Second Time Around (29 page)

‘Jeremy,’ she said, staring at him.

‘Yeah. What a twat.’

‘He was,’ she agreed, smiling, although at the time she’d thought he was wonderful and was devastated when he decided to take a year out to travel and didn’t even ask her
to go with him.

‘And then I was studying and I’d moved into my own flat and didn’t see as much of Noel and, I suppose, I figured I’d missed the boat.’

Jess couldn’t believe her ears and was touched by the anxious way he was watching her. A warm glow spread through her and she smiled at him. ‘The boat’s back in port
now.’

A couple of drinks later, they were sitting a lot closer and talking about everything and anything, as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. Which in a way was true.
They may have been in the same city and met occasionally but they’d never really
talked
.

‘You’re kidding me.’ Jess burst out laughing when he admitted a love of country-and-western music. ‘You kept that quiet. Just as well: Noel would never let you live it
down.’

‘He knows, and he doesn’t,’ Cal confirmed, with a dramatic eye roll.

‘I’m sure there must be a support group where you could get help,’ she teased.

He put a hand to his heart. ‘Wow, a double whammy! A pot shot at my profession
and
my musical taste.’

‘I think you’ll survive.’ Jess beamed at him, wondering when was the last time that she’d laughed so much with a guy. Never?

‘Come on, then, tell me, what sort of music are you into?’

‘I like songs from all genres and all eras: blues, jazz, rock, pop and some heavy metal.’

‘No country-and-western?’ he asked, looking crestfallen.

She shook her head, laughing. ‘Sorry, no country-and-western.’

‘Then it will be my mission in life to convert you and you’ll be perfect – except for your lousy taste in men.’

She started at his reference to Louis and was about to correct him, but she didn’t want to go down that road and spoil this lovely evening. Besides, she was distracted by the way he was
looking at her and the warmth of his arm against hers. ‘Lousy taste? I’m here with you, aren’t I?’

‘That’s only because you wanted to show your gratitude and I’m your brother’s mate,’ he said with a melodramatic sigh.

Jess sobered and put a hand out to touch his face. ‘That’s not true.’

His eyes locked on hers. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ He turned his head and pressed a warm kiss into the palm of her hand. ‘You’re beautiful.’ She shook her head,
dumbfounded. ‘What?’ he asked, catching her hand and holding it to his cheek when she tried to move away.

‘I don’t know how you can be interested in me after everything I’ve told you.’

‘Nothing you’ve told me has stopped me thinking that you’re perfect.’

She stared at him, searching his eyes and was overwhelmed by what she saw there. ‘Perfect?’

‘Except for your lousy taste in men, but a slight imperfection makes you human.’

‘Hmm. So what’s
your
slight imperfection?’ she asked.

He grinned. ‘I like country music?’

‘Ah, yes, good point,’ she smiled.

His eyes held hers. ‘Which, when you think about it, makes up a perfect match.’

Jess agreed immediately when Cal later suggested they go home. Outside the pub, he hailed a cab and directed the driver to her flat. In the intimacy of the cab, they sat in
silence, holding hands.

‘Coffee?’ she offered, hoping she didn’t have to make any. She wanted a kiss from that mouth that had distracted her all evening. To her astonishment, Cal shook his head.

‘No, thanks, but I’ll see you to your door, just to make sure the coast is clear.’

Jess was brought down to earth with a bump and glanced around nervously, checking for Louis’s car.

Cal took her keys from her and, looking around him, went ahead to open the flat door and made her stand on the landing while he checked the flat. He smiled when he came out, holding out his arms
to her. ‘All clear.’

‘Thanks,’ she said, cuddling into him and trying to recover the warmth and safety she’d felt in the cab.

‘Hey, it’s okay,’ he said, sensing her tension. He leaned his forehead against hers and massaged her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to frighten
you.’

‘I’m fine.’

Cal pulled back to look into her face. ‘No. You’re not. I know writing for the
Gazette
is important to you, but is it worth all this stress and
anxiety?’

‘Probably not,’ she admitted.

‘I like you, Jess Connors.’ He kissed her just beneath her ear lobe. It was a light but incredibly sexy thing to do and she shivered and gave him a shy smile.

‘I like you too.’

He sighed and looked at her with such desire. Jess was tempted to beg him to stay – and not for coffee. But, looking slightly tormented, Cal stepped back and smiled.
‘Jess?’

‘Yes?’ she said, sensing he was weakening.

‘Humour me, lock up now so that I won’t spend my night worrying about you.’

‘Will do.’ Disappointed, she followed him downstairs.

‘Goodnight, Jess.’ He gave her a soft kiss and pulled the door closed.

‘Goodnight, Cal.’ Jess locked it and, touching her lips, went back upstairs, smiling.

She made tea and took her mug into the bedroom, her mind moving between the wonder of Cal’s declaration and horror of Louis’s assault. Her hand went unconsciously to her throat. Had
she fooled herself that his sexual attraction was something more because then she didn’t feel so dirty? Had she let Louis grope her just to get the work she craved so much? Did she deserve
the cool hostility of the other women in the office? Yes, yes to it all. Cal was right: she should walk away. Why was she hesitating?

As if sensing that he was in her thoughts, a text came through from Louis. She shrank from her phone and crept to the window, peering out through the curtains. Had he been waiting for her to
come home or, worse, followed her? The road was quiet and there was no sign of his car. I’m getting paranoid, she thought, picking up the phone. She opened the message and read.

She’d heard that there had been a promotion in the
Gazette
and there was a reception to celebrate it but Jess hadn’t intended to put in an appearance. She
couldn’t bear the thought of being in the same room as the man, never mind talk to him. And he wouldn’t be content with her simply showing up: he’d waylay her at some stage, she
was sure of it. The thought terrified her. She needed to talk to Katie. She hadn’t said a word about what was going on as Katie had enough on her plate with her exams. But now Jess
couldn’t wait to unburden herself. Katie was smart. She’d figure out a way to put an end to this stalking and, well, everything. She had to, or Jess thought that she’d have to
abandon her flat as well as her job.

Mandy tucked the receiver between her chin and shoulder and poured herself another mug of coffee. She needed it. Suzie was in full flow and there was only so much family shite
Mandy could handle. Her sister was sounding just like her old self, and that wasn’t a good thing.

‘How are things going with Douglas?’ she broke in when Suzie stopped to draw breath.

Her sister hesitated before answering, a sure sign that she was practising her new control technique: don’t open your mouth until you know what’s going to come out. Another practice
that pissed Mandy off. How long would it be before her sister was back to her old self and remembered everything?

‘We’ve only been out twice,’ Suzie said.

Mandy’s ears pricked up. That was it? That was all that she had to say? And how come Douglas had asked her out again after he’d agreed to give Suzie more time? She didn’t like
this, didn’t like it at all. There was some rustling at the end of the phone, followed by a muttered curse.

‘What’s up?’

‘I got a letter from Maurice. He wants to come visit.’

‘John’s brother?’

‘How many Maurices do you know?’ Suzie asked, her voice loaded with sarcasm. ‘I need this like I need a hole in the head.’

‘He’s a widower now, too, right? I always thought he fancied you.’

Suzie snorted. ‘All Maurice ever fancied was free board and lodgings. There must be something on in Dublin or he wouldn’t be coming.’

‘Tell him you won’t be there,’ Amanda said.

‘Then he’d expect me to leave him the keys. Anyway, he knows I never go anywhere.’

Mandy frowned. ‘What about our trip to New York?’

Suzie’s sigh was heavy. ‘How can I go away now that I’m looking after Bobby?’

‘Aw, for feck’s sake, Suzie. I was looking forward to a holiday,’ Mandy complained, although she brightened, realising that Suzie would have less time and energy to socialise
and that Douglas wouldn’t be able to whisk her sister off to Croatia. He hadn’t mentioned doing so but, given his obvious infatuation, Mandy expected him to invite Suzie to accompany
him.

Mandy heard the front door close and had an idea. ‘Well, Suzie, nice chatting but I’d better get some work done. You have a great time with Maurice.’

‘Huh, you’re very funny. I don’t suppose that you’d like to take him off my hands. He’s loaded and childless, a very attractive prospect, I’d have
thought.’

‘No, I wouldn’t dream of playing gooseberry, Suzie,’ Mandy said loudly, ‘but tell him I said hi.’

‘What are you on about, Mandy? You’re not making sense.’

‘Ha, do I ever? Listen, you two have fun. Must run. Bye, Suzie.’ She hung up, aware that Douglas was standing behind her and had heard every word. Good.

‘I got more milk if you fancy a coffee.’

Mandy gave a yelp and spun round. ‘Douglas! I wish you wouldn’t creep around the place like that. You frightened the life out of me.’

‘I don’t creep,’ he said. ‘You were just so engrossed in your
personal
phone call that you didn’t hear the door.’

‘That personal call was during my break and made on my own phone.’ She smiled sweetly. ‘A coffee would be nice, if you’re making one.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Who exactly works for who round here?’ he grumbled but took another mug down from the shelf above his head. ‘How’s Suzie?’ he asked.

Amanda suppressed a grin. Bingo! ‘All flustered getting ready for a visitor.’

‘Oh? Anyone important?’

‘Maurice, her widowed brother-in-law. He’s a nice man. It will be good for Suzie to have some company and it will take her mind off her grandson. I hope she doesn’t overdo it.
She spoils Maurice rotten, cooking all his favourite dishes, although I expect he’ll take her out every night. It’s good they’re still so close. Suzie dropped a lot of friends
after her accident because she couldn’t really remember them, but not Maurice.’ Amanda studied him from under her lashes, trying to gauge his reaction. He was playing it cool but she
wasn’t fooled. Douglas wouldn’t be at all happy that Suzie was having a man to stay.

‘She takes too much on herself.’

‘You’re not wrong,’ she agreed, ‘but only for people she cares about. The rest of the world can go to hell, as she has no problem telling them.’

‘That’s good,’ he said and went back into his office.

Mandy grinned. Mission accomplished.

Douglas closed the door on her, shaking his head. She really was a piece of work. Not for the first time he wondered how two such different people could spring from the same
gene pool. He was thrilled now that Suzie had agreed to come to Zagreb. It would put Amanda in her place, once and for all. For the first time since Pam died, he found himself looking forward to a
trip. Suzie deserved a break and he was looking forward to pampering her and showing her the city.

He’d been thrilled to discover that her interest in art and architecture was genuine. She really wanted to learn more about both, and he was happy to be the one to teach her. It reminded
him of how eager she’d been to learn all about their systems in CML, staying late to bring herself up to speed, determined to prove herself.

Suzie hadn’t changed quite as much as they all thought. He remembered the feisty girl in bargain-basement clothes and luminous nail varnish he’d interviewed all those years ago.
She’d had a sharp tongue then, too, but behind those flashing eyes was a defensive, fragile young girl who didn’t give her trust easily. Motherhood had mellowed her, though, and perhaps
her experiences had taught her to hold her tongue.

There was a knock on the open door and he turned round to see Amanda standing there. He smiled at her. ‘Heading home?’

‘Yeah. See you tomorrow.’

‘No.’ Suddenly, Doug couldn’t bear the thought of having her around. He was finding it harder to hide what he truly thought of her. He forced himself to smile. ‘Take the
day off, Amanda. In fact, take two. You’ve been putting in a lot of hours lately, and I have some business to take care of.’

‘What sort of business?’ she asked, a suspicious frown marring her beautiful face. ‘There’s nothing in the diary.’

‘That’s because it’s personal,’ he said, and took a cruel pleasure at her disappointment at being shut out.

‘But you don’t have a private life,’ she shot back, a malicious gleam in her eyes.

It was an effort, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of showing his annoyance at the remark. ‘That was the case,’ he agreed, ‘but it seems that there’s hope
even for losers like me.’ Her eyes widened and he hurried on as she opened her mouth to respond. ‘I must grab a shower. Enjoy your break, Amanda.’

She stood, speechless, as he walked past her and went upstairs. He stood on the landing and listened as she gathered up her belongings and then let out a sigh of relief when the door finally
closed behind her.

He decided to go ahead and have the shower and then take a wander down to the village and have a bite to eat. On a whim, Doug dressed in a pair of his new jeans and a blue cotton shirt that
Amanda had chosen for him. He slipped on his new deck shoes, put his keys, phone and reading glasses into the pocket of his jacket and walked out into the summer evening, his heart light. The wine
bar he liked wasn’t open for another hour, so, stopping to pick up a newspaper, he went into the nearby pub, ordered a pint and settled down on a bar stool to do the crossword. He glanced up
a couple of times at the group at the other end of the bar who looked and sounded as if they’d been here a few hours. He was pondering whether to have another pint or go and eat when a hand
clapped him on the back and he looked up into the bloodshot and slightly unfocused eyes of Nigel Brennan, a prick of the highest order.