A Life Worth Living

by Louise Guy

  A Life Worth Living

  Louise Guy

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Did You Enjoy the Story?

  Everyday Lies

  Fortunate Friends

  More about Louise Guy

  Acknowledgments

  For Ray, JJ and Jamie,

  who make my life worth living.

  1

  Leah took a deep breath, let the front door snap shut and checked her watch.

  Five minutes.

  That was all it had taken Grant to end their six-year relationship.

  No explanation. No, it’s not you, it’s me. Just, it’s over.

  She brushed a stray tear aside, moved down the narrow hallway of the art deco apartment, and into the kitchen. She plonked down on one of the retro bar stools at the counter. The candlelit table she’d set earlier was wasted.

  She poured a glass of Cab Sav. The wine she’d bought specially to mark their sixth anniversary.

  Leah stared across to the couch where Lewis’ purrs and soft snores confirmed he was oblivious to all that was going on.

  Oblivion: much more appealing than admitting it was over.

  While she’d been thinking of their future, their wedding, their children, he’d been looking for an exit.

  She gulped her wine. She really was an idiot. Leah had thought they were happy. They had well-paid jobs, a great circle of friends, loving families, good sex, a future mapped out. What wasn’t working for him?

  Her phone beeped and she drew it across the counter.

  Sorry. I know this is a shock. Didn’t want to live a lie any longer. Will come over Tuesday night and collect my things. If you aren’t home, I’ll leave my key. G.

  Live a lie? What the hell did that mean? That he was never into the relationship? Was he seeing someone else? Gay?

  She switched the phone off and refilled her glass.

  Leah groaned as her mother’s familiar ring tone roused her from a deep sleep. Light seeped in through the curtains.

  She’d forgotten to set her alarm. She reached across the still-sleeping, fluffy white body of Lewis to the bedside table and picked up her phone. ‘Hi, Mum.’

  She stroked her cat, almost managing a smile at the motor-like sound of his purr, as she waited for her mother’s predictable question.

  ‘Leah, darling. How are you? How was the anniversary dinner? Any news?’

  Tears welled. Her parents were expecting news of a ring, not the end of the relationship. Leah took a deep breath and did her best to sound normal. The last thing she needed right now was to listen to her mother’s disappointment. ‘No. Nothing to report.’

  Silence greeted her.

  Eventually her mother spoke. ‘I hope you still had a nice night, love.’

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. How could she explain her relationship was over when she didn’t even know why? ‘Mum, I have to feed Lewis and get ready for work. I’ll call you later, okay?’

  ‘Of course. Dad and I are still away for a couple more days, so if my mobile’s out of range I’ll call you back. Have a good day, and show that boss of yours how valuable you are. Love you.’

  Leah smiled and set the phone on the bedside table. It was unlikely her arrogant, chauvinistic boss would ever acknowledge her value, but it was nice to know she had her mother’s support.

  She gathered Lewis in her arms and rocked him like a baby. The distinctive sound of trams clunking along St Kilda Road, eight floors below her apartment, reminded her to hurry. But she always had enough time for her cat. This was their morning ritual—except on the mornings Grant had slept over. Lewis was banned from the bedroom then. Grant had merely tolerated him.

  ‘That should’ve been a red flag in itself, shouldn’t it, Pud?’ She rubbed her face against the cat’s as he nuzzled into her. ‘How could anyone not love you?’

  Leah glanced at the clock; it was nearly seven-thirty. She needed to get moving if she was going to make the nine o’clock staff meeting.

  She threw back the bed covers and with Lewis still cradled in her arms, hauled herself out of bed.

  Leah pulled her coat tight as the sharp Melbourne winds drove into her body. She followed the line of commuters off the tram, past the Arts Centre and into the heart of Southbank.

  She’d been doing this short commute for eight years now, since landing her dream job at The Melbournian, the city’s leading newspaper.

  After six years of going from one local paper to the next, the move to The Melbournian was symbolic; she was finally on her way.

  Leah’s disappointment had been palpable, when after only two weeks in her role as a reporter for the business section, she was moved into the property section to replace a reporter who’d been let go.

  Her job was to write about residential real estate for the weekly Property Push magazine. It was a step above reporting for the local papers, but not much better.

  To make matters worse, she’d been praised for her work, even awarded a Quill for Excellence in Journalism at the industry awards. It had firmly cemented her position at Property Push, and made it virtually impossible to move within the paper. Not that she hadn’t tried.

  Barry Fitzgerald, or Fitzy, which her pit-bull-resembling boss was called, had rolled his eyes when Leah had applied for an internal transfer to Finance only a month ago. He rolled his eyes every time; even months earlier when she’d applied for a position in Business, and before that, in Arts.

  ‘Leah,’ he’d said. ‘Face facts, you’re good at property, so you aren’t moving. You’ll have to leave if you want to try something new.’

  She was often tempted.

  The morning dragged. The staff meeting had taken up the first hours as Fitzy had droned on. Once back at her desk, Leah’s thoughts kept shifting back to Grant.

  Only a week ago, he’d surprised her with flowers at work and whisked her off to No 35 for dinner before checking in to Crown Towers for an overnight stay. They’d had to drag themselves away from the bed and each other in order to make the check-out time the following morning. Why would he go to all that trouble then end it? It made no sense.

  She sighed. She had two properties to view that afternoon in order to write up features for Saturday’s magazine. Leah checked their listings and reviewed their photos.

  The reality was, she could write a feature from that information alone, but she was expected to slap on a smile and meet with the realtor to acquire any additional information.

  One of the realtors was North to South Realty. The company her sister worked for. There’d be no need to fawn over this property, or even view it. The hour would be much better spent having a coffee with Eve.

  2

  Eve scrolled through her emails, smiling at the familiar name of Ben Styles. She quickly scanned the message, then glanced towards her open office door.

  She could just see her assistant's head tilted towards her computer. She pressed the intercom button on her desk phone and Penny immediately answered. ‘Would you mind getting me a coffee?’ Eve asked.

  ‘Sure,’ her assistant said. ‘Was there something wrong with the one I got you earlier?’

  She noted the half-filled take-away coffee sitting on her otherwise
clear desk. It was still hot. She swallowed. ‘I think it has sugar in it. Get yourself one too. Put them on my account.’

  Eve waited until Penny had collected her bag and walked down the corridor towards the elevator before closing her office door. She was being overly cautious making Penny go out—her assistant probably couldn’t hear through the closed door, but she wasn’t willing to risk it.

  She slipped out the mobile phone tucked at the back of her desk drawer and switched it on. It contained one number only.

  Eve pressed the call button and waited only a moment.

  Ben’s deep voice came onto the line. ‘Hey, gorgeous.’

  Her stomach fluttered. ‘Hey, yourself.’

  ‘Usual spot?’

  ‘Definitely. Three o’clock?’

  ‘No appointments this afternoon?’

  She looked at her schedule. Penny had scheduled an appointment at the O’Riley residence with the property reporter from The Melbournian. As much as she’d enjoy seeing her sister, an hour with Ben was much more appealing. ‘Nothing I can’t postpone.’

  ‘Okay, gotta run. See you at three.’

  Eve smiled, switched the phone off and slipped it into her bag. She was being dramatic, having a phone exclusively for calling Ben. There was no reason Sean would ever check her calls; after all she worked in real estate, she was always on the phone, but she also didn’t want to take the chance.

  She scrolled through her other emails, sending quick answers to those that needing immediate action.

  Eve double-checked her schedule for the day, as Penny pushed open the office door; her expression anxious. She made her way to Eve’s desk, a steaming cup of coffee in hand.

  ‘Everything okay?’ she asked.

  Her assistant flashed a small smile. ‘Oh, just a bit of a run-in with the coffee guy. Assured me he didn’t put sugar in your coffee before. Nothing major.’

  A pang of guilt stabbed at Eve, but she quickly dismissed it. ‘It’s only the coffee guy. Don’t give it another thought.’ She stood. ‘I’d better get going. I’ve a ten o’clock in Richmond. Need to convince John Miller his three-million-dollar terrace should be listed with us.’ She slung her winter jacket over one arm and picked up her briefcase. ‘I’ll be back by twelve. Could you confirm my one-thirty while I’m out?’

  Penny nodded and held out the coffee.

  Eve indicated her full hands. ‘Sorry, no room. You enjoy it.’ She turned, doing her best to ignore her assistant’s look of irritation, and left the office.

  ‘Hey, Nic.’ Eve took the call from her best friend and indicated right to exit the underground parking onto Chapel Street. ‘I’ve only got a few minutes. I’m on my way to an appointment in Richmond.’

  ‘I’m checking if you’re still on for Friday?’

  ‘As if I’d miss your fortieth, you old bag.’

  Nicola laughed. ‘You’ll be joining me in a few years, so I wouldn’t get too cocky.’

  ‘And you’ll be turning forty-five by then,’ she retorted. ‘Sorry, but age is one thing you’re always going to be ahead of me in.’

  ‘One thing? I can think of plenty of others,’ her friend joked. ‘You know it’s costume, don’t you?’

  Eve sighed. ‘Nic, I helped plan the party. I sent out the invites. I’ll be there with bells on. Well, perhaps not bells, but certainly an incredibly sexy costume.’

  ‘Are you coming alone?’

  She hesitated. ‘Do you mean, am I bringing Sean?’

  ‘No, I meant Ben.’

  Her pulse quickened, and she glanced out of the window. Did she really think someone was listening? She was getting paranoid. ‘Of course I’m not bringing Ben.’

  Nicola laughed. ‘Thought I’d check. I’ve got you down for two, so you can bring Sean if you want to.’

  ‘I’m coming alone. He’ll need to look after the kids.’

  ‘You could always get a sitter.’

  ‘No, he won’t want to come,’ Eve said. ‘No offence, but other than you, he won’t know anyone and small talk’s not really his thing. I’m not sure I’d want him there, anyway. He’s been very moody lately.’ Her husband actually hadn’t come near her in a month. Or was it two?

  She frowned. That was unusual. He annoyed her at times, but they had a good marriage. He was probably working too hard. His firm demanded a crazy commitment from their lawyers.

  ‘If you change your mind, he’s welcome.’

  ‘Thanks, lovely.’ Eve stopped in front of the Richmond terrace. ‘Now I’d better go—client to woo and all that.’

  ‘Male or female?’

  ‘Male. Why?’

  The smile in Nicola’s voice was obvious. ‘Just checking. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’

  ‘He’s a client, nothing more.’

  ‘So was Ben if I remember rightly.’

  She smiled. ‘Okay, you win. I’ll see you Friday night. Love you.’

  Eve shivered as a biting wind whipped up the narrow street and into her bones. She was grateful she’d brought her jacket.

  With briefcase in hand, she pushed open the iron gate and strode towards the front door.

  It was close to one by the time Eve returned to the office. John Miller had expected her to work hard for the listing. She’d turned on the charm and enjoyed a coffee and a long chat with him before exclaiming her great interest in the features of the house.

  The property was quite deceptive. The single block terraced front was only one of Miller's houses. He also owned the block directly behind the house and the ones on either side. He’d built an enormous home spanning the four blocks. The indoor pool added a whole other dimension.

  ‘How did it go?’ Penny asked as she exited the elevator and passed her assistant’s desk.

  ‘Good.’ She tapped her briefcase. ‘Contract’s signed and sealed. Peter should be pleased.’

  ‘Actually, he stopped by your office about an hour ago. Asked you to pop in and see him when you got back.’

  Eve checked her watch. ‘Okay, I’ll go down now and then I’d better dash again. I’ve got the one-thirty and the three p.m. with The Melbournian.’ Her cheeks flushed speaking of the later appointment.

  She deposited her coat and briefcase on her desk and made her way to Peter’s office.

  Joel, Peter’s assistant, waved her in as she approached his desk. ‘He’s expecting you.’

  Peter looked up from his desk, a smile lighting up his rounded face. ‘Grab a seat. This won’t take long. How did things go with Miller?’

  ‘Signed,’ Eve said.

  ‘Great job. I’ve had a phone call from Ben Styles. You remember him? You sold his penthouse about twelve months ago.’

  Her heart raced trying to retain a neutral look.

  ‘You know, the penthouse in Albert Park?’

  ‘Yes, I remember him,’ she replied. ‘What did he want?’

  ‘He’s got a development in South Melbourne he’s wanting some advice on. Could be twelve townhouses on our books if he goes ahead with his plans.’

  ‘Sounds good,’ Eve said. ‘So what does he need? An appraisal?’

  ‘Sort of. He wants your advice before he renovates. What you think he needs to do to get top dollar. He’d like you to be involved in overseeing the renovations to ensure they meet your vision.’

  Eve shifted uneasily in her seat.

  ‘Look, it’s a bit unorthodox, but he’s willing to pay for your time on a consulting basis. He thinks he’ll need you for a day next week and a few hours on different days once the project commences.’

  ‘He wants me?’

  Peter nodded. ‘Was adamant. No one else would do.’

  She swallowed. She’d kill Ben if this was an excuse to spend more time with her. They might have met through work, but he needed to keep well away from her professional life. ‘Okay, I’ll give him a call, tee something up.’

  Her boss stood. ‘Good. Let me know what he ends up needing, as far as your time’s concerned. And Eve, great job
this morning with Miller, keep it up.’

  She forced a smile and retreated from Peter’s office, checking her watch. It was already one-fifteen. She wouldn’t have time to ring Ben before her next meeting. She’d leave her questions until she saw him at three.

  Eve made a hasty departure from her one-thirty. Luckily it’d been a straightforward contract signing and scheduling for open homes. The house, a small terrace in Port Melbourne, would sell easily. The land value alone would reach the price the client was hoping for.

  She was due to meet Ben in twenty minutes, which gave her just enough time to drive from Port Melbourne to Collins Street and quickly freshen up. As she hurried towards her car, the second phone in her bag beeped.

  Eve checked Ben’s message to discover a change of venue to an address in South Melbourne. She frowned and messaged, ok.

  He wasn’t having her meet him at the new development, was he? She wasn’t planning to work this afternoon. She shook herself. No, the longing in his voice when they’d spoken earlier had assured her they were both looking forward to this.

  She slid into the front seat of her Audi, excitement building within. She hadn’t seen him for over a week. It felt like a month.

  Eve did a quick make-up check in the car’s mirror, fishing in her bag for her lipstick and reapplying it. She’d taught herself to dismiss all feelings of guilt when she saw Ben.

  Technically she was cheating on Sean, but it made her a happier person, more tolerant with the kids, more loving to her husband. Taking the time to be Eve. Not Eve the mother, Eve the wife, or Eve the real estate agent. Ben made her feel wanted, and sexy.