,’ he muttered, swiping the green button to the top.
‘Hola.’ Hayley’s chirpy voice seemed so loud he was sure everyone could hear her and he glanced up to check.
‘What do you want?’ he said quietly.
‘Just checking that I can’t persuade you to let me come with you.’
Oliver turned his head, so he was right in at the window and carried on in his quietest voice. ‘Do you really think it’s ok to crash my business trip like that?’
‘I can hardly hear you. Where are you? Aren’t you at work?’
‘I’m on the train. I can’t speak any louder.’
‘You’re on your way to London already? But you said it was next week.’
‘It is. I’m going to Edinburgh today to meet a client.’ Not that it was any of her business. ‘Why do you want to go to London anyway?’
‘It’s the London Hair Show next week.’
‘Ah… Ok. But why are you only just looking for accommodation and transport now? If it’s next week, why haven’t you had somewhere booked for months?’ Stupid question. She’d probably forgotten when she was off chasing sunshine and unicorns, but then if the sten was anything to go by, she was an obsessive planner, so this didn’t make sense.
‘I only got the ticket yesterday. It was a last-minute thing. My boss said I could go if I find accommodation and transport, but everything is booked or out of budget.’
Oliver let out a sigh that came out like a groan and he winced and drew in closer to the window. ‘I don’t think inviting yourself to tag along on a business trip with me is a good idea. Do you?’
‘Probably not. In my head, it seemed like a better idea than in real life. I thought we’d hardly see each other because I would have events to attend and you would have work. All we’d need to do would be sleep together.’
‘Pardon?’
She giggled and the sound tickled his ear. ‘You know what I mean. That’s why I asked if you had a twin room. As if I’d mean, well, that !’
He rolled his eyes, but his stomach clenched. She’d used the phrase to deliberately tease him. Her tone had made that so obvious. Little did she know how much he wanted to do exactly that . Having her so close to him in a hotel room would be nothing short of torture. No way could he do it. Just no. She’d simply have to live with her disappointment.
‘Look, I’m sorry, but no. It won’t work.’
‘That’s ok,’ she said. ‘I knew you’d say that. I was just chancing my luck.’
Part of him hated himself for letting her down. Again. He’d seen the look on her face at the Spin-Off and didn’t want to be the one causing that kind of disappointment. But how could he do this? The fire of desire burned low, as it always did. But he could never act on it. He didn’t do relationships. Period.
She doesn’t even like you!
And there was the rub. She wasn’t inviting herself along because she wanted to spend the week with him. The hotel and transport were all she wanted. If she’d had any feelings for him, she wouldn’t even risk asking, because the close proximity to each other might have dangerous consequences. He couldn’t even chance a short fling with her. How would that affect the wedding plans? Finlay wouldn’t be happy either. He wouldn’t want Oliver toying with his sister. She deserved so much better. Roses, smiles, and happy endings. He didn’t do any of them.
‘Right, I need to go,’ he said. ‘I’ve got work to do.’
‘Sure. Have a good day,’ she chirped, and she sounded happy, but he thought he caught a twinge of melancholy. He laid down the phone with a sigh and rubbed at his cheeks, trying to dispel the sensation that he’d done something wrong.
When he arrived in Edinburgh, he took a taxi to the home of his client. She’d lived in Glenbriar when her case had started but had since moved to the capital. Oliver’s boss saw her in pound signs and insisted Oliver went to meet her rather than her coming into the office. He hadn’t argued, even though it seemed excessive.
He still couldn’t get Hayley out of his mind, no matter how much he tried to distract himself. She kept popping up in his brain like her messages did on his phone. Reflexively, he checked it. Nothing. Just a two-day-old message from his dad he’d been ignoring. He had to psych himself up to read Dad’s messages, as they usually infuriated him. Maybe this was the distraction he needed.
DAD: Just thinking ahead to Christmas. Got a big do planned and we’re working out numbers. Should I include you?
Should he indeed? Because it wasn’t exactly an invitation, was it? If he went, he’d be a spare part, as usual. Kind and well-meaning relatives of his dad and his stepmum were always present and would make conversation, but it felt so sterile and superficial. Mostly these family gatherings were more of a showcase for his two half-sisters, Ava and Sofia. First it had been ballet and dancing, then piano and singing or poetry recitals in French. Now, it was to celebrate university successes and discuss their grand plans – none of which had ever happened for Oliver. Bitter much? Well, why shouldn’t he be? So, he couldn’t dance, play the piano, or sing, but he had other talents and when it came to grades and qualifications, he could knock both his half-sisters into a cocked hat. But it had all passed by unnoticed and unmentioned, more expected rather than cause for celebration. Oliver didn’t need that kind of shit in his life, so he kept away as much as possible. He could almost hear his stepmum’s righteously indignant voice saying, ‘There’s not really any point in inviting him. He never shows up to anything anyway.’ He let out a sigh and rested his head back. Reading that text had produced the desired effect. It had made him stop thinking about Hayley for five minutes.
The client’s house was a nineteen-thirties style bungalow in Corstorphine, heavily alarmed on the gates and the front windows. Now he had to get his work head on and let everything else go for the next hour or so while he worked on this deal. It was a complicated case, especially as he wanted to get his client the best possible outcome. She supplied cake and coffee, which he was paranoid he would spill over her plush white carpet and sofa. The cloying air-freshener was really getting to him and he was glad to eventually leave and claim the fresh air.
He didn’t really know his way around Edinburgh, but the taxi ride hadn’t taken too long, so he decided to try to walk from here back to the station. He turned his phone back on to see a missed call from Nathan Shelby and a voice message. Raising his phone to his ear, he listened as Nathan spoke.
‘Hi, just wanted to touch base re London next week. Interview all set up. And don’t forget the corporate dinner on Thursday eve. Everyone will be there, so pack your top hat and tails. Also, can’t remember if you said or not, but if you have a partner, bring them along; it’s a plus one do. I’ll forward you the link. See you there.’
A corporate dinner? Sounded like his idea of hell. He’d been to them occasionally and usually managed to arrange a date for the evening, but taking strangers and trying to pass them off as his partner was painful and going alone was a hideous thought.
Ask Hayley.
The words burst into his subconscious like a flashing neon sign. She wanted to go to London. If he agreed to her coming with him, she could surely spare him one evening. It would be a damn sight better than dusting off some long forgotten dating apps in the hope of finding someone suitable for the evening.
Of course it would open up all the cans of worms he’d wanted to sit on and never admit were there at all, never mind let them loose, but now the idea was in his mind, he couldn’t get rid of it. Something fizzed inside him. Maybe a tiny bit of excitement. Not for himself, but for her. She’d be happy. Going to London was what she wanted.
Hiding the interview would be a lot trickier, but he was confident he could keep quiet about it. She wouldn’t be any the wiser where he was during the day.
He steered his mind away from thoughts about having to share a bedroom or what might happen if he couldn’t get a twin room. He opened his phone and scrolled for the email from the hotel. Should he call them first? Or risk it and ask her anyway? He’d also have to buy her a train ticket. He’d booked a bunk cabin, but he’d paid for single occupancy. Would her boss cover the expense of a cabin on the sleeper? Oliver suspected not; they didn’t come cheap.
Ask her first!
His fingers flew across his phone, typing a message.
OLIVER: Still want to go to London?
He pocketed his phone and carried on walking as he waited for a reply. Barely a minute had passed when the phone vibrated.
HAYLEY: Are you kidding? Of course I do… Why?
OLIVER: I’ve been invited to a dinner in London, and I need a partner. If you come to that with me, then you can have the room and the train ticket.
HAYLEY: Are you actually serious?
OLIVER: Yup. Pack your posh frock, Cinders. Mr Wright is taking you to the ball.
HAYLEY: THIS HAD BETTER NOT BE A JOKE! Tell me this is real. A ball in London? OMG OMG OMG OMG… What kind of dress do I need? This is sooooooooooooooo exciting!!!!!!!
Why was he grinning? He could see her excited face in his mind’s eye and it made him smile. Yes, Oliver Wright was smiling in public. No one here would know or care but his friends and family would understand how unusual that was. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to care that she’d be there with him . She was the party queen, and with her on his arm, he might be able to bear it, assuming he could control the fire in his soul. He took a deep breath. There. I’ve got this. He would be master of his feelings.
His phone buzzed again.
HAYLEY: I am actually going to burst with excitement. Tell me now what kind of event it is… I want to look at dresses. Pleeeeeeeeeeeze!!!!!!
The smile grew on his face. Her reaction was exactly what he’d expected, but seeing it like that… He shook his head. At least he couldn’t pick a more grateful recipient for this ‘role’. He located the email from Nathan with the details, took a screenshot and forwarded it to her. He’d barely hit send when her reply pinged back.
HAYLEY: Bloody hell!!! I think I need resuscitation…
HAYLEY: This looks amazeballs… I need to find a dress. OMG!!
HAYLEY: Never thought I’d say this, but you are actually the nicest, bestest, most amazingest man ever!!
He huffed out a laugh. Unfortunately, he wasn’t, and she knew it too, so he was happy to accept the false praise, knowing she was just thrilled she got to go to a fancy dinner in London, plus the Hair Show. Now all he had to do was get through the week. With his head and heart locked in a constant conflict, it would be no mean feat to do so unscathed. The oddest thing was perhaps that the raging fire which constantly accompanied thoughts of Hayley had settled, leaving something much gentler and pleasanter. Whether that was a good thing remained to be seen.