Chapter 75: Chapter 75

*****

“Something wrong?”

“Your brother makes me uncomfortable. You'd think this was his home rather than mine.”

“He’s giving you trouble?”

“Not exactly. I just feel as though I'm under a microscope whenever he sees me near Charlotte.”

He curses under his breath. “I'll have a word. Tell him to back off.”

“I'd appreciate that.”

*****

It’s a relief to come to work. There’s a lot to be said for having a senior position, people all around who understand you, work you enjoy and not constantly having some interfering bastard peering over your shoulder.

I could do without all the paperwork though….

I survey the pile of files, reports, applications for permission and other crap on my desk.

I remember when I used to design bridges….

Richard enjoys this stuff….

Each to their own….

I check my watch. I have a meeting on-site within twenty minutes.

Would this be useful for her?

I tap on my phone. “Charlotte, I’m going on-site to talk with Sam Callaghan. We’ll be looking at the latest ground surveys on B-site. Do you want to come?”

“I’d like to, but I’m in a meeting myself. Do you need me there right now?”

“I can hang on for five minutes. I’ll wait by the main entrance.”

I head for the elevator, throwing “I’m going on-site Francis,” behind me. “I’m not expecting to be in again today.”

“Very well, James.”

I descend, noticing a rattle as I pass between floors twenty-two and twenty-one.

It did that yesterday….

Memo to self - call maintenance. Get them to look….

With a hiss, the elevator doors open to the lobby and I head for the doors, vaguely registering an unfamiliar face at the reception desk….

New concierge….

And I stand to wait, staring into space, running over the items I want to discuss with our site foreman.

After a minute or so, it dawns on me that I am being watched, surreptitiously, but watched nonetheless.

The concierge….

It’s her job after all….

Fair enough….

I nod in her direction, just a polite acknowledgement, and for the first time, I really look at her.

She’s young, dark-haired, not bad-looking with strong features, and….

…. familiar….

I know you….

Where do I know you from?

Then I have it. I glance back again. She looks ready to curl up and die. Clearly, she remembers me and how we met.

Inside I laugh, but that’s not fair.

No wonder she’s embarrassed.

Be nice….

That’s always part of the deal….

I walk across, slowly, trying to be casual.

“We do know each other, don’t we? It’s Debbie, isn’t it?”

She looks mortified. She’s wearing a perfectly standard white office-style blouse, but above the blouse, a crimson tide is rising up over her face.

She taps at a name-badge pinned neatly to the blouse. “Er…. Kirstie, actually.”

Again, I fight to keep the laughter from my voice and face.

Of course, she wouldn’t have given her real name.

When I met her previously, she introduced herself as ‘Debbie’. It was at the Club, in the days when Michael and I were free agents and working our ‘Act’ as a pair. ‘Debbie’ joined us in a Threesome one evening, and as I recall, a good time was had by all.

Nice ass….

Pinked up beautifully….

“Ah yes, Kirstie. Of course. I’ll remember that….”

Small-talk….

Wtf to say?

Where’s Michael when I need him…?

Or perhaps not…. on this particular occasion….

“Are you new here?” I ask. “I don’t recall seeing you on the desk before.”

“Yes, I just started. I’m still learning the ropes….” And I can see her weighing me up, assessing me….

Trying to decide who/what I am?

No need to make her more uncomfortable than necessary….

…. telling her she had a three-way-fuck with a company director….

“Er…. Are you waiting for someone, um… Sir? Can I get you a coffee while you wait?”

“No, I have an appointment. But thank you for asking. Are you enjoying the job?”

Her face lights up. “Oh, yes. It’s great. Much better than what I was doing before.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. Well, good luck with it.”

And I’ve about exhausted my small store of casual conversation. One of the reasons Michael and I always made a good pair was that he always knows what to say at this point. He’s not a big talker at other times, but when it comes to filling awkward silences, Michael’s your man.

So, I stand, hoping Charlotte will arrive and give me an excuse to leave.

I’ll need to leave soon anyway if she doesn’t get here….

Kirstie is still watching me. Her eyes linger over my hand, over my ring.

“I’ve um…. I’ve not seen you and your friend…. out and about…. Recently,” she says. “The blond guy;

is he alright?”

Out and about?

Tactfully phrased….

Lol!

“Yes, he’s fine. He got married recently.”

“Ah…. Shame….” Points of colour sit on her high cheekbones.

“I’m sure there’s many who will think so,” I say.

She’s an attractive girl. Under other circumstances….

Get a grip, Man….

“And…um…. you?”

Yes, she’s looking at my ring….

“No, I’ve not been…. out and about…. much recently either. I…. also married.”

She nods, sucking at her lips. “Oh…. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

I check my watch.

Time’s up….

“Kirstie, could you send a message upstairs please, to Mrs Summerford on extension 4528. Tell her that I can’t wait, and she’ll have to get her husband to pick her up.”

“Of course, Mr….”

And past encounters aside, I remind myself, that my relationship with Kirstie is strictly one of business.

I offer her my hand. “Alexanders…. James Alexanders, since we weren’t formally introduced when we met previously.”

She stands to accept the hand, but as she shakes, colour blooms up her neck. It’s quite attractive.

“Nice to meet you, Mr Alexanders. I’ll see your message gets to where it’s going.”

“Thank you, Kirstie.”

And I turn to head for my meeting.

*****