Jessie Slaymaker's Non-Existent Love Life (The Jessie Slaymaker Series)

by Jo Iles

  ‘I’m working, trying to get loose ends tied up. What are you doing here?’ She fixed him with a stare, looking for any telltale signs that he was lying.

  ‘I forgot my phone charger,’ he replied without a moment’s hesitation. ‘Think I must have left it here yesterday.’

  Now, a cynical person would think he’d had that line rehearsed. Good thing Jessie wasn’t a cynic. Just a bit skeptical today when it came to Charlie Davenport.

  ‘What are you up to today anyway, whilst some of us are slaving away?’ Jessie asked, feeling a little more relaxed heart-rate-wise.

  ‘I’m off on a junk boat with Sonia, and then we’re going for dinner this evening.’

  ‘Very nice,’ Jessie replied, forcing a smile. She wasn’t jealous. Much.

  ‘Think I’m going to girlfriend that one up,’ Charlie added with a twinkle in his eye. Well, must dash, I need to pop back to the hotel to change. Keep up the good work, and let’s maybe do brunch tomorrow, if you don’t have anything else planned?’

  ‘Sure,’ Jessie replied to Charlie’s departing figure. What an offer, eh? To maybe have brunch tomorrow. ‘Oh Charlie,’ she called after him. He stopped and turned about ten metres away from her now. Jessie looked down at his empty hands and asked, ‘Did you find it okay?’

  ‘Find what?’ Charlie answered, looking blank.

  ‘Your phone charger…’ Jessie prompted. Charlie’s blank face remained a second too long before he twigged what she was getting at.

  ‘No, it must be back at the hotel after all,’ he said carefully, giving Jessie a look with his piercing blue eyes. ‘Have a good one,’ he added, before turning and striding off in the direction of the lifts.

  Jessie felt seriously deflated. She tried to perk herself up with a Mars bar from the pantry, but that didn’t work at all. She was lost, and didn’t know what to do or which way to turn. Charlie had told her a barefaced lie about the phone charger being his reason for being in the office. That hurt. She didn’t exactly know what she’d expected him to say, but she’d expected him to say something that didn’t insult her intelligence. Some semblance of the actual truth. Something like, I’ve done something silly and I need your help Jessie, not I forgot my phone charger.

  And then there was the whole spending the day semi-naked with Sonia on a junk and girlfriending her up stuff. That hurt, too. Especially when she was in the office on a Saturday doing the best job she could possibly do in a bid to impress Charlie and make him look good to his superiors. That was it, she realised, experiencing a sudden epiphany. He’d brought her along to make him look like some research whiz. Yes, he was a good economist and he definitely knew his stuff. But it had been Jessie’s tireless dedication that had allowed him to shine. Jessie thought back over the past few years and tried to remember when she had received recognition for the quality of her work. She couldn’t recall. All she could remember was Charlie receiving bucketloads of ego-boosting words, expensive lunches, and various accolades at the annual conferences. Back then she hadn’t cared for herself. She was happy to bask in Charlie’s glory, happy to be in the team of such a talented and successful individual. Charlie hadn’t been the least bit impressed with her today though. He simply hadn’t cared one jot whether she was there or not, working to make him look good.

  Jessie finished the paragraph she’d been editing and turned off her computer before taking a taxi back to the hotel. Feeling sorry for herself, she ordered room service. A massively calorific burger and fries—with chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

  Chapter 47

  Jack was in a quandary. He was bored. He was missing Jessie. His brother was essentially right: he was back in England and he didn’t really know what to do with himself. He was lost. He’d come to the UK because he was fed up with his monotonous life in Shanghai, and now he had itchy feet again. Over the past couple of years he’d wound down his involvement in his publishing business and could rely on his team to handle things with only his occasional and minimal input. Fortunately for him, he wasn’t in a position where he had to work for money, but he still was utterly clueless as to what he wanted to do or where he wanted to be. Poor little rich boy, but we all know money doesn’t buy you happiness. It certainly helps though, and gives us choices. In Jack’s case, too many choices.

  It was five in the morning and Jack hadn’t been able to sleep for toffee. It was lunchtime in Hong Kong and he felt a sudden urge to speak to Jessie. Without overthinking things, he snatched up his phone and called her.

  ‘Hello,’ she answered, sounding faraway and a little strange.

  ‘Hi, are you okay?’ he asked, not sure what was up with her voice. Maybe it was a bad line.

  ‘Sorry, I’m just eating my lunch. One second…’ she said, chewing and swallowing whatever she had left in her mouth. ‘Sorry Jack, finished now. So, to what do I owe this pleasure?’ she asked, a sarcastic note clearly obvious.

  ‘I wanted to hear your voice,’ Jack answered genuinely.

  ‘That’s nice,’ Jessie replied, a slight waver in her voice, all the sarcasm now gone.

  ‘Are you really okay, Jessie?’ Jack asked, immediately zeroing in on her vulnerability.

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said, exhaling deeply. ‘Just a bit miffed with work is all. Nothing that won’t sort itself out, I’m sure.’ Jack could just imagine her lower lip trembling as she tried to be brave.

  ‘What’s happened?’ he said gently. ‘You can talk to me,’ he added when Jessie still hadn’t said anything after a few seconds.

  ‘It’s nothing really. I guess I’ve just had a moment of clarity this morning as to why I’ve been working myself into the ground for the past few years,’ she finally managed after a few deep breaths.

  ‘Oh yeah? And why’s that then?’ asked Jack, guessing that Charlie had upset her somehow.

  ‘To impress your brother,’ she said matter-of-factly, unable to lie to herself or anyone else anymore.

  ‘Right. I feel like there’s more to this story.’

  ‘Well, I was in the office today—as in on a Saturday at eight-thirty in the morning, like I have been regularly for the past few years—for two reasons. One, because I don’t have a life; and two, because in my twisted thinking I seemed to believe that producing better work would make Charlie see me for who I really am. Well, it hasn’t bloody worked. Charlie has taken advantage of my conscientious nature, and now he’s got this girlfriend. I feel well and truly unappreciated and undervalued—not just in a personal sense because that’s by the by and probably never going to happen—but more importantly in a professional sense as well,’ Jessie vented, her volume and passion increasing.

  ‘Wait wait wait—Charlie’s got a girlfriend?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know really, and to be honest I don’t really care. He was on about making Sonia his girlfriend. Sounded pretty confident about it.’

  It was Jack’s turn to pause. He was surprised by what Jessie had said. Not that Charlie had been taking the piss professionally, but that he wanted to make Sonia his girlfriend.

  ‘Did he say anything else about Sonia?’ Jack probed.

  ‘Well that’s just great, so you like her too,’ Jessie said resignedly. Jack had never heard her so down and thoroughly cheesed off.

  ‘Look Jessie, Sonia’s a good friend of mine. Nothing more. And if my brother has designs on her then I want to know. Seeing as I know his history with women and how he’s treated you these past few years, I simply don’t trust the bugger. Brother or not.’

  ‘Funny you should say that,’ Jessie said slowly.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘About trusting him. Charlie was in the office looking for his phone charger this morning,’ Jessie began, then faltered.

  ‘Right, and…’

  ‘The thing is, I saw him in a director’s office going through files and then I heard him copying stuff. I’m not saying all these things are connected and he could have been copying toilet paper for all I know, but it was just odd. I’ve never kno
wn him to be in the office on a weekend—and I should know,’ she finished with a sad note.

  ‘You really think he was doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing?’

  ‘Yep, without a doubt. It was just weird. I asked him if he’d found his charger and he gave me a weird look like I’d accused him of something untoward. I know he was lying to me,’ Jessie explained.

  ‘Don’t you worry about him or let his inability to see the value in other people get you down. You are bloody good at your job and I don’t think Charlie would be in the position he’s in at the bank if it weren’t for you. If he’s up to something then that’s his business. Just don’t you get embroiled in any of his schemes. I know it’s hard, but I’d suggest you steer clear of him as much as you can,’ Jack advised.

  ‘Trust me, I won’t be seeking him out anytime soon. I feel like he’s used me to do all the donkey work, whilst he moved ahead in the bank. I didn’t even finish my work today I was so annoyed with him.’

  Jack smiled to himself. He thought her sweet for thinking that downing sticks in protest would cause Charlie any major angst or dissatisfaction.

  ‘Good for you,’ he agreed. ‘It is Saturday after all. You should go and do something nice. Have you been across the harbour yet, to Kowloon?’

  ‘Nope. And I know I should get out and do something, but I think I’ll just stay in my room and wallow for a bit today. Pamper myself a bit. Girl stuff, you know. I’ll try and do something more adventurous tomorrow, I promise. Hey, what time is it there anyway? Shouldn’t you be asleep? At your age I’d definitely advise you to get enough beauty sleep,’ she joked, successfully shifting the focus away from herself.

  ‘Since you ask, I’ve been having trouble sleeping, so I thought I may as well do something with my time, you lucky girl,’ he replied.

  ‘Well maybe I can help you sleep when I get back?’ Jessie asked cheekily.

  ‘That’s a date!’ he said, grinning from ear to ear at the prospect.

  ‘Speaking of dates, I have a date with a plateload of chocolate chip cookies which are calling my name, so I’m going to sign off if that’s okay.’

  ‘Far be it from me to come between a lady and her sugar addiction,’

  ‘Thanks Jack. See you soon. And thanks for cheering me up,’ Jessie said earnestly.

  ‘You’re welcome. Make sure you go out tomorrow and see some sights,’

  ‘Yes, boss. See ya.’

  Chapter 48

  There was a knock at the door. Jessie awoke with a start and automatically scrambled for her phone on the bedside table to see what time it was. It was a little after eleven. She must have dozed off whilst she’d been watching Pirates of the Caribbean and admiring Johnny Depp’s fabulous swagger. Jessie had been true to her word to Jack and had spent the rest of the day wallowing and feeling sorry for herself. She’d also managed to watch two films, have the longest bath in the history of mankind, give herself two face masks, paint both her nails and toenails, as well as polish off three not-so-miniature bottles from the minibar. All in all, a pretty productive day. No wonder she’d dozed off.

  There was another knock at her door. Only louder this time. She hadn’t ordered anything from room service in the last hour that she could recall, so she wondered who it could be at this time on a Saturday night. Surely anyone worth knowing would be painting Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong party district red. Jessie scooted off the bed as quickly as three not-so-miniature bottles of booze would allow her to and retied her fluffy white bathrobe as she shuffled to the door. Lastly she ran a quick hand through her still damp hair and opened her door a crack.

  It was Charlie. A very drunk and barely-able-to-stand-up Charlie, leaning on the doorjamb, smiling at her.

  ‘Hey Jess,’ he slurred. ‘Can I come in?’

  Isn’t life ironic? Before today she would have longed for this scene to have played out (only minus Charlie’s inebriated state). To have Charlie Davenport knock on one’s hotel room door, scoop said someone up and throw her on the bed before making sweet tender love to her was the stuff daydreams were made of. Funny how the reality of things is never quite as good as the imaginings are.

  ‘Sure,’ Jessie said, opening the door wider as he barged passed her. Her intention was to offer him a glass of water and listen to whatever sob story he had to tell, then send him on his way, back to his own room.

  Charlie proceeded to grab himself a beer from the minibar before plonking himself down at the foot of Jessie’s bed. He popped the can and took a long swig.

  ‘Jesus Christ, Jessie, its been nearly two months since I’ve had sex. I thought I was onto a sure thing with Sonia. Honestly, the amount of time and money I’ve put into that one. I’m just so fucking frustrated,’ he said, shaking his beer can for emphasis. Jessie tried not to notice the splashes of beer that slopped over the sides of his can onto the carpet.

  ‘What happened? You sounded pretty confident about girlfriending Sonia up this morning,’ Jessie said coldly, the booze in her giving her a bit of added confidence. She took a seat in the desk chair opposite him and swiveled it to face him.

  ‘Oh, the little slut was being a cock tease today in her skimpy bikini. We were having a great time and I was sure I was on a promise. Then when it was just her and me for dinner this evening, she turned into some ice queen and flinched whenever I touched her. She was rambling on about my brother. I feel used, Jessie. I think she was using me to find out about him.’

  ‘Oh really? But I thought they were good friends.’

  ‘Don’t make me laugh. How can a man and a woman who looks like that ever be just good friends?’ he asked, taking another swig of beer.

  ‘Well, maybe she just doesn’t like you in that way, Charlie. Not every woman finds you irresistible, you know.’

  Charlie eyed her briefly like she’d said the most ridiculous thing possible, but to his drunken credit he didn’t roll his eyes at her. Or maybe he couldn’t.

  ‘Seriously, Jessie, at dinner the other night: could you tell she wasn’t into me?’ he asked, pulling a face of disbelief. ‘Because I thought she was lapping me up.’

  ‘Hard to say really,’ Jessie replied noncommittally, trying her best to hide her outrage at the way Charlie was talking about this woman. She wondered if he spoke about all women in this hideous manner.

  ‘Fine then. Don’t be my shoulder to cry on. Instead, you can tell me Jessie, what’s going on in your life. I know you haven’t got a boyfriend but I’m sure you’re having sex. When was the last time you saw some action?’ he asked, watching her closely.

  Jessie was speechless, and immediately felt herself blush scarlet. That wasn’t the kind of question you expected to hear come out of your boss’s mouth. Your boss, for cripes’ sake.

  ‘Your silence speaks volumes, Jessie. Was it today?’ he pushed, with a teasing smile playing across his lips. Jessie stayed quiet. ‘No. Alright then, last week? No. Is it someone I know? Someone from the office? What about Steven Gregory?’ Jessie rolled her eyes at him. Steven bloody Gregory. As bloody if.

  ‘Oh don’t be so coy. We’re friends, aren’t we?’ Charlie said, trying to sound persuasive with a slight slur.

  If Jessie had felt a smidgen tipsy a few minutes ago, she now felt completely alert, and conscious that she didn’t want her face to give anything away. Jessie wanted to keep her previous encounters with Jack private. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t want Charlie to know. Maybe it was because he was Jack’s brother, or maybe it was because he was her boss. Or both.

  ‘Oh, I’m going to have to guess, am I?’ Charlie slurred at her, seemingly enjoying his solo guessing game of a conversation. He really was being quite odious.

  ‘You can guess all you want, but I’m not seeing anyone,’ was Jessie’s measured reply as she fixed him with a warning stare.

  ‘That’s not what I asked though, is it? I asked, when was the last time you had sex?’ Charlie fixated like a terrier worrying a juicy bone.

  ‘I really d
on’t think this is an appropriate conversation to have, Charlie,’ Jessie said, getting up to pour herself some water.

  ‘Touchy. Is it someone I know?’ Charlie prodded even further, wearing a look of glee on his face. Jessie could sense he was enjoying teasing her and wouldn’t give up unless he got what he wanted from her.

  ‘No,’ Jessie snapped. ‘This conversation is over. I think you should go back to your own room now.’

  ‘So it is someone I know, then,’ Charlie concluded from her last sentence. He grabbed her by the wrist to stop her from heading to the door. He wasn’t going to give up easily.

  ‘Hey is it that Nick Monroe guy from the Risk Management team?’

  ‘No, it most certainly is not,’ Jessie fumed at him. Charlie had a firm grasp of her wrist and Jessie was cross she had gotten herself into this situation. She was also cross at the thought that Charlie would think she’d go near Nick Monroe when she wouldn’t touch him with a bargepole. That was just insulting.

  ‘Okay, so what about Lee Chapman?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Steven Day?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Christopher Marlin?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Jack Davenport?’

  Jessie just huffed, feeling her patience completely evaporate.

  ‘What makes you think I’ve been anywhere near Jack?’ Jessie eventually asked.

  ‘Aha, we have a winner,’ Charlie shouted, elated that he’d won his guessing game, despite the fact that Jessie hadn’t admitted to anything.

  ‘Think that if you want to, Charlie. I think you should go now,’ Jessie repeated, finally wriggling her wrist free from his grasp.

  Jessie marched to the door, opened it, and waited for him to get the hint and leave. Only trouble was, he didn’t budge. Charlie remained rooted to the foot of her bed looking down at the carpet, not looking one iota like he’d heard her request for him to go, let alone noticed her attempt at showing him the door.

  Jessie slowly closed the door again and walked back into the room, waiting for Charlie to come back to life again.