find a reasonable explanation to decline. ‘Wait. How’d you get my number?’
‘If a man wants something, he’ll find it,’ he answers smoothly. ‘So, dinner?’
‘Brent, it’s really very kind of you to offer, but . . .’ I turn on the spot, willing some more words to follow – words that’ll be tactful, rather than a flat refusal. I’m really not interested in dinner, with him or anyone.
As I glance up, something catches my eye down the corridor, and I find myself taking a step back. Becker is standing outside his office, watching me. He has a scowl in place. He’s been listening to my call? Something comes over me – something childish and silly. ‘I’d love to, Brent,’ I say, my eyes fixed on Becker’s. His jaw starts to tick. ‘I’m just finishing work.’
‘Great. I’ll meet you at The Wolseley at eight.’
‘See you then.’ I disconnect the call, wilting under Becker’s fierce expression for a good few seconds before he drags his eyes away and turns, disappearing back into his office. I bite my lip and start walking backwards, my eyes rooted on the engraved door until I reach the bathroom. I feel like I just leapt back on to dangerous ground. What game am I playing?
After I’ve used the loo and collected my bag and coat, I head for the kitchen. ‘Eleanor.’ Old Mr H is sitting at the table when I enter, and Mrs Potts is sliding a roast beef dinner towards him. ‘Come and tell me how you are.’ He taps the seat next to him. ‘Still enjoying it here?’
‘Absolutely, yes.’ That’s the understatement of the century.
‘And your mum. Is she okay?’
I smile fondly; I appreciate that he asks. He does most days since I told him she’s back home and missing me terribly, though happy I’m finally doing what I really love. ‘She’s good, thank you, Mr H.’
‘Super.’ He smiles brightly. I want him to be my grandad. Becker Hunt might be all kinds of difficult, but his grandad, Mrs Potts, and even Winston, more than make up for that. I’ve become so fond of them.
‘Eat up,’ Mrs Potts demands, pointing to Mr H’s knife and fork that are laid neatly on the table.
‘Yes, yes,’ he grumbles moodily, scooping them up and looking at me expectantly. ‘Would you like some supper? Dorothy makes a mean roast.’
I glance over to Mrs Potts, who’s rolling her eyes. ‘Thank you, Mr H, but I have a date this evening. I need to go home and get myself ready.’
‘A date, you say?’ He jiggles suggestive eyebrows, making me laugh.
‘I’ll see you out,’ Mrs Potts says.
‘Thank you. Have a good evening, Mr H.’
He forks a piece of beef and waves it in the air, rolling his eyes. ‘Yes, I’ll be partying and falling into bed in the early hours, don’t you worry.’
‘Those days are gone, Donald.’ Mrs Potts laughs, gesturing the way.
He takes a mouthful and chews. ‘Whoever the lucky man is, I hope he treats you like a lady.’
‘I’m sure he will,’ I say, following Mrs Potts out of the kitchen. We make it only a few paces when we’re hit by a loud screech that bounces off the walls around us. ‘What the hell was that?’ I ask, looking around, startled.
‘Lord Almighty,’ Mrs Potts mutters, taking my arm. ‘Nothing, dear. Let’s be going.’
I can do no more than follow, looking over my shoulder, but then I hear it again, this time louder. ‘There,’ I say, pulling her to a stop. ‘There it is again.’ It sounds like a cat’s being strangled.
‘It’s nothing, Eleanor,’ she insists, making me frown.
‘It doesn’t sound like nothing to me.’
‘It really—’
‘Oh, Becker. You dirty boy.’ The high-pitched voice stabs at my back, and I swing around, despite Mrs Potts’s best efforts to pull me on. I’m horrified by what I see. A woman falling out of Becker’s office half-naked, her modesty covered only by frilly satin underwear. ‘Come get me, tiger.’
Tiger? My face screws up. I hate her. Why do I hate her? I toss the question aside quickly, afraid of the answer. Is this the woman I took the call from? Paula?
I know what I’m going to see next, and as much as I know it’s going to make my eyes bleed, I can’t seem to force my legs to carry me away. Mrs Potts is determinedly tugging on my arm, yet I remain in place, waiting for the inevitable. The brazen hussy steps back until her back meets the wall, then she holds