Page 38 of Asking For a Friend

Why did I come here? It seems that my subconscious knows that the need to talk and vent the frustration and annoyance from tonight’s event can’t wait until Monday morning. I switch off the engine, get out, and walk up the steps to his door. I knock rather than ring the bell. I don’t want to wake up the twins.

Footsteps approach the door. Then it opens. “I knew it would be you. Who else turns up at the arse end of the night?” Ellis takes a long look at me and waves me in. “Come on in. Tell me all about it.”

I step past him and walk into the living room. Sophie sits on the sofa, a glass of wine in her hand, still in the dress she wore to the party. The simple black dress would probably look plain on anyone, but on her, it looks like a million dollars. “Sorry to bust in, Soph.”

“No problem, sweetie. You want a drink?” She uncurls her long legs and stands up.

“Too late, babe. I got him one.” Ellis comes back in with a balloon glass, condensation already blooming on the outside. The ice clinks as he hands it to me. “So spill. Tell us all about it.”

And that’s what I do.

“That’s one hell of an evening. Do you expect any comeback from the client?” Ellis asks. It’s out of curiosity, not concern.

“I doubt it. She was extremely drunk when I left, and the husband had plenty of other things to worry about. I’ve received full payment, so there’s no need for her to get in touch. The clean-up crew will be there tomorrow to dismantle everything.”

Sophie sits up from being wrapped in Ellis’s arms. “Sod her! What are you going to do about Lando? You are so not over each other.”

I roll my eyes. “I tried. He’s ignored every message, every call. I’ve even been to his house. He doesn’t want me, Sophie. You have to let it go.” I know she won’t, and Ellis is no help. He won’t let it drop either. “Look, I know you want me as loved up as you are. And yes, Lando was perfect for me, but I fucked up that weekend, and he doesn’t trust me anymore, and after what I think he saw, I understand. He’s been dumped too many times. I can’t make him change the way he feels.”

“That’s stupid. You have to prove to him that you’re not the same as all the others,” she says.

“To him, I was.” I tell them what I believe happened, and they look at me like I’m crazy. But it’s true. “I don’t have the energy to chase someone who doesn’t want to be chased. He’s not going to believe me, and who can blame him? He thinks I did the one thing I swore I wouldn’t. Cheated. The fact that I didn’t is irrelevant. I’m going to let him go and attempt to move on.”

“You’re both as stubborn as mules, so we need a plan. There’s no way I’m letting a misunderstanding keep you two apart. You’re made for each other. He thinks you have a new boyfriend. We have to tell him it’s not true.”

“No, I mean it, Ellis, and you, Sophie. Leave it alone.” The exhaustion of the night catches up with me. “Can I stay?”

“Of course, and because of your shit evening, I won’t tell the girls you’re here until after breakfast.” Ellis grins.

On Tuesday afternoon, the door to the office opens, and Tristan pops his head around it. “Hesketh, there’s someone here to see you. I know you have an appointment in five minutes, but do you have time to speak to them?”

I don’t have an appointment. This is Tristan’s way of telling me I’m not going to want to speak to the person. “I can spare a couple of minutes.”

He pulls a face, a grimace that assures me I’m not going to like this. He opens the door farther, and I understand his hesitation. “Mrs Hardwick.” I try to hide my surprise and displeasure. “How can I help you?”

She breezes in without a care, ignoring Tristan. A smile spreads over her face as she looks from Ellis to me. “Hesketh, what can I say? The party was spectacular. The guests loved it. I want to book you for next year. I’m thinking Ice Palace.” She sweeps her arms around as if I’m supposed to imagine it now.

Crap! I can’t tell her we’re fully booked for next year, although our diary fills up pretty quickly.

Ellis pulls out a large black leather diary and opens it. “Mrs Hardwick, I’m afraid we’re already booked up through November and December next year. We don’t have any openings.”

She glares at Ellis. “I’m asking Hesketh. We have a special relationship and work well together. Don’t we?” She looks at me.

“Unfortunately, my partner is right, Stephanie. We simply don’t have space.” I stand and move around my desk. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. Now if you don’t mind, I have an appointment due any minute.” I open the door and gesture for her to leave. “Tristan will see you out.”

I freeze. What is Connor doing here? My unwanted guest notices him too. Her face turns stony as she strides up to him. “You. You little shit ruined months and months of meetings with those clients.” She raises her hand.

Oh, no. No striking in my office. I quickly step between them. “Mrs Hardwick, it’s time for you to leave.”

Connor straightens and stands up. “I think you and your husband were already doing a great job of that yourself. And I spoke the truth, which is more than your husband did. Telling his only child, the one he treated so badly, that he was dying was despicable. You both got what you deserve. You’d better leave Lando alone too. He’s too good for you.”

“As if I’d go anywhere near him. He’s as bad as you. You should be ashamed of yourselves. It’s disgusting.”

“Okay, that’s it. You’re out of here. And please take note that we will never organise another event for you.” I hustle her out of the office and close the door.

I lean back against the door and let out an enormous groan. “Tristan, that woman is never allowed back in here again. And you can block her number too.” I turn to Connor, who fidgets with his hands. “Are you here to see me, Connor?”

“Yeah, but if it’s inconvenient now, I can come back.”

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