Page 15 of A Clean Sweep
‘Thanks for that. They can be a handful at times, but they’re adorable really.’
Privately Tom thought they were about as adorable as a dose of genital herpes but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
‘No worries. Happy to have helped. Any time,’ he repliedcheerfully, thinking when hell froze over was the most likely next case scenario.
With his boss, Lila and their brattish progeny duly departed, Tom reckoned it was almost time to shut up shop. Clive had already sloped off seconds behind them, muttering something about an anniversary and flowers. He started to gather together his things, mind whirring ahead to a nice evening with Tabitha. Hopefully not featuring slimy courgette strands or that quinoa crap that looked – and tasted – like frog spawn. Maybe even some sex if he played his cards right. Although lately he’d sensed that she was not as enthusiastic as before. There was a distinct coolness about her, in contrast to the heat they had generated in the early days. Quite often he’d head up to bed after her to find her either snoring gently – and he wasn’t always sure if she was pretending or not – or with her nose stuck in a book and body language that screamed ‘try anything and you’ll regret it’.
Did all relationships end up this way? Tom had no idea. His parents had been married for over thirty years and seemed to amble along nicely enough. Not that he wanted to know if they were still ‘doing it’. As far as he was concerned, they’d produced him and his siblings, and beyond that he required no further detail. His relationship with Tabitha was the longest he’d had, but surely eighteen months was a bit early to reach the flannelette nightie, cup of cocoa and ‘EmmerdaleorCorrie?’ phase? OK, slight exaggeration. Tabitha wouldn’t be seen dead in a nightdress, their cocoa was more likely to be laced with rum and Tom would rather gouge his own eyes out that watch a soap opera, but still. He sighed heavily. Time for a crafty fag out back then he’d head home and do his best to charm his way into her affections.
He’d just wandered back in after his sneaky snout when the ding-dong of the door signalled a new customer. Great.So much for calling it a day. Popping a mint in his mouth he plastered on his biggest ‘aren’t I just so pleased to see you’ smile.
‘Hi. Sorry, I hope I’m not too late. I know you close soon but I just wanted a little advice on something.’
Tom narrowly avoided choking on his mint as he took in the vision of loveliness before him. Poker straight hair, almost jet black, with a long fringe that framed eyes the colour of molten toffee. Skin lightly tanned, slender body encased in a vivid scarlet coat cinched in at the waist. She was shaking out an umbrella, also bright red, and appeared breathless as if she had sprinted some distance.
‘Of course not. Not a problem. Please, have a seat.’
Right Tom, stop gibbering away and behave in a professional manner. He gestured to a chair, trying not to ogle as she crossed perfectly proportioned legs clad in sheer black tights, dainty feet sporting grey suede ankle boots with a wedged heel.
‘So, how can I help you?’
Feeling reasonably composed again, Tom beamed at her in what he prayed was a warm and welcoming manner, as opposed to a lecherous leer.
‘It’s a bit embarrassing, actually. The thing is, I was supposed to be going on holiday with my fiancé in a few months.’
Tom felt his spirits plummet like an elevator in a high-octane movie. Damn, she was engaged to someone. Then he mentally berated himself. So what? He was living with someone and supposed to be on his way to her right now to whisper sweet nothings in her ear.
‘Well, he called things off. Said he didn’t feel the time was right. Gave me all the crap about there not being anyone else, how he wished nothing but happiness for me. Bastard.’
The last word was uttered with a mix of heartfeltvenom tinged with a hint of sadness. Tom resisted the urge to rush around the table and fling comforting arms around her. She looked so downcast and lost and incredibly desirable.
‘I’d already booked two weeks off work and I can’t change the dates. My boss is a complete bitch, heart of bloody stone. So … I was planning to go somewhere on my own. But I’m not exactly well travelled and I’m really not sure where to go. But I’d like to do something different. Maybe South America? Or somewhere like Singapore or Hong Kong? I just don’t know where to start.’
Tom steepled his fingers in his best ‘I am giving this deep and serious thought’ posture. He leaned back in his chair as she leaned forward in hers, eyes fixed firmly on him.
‘There are lots of places I could recommend but it would take some time to go through the options and work out what’s best for you. It’s not something you rush into. And I’m afraid I really need to be leaving soon but …’
It was a sliding doors moment. Tom could either fix an appointment for this enchantress to come back to the agency in the next couple of days, or—
‘Look, I’m free tomorrow evening after work if you’d be OK to meet somewhere? More relaxed, informal and I could do some research and look through it with you. Sorry, I didn’t even introduce myself properly. I’m Tom. And your name is?’
She gave a dazzling smile that made Tom wish he was wearing sunglasses and had some bromide to hand to dampen down his rocketing testosterone levels.
‘Kate. My name’s Kate. That would be lovely, if you’re sure it’s not too much trouble?’
He scribbled down the name of a discreet little bistro on the edge of town which he was pretty sure neither Tabitha nor her mates frequented.
‘Does seven o’clock work for you? Or we can make it a bit later, if you like.’
Kate took his business card, got to her feet and extended a hand. He shook it, feeling its softness and warmth, inhaling a hint of musky perfume as the space between them decreased.
‘That’s perfect. Thank you so much! I’ll see you then.’
She glided towards the door, pausing only to give a small wave and a smile that played havoc with Tom’s privates. Not too much trouble? He suspected he was playing with fireandtrouble with a capital T. For Tom and Tabitha.
Chapter 11
The days had seemed to drag by endlessly but, at last it was Friday. And only two hours to go before Emily went on a date. Anactualdate with anactualman. And not just any man but a genuinely drop-dead gorgeous one who just happened to be young enough to be her son.
