Tripping On Love

by Carrie Stone

  Miles had been dining with colleagues when he'd caught her attention on the way to the ladies room. He had an encapsulating aura about him and Stella knew from his expensive watch and suave suit, that he was exactly what she'd been looking for.

  She had made it her business in the weeks that followed to check out his status. Eventually a chance meeting, whereby she had strategically bought a coffee and waited outside his office to bump into him, brought them together. The coffee spillage down her new smart but provocative top, triggered his gentlemanly and generous ways as she'd expected. Before she knew it, they were laughing over fresh coffee and cake.

  The relationship developed far sooner and more deeply than she'd expected. Not only had she landed her catch – she'd fallen in love with him too.

  'Right - I must dash. Big meeting this morning with the board about the merger' Miles folded his newspaper and stood up, walking closer to her, adjusting his tie. He looked serious, lost in thoughts of work. His eyes softened as he neared his wife. She really was beautiful. He was the luckiest man alive.

  Miles finished straightening his tie and leaned towards her.

  'Darling, I know I’ve not been around much of late, but I promise you when this merger is over I’ll make it up to you.'

  With that he kissed her softly on the cheek, picked up his briefcase and headed for the door.

  Stella heard the door close and leaned back against the sink and allowed the tears to flow.

  What was she doing? Miles was a good man. His old self was still there; admittedly buried a little beneath a surface of stress and work commitments, but he was still the same Miles she had fallen for.

  Chris couldn’t take his place. Her affair was eating away at her. She had to end it fast, before things got out of hand and people got hurt.

  She heard voices drifting from upstairs and quickly wiped her eyes. Emily's drilling voice was demanding the children get downstairs to eat their porridge.

  Moments later, as Freddy and Jacob ran into the room pretending to be aeroplanes, making loud whizzing noises, Stella knew that her priorities had to change. Her children were her life. She couldn’t hurt them by continuing to betray their father.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  I walked into the office and felt the tense atmosphere before I'd even seen Ronnie and Sam, exchanging sharp words in low voices.

  I sat myself down at my desk and prepared for the day ahead. Despite having lots to do, my mind was awash with overbearing thoughts of Edward.

  Mel and I had spent most of the weekend dissecting my date and had come to the conclusion that although the connection between us had been real, Edward was a charmer and potentially in a relationship already. The call he'd received at the dinner table had been under huge debate. Mel had argued that business calls did not take place late in the evening; on the other hand, calls from irate girlfriends did. She had a fair point.

  Mel knew I’d been devastated by this analysis and had spent much of Sunday baking pasties and fairy cakes in the hope I'd eat myself into a happier frame of mind. Unfortunately it had the reverse effect. I now felt fat and devastated.

  There was too much work to be done to allow Edward to occupy my thoughts, so I ploughed into updating new rates onto the system. I didn’t notice that Ronnie had left the office, or that Samantha had spent the morning sniffling away at her desk, until almost midday. Samantha's usual happy complexion was puffy and sullen.

  'Sam, what’s wrong?' I stopped loading rates and walked hurriedly across to her desk.

  Thankfully the office was quiet of customers and I was relieved to see her manage a smile as I perched against her pedestal. I had enough of my own problems today without having to be a fairy godmother for Sam, but it was the least I could do.

  'Ah, there's no problem Lizzie. I know you’re busy and I didn’t want to start distracting you with silly issues. Ronnie's annoyed with me, that's all' she smiled sheepishly.

  'I made the mistake of accidentally forwarding an email to the office of his son Teddy. The email was confidential. Ronnie has since had phone calls from Teddy's office and its all blown out of hand' Sam said, bottom lip quivering.

  I jumped to her defensive. 'That's not your fault. Whatever issues lie between Ronnie and Teddy are their problem. We all make mistakes with forwarding emails. Give Ronnie a couple of days; he'll come around' I said encouragingly, hoping that she would see there was no point crying over something so trivial.

  I had just discovered that the man I had obsessed about and felt great connection with, was likely to already be in a relationship. Not to mention he had very nearly charmed the knickers off me. That was something to cry over.

  'You're right Lizzie, I can’t let this affect my work. These things do happen. Onwards and upwards, huh' Sam gave a small sigh and stood up, rubbing her eyes.

  'I'm off to make tea and tidy myself up. I'll bring you back a coffee and a bourbon cream' she said walking off in the direction of the kitchen.

  Ronnie came back to the office during the afternoon with two packets of chocolate mini rolls, one each for Sam and I. He looked a lot less harassed.

  'Sorry I haven’t had much of a chance to speak with you this morning, Lizzie' he said, hanging his jacket on the coat stand.

  'I thought we could have a catch-up at some point today on where we're at with the Marbella trip and the article.' He stopped to collect his unopened mail from Sam's desk and walked towards his office.

  'Sure, I’ll just grab my notes and I’ll be in to give you a progress update' I smiled sweetly.

  As soon as Ronnie had passed me I frantically began typing notes. My impending visit to Spain was fast approaching and there was a lot to arrange on both a business and personal level. All of which I hadn’t gotten around to starting yet.

  ----------

  By the time I returned home that evening, Edward was as far removed from my mind as the current state of affairs in my mother's love life. All I wanted was to take a hot bath and relax.

  Mel was preparing dinner as I entered the kitchen and the waft of creamy mushroom and chicken made my mouth water. It still amazed me how someone so disorganised within every other area of their life, could manage to create complex culinary successes and not leave a hint of destruction in the kitchen. I, on the other hand, couldn’t toast a slice of bread without using two worktops, three knives and four plates.

  'Mmm, smells scrummy' I said leaning past her to take a look into the casserole dish.

  Mel shrugged non-committedly. 'It's just something I rustled up; there’s not much in the fridge and I used up your mushrooms. There's enough for you here if you want some.'

  'Ask a silly question, get a silly answer' I rolled my eyes. 'Of course I want some.' I skipped out of the room relieved there was one less chore on my list for the evening.

  Hugo joined us for dinner in front on the television. We listened as he recalled amusing stories from his job as a camera operator at a production company. I came to realise that it didn’t matter if you spent twelve years working towards your career goal. It didn’t necessarily mean you’d enjoy it once you secured it. Hugo was a prime example. He claimed that working with ego inflated, Z list celebrities, was just as soul destroying as his first job working in a chicken factory. I silently gave thanks that I had found a job I enjoyed. My banking career was long forgotten since starting at RJ's.

  After the plates had been cleared away, Mel retreated with Hugo to his apartment to watch a DVD. Hugo had lingered, half tempted to invite me along out of pity, but Mel's suggestive looks were far more promising.

  As soon as they were gone, I ran myself a bath and sunk into the warm, bubbly water. Tilting my head back against the rim of the bath, I closed my eyes and let my body relax.

  I wasn’t sure if I had been staring into space or dozing, when my mobile shrilled loudly from the adjacent room, making me jump. It was no doubt Stella returning my call from earlier. We hadn't spoken in over a week and as much as I didn’t agree with he
r scandalous office flirting, I didn’t want to fall out with my only sister.

  The ringing stopped and I allowed myself to relax back into the cooling water. Not a minute later my mobile made a second beep, alerting me to a message received.

  The bath water began to feel cold against my skin; unable to relax further, I climbed out and wrapped myself in my dressing robe.

  The once white fluffy robe that had been stolen from a five star hotel on a weekend break with Will, now looked like an oversized, threadbare grey flannel. I steadfastly refused to spend a substantial amount of my hard earned money on a new robe, when I could buy a new dress for the same price. Besides, it wasn’t as if Mr Ideal would be seeing me in my robe anytime soon. Mr Ideal felt about as distant in my future as the Milky Way to Mexico. Perhaps my destiny was singledom. My threadbare robe destined to forever hang off my bathroom hook, never making contact with a male species.

  I sulkily retreated to my bedroom and lay on the bed, ignoring a third beeping sound from my mobile. A great peacefulness washed over me and I closed my eyes.

  'Lizzie wake up' Mel’s voice boomed loudly into my thoughts, disrupting my dream and shocking me awake.

  My robe tie was digging awkwardly into my hip. I glanced at the clock and was horrified to discover not only had I slept through the night but I was due to leave the house for work in less than ten minutes. Jumping up, I ran into the kitchen.

  Mel was sitting at the small, round dining table, dressed smartly in a nipped waist skirt suit, with what appeared to be a fox trim. She looked like a glamorous but slightly ridiculous fifties film star, tucking into the plate of fried breakfast before her.

  'Oh my goodness, I cannot believe how late I am.'

  I picked up the empty kettle and filled it with water, trying to ignore the greasy saucepans littering the sink.

  'Yes I had a feeling you'd overslept so thought I’d better wake you before I left' Mel said, taking a bite of dry toast.

  'Thanks. I must have needed the sleep. Ronnie isn’t due in until eleven so hopefully Sam can cover for me. I'll have to text her and let her know' I reached for a teabag to put into my cup.

  'Yes, well your phone kept beeping before. I think it’s in the living room' Mel said taking her last mouthful of toast and wiping her mouth.

  No sooner had I retrieved my mobile from the living room when there was a knock at the door. Mel answered it, allowing Hugo to step into the apartment.

  'Foxy lady' Hugo said, kissing Mel on the mouth and reaching behind to squeeze her bottom.

  'Well I thought I'd make the effort for my prince' Mel said breezily.

  I rolled my eyes, partly in disbelief - Mel had usually quit her pleasing act with men after the first few dates - and partly in irritation. They made such a wonderful couple but their lovesick manner towards one another was beginning to grate on me.

  Hugo nodded in my direction 'Morning, foxy lady number two.'

  Mel laughed as Hugo purposefully surveyed me from head to toe, taking in my old robe and greasy hair.

  'Piss off, Hugo.' I wasn't in the mood. Hugo and Mel might be high on love but I was late for work and fully aware I was a site for sore eyes, first thing in the morning.

  I took the tea into my bedroom and pulled the mobile from my pocket to text Sam. I was already very late. Two missed calls and a text message flagged up on the screen.

  Clicking open the caller display, my heart skipped a beat as Edward's name stared back at me. I breathed in sharply. Edward had been trying to call. I read the accompanying text message.

  'Not ignoring me I hope? Lunch this Saturday? x'

  My heart sped up, as an overwhelming feeling of excitement and happiness swept through me. Edward wanted to see me again. Edward had tried twice to call me. The logical part of my brain cut into my fervour. Edward was a charmer. Edward possibly had a girlfriend. Edward could be trying to use me.

  I pushed the thoughts aside. Saturday wasn't a day to cheat if you had a girlfriend. What harm could a lunch do? 'No harm' was the answer my heart replied. 'Damaging' was the answer my logic screamed at me.

  Ignoring the ticking clock and the voices in my head, I highlighted Edward's name and pushed the call button. I wasn't about to make a foolish mistake - I would let Edward know exactly what I thought of his proposition.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  I hadn’t expected it to be such a gloriously sunny day. The weather forecast had predicted rain and cloud. I looked across at the outfit already prepared in advance of my second date with Edward today. I would have to rethink. The black leggings and top would look dull and wintry.

  I frantically searched in my wardrobe for my white jeans. A woman couldn’t go wrong in white. But then I wasn't in LA or the South of France, I was in London; and the likelihood of showering rain and splattering mud was highly probable. It was a chance I would take. The jeans elongated my legs and lifted my bum.

  Rummaging through my underwear drawer, I found a plain thong in an off grey colour. As it was only our second meet-up, I would need every deterrent possible to stop me from wanting to strip off for Edward. The thong would ensure that my jeans would remain firmly closed. My stomach fluttered at the thought of seeing him in less than an hour.

  Carefully applying my make-up, I opted for a natural look. It was time for him to see the real me. I left my hair half loose and swept the remainder up at the sides. I looked fresh faced and rosy.

  By the time I walked into the living room, Mel and Hugo were sitting huddled on the sofa eating toast.

  Hugo looked me up and down nodding his approval. 'You look nice. Where are you off to?'

  Mel put down her plate and stared at Hugo aghast.

  'Haven’t you been listening recently? For the past forty eight hours, Lizzie's been talking about today. It's her lunch date with Edward' she looked towards me and rolled her eyes.

  I laughed and walked into the kitchen to check the time. Edward had said he'd collect me at midday. It was eleven fifty-five. I swallowed nervously, trying to ignore the loud rumbling sounds coming from my stomach. Why did my stomach always rubble when I was nervous? It was highly unattractive. Opening the cupboard, I took out a biscuit hoping that a few mouthfuls would quieten the noises.

  The doorbell rang just as I took the first bite. He was here. Mouth full, I quickly swallowed the half chewed food and made my way towards the door. Mel beat me to it, leaping off the sofa and padding into the hallway. She had been dying for the chance to meet Edward again and assess him. I only hoped she'd be subtle about it.

  I stopped in my tracks, taking the opportunity for a final deep breath to calm my nerves. A small crumb of biscuit hit my windpipe, instantaneously causing me to erupt into a coughing and spluttering fit, as I struggled to breathe. Oh goodness, this couldn’t be happening. I was choking.

  A vision of Edward seeing me on the floor contorting and foaming at the mouth was at the forefront of my mind. Running towards the tap, I desperately tried to gulp down water, aware of Mel's voice gaining distance.

  ‘She's in the kitchen Edward. Choking, by the sounds of it.’

  I cringed. Mel would feel my wrath later. Whatever happened to friends covering for one another? She could have at least pretended to him that I was giving CPR to an elderly neighbour. But no. Mel was good at telling it as it was. I tried to take deep breaths to steady my breathing as Edward and Mel entered the kitchen, chatting.

  Aware that my face was red, eyes watering from excessive coughing and droplets of tap water splattered across my top, I no longer felt like a sophisticated English rose. I suspected that image had been replaced by a look reminiscent of a deranged, rabid dog.

  Edward was dressed casual in a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt. He was holding a small gift bag in his hands and smiled at me like I was the prettiest vision he'd laid eyes on.

  'Hello, you' he said reaching out for me.

  'Hey' I replied, fanning myself with a take-out menu as I leaned forward to kiss him on the lips.
>
  He gripped both of my arms and held me out to survey me from head to feet. 'Simply stunning' he said pulling me close and hugging me.

  Mel watched from behind him with a grin on her face and gave me a thumbs up sign. Hugo entered the kitchen in bare feet and ragged appearance and stood beside her.

  'Hello, mate' Edward reached out to shake Hugo's hand.

  'Haven't stopped hearing about you' Hugo said tactlessly, as both Mel and I looked at each other in horror and sent up a silent plea for Hugo to shut up.

  Edward laughed and pulled me close against him.

  'Far less I should think than the amount I've been raving about Lizzie.' He winked at me supportively. I felt my face flush. Never had a man made me feel this comfortable in his presence.

  Edward rattled the gift bag in his hand. 'I bought you a little something' he said handing it towards me. 'I saw it the other day and thought of you.'

  Taking the bag, I noticed Mel step forward to get a better view as I pulled out a small box. It was unmistakably a jewellery box. Flipping open the lid, revealed a stunning bean shaped pearl on the most delicate of white gold chains. It was exquisite.

  'Oh Edward, it's gorgeous' I gushed, handing him the chain so that he could put it around my neck.

  'I’m glad you like it, it's very you' he said genuinely.

  I glanced down at the shiny pearl now taking pride of place and felt my heart swell. Edward thought I was a 'pearl girl', not a yellow gold medallion or a large, silver heart girl. A sophisticated, pure and delicate 'pearl girl'. My mother would approve. Although she would be tempted to say he was rather cheap for not buying me a diamond necklace instead.

  I caught Mel looking at Hugo with disdain. I couldn’t recall him ever bringing her more than a pack of her favourite biscuits. Hugo looked back at her with amusement.

  'Don’t worry - you'll get your one later' he told her with a large grin on his face.

  The joke wasn’t lost on any of us and we all smiled as Mel's face flushed red with embarrassment.