Chapter 79: Chapter 79

Charlotte I’m scratching my head, writing a report for my next student assessment….

Analysis of corrosion fatigue fractures in a cyclic degradation environment….

The sample I’m supposed to analyse is the breechblock from the testbed in a proofing yard. It’s not easy to examine because the damn thing weighs nearly twenty pounds and every time I try to move it, I end up nearly pulverising one finger or another….

…. when my office phone buzzes.

“Hello, is this Mrs Summerford? It’s Kirstie down in Reception. Your brother-in-law’s here for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

I can’t say I’m sorry to leave the mysteries of corrosion fatigue behind. It’s making my eyes water.

In the lobby, Ben’s waiting for me, his ass parked on the reception desk next to the new girl I’d noticed of the last few days.

“Hi, Champ,” he says, giving me one of those smiles of his that, when he delivers them, lights up the room and makes him look a lot more like his brother.

You look pleased with yourself….

“Hi, Ben. Thanks for coming.”

“No trouble at all. I, um…. I was looking for an excuse anyway….” He looks down at the girl.

And the penny drops.

Ben’s new girlfriend?

“Oh, hello. Would you be Kirstie by any chance? Ben said that you’d started working here.”

She shifts in her seat. “Er, yes I’m Kirstie.” She’s polite enough but doesn’t seem entirely comfortable.

Am I missing something…?

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say. “Ben’s never stopped talking about you the last week or so.”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

That’s not welcome news….

Is this another of Ben’s fall-for-her-immediately girlfriends?

Play it cool….

I offer her my hand to shake. “I’m Charlotte. Ben’s brother is my husband.”

Her mouth goes a little slack, but she stands, taking my hand. “Nice to meet you, Charlotte. And yes, I met your husband….” Standing, her eyes rake over me, measuring me….

Clothes…. Check….

Rings…. Check….

Holding my eyes…. Gauging my mood…. Check….

…. Assessing me….

This isn’t a woman who takes anyone at face value.

I like you….

Maybe Ben’s got it right this time….

“I’ve got to go now,” I say, “but perhaps we can have a coffee together sometime, over lunch perhaps?”

“That would be nice.”

Ben winks at her. “Gotta go. Catch you soon?”

“Um, okay. I’ll call.”

Not, ‘Call me’….

But, ‘I’ll call’….

Oh, Ben….

All the way home, he chatters. “Isn’t she great…. I know you haven’t met her properly yet, but I’m sure the two of you will get along. Wouldn’t it be great? We could make up a foursome to go out, you and Mike, me and Kirstie….”

I try to make polite noises of agreement, but in the pit of my stomach, something stirs.

*****

James I’m heading into Haswell Building. It’s only a minute or so to nine and the traffic’s heavy with the morning rush.

As I walk up the steps to the front door, a car squeals to a halt by me and Kirstie steps out, flushed and hurried. She leans back inside saying something to the driver….

Someone?

Not Ben….

…. and her blouse, whilst clean and tidy enough, has that not-quite-pressed look that suggests it’s the same one she was wearing yesterday.

I get a glimpse of a male face, good-looking in the ‘dark and handsome’ way, before the car pulls away.

Kirstie sees me coming up behind her and looks flustered. “Morning, Kirstie.”

“Morning, Mr Alexanders.”

In the elevator I ponder the girl I just left behind at the reception desk.

So, Ben’s latest is seeing someone else….

And he’s not the type to take that casually.

Should I say anything?

To Ben?

Certainly not.

To Michael….?

Best not. Stay well out of that one.

*****

Michael My mobile rings. It’s James.

“Hi, it’s me. I’m running late, and I’ll not be back for a while. Can you pick up Charlotte from the office to get her home?”

“’Course I can. I’m only at the centre anyway. It’s barely out of my way.”

“Thanks. Catch you later.”

*****