by Rhoda Baxter
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From: Polly, To: Jane
So, did you pull? Are you going to see each other again?
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From: Jane, To: Polly
No, didn't pull. I thought for a moment that he was going to kiss me … but then he didn't – well, he kissed me on the cheek, but I don't think that really counts. He did promise that he wouldn't try anything when he first invited me to his flat. I guess he was keeping his word. Of course, now all I can think about iswhat it would have been like if he DID actually kiss me. I have a huge pile of work to do, but I can't concentrate. Aaargh!
##
From: Polly, To: Jane
Hang on, hang on. He's good-looking, he's charming, he can cook, he's single. He lives with his sister. AND HE DIDN'T MAKE A MOVE ON YOU. Are you sure he's not gay?
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From: Jane, To: Polly
NO. At least, I'm pretty sure he's not. His last relationship was with a woman in the office … And he isn't camp.
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From: Polly, To: Jane
Not all gay men are camp, you know. There's one sure way to tell. Does he fold his clothes up neatly, or just throw them on the floor? Pol.
##
From: Jane, To: Polly
If I knew the answer to that, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I have a plan. I'm going to ask him out for dinner. To say thank you.
Chapter Nine
From: Marshall, To: James
Help! My life has suddenly gone wrong. In order of increasing importance: 1. I have four working days before I have to give Susan my opposition draft. I've been wracking my brains to come up with some decent arguments. I have a few, but no really good prior art document to hang it on. The ones I have are, at most, tenuous. 2. I have three patent drafts due in by next week. I'm going to have to phone at least one client and ask for a time extension. I hate doing that. It looks really unprofessional. 3. Stevie's dating some prat who keeps borrowing money off her. When I try to tell her so, she gets annoyed with me. I thought she would have grownout of the whole 'you're not Dad' thing by now. 4. Last, but not least, I really like Jane and I can't ask her out because she's a work colleague. I know Keith is already trying to put the oar in with the partners. I can't give him more ammunition. I'd like to keep away from Jane, but it's a bit difficult when I work with her every day. She's so damn lovely, I can't concentrate on my work. Just shoot me. Marsh.
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From: James, To: Marshall
Sounds like a mess all right. Can't help you with the time management issues. I'm sure you'll cope with your usual style. I'll see if Lou has any ideas on how to help with the Stevie situation. Perhaps a quiet woman to girl chat. Regarding Jane … How MUCH do you like her? Jim.
##
From: Marshall, To: James
I like her a LOT! It was all I could do not to kiss her last night. And in a weird way when I'm with her – outside of work, I mean – I feel like everything is just … right. Which is odd, since I haven’t known her very long. Marsh.
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From: James, To: Marshall
Sounds like you’ve got it bad. So, ignoring it and getting on with life isn’t an option then? Assuming the answer is no, why not wait until after the partner’s meeting. Then ask her out. You’d have to keep things discreet, obviously. Set a few ground rules etc. But there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work that way. Jim.
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From: Marshall, To: James
That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that??
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From: James, To: Marshall
Because this love stuff is turning your brain to cheese. I was like that when I first met Lou. Luckily, I was a student back then and didn't need to do much thinking. Jim.
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From: James, To: Marshall
>> It was all I could do not to kiss her last night. Hang on, what happened last night? Why did you fail to kiss her? My secretary tells me that Jane got mugged last night. What's going on exactly? Jim.
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From: Louise, To: James, Stevie
So, our Marsh has fallen for someone. Hurrah! About time too. From what Jim says, she sounds like a nice girl – not like that bizarre Dominique woman. What did he see in her? Yes, we must persuade him to do something about it. Lou.
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From: James, To: Louise, Stevie
Dominique was a force to be reckoned with. Once she set her sights on Marsh, the poor man didn't have a chance. I hate to burst your bubble ladies, but I think Marsh is right about not dating work colleagues. It would be best if he did nothing about it until AFTER the partner's meeting. He has worked very hard for this company and deserves a bit of recognition. It would be a shame to throw it away because of a girl. Jim.
* * *
Jane looked through Marsh's door. He was frowning at a patent and scribbling notes in the margins. She knocked.
He looked up and smiled. ‘Come in. How are you feeling today?’
‘I'm fine, thanks.’ She went in, but didn't sit down.
‘What can I do for you?’ He looked back to his work, as though anxious to get back to it.
Jane fidgeted with the sleeve of her blouse. ‘I wanted to thank you for everything yesterday.’
Marsh waved her thanks away. ‘Don't worry about it. It was nothing.’
‘No, it wasn't nothing. So … can I buy you dinner? To say thank you.’
Marsh appeared taken aback. ‘You don't have to do that.’
‘I'd like to.’
He appeared to study the paperwork in front of him. ‘Um …’
He was going to refuse, she could tell. She had been wrong about how he felt and she had been so certain. ‘It's no big deal. You don't have to.’ She started to back away.
‘Oh no.’ He looked up again, his eyes flicking to the doorway behind her. He lowered his voice. ‘It's just not a good idea to mix work and fun …’
Jane could feel that her face was bright red now. ‘Right.’
‘But,’ he said quickly, ‘as you say, it's just dinner to say thank you, right?’
Jane held her breath.
‘So, that sounds fine. When did you have in mind?’
‘How about Friday night?’ That way, if things went really badly, they wouldn't see each other until after the weekend.
Marsh pulled his diary towards him and leafed through. ‘Um … the week after would be better for me. How about Wednesday?’
‘Sure. Next Wednesday then. Great.’
‘Hang on, I'll just write it in.’ He scribbled in the book. ‘There, you're in the diary now. So it's official.’
‘Well, I'd better get back to work I guess.’
‘I'm looking forward to it.’ His dimple flashed.
‘Me too.’
* * *
From: Marshall, To: James
Jane was just in here. SHE asked ME out! She wants to buy me dinner to say thank you for helping her last night. I suggested next Wednesday. The partners meet that day, so by Wednesday night the decision will be made. Marsh.
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From: James, To: Marshall
Well done. I don't know how you do it. I've never been asked out by a woman. Ever. Jim.
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From: Marshall, To: Stevie
Ok, just to let you know. Jane and I are going out to dinner next week. She wanted to buy me a meal to say thank you. Marsh.
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From: Stevie, To: Marshall
YAY!!! I'm very excited for you. You'd better kiss her this time! You'll have to give me a full report the next day. Ok, maybe not a FULL report. There are some things I don't need to know about my big brother. Love Stevie.
* * *
Jane stared at her computer screen and tapped a nail on the edge of the keyboard. The night before, she had been convinced that Marshall liked her, but now she wasn't so sure. His reluctance to accept her invitation had surprised and upset her. No
wonder he had been such a gentleman the night before. It was easy to be chivalrous if you're not tempted to go any further.
Thank goodness she hadn't thrown herself at him. That would have been terribly embarrassing. The trouble was, she still fancied him and she would have to sit through dinner, knowing he was just being friendly. She just knew she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about kissing him the whole time. It made her warm just thinking about it.
She placed her hand against her cheek. It was a major disadvantage having such pale skin.
* * *
From: Jane, To: Polly
Well, I asked him out. He didn't seem all that keen. I'm all embarrassed now. Jane
##
From: Polly, To: Jane
Ouch. That doesn't sound good. I bet he's gay.
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From: Jane, To: Polly
You're not helping.
* * *
There was a knock on the door. It was Keith. He ignored Ruth and looked at Jane. ‘I heard you got mugged. Are you Ok?’
Jane frowned. It had been less than half an hour since she'd told Ruth. Gossip travelled really fast in the office.
She didn't want any more attention. ‘It wasn't such a big deal. More of a bag snatching, really.’
Had Marsh been telling everyone about how he rescued her? She hadn't thought he would be the sort, but then she'd been wrong about people before.
She had been wrong about Ashby.
‘I thought it was more serious than that,’ said Keith. ‘Mind you, Sally does tend to exaggerate.’
Jane forced a little laugh. ‘No. No big deal at all.’ She wondered how Sally knew.
‘Well, if you need anything, my door is always open.’ He turned to leave. ‘I'll see you later.’
When Keith had left, Ruth popped her head above the partition. ‘I'm sorry. I didn't realise you didn't want people to know. I mentioned it to Val when I gave her my last set of dictation notes. She must have told Sally.’
Jane sighed. Val was Marsh's secretary. Sally was Keith's. If the secretaries were talking about it, then the whole company probably knew by now. The last thing she wanted was people taking an interest in her life again. At least this time they'd be asking her how she was and not talking in hushed whispers when she passed. And there would be no photographers waiting to snap when she was least expecting it.
‘It's Ok,’ she said. ‘It really wasn't anything major. Just a bit of hassle to lose my cards and phone. That's all.’ At least now she knew it wasn't Marsh telling people about what had happened.
Ruth sank back down into her chair, mouthing ‘Sorry’ again.
Jane waved the apology aside. She opened up the file she was working on and got back to work.
* * *
From: Stevie, To: Marshall
Marsh, I've just Googled your friend Jane. Turns out there'sanother Jane Porter, from Manchester. That Jane used to go out with Ashby Thornton. Isn't that a weird coincidence? Stevie.
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From: Marshall, To: Stevie
Oh, I see what you mean. They do look similar.
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From: Marshall, To: Stevie
I did a little digging. Comparing Jane’s LinkedIn profile to the various bits of information from articles about Ashby Thornton’s girlfriend, it would seem they both went to the same university. It seems too much of a coincidence. So, I think they’re the same person, but she seems to have changed her appearance a fair bit. I’m sure she has a good reason for not wanting to be recognised, though. Best to respect her wishes. M.
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From: Stevie, To: Marshall
Does it bother you? The girl you fancy is famous!
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From: Marshall, To: Stevie
Why should it bother me that she went out with someone rich and famous and talented? Marsh.
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From: Stevie, To: James, Louise
Ok, I Googled Jane. Turns out she's famous. She used to go out with Ashby Thornton. She was all over the magazines when she and Ashby split up. He cheated on her with a girl from Hollyoaks. It was a TOTAL scandal. The mags said she'd disappeared. Looks like she reappeared in your office! Wow! Although, I'm worried now. What does a glamorous ex-WAG want with my brother??? Stevie.
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From: James Edwards, To: Stevie, Louise
Who the hell is Ashby Thornton?
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From: Louise, To: James, Stevie
Jim, do try and keep up. Ashby Thornton is a pop singer. He's the latest thing, according to all the celebrity mags. Stevie, don't worry about it. Just because Jane used to be in the public eye, doesn't mean she's going to hurt Marsh. As for what she sees him – what are you talking about? He's gorgeous, he's successful, he owns his own flat and to top it all off, he's a lovely man. What's not to like? Lou.
##
From: James, To: Louise, Stevie
Oi, wife, I AM reading this you know. A man doesn't need to hear that his wife thinks his best mate is gorgeous! Stevie, from what I've seen of Jane, she's a nice person and doesn't really fit the 'glamorous ex-WAG' bill. If she was that sort of a person, she would have sold her story to the Daily Mail and made some money out of it. It sounds to me like she's trying to get on with her life. First you worry that he WON'T go out with her, thenyou worry that he WILL. You women perplex me. Jim.
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From: Louise, To: James
Don't worry, darling. You are, were and always will be, the love of my life. What do I need a good-looking man for, when I've got you? Lou.
##
From: James, To: Louise
Dammit woman, you always win me over with your sweet talk. I love you too. Jim.
Chapter Ten
From: Polly, To: Jane
Where are you? Are you working late AGAIN? It's no fun watching Desperate Housewives on my own! Pol.
##
From: Jane, To: Polly
Sorry! We've only got four days until we have to report to Susan and I still haven't found anything that Marsh can use. I've got about thirty articles to look through in the hope that one of them has a throwaway comment about combining drugs. To make things worse, I can't keep my mind off Marsh. It's really quiet at this time of night and the office walls are so thin that I can hear him talking into his Dictaphone. Just knowing that he's so close is driving me insane. And my head hurts. Jane.
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From: Polly, To: Jane
You're working too hard. That's why your head hurts. Come home. Have a glass of wine and watch Desperate Housewives with me. Pol.
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From: Jane, To: Polly
Maybe you're right. I'll go pick up the last research paper I've printed out and I'll call it a day. See you in a bit. Jane.
* * *
Jane stood and stretched. Her back was stiff from sitting still. She rolled her shoulders, trying to loosen them. The walk to the shared printer in a room around the corner would do her good.
The floor was quiet. Everyone else seemed to have gone home. It seemed strange to see the place so still, when it was normally buzzing with people. She heard a door shut somewhere. So, there were others working late.
She paused at a window. It was another cold night and the beginnings of fog were starting to thread through the streetlights down below. She shuddered, and forced herself to look away from the street, up at the other tower blocks. A number of them had lights on here and there.
She ran a hand over her tired eyes. She didn't know which was more depressing, seeing the enormous amount of reading she had to do, or nearing the end of the list and still not finding anything of any use. Once she got home, the last thing she'd want to do was read, so she'd try to read the remaining document on the way.
Jane turned in to the print room and found Marsh kneeling, loading paper into the printer tray.
He looked up and smiled. ‘Still here? I thought Keith and I were the only ones mad enough to stay this late.’
&n
bsp; ‘I was just thinking of heading off, actually,’ said Jane. ‘I'm nearly at the end of the list.’
Marsh pushed the drawer shut, stood, and dusted off his knees. ‘I guess you haven't found anything.’ The printer whirred into life.
‘Nothing. I've started dreaming about patents.’ She sighed. ‘I think I'm losing the will to live.’
‘I know that feeling,’ he said. Printed pages began emerging and falling into a neat pile.
Jane's mind had gone completely blank. When a page shot out of the printer and slid off the top of the pile, they both reached for it.
Marsh's hand grazed hers. An electric thrill ran up her arm. Her breath caught and she looked up, straight into his eyes. The paper fell, unimpeded, to the floor.
Held in his gaze she couldn't move. He was so tantalisingly close.
Marsh drew a breath and blinked. He cleared his throat. ‘Sorry,’ he murmured.
He picked up the paper. ‘I think this is part of yours.’ He hesitated, looked at it more closely. ‘Looks like it might be relevant.’ He sorted through the rest of the printed papers, making two piles. ‘These are yours too.’
