A Bid for Love

by J. B. Sherrard

  "There are more than two men in the world," Karen said to her later that morning. "Maybe Fabian and Alex are both wrong for you."

  "But Fabian felt so right! You know what it's like. I just felt we belonged together. We clicked. And now he simply doesn't want to know."

  "Look, it's only a couple of days since you saw him. There's still time. If you're meant to be taking things slowly, he may be holding back on purpose. I'm not saying you should build your hopes up, but it is a possibility."

  "I don't think so."

  "I take it he didn't send you a birthday card or anything?" Karen asked.

  "No. But then he didn't know it was my birthday. I didn't tell him. I didn't want to look as if I was fishing for presents. It would have been embarrassing."

  "Well, if he doesn't know it's your birthday you can't be surprised if he doesn't acknowledge it," Karen observed reasonably. "So don't take it as a personal slight."

  "I shall travel in hope—for the rest of my birthday at least!" Pippa said, determined to pull herself together.

  "Talking about travelling, do you feel like coming down to Guildford with us? Mark wants to get something special for his computer and insists that Guildford is the only place. You can have your present early."

  "Then I'll definitely come!"

  "Thought you might… but don't wear your birthday suit, it's a bit cold today!" said Karen with a giggle.

  "You're right! I'll be with you in about half-an-hour."

  Before she left, Pippa decided to call Hubert to thank him for his gift which was an elegant silver candle snuffer, shaped like a dunce's cap, with a long twirly handle. She also asked Hubert for Alex's phone number in Bristol so that she could thank him for the flowers.

  "Sounds as if you're doing very well, my dear."

  "I'm being spoilt rotten and I'm loving every second," Pippa told him with surprising exuberance.

  "Splendid!"

  After her conversation, Pippa realised that for a couple of minutes she had been able to forget about Fabian Naughton and everything in the world seemed wonderful. She immediately phoned Alex but there was no answer.

  For the rest of the day she did her best to put thoughts of Fabian out of her mind, and when he did impinge on her consciousness she kidded herself that everything was all right. There was quite a lot to be said for self-delusion. By the time they returned from an intoxicating dinner at the Japanese restaurant, Pippa felt so content it was almost like being in love. She fell asleep with an image of Fabian glowing in her mind. They were dancing cheek to cheek in a heavenly ballroom, except there was no music—just the sound of Fabian singing Sinatra-style.

  Thanks largely to the sake—Japanese wine—she slept through until eleven-thirty the following morning and, though she wasn't suffering from a hangover, there was no doubt that she was a trifle sluggish and she didn't relish the thought of being at Lesley Bayer's in little over an hour. Nonetheless, with the help of some strong black coffee and a refreshing shower, Pippa was soon at full strength and on her way to Lesley, who lived in a flat overlooking the southern side of Hampstead Heath.

  As always, Lesley was entertaining in grand style, and a magnificent oak table was exquisitely laid for eight people. The delicious aroma of roasting beef wafted in from the kitchen and everybody seemed to be having a good time. Fortunately, Pippa knew nearly all the other guests, most of whom had been at college with Lesley and herself.

  "You must meet Adam," said Lesley, waving in the direction of a good-looking guy with dark brown hair. "He's Fabian's friend." As if Pippa could have forgotten anything to do with Fabian.

  "The lady of the moment!" Adam said with a broad smile when they were introduced. "I'm so pleased to meet you because I spend more time talking about you than anything else. If it isn't Fabian, it's Lesley. I feel I know you terribly well. You'll have to tell me the latest. Last I heard you were going to have tea at the Savoy."

  "There's nothing to report since then," Pippa said quietly.

  "Oh. Not a success?" he probed.

  Pippa wasn't sure how much she could trust Adam. There was, after all, no reason why he should have any loyalty to a complete stranger—even if he did feel that he knew her so well.

  "You'd better ask Fabian," Pippa said cautiously, anxious to avoid being misquoted.

  "I can't. He's in Hampshire," Adam said smugly. "But you still like him, don't you?" he asked. And now Pippa knew everything would be relayed back to Fabian.

  "Of course I do."

  "That sounds healthy enough. I get the impression it's mutual."

  "I hope so." Pippa could say no more. If Fabian didn't get the message then it would be because he chose not to and there was nothing more she could do.

  "So you work for the great Hubert Saunders?" Adam said, sensibly changing the subject.

  The rest of the afternoon passed without incident. Lesley served them a first-class lunch, after which they all strolled out on to the Heath to work up an appetite for the lavish tea that Lesley had prepared for them. By six o'clock, Pippa was exhausted from an excess of eating and exercise and, after making her farewells, drove back to her flat. She couldn't help wondering when Adam would next speak to Fabian and how Fabian would react. She was just settling down to watch television when the phone rang. Her heart leapt. Perhaps the grapevine was working faster than she had anticipated.

  "Hi! Happy birthday," said the voice at the other end. "I tried to get you yesterday but you were out. Did you get my flowers?" Alex enquired.

  "I did, and I tried to call you but you were out. I was just going to call you, as it happens. They're lovely. Thank you so much. You really shouldn't have."

  "Don't be silly! How many birthdays do you have a year?"

  "Only one—but it's more than enough. How are things in Bristol?"

  "Difficult. I still haven't made up my mind what to do. I don't know whether to go off to the States or jack it all in and take over Hubert's empire."

  "Which appeals most?"

  "They both do… but I couldn't take over the business on my own. I'd need so much help from everybody. I don't know if it would be a good idea. What I know about antiques you could write on the back of a postage stamp. You'd be much better at it than me. I don't suppose you'd be interested in becoming a partner?"

  "Are you joking?" Pippa asked.

  "I'm quite serious," Alex said.

  Pippa's mind was in a spin. She had considered the distant possibility of marriage to Alex and dismissed it. To be allied to him commercially had never crossed her mind.

  "Alex, I'll have to think about it."

  "Of course." There was a note of disappointment in his voice, almost as if he was hurt that she hadn't immediately leapt at the opportunity. "Can I be totally unreasonable and give you a call tomorrow evening? I've got to let New York know on Tuesday morning, and Hubert would like an answer, too, because he's been made a very attractive offer."

  "I'll be in after six or so," Pippa told him.

  "I'll call you then." He paused for a moment. "It could be so good for us." And, as he said it, Pippa knew he didn't simply have a commercial partnership in mind.

  Pippa switched off the television. She needed to think hard. At first she wished she knew what was going to happen between herself and Fabian, and then she realised that that was an entirely different issue. To ally herself to Alex on the rebound was dangerous and foolish. It would not be fair to enter a business and personal relationship with him by default and without total commitment. After all, his entire future was at stake.

  Pippa was in a real quandary. It seemed an impossible task to measure feelings. Love itself was so intangible, in any case. Pippa knew she liked Alex immensely. She was sure he would make a wonderful husband and father. There was no doubt that she found him attractive and that she enjoyed being with him tremendously. But, at the same time, that magic ingredient X that made her go weak at the knees was lacking. What was ingredient X? Why did Fabian, for example, have it while Alex
did not? And was ingredient X so important anyway? Was it something that blinded you to people's faults? Was it no more than novelty that simply wore off, leaving you disillusioned and bored?

  Thinking about it did no good, Pippa realised late that night. There was no definite answer to any of those questions. She would have to follow her instinct and, in her heart of hearts, she knew that to go to Alex was wrong. No matter how well they got on, she would always feel something was missing in her feelings, and that was not a sound basis for a relationship. Whether Fabian was right for her was another question entirely.

  Pippa hoped Alex would not be desperately hurt. The thought of telling him was looming over her like a black cloud and she picked up the phone a couple of times to call him, but decided she would wait for him to call her. Although she didn't expect to change her mind, it would do no harm to sleep on her decision. But, if anything, she was more convinced in the morning that she should turn him down. To make her even more uneasy, Hubert invited her into his office for coffee just after eleven.

  "I hear Alex made you an interesting offer," Hubert said, taking the bull by the horns.

  "Yes. I spoke to him last night."

  "It's not a bad idea, is it?"

  "To be honest, I'm not sure it's the right thing for either of us," Pippa said.

  "But you could do so well together. It's the opportunity of a lifetime!"

  "I don't think it's for me. I don't think it would work." Pippa knew she must not mince her words.

  "Oh, dear. I had such high hopes for you both… Well, if it's not to be, it's not to be. Tell me, my dear, is it because of Naughton?"

  "No—I don't know what's going to happen with Fabian Naughton. I just don't feel that Alex and I are right for each other. And it would be too terrible if we got it wrong and he missed the chance to go to the States and gave up everything. It could ruin his life. It could ruin both our lives."

  "I'm not going to try and persuade you otherwise. You've obviously thought about it very carefully. May I ask a very personal question—and you don't have to answer it, my dear. Do you love Naughton?"

  She hesitated for a moment. "Yes, I do."

  "And he still feels the same about you?" Hubert enquired.

  "I honestly don't know."

  "Oh," Hubert murmured thoughtfully. "I see. Well, if you're not going to take over the business then you'd better get back to cataloguing the stock for whoever does."

  "Alex said you'd been made an offer."

  "Indeed. A consortium have put in a bid which I may very well accept. Don't worry, I'll let you know what happens."

  And Pippa went back to her work, dreading her impending phone call from Alex but realising she had to tell him the truth. Now that she would have actually welcomed time passing at its usual snail's pace, the day positively flashed by and, before she knew it, it was six o'clock. The phone rang at two minutes past and she let it ring half a dozen times before picking it up. The line was crackly.

  "Hello, Pippa. How are you?"

  "Fabian?"

  "In person. It's a terrible line." A rasping hiss confirmed that. "I'm in the country. Look, I've got to see you. I think . . "The noises on the line made the rest of his thoughts inaudible.

  "What?"

  "Lunch. Friday," he bellowed. "Call you tomorrow. 'Bye."

  A wave of hope was just sweeping over her as the telephone rang once again, making hope turn to despair. This would surely be Alex. And it was. Typically, when she would have welcomed a terrible line, it was as clear as a bell.

  "Pippa, it's Alex."

  "Hello—"

  "Look," he interrupted, before she could say anything else, "please don't feel you have to make excuses. I've spoken to Hubert and I know what you're going to say. You're right. It's not a good idea. It would be entirely the wrong decision for both of us. I'm not cut out to be an antique dealer—even if I do have a wonderful partner. I've decided to take the New York job and I don't mind in the least." And it didn't sound as if he did.

  "Honestly?"

  "Honestly!" he assured her. "I'll be a much better engineer in New York than an antique dealer in London. After all, that's what I really like doing."

  "That's what it's all about," Pippa said with relief.

  "I think so. I'm so pleased I've made my decision," Alex admitted.

  "I'm sure it's the right one."

  "So am I. I'll send you a postcard."

  "When are you going?"

  "The end of the month."

  "Well, the best of luck."

  "Thanks, and the same to you. I hope you get on well with the consortium. But if you don't—come out and see me in Manhattan."

  "You never know."

  "You never do!" he said.

  After they had said goodbye, she felt decidedly tearful. He really was such a civilised man, and she was genuinely pleased that they would still be friends across the Atlantic. One way and the other it had been an extraordinarily eventful ten minutes, and Pippa was greatly relieved that there had been no unpleasantness with Alex. As for Fabian, only time would tell if they could resolve their relationship. Her hopes had been rekindled and she longed to speak to him again. At least for the time being, she was happier than she had been for ages, and she prayed that it would last.

  Chapter Eight

  "You're very bouncy," Diana observed the following morning. "In love again?"

  "I expect so!"

  "Nice for some! I assume it's Fabian," said Diana, giving Pippa her cue to tell her the latest.

  Just as Pippa finished, Hubert emerged from his office looking extremely pleased with himself. "Ladies, I have just accepted the offer from the consortium!"

  "Congratulations!" said Diana and Pippa in unison.

  "Who's heading the consortium?" Pippa asked.

  "It's very hush-hush, so don't breathe a word to anyone until it's official. It's the C.J.M. Group," Hubert explained. "They want to take over as soon as possible. We're drawing up contracts immediately, but let me assure you they've agreed to keep on everybody for the next twelve months at least."

  "That's fantastic," said Pippa.

  "Incidentally, we're having a get-together on Friday at lunchtime so they can meet all the staff. It's absolutely crucial you're both there."

  "Yes," said Pippa, sick at heart.

  Of all the times to be required at a business lunch! Pippa felt like screaming with frustration. One thing was for sure—she couldn't be two places at once for lunch on Friday. Nor was it a simple matter of cancelling, for it was important she meet her new employers as well as Fabian.

  "See Fabian another time," Diana suggested when Hubert had returned to his office.

  "But that means putting him off and he's going to think I'm not interested. And I can't even tell him the truth."

  "Be diplomatic. He'll understand," Diana said confidently.

  The joy with which Pippa had been looking forward to speaking to Fabian had been replaced by dread, and when he rang at six-thirty that evening she picked up the phone with trepidation.

  "How are you?" he asked.

  "OK, thanks. And you?"

  "A bit harassed. Otherwise fine," he said. "Look, I'm sorry about the phone yesterday. I had real trouble with it all day. What I was trying to say was that I wanted to see you. But I've got to be honest— I don't think I can stand another polite tea party with cucumber sandwiches. I'm doing my best, Pippa, but we weren't made for tea parties."

  "I realise that."

  "That's why I thought we should meet for lunch. Dinner might be a bit dangerous. You are OK for Friday?"

  "I'm afraid I've got a bit of a problem," she began. "You couldn't possibly make it tomorrow or Thursday, could you? Something's cropped up which I really have to go to on Friday."

  "I'm booked up all week. Can't you cancel whoever it is?" Fabian asked.

  "It's really difficult."

  "What's his name?" Fabian asked ruefully.

  "It isn't a man," Pippa said.
/>   "Well, what's her name?"

  "It isn't a woman." Pippa thought she sounded idiotic.

  "Are you having lunch at the zoo?"

  "No!" she said with exasperation. "I can't explain. It's highly confidential. Fabian, look, I'm prepared to risk our having dinner together, if you are."

  "If you insist!" he said chirpily. "But it'll have to be Friday. You won't cancel, will you?"

  "I promise," Pippa said bravely.

  "Well, I'll call you the day after tomorrow to let you know the time and channel! Enjoy your mystery lunch."

  "I'll do my best."

  Pippa was delighted with herself. Everything had gone much better than anticipated. If she played her cards right, she could have the job and the man.

  "I'm so excited, it's absurd," Pippa told Mark a few minutes later when she called to tell them the latest developments.

  "Don't overdo it, Pip. The time to get excited is on Saturday," he said with boring practicality. "Take it easy."

  "I can't!" Which was something Karen understood rather more readily.

  With one thing and another, it looked as if Friday was going to be quite a day. In fact, Pippa was so keyed up she couldn't fall asleep that night. Everything was whirling through her mind. Where would they have dinner? What would happen? How should she dress for Fabian? What should she wear to meet the consortium? Would they like her? And it wasn't just her. Diana was in a state, as were most of the staff at Hubert's other galleries. Over the next couple of days the atmosphere at all the shops reminded Pippa of the end of term at school. It was certainly the end of an era. Hubert had been out at meetings nearly all week, and on Thursday afternoon he walked jubilantly into the Knightsbridge gallery to announce that everything had been signed and sealed.

  "You must all treat me with tremendous respect for the next twenty-four hours," he joked. "But you haven't seen the last of me. I shall be around from time to time in my capacity as consultant, don't you worry!"

  "Our very own Arthur Negus!" Diana quipped.