Page 85 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
Devan texted Alan that McAllister had said yes, and to put people in place, but keep everything under wraps, then slipped his phone back in his pocket. He should have been feeling pleased and instead he felt guilty. He wanted to tell Jonty and he shouldn’t, but… He took out his phone and called him again. He wasn’t entirely surprised when Jonty didn’t pick up so he left a message.
“Hi, it’s me. The me you were going to introduce to the fourth wonder of Northumberland. The me who can’t wait to marvel at it and all the other wonders. As soon as I’ve spoken to Ravi and found out what he wants, I’ll come back. I did come back after I’d driven a couple of miles, but you weren’t there. If I wasn’t anxious that something bad had happened to bring Ravi up here, I wouldn’t have left. I should have brought you with me. I’m sorry I didn’t. See you soon. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Devan went into the hotel to find Ravi sitting in the lounge. He was by the window, messing with his phone, a wine glass in front of him, and an overnight bag at his feet. Devan sucked in his cheeks. That wasnotgoing to happen. He wanted Ravi gone.
As Devan walked towards the guy who, once upon a time, had made his world turn, there wasn’t a single pang of sadness, not even one of regret for having gotten involved with him in the first place. Theyhadbeen good together. Devan was angry with himself for leaving Jonty, but in a wash of awareness, no longer angry with Ravi or Griff. The rage he’d felt as he’d driven back to the hotel evaporated. Jonty was right. Why waste time and energy on people who didn’t matter? Though disappointment with his brother remained.
Ravi stood and smiled when he saw him. Devan didn’t smile. He sidestepped Ravi’s embrace. So it wasn’t bad news he was here to deliver.
“You’re looking good,” Ravi said.
“What do you want?”
“Glass of wine?”
“No thanks.” Because he was shortly going to be driving back to Jonty. “What do you want to say that couldn’t have been said in a phone call?”
“Can we go to your room?”
Devan laughed.
Ravi settled back in the chair. “At least sit down.”
Devan dropped into the seat opposite.
Ravi glanced around as if he didn’t want to look Devan in the eyes. “This place is a bit of dump.”
“It has character.”Which is more than can be said for you.
“Brilliant position though. The view is fantastic.”
“What do you want?”
“This hotel was Griff’s. He’s a bit pissed off you’ve taken it.”
The irony of that was clearly lost on Ravi.
“Griff and I were going to have a few days up here together. I’ve been doing a shoot for Dior at The Angel of the North. The big—”
“I know what it is,” Devan spoke quietly. “I really hope you’ve not said anything about what I’m doing here. If you fuck up this deal…”
Ravi rolled his eyes. “Bloody hell, you’re not MI5.”
Devan bit back his irritation. “In these early days, everything needs to be kept quiet. I need you to keep quiet. Tell me what you’ve brought me here to say, then fuck off.”
“There’s no need to be so mean.”
Ravi always took his time to get to the point. Once it was cute, now it was not.
“Griff’s really upset.”
“Why? What have you done?”Christ, is sarcasm catching?
“He really wants you to be his best man.”
Devan heaved a sigh of disbelief. “Is that it? Is that why you’re here? He’s not been injured in a car crash? Finally realised you’re never going to rim him?”
Ravi pulled his sulky face. No longer adorable but aggravating.How could I ever have thought this guy was the one for me?
