Page 24 of Out of the Shadows
“We’ll leave the arrangements as they stand, as it appears nothing can be done about them. I was just a little surprised at the news, that’s all.”
“Everything’s settled then.” Linda claps her hands together, a look of relief on her face that the crisis has been averted. “Let’s get ourselves sorted out, then back here for refreshments in half an hour.”
* * *
We’re all directed to our rooms. I’m annoyed and tense, but there’s also a tingle of something I’m not prepared to let myself examine.
The room we’ve been forced into sharing isn’t exactly a broom cupboard but there’s not a lot of room to spare.
The two single beds are separated by a shared bedside cabinet and a small shaggy rug that’s slippery on the tiled floor. A wardrobe and a small chest of drawers make up the rest of the furnishings. White painted walls and a couple of bland prints of the Devonshire countryside are the only adornment. For a moment I wonder if there’s a nearby hotel I can go to, but that’s hardly in the spirit of building a team, I suppose.
“That girl must live in a shoebox because this isn’t my idea of plenty of room.”
I jump at Cosmo’s voice in my ear. He’s so close I can feel the waft of breath from his words. I step forward into what little space there is, at the same time I turn to face him. He’s looking around the room with about as much enthusiasm as I am.
“God alone knows where Linda found this place. I only hope she hasn’t blown her training and development budget on it.”
Cosmo smiles. It’s open and genuine with no hint of his trade mark brashness.
“Maybe she knows the owner? Has managed to get mates rates? But at least it’s a change of scenery, because I haven’t been away for ages. Is it a bit sad I’m quite looking forward to spending a few days in what looks like a tarted up youth hostel?”
“That’s exactly what it’s like. I used to use youth hostels a lot when I was younger because they were always really cheap places to stay. I’ve got good memories, but I’m a bit long in the tooth for them now and I’ve somewhat upped my standard of accommodation since.”
Cosmo’s looking at me with his brows raised slightly as though he’s waiting for me to elaborate. I already feel like I’ve said too much, yet for some reason I don’t understand, elaborate is exactly what I do.
“I did a lot of travelling around Europe and beyond with a couple of friends, during and after university. Youth hostels saved us a fortune. We stayed in some places that make this look like the height of luxury.”
“Me and my friend Freddie did the travel around Europe thing, too, during uni holidays. But we camped, as we weren’t into all the community living stuff. We had a great time, and I really miss it.”
Cosmo smiles but it’s tinged with sadness, and I can’t help but wonder who and what this Freddie was to him. The hard glitter in his eyes has been replaced by something softer, obliterating the watchfulness that is so often there. He looks younger, suddenly, and I’m keenly aware of the other Cosmo, the one who turned up for his first career job, full of promise to fly high before he crashed and burnt.
Before I burnt him.
A peal of laughter from down the hall pierces the silence that’s wound its way around us.
“Look, I understand it’s a bit awkward for us to share. I can go and have a word with one of the others about swapping, if you like? I could say I’m allergic to your aftershave or something.” He laughs but there’s a nervousness about it, just as there is in the way he shifts his weight from foot to foot.
I should say yes, should agree to his suggestion, because it is awkward but not just for the reason he’s thinking it is. He’s given me the perfect excuse to say—
“No.”
His eyes widen a little, as though he’s surprised by my response. He’s not alone, but it’s too late to backtrack. I shake my head.
“No point in causing any more fuss. Besides, we’re hardly going to be spending much time in here, not with all the bonding activities Linda’s got lined up for us.”
Cosmo chuckles. “I don’t think I’ll be much good at trying to build bridges out of bits of old chewing gum and toilet paper rolls, or thinking up escape strategies when pretending to be stranded on a desert island.”
And there it is again, that easy open smile and the softer shine to his eyes, sweeping away all the hard edges. I wish he’d smile like that more often because I like it on him.
What the…?Why the hell am I noticing Cosmo’s smile?
“Okay then, but only if you’re sure?”
“What? Yes. Yes, we’ll leave it as is.” I clear my throat. “I’ll take this one if it’s okay with you?” I nod to the bed nearest to the window, at the same time I put my small bag on top to stake the claim.
“Whichever. I don’t—”
“Tea in the common room everybody!” Linda calls out from down the hallway.
