Freeing Alex (The Alexandra Drake Series)

by Ashley, Sarah Elizabeth

  I snap at Shauna, not intentionally, I’m just so cross. “No, Shauna, I’m not increasing my offer I said that I would clear the mortgage for the house only. If the basta—” I stop, taking a deep breath. “If he’s secured any other debts, business or other, on the house, then they’re his responsibility. It’s the house only, as in when we purchased it about fifteen years ago. I think we paid about £150,000 for it, but you’d have to check.” I’m short with her, I know I am, but having to go through this all again, and Lewis being awkward!

  I’m firm and I’ve stood my ground, I am not bailing him out! He’s run my life for the last twenty-two years and made it hell since Anna was born, he’s not getting any more out of me. It’s a brilliant settlement and anyone else would grab it and run, but no, not Lewis. This is just what I feared, that he wouldn’t make things easy, that he would create waves, want more. Hell, I bet he wants all of it.

  I hear Shauna sigh, “Okay, I’ll go back to the other side this afternoon, clearly lay our offer on the table,” she tells me.

  I’m so cross that Lewis is already causing problems and that my solicitor doesn’t seem to have the full details regarding my offer for the house recorded. They have this documented, I’ve seen their notes. “Shauna,” I say.

  “Yes, Mrs Drake. Is there anything else?”

  I sigh deeply, feeling a little fuzzy. Just speaking about Lewis makes me nervous and frightened. He still scares me even though we’re miles apart. I know from past experience of living and dealing with him that he’s capable of anything. I also know that he is motivated by cash and that he would do just about anything to get his hands on all of this, something that I’ve been wary of from the day I received that first letter from Parry’s. I know he would stop at nothing to get his hands on Maggie’s estate – nothing.

  I’m angry, I’m upset and I’m fired up – the perfect combination to forget where I am and who’s around me. I start to feel warm, flush… The start of an episode, hell no! Not here, please.

  I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “Shauna, he’s not getting a single penny more out of me. He takes the offer or he accepts nothing. I’d prefer to stay married to him and just have my own life than let him get his hands on a penny more of Maggie’s money, you understand me?” I pause, taking a further deep breath. “If he starts messing around I’ll include battery in my basis for divorce. I’ve got some photographs. The sc—” I stop my ramblings abruptly, conscious of where I am and who’s listening and just how much I shouldn’t have said. Shit, the moment I say it I wish I could take it back. Oh hell, loose lips, I really didn’t want James to hear that.

  Shauna goes quiet for a moment. I hadn’t mentioned the physical stuff to her as I didn’t want it to be raked up, the memories are too painful.

  There’s a moment’s silence from Shauna’s end. “Alex, I totally understand, but if you want to include that we’ll need to talk again. In fact, if you need to talk about it, let me know.” I hear her take a deep breath. “He’d be a fool not to accept your offer anyway, his solicitor knows this too. I will mention what you’ve just said to his solicitor, maybe they can persuade him to just agree so we can get along with things,” she tries to reassure me.

  “Is that all, Shauna?” I can feel myself getting warmer. I’m sure my neck’s flushed, my heart’s pounding… Bloody Lewis again, managing to ruin my day and he’s not even here!

  “It is for now, Alex. I’ll call you with an update over the next few days, bye for now.” She sounds sympathetic as she rings off.

  I end the call and notice James is looking at me with a hard look on his face.

  “Are you okay?” he asks, walking towards me and putting a hand on my shoulder. Oh that touch, just the very contact makes me feel weak.

  “I won’t say anything,” he says so quietly, looking directly at me, it’s as if his eyes are looking into me.

  I acknowledge him with a nod whilst placing my phone back in my bag and we slowly carry on up the stairs. I hope the bastard isn’t going to start messing around now. It’d break me, I’m sure, if he did.

  As a result of my slip-up, Shauna and James are the only people who have any idea of the true extent of what’s been happening, but even so, they don’t know it fully – although deep down I’m sure Anna must know some of what’s being going on. In a way I feel relieved that someone else knows a little of what Lewis is like. I wish I had the guts to talk to someone, to unburden myself of the secrets I’ve carried with me for what feels like forever.

  James walks by my side as we continue on back to his office. He’s right by me and although I hardly know him, I feel protected. Him having heard one side of my conversation, especially the bit I let slip, makes me feel obliged to volunteer a little more.

  “It’s difficult,” I sigh. “Lewis has been horrible, truly horrible to me since Anna was born. He practically forced me to give up my job and then insisted I stay at home as a housewife, which isn’t so bad in itself but he kept me short of money, only giving me housekeeping, putting all the accounts in his name, challenging me if I spent more than I did the previous week…” I pause as we walk along. James just listens, he doesn’t utter a word.

  I’m telling this gorgeous man things that I’ve never told anyone and yet, despite the fact I hardly know him, he feels so easy to talk to. “He denied me totally in every other way, maritally speaking, and made no secret of the fact that he had other women. He used to get nasty if I saw any of my friends, so I stopped seeing them.” I take a deep breath and compose myself, holding my hand over my mouth, feeling so heavy inside but determined not to break down in front of James.

  I breathe deeply and carry on rambling. “The only decent thing about him is that when he could find the time to be home he would help Anna, you know, with homework, that seriously is his only good point.” I falter, despite trying to compose myself. For the first time since I left I feel like sobbing, but he’s not going to get the better of me now, no way. Despite being totally choked, unable to swallow the lump in my throat, I am not going to break down. I am “strong Alex” now.

  We arrive at his office. James turns and looks at me deeply. “I knew you were divorcing him, I just assumed it was a normal end-of-marriage thing. I don’t know how any man could hurt a lady.” We walk in silence into the dull space, just a few steps before he speaks again. “Maybe one day someone will teach him a lesson, give the coward a taste of his own medicine.” That deep, husky voice of his as he looks down at his desk.

  “Umm. He’s nasty in every way, the worst thing was having no-one to talk to. With my parents both gone and Anna so young, I’ve never spoken to anyone about it and I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone I really didn’t know.” I try to justify my reasons for keeping all this to myself.

  “You can always talk to me, Alex, I’m a good listener.” His deep eyes appearing to stare straight into my soul, he smiles softly. Why? How does he do that look? Why does it feel as if he’s looking into me?

  I bet you’re a good listener, especially when it comes to the lithe young things who visit you, I think. “Mmmm… Can we talk about this another time?” I’m eager to change the subject.

  “Sure, come on, let’s get back to work.” His tone brightens.

  “Okay, Bossman.” I sort of half-laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Me, Bossman?” He laughs. “You’re the one who owns this place!”

  “Yes, and you’re the one who makes it bring in money for me.” I frown. “Remember, James, this place is worthless without you at the helm!”

  He smiles, it really is a killer smile. He’s going to make some girl really happy one day!

  “Anyway, where do you live, James?” I ask, for no real reason other than my nosy nature and my desire to learn more about the man who is running this most prestigious hotel for me, not forgetting that I fancy the pants off him!

  “I’m in between places at the moment, my lease came to an end and I’m looking for a new flat.
Sofa surfing for the next week or two,” he says nonchalantly.

  I’m horrified. “Is there a reason that you’re sofa surfing? Don’t you have a room here?”

  “I stay here if I’m on a night shift, covering for Robbie, but that isn’t that often. I like my own place. After I’ve been here for a while I feel the need to go home, you know, if I stay here all of the time I don’t think I really get a break. But with the lease coming to the end, well… I’ve not been able to find anything new. All rents seem to have increased over the last twelve months, that’s all, just looking for something in budget.” He seems so indifferent; if that was me I’d be in full-blown panic mode, looking for somewhere to live.

  “Robbie being the Deputy Manager?” I ask. “I’ve never met him.” Probably because he works nights only.

  “Yeah, he likes to work permanent nights, suits me fine, but if he’s on leave or if he’s doing something one night I cover for him.” He pauses, organising his desk. “It’s not a bad arrangement, unique to us, of course, but it works for him and works for me, so there you go!”

  “Oh, I suppose I should meet Robbie at some point,” I throw my bag down into one of the chairs, “but I want to look at your pay. You said earlier that Maggie reviewed your salary and I assume it hasn’t been done because, well, because she died. Can we look at it? This afternoon?” I’m serious about this now. He distracted me earlier, moved the conversation away from his pay, but it needs addressing now.

  “Are you sure?” His mouth curves into the tiniest of smiles.

  “We need to. I’m very concerned that the General Manager of my most important business can’t afford to keep himself housed! I can’t believe that you said nothing! James, you must tell me if something needs doing or putting right!” I pause, wandering around his office. “What’s the process you go through when you’re doing pay reviews? Did Maggie used to sit down with you?” I need to know this, it’s essential and I hope that the stern look I give him emphasises this point.

  He sighs, possibly thinking of Maggie. “We’d discuss how things had gone over the last twelve months, what went well, what could have been done better, you know, that sort of thing. She’d take into account inflation, but that was across the board, everyone gets a cost-of-living increase.”

  After wandering around his office, I plonk myself down in the other chair. James has flicked his radio on, the sounds of Calvin Harris telling me that he Feels So Close floods into the room. I sit back in the leather seat and listen as James roots through his paperwork.

  “So, James, where’s your salary information?” I press.

  “On here.” He points to his laptop, being deliberately awkward. Does he not need the money? If that’s the case, why is he sofa surfing? Doesn’t add up!

  I feel like I’m going to have to extract each piece of information from him slowly, he’s keeping this very close to his chest. “Can you show me?”

  He taps in his password and turns the laptop to me. I glance down at the screen and see his name with his annual salary next to it. I’m horrified, my mouth open. “Is that it?”

  He frowns. “It’s okay, not too bad!”

  “Not too bad! It’s horrendous. How were you managing to stay living in London when you’re only earning that? God, James, the departmental managers earn more than you. Did you never raise this with Maggie?” I am totally shocked.

  “I... I was just so pleased to have a job back home. Besides which, I’m not badly off. I’ve got some cash of my own, not as much as you, but I’m okay!” he says.

  I huff. I can’t believe that “aunt’” of mine. “That may be so, but you shouldn’t sell yourself short. What’s the going rate for your job?” I ask him. He shrugs his shoulders, not wanting to say or I guess more likely not willing to tell me.

  Whilst I have the laptop in front of me I Google average salaries and hotel management, just to get a feel for what the going rate of pay is. Without spending too much time at all I can see that James is on a lot less than he should be. It’s appalling. I click around the screen looking at different sites. James stands, I think he feels a little awkward.

  He walks over towards his unit. “Do you want some tea?”

  “Please, tiny splash of milk, one sweetener if you have one and leave the bag in – I like it strong.” I issue my tea-making instructions quickly, concentrating so I don’t look up. “So, James, truthfully, is salary the reason you’re sofa surfing? Did Maggie not increase your pay in line with cost of living for the last… how many years?” I look up at him. “You won’t offend me, remember that I really didn’t know her that well… If only I had!” In truth I don’t really know if I now hate the woman or not. Not because she gave me away, but because nobody told me!

  He turns around and looks at me again. “Perhaps.”

  “For heaven’s sake, James… Is that the reason?” My tone’s becoming terse.

  “Perhaps.” He smiles at me. I’m not going to win this one.

  “Well, it needs addressing. It’s stupid. I mean, you’re managing how many staff? You run the place practically single-handed and yet the bloody housekeeping manager earns more than you!” I am so cross, not with James, but with Maggie for allowing this to happen.

  “There’s a hundred and eight staff,” James interrupts.

  “Okay, well, a hundred and eight staff! You need to remember, James, I’ve been cash strapped, I know what it’s like to have to justify every penny and it’s not good, it’s not nice and it’s stressful. While this place is mine and while I can, I want to make sure that my team are happy in their work, happy to come to work and happy when they’re not at work – understand?” I pause before continuing my rant. “If it’s one thing I will not, absolutely not, tolerate, it’s any of my team being taken for granted.” There, I’ve said my piece and am now off my soap box!

  He just looks at me. He’s seeing the strong side of Alex Drake that he hasn’t seen before. Hell, Alex Drake hasn’t seen this side of herself for years either!

  “I’ll call the accountant now. This needs sorting – this afternoon!” I’m adamant.

  I reach into my handbag and dig around for my mobile. Scrolling down the menu I find the number of the accountants. I tap the screen and the call connects, it’s swiftly answered by a young woman.

  “Can I speak to Gerald – it’s Alex Drake.” I feel as though I’m cooking on gas, being very positive and assertive, a feeling that I like. Yes, slowly, bit by bit, I am changing.

  I’ve only met Gerald a few times. He’s a pleasant older gentleman, I would imagine only a few years from retirement, and so far his advice and guidance have been excellent – I think, but then I’m paying a substantial fee for him to look after my finances so I wouldn’t expect anything other than excellent.

  “Alex – good to hear from you,” he booms. I pull the phone away from my ear, the only problem with Gerald is that he can’t do quiet!

  “I’ve been looking at the payroll for the hotel, Gerald. James Aconi sends you, or one of your people, the figures every month and he reviews all of the staff salaries here on an annual basis, but poor bloke, Maggie never reviewed his. I’ve only just found out, and still wouldn’t have known if, well, let’s just say something was mentioned.” I explain my reason for calling him today, moving the telephone to and from my ear as he booms back at me.

  “Oh, we had no idea. We only act on the information that Mr Aconi or Maggie sent over,” he says defensively.

  “No, I’m not blaming you, Gerald, but I need to put this right, as quickly as possible. If I give you some figures can you implement them today, by BACS, to James’s account now?” I’m feeling assertive, a feeling I really quite like. The blip I had less than an hour ago seemingly past, maybe I really am getting stronger, emotionally.

  “Yes, of course we can. What did you want to do?” he asks.

  “Well, I can’t find an exact average salary on the web, not for the job that James does, but looking at what is on there and kno
wing that he practically runs this place I think we’ve got to increase his annual to at least a hundred thousand. I also want to include an annual bonus, and the bonus needs to be backdated. It will be signed off by me every year, but for now I want you to back pay the bonus for the last five years,” I explain.

  “Hold on, Alex, just let me make sure I’ve got this written down correctly.” I hear him shuffle paper and mutter as he writes. “Increase salary to a hundred thousand and a bonus paid every year, at your discretion. But you want me to transfer the bonus, back paid for the last five years, today?” he asks, confirming what I’ve just said.

  I look at James who is standing by his unit, making tea. He’s frowning, looking at me. His mouth turning up into a broad smile, oh my God, that smile! My nether regions come to life, I have to turn away my focus moving towards the papers on James’ desk I compose myself, deep breathing focussing on my conversation with Gerald on not on James’ smile.

  “Yes please. I want to pay him a bonus of fifty grand a year. So if you can transfer two hundred and fifty thousand into his account today, that would be great. Then from next month we just press ahead with the new salary. Have you got all of that?”

  “I have, and I’ll get that arranged for you – is that all, Alex?” Gerald asks.

  “There’s nothing else. I’ll send you an email now to confirm, I know you like these things in writing, and then I’ll see you next month as planned, okay? Bye.” I end the call.

  I stand and walk around to James as he stands, mug in hand by the little unit. “Come on, let’s get this message done.” I wave my hand towards the computer. He moves the laptop to his side of the desk and sits down in his big chair as I walk behind him, looking at the screen, holding onto the back of his chair. I look down on top of those curls, oh I would just love to run my fingers through those curls.

  His hands are shaking as he flicks his mouse around and taps in his password to open the spreadsheet that shows all of the staff and their current salaries.