by Rhoda Baxter
She leaned against him and, between mouthfuls, outlined what was going on.
‘Hmm.’ He rested his cheek lightly on the top of her head. ‘Doesn't sound good, does it?’ His sigh made the hairs on her nape stand up.
‘Susan's on your side,’ she said.
‘I know. She's a scary boss, but very loyal to her staff,’ said Marsh. ‘Besides, I get the impression she knows what Keith's like.’
‘Maybe he tried to pull something on her when he first started,’ said Jane. They both sat in silence for a moment, contemplating it.
‘Nah,’ Marsh said after a moment. ‘Not even Keith is that stupid.’ He looked over her shoulder. ‘Are you done?’ He slid off the bed and set the tray on the dresser. When he returned to her and gathered her to him in a kiss, Jane flung her arms around him and kissed him back.
They lay together on the bed, kissing with the enthusiasm of teenagers. After some time, Marsh said, ‘I guess I should tuck you in and take that tray downstairs.’
Jane groaned. ‘Do you have to?’
‘I think I should. I don't think I'm allowed to sleep with the paying guests.’ He paused and shuddered slightly. ‘Not that I've ever wanted to before.’
Jane slipped under the duvet. Marsh tucked her in. ‘It gets quite cold at night. Are you sure you're going to be warm enough?’
‘I would be if you were in here with me.’ Her eyes were already closing.
‘I'll see what I can do.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘Goodnight, Jane. Thanks for coming to find me.’
‘The pleasure was all mine,’ she whispered.
Jane woke in the middle of the night, wondering where she was. Remembering, she smiled into the darkness. Marsh loved her. Ok, she was in the tabloids again and her job was in jeopardy, but she could deal with all that. Because Marsh loved her.
There was a soft knock on the door. Jane sat bolt upright, her heart suddenly leaping with hope. ‘Yes?’ she whispered, and turned on the bedside lamp.
‘It's Marsh,’ came an answering whisper.
Jane slipped out of bed and opened the door. It was cold now that she was out of her nice warm bed. She let Marsh in and scrambled back under the duvet.
He was barefoot and wearing jeans and a T-shirt. In the soft light of the bedside lamp, he looked ruffled and unutterably sexy. ‘Do you still need a hot water bottle?’
Suddenly Jane was very much awake. ‘It is quite cold.’
‘Certainly is.’
She enjoyed the movement of muscles as he pulled his T-shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor. Jeans and boxer shorts followed soon after. Jane had to resist the urge to reach out and grab him.
‘Shift up,’ he said.
‘No way. I've warmed this side of the bed up. I'm not moving.’
Marsh slid in between her and the duvet. His naked body pressed against hers.
Jane's heart sped up as she felt his heat. He propped himself up on his elbows so that he didn't crush her. ‘In that case,’ he said, as he traced the line of her jaw with his finger, ‘we'll just have to share.’
Chapter Thirty-One
From: James, To: Marshall
Welcome back. It's good to have you around again. I see Keith is back too. Never mind. Were the committee fair to you? I gather not being made partner is your punishment. I suppose that's punishment enough, really. Jim.
##
From: Marshall, To: James
I'm just grateful to have my job. I guess we've all been let off lightly. Of course, none of it was actually my fault. Or Jane's. Susan hinted that strong words have been had with Keith. She wouldn't be drawn any further on that. I'd better get back to work. The client has ok’d the text we sent, so I have to finalise the documents and get them filed before the deadline. Marsh.
##
From: Marshall, To: James
PS: Thanks for helping Jane out when she was looking for me.
##
From: James, To: Marshall
That's what friends are for. Lou wants you and Jane to come for dinner and tell her all the details. She says you owe us. Jim.
##
From: Marshall, To: Louise, Cc: Jane, James
Lou, Jim says you want to feed me and Jane. How about weekend after next – Stevie will be back down for the weekend. She's still a bit cut up about Buzz, but seems to be coping Ok. Marsh.
##
From: Louise, To: Marshall
Excellent. I'm looking forward to meeting Jane, we've heard so much about her. It will be lovely to see Stevie too. I spoke to Stevie yesterday, in fact. All she wanted to talk about was you and Jane. I guess it's taken her mind off Buzz nicely. I'm really happy that you've found someone. I've always said it was a waste that you were single. Love Lou.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Cause Celeb Exclusive Interview: In conversation with Triphoppers
Nearly eight months after the release of their fabulous second album Swagger! the boys are taking a well-earned break from touring. Ashby, Pete, Lee and Josh talk to our very own Amber Jackson about life on the road, food, sleepless nights and the search for love.
The interview will be available to download as a podcast so that you can listen to it over and over again!
What are the questions you've been dying to ask them? Email your questions to Amber and you might even hear the answers.
* * *
From: Human Resources, To: All Staff
Subject: Keith Durridge
Keith Durridge will be leaving Ramsdean and Tooze to take up a position as head of patents at the soap manufacturer SolTol International. Keith has been with R&T for fifteen years, since he joined us as a trainee. We congratulate Keith and wish him well in his new venture. Keith's last day will be Thursday. A presentation will take place in the canteen at 12.30. Gerry Bently, Human Resources.
##
From: Susan, To: All Staff
Subject: New Partners
On behalf of the partners, we would like to congratulate Marshall Winfield and Georgina Heath on being nominated to become partners of Ramsdean and Tooze. There will be doughnuts and tea to celebrate on Friday.
* * *
Jane hummed to herself as she walked towards the music megastore, where she'd meet Marsh before they went to Jim and Louise's for dinner. The sun was shining on streets still slick with the morning's rain. Traffic hissed over wet tarmac. She was snug in her winter coat and was feeling warmer and happier than she remembered ever being.
As she passed the entrance, she saw a large cut-out of Ashby and the band. Once it would have caused her a twinge of hurt, but now she felt nothing. She didn't even bother to read what it was advertising, and went straight upstairs.
Marsh was frowning as he looked through a row of CDs. He looked round when she spoke and smiled. ‘Hi,’ he said, and gave her a quick kiss.
‘What are you getting?’
He showed her a handful of CDs. ‘It's been ages since I bought any new music. I'm looking for the band Stevie keeps talking about.’ He flicked through more CDs. ‘Ah. Here we are.’
‘The Electric Beehives,’ Jane read over his shoulder. ‘What do they do?’
‘Heaven knows. Apparently, they're indescribable.’ Marsh did a good impression of his sister showing awe.
Jane chuckled. ‘That could mean anything.’
When Marsh had paid for his purchases, he looked at his watch. ‘We've still got loads of time. Fancy a coffee?’
The coffee shop on the top floor was full of excited teenaged girls. Jane and Marsh found a nice alcove and sat squashed together, drinking their coffee and taking wild guesses what ‘indescribable’ might possibly describe. Suddenly all the teenagers stampeded out of the coffee shop.
‘Wonder what's going on.’ Jane's voice sounded loud in the suddenly empty room.
‘A band's doing a signing today,’ said a waitress as she picked up half empty cups. ‘It's always like this when there's a signing on. Chaos to start with and then they a
ll run off, leaving half eaten stuff everywhere.’ She threw a barely touched muffin into a bin bag.
‘Perhaps we should get out while the exits are still visible,’ said Marsh.
‘I'd use the side entrance, if I were you,’ said the waitress. ‘The bands are usually at the front end of the store.’
The upper floors were deserted and there was a huge racket coming from downstairs. As they walked to the escalator, Jane looked over the side and saw screaming fans waving pieces of paper and clothing at a group of people who were being moved through the crowd by big men in suits.
‘I wonder who it is.’ The moment the words left her mouth, she recognised the band. In the same instant, Ashby looked up. He stopped, making Pete, the drummer, walk into the back of him. The rest of the band looked up too. One by one, everyone around him turned to see what Ashby was looking at.
Trapped on the escalator, Jane and Marsh were suddenly the centre of attention. Cameras flashed as she was recognised. They had no choice but to carry on descending, slowly to the ground floor. She felt Marsh's hand close around hers, letting her know he was there.
At the bottom of the escalator the crowd parted to let them through. They ran a gauntlet of whispering people and flashing cameras until they reached the circle of guards, who, at a word from Ashby, let them through.
‘Er … Jane,’ said Ashby, when she came to a halt directly in front of him. He removed his sunglasses.
She had known him long enough to recognise his nervousness, even though he was trying to look nonchalant in front of his fans. ‘Ashby.’
Behind him the band silently nodded their greetings.
Jane linked her arm through Marsh's. ‘Marsh, this is Ashby. Ashby, Marshall.’
The two men eyed each other, unsmiling. Jane remembered Marsh saying that if he ever met her ex, he would punch him on the nose. Her grip on his arm tightened.
Marsh gave her an amused glance and thrust out his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’ His smile didn't match the expression in his eyes. ‘I've heard a lot about you.’
Ashby smiled back, employing the full force of his charisma. Several cameras flashed. ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he said with a flourish. ‘The lovely Jane and her new partner, Marshall.’
Jane smiled and waved to the crowd, hoping she looked gracious. Marsh waved too, but didn't take his eyes off Ashby.
‘Anyway, babe. I've got to go sign some CDs and things. Best of luck to you both.’ He caught Marsh's hand for another shake before leaning in to give Jane a swift kiss on the cheek. ‘No hard feelings, eh?’ he muttered in her ear.
Jane was torn between annoyance and amusement. How like Ashby. Irritating and enchanting at the same time.
‘Right then.’ Ashby turned away and strode into the store. ‘Somebody give me a pen and let’s sign some shit.’
The noise level went up a pitch as the fans forgot all about the newcomers and surged towards their idol. Jane and Marsh, forgotten, shouldered their way through the crowd towards the exit.
‘So that was Ashby,’ said Marsh, when they reached the street. ‘Interesting character.’
‘Yeah,’ said Jane. ‘Irritating as hell.’
‘Hmm,’ said Marsh. There was a sudden spike in volume from inside. ‘They seem to like him.’
‘They're welcome to him. I'd much rather have you.’
‘Likewise.’ Marsh put his arm around her waist and together they walked down the street, away from the screaming teenagers.
Jane leaned against him. She felt safe and secure and, for the first time in ages, she realised she was no longer bothered by Ashby. She had Marsh now. He was all she needed.
About the author
Rhoda Baxter writes contemporary romantic comedies. She has lived all over the world, including the Pacific island of Yap, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Didcot. She now lives in East Yorkshire with one husband, two children and no pets or carnivorous plants.
Rhoda studied at the University of Oxford and holds a DPhil in microbiology. When choosing a pen name, she got nostalgic about the bacteria she used to study (Rhodobacter species) and named herself Rhoda Baxter after them.
Now her day job involves protecting and commercialising intellectual property generated by university research. This allows her to stay in touch with cutting edge scientific research without having to spend long hours in the lab.
Rhoda is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association. Girl on the Run is her first novel published by a Choc Lit imprint. Her first paperback novel with Choc Lit, Doctor January, will be published in August 2014.
Find out more here:
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More Choc Lit from Rhoda Baxter
Arriving August 2014
If you keep looking back, you might miss what’s standing right in front of you …
Six months after a painful break-up from Gordon, Beth’s finally getting her life back on track. She has faith in her own scientific theories and is willing to work hard to prove them. She’s even beginning to see Hibbs, her dedicated lab partner, as more than just a lousy lothario in a lab-coat and goggles.
So when Gordon arrives back from America without warning and expects to be welcomed back into Beth’s arms, she’s totally thrown. She also quickly begins to see that Gordon isn’t the man she thought he was … Hibbs has always held a candle for Beth, but he can only wait so long for her to realise there’s more to life than being patronised and bullied by the one who’s meant to love and protect her.
Will Beth forsee the explosive nature beneath Gordon’s placid surface before he destroys everything she’s worked for, both inside and outside the lab?
Extract from Doctor January:
Chapter One
Beth removed her cycle helmet and fluffed up her hair before she punched in the security code to get into the labs. As soon as she entered the corridor, she heard the shouting. Since she hadn’t had a card or text from Gordon, she was hoping she’d at least get a couple of cards and ‘happy birthdays’ from her colleagues, but it looked like she got to witness some sort of argument instead.
Vik, her fellow PhD student, was standing beside the door to the lab, apparently listening.
A female voice wailed, ‘You care more about those bloody bacteria than you do about me!’
Beth shot Vik a questioning glance. He put a finger to his lips, so she stopped outside the door too.
Hibs said something, his voice too low for Beth to make out the words.
‘Well, I’ve changed my mind,’ the woman said. ‘You can keep your experiments. I’ve had enough. We’re finished.’ Footsteps stamped towards the door.
Beth pulled back, flattening herself against the wall.
‘Wait,’ Hibs said, and the footsteps stopped. ‘You forgot your scarf.’
The girl made a strangled ugh noise and stormed out of the door. Beth tried to look like she hadn’t been listening outside as the girl gave another ugh, marched down the corridor and slammed the security door behind her.
Beth entered the lab to find Hibs concentrating on his computer screen. ‘Are you okay?’
Hibs tied back his long hair and shrugged. He was tall and slim and moved like something on the hunt. A Japanese ancestor a few generations back meant he had a faint, high-cheekboned exoticism about him. Beth was so comfortable hanging out with him as a friend, it sometimes surprised her that he was such a success with women. On the other hand, he was so phenomenally bad at keeping hold of the ones he bedded that being his friend was a far better long-term option.
‘That one lasted ... what, two weeks?’ Beth asked as she hung up her coat.
‘Ten days,’ said Hibs as he returned his attention to the computer.
Beth shook her head. ‘Anyone would think you don’t really want a girlfriend.’
‘Why would I want a girlfriend? They just get in the way and make you go to dinner parties,’ he said, without turning away from the screen.
‘Not all of
them.’ Hibs grinned. ‘Enough pleasantries, come look at this.’ A Plexiglas partition separated the lab into two zones –
a dry area with desks and computers and, beyond it, the ‘wet’ area, where the lab benches were. Beth tossed her bags under her desk and went to stand next to Hibs. He pointed to some red and green pictures on the screen. ‘Oh cool. Are those your glow-in-the-dark bacteria?’
‘Uh huh. GFP – green fluorescent protein.’ He clicked a button and the images overlaid each other to show little black ovals with green spots. ‘The green is my protein. Look, you can see where it clusters in the cell.’
Beth nudged him out of the way and leaned closer to look at the images, which showed a bacterium with two glowing green patches. ‘That’s cool,’ she said. Her finger traced the pattern of green. ‘So, if we compared these to images of your mutant bacteria and my mutant bacteria ...’
‘We could see if yours holds the other proteins together.’ Hibs finished off her sentence.
‘Can we do it in time for Roger’s presentation next month? We’ve got six weeks.’ It was their supervisor’s turn to present the research done in his lab to the microbiology department’s annual symposium. But Beth felt that the slides she’d contributed to the talk were not very interesting – they didn’t show any conclusions as to what the protein she was studying actually did.
Hibs frowned. ‘Not sure.’
Beth pulled her diary out and started marking off the days. ‘Let’s see. We each need to make the strains ... at least six sets of images each ...’ She crossed off days until she ran out.
‘We don’t have time.’ Hibs’s voice was full of disappointment. ‘Bugger. It would have been really good. Lots of nice pictures you could have used in your thesis.’
