by Latham, D
"Yep, you're right. By the way, did you call Janine?" I watched his face pink up slightly.
"Yeah, I called her. She's left Trystan, come back to the UK. Wants to meet up."
"How do you feel about that?" I felt a pang. Jealousy?
"I'm meeting her tomorrow. I've been in love with her since the moment I met her. I need to find out if I'm truly over her, whether or not I can move on."
"Hmm. Well, that was a stupendous roast. I think I've put all the weight back on that I lost while you were away." I patted my tummy.
"It's still early. Shall we go out for a drink? I've missed proper beer."
"Is that wise on top of wine? You know how you get, hangovers and all that. Plus you normally moan when I let you drink." I bumped his shoulder to let him know I was teasing. I quickly changed into jeans and a vest, and we set off down the river path to the Dog and Duck.
It turned out to be one of those rare, fun evenings, where people seem extra friendly, the drinks seem colder, and the sun doesn't seem to go in for ages. It almost felt like we were on holiday already. At half eleven, we were thrown out by the landlord, so that he could close up. I started when Roger stepped in front of me.
"Mr Porenski asked that I see you home safely."
"Mr Porenski can go fuck himself, or Penny fucking Harrison," I slurred, "and you can stop tracking my phone Roger, s'creepy. I'm not his girlfriend anymore." I could hear James laughing beside me. I didn't often swear.
"You appear to be rather well refreshed, let me assist you getting home." He stood his ground.
"The lady said no thank you," said James.
"Yep, that's me, the lady, the prissy, uptight lady." James and I both giggled.
"Don't forget you like vanilla," slurred James.
"And Russian sizemeat." We both howled with laughter, and staggered on, leaving a rather bemused Roger standing by his car.
"Think you might have let the cat out the bag." James slurred the words out.
"Don't care. He's a twat, not like you. You're ok."
"Glad to hear it....oof, shit, did you put that lamppost there?" James rubbed his forehead.
"Nah, was probably that twatty Ruskie. Lets blame him."
"Yeah. Bastard."
"Do you feel sick?" I was feeling pretty ropey.
"Yeah, a bit."
"His fault too." We both laughed, but we were both staggering, and I was trying not to get seasick, as the pavement had begun to sway.
Oh god, let me die now, I thought, as I tried to peel my eyes open. They felt as though lumps of lead were holding them closed. I rolled onto my side, thinking there might be less gravity holding them shut in that position. I opened them, only to stare into the shocked blue eyes of James, laying beside me, who had clearly just woken up too. I glanced down. We were both stark naked, and laying on top of the duvet in my room. Shit shit shit. What the fuck have I done?
In the absence of anything much to say to redeem the situation, I muttered, "morning."
"Morning...this is a...surprise." He moved to cover up his man parts.
"James, I'm really sorry, I don't remember...."
"Neither do I."
"Did we?"
"I don't know."
I closed my eyes, as if my mortification would be less if I pretended he wasn't there. When I opened them, he was still there, laying on his front. "I can't get up right this minute Elle." He said, blushing almost purple. I frowned, it taking me a moment to catch on.
"Oh, I geddit, yeah, I'll leave you to it. I'll go make us some coffee. I hopped off the bed, and pulled on my robe. James didn't take his eyes off me. I wandered out to the kitchen, seeing the trail of clothes leading from the front door to the bedroom. It was a total blank from walking away from Roger to waking up this morning.
I had just poured the milk when James streaked past, his hands over his bits, running into his bedroom. A few minutes later he emerged wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. I pushed his coffee across to him. "At what point does your memory go blank?"
"I remember you ranting in the lift about the Ruskie, saying you were great in bed, I remember we couldn't unlock the door, and we both fell in when the key finally turned. After that, nothing. I doubt if we shagged, the state I was in."
I wriggled, I could feel that something had happened, that slightly bruised feeling that acts as a reminder of a night of passion. "I think we did." I blurted out, "I'm getting a flashback of you saying I was nice to shag, and I can feel the aftermath, you know, down there."
"You on the pill?"
"I had a shot, don't worry."
"Elle, I'm really sorry..."
"It's not your fault. We were both drunk, both responsible. Let’s just treat it like one of those things that happens between drunken friends."
"Yeah..." He paused, "wish I could remember it though."
I smacked his arm. "We're meant to forget it ever happened, not try and recall the details. Now, do you want some toast?"
"Please. Is there any orange juice? My mouth feels like it's got fur growing inside it." I passed him the carton, the contents of which he chugged down. "That's better. Now, are you ok? You're not upset about last night are you?" He looked concerned.
"I'm a bit embarrassed," I admitted, "mainly because I don't generally behave like that, and the first time in my life I have a one night stand, it had to be with you."
"I don't normally shag drunken women, and I'm a bit embarrassed too, I'm quite glad you can't remember it, I probably wasn't at my best."
I smirked at him. "Me neither. Listen, let's just forget it. Where have you got to go today to meet Janine?"
"Belvedere. It's in South East London. She's staying with a friend there. I'll get the train at around ten. What've you got planned?"
"I'm gonna nip down and see Oscar about nine. I want to play him that recording, get his advice as to what to do. Ivan's asked him to join the board too, so he needs to know about this." I glanced at the clock, it was only half seven. James rummaged through his kitchen drawer, finally pulling out a box of neurofen. He took two, before offering them to me. I pressed two out of their plastic capsules, and used the last of my coffee to swig them down.
While James made more coffee, I picked up our clothes from the floor, cringing slightly at the sheer embarrassment of finding my knickers outside my bedroom door. I found my handbag on the floor in the hall, and pulled out my phone to check it. There were 22 missed calls, all from Ivan. He'd left a voicemail at one in the morning. I went into my bedroom, and rather tentatively pressed 'play'.
"Elle, I've had a rather disturbing call this evening from Roger, telling me he tried to escort you home from a bar, and you declined, appearing to be drunk. Apparently you were ranting about some drunken rubbish. Elle, I'm not happy about this, and you need to know that I won't put up with public displays of drunk behaviour, nor will I allow you dismiss your security in that way. I don't know why you aren't answering your phone, I can only imagine that you're sleeping off the effects of your appalling lack of judgement. Call me the moment you wake up. We need to have serious words." Who the fuck does he think he is?
I switched off my phone, and put it on to charge, before heading into the shower. I turned the water up to hot, and immediately began to feel a little better. I stood under the water, thinking about James. We had both reacted the same way, namely embarrassed, but it seemed, each secretly a little bit intrigued. I racked my brain, trying to remember a bit more about the previous night, as I wanted to recall how he felt inside me. The thought of James' cock made my tummy do that delicious squeezing thing.
By the time I'd washed my hair, cleaned my teeth, and put a bit of makeup on, I was starting to feel human again. I put on the little sundress that I'd brought back from France, and slipped on a pair of flipflops. It promised to be a blazing hot day, and I contemplated heading over to Hyde park after seeing Oscar. It was just before nine when I knocked on his door. He opened it dressed in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
He smiled widely, and invited me in.
It was the first time I'd been inside his apartment. It was a stark contrast to the castle, being ultra modern, and extremely masculine, all decorated in a palette of taupes and greys. It was similar to James' flat, with the addition of a wall between the kitchen and the living room. I sat on the sofa, and looked around, while Oscar disappeared to make the tea. The first thing I noticed was the piano in the corner of the living room. It looked like a baby grand, and was so highly polished, it had an almost mirror like shine. The living room was dominated by a huge TV, which had to be at least 60 inches wide, set against the far wall. Underneath it was an oak unit, which seemed to house an array of gadgetry, including a playstation, which surprised me. On the coffee table was a copy of 'Stuff' magazine, alongside this month's GQ. All in all, it was the bachelor pad of an extremely urbane, and rather stylish man.
Oscar carried in a tray with a teapot, and all the other accoutrements on, and set it down on the coffee table. He then proceeded to pour, and finally handed me my tea in a white cup and saucer. "So you have an issue you need some advice on?"
"Yes. Ivan is planning an umbrella company and superboard to bring all the various companies together under one board, so to speak. Both you and I have been invited to sit on it as non execs." He nodded. "Yesterday morning, Ivan and I met with Paul Lassiter to discuss executive search, primarily to find a finance director, but also to fill the other skills gaps in the executive team. It was all pretty complex, so I recorded it, to help me make notes later. I don't think Ivan saw me press record, but Paul did. I wasn't being secretive, my phone was on the table, although partly hidden by my handbag. Anyway, halfway through, I needed the ladies, and when I came back, Paul couldn't look me in the eye. I figured something had been said while I was in the loo. I'll play you the recording, and see what you think." I pressed play, and fast forwarded to the 20 minute mark.
Oscar listened intently, his face impassive, giving me no clue as to what he was thinking. When it was finished, I switched it off. "Well?"
"I don't really know what to say, it doesn't make sense."
"What do you mean?" I asked, frowning.
"Well, he pursued you hard from day one, was prepared to hand over a multi billion pound company to ensure your safety, and changed his will to leave everything to you. His actions and his words say two different things. I take it you haven't spoken to him about it?"
"No, but his driver was outside the pub last night. I was drunk, very drunk, and said that Ivan should go fuck Penny fucking Harrison, plus a few other choice words, so he may have an inkling by now, plus I'm not returning his calls."
"You can't just avoid him."
"I know, but I couldn't even look at him yesterday afternoon. I just felt sick and humiliated. Then when I was on my way out, Paul Lassiter collared me, and tried to explain it all away. Said Ivan was jealous of you, and was trying to paint a horrible picture of me to put Paul off."
"That's certainly a valid theory I suppose. Have you given any thought as to how you want to deal with this?"
"I sounded Lassiter out about moving back to a city law firm. I'm sure that Ivan will pull his account over this, and I don't want losing the Retinski account on my CV, so it's better that I jump ship before that happens."
"That seems way too drastic. You might miss out on your bonus if you lost Retinski, but I doubt if they'd sack you. Ivan isn't your only client, nor is he your most lucrative, I am. Anyway, I'm sure I can send enough new clients your way to make up for you losing Retinski, I've held back because you seem pretty snowed under at the moment."
"Doesn't it bother you though, what he said about you?"
"No, not really. He's always been envious. That's why I kept the secret of the Faberge eggs from him. It also tells me that he still has no idea why you left me. Confirms that you've been true to your word."
I frowned, "I promised you, it will never be revealed. Whatever the circumstances, my lips are sealed." Why is he bringing this up again?
"I think you need to let him know about this recording. We can second guess his motives all we like, but until he's confronted with this, you'll only be guessing. I don't think you'll find peace of mind until you've seen his face when the recording is played to him."
"That's not what I expected you to say."
"Did you expect me to tell you to dump him, and come back to me?"
He doesn't want me either. The thought hit me like a thunderbolt. Dependable, ever present Oscar was rejecting me. Ivan was right, he'd got bored waiting, probably didn't want Ivan's cast off.
"No, I understand that you wouldn't want me back. I'm sorry to have bothered you this morning. I'll leave you to it." I stood up to go.
"Elle, that's not what I meant. Sit down, and don't put words into my mouth."
I sat down. "So what do you mean?"
"I'm trying to think of what's best for you. Clearly this is extremely upsetting for you, and unless you confront the problem, it will eat away at you, and your self esteem. Now, you know my arms would be wide open to welcome you back, but it's important to me that you return because you finally realise that I'm the man who loves you, not because you need to get back at Ivan for being disrespectful."
"I see. So you think I should wait till I see him to put this to him?"
"Definitely, you need to see his face."
"Oscar, can I ask you something, and you tell me the absolute truth?"
"Of course."
"Was he right in what he said? That I'm uptight and boring in bed? I need to know."
"Absolutely not, well, not with me. I think you're the sexiest woman alive. I liked that you were demure enough to keep your boobs covered in that game of dare, but saucy enough to flash your pussy to me in the bedroom. Plus you let me handcuff you to the bed. Hardly laying back and thinking of England is it? That's why you need to tackle this. Already it's made you doubt yourself."
"Yes it has. I guess you're right. I'll see him on Monday morning." I sighed.
"Why not tackle this now? I'm about to drive down to Sussex. I can take you to Ivan's house...and pick you up afterwards. Call him, see if he's there."
I took a deep breath, "alright, but you might have to come and scrape me up before you've even made it up the drive to the castle."
"That's not a problem."
I dialled Ivan's number. He answered on the first ring. "Elle, what the hell are you playing at? I've been out of my mind with worry."
"I'm fine. Are you in Sussex?"
"Yes, do you want me to send Roger to come and get you?"
"No need, Oscar's heading down to Conniscliffe, I can hitch a lift with him. I'll see you in about an hour."
"Great. See you soon." He cut the call. Oscar was getting his keys, and closing the windows.
"Do you need to get anything from your flat?"
"No, I just need my handbag, nothing else." I followed Oscar out of the flat, and into the lift. He pressed the button for the basement garage, and I cooled my back on the mirror walls of the lift. My heart was racing at the thought of confronting Ivan, and of having to listen to his reasons for telling Paul why I was so lacking.
Oscar must have seen how lost in thought I was. He reached over and gently squeezed my shoulder. "I'll be nearby. Don't worry, he won't hurt you. He's a lot of things, but he's not a stupid man."
We drove down in companionable silence, each seemingly lost in our own thoughts. I kept thinking about James, and why he was so horrified about sleeping with me. We were both single, and I wasn't ugly, so it had seemed like a bit of an overreaction on his part, being embarrassed about me seeing his dick. I had actually seen it before he'd rolled over to hide it. It had looked quite normal to me. I resolved to talk to him about it.
"You're very quiet. Are you ok?" Oscar enquired.
"Yeah. Just not looking forward to this," I admitted.
"I bet. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Mr Carey invited me to the legal awards bash next Saturday, on one of t
he Pearson Hardwick tables. Are you going?"
"Yeah, I got two tickets. At the rate I'm going, I'll be there on my own. Mind you, I could invite my friend Lucy, if she hasn't already got a ticket that is."
"If you don't have an escort, I'll offer to hang off your arm and look pretty." Oscar smiled at me.
"I may well take you up on that. It's a bit of a nuisance being on Saturday night. I'm flying out to Spain early the next morning."
"A holiday will do you the world of good. It's all been pretty stressful for you lately. I'm flying out to Tuscany a week on Friday. I plan to eat and read for a week."
"On your own?" I was surprised. He blushed slightly.
"Yeah. I would have taken you, but I didn't think you'd want to spend a week with me."
"Of course I would. I always enjoy your company. Have you been to Tuscany before?"
"Yes, I have a place there. It's very peaceful. You'd like it."
"I'll pester you for an invite next time."
"It would be my pleasure. It has a great pool, and the food is out of this world. I'd love to take you there, make you relax, drink wine and fatten you up a bit."
"My flatmate told me I'd got a bit thin too."
"I wouldn't say you were too thin, just thinner than you were. There's certainly some room to feed you up a bit."
I smiled at him. "I plan to come back from Spain at least half a stone heavier. James and I both like to eat. It's our mutual love of food that we have in common."
Oscar navigated the country lanes with consummate ease, handling the large Range Rover with confidence and skill on the narrow winding roads, and hairpin bends. I was getting increasingly nervous, the closer we were getting to Derwent.
All too soon, we pulled up outside the gates to Ivan's house. I called Roger to open them for me. As they began to whirr, I pecked Oscar's cheek. "Wish me luck, and I'll probably see you in a little while."
"Just ring me when you need me, and Elle, don't take any of his crap."
Chapter 6
