See You in Hell (Mel Goes to Hell Series Book 2) (21 page)

While she searched, she heard a familiar voice.

"So, did you get her present?" the annoyed anti-Valentine of the morning enquired.

"Yep, flowers, chocolates and some earrings," replied the other. "We're going out to dinner tonight, at that new teppanyaki grill at Nishi. You?"

"My missus booked us into Beethoven's, for their special Valentine's banquet," the now-more-stunned-than-annoyed voice replied. "Have you ever been there?"

"No, but I've heard it's good. Have fun, mate!"

Mel hid her smile behind her flowers. The two men who wouldn't go to restaurants had booked dinner at two of the more expensive establishments in the area, but she knew from experience that the prices at both were certainly worth it.

She found a short story competition with a Valentine's Day theme and settled in to read some of the entries. Romance, unusual gifts and her favourite day of the year, with flowers and chocolate to scintillate her senses as she forgot all about Luce and his devious demands.

She happily headed home, ordered a pizza and opened a bottle of wine to share with herself. Amid the scent of her favourite flowers, she thought of Luce, dining alone amid a multitude of couples, lonely with his oysters by the river. Once again, she pitied the demon and anyone else who couldn't enjoy a day that was about love – whoever you spent it with. Perhaps she should have joined him. He would have spent the whole time ogling her and missing out on the lovely atmosphere places only had on Valentine's Day.

Poor Luce. It must be so sad to be a demon on days like this.

Mel felt self-conscious as she stepped into the office. On the train, she'd been talking to a particularly talented artist who'd admitted to painting pictures inspired by the books she'd read and the discussion had turned to mermaids. What Mel hadn't said was that she knew for a fact that mermaids existed – and she'd met some. She and the demons could pass as humans among humans, but with mermaids it was a completely different story.

She dropped her bag on her desk, glancing at the big south window. Her computer was already on, which seemed strange.

"Good morning!" boomed a voice behind her. "What are you looking for?"

Spinning on the spot, Mel came face to face with a man she'd never met before. "I'm looking for my coffee cup, so I can have some caffeine before I check my emails," she replied uncertainly.

"Oh, were you the girl who borrowed my desk while I was away? I had your clutter moved to the desk by the fire escape, where it belongs." He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Try looking over there." He enthroned himself on what had been Mel's desk chair and ignored her as he placed his hand possessively over her former mouse.

Mel summoned a smile. "Thank you," she said as she left the bright shared office to return to the cramped, dark desk by the fire escape.

Gabi was waiting for her with a box full of Mel's belongings, the box of orchids balanced precariously on top. As soon as she saw Mel, her expression turned from bewildered to sad. "Mel, some new man told me I had to pack up all your things and move them. I didn't know what else to do – you weren't here and neither was Lili…"

Mel was calm and collected. As temporary staff, even her desk was only a temporary arrangement. Today, she wouldn't have to worry about showing off her stockings to everyone on the plaza. She could wear skirts as short as she pleased. "No worries, Gabi. It was too bright by the big south window and the air conditioning couldn't cope with the sun coming in on hot days. Thanks for taking such good care of my things. Now, if the rumours I heard downstairs on my way in are correct, we're very well placed for…"

The fire alarm began to sound over the office PA system. Gabi's eyes widened. The beeping lengthened to whooping as Mel smiled. They were the first to evacuate via the fire escape stairs.

Standing in Central Park as all the other staff meandered in, Gabi said, "You'll have to take your angel orchids home. They won't survive without some sun."

Mel shrugged. "Cut flowers never last long, anyway. They were lovely while they lasted – much longer than the roses, at least."

Gabi's eyes grew round. "Your angel orchids aren't cut flowers. They're in a beautiful pot, with soil and everything. I've been watering them for you every week – it was the least I could do, in exchange for you sharing them with me. It was heavy, but I couldn't just leave them there!"

Live orchids. Luce had bought her a large pot of live…had she said angel orchids? "I've never taken care of orchids before," Mel admitted. "Aren't they meant to be really delicate? What kind are they? I'll have to look up detailed instructions on keeping them alive. I'd hate to kill them."

"They're moth orchids – but yours are a really rare angel colour-morph. I've only seen angel ones in fuchsia and pink, but yours are white with tinted lips and a delicate blush…it must be someone who knows you really well. And he must really like you – those are insanely expensive. Do you think it might have been one of the Grigori boys from the agency? I went down to watch them play football one lunchtime and they were the no-shirts side…" She blushed. "Well, if it weren't for Uri, I'd seriously consider a bit of fun with one of them. Those boys are built!"

Mel laughed. "No, I don't think they're from one of the agency angels, however well-built they might be. Wishful thinking, I'm sure – I don't blush anywhere near as much as you do."

"You should keep them in your bathroom, so you can admire them when you're all steamy in the shower," Gabi continued dreamily.

"What? The shirtless Grigori football team?" Mel tried to control her laughter. "They wouldn't fit in my tiny bathroom."

"No, your orchids. They like it warm and humid. I bet the guy who gave them to you would love to know his flowers share your shower every morning…"

Mel shook her head. "How long since you've seen Uri? Did you leave him in Russia?"

Gabi nodded sadly. "I haven't seen him in months. What with the next winter Olympics in Russia, he's worried and trying to keep an eye on everything. But I know I'll see him again eventually. It's you I'm worried about. How long since you've seen a man in all his naked glory?"

Mel opened her mouth to reply.

"Good to see you ladies made it out unscathed," Luce's voice came from behind her. He nodded to Mel and Gabi as he breezed past, grinning. "Don't forget the Minister's visit later on this morning!"

Neither of them were likely to have any contact with the Minister – temporary staff were hardly going to be high on his list of people in the corporation to meet on his much-touted tour of the facility. Mel and Gabi didn't respond, letting Luce continue walking until he was out of earshot.

Hoping he hadn't heard their conversation, Mel's thoughts drifted to Luce's flowers and his Valentine dinner invitation. Perhaps she should have accepted, after all. The orchids had been a very kind gesture – more thoughtful than she'd given him credit for.

"See? I knew you couldn't remember," Gabi said. "Next time you're up at the agency, wink at one of the Grigori boys and take him home for the weekend. Share a shower with a man instead of just his flowers. I guarantee you'll be glowing come Monday morning."

She might do dinner with Luce, Mel decided, but sharing a shower with the demon? Hell, no! When this assignment was over, she'd socialise a little with the other agency angels and see what came of it, that's all. Or perhaps even pay Patrick a visit…

The red-hatted fire warden demons were signalling the all-clear, so Mel and Gabi started to move back to the office. The foyer was full of demons and humans, for there were still a few humans in the offices on the other floors. The lifts were leaving, packed with people.

"Mel," a voice hissed.

She saw a beckoning hand and followed it around the corner to the service lift, where an elderly security guard stood, smiling. "Care for a lift, Mel?"

She laughed and accepted, thanking him. Reaching her floor, she steeled herself for another day at work. Sitting next to the fire escape did have its benefits, even without a window, Mel mused.

Thanks to the quick-thinking security guard, Mel was one of the first people to return to the office after the fire and evacuation drill. That meant no queue for the coffee machine. Mel dug her mug out in readiness for the luxury of a real coffee while her computer started.

The milk stood in crates by the fridge, cascades of condensation dripping down the sides of the bottles, while a new box of coffee beans sat unopened by the machine. The delivery must have arrived just as the fire alarm sounded, so Mel decided to take advantage of the surplus to serve herself precisely what she wanted. She selected a double with a little extra froth to fill her mug, and watched the drink make itself.

Mel carried the steaming concoction back to her desk and set it down so she could start unpacking her belongings.

The orchids were first. She looked around for a suitable spot where they might get a little sun and still be out of her way. Mel temporarily settled for the top of her filing cabinet, swearing she'd take them home on the train that night – they didn't deserve to die on her dingy desk, displaced by the demon from their accustomed window.

Pens and papers were much easier to place – two minutes saw everything in order once more. Mel sat to start work. She took her first sip of coffee as she checked her emails.

The girl she'd been talking to earlier that morning had sent a link to some of her recent character artwork, the first email told Mel. Mel clicked on the link and waited patiently for the gallery to load.

"Here's my little angel! Minister, I'd like you to meet Mel, our miracle worker in averting alien invasions!" Luce's beaming face was the first thing Mel saw, with another be-suited man behind him.

Trying not to grit her teeth as she smiled, Mel stood and offered her hand to the newcomer, recognising the Minister for Productivity. He was the man who'd decided to start selling off government services, so the government of the day could fill what seemed to be a whole galaxy of budget black holes. Mel had always wondered whether giving government services to the Pit had been such a wise decision, but she'd never had the opportunity to ask the Minister his thoughts on the matter. Now was her chance.

She opened her mouth, trying to arrange the question carefully so she'd receive an answer.

"Wow! Isn't she a beauty?" the Minister exclaimed with a smile.

She closed her mouth quickly, wondering if the man was Luce's brother. Or his son. Or some close, salacious relation who Luce had trained in…

"You are a talented lady, aren't you, Mel? When did you paint that?" Luce asked, his eyes intent on Mel's monitor.

"I'd like a copy on the wall in my office!" the Minister declared.

"Oh, no, my friend did it. She just sent me a photo so I could see…" Mel trailed off, unsure how to introduce the subject of mermaid fact and fiction with a minister.

Both Luce and the Minister started walking away.

Mel sank gratefully into her chair, watching to make sure neither man was looking to return. Her computer had blacked out to her screensaver, so she nudged the mouse to wake it up. She almost spat out her coffee.

A beautiful blonde mermaid, her breasts on full display in glorious colours, beamed from Mel's screen. She was, indeed, a beauty.

Never. She'd never agree to go to dinner with Luce, and she hoped never to lock eyes with the demon again. He'd seen naked mermaid pictures on her PC.