Page 76 of Fighting Mr. Knight

Jack:Out with friends?The reply is so quick I wonder if he’s doing speech-to-text.

This makes me smile. At least Jack will think that there’s a man out there somewhere interested in me, even if I’m not a Michelle-Allard-type gal.

Me:No, on a date.

I don’t need to disclose that it was a disaster.

No response.

When I arrive at my flat in Brixton after thirty minutes underground, there’s still no response.After watching TV for an hour and taking a long bath, the phone remains silent.

When I realise my eyes are glued to my phone with the precision of a sniper on a target, I admit that maybe I’m a teeny tiny bit bummed Jack hasn’t responded.

20

Bonnie

When I reach the chorus of theRockytheme tune, I’m right there with Balboa on the steps and my feet bang the treadmill so hard that people in the gym stare.

This morning we will present our first version of designs to the Lexington team and Nixon Lee, the architectural firm overseeing the entire regeneration project. Bradshaw is a cog in a much bigger wheel.

We will commit to having the final design and access statements and everything we need to apply for planning permission to the local authority within a few months. No small feat. I’ll skip everything else in my life, some of which is shit anyway.

All I’ve done since the wedding is work on this proposal.So, the content is nailed, but I need to release some of this nervous energy.

The two cretins, Bradshaw and Brown, will both be at this morning’s meeting, as will Jack.

I can’t fail. My promotion is riding on it.

The treadmill says I’ve run ten kilometres.

I’m not one of those sexy runners. I’m sweating like a turkey at Christmas.My eyes sting from perspiration, and my hair sticks to my forehead.

I slow the treadmill to a halt, so I have time to clean it down.

I love running.

When my feet pound the pavement or treadmill I’m free of my worries and stress. Some of my best work ideas sprouted from a run.

After showering, I walk through the changing rooms to my locker, feeling marginally calmer.

Last night after the date, Jack emailed that he wanted to see me before the presentation, giving me no clue why.

But he says jump and we grab our poles.

There were no other email addresses from the team included so I can’t tell if this is a one-on-one.

I didn’t mention it to Max. He’ll be furious that he’s not invited but the less I see of him right now, the better.

I want to apologise to Jack in person about Dad. It doesn’t seem to bother him considering he took a while to even remember who Dad was. But it sure as hell bothers me.

It might not be professional bringing it up in this meeting. I’ll play it by ear.

I’m not sure which I’m more nervous about: the chat with Jack or the presentation. Whatever Jack says to me could severely fuck up my mindset for the presentation.

Maybe that’s his plan.

To mess with me.

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