Somewhere in Sevenoakes (15 page)

”No. If James worked at the Temple office, he'd travel through with me to Charing Cross because it'd be easier to get through, he could probably even walk it from there. It would make sense if he was based at Canary Wharf. London Bridge runs a tube direct to Canary Wharf, it's only two stops.”

”I am seriously blown away by your powers of deduction. Sherlock Holmes couldn't have done better.”

Maddy remained in her seat, eating her sandwich.

”Aren't you going to call?” asked Helen.

”I don't know. Maybe it's not a good idea. He's clearly avoiding me. I don't want to be a psycho. It might seem kind of 'Fatal Attraction'.”

”Maddy, we've been working on this all week. You can't give up at the last hurdle. He owes you an explanation.”

”He doesn't owe me anything. He barely even knows me.”

Even as she said the words Maddy knew she was paying lip-service. James did know her. She'd opened up to him, trusted him, been herself with him. If he didn't want to be with her when she'd been so emotionally raw and honest with him, then he clearly wasn't right for her. What hurt the most was that she felt he'd been right for her. The rejection was crippling; making her remember why she'd stopped trusting her heart. Rick had made a fool of her. Given the rocky start, would James be any different?

”I'll call if you want,” proposed Helen.

”No. I thought it was worth pursuing but I feel different now. I wasn't thinking straight. It was all emotion; no rationale, no logic.”

”Is love ever about rationale or logic?”

”Never,” answered Geoff.

They both looked at him.

”I'm out for lunch,” he informed them.

”Who's paying?” quizzed Maddy.

”They are.”

”I expect we won't see you till tomorrow if someone else is paying for the drinks.”

”Cheek of it!” growled Geoff in mock anger.

He put on his jacket, grabbed his briefcase, then headed for the door.

”Call him Maddy. Men like a woman who knows what she wants. A woman who chases her heart's desire.”

”Just because I want James, it doesn't mean he wants me,” whispered Maddy, dejectedly.

”There's only one way to find out. Seeing as I found the company, the least you can do is call,” chided Helen, passing Maddy a yellow post-it note with the phone number on it.

”I don't even know his last name.”

”How many men called James can be working in 'Acquisitions and Mergers'?”

”It's a global company, as you rightly pointed out. There could be loads.”

”Maddy, you're making excuses. We found the needle in the haystack. Describe him if you have to but make the call.”

Maddy closed her eyes remembering the previous week; from James offering help with her bag, taking her for a drink, wining and dining with her at the best restaurant in London then being the perfect gentleman by cuddling her all night without complaint, visiting for dinner, making love to her all night and in the morning, his honesty with respect to his over-reaction triggered by jealousy and insecurity when her ex-fiancé called, and the way he'd kissed her on the train when he apologised. Fearing she'd change her mind, she dialled the number.

”SGR Nowe International, How may I help?”

”Could you put me through to Acquisitions and Mergers please?” asked Maddy, her voice squeaky.

”Certainly, can I direct your call to a particular member of the team?”

”I was after James.”

”Do you have his surname at all?”

”I'm sorry, I don't. I only know his first name is James and he works in Acquisitions and Mergers.”

”One moment please.”

Maddy felt as if her heart would burst out of her chest. The classical 'on-hold' music did nothing to steady her nerves.

”Sorry for the wait.”

”I should've mentioned he's tall, lean build - like a tennis player - very short blonde hair, blue eyes, sharp smart suits and a rich deep voice.”

”I know who you're referring to. He's certainly one of a kind,” said the receptionist mockingly. ”There's only one James in Acquisitions and Mergers, but he's currently unavailable. Can I take a message?”

”Do you have a mobile number for me to contact him on?”

”I'm sorry, we aren't allowed to give that information out. I do have an email address.”

”I was hoping to speak to him personally.”

”Perhaps I could put you through to his secretary?”

”That'd be great.”

”May I ask who's calling?”

”It's Maddison Bridie.”

”One moment Ms. Bridie.”

Maddy felt as though she might vomit. Had Helen not been transfixed by the one-sided conversation, she'd have informed Maddy how pale she'd gone.

”Mr. Nowe's secretary, how may I help, Ms. Bridie?”

The conversation was beginning to feel repetitive to Maddy. Although friendly, the formal, professional tones were grating.

”I was hoping to speak to James.”

”Unfortunately James has been in our Beijing office this week. He flew in last night. I spoke to him earlier this morning and he's due back in the office tomorrow. Can I pass on a message or put you through to his voice-mail?”

”No, but thanks for being so helpful.”

”I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.”

”It's fine. Thanks again.”

Maddy hung up the phone.

”From that description of him, I know why you're keen to stalk him. He sounds hot. No wonder you were keeping him all to yourself,” said Helen, breaking the silence between the two.

”For the umpteenth time I am not a stalker,” grumbled Maddy.

”That all sounded awfully posh.”

Helen was attempting to make amends with Maddy, afraid her teasing hadn't been well received.

”It was. He's got the same surname as one of the partner's of the firm.”

”Ahhh, a rich Daddy's boy.”

”Maybe. Who knows? He definitely doesn't act like that.”

”What's the story?”

”He's been in Beijing.”

”I knew there'd be a simple explanation,” said Helen knowingly.

”Not really. I don't know if he went to Beijing on Friday or Monday. Plus he flew back last night. He hasn't made any effort to contact me and he knows where I live and work. Nothing's changed.”

”Oh come on Maddy, you're acting as if you want it to fail,” said Helen, exasperated. ”He's probably jet lagged or something. You've waited this long. See what happens tomorrow.”

”I'm tired,” said Maddy. ”I'm tired of believing in men who let me down. I'm sick of the whole love thing. Walking out on Rick was the best move I ever made. Working here, holding down this job, achieving something was the most sensible idea I ever had.”

”And this past fortnight is the most fun you've ever had and the most alive you've been in two years,”  said Helen boldly.

Maddy looked crushed.

”Right, so I'm boring and I've been a drag for the past two years.”

”I didn't say that,” protested Helen.

”It's what you meant.”

”No it's not. James may not be the right guy, but by taking a chance at least you gave yourself the opportunity to love again. You deserve the best but by closing yourself off from every potential guy, you close yourself off from happiness. Do you really want two cats and a career to be the pinnacle of your existence Maddy?”

”I don't want to get hurt.”

”I don't want you to be hurt, but you of all people know, sometimes that's life. It's what happens to all of us. Was any of it fun?” asked Helen.

”Yes. Meeting him was fun. It was all coy glances and longing looks. When he spoke to me, introduced himself, I had butterflies in my stomach. Having someone take me out and show a genuine interest in me, getting to know him, connecting with another human was invigorating. As for the sex...the intimacy...I thought it was love.”

”If you never see him again, was it worth it?”

”I haven't slept well for almost a week. It sounds silly but I miss him. Things happen that I want to share with him. I could be myself with him, without fear. It hurts like hell. My heart feels as if it's cracked in two.”

”Was it worth it?” persisted Helen.

”Yes it was.”

The two friends didn't talk for the rest of the day.

Helen stood by Maddy's desk, ready to leave.

”Will you be okay tonight?”

Maddy nodded.

”Will you call me if you need me?”

Again she nodded.

Helen kissed her friend on the top of her head and walked out.

”Hey Helen,” called Maddy.

Helen swung around.

”Thank you for tolerating me. Thanks for being my best friend.”