Page 76 of Where She Is
“Okay.”
“So I’ll need all the revised contracts and the additional reports I’ve requested, quicker than we thought.”
“How quick?”
“At least by the close of play today. I’ll leave tonight and stay over at the farm so I can meet with Peter, Daniel and Joe first thing before the client arrives. And you should be here as backup, in case we need anything sent over. You might as well assume Daniel won’t be home tonight though,” he laughs.
Before I can stop myself, it comes out of my mouth, “No, no it’s fine. I don’t really want to see Daniel at the moment… I mean, it’s okay if he doesn’t come home.”
He turns sideways and rubs his thumb over his chin. “Everything all right, Hannah, with you and Daniel I mean?”
I snap out of my momentary trance and answer, “Of course!”
“Well, if you need me…”
“You’ve already said Richard and I appreciate it, honestly.”
He leans back, crossing one leg over the other and I note casual, friendly Richard is about to appear. “Hannah, I’m fully aware how hard this move has been for you. If you want someone to talk to, I’m here, or I’m sure Alison would be only too happy to help.”
I love his wife, but I would never confide in her. She would just tell Richard and that would add fuel to his fire. He’s ready for this relationship to falter and I can sense his lack of trust in Daniel.
“Richard, my girlfriends are here if I need them. All is well. Now, is there anything else?”
He’s not convinced as he huffs out, “No.”
I get up from my seat, before I remember why I went in, “Nearly forgot, coffee?”
“Please.”
I turn and leave his office and while I head for the coffee station, I try hard to keep my composure.
I’m grateful to see Benjamin at the end of the day. He holds the car door open for me, but I scramble to get in. It’s extremely unladylike.
“This car is beautiful although not the easiest to slide into. What is it?”
“An Audi A8, Miss May. They can be a little low if you’re used to a Range Rover.”
I catch his smiling eyes in the rear-view mirror. “You’re not kidding. I’m sure I didn’t look too elegant back there.”
“You were fine, Miss. Shall I take you straight home?”
“Yes please, I’m exhausted.”
It’s after seven by the time I get to the house and sink into the soft sofa, but I’m not taking in whatever crap is on TV. I relax while imagining his arms around me. He must be telepathic as my phone vibrates, and his photo appears on the screen. I mute the TV and answer, “Hi.”
“Hannah. How are you?”
“I’m okay, just drained.”
“Busy day, huh?”
“It’s been manic thanks to your big meet up tomorrow.”
“Well, hopefully, we can complete everything by the end of the play.”
“Good.”
The line goes quiet and the silence between us is strange. I try to think of something to say to him. I can’t. The situation is far from right. We don’t normally have a problem with small talk, but here we are. I wait for him to speak, and when he does, my insides twist.
