“It’s understandable.” Gemma gave a vigorous nod of her head. “I still can’t believe that Todd and Rochelle were...well you know. I mean I knew Rochelle was chasing him like crazy...but Todd? I never would’ve expected that in a million years.”
“Yeah,” Vince said in a typical Vince-like drawl. “Totally never saw that one coming. Todd’s always been such a great guy.”
“Vince, you’re back.” Gemma’s face broke out into a smile. “I didn’t realize. Did you...er...have a nice time?”
“As far as being knocked out goes, it wasn’t too bad. Though it seems I missed all the action. What with Holly decking Todd like that.”
“It was unbelievable. She was...I mean you were...well you both were amazing.” Gemma gave an expansive wave of her arms.
“He had it coming,” Holly said with a sniff. “Though actually I was more upset about the fact he didn’t believe in me, than that he was with Rochelle.”
“I know. What a bastard. I’m glad you punched him because otherwise I would’ve,” Gemma said.
“I don’t think Simon would’ve appreciated that,” Holly reminded her.
“Actually Simon didn’t appreciate much of what I said after you left. Can you believe him? And to think I wasted four months of my life with a crush on that stupid egghead.”
“Madness,” Vince interrupted before Holly managed to take over. “I’m pleased you don’t like him anymore, because neither do I. It’s much better to be single than to be with such an idiot.”
Gemma blushed and started to fiddle with her clipboard. “The thing is that after you ran out and I argued with Simon and the rest of them, Vince’s friend, Andrew came in. I guess he was looking for you, Vince. But when he heard what happened, he came over to see if I was okay.”
“Really?” For a moment Holly was distracted from her own problems. As far as she was aware, Andrew had been planning to go home after he dropped the laptops off. Sly dog.
“Yes, he seemed to know we’d been best friends and that Todd had been insulting you. He said Todd had it coming anyway and he was pleased Vince was the one to do it,” Gemma said with a watery smile. “So I sat with him for a while which was great because you weren’t answering your phone and I swear I’d been thinking about going around to see if you were okay.”
“Not a good idea,” Vince said. “It’s not exactly safe my end of town. Especially at night, when you’re alone.”
“He’s right,” Holly agreed. “And Vince has man-strength.”
“Yes, he does.” Gemma giggled. “I still can’t believe you punched Todd. Does your hand hurt?”
“A bit,” Holly admitted. “But it was worth it.”
“Yeah,” Gemma chuckled. “I bet you won’t forget the look on his face in a hurry.”
“No, I won’t,” Holly lied as she recalled just how much that punch had cost her. Besides, even if she could only remember it for a few more hours, it was still a comfort.
“So this morning I wrote down the names of a couple more people who might’ve given you the pills. I’m also going to go around and take down all of those posters. I don’t care what my boss says.”
Holly studied her boots and didn’t say anything.
“What?” Gemma demanded. “Oh, you’re worried that I won’t be able to get away like yesterday, but I’ve—”
“She has to go back to heaven at one o’clock, Gemma,” Vince said the words that Holly couldn’t quite get out.
Gemma’s face went pale as she dropped her bag to the ground with a thump. “But surely they won’t take you back until tonight. Midnight or something. That’s what they would do in the movies. One o’clock is a stupid time. And besides, you haven’t resolved your issues yet. You can’t go back until that’s done.”
“I don’t think it works like that.” Holly gulped.
“No, don’t say that.” Gemma started to sob. “W-what’s going to happen if you don’t sort everything out before you go?”
Holly bit down on her lip and forced herself not to cry. “Oh, you know,” she said in a bright voice. “I guess they’ll stick me into a heavenly self-help group or something. Probably incredibly boring and I’ll get told off for talking.”
Gemma tugged a tissue out of her pocket and wiped her eyes. “Yeah, that sounds like you. And you’ll be back into the regular part of heaven in no time. Hey, and then you can see your dad and your real mom. That’ll be good.”
“It certainly will,” Holly’s voice sounded hoarse, even to her own ears. “I can’t wait.”
“S-so what are you going to do now? We could still spend the morning trying to, well...get some things sorted out.”
Holly shook her head. “I think we’re just going to go to see Vince’s boss and apologize. Vince isn’t too wrapped in the idea, but I can’t bear the idea of my actions costing him his job.”
Gemma gave her a watery smile. “So this is it?”
“I guess so,” Holly agreed. “But at least this time we get to say goodbye properly.”
“God, Holly.” Gemma started to sob again. “I’m going to miss you so much. Who knows when we’ll see each other again?”
“Not for a long time, I hope. I don’t want you dying anytime soon.” Holly bit on her tongue to stop from crying.
“Well, in that case you’d better not forget me,” Gemma said firmly. “Because if you find out that my next boyfriend is doing the dirty on me or something, I’m counting on you to somehow show me a sign.”
“Two thumps on the wall will mean yes,” she assured her friend, while trying not to think about the reality—that in a few hours she wouldn’t know who Gemma was. Before she could get too depressed, a surge of workers came through the door as the large clock hanging on the marble wall turned nine.
“So, I guess this is goodbye.” Gemma wiped away more tears.
“Yeah.” Holly stood up as well and almost fell back over as Gemma wrapped her arms around Vince’s torso and squeezed it tightly.
“Hey,” Holly said in alarm. “Remember I’m only Holly on the inside, on the outside I’m—”
“Vince Murphy,” Gemma finished off in a strangled snivel. “I know. This is for him as well. He’s taken good care of you.”
“Thanks,” Vince said softly.
“Bye, Gem,” Holly mumbled before she untangled herself from her friend’s embrace and started to jog away before Vince’s limited social status tanked even further by bawling like a baby.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Look. Graham, Bob and Trevor are all smiling at you as well
, Holly said in confusion as they walked into the workshop ten minutes later once she had managed to compose herself. Had the whole building heard about what happened last night?
Hey, do you realize you didn’t call any of them by the character of their tie?
Vince sounded impressed.
Oh.
Holly could feel her face flushing.
I guess they’re all pretty nice guys. You’re lucky. I just hope you’re here long enough to appreciate it.
Well, we haven’t been hauled into David Harris’s office yet.
Vince slung his satchel onto the bench and frowned at the mess.
Let me guess, Fluffy paid me another visit last night?
Oh, yeah.
Holly realized she hadn’t done a great job of tidying up.
I was sort of in a hurry to get to the Pool Palace, which is why as soon as I found the manuals, I just gave them all to Andrew and left.
I don’t know what manuals you gave him, but it certainly wasn’t these ones.
Vince pulled a familiar-looking yellow envelop from somewhere in the depths of the mess and held it up in the air.
Holly felt the horror mounting within her.
That doesn’t make sense,
she croaked. “
I definitely gave him the envelope.
Vince started to tidy up the pile of papers on his bench.
It could’ve been anything, I often keep things in envelopes. Especially since Fluffy started making house calls.
Holly gulped. That wasn’t exactly the most comforting news.
So can you tell what’s missing?
Vince had a quick scan and shrugged.
I wouldn’t have a clue. Look, don’t worry about it.
But this is terrible. Vince what if they fire you? I mean not only were we late in delivering the laptops and forgetting to give them the manuals, but we punched one of Baker Colwell’s most successful account manager in the face. I think we need to go and apologize before—
Holly-
he started to say but before he could get any further, Bob Mackay poked his head around the corner.
“Vince, David Harris wants to see you in his office. Now.”
Holly was quite sure she was going to be sick.
xxx
Okay, so you’re just going to have to tell him everything,
Holly instructed as they made their way up to fourth floor.
You mean about the dead girl in here?
Holly rolled her eyes.
No, Vince, not about me being in here, I mean about Todd springing the laptops on you at the last minute and not even asking if it was okay for you to deliver them. You could even tell them about that hospital quote as well.
There’s no point. The reason guys like Todd and Simon do so well here is not just because they sell products, they sell themselves as well. It doesn’t take a genius to guess who David Harris will side with. Especially considering the fact we hit Todd last night.
You mean I hit him,
Holly wailed as they reached the office. The secretary at the front desk nodded for them to go straight in.
“He’s expecting you,” the girl said. Holly didn’t take this as a good sign and this was further confirmed as they pushed open the door to see Todd sitting down in a chair to the right of the desk looking smug, his swollen eye proudly on display. Vince was right; Todd was going to really milk this.
David Harris stood up, with a serious expression on his face. Holly had never had much to do with the Baker Colwell executives, but she knew that Todd had been out with him on more than one social occasion. What a way to repay Vince for all his kindness.
“Thank you for joining us, Vincent. The reason I’ve called you both here is because I have some serious concerns that need addressing.”
Todd could barely contain his glee and Holly had to grip at her hands to stop herself from punching him a second time. It was only the reminder that Vince didn’t need anymore trouble right now that stopped her. But how could she have not seen what sort of person Todd was?
Just then the door opened David Harris nodded his head. “Thank you for joining us.”
Holly spun around just in time to see a short, angry man walking into the room.
W-who’s that?
Stuart Peterson. Owner of Peterson Productions and number one buddy of David Harris. And Todd Harman.
No,
Holly wanted to shout out. Lorraine had told her last night that her boss was on the rampage, but honestly this was ridiculous. So what if Vince didn’t deliver a couple of lousy laptops on time. Was there really any need to go to such great lengths to punish him? Didn’t they know there were more important things to life than tormenting a computer technician? Especially such a nice, lovely one like Vince. In fact she had a good mind to—
“Vincent. Todd.” The man nodded as he walked over to the desk and handed David Harris a familiar looking yellow envelope. On the outside was written
Manuals
in Vince’s scrawling handwriting; hence Holly’s mistake. She still had no idea what was in there and all she could do was pray that Vince wasn’t the downloading-porn sort of guy.
Holly, stop clenching like that,
Vince instructed as she realized she’d had her hands balled in two tight fists.
Sorry,
she replied.
But aren’t you worried about this? I mean if they’re going to all this trouble they must be pretty mad.
I do a good job and I’m honest, if they have a problem with it, well there’s not much I can do.
Yes, but—
But nothing. I have a few more pressing things to worry about than this. You might not be able to resolve things with Todd, but there’s still time to try and find how those pills got into your body. This is just a waste.
Holly tried not to sniff, but it was hard, because that was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her.
“Do you know what’s in here?” David Harris held the envelope up with a flourish.
“I gather it’s not the manuals that Vince Murphy was meant to deliver to our client at four yesterday afternoon.” Todd snickered and Holly could barely contain her fury. Seeing things through Vince’s eyes had certainly changed her perceptions.
How, how,
how
had she ever liked him? Yes, he had all the trimmings to make him look like the perfect catch, but inside he was fatally flawed. Where as, someone like Vince, was...
perfect.
And lovely.
And sweet, and—
Oh, no.
Holly almost groaned out loud as a startling realization struck her. She loved Vince and hated Todd. How had this happened? She had been with Todd a year and only been in Vince’s body for under two days, yet somehow…somehow...