Cupcakes and Christmas: The Carrington’s Collection: Cupcakes at Carrington’s, Me and Mr. Carrington, Christmas at Carrington’s (16 page)

I attempt a little laugh, but she looks horrified, so I clear my throat instead. I imagine she wouldn’t dream of actually buying her own present, and why would she when she probably has a string of men lining up to spoil her with gifts? ‘Yes, I’ve even grouped together a selection of silk scarves and summery hats for customers when trying on the designer sunglasses.’ I soldier on. ‘Most of the time it works, they get caught up in feeling all wedding-y and can’t resist buying the whole ensemble.’

‘Impressive. James and Tom could learn a thing or two from you. But then they’ll never have our female advantage, will they, when it comes to seducing customers into parting with their cash?’ Maxine flashes her pageant smile. ‘Talking of weddings, have you been invited?’ Maxine tilts her head towards the door to indicate Tina.

‘Yes. But it’s couples only, so—’

‘Snap!’ She interrupts. ‘You’re single too, same as me. I’m going on my own so we can keep each other company. I love a good wedding, always plenty of men around,’ she says, suggestively. Maxine slaps the folder shut and, taking it as a cue to leave, I stand up. ‘That’s all, and keep up the good work.’

‘I will, and Maxine, I am loyal, especially to my friends, and to my job of course,’ I add quickly.

‘Good. So you won’t be assuming the grass is greener then, will you?’ The threat in her voice is there, loud and clear. With my backup plan scuppered I feel even more vulnerable. I try and concentrate my mind on the possibility that she cancelled my interview at Palmers because she really doesn’t want me to leave. But the feeling of paranoia that’s mounting by the minute is getting harder and harder to suppress.

‘No,’ I say quietly, as I head towards the door, which flings open just as I reach out to the handle.

‘Ahh, Georgina.’ The Heff appears, looking surprised to see me and clutching an enormous bouquet of red velvet roses. ‘Err, these arrived.’ He throws a look in Maxine’s direction.

‘You can put them over there,’ she says, pointing towards a side cabinet, without even bothering to look at them properly.

‘Err, right you are,’ The Heff booms, striding past me to place the flowers down, before settling on a sofa and flinging his arm along the back in a very casual pose. An awkward silence follows.

‘That’ll be all.’ Maxine looks at me.

‘Of course,’ I reply, quickly ducking out of the door.

As I make my way back to the lift, I can’t help wondering why The Heff has been relegated to delivery boy now. I’d have thought that would be another job for Eddie.

‘
I’
d just like to spend some time unwinding with you, if that’s OK?’ It’s late and James and I are the only ones in the canteen again. He looks at me, edging his fingers along the top of the table until they’re almost touching mine.

‘Err, well I’m not sure.’ I search his face, wondering what he’s up to. He never used to be so flirty with me … I decide to address it once and for all. I quickly pull my hand away.

‘Look James, I’m flattered, really I am, but what about your wife?’ I ask, scrutinising his face.

‘What about her?’ he says, his face not changing. I can’t believe his front. He’s always seemed like such a decent guy. In fact, I’ve seen him coming back to the office at lunchtime with armfuls of presents for her in the run-up to the Christmas holidays. I even heard him on the phone one evening, outside the big Wetherspoon’s in the centre of town, when we all went out after work to celebrate Debbie in Haberdashery’s fiftieth. His voice was all soft and interested.

‘Well, don’t you think your wife might mind?’ I reply, crossly, wondering if he was this forward with Maxine.

‘Soon to be ex-wife.’ There’s a long silence, and then it registers. I stare at him and see a puzzled look on his face.

‘What did you say?’ My pulse quickens.

‘Oh right. You don’t know, do you?’ James clutches his head in his hands.

‘Know what?’

‘I’m getting divorced. I just presumed you knew,’ he says, peeping through his fingers. He shakes his head, his voice filled with concern. ‘Georgie, I’m so sorry, what must you think of me? No wonder you couldn’t wait to escape from the bar that night.’ I sit in silence, trying to process this information. Poor James.

‘James, I didn’t know.’

‘It figures,’ he says, shaking his head again. ‘Yes, Rebecca decided she preferred my best man to me. Apparently he’s more ambitious than I am, oh and better in bed, I think she also mentioned, when I wouldn’t agree to let her have the cat. So, under the circumstances, I agreed to a divorce,’ he finishes, with a wry smile.

‘I’m sorry. Truly I am. But why didn’t you tell me before now? I thought we were friends.’ I can’t believe it. So he’s not a two-timing flirtatious rat after all. My mind races.

‘We are. But you know how it is in work. There just never seemed like an appropriate moment. I guess I just presumed you knew. Eddie knows, and I thought with you and him being such good friends, he would have told you.’ I think of Eddie – lovely loyal Eddie, even if he is a massive moaner; it’s not his style to break a confidence, never has been.

‘James, I feel dreadful now. With the uncertainty at work and everything else going on,’ I say, thinking his wife must be completely insane to let him slip through her fingers. I notice the tightness in his shoulders, and for the first time I really see him. He has the look of a man who’s been through the wringer.

‘Well, now we’ve cleared that up, will you please come out for a drink with me?’ He grins.

‘I’d love to,’ I reply, and all of my doubts about him instantly evaporate. I can’t wait to call Sam, she’s going to well and truly freak out over this.

A
fter several large glasses of Pinot, and lots of talking and laughing, it’s nearly closing time. James, who is sitting opposite me in the red leather banquette booth, leans over the narrow table towards me.

‘Shall we do this again?’ he says, staring straight into my eyes.

‘Depends what “this” is,’ I tease.

‘A date, of course, unless you’re in the habit of frequenting intimate bars with all of your colleagues.’ He smiles and takes my hand in his, giving it a little squeeze.

‘In that case, yes, why not?’ I smile, thinking it might be fun, but then wondering if it’s such a good idea when we’re going to be competing at work, and he has just been dumped by his wife. Hmm, guess there’s no harm in seeing how it goes.

‘Great. But let’s just keep this to ourselves – neither of us needs the wagging tongues at the moment,’ he says, stroking the back of my hand. ‘And the last thing I want is for you to be cited in the divorce. No, I want it to go as smoothly as possible.’

‘I agree, as long as you’re not just saying so in case a particular person called Maxine finds out?’ I say before I can stop myself.

His face drops and I immediately know I should have kept my mouth shut. I scan his eyes for clues as to whether he still has a thing for her.

‘You know about that then?’ he says, staring intently at his empty wine glass. He pulls his hand away.

‘Yes, you know how news travels in Carrington’s.’

‘It was well and truly over years ago,’ he says, taking my hand again.

‘So, did you two work together or something?’ I say, trying to sound uninterested. I’m curious, no more, and I don’t want him thinking I’m some kind of mad bunny boiler.

‘Not exactly. I met her on a training course. It didn’t last long though. It was around the same time I met Rebecca.’

‘So I imagine Maxine was pretty pissed off at being dumped for another woman,’ I say, feeling my way for fear of probing too much.

‘Just a bit, but then can you blame her? I did mess her around.’ I decide not to push it any further but then he says, ‘Like I told her in the meeting, it was a long time ago and we have to be professional about it, given our work situation.’ So they discussed it then.

‘But won’t it be difficult, with her overseeing things? She is the boss now, after all.’

‘Sure. But it doesn’t have to affect things between us, and I promise I won’t betray you. Believe me … I know what it feels like.’

‘Of course,’ I say, squeezing his hand, but wondering how Maxine really feels.

‘So we’re agreed then? This will be our secret? I really don’t want you getting dragged into the divorce proceedings … Rebecca is desperate to try and pin something on me, and as she refuses to move out until the house is sold … well, it’s complicated.’ He drops his eyes.

‘Oh James, of course that’s fine,’ I agree, thinking it’s probably better this way until I see where it’s going.

We leave the bar, stumbling and giggling our way up
the narrow basement steps, the fresh evening air exhilarating as we reach the pavement, where James grabs hold of my hand. For a moment it feels strange as his warm fingers entwine mine. I can’t believe what’s happened this evening. Only a few hours ago he was off-limits.

‘You OK?’ he says, heading towards the taxi rank, which is deserted.

‘I’m great. Never better.’

At the end of the road a taxi with its light off performs a swift U-turn and grinds to a halt alongside us.

‘I’m on my way home, going east, so if you’re heading in my direction?’ James turns to me, and as he lives the opposite way I presume the evening is over. He puts a finger on my lips and leans down to whisper into my ear.

‘I’m so glad we’ve finally got together,’ he says, softly. I tiptoe up, intending to kiss him on the cheek, but he gently turns my face towards his and kisses me tenderly, his lips soft on mine, his hand around my waist, pulling me in close. My stomach flips and my right foot actually pops up like it always does for the heroine in those soppy films.

‘Sorry to break up the party.’ It’s the taxi driver, and he’s tapping the meter. We instantly break away. James looks into my eyes and I just know he wants to continue things. In an instant I realise that I do too. I forget all my reservations and decide to go for it.

‘It’s Mercer Street,’ James says to the taxi driver as he pulls open the door for me. I step inside and reach my hand out to his.

‘Are you sure?’ he asks, and I block out the doubts, focusing on the moment instead.

‘Yes,’ I smile. James gets in beside me and puts his arm around my shoulders. I cuddle into him and savour the feeling of anticipation at what the rest of the evening will be like. And then I remember, I still haven’t managed to tell him about the extra commission coming through from Malikov. He’ll be so chuffed. Perhaps we’ll even go on that holiday after all. But I don’t want to talk about work and spoil our night together, so I make a mental note instead before turning towards him for another kiss.

‘
O
h my God. Tell me again. And start right from the beginning, and don’t you dare leave out any details. A girl needs details. Start at the bit where he threw you on the bed and ripped your knickers off,’ Sam breathes in a whispery voice right into my ear. It’s the morning after and we’re huddled next to each other in a booth at the far corner of the café. I just couldn’t wait to tell her, so the very minute James left my flat this morning, I sent Sam a text and we agreed to meet in here right away before I start work.

‘Cheeky, I didn’t say he ripped my knickers off,’ I say, remembering how gloriously slow and sexy he was.

‘I know. But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of embellishment to spice things up even more.’ Sam laughs. ‘And you are glowing girl. Glowing. It’s like there’s a sex aura all around you.’ She laughs and I nudge her in the ribs.

‘Shush, someone might hear you. He said to be discreet – the divorce, remember.’

‘I know.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘And you know what this means?’ Sam says, stifling a squeal of excitement.

‘What?’

‘
Valentine’s Day!
A few more dates in the bag and you’ll practically be an established couple by then. What will you get him? I’m treating Nathan to an exquisite La Perla Frou Frou ruffled tulle balcony with matching ruffleback knickers and a pair of sky-high cherry-red Choo’s.’

‘Wow, I didn’t know Jimmy Choo made man-size heels too,’ I say, my mind working overtime at the possibility of spending Valentine’s Day with James. I wonder if he’s been invited to Tina’s wedding? Bound to be. We could go together – maybe Mrs Grace was right after all.

‘Ha ha, very funny. Soo, one down. And one to go.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The bombshell. Tom of course … keep all your options open, I say.’

‘Stop it!’ I smile, but the mention of Tom makes me feel uncomfortable suddenly, and I’m not sure I even want to think about why that might be.

‘But he’s sooo HOT he’s practically on fire,’ she shouts with such indignation it makes me laugh out loud. I slap a hand over my mouth when one of the waitresses, Stacey, looks up from a table she’s wiping nearby.

‘You know, it still hasn’t quite sunk in yet, this thing with James,’ I whisper, pausing to ponder for a moment. ‘Maybe it was a dream,’ I add … and maybe something inside me is beginning to wish it was.

‘It was no dream, trust me. Nothing gets past me, not when it comes to men. This is real, babeee,’ Sam says, her voice jumping up a couple of notes.

‘Yes, you’re right.’ But I can’t stop those doubts resurfacing. ‘What if it’s too soon?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You know … sleeping with him on the first date,’ I say, keeping my voice really low.

‘Don’t be daft. You’ve known each other for years. Besides, it’s the second date, if you want to get really specific about it.’ She laughs and nudges me gently. ‘Anyway, that’s what the suffragettes did for us, they gave us that choice.’ I grin at her bizarre logic. Maybe she’s right, lots of people have flings, why shouldn’t I?

‘That’s better,’ Sam says as she sees me smile. ‘So, are you feeling better about the job thing?’ She winks.

‘Stop it.’ I smile furtively. ‘Yes, I suppose so, but knowing about him and Maxine makes me feel uncomfortable,’ I add, thinking what a double whammy it would be if I were to lose my job and the pair of them got back together.