Page 19 of Out of the Shadows
“Daniel? Darling? Are you all right? You look a little shaken.”
I feel heavy and disorientated, like a swimmer who’s been underwater too long and is fighting their way to the surface.
“Yes, yes I’m okay.”
“You were looking at that group of young men over there.” Geraldine inclines her head. “Do you know any of them?”
“The young guy I had to dismiss, years ago? The one who’s now working for me? The shorter one, it’s him, the one who—”
“The cute one? The one who was kissing the other man?” She raises her brows as she glances at me, then back to the group. “So that’s him, is it? I think he could be a handful. Do you think you can handle him?”
Geraldine’s remark is playful but when I meet her eyes there’s a watchfulness about them. She’s smart, probably the smartest person I know, and if her question feels double edged, it’s because it is. If I’m not careful I could end up getting cut.
“I was just surprised to see him here, that’s all. I’m not used to running into any of my subordinates outside work hours. And as for handling him? Of course I can. He just needs to learn who’s boss.”
Geraldine doesn’t answer for a second and I’m not sure why my words are clanging in my head. I’d meant my comment to be edged with a little humour but somehow it’s come out all wrong.
“What I mean—”
“Oh heavens,” she says, looking at her watch, her eyes widening a little. “I really do need to go. But next time let’s make a proper evening of it and have dinner.”
“Yes, that would be lovely.” We share a fond smile, warm and full of real and genuine affection.
Gathering up her belongings she gets up, presses a kiss to my cheek, and gives me a hard hug.
“And don’t forget what I said about getting out there and seeing somebody. All work and no play et cetera.” She pauses and there’s an uncharacteristic hesitancy about her. “Don’t hide yourself away Daniel. In the long term it won’t do you any good.”
She’s gone before I can respond, and I stare at the flung open wooden gates she’s disappeared through, refusing to think about what she might mean.
The barman turns up and I settle the bill. The place is now seriously busy, and a lot louder than when I arrived. It’s time to go.
My eyes find the bar, where Cosmo and the small group of guys are still gathered.
The redhead is still there but this time Cosmo’s got his arms wrapped around a guy with dyed blonde hair with purple streaks. Their talk and laughter is interspersed with kisses. It’s not my business and I don’t want to know. I go to turn but before I do Cosmo looks my way and once again our gazes catch and hold, just for a moment, before he returns his attention to the guy with the purple streaked hair and kisses him deeply.
I rush out and don’t look back, knowing I’m fleeing but refusing to ask myself from what.
