Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
H er front door had barely closed behind them when he raised the subject again, “Right then, Stephanie, you park your arse and I will grab us a drink and then you talk.”
“Maybe I could get changed while you get a drink sorted?” she asked and suggested all at the same time.
He nodded. “Tea or coffee?”
“I am guessing alcohol is out of the question,” she said only half joking.
“Completely, now tea or coffee?”
“Tea please,” she called as she slipped away to undress.
Steph had pulled out a duplicate white vest but omitted the knickers and settled for cropped track bottoms. She raked a brush through her hair and turned towards the mirror and was shocked at her reflection.
“Shit,” she muttered under her breath as she noticed the bruises around her shoulders, and taking a deep breath lifted the vest from her body to reveal her chest and abdomen. “Fuck!” cried Steph and jumped as Jon’s voice joined hers.
“What the fuck? Is this what you need to tell me?” he asked angrily.
“Kind of, but I hadn’t realised these were here. I just felt a bit achy, and I bruise easily.”
Jon stepped closer and examined her body that was exposed. He shook his head before lifting her chin so that she was looking up at him now. “You need to get your arse out there and tell me exactly what has happened to you because my mind is going into overdrive right now and I have a horrible feeling I am going to be beyond pissed off with you before either of us hit the sack.”
She knew he was right and simply followed his orders to sit on the sofa, nursing the cup of tea that was waiting for her. He stared at her for only a few seconds before she dropped her glance and began to speak.
“I got to my dad’s in time to take him for his appointment, him and Janice. There was a backlog in the clinic so I left them waiting and went to sit outside to send a few emails when Simon appeared from nowhere. He had been to see my dad, but obviously he’d been discharged so never found him,” Steph started nervously.
“Go on.” Although there was anger in his tone, that was outweighed by concern.
“I told him to go away and to leave us all alone, especially my dad. That he knew some things that had happened between us and was unlikely to be pleased to see him. He started shouting and asking why I’d told him all of the terrible things I had, so I explained that they were the truth and that he’d been the one to draw my dad into it, that’s why. He took that remarkably well and calmed down enough to suggest that we should grab a coffee and talk some more.”
“Tell me that you did not have coffee or anything else with that fucking psycho!” said Jon still staring coldly, and although his glance was focused on her, she knew the lack of warmth was not directed at her.
Steph shook her head, “No. I made my excuses and went back to Dad.”
“Then how is it you’re covered in bruises?” The fear in his voice was tinged with anger as he appeared to brace himself for the next revelation.
“There was an emergency on the ward so the clinic was even further behind. My dad insisted I should go home and him and Janice would get a cab home. I was leaving the hospital when Simon appeared again and asked me rather calmly to have a coffee with him again, and to talk.”
“You didn’t? Tell me you didn’t? You did, didn’t you? You agreed to have fucking coffee with him? After everything he has done to you!” Jon only sounded angry now.
“It just seemed easier than arguing again, sorry,” Steph said weakly. “We sat drinking coffee in that coffee shop place and he told me that his secretary had agreed to a DNA test and he is Simon’s, but she still wants to stay with her husband and bring the baby up with him.”
“Maybe that would be for the best, for the baby at least,” muttered Jon.
“Perhaps, if a little unfair as the baby is Simon’s son and he wants to be a dad. Anyway, he still has this crazy notion that I will somehow validate his attempt to gain custody or access and of course help to fund the whole thing.” She sighed. “I told him that it was a non-starter and that I was happy without him and then he started getting agitated and shouting. I got up to leave and was just walking across the car park when he grabbed me and started pulling me and shouting. He completely lost it. A couple of people looked at us, but steered clear, although I think they alerted someone inside to what was going on; he grabbed me by the shoulders, pulling me and then he tried to get me to go with him and when I wouldn’t he put his arms around me and picked me up,” she said tearfully showing Jon the bruises around her middle and ribs. “I started screaming and then security came along and pulled him off me as Angus came across the car park with Chris on their way back from the ward. Simon managed to break free of security and legged it.” Steph stared across at Jon’s stony face.
“How did he know about your dad?” asked Jon.
“He’d heard about him from a mutual acquaintance. Us being there was a coincidence,” revealed Steph.
“What did the police say?” He stretched across to hold her hand in his.
“I didn’t call them and after Angus suggested that it was a random thing with a psych patient I didn’t dispute it, but he called psych outpatients in case.”
“This is unbelievable, Steph. I told you that if he came anywhere near you I wanted to know immediately and yet you kept it from me. Then when I find out from my dad it turns out that you have buried your head in the sand again where Simon is concerned. Look at you, yet again he has left you bruised and battered and yet again you have refused to report it. This is not normal behaviour and if you want me to be completely honest with you, Steph, it scares me. He tried to kidnap you! What is he actually capable of?” said Jon angry more than anything now, but she was unsure who with.
“I know and I was going to tell you when we got back, but I would have told you before we went out had I known your dad was aware of it. I am sorry for not calling you when it happened, but I don’t like all of the drama, which is why I allowed Angus to believe it was all a misunderstanding and avoided the police, but I will if anything else happens,” she promised.
“So, did the dashing Dr Smarmy come rushing to your rescue again?” he sneered.
“That’s unnecessary, but he did make sure I was okay and wanted to drive me home.”
“Where is your car now?” asked Jon confused.
“Downstairs. Dylan appeared at that point and he drove me home in my car and got Joe to take him back later,” said Steph.
“Show me your bruises again.” He was already getting down onto his knees and studying her before him. “Oh, darling, just when the night was going so well,” he muttered as he gently ran his hand over her ribs and then brushed his hand up and over her shoulders. “It has been a long night and we both have busy days planned for tomorrow, so let’s go to bed.” Jon got to his feet and gently pulled Steph up too.
“I was thinking that I might put my vest and knickers on again,” she said, grinning up at him.
“Steph, I can’t, not while you’re hurt and bruised,” replied Jon seriously.
“I am fine,” she protested, although she did feel sore.
“Stephanie, let’s go to bed,” he said firmly, leading her to her own bedroom. “Perhaps you could tell me why you decided to confuse the history of the Church of England with Blackadder whilst discussing eating babies with my brother-in-law the vicar?” laughed Jon as he shook his head at her making her laugh too.
The figures and files were spreading across Steph’s desk and beyond as she tried to find legitimate ways of making extra money for the research SuLyn was planning and as they talked, Steph was struggling to find further funding within the Brooker Foundation without it being at the expense of their own work. They discussed the options over and over, limited as they were until Rosie called through.
“Mr Brooker is here for you.”
“Send him in,” replied Steph and was pleased to see him despite the rather subdued atmosphere at breakfast.
Jon appeared in the doorway wearing a dark brown and blue pinstripe suit with a dark blue shirt and brown tie. Steph was still unsure whether brown really had a place in the corporate wardrobe of a man, any man.
“How’s it going ladies?” he asked as he stood next to Steph and rested a protective hand on her upper back.
“Slowly,” she replied, explaining further. “Basically, the research is heavily underfunded and Lucy is happy to offer advice and support, but the foundation can’t afford to subsidise SuLyn’s work beyond that without compromising their existing work. I can put together a financial plan with projections based on varying levels of contributions to try and entice additional contributors, but beyond that, not much else.”
“Ah.” Jon took Steph’s chair as she vacated it to refill her coffee cup. “So, what are you thinking, darling?”
Steph returned to her desk and perched on the edge of it with a sigh. “It won’t make you big bucks, but there are some tax relief options available to you, but I don’t know enough on the health side of things to really be of help. One of my old accountants came from a healthcare background and he may be a better option for you, but as he works for Bakers, he may only do it as a consultant and that could be pricey,” said Steph honestly.
“Who’s that?” asked Jon curiously.
“Martin,” Steph replied, making him smile now.
“He works here on Wednesday and Friday, so we might be able to utilise his time. Leave it with me and I will get back to you when I have spoken to him.” Jon was already getting to his feet, vacating Steph’s seat. “My office at half twelve for lunch and then we can go through the Richards stuff.” Jon kissed her on the lips and then each of the other women on the cheek before leaving them alone again.
“Oh my lord!” exclaimed Lucy grinning. “Jon likes you, really likes you, like the real thing.”
SuLyn laughed and nodded frantically, “I would have to agree. Kissing during office hours.”
Steph laughed along with them despite her embarrassment as she began to jot some notes down.
“Come on, say something, Steph. You know this is not his usual style, don’t you?” asked Lucy more seriously.
“I don’t know anything, but I guess business and pleasure might be something he’d be reluctant to dabble with after Vicky,” said Steph.
“Vicky? He told you about Vicky? Bloody hell, he really does like you. We should do lunch one day and talk,” suggested Lucy. “Call me and let me know when you’re free.”
Steph nodded and thought that Lucy could be a useful ally and maybe a friend.
After completing her notes and an assurance that she too would speak to Martin about any help or advice he would be willing to share with SuLyn, the other women left and Steph felt slightly relieved to have her office back to herself for a while. She checked all of the details for the Richards deal before wondering if Jon was likely to be angry with her still for the catastrophe of her coffee with Simon the previous day.
Steph arrived in Jon’s office at almost half past twelve, but he was still in with someone so she sat chatting with Andrea while she waited. The door opened a short time later to reveal Martin appearing before Jon and Sophie Marley leaving Steph slightly taken aback.
“Hiya, Steph.” Martin offered a smile.
“Martin,” she replied smiling back.
“Miss Pryor,” said Sophie looking uncomfortable and then asked, “Am I joining you for your meeting with Montague tomorrow?”
“I’m unsure, but meet me in my office at four and we will discuss it,” Steph replied curtly.
“Steph, come in please,” said Jon after watching the exchange.
“What have you done?” asked Steph as Jon’s office door closed.
“I have no idea what you mean!” he protested innocently.
“I think you know exactly what I mean. Sophie and Martin? Ringing any bells?” She smiled as she sat in his chair as he had in hers.
He eyed her with mild amusement. “Ah, I see, yes Sophie and Martin. You look a little too comfortable in my chair.”
“Nice change of subject, but for the record I can see a move down the corridor in a few years,” she teased.
“I see. I like ambition, but if you try and oust me I will be forced to kick your arse.” He grinned broadly.
“I might like that,” she said spinning in his chair.
“I don’t doubt it, darling, but we need to talk business,” he said more seriously.
“We could talk business after lunch and I have to admit that I am not actually hungry, not for food.” She looked up at him, now perched on the edge of his desk facing her.
“I thought we were taking things slowly even without a sex ban.” His earlier grin only broadened watching her get worked up beneath the persona of her business dress.
“There was never a sex ban.” She threw in a pout as if to prove her claim, although it had the opposite effect.
“No? So that whole I am not having sex with you spiel was what?” he asked openly teasing her now.
“God you are infuriating,” she hissed through gritted teeth.
“And you are gorgeous, especially when you’re horny.” He pulled her from his chair. Placing her close between his open thighs where he held her against him tightly to inhale the smell of her hair, a mixture of fruit and flowers.
“What are you going to do about Sophie and the Montague deal tomorrow?” Jon lifted Steph’s head so that she was looking up at him.
She shrugged but admitted, “I don’t know exactly, but I probably will let her sit in on it, however, one bat of the eyelids or tales of my dad and your dad and I will either sack her or punch her.”
Jon laughed at her outburst and reassuringly said, “You have nothing to worry about with Sophie, I’ve told you that.”
“And I thought I had everything to worry about with Lucy and look how that panned out,” she replied seriously, but was surprised at her own outburst that she hadn’t planned on having.
“How many times? We have been over this. Let’s get on with work before we end up having a blazing row about the lies I may have allowed to go unchallenged, about the wife I don’t have and then I will retaliate with digs about your unwillingness to deal with Simon and some inference that maybe you enjoy the attention of having an abusive ex who just won’t leave you alone!” spat Jon as he retook his seat and gestured for her to sit opposite him.
She stared at him and could feel a million emotions and retorts swimming around her head but they were stalled by Jon speaking again.
“So, Miss Pryor, where are you with the Richards deal?”
Steph was leaving the building with thoughts of a planned night in with Lindsay when she saw Martin again.
“Twice in one day.” She smiled. “And a Thursday at that.”
“Where are you off to?” asked Martin gesturing right and left in front of the building.
“Tube station,” she replied, pointing right.
“Me too, let’s walk and talk, shall we?” Martin was already leading them towards the station.
“So?” asked Steph again, the curiosity crippling her.
“I know something you don’t know,” he sang.
“Sod you, Martin, I will just ask Mr Brooker,” she bluffed.
“Except you’ve already done that. I know how you like to be in the know,” he told her as they entered the station.
“Whatever,” said Steph beginning to tire of the banter.
“Your boyfriend has offered me a job.”
“My boyfriend? A job?” questioned Steph unsure which question was the priority.
“You know the guy who has your picture on his desk looking very cosy, the boss of us all, you know him, tall, dark, handsome, seriously loaded, owns half the world it seems, oh and a job; he’s going to pay me to do work for him, for you, looks like you’re gonna be my boss again.” He grinned as he headed for the line to take him home. “See you tomorrow, boss.”