Chapter Fifteen
Everyone around me is in such a hurry today. The office is buzzing with life, but my sense of urgency seems to have taken a holiday.
I sit at my desk and stare at the laptop.
An image of golden sands and crystal blue waters grace my screen.
The cloudless sky blurs in and out of my vision as I imagine Daniel and I dipping out of the ocean spray.
I’m too caught up in my dreamlike state, which somehow drifts into memories of our weekend.
Did we get out of bed at all? Thoughts of his magic fingers spring to mind and how his touch ignites flames of desire all over my body.
I’ve never felt so alive or so free and I have no inhibitions when I’m with him.
This is a new side of myself I hope to see again.
The phone rings and interrupts my dreamy thoughts. My tone floats on a cloud when I answer, which is not like me at all. “Richard Harvey’s office.”
“Hannah?”
“Lucy?” I’m excited to hear her voice.
“Yes, are you all right?”
I clear my throat and straighten in my seat, which is stupid as no one is around to see me. “I’m good. I’ve been trying to contact you for ages. What have you been up to?”
“This and that. Nothing special. What about you?”
“Now hold on a minute. Are you sure you have nothing to share with me? No love interest news? No bit of crumpet on the scene?” There’s silence.
No girly giggles or witty retorts. This is not like my best friend at all.
Something has to be wrong. I initially put her lack of communication down to a new man in her life, but now I don’t know what to think.
“Lucy? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Han, I’m here.”
“Lucy, talk to me. What’s happened?”
She lets out a sigh. “I’ve been putting this news off for ages.”
“What is it, Luce? I’m worried.”
A lengthy pause hangs between us before she says, “Don’t be mad with me, okay? I couldn’t tell you before and I’ve tried so hard to stop him, but he won’t listen.”
“Lucy?”
“He wants you back and is flying out to get you.”
“What are you talking about?” I know what she will say. I just don’t want to believe it.
“Rob. He’s on his way.”
My head spins. “Shit. This couldn’t happen at a worse time.” I mumble.
“What is it, Hannah? Has something happened?”
I hadn’t got around to telling her about Daniel, but I may as well spill the beans now. “I’m seeing someone.”
I hear the delight in her voice despite her saying, “What the hell! Why haven’t you told me before!”
“Well, I tried Luce, but you’ve been difficult to get hold of lately.”
“Oh shush. What’s his name? What’s he like? Oh, is he a surfer? All tanned and blue-eyed. ”
“Lucy, you’re way ahead of yourself and he’s more of a cowboy than a surfer.”
“This is amazing, you lucky cow!”
“Listen to me, there’s something you need to know. I haven't told my parents yet, in fact, nobody knows so keep it to yourself.” I brace myself for the barrage of abuse I’m about to get when I say, “It’s Daniel Grant.”
The line is silent for a second. “Who?”
Not the response I was expecting. I suppose to anyone outside the construction business or Australia come to that, his name won’t mean a thing. “Daniel Grant. Think about it, Luce. Who do I work for?” I’m sure I catch a hitch in her breathing when she realises what I’m saying.
“Holy crap Hannah, he’s your boss?”
“Well, not exactly, but he is Richard’s.”
“Is that worse or not? To be honest, it doesn’t matter. Tell. Me. Everything!” So I do, spending the next ten minutes sharing every single detail. It’s times like this I realise how much I’ve missed our chats. When we end the call, we promise to speak more.
I focus on the lifeless phone. I can’t stop my tears as they fall faster than I can catch them.
I walk the short distance to the ladies and wipe away the salty droplets on my cheeks.
There seems to be a constant stream that won’t let up.
I’m so alone without Lucy. I’ve just realised how much I miss her.
My bright sunny day is ruined by storm clouds.
Would Rob attempt to win me back? If he really is intending to travel to Sydney, what the hell will happen when he gets here?
I splash my face with icy water and pat it dry with a stiff paper towel that instantly brings my skin out in red blotches.
I straighten myself up and adjust my cream blouse so it’s tucked into my navy trousers.
I should look ready for action, even if I’m not.
As I walk out the door, my phone is ringing.
I run to my desk, reaching it just in time .
“Hannnnahhh.” It can only be my boss who is working from home today.
“Hi, Richard.”
“How are things in the office? Anything I should know about?” I wonder if he means on a personal level rather than work, but I ignore his underlying question.
“Not that I can think of. It’s quiet today, although I have a few messages for you.
Apart from that, there’s nothing that can’t wait until later. ”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive,” I reply. I don’t think he’s convinced.
“You sound a bit blocked up. Are you really all right?” He’s not daft. He lives with three women so can spot a crying one in a heartbeat.
“Yep, everything is fine. Just a bit bunged up.”
“Okay.” He knows I’m lying. “Well, if that’s the case, I need you to take a call for me this afternoon then I suggest you get yourself home and rest.”
I make a note of the details while guilt swirls in my stomach.
I’ve lied even if it is a little white one, but Richard will step in if he knows Rob is on the prowl again and I must talk to him about Daniel sooner rather than later.
He’s bound to speak to Peter soon. And I have to tell mum and dad.
Now Lucy knows they shouldn’t be the last to find out.
What on earth happened? Everything was fantastic in my beautiful Daniel shaped bubble.
Now I step into the outside world, it’s about to get messy.
I gather up my laptop and set myself up in Ricards office so I can take the call on his behalf. Knocking any thoughts of Lucy, Rob, and Daniel from my mind, I prepare to bury myself in work instead of mulling over how my life was going great and now it’s all gone tits-up!