Chapter Twenty-Four
There’s a noticeable spring in my step this morning. I notice quite a few smiles from my colleagues as my infectious happiness spreads across the office. It’s all because of one Mr Daniel Grant. Each time he enters my memory, along with his sexploits, I want to sing from the rooftop.
Richard is not here yet, so I prepare for the day and power up my laptop.
I hum a made-up tune and spin in my chair while I wait for it to come to life.
I tackle my email first, as I do every morning.
My fingers tap lightly across the keyboard in time to the song I’m humming while my eyes dance over the screen.
My eyelids flash fully open while my beats to the keys become weighty and eventually non-existent.
I should have known someone had a pin to burst my beautiful bubble.
I told you. He doesn’t do relationships and to prove it, here is a snapshot from his recent ‘business trip’.
I shake my head, laugh and say out loud to myself, “crazy bitch.” I click on the link at the bottom of the page that leads to a newspaper article.
The photo of Daniel with his lips attached to a tall blonde is the first thing to slap me in the face, as my heart hammers against my chest to deafening proportions.
They seem to be outside a club or a pub.
I can’t really see the woman’s face. She’s turned sideways so the only feature I can make out is her mouth on my man.
My head is light, dizzy almost. I shudder and blink several times as I try to take in the written words.
Virtual recluse, Daniel Grant and former girlfriend, Tabitha West, spotted last night at The Live Lounge. Could this be a reunion for these two lovebirds? Our source seemed to think so, quoting, ‘They were close all evening’.
The article is dated yesterday, so they took this on Monday night.
The night he was in Melbourne. Bile rises from my stomach, and I swallow hard to keep it down.
My mind is awash with all his beautiful words.
How could he do this to me? Tears threaten to form as I imagine his lips touching hers, his hands all over her body. Oh my God, did he sleep with her?
Richard appears from the corridor so I have to get myself together. Normally he is so supportive, but he’s never been sure about my relationship with Daniel. I use the sleeves of my cardigan to dab at my eyes before he can notice something is wrong. Then I follow him into his office.
“Are you all right, Hannah?” God, he knows me too well, but I manage to keep my emotions in check.
“I’m fine, thank you, Richard. I wanted to give you a quick update. There are no messages so far and all meetings are as scheduled in your diary. ”
He gives me a sideways glance as he sits at his desk. “Can you sort out a flight and hotel for me in Melbourne? There’s a meeting Tuesday afternoon with all staff involved in the Jamieson contract.”
“Everyone?”
“That’s right. You will have to cancel all my appointments for next week and reschedule. This will probably take up most of my time until it’s signed.”
Shit. Does that mean Daniel has to go back to Melbourne too? Will there be more photos of Daniel and Tabitha splashed across the internet?
“I must be in the Melbourne office first thing Monday morning, so can you arrange for me to fly out Sunday afternoon?” I’m shaken to the here and now by Richard’s annoyed tone. “Hannah? Did you hear what I said?”
I haven’t taken a blind bit of notice. “Sorry, Richard, what did you say?”
“Hannah, are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes, everything is great, honestly.”
His lips purse together. This is his worried face. “Just sit for a second,” he gestures towards the chair on the other side of the desk. I wonder if he is about to give me a lecture, or worse, he’s seen the paper. “What’s happening at home?”
“I’m sorry?” The image is still flashing through my mind.
“With Daniel. Are you two getting on okay?”
“Yes…” I stutter, “we’re fine.”
“Just fine?”
“That’s what I said. Fine.” I fidget in my chair while Richard’s wide eyes tell me he’s not convinced. I sigh and clasp my hands on my lap. “Richard, I know you mean well, but you have nothing to concern yourself about.”
It’s as if he hasn’t heard me. “You can come to me, Hannah. We have to take care of each other here. If you need any advice or help with anything—anything at all, you will talk to me, won’t you?”
“I will and thank you.” I over-do my false smile and Richard gives up on me.
“Right, well if you’re sure… okay, as I was saying, book a hotel and flight to Melbourne….”
I get back to my desk and stew in Daniel’s gravy.
I try very hard to think rationally. I bet Freya loves this.
She knows what effect this news will have on me.
She’s probably rubbing her hands in glee, and I hate her for it.
I’ve never hated anyone, but for Freya, I’ll make an exception.
She brings out the worst in me. Her only mission in life is to inflict misery on everyone around her. It must be a sad and lonely existence.
While I’ve been away from my desk, Daniel has left two voice messages. I wonder if he’s seen the article. If he hasn’t, he is in for a shock.
I immerse myself in work for the rest of the day and monitor each call. Daniel leaves a grand total of seven voicemails. He’s seen it.
When it gets to six o’clock, I’m out of there.
I’ve kept a lid on it all day, but now I’m at boiling point.
Thankfully, I was meeting Maddie for a drink so I could let off some steam.
I won’t be pouring my heart out this time.
I can imagine the huge ‘I told you so’ I’ll get.
She knows him of old and I don’t want to encourage her.
But what if her first instinct was right, after all?
Before I leave the office, I print off a copy of the article. I want to make sure I have the evidence in my hand when I confront Daniel later.
As I take my first sip of wine, my phone vibrates on the table in front of me and Daniel’s handsome features appear. I wonder if the same smile and soulful eyes appear on Tabitha’s phone. I glance towards Maddie and smile, ignoring the call. She looks at the screen so she knows who it is.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
I physically can’t stomach a conversation with him at the moment and I don’t want her to know there is a problem. “I’ve just sat down with my drink, Maddie. He probably wants to know what time I’m home, that’s all.”
She looks at me for a second as if to make sure. “If you say so.” Then she says in between sips, “Now tell me, what’s been happening since Monday?”
Now there’s a question. She is obviously referring to our night out.
The first thought that comes into my mind is Daniel’s Monday night with Tabitha.
I’m about to open my mouth to speak when my phone vibrates again and, of course, it’s Daniel.
I divert the call to my voicemail for the second time in five minutes.
As I’ve still not answered the messages he left earlier, I can imagine him losing his cool by now.
Let him. Let him feel just an ounce of the anger I feel.
Maddie looks concerned and places her hand over mine. “Why didn’t you pick it up? I don’t mind.”
“No, it’s fine.” My false smile is a giveaway. My phone whistles a text alert.
I guess you’ve seen the article. Please don’t ignore me. I need to explain. Come home x
Maddie looks over the table and directly at the screen. She can’t read the content, although she has already guessed who it’s from.
“Hannah, just answer him, please? I don’t know what’s happened between the two of you, but I’m beginning to feel sorry for the poor guy.”
I choose to ignore his text and Maddie’s advice. “All I want is to have a drink in peace. Is that too much to ask?” I shouldn’t have snapped at her and I didn’t mean to. I take a deep breath and hope it holds my tears, but it’s no use. The floodgates open.
“Oh God, what’s happened? What has he done to you?”
“Maddie… it’s nothing… just me. I must have PMS or something. Ignore me and I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
I pick up my wine and neck it in one. I stand up from the table and walk towards the bar in a watery-eyed daze before I turn to Maddie, who is staring back with such concern. “Want another?” I ask, raising my glass.
“No, I’ve still got a full one thanks.”
I nod my head and turn back in the direction of the bar. When I get there, I order an extra-large Pinot Grigio. Before I have a chance to pick up my drink, a hand reaches out for mine.
“Can I help you with that, Miss May?”
Oh my God. What is he doing here? “Has his Lordship sent you, Jack?” I’m pretty sarcastic, but he doesn’t flinch.
“Mr Grant has asked me to drive you home now. The car is outside.”
Good job I put my big girl pants on today because I’ve got to stand firm.
However, it’s not Jack’s fault. I won’t take it out on him.
“Thank you, Jack. As you can see, I’m having a nice time with my friend here, and I don’t want to go yet.
” Rubbing his arm, I say, “When I do,” my pointing finger now rudely in his face, “if I do,” pausing only to turn away and smile to myself.
“I’ll make my own way. Although it is kind of you to offer.
” My nod in his direction is confident as I pay and head back to Maddie.
“That showed him. I will not be walked over or ordered around by any man again, especially a man I can’t trust,” My muttered mumbles are all very brave because only I can hear them.
I have to give Jack his due, his resolve is impressive.
He waits patiently at the bar, drinking his iced water.
I spend the entire night in continuous, mindless chatter with Maddie while throwing back far too much wine.
Each time I go to the bar and order, I give Jack a sympathetic smile.
I can imagine the ear bashing he’ll get if he doesn’t return me home.