One?

by Jennifer L. Cahill

  Hi, ASB here,

  are we still ok for Wednesday?

  I’m in the City for meetings all day, shall I collect you from work, at about 7pm?

  Penelope re-read the text message in utter disbelief, she could not believe his timing.

  ‘Oh… .my… god! I’m soooooo happy!’ She sat back in her seat and grinned at her phone.

  ‘Hi, it’s me.’ Pen had to let George know immediately.

  ‘Hi there, is everything ok?’ George was concerned.

  ‘Yes, well, in work, no… but … he texted me!’ Penelope sighed.

  ‘Who, Richard?’ George said.

  ‘Noooooo! Alyx!’ Penelope sighed.

  ‘Oh, Ah-leeeeks! What did he say?’ George was delighted for Penelope.

  ‘Arrangements for dinner, he’s going to collect me from work tomorrow, I don’t know where we are going, he said he is in the City for meetings…’ Penelope was speaking really fast.

  ‘Ok, ok, calm down… bloody hell Pen, I’ve never seen you like this, right, have you decided what you are going to wear?’ George was always so practical.

  ‘What? Oh my god! No! I wonder should I get something new… oh no… the shops will be closed, oh no!’ Penelope started stressing out.

  ‘Ok, ok, now listen… you have plenty of nice clothes, and you don’t want to look like you have gone to too much effort do you?’ George reeled Penelope back in from imaginary shopping in Reiss.

  ‘No, no, of course, you are right. Now I don’t know whether to bring jeans with me, or to just go in my suit… if he’s coming straight from work he might be in a suit.’ Penelope had so many concerns.

  ‘Just ask him, when you text him back,’ George suggested.

  ‘Ok, good idea… listen George, they are hovering outside the office here, I better go!’ Penelope whispered to George, she could see that Scott and James had arrived and this was not the right time to be chatting on her mobile.

  ‘Ok, and Pen… Don’t text him without speaking to me first,’ George warned her.

  ‘Ok…’ Penelope reluctantly agreed.

  ‘Promise!’ George was serious.

  ‘I promise.’ Penelope agreed meekly.

  The bankers all congregated outside Room 5, the boardroom.

  ‘Hi, Scott, James… did you hear the news?’ Simon approached the two of them as he ushered them into the boardroom.

  ‘Well not really, we thought it was a ransom situation. Harry called and said he couldn’t talk about it on the phone, but we had to come straight back! How dramatic, surely it’s not that bad, you all look ok…’ Scott and James had been out with a client and the plan was to a have a “long liquid lunch”, they were not happy at being summoned back.

  ‘Oh it is that bad, and believe me appearances can be deceiving.’ Penelope retorted.

  ‘Are the others dialling in?’ Scott said, he couldn’t get what was going on at all.

  ‘No, that’s the main thing… they don’t know that we know,’ Roger advised.

  ‘Know what!? This is ridiculous, will someone please fill me in!’ James was starting to get impatient.

  ‘Scott, James, into my office… everyone else… boardroom in fifteen, let me just brief these two first.’ Simon took Scott and James into his office, leaving the other two in the boardroom to start brainstorming. The lunchtime cabernet glow slowly faded from their faces as the news sank in.

  Three hours later the Capital Markets team emerged, not the better of the experience, but they all felt clearer about the way forward. Each of them had a long action list to prepare for when the news broke and the media got wind of it.

  Penelope was exhausted, but still, she floated back to her desk…

  ‘I am walking on air. I can’t wait to see him again. I hope he is as good looking as I remember. I love black hair, and he definitely had black hair, and just chin length, one of those impossibly expensive haircuts that doesn’t look expensive at all… kind of like a musician, but in a suit , and those lovely tanned hands, I bet he has a gorgeous washboard stomach… and he isn’t too tall, I hate it when they are too tall… He had the most gorgeous dark brown eyes, and really nice skin. Ooops, better not think about that now… more important things to do, the news today could have huge ramifications for our office.’ Penelope was on cloud nine.

  ‘Hi, it’s me…again! I’ve been in a meeting since earlier…’ Pen rang George as soon as she could.

  ‘But that was hours ago!’ George’s meetings usually lasted an hour… max!

  ‘I know! I’m exhausted. So, can I text him now…’ she was dying to text him back.

  ‘Well, yes, but keep it short.’ George gave Penelope permission.

  ‘Ok, and ask what to wear?’ Penelope asked.

  ‘Oh, yes, what to wear of course. He’ll probably give you a ring anyway, so don’t worry about saying too much in the text.’ George could see how the whole thing was going to play out.

  ‘Good point.’ Penelope was relieved to have George’s support for this.

  ‘Right, I better go,’ George added.

  ‘Alright, be good!’ Penelope advised her…

  ‘Always!’

  Chapter 13

  Scottish Castles

  George was right, Alyx did phone Penelope…

  ‘Tonight’s the night! I can’t wait. He sounded lovely on the phone last night. He was phoning me from Paris. I feel like I am in a film, I was walking on air after being on the phone to him. He said jeans were fine for tonight, which is great, I don’t want to feel like I’m in a meeting or something, first dates can be nerve-wracking enough without being constrained in a suit. I’ll feel much more comfortable in jeans. I will have to pick a lovely top, the black and white silk one would go well with my jeans, and nice high shoes, but not too high so that I’m not towering over him… I’ll get my hair done at lunchtime.’ Penelope considered what to wear as she got out of bed.

  Zara was deep in thought as she brushed her teeth just before leaving the house, she could barely concentrate on that simple task.

  ‘I don’t know what Penelope was doing to herself in the bathroom last night, she was in there for ages, and there were lovely smells of lavender and ylang ylang wafting around the hallway for hours afterwards. She must have been having a bath, because she doesn’t have a bath in her en suite. I was hoping to run into her in the kitchen to have a chat about the redundancy thing at work. She is a real city girl, she might know what to do. I’m not sure whether I know her well enough to ask her yet, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. I might try to see if she is around later. Being a poor student is still fresh in my mind, so getting a tax free lump sum would be like winning the lottery. I wonder if Rob is right about getting temping work. Still though… being made redundant, I don’t know if I could cope with that. I could never tell my parents, they would never understand.’

  Later on, in the City, Penelope was in a meeting.

  ‘So, I think in conclusion that with the current business model we could see a vast…’

  ‘Oh my god, will this guy ever stop droning on! I have a bloody hair appointment in fifteen minutes…’ Penelope was getting restless.

  ‘… now, does anyone have any questions?’ the speaker announced.

  ‘Oh, here we go, they’ll all be dying to be seen to be asking questions… right, I think I’ll pretend to be getting a call and sneak out… . Yes! Works every time! Oh damn it! Now my bloody phone is ringing! I hope it’s not someone from work…’ Penelope stood up as she went to answer her phone.

  ‘Penelope Chesterfield speaking!’ Penelope barked into her phone.

  ‘Hello, that’s sounds very official!’ the male voice replied.

  ‘Excuse me! Who is this?’ Penelope was baffled, this was a bit odd.

  ‘It’s Richard, have you forgotten already?’ Richard sounded trite.

  ‘Oh, Richard, erm well, it’s not a great time, can I call you back later?’ Penelope began to blush slightly, she hadn’t been expecting hi
s call at all.

  ‘Of course, but before you go, are we still ok for tomorrow?’ Richard pressed her for commitment.

  ‘Tomorrow?’ Penelope had completely forgotten that they had arranged to meet up.

  ‘Yes, we said we’d meet up.’ Richard started to sound a little concerned.

  ‘Oh, yes, yes of course, I hadn’t forgotten, I am really looking forward to catching up with you… can we sort out the arrangements tomorrow, I must dash.’ Penelope sounded rushed.

  ‘No problem, I’ll give you a call.’ Richard sounded relieved.

  ‘Ok, thanks Richard…’

  ‘Bloody hell… am I ever going to get to the hairdressers! I hope it’s the Italian guy, he won’t mind if I’m a tiny bit late…’ Penelope dashed out the front entrance.

  ‘Hi, I’m Penelope, I have an appointment…’ Penelope arrived into the hairdressers with seconds to spare.

  ‘Buongiorno, Penelope!’ Mwah, Mwah! Penelope was greeted continental style by the receptionist.

  ‘Ok, I can see Gianni… can I go on through?’ Penelope already had her coat off and was making her way down the back.

  ‘Well, I can’t see why not, he seems like he is waiting for you…’ Marco announced, as Gianni stood there, his hands on his hips waiting for her.

  ‘Thank god! This guy is brilliant. I’m so lucky to get an appointment with him.’ Penelope gave him a warm smile as she sat down.

  ‘Espresso?’ Marco reappeared as if by magic.

  ‘Grazie.’ Penelope consented gladly.

  ‘Prego.’ Marco went off to get her a coffee.

  In no time at all, Penelope was back in the office, looking wonderful, and being unable to think of anything but her date with Alyx that night. Her blonde bob sat perfectly around her pretty face.

  ‘This day is flying by, I hope nothing kicks off in work this afternoon… it can be really hard to plan things. Fingers crossed. I can always leave and come back after the date if there is lots to do. He’s coming to collect me, I wonder what that means, surely he’s not driving? Oh well, I’ll just have to wait.’ Penelope was so nervous waiting in work for Alyx to arrive. She had phoned George six times today already so she didn’t phone her again, anyway she needed to keep her line free so that reception could phone her when he arrived.

  ‘Miss Chesterfield, this is reception, I have a Mr Stuart-Bruges here to see you, shall I send him up?’ The head receptionist said.

  ‘NO!, I mean, erm no, could you please tell him that I will come down to reception in a few moments, thank you very much.’ Penelope smiled as she spoke.

  ‘Oh my god, he’s early! Right, well I’ll have to make him wait a while.’

  Penelope paced up and down near her desk. She went down to reception ten minutes later.

  ‘Alyx, sorry to keep you waiting,’ Penelope beamed at him.

  ‘No problem, you look lovely Penelope,’… and Alyx beamed right back at her as he kissed her on both cheeks.

  ‘Thanks.’ ‘Oh my god I’m blushing, stop it, stop it, stop it, think of snow, icebergs, cool things… not red! Oh no!’ Penelope got a little flustered.

  ‘Right, I thought we would go to Nobu, if that’s ok with you… are you hungry?’ Alyx gestured to her, with his hand barely touching the small of her back, to walk ahead of him out through the main door.

  ‘A little bit.’ ‘That is such a lie, I am not one bit hungry and I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast!’ Penelope thought to herself.

  ‘Ok, do you want the good news or the bad news?’ Alyx asked Penelope.

  ‘Bad first, then good…’ Penelope always answered that way.

  ‘Well it’s just starting to rain…’ Alyx pointed out.

  ‘Oh no! My hair!’ Penelope grimaced, this was not a good sign, one drop of rain and her hair would be a complete ball of frizz!

  ‘… but, I have a car waiting outside… I have been rushing all over London all day so the record company just send me a car it’s just easier that way, I have it until midnight, and then rumour has it it turns into a pumpkin!’ Alyx smiled at her, he was great at lightening the mood.

  ‘Oh, I see, that sounds like such fun.’ Penelope was smiling again.

  ‘They are used to running around after the stars, so I guess that rubs off on the lawyers too, it can be very handy some times. Right, let’s go… after you.’ Alyx ushered Penelope into the car.

  ‘Pierre, could you please take us to Nobu?’ Alyx leant forward and spoke to the driver.

  ‘Of course Alyx.’ Pierre smiled back at him.

  ‘Somebody pinch me!’ Penelope couldn’t believe this, it was like being in a film.

  ‘Alyx, there was an accident up ahead, it might take us a little longer to get there than we thought…’ Pierre called back to Alyx.

  ‘Thanks Pierre… in that case would you like a drink Penelope? There’s no point in seeing it go to waste…’ Alyx opened a little cabinet that had some small bottles of champagne and plastic champagne flutes.

  ‘Indeed.’ Penelope beamed at him.

  ‘Please god don’t let me get pissed before I get to the bloody restaurant, that’s all I need!’ Penelope hid her concerns behind her beaming smile.

  ‘Good evening, Mr Stuart-Bruges, let me just show you to your table…’ Alyx was greeted by name at the door.

  ‘They know you here?’ Penelope was impressed.

  ‘Oh yes, sorry, I know it must seem really pretentious, but we always have to take clients out when we are in London, and I like it here, so they know us, we are usually the rowdy ones in the corner with guitars everywhere,’ Alyx confessed sheepishly.

  ‘I see what you mean, I was a bit concerned that you were going all James Bond on me there for a minute.’ Penelope was getting on like a house on fire with Alyx. She felt so comfortable, she could hardly believe that she had only met him briefly once before, she felt like she had known him her entire life.

  ‘No, no, not at all.’ Alyx winked at her.

  ‘So… let’s talk… rock stars!’ Penelope was dying to talk about the musicians that he represented.

  ‘I knew you were going to say that… what kind of music are you into?’ Alyx sat back in his seat and focused his gaze on Penelope.

  ‘Oh I’ve got pretty eclectic taste, I like some of the old stuff and a lot of the new, I’m really enjoying the recent rock renaissance, real music again… finally!’ Things were getting off to a great start.

  ‘That’s exactly how I feel about it. So you said you like some older stuff, are you a Beatles or a Stones girl?’ Alyx waited in silence for her to answer the definitive question.

  ‘Well, both actually…’ Penelope said, worried how he would react. ‘I could never choose between them.’

  ‘Me too.’ ‘Perfect,’ Alyx thought to himself, ‘this is definitely my kind of girl.’

  The pair chatted for the entire time that they were in Nobu. There were no awkward silences, no disagreements… and… Penelope did manage to stay moderately sober and even managed to eat some of the delicious food.

  ‘Thanks for dinner Alyx, I had a really nice time…’ Penelope didn’t want this night to end… preferably… ever!

  ‘Do you want me to drop you home now, or do you fancy a drink?… I know this place near here, well it’s a club actually, and a few of the guys from the band are playing a private gig…’ Alyx didn’t want to put her under any pressure.

  ‘I’d love that.’ Penelope could not believe that this was happening. Alyx actually represented one of her favourite bands, maybe they would be at the club!

  ‘I thought you might,… let me get your coat, and we’ll get Pierre to take us.’ Alyx went off to get Penelope’s coat.

  ‘Ok, I’ll wait here.’ Penelope’s head was spinning, this was all so exciting!

  ‘Good Night Alyx, call back and see us the next time you are in town.’ The maître d’ led Alyx and Penelope out the door.

  ‘I will of course.’ Alyx replied.

  ‘Oh no! What
does that mean? The next time he’s in town? I hope he is not leaving already…’ Penelope’s mind was running away on her, she needed to know what that comment meant, but she didn’t want to seem too nosey.

  In no time at all they were outside a black door, with no light and no sign outside, down a narrow street off Long Acre. It was a good thing that Penelope was walking on air, otherwise she would have been terrified. The door opened slightly and Alyx said his name, the next thing the door swung open and they were in the most gorgeous little purple velvet box of a club.

  ‘Here we are, what do you think?’ Alyx turned to Penelope to gauge her reaction.

  ‘Very cool, you would barely even notice it from the street… I like to think I know London, but I never knew this was here.’ Penelope was a bit disoriented, she couldn’t believe this place was hidden just off Long Acre.

  ‘Well it’s new, and I think it’s supposed to be a secret, here let me introduce you to the band … it’s one of those places, you know, once it’s opened to the public that’s it, it’s not “safe” for the celebs anymore… Guys, let me introduce you to Penelope…’ Alyx led her over to the table where her favourite band were sitting.

  ‘Hey, nice to meet you…’ the band all jumped up to say hi to her.

  ‘Hey, Penelope, I’m Christie,’ the lead singer said.

  ‘Hey.’ Penelope shook his hand in disbelief, she felt as if she was going to wake up any second and the whole thing will have been a dream. It felt surreal.

  ‘Hi, I’m Chad, can I call you Penny?’ Chad was so cheeky!

  ‘Hi, yes of course you can. I really liked your last album, what was your influence when you wrote …’ Penelope was dying to know…

  ‘Jesus, Alyx, she’s not a bloody journalist is she?!’ Chad exploded, laughing at Alyx, his eyes raised to heaven.

  ‘Oh god no, sorry, it’s just I listened to it constantly last summer, and I was dying to ask you .’ ‘How embarrassing, he is smiling though, so he must have been joking. I love this band, I can’t believe I’m here.’ Penelope was mortified and went bright red, she struggled to recompose herself, she had not been expecting his outburst at all.