Page 37 of Stuck with the Hot Boss
Kev went very still. There was a deeply uncomfortable pause.
‘No,’ he said.
‘Is there anything we can do to help?’ Evie said. ‘There’s a lot of us wholoveworking here. We don’t want you to sell, either.’
There was another pause. Less uncomfortable. Slightly.
‘Unless you can think of a way to compete with Plumbing Ultra, then no, you can’t help.’ Kev began to move away. ‘But the offer is appreciated, Evie. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome,’ said Evie to his retreating back.
Halfway home, she was struck with inspiration. It was a long shot,ridiculouslylong. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Trouble is, to get it off the ground, she’d need Leo. Who apparently didn’t want to talk to her ever again.
As she dithered on the footpath, a black cab pulled up beside her. The driver lowered the passenger window and called out, ‘Are you wanting a ride, my duck?’
The novel experience of being called a duck made Evie curious. She peered in. The driver was a woman in her fifties, wearing a pink crocheted bucket hat. She smiled a friendly smile,and several of her teeth were missing. Her skin was dark. Her eyes were greeny-gold.
‘You’re not to heading to Chelsea, are you?’ said Evie. Somehow, she already knew what the answer would be.
‘On my way home,’ said the woman. ‘Hop in, my duck, and I’ll have you there in no time.’
Chapter Nineteen
Evie dithered some more on the street by Leo’s building. What was the worst that could happen? He’d rejected her once already today, and she was still standing. Standing in full view of him, in fact, if he looked out his window.
She rang his bell.
‘Yes?’ His voice through the intercom sounded weary.
‘It’s me,’ she said, adding hastily, ‘I’m not here to talk personal stuff! I’ve had an idea about work!’
‘It can’t wait till tomorrow morning?’ he said. ‘You know, when we’re actuallyatwork.’
‘Probably,’ said Evie. ‘But I’m here now.’ She held up a paper bag so he could hear it rustle. ‘And a nice lady taxi driver insisted I stop for takeaways.’
A beat. ‘What did you get?’
‘A beef and lamb combo from the Ethiopian café.’
‘The combo that feeds three people?’
‘The very same.’
The door buzzed and clicked open. ‘Come on up.’
Leo opened the door to his flat. He’d changed out of his work wear.
‘Is that asmokingjacket?’ said Evie. ‘Swanky!’
‘It’s a dressing gown,’ said Leo, sulkily. ‘I wasn’t expecting company.’
‘Oo, and leather slippers, too,’ said Evie. ‘Now all you need is a pipe and a 1950’s wife to bring you food. Oh, wait–’
She placed the paper bag on his immaculate kitchen bench.
‘Did you get any injera?’ Leo asked, as he fetched plates and cutlery.
