Chapter Three
I’d be more concerned if James seemed to know what was going on, but since he’s frowning too, I assume he’s also in the dark. A thankful sign. Not much chatter can have occurred between the two on their way here. Michael, for once, has dressed differently from how he is in the office, in his black jeans and tight-fitting turtleneck.
Michael spins to face us. He claps excitedly, a little bounce in his knees. “We’re going on a secret adventure.” He nods towards the dented white minivan. “I’m borrowing this from the hotel. On you hop.”
“Where are the others?” I ask. “And why aren’t we staying here? This castle looks lovely.”
Michael’s excitable expression doesn’t shift. “No others. Just you two. Don’t worry about the castle. I have better plans. Let’s go!” And with that he practically skips round to the back of the van, motioning for us to follow with our bags.
James peers down at me. He’s at least a foot taller than I am, at my measly five foot three, but he’s relatively lean. Not one of those hulking great big rugby types. I imagine he takes great pride in his image. I’ve heard he does a lot of running alongside weight training. Some of my marketing team go all bashful whenever he’s nearby. It irritates me no end. And anyway, he’s not exactly boyfriend material. After all, there are rumours he sometimes sleeps with customers to get their business.
It wouldn’t surprise me.
“Do you know what’s going on?” he asks in a low voice.
“I thought you would, considering you shared a jet with Michael this morning,” I hiss back. I’m not hiding my annoyance anymore. I’m going to get to the bottom of it at some point. It’s not fair he had one-on-one time, and I was forced to travel alone without even being offered a refreshment.
James holds my stare for a moment as if trying to decide whether I’m being honest or whether to jeer back at me. Instead, he rubs his face, groaning as he strides forwards, handing his large rucksack to Michael, who places it carefully in the boot. Once we’re all in, we’re off again.
Michael drives carefully, calmly. But I can’t enjoy the scenery or the gentle driving as I’m too busy racking my brain for clues. Where the hell is he taking us? I’m a fun person when I want to be. I think… But I don’t like surprises. They play with my emotions. Tease me. And a teased Fliss is a tearful one. God, do I hate and distrust her. Especially around James.
He doesn’t EVER get to see me cry!
The main road we follow initially is long and winding, taking us through small villages and rugged countryside.
After a good hour, I chew on my bottom lip as we turn left onto a narrower road that could be mistaken for a farm track. It’s gravelly and full of potholes, and the weeds are clawing over it as if they’re trying to claim it back to nature. Beyond the sheep wire fencing lining the road, is an incredible backdrop of mountainous Scotland that goes on forever. Below the clear morning sky, lakes, rocky inclines and patches of forest dot the landscape. My jaw drops in awe, my eyes taking it all in.
This is the same island that my crappy apartment is on. How can that be possible?
When I peek to see if anyone has caught me gawking, I catch James frowning at me suspiciously. I give him a what ? face. He looks away, huffing as he leans further back into his chair, rubbing his chin. He’s possibly more disgruntled by this whole thing than I am.
Good. Probably means I’m winning.
After another hour of venturing into the deep wilderness, I check my phone to see that, firstly I have no signal ( shit, I have no signal ) and secondly, we’ve been driving for over two hours.
I’m not sure why neither of us have mustered the courage to question Michael about all this yet. Maybe I should? But I don’t… I would hate for him to think I’m complaining. And at least the scenery is nice. Besides, if James thinks I’m ok with all this, then hopefully it will psych him out and he’ll be the first one to buckle and ask.
Or even better, complain.
Another twenty minutes roll past. I keep checking my phone. I haven’t had signal for a while now. It appears phone companies don’t know this place exists. I mean I guess I didn’t a few hours ago.
I’m just about to cave, ask Michael how much longer to go, when the van makes an alarming sputtering sound. My heart lurches as it practically hops along the road. I grab the seat and pray for my life. Luckily Michael handles it well, pulling off to the side in a well-placed layby right by an expansive lake.
“Oh, what was that!?” Michael exclaims, frowning briefly before turning his head to look at us with a wide smile. “Not to worry. I’m sure it’s nothing. James, be a good lad and come check with me.”
Of course, Gloatman leaps at the opportunity to help him, pulling the door back and bouncing onto the verge. Inside, I tap my foot against the seat in front, waiting for a report. They mutter outside for a moment before I peer out to see James running his fingers through his hair in that agitated way I often see him doing at the end of bad months when it comes to reporting his sales figures.
This is not good.
Michael pokes his head back through the doors. “It’s bad news I’m afraid. We’ve blown a tyre.”
“Shit,” I say. “What the hell do we do now?”
I get up from my seat, hopping down from the minivan, and walk round to where James is uselessly blinking at the blown tyre. I stop beside him, looking to Michael. “Well, do you have breakdown cover? Can you call the hotel? Surely, they’ll sort the insurance.”
He sighs. “Probably, but no signal.” He waves his phone at me.
“Tell me you have signal?” I say to my enemy.
James props his hands on his hips, giving me a disbelieving glance. “Ah, yes. Despite the fact nobody else has it… Don’t worry, Felicity, I have a super phone.”
“Don’t be a dick.”
I cross my arms, staring at the wheel like it might magically fix itself. For a moment there’s a stunned silence whilst we all rack our brains for ideas.
“Does anyone know how to change a tyre?” James asks.
More silence.
“Is there even a spare one?” he adds.
Michael looks around the van, underneath, behind the back doors, and returns with one of his dazzling smiles. This smile makes my blood fizz. I can’t help my face from contorting into an angry stare. How did this man think it was a good idea to drive us out into the middle arse-end of nowhere without a spare tyre? I bite my lip again and fold my arms around my middle a bit tighter to prevent a full-scale meltdown.
We’re stuck. We’re stuck here in… God knows where! And we’re down one too many tyres with no signal and no hope.
Oh shit – are we going to die!? We might bloody die!
“Stop freaking out,” James mutters without even looking at me.
I realise my breathing has indeed increased to an audible level. I puff out a long stream of air in the hope it might settle my lungs. I like the countryside. I’m a big fan of sheep and grass and trees, but I also like to be within walking distance of civilisation. We must be miles away from anything here.
“I’m not freaking out, actually . But what the fuck do we do now?” I whisper-hiss back.
“Someone will have to follow the road up to the nearest village,” Michael says. “I’d better stay in case help arrives early.”
Sheer horror crosses James’ face. His mouth opens slightly, his eyes widening as if he’s just been confronted by a ghost. “I’ll go on my own!” he yells about three octaves louder than necessary.
For a moment, a sense of relief flows through me like when you climb into a warm bath. Well, that’s wonderful. I don’t fancy walking in my little boots that far anyway. It’ll wear them down and they’re already second hand. But then the gritty competitiveness teases into my blood system and hell no am I letting this man steal this victory.
“I’ll go with you!” I announce, matching his volume.
“Great!” Michael says with a clap just as James says, “You can go on your own then.”
“What!?” I step backwards. He’d let me go on my own? Out here? I might get lost. Or murdered. Or kidnapped. Of course, he wants me to go alone. Bastard.
“I think it would be wiser to go together. You’re a great team!” Michael adds jubilantly. We both give him are you kidding! ? expressions but his smile doesn’t slip.
“Give me strength,” James mutters under his breath, before shrugging out of his jacket, despite the chilly breeze rolling off the nearby lake. “Come on then, Felicity. Let’s get this over and done with.”