The Boleyn Effect (The Boorman Ending) (15 page)

'George,' I
snap.

He looks up as if
realising that I'm still in the room and Clair hurriedly starts to
check the computer. Coming to my side, his smile
broadened.

'What's going on there
then?' I whisper.

'Oh you know,' he
answers.

I grab his arm, pull him
into my tiny office and slam the door.

'No I don't
know.'

'She's a laugh. I like
her. Why're jealous?'

'Fuck who you want,' I
throw.

'Whoa, you really are in a
fucking mood. You better crack up the Ben and Jerry's when you get
home.'

'You know what? You're a
fucking dick and to think I signed some shitty piece of paper in
agreement to marry you. That there should tell you
something.'

I grab my coat and slam
out of the studio and into the street. I’ve no idea where I’m going
to go. I don't want to go to the flat, because George will just
follow me there. Spying the Museum Gardens, I think of the pub that
Harry first took me too and that's where I head. I need to get
everything clear and I can't do it with George, Harry or even
Katherine in the vicinity.

CHAPTER
TWENTY

The pub is practically
empty thankfully and buying a drink, I find a quiet corner to just
sit and think. I could just walk away. That would be the simple
solution. Finish the portraits of Katherine, collect my cheque and
then go away. In fact I've not seen my mum and dad for months. I
could just go and stay there and be normal. Be Leigh-Anne Boorman,
the simple girl who loves her camera. Not Leigh whose ego and pride
is becoming too big for her to handle.

My phone ringing startles
me, looking down expecting it to be George, but to my surprise it's
Katherine. My heart picks up pace as I press on answer.

'Hello?'

'Leigh? It's Katherine.
I'm ringing to see if you're busy. I could do with a
chat.'

Her voice is not as cold
as before and that just makes me feel even more uneasy. I can cope
with cold and even angry at least I know where I am with that. This
sudden change in attitude doesn't bode well for me and I feel my
anxiety levels rising even more.

'No I've just finished for
the day,' I sort of lie.

I haven't, but I am not
going back to that place while George's there. He's an arsehole and
I know I should wise up when it comes to him. Maybe some time away
may allow me to revaluate both my relationship with Harry and
George.

'I was thinking of the pub
on Marygate. The one near you. Is that ok?'

Shit I am already there.
Lie or just go through with it. Play it cool. I wonder if Harry
brings her to this place too. No he wouldn't bring a future fling
to their local. Too many eyes and tongues to wag.

'You must be a mind
reader. I’m here already.'

'Great, I'll meet you in
ten.'

True to her word, she's
there so quick that there's hardly any time for me to get my head
around her coming. Preparing the way, I get her a drink. I’ve no
idea what she drinks, but I figure a white wine would suffice. She
walks into the gloomy pub and instantly the place lights
up.

How does she do that?
Wearing a powder blue dress and matching jacket she looks so
elegant. But her face is pale and strained, which seems to be
hidden beneath make-up. Spotting me, she sits down and thanks me
for the wine, before taking a gulp.

'Thank you, I needed
that,' she says. 'I'm sorry that I was a little harsh on the phone
to you earlier.'

'It's ok. I was a little
worried if I'm honest,' I say.

'Would you mind if I
confided in you once more?' I nod. 'You'll probably laugh or think
I'm a foolish old woman, but you remember what I told you about
Harry. That I thought he was having another affair. Well Liza was
just in the office where talked about the party and she told me
that she'd seen you and Harry talking at the party and in her words
looked cosy. I...well I thought.'

'You thought that I was
sleeping with your husband just by talking to him?' I
ask.

She nods at me and I feel
my chest tighten.

'If you knew my husband
then you'd know that if he shows an interest in a female then it
usually means he's making a play for her.'

I need to play devil's
advocate just to see how much trust she has in me. I have to know
where I am on the playing field before I make the next
move.

'So what makes you think
that I'm not...having sex with him I mean?'

She offers me a small
smile and I'm sure there's a little sympathy in there
too.

'I swear I'm not being
rude honey, but Harry has a type and you don't really fit. I just
got a little paranoid before, but thinking about it I realise it
was stupid. He's always preferred blondes, even when we first met
I'd gone through a bleaching stage. He also chooses women or girls
that are little ditzy, easy to control and easy to please. He needs
to feel like a man when he’s with them. You come across as nothing
like that. I just put two and two together in my already paranoid
state and came up with five.'

That's the second time
I've been told that I'm not good enough for Harry Cobain. My ego is
taking one hell of a battering, even though I know I've already
caught Harry. But because I don't follow a trend, it means that
Katherine feels safe with me. I am to be trusted. For now at
least.

'No offence taken,' I say.
'And for the record, I'm not having sex with Harry. He was just
asking me about the work I do.'

This at least is true. We
have engaged in sexual acts, but not intercourse. The play of words
causes me to inwardly smile. I am becoming far too good at being
deceitful.

'Seriously, I'm sorry,'
she says. 'You have become a very good friend to me. I'm so glad
Mary introduced us. I think what George suggested may be playing on
my mind a little.'

'Well if you get the next
round in I'll consider forgiving you,' I smile.

Her face lights up at last
with a smile and getting to her feet she strolls to the bar. With
her back to me, I slump back into my seat. I really need to get
away. The pictures would be with me soon and then I could go and
see my parents. I desperately need some space.

CHAPTER
TWENTY ONE

The day I've been dreading
finally arrives. I’ve carefully wrapped up the canvas' and hand
delivered them to Katherine. She looks at me excitedly as the
packages sit between us. She really does look beautiful in them and
it eats away at me a little.

Weeks into the game and
Harry and I have already met up on countless occasions. I can't say
no to him and I'm slowly seeing Katherine has competition rather
than the innocent woman she is. I need him to want me more than
her. Make me worth more than her.

He finally resumed contact
after weeks of silence, blaming work. I had to forgive in order to
maintain some balance of power and he responded well to my pliancy.
I then continued to push and pull at his lust strings. Giving him a
little, but never quite enough. Pleading that I don't want to have
my heart broken.

My hand and mouth gives
him a taste of what's to come, but only if he pays the price. At
every meeting, he showers me with compliments and flowers and of
course I have been given the graduation gig. That was given to me
when he finally resumed his contact.

After two or three weeks
of silence I'd given up sulking and was preparing to accept that
the game was well and truly over. Honestly a little relieved also.
It meant I could move on and if the mood took me screw some nobody
from the club. Then my phone rang.

'This is Emma, Mr.
Cobain's secretary. I am ringing to ask you to come in to discuss
your bid for the graduation photographs.'

A little dumbfounded, I
manage to arrange a meeting later that day. Dressed in a smart
black trouser suit and my hair neatly clipped in place, I arrive at
the university where I'm ushered into a small room. With my hand
sweaty from holding my portfolio, and nerves I try to concentrate
on being professional. I secretly hope that this meeting doesn't
involve Harry, because all the frustration of being ignored would
surely brim to the surface.

'I hope you've not been
waiting long?'

I turn to the scotch
accent and breathe a sigh of relief. It's not Harry. Instead, a
rather young good looking man enters the room offering me his
hand.

'No not at all,' I say.
'Leigh,' I offer.

'I'm Thom, I'm Head of the
Graduation Team and I've been asked to chat to you about the
graduation.'

'Great, I've brought some
examples of my work for you to look over.'

Thom takes it from me and
looks down at my pictures. His copper hair shines in the light and
his full lips fall into a small smile as he seems impressed. I'm
now wishing I'd gone to university, because it seems that I may
have missed a trick.

This Thom looks nothing
like a scrawny geek. In fact, he seems very sporty and the rumpled
tousled look seems to be working for him very well. All too aware
that I'm watching him, he lifts his eyes to meet mine and we both
begin to speak at once.

'Go on,' he
prompts.

I start to ask him my
question and the door swings open and in walks Harry. Now I’m
totally off balance and the question has just flown out of my head.
My attention's been diverted as Harry offers me a small
smile.

'Miss Boorman, I take it.
Nice to meet you,' he says holding out his hand.

I get to my feet and
grasps his hand tightly and shake it. Holding his eyes to mine, I
try and steady my breathing. He smells so good and the charcoal
suit he's wearing looks far too good on him. Jesus Christ I’m in so
much trouble.

'And you must be Mr.
Cobain. Can I just thank you for your consideration.'

'Not at all,' he smiles.
'What do we think Thom?'

Thom hands me back my
portfolio and gives a nod of approval.

'We've had the same
company do our graduations for over twenty years. I know it's
risky, but I like what I see.'

'So do I,' Harry
smirks.

And I lower my head in
order to hide the rising blush.

'Thom, will you get the
paper work ready for Miss Boorman.'

Thom gives me a large grin
and then disappears from the room leaving us alone.

'I'm sorry I've been
quiet. It's a busy time of year for us academics,' he
smiles.

'I understand,' I offer,
even though I don't. 'You're not beholden to me, you know that. I
don't expect anything from you and I hope I've got this contract
because I've earned it.'

Harry moves closer to me
and touches my hands with his, curling his fingers through mine. My
heart's racing at the contact and my breathing slows as he steps
into my personal space. I'm already so turned on and the idea of
him throwing my against the wall and taking me is not making things
easier.

'You've earned it. I am
not the only person who decides this; it has to go to a board. You
are the best and so you've got it.'

'Thom seems nice,' I say
gauging his reaction.

'He is and very good
looking.'

'I had notice.'

'It's just a shame he
would prefer myself,' Harry answers smugly.

'Oh!' I laugh.

'I've missed you,' he
murmurs tilting his head towards mine. 'And this suit really turns
me on. I like the way your arse looks in it.'

'You've been checking me
out Mr. Cobain?'

'I will always be checking
you out Miss Boorman.'

He grabs my arse tightly
and pulls me towards him so I now feel just how turned on he is
too. We eye each other and inwardly I'm challenging him.

Do it. Throw
me against that wall and fuck me. You know you want
to
.

He leans in to kiss me,
but the door opening causes him to take a step back and I curse. In
walks Thom with a small folder, which he hands me.

'All the information is in
there as well as terms and conditions and contracts.'

'Great, when do you need
this signed?' I ask.

'As soon as you can Miss
Boorman,' Harry answers.

It was later that day he
contacted me and demanded a meet up and that's when we started our
illicit meetings once more. Well for a few more weeks
anyway.

During our last interlude
we lay in the back of his car half clothed, bodies still humming
from the excitement and eventual climax. Our mouths dry from the
pleasure we'd just given each other.

'I have something for
you,' he said, starting to move.

'You shouldn't keep buying
me gifts,' I admonished.

'And I'll just keep
ignoring you. I enjoy seeing your face when I give you
things.'