Читать книгу Carrington’s at Christmas: The Complete Collection: Cupcakes at Carrington’s, Me and Mr Carrington, Christmas at Carrington’s, Ice Creams at Carrington’s - Alexandra Brown, Lindsey Kelk - Страница 25

‘I’d just like to spend some time unwinding with you, if that’s OK?’ It’s late and James and I are the only ones in the canteen again. He looks at me, edging his fingers along the top of the table until they’re almost touching mine.

‘Err, well I’m not sure.’ I search his face, wondering what he’s up to. He never used to be so flirty with me … I decide to address it once and for all. I quickly pull my hand away.

‘Look James, I’m flattered, really I am, but what about your wife?’ I ask, scrutinising his face.

‘What about her?’ he says, his face not changing. I can’t believe his front. He’s always seemed like such a decent guy. In fact, I’ve seen him coming back to the office at lunchtime with armfuls of presents for her in the run-up to the Christmas holidays. I even heard him on the phone one evening, outside the big Wetherspoon’s in the centre of town, when we all went out after work to celebrate Debbie in Haberdashery’s fiftieth. His voice was all soft and interested.

‘Well, don’t you think your wife might mind?’ I reply, crossly, wondering if he was this forward with Maxine.

‘Soon to be ex-wife.’ There’s a long silence, and then it registers. I stare at him and see a puzzled look on his face.

‘What did you say?’ My pulse quickens.

‘Oh right. You don’t know, do you?’ James clutches his head in his hands.

‘Know what?’

‘I’m getting divorced. I just presumed you knew,’ he says, peeping through his fingers. He shakes his head, his voice filled with concern. ‘Georgie, I’m so sorry, what must you think of me? No wonder you couldn’t wait to escape from the bar that night.’ I sit in silence, trying to process this information. Poor James.

‘James, I didn’t know.’

‘It figures,’ he says, shaking his head again. ‘Yes, Rebecca decided she preferred my best man to me. Apparently he’s more ambitious than I am, oh and better in bed, I think she also mentioned, when I wouldn’t agree to let her have the cat. So, under the circumstances, I agreed to a divorce,’ he finishes, with a wry smile.

‘I’m sorry. Truly I am. But why didn’t you tell me before now? I thought we were friends.’ I can’t believe it. So he’s not a two-timing flirtatious rat after all. My mind races.

‘We are. But you know how it is in work. There just never seemed like an appropriate moment. I guess I just presumed you knew. Eddie knows, and I thought with you and him being such good friends, he would have told you.’ I think of Eddie – lovely loyal Eddie, even if he is a massive moaner; it’s not his style to break a confidence, never has been.

‘James, I feel dreadful now. With the uncertainty at work and everything else going on,’ I say, thinking his wife must be completely insane to let him slip through her fingers. I notice the tightness in his shoulders, and for the first time I really see him. He has the look of a man who’s been through the wringer.

‘Well, now we’ve cleared that up, will you please come out for a drink with me?’ He grins.

‘I’d love to,’ I reply, and all of my doubts about him instantly evaporate. I can’t wait to call Sam, she’s going to well and truly freak out over this.