Читать книгу The Christmas Project - Maxine Morrey - Страница 12

Chapter Four

I rang the bell and heard the hurried thud of feet running down the stairs. A moment later I heard another thud, shortly followed by a few choice words before the door was pulled open. Michael O’Farrell stood there in a white T-shirt, faded jeans and bare feet, the right one of which he was holding up and rubbing.

‘Are you all right?’ I asked, as he mutely indicated me to step inside. ‘I thought I heard…something.’

‘Fine,’ he replied. He waited whilst I took off my coat and heels and then began heading towards the kitchen. I followed. ‘Would you like a drink? I’m making one anyway.’

My plan was to say no so that I could just get on with the task in hand but as he pressed the button on the coffee maker, buried amongst the junk on one of the work surfaces, the most delectable smell of coffee drifted out, melting my resolve in one tempting moment.

‘That would be very nice, thank you.’

He nodded and pulled another mug from a cupboard.

‘I saw that,’ he said, without turning.

‘Saw what?’

‘You raised your eyebrows in surprise that I actually got something out of a cupboard instead of just off the worktop.’

I really needed to work on my poker face.

‘You had your back to me. You have no idea what I did or didn’t do.’

‘I’ve eight nieces and nephews and spent a year teaching English in India. I’ve learned to have eyes in the back of my head.’

I rolled my eyes.

‘I saw that too.’

‘Oh, you did not.’

‘Boy. You’re bad at this game.’

I sucked in my cheeks and kept my mouth closed, as my eyes darted to the snow shovel leaning against the wall outside, next to the back door.

‘I’d get to it before you.’

‘Oh bloody hell!’ I burst out.

Michael’s face creased into a brief grin that faded as quickly as it had shown. ‘I can see why Janey likes you.’

I didn’t know what to say to that so I said nothing. But as the silence grew longer, my client seemed disinclined to fill it, happy, it seemed, just to lounge against the counter and drink his coffee. His gaze fell on me and the intensity of his eyes gave off the feeling that he could see much deeper than I was comfortable with. Which, of course, was ridiculous. I knew that. But still. I could also see why he was apparently never short of women to take up to his soulless bedroom. It wasn’t just the good looks. It was easy to see how those eyes and that gaze could be used to make you feel like you were the only person around, even in a room full of people. Or a bar full of alcohol.

‘What are you thinking?’

‘What?’ I asked, my voice coming out a little more squeaky than usual and colour flushing up my neck.

‘You had a very…interesting…expression on your face.’

I wasn’t sure what that meant but I did know I had absolutely no intention of telling my client that I’d been thinking about how easy it must be for him to pick up women in bars. I knew he’d just take it as a compliment. I’d hit myself in the back of the head with that snow shovel before I admitted to that.

‘I was just thinking about the best place to start.’

Michael drained his coffee mug, watching me over the rim. ‘Right,’ he said, giving me the distinct impression that he didn’t believe a word I’d just said.

‘And what did you decide?’

Thankfully I had actually been planning the best way to go about this particular case on the Tube on the way over so I had a quick answer ready.

‘I think the best thing to do is to start with your office. It’s obviously where you spend most of your time when you’re at home, and you told me yourself you find it difficult to locate anything quickly. Getting that into a better state will make it a better place to work and eliminate the stress of not being able to find things when you’re working to deadlines. If there’s anything work related in any of the other rooms, they need to come into your office now so that we can see exactly what we have.’

He gave me another of those assessing looks.

‘Who says it’s where I spend most of my time? You’re making me sound like some sort of workaholic.’

‘Which, according to Janey, is exactly what you are. And, whilst I can’t help with that, I can at least help you be one in a nicer space.’

‘I didn’t realise you and my sister had been discussing me quite so much.’

I pulled my notes out of bag and gave a little laugh. ‘Don’t worry. It was a very brief conversation when she asked me to do this with you. And she mentioned it again yesterday evening when you put her on speakerphone.’

‘So she did. And what else did she tell you?’

I headed out into the hallway and stepped over what looked like a piece of bike engine and hung my bag from one of the coat hooks on the wall.

‘Is that what you tripped over earlier?’ I asked, stepping back over the item again.

Michael, having followed me, looked down at it and frowned.

‘Probably. Stop changing the subject.’

I shook my head. Add tenacious to the list.

‘For goodness’ sake, what are you worried about? Janey told me you were planning to host Christmas this year, that you got divorced two years ago and since then the house has got into a bit of a state as you’re a total workaholic and – I quote – “a bit of an untidy bugger”. That’s all, I promise. And as you’ve given me little else, that’s pretty much still all I know. Oh, apart from the fact that your one-night stands don’t get given a house tour. There. That is the total sum of my knowledge about you. Happy?’

‘Ecstatic.’ The flat voice was back. ‘Shall we head to the office then?’

‘Absolutely.’

Seriously. The quicker I got this over with the better.

***

Janey was waiting at a table when I pushed my way through the Friday night crowd at the pub.

‘Sorry I’m late. Have you been here long?’ I asked as I leaned over and gave her a big hug, discarding layers of outerwear as I did so.

‘No, not long. Someone was just leaving their table as I got here so I jumped at it.’

‘Well done. Shall we order? I’m starving. My appointments ended up changing today and the last thing I ate was a fun-size Mars Bar about half past ten this morning.’

‘You must be starving! I’d be chewing on my own arm by now.’

‘Hence the long sleeves.’ I winked.

Janey grinned and waved at a waiter. She had the most beautiful smile and, as usual, it did the trick.

‘What can I get you, ladies?’

We quickly ordered, barely looking at the menu we knew so well. The waiter stepped away and was immediately swallowed up by the crowd.

‘So, how’s your week been?’ I asked Janey as another waiter appeared and placed our drinks on the table.

‘Oh, not bad. The kids were both down with this fever thing that’s going around, so that was fun.’

‘Oh no! Are they better now?’

‘Yeah,’ Janey said, taking a sip of her orange juice. ‘Thank goodness. It only lasted a few days but it was pretty miserable for them.’

‘And how are you?’

Janey smiled. ‘Tired, feeling enormous and gasping for a drink. Aside from that…’

‘You are not enormous! You’re like the poster girl for pregnancy – all glowy and blooming.’

‘Blooming uncomfortable, right now. Honestly, I’m sure he’s just doing the bladder bounce for amusement. The men in our family have a mischievous streak. Excuse me. I need the visit the ladies’. Again.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’

She smiled and I briefly recognised the family likeness. Unfortunately, I’d only seen a glimpse of that same smile from her brother, unlike Janey who smiled easily and often.

‘No darling, I’m fine. Honestly.’

She patted my shoulder as she headed off. I watched, trying to resist the urge to jump up and scoot round my friend, insisting everyone clear a path. And then I laughed when a group of lads, a little worse the wear, did the job for me. Janey flashed them that winning smile and giggled when one of them blushed.

‘Told you I was fine,’ she laughed as she retook her seat.

‘I forgot about your magical powers. I don’t know why I worry.’

‘Because you’re a sweetheart. And don’t think I don’t appreciate it.’

‘No, I don’t think that.’

‘And talking of being appreciated, where is the man of the moment tonight?’

‘Calum?’

‘Unless there is someone else I should know about?’ She sounded almost hopeful.

‘No, of course not. He’s fine.’

‘Not around again tonight though.’

‘No. He’s working on some big project on at the moment so he’s tied up quite a lot.’

‘Right.’

‘Right, what?’

Janey gave me a blank look. ‘Nothing. Just “right”.’

‘I know you better than that by now. Come on, spit it out.’

‘Sure you want to hear?’

No.

‘Yes.’

‘All right. I think you’re wasting your time on Calum.’

‘Wow.’

‘I asked you if you wanted to hear.’

‘You did. And I did. Do you have a specific reason or did you just not take to him?’

‘I take to most people Katie. You know that. And he’s charming and good-looking and all the rest but…’

‘But what?’

‘Where is he?’

‘I just told you, he’s working.’

‘He’s always working. He’s always busy until he’s not and then he expects you to come running. And you do. And honestly? It’s not on.’

‘Everyone’s busy these days Janey. It’s competitive and people have to fight for their jobs.’

‘Has he ever taken you away for a long weekend? Or even a short weekend, come to think of it?’

‘Well, no, but – ’

‘He couldn’t find one weekend in – how long is it now? Six months to take you away for a couple of days.’

‘We’ve had the odd night away.’

‘As part of one of his many business trips! That’s hardly the same thing.’

‘I don’t mind. I’m busy with work a lot of the time too. It’s good to have someone who understands that.’

‘I’m just saying you deserve better. You deserve to be treated better.’

‘He treats me fine Janey. Really.’

‘Oh Katie. You’ve too much to offer to accept “fine”.’

I ran a hand back over my hair, smoothing in some escapees from my French plait, before taking a sip of my drink. Janey laid her hand on mine as it rested on the table.

‘It’s only because I love you. I want you to be happy.’

‘I am happy, I promise.’

Janey gave me one of those looks that her brother was so good at. I tried to hold it.

‘OK. If he’s making you happy, then that’s all I can ask.’

‘He is.’

‘Good. So, change of subject?’

‘Please,’ I grinned and squeezed her hand.

‘How’re things going with our Mikey?’

‘Oh! Yes. Fine, I think. Well, we’ve really only had one session…half a session really. There was a bit of a misunderstanding.’

‘Misunderstanding?’

‘Yes. He assumed that I would be the one coming back after the assessment meeting to do the job.’

‘Oh. So did I.’

‘And I had every intention of doing so. But I know he’s on a deadline and the first space he had worked better for Bernice than me, and she said she was happy to do it, if I didn’t think he’d mind. Which I genuinely didn’t.’

‘But he did?’

‘Yes. Apparently he understood that when he said he wanted my company to do the job, that also meant me doing the job. It didn’t really come up that I had someone else working for me. We didn’t exactly get chatty.’

‘No. He said it was a little tense.’

Tense was an understatement. At least he’d had the grace not to tell my friend that I’d called her brother an arsehole.

‘Does you sending Bernice along instead have anything to do with the fact you called my brother an arsehole within five minutes of meeting him?’

Oh crap. Yet another reason why I don’t like doing favours for friends.

‘He told you that then.’

‘He did.’

I covered my face with my hands. ‘Janey I’m so sorry. If I could take it back, I would. I don’t know what came over me. I’m not like that normally, you know that! It had been a really long day and I was soaked and freezing. I know that’s no excuse and I’m so sorry. Really.’

Janey wrapped her hands gently around my wrists and moved my hands away from my face.

‘I’ll tell you what came over you- Mikey O’Farrell. He has a knack for getting under people’s skin. Normally it’s in a good way. Or at least it always used to be. But since the divorce, he’s been known to…let’s say, ruffle a few feathers.’

I’d felt less like I’d had my feathers ruffled and more like I’d been entirely plucked.

‘Are you upset with me?’ I asked.

‘Me?’ Janey replied, laughing. ‘God, no. I grew up with him! I know exactly how bloody annoying my big brother can be, believe me. He’s had plenty of kicks in the shin, and anywhere else I could reach, over the years.’

‘Yes, but you’re family. I’m supposed to be a professional.’

‘Ah, don’t worry. It’s a good thing. You showed him you’re not a pushover. It’s set some boundaries.’

‘I couldn’t believe I’d said it.’

‘Well, between you and me, he found it funny so don’t go worrying yourself over it any more.’

‘He did?’

‘Incredibly. It tickled him that this super professional, conservative-looking woman suddenly just lost it at him.’

‘Well, I’m glad it amused him, at least.’ I rolled my eyes and sat back as the waiter brought our food and placed it front of us, his appearance thankfully distracting us both from the subject of Michael.

After we’d finished dinner, Janey sat back, her hands resting on her bump.

‘I feel as stuffed as a Christmas turkey.’

‘Full to the brim,’ I agreed.

‘I’m sorry I questioned you about Calum earlier. I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘You didn’t upset me. I know you’re just looking out for me. And I really appreciate that. It’s…nice.’ And I meant it. Having someone looking out for me was a relatively new experience in my life and it had taken a little getting used to initially, but Janey’s care meant so much to me. More than I could ever put into words.

‘OK good. Then it’s probably all right for me to tell you I’m not really sorry. And I still don’t think he’s good enough for you.’

I shook my head, laughing. ‘You are just as impossible as your brother sometimes.’

‘You wouldn’t be taking my name in vain there, would you Katie?’

I jumped as Michael appeared beside me, his voice close to my ear in order to be heard over the din of the crowd.

‘Mikey! I didn’t know you were coming out tonight.’ His sister smiled up at him.

‘Neither did I. I was just on my way home from a meeting down on the coast. Thought I’d stop in.’

That explained the slightly more formal appearance. Although he still looked to be favouring the rumpled look.

‘Didn’t fancy ironing those clothes then?’ Janey said, running her eyes over him.

‘Lovely to see you too, sis,’ he said, ignoring the jibe. ‘How are you both?’ he asked, his eyes taking in the bump as he bent and kissed her on the cheek before balancing himself on the edge of the bench seat I was on. I shuffled along a little so that he had more room and he did the same. As he did so, the fresh citrusy smell of his aftershave tingled my senses.

‘We’re fine, thanks.’

‘Good. And you?’ he asked, turning to me as he took a swig from his beer bottle. ‘Had a good week?’

‘Yes, thanks. Busy.’

‘No difficult clients, I hope?’ His eyes danced with laughter as his smile disguised itself around the top of the bottle.

‘Only one. Thankfully. Huge pain in the backside.’

Janey laughed. ‘I knew you wouldn’t be able to get one over on this one Mikey. She’s got your number.’

‘Oh, I’m always happy for a pretty girl to have my number,’ he countered, grinning.

I made an ‘ugh’ noise which caused Janey to laugh even more.

‘Oh God. Stop it. I need the bloody loo again now.’ And with that she stood and made her way through the crowd once more.

Mikey stretched out his long legs in front of him, giving a glance around as he did so.

‘No boyfriend tonight?’

‘No, not tonight. He’s working.’

‘Tomorrow?’

I turned towards him. ‘I don’t know. Probably not. He’s very busy at the moment.’

‘Too busy to take his girl out on a Friday night?’

I squared myself against him. ‘I’m not “his girl” and yes, he’s busy on a Friday night. It’s not the end of the world. And, as it is, I’ve had a very nice evening. So, it’s absolutely fine.’

Mikey tilted his head. ‘Have you been drinking?’

‘No.’

Yes.

‘I’ve had one glass of wine.’

One very large glass of wine.

‘Glad to hear it. It clearly loosens you up.’

I made the ‘ugh’ noise again, mostly because I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Annoyingly, I knew I’d have a humdinger of a witty retort ready in about an hour’s time. He gave a chuckle and leaned in.

‘I meant it as a compliment.’

‘Then you need to work on your compliments.’

He nodded. ‘You’re probably right.’

I looked up at him. There was something in the tone of his voice when he said it, and his eyes had taken on a faraway look.

‘Are you all right?’ I asked, unsure why I was bothered as to whether he was all right or not. But I was.

He pulled his gaze from the middle distance and focused the full force of it on me. I really wanted to look away but right now that was proving harder than it should be.

‘Of course. I’m sat next to a pretty girl who’s nicer to me the more alcohol she has inside her. So how about I buy you another drink?’

I sat up straighter. ‘Really? You really think that’s going to happen?’

He shrugged and took another swig from his bottle, clearly not bothered as to whether it happened or not.

‘Well, it’s not.’

He turned his gaze back on me. ‘I didn’t think for one minute that it would.’

My mouth dropped open.

‘So why even say it?’

‘Because you’re incredibly sexy when you’re all worked up.’

‘And you’re…’

He quirked an eyebrow, waiting to hear exactly what I thought he was. The problem was I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d been going to say.

‘I’m what?’ he prompted me.

‘I don’t know,’ I said, admitting defeat. ‘But it definitely wasn’t anything good!’

He grinned and I took a vicious swig of my drink, just as Janey returned to the table. She looked from one of us to the other.

‘Oh, for the love of God Mikey! What did you do now?’