The Second Time

by Jade Winters

  Sophie’s betrayal had been splashed all over the media, but Darcie had refused to press charges when she found out Sophie had desperately needed money to care for her ailing mother. It was a noble thing for Darcie to turn a blind eye to, but it had nearly cost her livelihood.

  ‘Is it because of me?’

  ‘You?’ Darcie sounded exasperated. ‘Why would you have any effect on my decision making?’

  ‘I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking. Is it Bette?’

  ‘My heart just isn’t in it, OK,’ Darcie carried on speaking as if Madison hadn’t spoken.

  ‘Now I know your lying. Are you at your office?’

  ‘Yes, why?’

  ‘Because I’m coming to see you. Tell me to my face that you aren’t interested then I’ll believe you.’

  ‘I—’

  Madison replaced the handset before Darcie could utter another word. Her heart’s not in it —who the hell does she think she’s trying to kid.

  Madison grabbed her bag and hurried down the corridor to her uncle’s office.

  ‘Take a seat,’ Bryan said when she walked in.

  There was tension in the air. She could tell something had annoyed Bryan by the way he refused to meet her gaze. ‘Is everything all right?’

  ‘You tell me.’

  ‘You’re confusing me.’

  ‘Am I?’

  ‘Yes, look let’s stop playing cat and mouse games and just get to the point. I have to be somewhere.’

  ‘What’s my number one pet hate, Maddie?’

  ‘Being interrupted?’

  ‘No, that’s my second one.’

  Madison shook her head. ‘I don’t know … being lied to?’

  Bryan slammed his hand down on his desk with such force the noise caused Madison to jerk back. ‘Exactly! So why would you lie to me?’

  ‘Me?! I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

  ‘Really? Tell me, before our first meeting, had you met Darcie before?’

  Madison’s back stiffened. Fuck! How did he find out? ‘Um … I …’

  ‘Yes or no?’ he demanded. Now he looked at her and she could see anger blazing in his eyes. Not caused by aggression, it was triggered by hurt.

  ‘Yes. I knew her,’ Madison said softly.

  ‘Speak up, I can’t hear you.’

  ‘I said yes, I knew her.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me at the time?’

  ‘Because I didn’t want you to think I was doing her any favours. I know how you feel about—’

  ‘So let me get this right. You were at the foster home with her, yes?’

  ‘How did you find out?’ There was only one person who could have told him. Bette. So Madison was right in her thinking that a leopard never changes its spots. Bette most certainly hadn’t. And it seemed that she had got exactly what she set out to achieve. To knock Darcie out of the running.

  ‘Just answer me!’

  Madison considered denying it, but knowing Bryan, he would have already checked up on Darcie’s background. ‘Yes we were at the foster home together.’

  ‘And you … the two of you …’

  ‘Are you asking if we were lovers?’ Madison straightened her shoulders and held her head high. ‘Yes, yes we were. I loved her and she loved me—’

  ‘I didn’t bring you in here to hear your young-love romance story, I want to know why you kept this from me. Why you chose her company? And please don’t tell me it was because of her reputation. I’ve done some background checking on your… friend. She’s one step away from going bankrupt.’

  ‘That’s not her fault, it was—’

  ‘Because of her employee? Maddie, how many times do you think my competitors tried to bury me?’

  Madison kept her mouth shut. This wasn’t the first bawling out she’d had from her uncle and she knew from experience that once he had got things off his chest, she should be able to talk properly with him, but in the meantime, it was best to let him blow off steam.

  ‘Answer me.’ Bryan’s voice thundered around the room.

  ‘A lot.’

  ‘Yes a lot. Too many times for me to remember.’ He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. ‘Do you even think they came close to achieving what they set out to do?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘No they didn’t. And even if they did, I wouldn’t have sat around blaming my circumstances on why I gave up.’

  ‘Darcie didn’t give up. You saw her presentation—’

  ‘No what I saw wasn’t real. She was a plant. She didn’t get the chance to put forward her proposal through merit. She was there because you put her there for no reason other than you share a past.’

  Madison was on her feet. ‘That’s not true. If for one second I thought she wasn’t up to the job, I would never have invited her to bid. She didn’t even know who I was until yesterday.’

  ‘Then you’ve done your “friend” a great disservice.’ Bryan slid his glasses back on. ‘She’s out of the running.’

  ‘Please don’t punish her because of a mistake I made.’

  ‘I’m not punishing her, Madison.’ He looked her straight in the eye. ‘I’m punishing you. Tell her she’s off the list, and replace her with Lindros. Get in touch with Marcus and brief him.’

  ‘Uncle—’

  ‘Enough! And don’t call me by that name again until you have somehow managed to earn my trust. Now get out of here,’ he said dismissively. ‘I can’t bear to look at you right now.’

  ‘I’m sorry Unc … Bryan,’ Madison said as she backed away.

  ‘So am I. More than you’ll ever know.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  Darcie would be the first to tell anyone that she wasn’t perfect.

  She had flaws, just like everyone else and she didn’t try to hide them.

  This was one of those times that she had to be weak to be strong, to admit to one of them. She realised that her business was on the brink of failure, and to turn down the opportunity Madison had presented to her was crazy, but she had to think about her own mental well-being.

  Madison’s sudden appearance had been hard to face but Bette appearing on the scene too? There was no way she was ever going to do anything that involved seeing her again.

  Not only was the woman a bully, she was the reason Darcie had been removed from the foster home. What had Darcie’s crime been to warrant such swift action? Bette had gone to the police and told them she had found naked photos of herself on Darcie’s phone. Despite Darcie’s denial, the police had confiscated her mobile, and to her horror, the pictures were there.

  She was barely given time to collect her belongings before she was frogmarched from the foster home—with firm instructions never to return. Which meant she never got to say goodbye to Madison. And when her letters finally did reach Madison, the response she got from her nearly broke her.

  Bette and Madison were an item. The betrayal had been so severe that Darcie thought she would truly die. Even now, all of these years later, her skin crawled at the thought of Bette being anywhere near Madison. And now they were in touch again. Did that mean they were going to pick up from wherever they left off?

  Well if they are they can do it in front of someone else.

  Darcie didn’t want to hear about them and most certainly didn’t want to see them together.

  The door burst open and Emma stepped in to the room. Her hair looked as frazzled as her animated behaviour. Fingers shoved through her hair, pacing the floor, Darcie didn’t have to second guess what was wrong.

  ‘I take it you’ve heard?’

  ‘Yes I’ve heard and I just want to know why.’ Emma’s voice lost its usual softness. Now it was hard. Accusing. ‘Why the hell are you letting your personal feelings get in the way of work?’

  ‘I—’

  ‘You do realise we are one step away from closing the door on this place?’ She gestured around her with open arms, then crossed them again.

  ‘Emma—’ />
  ‘People depend on us Darcie. The very same people that helped us build this business from scratch. And this is how you want to repay them, by fucking them over because you can’t get over a slight that happened to you ten years ago. You can’t rewrite your past, no matter how much you want to.’

  Darcie sat open-mouthed as Emma carried on tearing her to shreds. It was obvious she had been holding in her feelings for quite a while. But for how long? Darcie had thought their easy-going relationship meant that Emma could openly approach her about anything. But now, Darcie wasn’t so sure.

  ‘So if you want to ruin your life, fine. Do it, but don’t try and take us all down with you in the process.’

  ‘Sorry I couldn’t help but overhearing—’

  Both sets of eyes flew to the door and the newcomer.

  ‘Maddie, what are you doing here?’ Emma said, clearly embarrassed she’d been caught red-handed, airing the company’s dirty laundry.

  ‘I’m hoping to speak some sense into Darcie.’

  Emma shook her head and let out a sigh. ‘Good luck with that.’

  ‘Emma—’ Darcie could feel colour rising in her cheeks and the first stirrings of anger at her partner.

  ‘I’ve said my piece, Darcie. Do what you want. You normally do.’

  Emma stormed out the door without a backward glance.

  ‘Whoa, she’s got some temper,’ Madison said glancing furtively towards Emma’s retreating figure.

  ‘Only when she’s passionate about things.’

  ‘Like not wanting to be unemployed because of your stubbornness?’

  Darcie automatically started to get to her feet then suddenly sat back down again, reprimanding herself. She’d already pissed Emma off. The last thing she wanted to do was push Madison away—especially as she was the one that held the key to the company’s future.

  ‘If you’ve come here to have a go at me as well, you’ve wasted your time. I retract what I said earlier,’ Darcie said with a wry smile. ‘I’m a hundred percent on board with providing you with the best campaign you’ve ever seen.’

  ‘You are?’ Madison asked cautiously.

  ‘Yes we are. Our history doesn’t have to interfere with our professional lives. I’ve got an opportunity to save my company, and I’m going to do everything in my power to do it.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Darcie gestured for Madison to sit, but she gave a small shake of her head and remained standing.

  ‘But it’s best not to put your eggs in one basket. You should be out there putting out more proposals.’

  Darcie leant over her desk, fingers entwined. ‘You sound like you don’t think I’m in with a chance.’

  ‘On the contrary.’ Madison’s eyes never left Darcie’s. ‘I told you, I thought your ideas were bold and visionary.’

  ‘But not as good as Bette’s?’ Darcie wished she had the courage to say what was on her mind instead of pussyfooting about. That she would never forgive Madison for betraying her—especially with Bette of all people.

  ‘I didn’t say that,’ Madison said in a clipped tone.

  ‘You didn’t have to.’ Darcie wondered why Madison was suddenly so defensive. Had she touched a raw nerve? Was there a conflict of interest between the two women from her past? ‘Why do I get the feeling you’re not as enthusiastic about our proposal anymore? Less than an hour ago you were gung-ho for me to carry on.’

  ‘And I still am. I really am.’ Madison’s shoulders sagged slightly. ‘I’m sorry, but I’ve got things on my mind.’

  Probably Bette. Darcie felt a twinge of jealousy grip her but brushed it aside. Perhaps it was time to call Katie for a little rendezvous. Anything to take her mind off things.

  ‘Well don’t let me keep you,’ Darcie said.

  Madison opened her mouth as if to say something then promptly closed it again. She turned away and walked to the door. ‘One thing I forgot to tell you. My uncle wants a weekly report on your progress.’

  It was a loaded request dressed up as a ‘formality’. But Darcie had to keep reminding herself she wasn’t the one who called the shots. Bryan did, and if he wanted her proposal supervised, so be it. She didn’t have anything to hide.

  ‘That’s absolutely fine.’

  ‘Good.’

  Despite Darcie’s mind raising red flags in an attempt to warn her that she shouldn’t be taken in by Madison’s perceived concern for her company’s future, she tried to mute her concerns. She had to get past this. This was now business, not personal.

  ‘Good.’ Madison made no attempt to leave, instead she wrapped her arms around her chest. ‘So I’ll see you Friday then?’

  ‘You’ll be overseeing it?’ Darcie asked, trying not to make her excitement at the prospect of seeing Madison on a weekly basis too obvious.

  Madison lifted her eyebrows in response to Darcie’s question. ‘You got a problem with that?’

  Darcie averted her gaze pretending to mull over the thought of having Madison critique her work. ‘No. As long as you don’t.’

  ‘Nope. I’m cool.’

  ‘Great. I’ll have something for you to see by then.’

  ‘I hope I wasn’t overstepping the mark.’ Madison looked uncomfortable as she hesitated. ‘You know, about my suggestion earlier.’

  ‘About sending out more proposals? No, you’re right. We probably should. I’ve let things slide for too long.’

  ‘Great, so I’ll be seeing you then.’

  ‘You can count on it.’

  Darcie waited until she heard Madison’s footsteps vanish down the corridor, then let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding.

  Winning the contract was the perfect way to exact revenge on Bette for what she had done. Maybe after this, Darcie would finally be able to lay her ghosts to rest.

  Maybe.

  Chapter Fourteen

  From where Madison stood at her kitchen window, she could see directly into the flat opposite. A young couple sat at a candlelit table, feeding each other from their own plates and laughing at the mess they were making of it.

  It struck Madison then that what she was witnessing was something she had not experienced herself in such a long while. There was an intimacy far beyond physical relations about the couple that meant she felt, even at this distance, like she was intruding, so much so that she desperately wanted to look away but found that she couldn’t put a stop to her voyeuristic fascination with them. She saw, in them, what she had once wanted with Darcie.

  That was before they were reunited, and Madison realised she had been holding onto a dream. One so far out of reach there wasn’t the slightest possibility of it manifesting in her life. A dream that she, to her regret now had allowed to rule her life.

  ‘You should have just been straight with her, Maddie.’

  Madison continued to wash the plate she held in her hands. ‘I couldn’t. She seemed so riled up about it, I didn’t have the heart to piss on her dreams.’

  ‘Well you’re going to have to do it one day. From what you’ve said about your uncle, once he’s pissed off about something it’s not easy to talk him round.’

  ‘I know, but I’m hoping he’ll have calmed down after a couple of days.’

  ‘And pigs might fly. Look, just call her tomorrow, and tell her your uncle is going with the other company.’

  ‘I can’t lie to her.’

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing now?’ Kay said, almost dropping the plate she was drying. She flicked Madison gently with the tea towel she was using. ‘You’re letting her believe she’s competing for a chance at the big time. If that’s not lying I don’t know what is.’

  Madison rinsed the plate, then picked up another. Even though the kitchen was equipped with a dishwasher, Madison had always found washing up by hand therapeutic. It was a good time to let her mind roam free.

  ‘It’ll be all right,’ Madison said more to herself than Kay. She made a mental note to get in touch with Lindros the following morning
and inform them they were on the shortlist. If she didn’t and Bryan found out, she knew he would be even more pissed off with her. If she was going to keep in his good books, it would be wise to do as he asked.

  Kay took the plate from the draining board and began to dry it. ‘It’s not your fault Darcie’s business is on the ropes you know.’

  ‘I’m aware of that. But there’s no harm in offering a helping hand is there?’

  ‘As long as that’s all it is.’

  Madison bit her bottom lip. ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘It means she’s hurt you once before and she will do it again given half the chance. People don’t just vanish out of other’s lives without a trace.’

  ‘We were sixteen. What did we know back then?’ Madison’s voice trailed away, leaving a whole history unspoken.

  ‘And you’re twenty-six now and she still treats you like a kid. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she resents you.’

  ‘Resents me?’ Madison turned to face Kay. ‘Don’t be silly. What have I got that she wants?’

  ‘Her happily ever after. You scored the ultimate fairy-tale—you were the one that got rescued. Hit the big time. And what did Darcie get? Shunted from home to home like a commodity. Wouldn’t you be twisted?’

  ‘Not if she was happy, no.’ Madison stopped washing the plate. ‘I don’t think it’s resentment she feels. I just don’t think she likes me very much.’

  Kay nudged Madison with her shoulder. ‘How can she not like you?’

  ‘Because I’m not the same person I was back then.’

  ‘From what you’ve told me about back then, Darcie was the one in charge, but now the boot’s on the other foot. Sounds like it’s the situation she doesn’t like. Not you personally.’

  ‘Do you blame her?’

  ‘And that’s what you want? To be in a power struggle? Come on, Maddie, you’re a grown woman. You don’t have to play silly mind games with her. Let her get on with it.’

  Madison lowered her gaze to her hands, covered in a thick coating of pure white bubbles and one tiny stray piece of lettuce from the salad they had shared for dinner, as she considered Kay’s words. It was too bad things had got off on the wrong foot, but there was nothing she could do about it now.