Page 108 of Just Do It
‘So perfect, was he?’ He looked one way, then the other in an over-exaggerated manner. ‘Funny that I don’t see him now.’
‘Shut up, Friedrich. You know nothing about it.’
‘I know he was obviously so besotted with you that he jetted off around the world to be a TV star with his new Michelin-starred chef girlfriend.’
I came to a halt and just stared at him. ‘Were you always this petty and nasty and I just didn’t see it or is it something you’ve cultivated in the time since we split up?’
‘At least I’ve cultivated something. I can just imagine the scintillating conversations you had with him. Or perhaps you’ve added some picture books to your library since I was last at your house.’
We were at the lobby desk now, both the receptionist and Jed Matthews, the tech billionaire apparently involved in financing the dig, doing their utmost not to be agog at the scene unfolding in front of them, and failing. I couldn’t blame them. Had it been me on the other side, I’d have opened the popcorn by now.
‘Hi, Jed.’
‘Hey, Lizzie.’
‘Do you mind?’ I reached past him and grabbed the large iron age axe that stood on display at the edge of the reception desk. As I turned back overwhelmed with fury, hot tears and a whole bunch of emotions I was yet to dissect, a large male hand encircled mine. His other one gently removed the weapon from my hand and handed it to the receptionist.
‘Put that somewhere safe for the moment, would you?’
Eyes still on stalks, she nodded and did as Jed said.
‘Now, why don’t we go somewhere quiet and calm down.’
‘She’s crazy! I could have her arrested!’ Friedrich snapped, his voice a whole octave higher than usual as he spouted threats. If I’d had my way, it would have been several octaves higher still by now but perhaps it was just as well Jed had been there. Colette was a wonderful gardener but a poor baker and I imagined it was a lot harder to hide a file in a carrot than a carrot cake.
‘True. And I could withdraw all funding for this institution right now.’
Friedrich looked like he was about to both spontaneously combust and vomit at the same time.
‘But neither of us are going to do those things, are we, Friedrich?’
He shook his head, mute. I reckoned that was the only reason he hadn’t thrown up. I lived in hope for the spontaneous combustion.
‘Now,’ said Jed in a tone more suited to addressing a couple of small children who’d just been caught fighting in the playground. ‘Let’s head to the conference room and have a nice, sensible chat, shall we?’ The southern drawl of his voice, together with the relaxed vibe he always gave off helped bring me back from the ledge.
Friedrich followed us one step behind. I could practically hear him seething. Jed’s hand was still loosely encircling my wrist. Probably just as well. The corridor was lined with myriad potential weapons. Better safe than sorry.
We sat down at the table, a large swathe of polished walnut that had once graced the dining room of the grand London mansion. Jed was careful to place us a little further apart than arm’s length from each other.
‘It’s nice to see you, Lizzie.’
I’d been taking deep, calming breaths all the way here and had now got myself under some semblance of control.
‘And you, Jed. I had no idea you were involved in funding the dig.’
The brows on the handsome face drew together and he looked from me to Friedrich, then back to me again. ‘Really?’
‘Yes.’ I flicked Friedrich a dark look. ‘Surprising, isn’t it?’
The hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
‘I had no idea you were involved either. From what I understood, you hadn’t been interested in applying.’
I screwed my face up in confusion. ‘But I did apply.’
Jed’s expression mirrored my own. ‘I wasn’t involved in the interview process. That was done by someone more knowledgeable about these things.’
We both swung our gaze towards Friedrich who was now studying his nails.
