he’s your boss. That’s going to make things awkward at work.’
She had a point. Fending off a clumsy, slobbery advance, then having to comfort your manager when he broke down and sobbed on your shoulder wasn’t ideal. It hadn’t upset her because she hadn’t been scared. But Michael was going to be mortified.
‘Maybe it’s time to start looking for something else.’ Ellie had been vaguely considering this for the last fortnight. She had worked at the business center for six years now. Since moving to North London, getting to and from Brace House had become more complicated. Anyway, there was no hurry. She’d see how things went. It might be nice to work for someone who wasn’t always resting their hand on your shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeeeeeeeze.
‘I have to go.’ Roo jumped up at the sound of an idling diesel engine outside. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to come along?’
‘No thanks. Have you seen the rain out there?’
‘Which is why I prebooked a minicab. Come on, give it a try. It’ll be great!’
Ellie shook her head. ‘I’m shattered. Being propositioned takes it out of you. I’m having a bath and an early night. But thanks anyway.’
‘I hate leaving you on your own.’
Like a decrepit old spinster.
‘And I hate you telling me that you hate leaving me on my own. I’m not completely useless.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that. But will you be OK?’
‘Now you’re sounding like Paula. I’m fine, I promise.’ As soon as Roo was out of here, she was going to have a lovely, long chat with Jamie. That wasn’t too weird, was it?
‘Yes, but—’
‘Go!’
Except Jamie wasn’t playing ball tonight. For whatever reason, Ellie discovered she couldn’t conjure him up. Probably because she was too tired. It was hard work doing it properly. She took a bath and tried again afterwards, but the concentration just wasn’t there.
Then as if to prove her wrong, he turned up just as she was falling asleep, when she hadn’t been trying at all.
‘You’re not being fair.’
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of Jamie’s voice. And there he was, sitting at the end of the bed, watching her intently.
‘What?’
‘You know what I’m talking about.’
‘No, I don’t.’
He gave her a meaningful look. ‘I know you know.’
‘And you’re going to force me to say it? Fine, then. Todd. He sent me an email and I sent him one back. I was perfectly polite.’
‘You’re not being fair,’ Jamie said again.
‘Guess what? I don’t care.’
‘Yes, you do.’
‘What are you, my conscience?’ OK, stupid question, she might not be firing on all cylinders but even Ellie knew the answer to that one.
‘You can’t blame Todd for what happened. It wasn’t his fault.’
‘I’m not listening.’ She closed her eyes and rolled over onto her front, pulling the duvet over her head.
‘Don’t you think he feels bad enough?’
‘Shut up.’
‘He was my best friend.’ Jamie’s voice was gentle.
A hot tear leaked out of Ellie’s eye. ‘Go away,’ she mumbled. ‘I’m asleep.’
***
The little blue and white café amongst the row of shops along Regents Park Road was one of Roo’s favorite places to spend an hour while she was waiting for inspiration to strike. At least, that was her excuse. The official line was that she was on the hunt for ideas for lyrics whilst also trying out possible melodies in her head. In reality she just loved the buzzy atmosphere, the people watching, the mugs of hot chocolate, and the cheese and spicy mushrooms on toast.
Yesterday’s torrential rain had power-hosed the streets; today the sun blazed down out of a cobalt sky and it was hot enough to sit outside in a T-shirt. Roo, giving her new sunglasses their first outing, was comfortably set up at one of the steel tables along the pavement and tapping away on her laptop. Anyone watching would admire her businesslike manner and air of efficiency. They wouldn’t suspect that she was actually scrolling through photos of Richard Armitage, and reading her horoscope, and checking out all the latest scurrilous gossip on Popbitch.
But looking efficient, which was what counted.
‘…So that’s that, it’s all decided. We’re moving to Albufeira!’ The dark-haired woman at the next table was proudly relaying her big news to her friend. Both in their late fifties, unshowy, and frumpily dressed by Primrose Hill standards, they were huddled together over cups of tea and plates of lemon cheesecake. ‘Roy’s going to play golf all day and I’ll be a lady of leisure!’