must have flickered in her expression because, for a fleeting moment, Jean looked concerned.
‘Two things,’ Charlie continued. ‘Firstly, I have to go away on unexpected business. A major client is being difficult and we’re in danger of losing the account. Drummond wants me to placate him. I’ll be home later to pack an overnight bag.’
‘Oh,’ said Willow, swallowing disappointment.
What with the imminent Birmingham convention and now this, Charlie’s work seemed to be contriving to keep them apart.
‘Also, Ben and Anna have busted up.’
‘No way! That’s awful.’
‘Even worse. Ben is now homeless. Anna is being a right bitch and has chucked Ben out,’ said Charlie, bending the truth.
‘Anna shouldn’t have done that. After all, Ben owns half the house. He should stand his ground.’
‘He doesn’t want the aggro. I’ve said he can move in with us.’
Willow closed her eyes, forcing herself to count to ten.
‘Charlie, I don’t think–’
‘Too late. He looked so pathetic… so desperate… I’m afraid I just couldn’t turn him down.’
Charlie was now sounding more sincere than an MP telling his constituency he was campaigning to abolish Council Tax.
Willow was aghast. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Charlie’s friend, but she knew exactly what was going to happen. Not one but two men with the remote control. Two men to clear up after. Two men belching, picking their noses and scratching their privates as they lolled around in front of the television.
And how would Ben’s presence impact upon her private life with Charlie? Would Ben be slumped on the sofa at midnight, sobbing into man-sized tissues while she and Charlie tried to edge their way upstairs to bed. She could imagine it now… her keeping her fingers crossed for some action, but Charlie shaking his head.
‘We can’t leave him downstairs, babe. He’s crying his eyes out. Surely you understand?’
‘But I’m desperate for you to make love to me, Charlie.’
Whereupon her boyfriend would recoil in horror.
‘Good heavens, absolutely not. I couldn’t possibly perform knowing Ben is crying all over our cushions.’
Or, even worse, when Ben finally did make it to bed, his presence would encroach upon her and Charlie. She could see it now… Charlie’s lovemaking noises accompanied by the sound of Ben trumpeting into his second box of jumbo tissues. And then, when Charlie gave his customary “Oo-oh-oooh” upon climaxing, Ben would duet with sobs of “Ah-ah-ahhh”.
Willow wasn’t happy about Charlie’s bombshell news. However, she was a sweet girl and couldn’t bear for anybody to be having a rotten time – and Charlie knew that.
‘It won’t be for long, sweetie,’ he implored. ‘Just while he sorts himself out.’
Willow caught Jean glaring at her. She was tapping one finger against her watch.
‘Definitely only a few days?’
‘Promise,’ said Charlie, crossing his fingers for the second time that day.
Jean was now stabbing her watch so hard, Willow half expected the glass to break.
‘I have to go,’ she said. ‘Will I see you later?’
‘Briefly.’
‘Okay. Don’t leave without saying good–’
But Charlie had already hung up.
Twenty
Jean deliberately kept Willow late at the library insisting she make up the time spent talking on the phone to Charlie. Willow didn’t argue. She’d much rather work an extra hour for five lost minutes than have a verbal warning on her personal file.
As a result of leaving the library later than usual, by the time she got home Charlie had already packed and was ready to be on his way. He came down the stairs clutching an overnight bag, just as Ben arrived with an alarming number of suitcases and black sacks.
‘Hey,’ said Ben greeting them both.
He dumped the last of his belongings at Willow’s feet.
‘I really appreciate this. It means so much having good friends like you and Charlie.’
‘Our pleasure,’ said Willow, instantly feeling guilty at her earlier reluctance to put Ben up.
She glanced at Charlie and gave him a smile of commiseration.
‘Where’s Drummond sending you?’
The question took Charlie by surprise. He’d been so pre-occupied with Kev’s ultimatum and the importance of placating her, he hadn’t given any thought to the name of his make-believe destination.
‘Where am I off to?’ he repeated, stalling for time.
‘Cambridge,’ said Ben, leaping to Charlie’s rescue, just as Charlie said the first thing that popped into his head.
‘Brighton.’
‘Cambridge first,’ said Ben hastily. ‘Then Brighton.’
‘That’s right.’
Charlie nodded frantically.
‘The client has two offices and… er… I have to go to both.’
‘Couldn’t Drummond have let you go first thing in the morning?’ asked Willow.
‘Um, not really,’ said Charlie vaguely.
‘Why ever not?’
‘Why not?’ Charlie repeated, floundering for a plausible excuse.
‘Yes, why not?’
‘The client wants a breakfast meeting,’