Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
LONDON
The Boss
Two weeks later, Victoria decided that she should embark on a keep-fit campaign, which consisted of just walking more for now, but it was a start, and hence the reason she decided to stomp the thirty minutes into work rather than take the train that morning.
Her chat with Joti about Malini had made her realise just how short life was, and rather than using the excuse of saving money to hold her back from the freedom of creating art for herself, she realised it was time to take life by the balls. Which was why, on a beautiful sunny morning in April, she had arranged to meet Ray in their favourite café next to the office, away from the prying ears and eyes of Penny Clayton.
Thinking of Joti made her feel a sudden surge of guilt that she had not yet revealed that it was highly likely she knew who Joti’s real father was. Not because she didn’t want Joti to know, but because the whole thing was so huge, and she felt she had to speak to Jake first. She had known Jake for years, and she also knew just how much he had loved Malini. And as much as it would delight him that he may have a daughter, it would also break his heart when he realised that Malini had actually been on her way to him when she had died, and he had been unaware of this all these years. The whole thing would have to be treated with sensitivity.
But Vic had to put her own lifejacket on before she sorted everyone else out. She’d been thinking long and hard about her future, and today she was actioning what she should have done a long time ago. Jake had waited so many years that another few days wouldn’t hurt. So she would go and talk to him at the weekend, and then it would be up to him to decide if he wanted to meet Joti or not. And in the unlikely event that he decided not to, it would be a secret that Victoria would have to bear.
‘Two cappuccinos and a lemon Danish, please.’ Ray looked at the waitress and then back at Victoria. ‘Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat?’
‘Go on, then, I’ll have a croissant, thanks.’
The waitress headed off.
‘Good weekend? You’re looking well.’ Ray smiled.
‘I decided to walk here this morning, hence the rosy glow.’
‘And you’re feeling OK in yourself, are you? I haven’t had a chance to ask lately, and I never will if Penny is hovering, of course.’
‘Yes. I’ve recently had another check-up, and everything is where it was before.’
‘That’s brilliant. I am slightly intrigued by the impromptu breakfast meeting request, though.’
‘I wanted to be out of Penny’s earshot, too.’ Vic paused as the waitress delivered their pastries.
‘You’re leaving me, aren’t you?’ Ray pulled off a tiny piece of lemon icing and popped it in his mouth, then put his big hand on top of Vic’s tiny one. She remained silent. ‘And that really is OK.’ His kind brown eyes met hers as the waitress put their coffees down in front of them.
Vic began to gabble. ‘I’m so appreciative that you gave me a pay rise, but I think the time is right for me to get creative for myself. I know you’ve never stopped me, and never would, but finding out about – well, you know what… It’s made me reassess… well, made me reassess everything, really.’
‘It’s OK, Vic, calm down.’ Ray grinned his wide smile. ‘Business is business. Life moves on. I’ve been so lucky to have you for ten years. What I will say is that the door will always be open for you at Glovers. And, like I’ve said many times before, you are the most talented illustrator I’ve ever met.’
‘So that is why I have a proposition for you.’ Vic broke her warm croissant in half.
‘Oh, here we go. I like the sound of this.’ Ray grinned again.
‘Would you consider me doing some freelance projects for you? No pressure, but I think it could work in both of our favours.’
Ray put his cup back down on the saucer. ‘Yes, definitely. I’m glad you’ve suggested that. What a great idea.’
Vic smiled. ‘Really? Well, that was easier than I thought. I’m going to buy myself a new Mac, so I’ll be able to work from anywhere.’
‘Vic, no justification required. It’s fine. Honestly, I think it’s an amazing compromise. I don’t lose you completely, and you still have your freedom and will have some income to launch your own plans.’
‘That’s what I thought.’ Vic was beaming.
‘I will see what work comes in. You can price job by job, and invoice me, if that suits?’
‘Sounds good to me.’ Victoria took a sip of coffee.
‘When do you want to start working this way?’ Ray reached in his jacket pocket for his Filofax.
‘I was thinking I would stay until the end of this month so I can get all my pipeline jobs finished, and May Day heralds a new start.’
‘Perfect. I’m so proud of you, Victoria.’ Ray’s voice cracked slightly.
‘I’m actually a little proud of myself.’ Vic looked up to contain her tears. Her voice lifted. ‘Anyway, I thought you were only interviewing men from now on.’ They both laughed.
‘Yes, what am I thinking? I could have said no to your proposition, then I would be one pesky girl down already,’ Ray quipped, setting them both off again. He took a mouthful of coffee. ‘But hang on, Jerico would be distraught if you were to leave me completely.’
Vic squirmed in her seat.
‘You like him, don’t you?’
Vic purposely shoved a big bit of croissant in her mouth and made the universal ‘I can’t talk, I’m eating’ sign with her finger.
‘That’s a yes, then.’ Ray raised his hands dramatically and began to recite: ‘ Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs .’
‘Don’t you be going all Romeo and Juliet on me now.’
‘Well, love is elusive, and I think Jerico is a great person. You could do a whole lot worse. Smoking hot, too.’
‘Great, maybe, but he’s also slightly mad. And who said anything about love!’ But despite her declared reservations, even thinking about Jerico Flint made Vic smile and she couldn’t keep the one that had formed off her face.
‘All the best people are slightly loco.’ Ray grinned. ‘Does he make you laugh, though, Vic?’
‘He makes me unattractively snort.’
‘Well, to be honest, once the initial lust has passed, the nose hairs start growing and our hips start giving way, what do we all really want? For me, it will be enjoyable conversation, a sense of humour and my dick sucked now and then. I don’t know about you.’
Vic laughed. ‘I think you’d best leave the romantic notions to the great bard. And being honest, I want to concentrate on my work at the moment. It’s taken me a long time to get to this point.’
‘If advice from a middle-aged homosexual who has never himself been great at love counts, I agree that’s the right decision. You’ve had some life-changing news, so just be still for a bit. See what happens. Do what makes you happy and surround yourself with people who care about you. And when you are ready for romance, don’t settle with anyone, just because you’re afraid, Vic.’ He put his hand on hers.
‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’ Vic smiled. ‘And I class you as one of those – people who care, I mean. You’ve helped me so much.’
‘You always were completely deluded.’ Maintaining a straight face, Ray popped another chunk of pastry into his mouth.