by Sorell Oates
His heart was heavy when he bordered the train. He wasn't sure whether he should greet Maddy with a kiss or the truth about his current work project. Deciding not to risk his job or a slap in the face, he opted to kiss her forehead before taking his seat and stretching his legs.
”Are you okay?” Maddy mouthed at him.
Her brown eyes were full of concern. He felt like a cheat and a liar. James knew he was neither of those, but it was a hard feeling to push aside. He'd spoken about rescuing her last night, when what he'd be doing over the course of the next eight hours would be endangering the life she'd built herself.
Girding his loins, he flashed a brief smile at her.
”I'm fine,” he said.
James knew he should say more; give something to Maddy, but he was lost for words. Reverting to type, he retrieved his phone to check for emails. It was more of a tactic to distract him from Maddy, but it was failing to work. She didn't hound him or ask further questions, but James knew she didn't deserve the silent treatment. When he heard his stop announced, he took his suitcase to prepare for a swift departure.
Maddy's eyes searched him intently. He could see only pain and rejection in her eyes. She deserved better than this. It was wrong of him to internalise everything. The doors opened.
”Will you be on the normal time train tonight?” asked James.
Her expression was one of relief.
”Absolutely.”
”Great. Maybe we can catch up properly. I've had some work-related stuff crop up. It's been playing on my mind this morning.”
”I'm sorry to hear that. Do you think you'll be able to fix it?”
He made a face. Maddy thought he looked fetching when he was stressed.
”I don't know, but I'm not going to let it impose on the good things in my life. One of the main ones being you. Would you do me a favour?”
”Sure, whatever I can do to help.”
”On your way home this evening, get off at London Bridge. I'll wait for you on the platform. I thought we might try something new tonight.”
Hastily he kissed her. His fingers chucked her under her chin to lighten the mood. When he saw her face sweetly soften he instantly felt better. At the end of the day he was the middleman, there was little he could do about the situation. Work was work, but it didn't mean he couldn't lend an ear or offer a shoulder to Maddy during the fall-out of the acquisition. She may not even find out he was involved with the deal. Behaving offishly though was out of order on his part. He was keen to make it up to her and decided a treat was in order.
”See you tonight,” he said, thankful a late-comer desperate to make the train had thrown his body between the doors preventing them from jamming shut. As the barriers sprung open, James leapt off as the other man squeezed himself into the crowd of harassed people caught in the rush-hour throng.
As Maddy walked to her office, she paid no attention to the famous landmarks that littered her route to the office. St Martin's Crypt, Nelson's Column, and Trafalgar Square were a blur, as she tried to untangle James' odd behaviour in her mind. She'd thought last night had been a resounding success. He'd seemed sincere in conversation and the kind of man looking to settle down. That he'd been open and honest appealed to her gentle soul, but this morning he'd behaved – she hated using the word – but frosty. Distant was a more appropriate description. It was as if he had spent the entire journey struggling to make eye contact with her, let alone engaging in general chit chat.
Last night she was certain there was a definite promise of something more to come. However, now she was questioning whether she'd misinterpreted the entire date. A little guidance from someone more familiar with the dating scene would be helpful, but Maddy wasn't sure whether she was ready for the onslaught of well-intentioned friends and family determined to assist her disastrous love life.
For the first time in over a year, Maddy was unable to concentrate at work. She spent her entire day sighing and twisting her hair around her fingers, wondering whether James had been telling the truth about work distracting him, or whether or not she'd behaved unsuitably outside the front door of her flat. Given it was close to two years since she'd physically been with a man, she knew she was out of practise. James was easy-going but he didn't come across as the kind of man who wanted an easy girlfriend.
Replaying Tuesday night over and over in her head, her computer screen became a jumble of numbers that were a nonsense to Maddy. After yet another heavy sigh, she was struck by a paper-clip. She looked across her desk to Helen who sat opposite her.
”What on earth is going on with you today, Maddison Bridie?”
She laughed at Helen's exasperated face.
”Nothing.”
”Seriously, you're driving me nuts. Are you cooking the books or something? I can't remember the last time I saw you this flustered. You've not tapped a key on that keyboard all morning.”
”I wasn't aware you were monitoring my productivity.”
”Ahhh, you admit there is something bothering you.”
”No,” said Maddy primly, ”I'm merely agreeing that I haven't been typing this morning. That doesn't mean I'm not working.”
”I can hear the cogs in your brain turning Maddy, but I have a feeling it has absolutely nothing to do with the accounts.”
Maddy was bursting to reveal all to Helen. Off-loading her concerns would probably be a huge relief. Helen had a bustling love life. There was nothing she didn't know about the dating scene. She'd be the perfect ally and mentor in these circumstances. Maddy knew she was trustworthy and supportive but Helen wasn't renown for keeping secrets. In fact, she was jokingly nicknamed 'The Oracle' because she knew all the gossip in the office. Her heart of gold made it easy to confide in her. When Maddy discovered Rick had cheated on her and she was forced to cancel the wedding, Helen had stood by her side loyally, backing her all the way. Helen was a firm friend but she couldn't keep anything to herself. Maddy weighed up whether Helen's advice was worth the cost of the office finding out about her new romance – potential romance, she reminded herself. Given the events of the morning, Maddy had absolutely no idea where she stood with James at present.
”I can't get into work today,” she whispered to Helen.
”Why not?”
Helen's response was an exaggerated stage whisper. The heads of the entire accounts team bobbed up from their computer monitors to see what the exchange was about.
Maddy rolled her eyes at Helen. Helen's hands flew across the keyboard. An alert emitted from Maddy's computer notifying her of a message in her in-box. She read the email – 'Toilet in five minutes, Helen'. Maddy sucked her cheeks in to suppress her smile. It had been far too long since she'd had this kind of fun. She was only twenty-six but for the past two years she'd felt forty-six. Helen's email, the sneaking to the ladies' toilets for a gossip made her feel sixteen again. Love was starting to return her sense of fun. She waited a minute after Helen left for the toilets before following.
Walking into the bathroom, Helen was sitting on the sink swinging her legs.
”Spill! If I didn't know better, I'd say it was man troubles,” said Helen smugly.
”Because I know better, I wouldn't dream of giving you the whole story.”
”Then give me the juicy bits,” winked Helen.
”Here's the deal,” bargained Maddy, ”I ask the questions which will divulge the problem area but you can't ask for additional details.”
”What if I need the extra details to give you a thorough and considered answer?”
”We'll see how that goes, shall we?”
”Ask 'The Oracle' and she will endeavour to solve all the problems of your love life.”
”Is it slutty to kiss on a first date?” asked Maddy brazenly.
”No. Sex on a first date is risky, but a kiss is necessary if you want to secure a second date. Men are insecure creatures themselves. They are unable to read the subtle signs we women deliver. If you don't kiss a guy on a first date, he'
s likely not to arrange a second because he'll think you don't fancy him.”
”What if the kiss got a little hot and heavy?”
”How hot and heavy,” Helen's eyes narrowed.
”Nothing naked,” rambled Maddy, ”more kind of a hands on affair.”
”Was he hands on or were you?”
”I was hands on.”
”You dirty devil, Maddison Bridie.”
”Do you think he'll think I'm cheap?”
It was evident to Helen that whoever this mystery man was, he was important to Maddison. She jumped off the sink to hug her friend.
”Maddy, you aren't cheap. Why would he think that? You kissed him. There was passion there. I'd say whatever happened it went well. Did he ask you for a second date?”
”I guess.”
”What do you mean you guess?”
Helen's expression was of pure confusion.
”I'm seeing him tonight, but I think it might be a sympathy date.”
”Maddy, there's no such thing as sympathy dates with men. There's sympathy shags so they can get their end away, but no man will ever take you out on a date because he feels sorry for you. Dates don't automatically mean sex. If he said he wants to take you on another date, take it from me, he wants to see you.”
Maddison trusted Helen. She wasn't the kind of friend who minced her words. Sometimes people perceived her attitude as insensitive and thoughtless, but she was honest and there were times when the truth could sting.
”I shouldn't be worried?”
Maddy was desperate for reassurance.
”The only thing you need to worry about is whether you should sleep with him on the second date or not,” ribbed Helen.
”Isn't the rule to wait for the third date?”
Helen raised her hand for a high five. Maddy slapped her hand, laughing genuinely for the first time that day.
”Nice to see you aren't totally out of touch with the dating game. It'll be just like riding a bike!”
”I'll let you know after the third date.”
”That's the spirit,” encouraged Helen. ”Do you want to tell me all about him?”
”No thank you. I am glad we spoke though,” said Maddy sincerely.
”Best to make a move. Tongues will wag if we spend too long in here.”
The girls walked out together and returned to their respective desks. Talking to Helen had helped with her nervousness regarding the situation with James, but it took an enormous amount of effort to plough through the remainder of her work. Once the office had emptied for the evening, Maddy's head had cleared. She seized the quiet time to catch up on her neglected output of the day. Satisfied with what she'd cleared from her in-box tray, she went to the bathroom to groom herself for the evening ahead.
James hadn't said what he had planned, only that it would be different, which covered a multiple of activities given Maddy's life tended to revolve around the office. She applied light make up in the mirror; a little blusher to highlight her high cheekbones, mascara with eyeliner to bring out her oval-shaped eyes and a dash of colour on her already pink lips. Satisfied she was passable to be seen in public with a devastatingly handsome man, she left the building.
Typical of London weather, the skies were overcast with rain drops threatening to become heavier and plentiful. She walked as briskly as she could to the station. Frowning as she got on the train, she had a sneaky suspicion the rain had frizzed her hair. If it had, Maddy knew that when James saw her he'd probably think she'd arrived by broomstick rather than rail. She remained by the doors, rather than take a seat, in order to get off without being trampled by people frantically trying to make their way home.
James spotted her luscious legs stepping out of the door. His white teeth flashed at her when their eyes met. Nervous, he ran a hand over his head. The buzz-cut meant he didn't have the length in his hair for the action to be of any practical use. He always used to run his hands through his dirty blonde hair when he'd had shoulder-length hair in his misspent youth masquerading as a surfer. At the time, it was a good excuse to move his messy fringe from his eyes. Nowadays when he did it, he was all too aware an observant person would correctly guess it was a habit born out of anxiety. Part of him was thrilled to see Maddy, but another part of him felt as though he was betraying someone who didn't deserve it.
”I can't believe it's raining,” greeted Maddy. ”How I love the English summers!”
”How long have you lived in London for?” he asked.
”Born and bred. I remain the eternal optimist though. One day we'll have a summer that lasts more than three days.”
”When hell freezes over,” remarked James glibly.
”It was sunny on Monday and Tuesday. I thought it was you bringing the sunshine in my life; that's why I was happy to accessorize and have you hanging on my arm. Now it's pouring rain, I might have to trade you back in for the umbrella I lost on Monday when my bag split.”
Affectionately, James swung an arm over her shoulders. The more he spoke to Maddy the more attractive she became to him. He liked her sense of humour. It was no secret that accountants had a reputation as being boring, but Maddy completely contradicted that stereotype. He fancied her like crazy. She ticked all of his boxes in terms of personality – she was funny, determined, intelligent, self-reliant with the nicest touch of vulnerability and insecurity. That she had him eager to find out more about her was something he hadn't felt in a long time with any woman – if ever.
”I thought I could introduce you to the sights of the City of London.”
Maddy wrinkled her nose, pretending to be dubious.
”Can it really compete with the theatrical buzz and excessive shopping the West End boasts of?”
Stepping out of the station, James waved his hand towards The Shard. The seventy-two storey, free standing structure made 'The Shard' the tallest building in the European Union, indelibly stabbing the London skyline.
”Did they ever finish that building? It doesn't look closed in. Where's the roof?” asked Maddy.
”It's supposed to look like that,” said James. ”It resembles a shard of glass.”
”Do you work in there?”
”Maybe. Come with me.”
Maddy was in awe of the building. Up close it was amazing; almost futuristic.
”I'm trying not to be impressed,” she confessed.
”I'll make a city girl of you yet,” promised James.
James ushered her in the elevator, taking her to the thirty-second floor. The door opened to a dark corridor.
”Is it a nightclub or a theme ride?” she asked with a hint of light sarcasm.
”I'm not sure. It's a first for both of us.”
Holding hands they walked down the corridor together into a posh restaurant. It was loud and vibrant. They were greeted by waiters and taken to a table with a stunning view of London.
”Alright, I'm already won over. The views are spectacular. This place is fantastic. I wasn't even aware it existed.”
”I only heard about it recently. I managed to wrangle a table for us tonight. I feel awful about this morning.”
”It's fine,” assured Maddy. ”Work has a habit of dominating everything in my mind at times. It can be hard to shake off.”
Her face was full of empathy. James wished he could share his dilemma with her. She had a wise head on her young shoulders and would probably offer sound advice – until she found out he'd be the reason for her losing her job in the very near future.
”It is a tough one. Sadly I can't discuss it out of the office.”
”I hope you have someone at work you can talk about it with.”
”I always thought with commercial law I'd be able to avoid moral and ethical dilemmas. I figured you would only ever encounter that kind of drama in criminal law. Acquisitions and mergers, business in general; I've always found it secure and practical. I acted for a client to ensure they got a fair deal and helped businesses prosper where I could.”
”I would be,” admitted James.
