Fifty-Nine
A Few Years Later
Ari leaned against the reception desk, idly twirling a pen between her fingers as she watched the rain streak down the window of the small office. Outside, Edinburgh bustled in the early evening light, the streets shining under the glow of street lamps.
The phone rang. She picked it up. ‘Horizon Chauffeurs, Ari speaking. How can I help?’ She listened. ‘Yes, we can accommodate that, I think. Let me just check…’ She checked the booking system on the screen in front of her. ‘Yes, we can do that. Three cars for the twenty-eighth is no problem.’
She took payment from the new client, updated the system, and said goodbye to what she hoped might be repeat business. Business was growing, slowly but surely.
Still, they were a long way from coasting. While Ari held down the fort, Nancy was out meeting an event planning company today, trying to obtain another contract. And Ari was hopeful she could do it. You couldn’t meet her and not know she was a safe pair of hands, after all.
Their setup wasn’t flashy. Just a few sleek cars and a handful of drivers they trusted, but it was steady, and it was theirs. Once the loan was paid off, of course.
They were lucky they’d found premises with something habitable attached to keep down costs. Their flat above the office wasn’t much, a tenth of the size of her old place. Small, a little drafty in winter, but cosy. Comfortable. The kind of place that felt like a beginning.
The phone rang, breaking Ari’s thoughts. She straightened, finding her professional voice again. ‘Horizon Chauffeurs, Ari speaking. How can I help?’
The voice on the other end was clipped, precise, and utterly self-important. ‘Yes, I require a driver for a business event. Prompt, discreet, and preferably not one who will attempt unnecessary conversation. I assume your company can meet these standards?’
Ari’s lips pressed together. ‘We provide a premium service, ma’am. Our drivers are highly skilled and professional.’
The woman made a small, unimpressed sound. ‘Can they shut up? The last one couldn’t.’
Ari hesitated, but only for a second. ‘That’s fine, we do quiet. As long as the driver is treated well, they’ll have nothing to say.’
The woman sighed. ‘Please don’t tell me you’re that kind of business. I need professionalism. I need to be able to speak my mind to my staff. Otherwise—’
‘Thanks for calling. But I’m afraid we won’t be able to accommodate your request,’ Ari said instantly.
Silence. Then a haughty scoff. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Our business is built on mutual respect between clients and staff. If that’s an issue for you, there are plenty of other services in Edinburgh that might suit your needs better.’
‘Do you even know who you’re speaking to?’
Ari smiled, though the woman couldn’t see it. ‘I don’t need to.’
A sharp exhale came through the line before the call cut off. Ari placed the phone down with satisfaction, shaking her head. Some things never changed.
She checked her watch. Five o’clock. Time to knock off. She went to the door and locked it, turning the open sign to closed. But as she turned away, there was a sharp knock on the door. She rolled her eyes and reopened the door.
But it wasn’t someone looking to book a car.
Her mother stood on the threshold, immaculate as ever, a parcel in her hand.
Ari exhaled slowly. ‘Mum.’
‘Arianna.’
The woman looked her up and down, taking in the simple blouse and trousers, the company logo embroidered neatly on her name tag. There was only one small blink of surprise.
‘I was up here on business. Wanted to see this for myself.’
Ari shrugged. ‘And now you have. Is that it?’
Her mother said nothing.
‘I assume my letter reached you. I never heard back, so…’ Ari asked, sharpness slipping into her tone. She hadn’t expected much of a response. But years of silence?
‘I’ve been busy.’
Ari gave a short, mirthless laugh.
‘But yes, I got your note,’ her mother added quickly. ‘And everything else. The credit cards, your keys. And one last little surprise.’
Ari swallowed. ‘Did it reach you in good condition? I had to have it repaired, and I was a little worried…’
‘I thought you lost it.’
‘No.’
Her mother’s gaze sharpened. ‘Your note didn’t make much sense. Your ex-girlfriend had it? The one in the news?’
Ari shrugged. ‘She did. But now she doesn’t.’
‘Do you think that changes anything? You left without notice. You made me look a fool.’
Ari nodded. ‘I’m sorry. But I wanted to change my life. And when you decide to do that, you don’t want to fuck around waiting.’
‘And this is better, is it?’ she asked, gesturing at the office. ‘You, wasting your potential behind a desk? Poor?’
Ari met her gaze, unflinching. ‘I’m more important here than I ever was in your world. I built this with Nancy. Who loves me.’
Silence stretched between them. Then, to her surprise, her mother nodded. Just once. ‘Well. Perhaps you’re my daughter after all.’
It was as close to a blessing as she was ever going to get. Not that she needed it anymore. Funny to think this might have mattered once.
Well, she was her own woman now. The only opinions that mattered to her were her own, Nancy’s, and the people that worked for her. If she had respect from those quarters, there was nothing more to be said.
‘Thanks for dropping by, Mum. Let’s keep in touch,’ Ari said politely.
Her mother’s forehead creased in an expression Ari didn’t think she’d ever seen on her mother before. Gun to her head, she might have said it was remorse. ‘I know that was sarcastic. But I hope we do,’ her mother said flatly. And out she swept.
Ari shut the door and pressed a hand to her forehead. The moment felt heavier than it should have. Maybe because it felt like an ending. Or maybe because it felt like freedom.
Ari locked the office door behind her, the click echoing in the quiet corridor, and climbed the stairs to the flat above. She’d barely kicked off her shoes when the door creaked open again—but this time, she was glad for the interruption.
She smiled as Nancy stepped inside, looking weary but satisfied. Her jacket loosened, and her hair slightly dishevelled from the long day.
‘Hello, you,’ Nancy said, kicking off her heels and rubbing her neck.
Ari went straight to her. ‘Hey, that’s my job,’ she said, slipping her hands around Nancy’s neck and gently kneading. The groan Nancy let out told her she was hitting the right spot.
‘How’d it go?’ Ari asked.
‘Not bad. They’re letting me know. Felt good, though.’
Ari leaned in and kissed Nancy’s neck. The groan was even bigger. ‘You nailed it,’ Ari whispered into her ear.
‘You weren’t there,’ Nancy pointed out.
‘I know what I know,’ Ari said.
‘I guess I can’t argue with that,’ Nancy purred as Ari moved to her ear.
Later, in bed, the conversation resumed.
‘God, I hope we get that contract. It would really ease things. Might even be able to take a proper day off soon,’ Nancy said, snuggled into Ari.
Ari smirked. ‘You? Take a day off? I’ll believe it when I see it.’
Nancy rolled her eyes. ‘If I could be here every minute of the day, believe me, I would be.’
Ari pulled her closer, and they snuggled in the late, dimming afternoon.
‘What do you fancy for dinner?’ Nancy asked sleepily.
‘I’ll cook,’ Ari offered, squeezing Nancy’s hand. ‘You’ve done enough today.’
Nancy raised an eyebrow. ‘You? Cooking?’
‘Shocking, I know. But I do have some talents beyond answering phones and charming clients.’
‘Charming, eh?’ Nancy murmured, tilting her head playfully.
Ari grinned. ‘You tell me.’
Nancy laughed. ‘Don’t think I need to. Alright, you cook. But if it’s a disaster, I’m ordering pizza.’
‘Deal.’
Ari slid out of bed and grabbed a robe, heading out to the small kitchenette. After a moment, she realised Nancy was standing in the doorway, watching her faffing about with pots and pans.
‘Hey, mad question… Was that your mum I saw leaving earlier, or was it a hysterical fantasy?’
Ari paused, glancing over her shoulder. ‘Your eyes did not lie.’
‘And?’
‘And nothing. She just wanted to ream me once last time. I let her for old times’ sake and then kicked her out.’
‘Did she mention the necklace?’
‘Of course she did. Not that she was grateful. Not that I expected her to be.’ Ari shook her head. ‘Doesn’t matter. It’s with the person it should be. And so am I.’
Nancy smiled at that, but her smile dropped a bit. ‘You alright?’
Ari considered it. Then she smiled. ‘Yeah. I think I am.’
Nancy crossed the room, pulling her into a loose embrace and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. ‘Good. Now whip me up a feast.’
Ari rolled her eyes but leaned into the hug. ‘Bossy. You’re lucky I love you.’
‘I know that much,’ Nancy murmured. ‘Even if you can’t boil an egg.’
‘I can boil an egg,’ Ari said defensively.
‘Technically. If eggs were meant to be boiled for twenty minutes.’
‘Details,’ Ari dismissed with a dry smile, holding on to the love of her life just that little bit tighter.
It felt good to know, that for the first time in Ari’s life, she was exactly where she was meant to be. And she was right on time.