The One Addicted (9 page)

He had a fair point and I wince at the thought of me ever having to lower myself to such a level, just for a glimmer of his affection. “Col?”
    
“Yep, beautiful boss lady.”

I smile at his quirky little face and complete suck-up. “You weren’t really going to call Grannie Annie were you?”

“I bloody was - I was ready to call your Mum and sort it all out. You were AWOL and apparently were becoming too attached to your duvet and a decidedly faded pair of Minnie Mouse Winceyettes, according to Miss Abigail. Grannie Annie was the last port of call - besides she lurves me.
She’d
have lurved all this tartan.”

I ignore his pout and obvious attempt to get the topic back to him. “But my Grannie of all people! I mean I love her to pieces but she’d have moved in, started cooking up stews for the entire street, baking shortbread that would make me so fat I wouldn’t be able to leave the house, even if I’d wanted to and she’d get too involved in mine and Seb’s business. She is the last person I need right now.”

I refer to my paternal grandmother Anne Myers, nickname Grannie Annie to all and sundry, also known as Beyoncé to some who knew her exceedingly well for her marital beliefs and motto – if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it! A wonderful Scottish baking buns type Grandma, who was a force to reckoned with and was determined to see me married - like yesterday. I loved her to bits but certainly didn’t need her meddling right now - it was all too fresh and I have to come to terms with my own feelings on the subject before having it forced on me.

Colin has the decency to look duly reprimanded and decides to swiftly change the subject. “So, The Guilty Rabbit - you’re there tomorrow, yes?”

Always one to cheer me up, I waver my earlier fear about a prospective visitor and belly laugh at his complete cock-up of our newest interior design brief. “The Gilded Fox you numpty - you’re worse then Seb.”

“Shame. The Guilty Rabbit, sounds so much more buzzing - just like the type of saucy Inn I’d want to stay in.” His lips form an ‘O’ shape for full on drama and I snigger.

“Well anyway, this is not a sex club.”

“Pity.”

“If that’s your thing, Col, you must go to Scarlett House. That is sex club personified. Decadent and glamorous - it was out of this world.”

“Ooh - check you out you dirty bitch - I like this side of Lulu. I’ve heard of this place, me thinks James and I need a night away.”

“Oh you must. Anyway I digress, I’m meeting with the client tomorrow at The Gilded Fox, so you’ll have to meet with Chris at The Ashton to oversee the bathroom tiling in the honeymoon suite, and the six other executive suites.”

“Ooh lucky me. Mr. Christopher Booth is rather easy on Mr Willy’s eye.”
   
His swivel of his tiny hips is my undoing and I practically choke on my exploding giggle before pondering his words, I suppose Chris is nice looking, if you like that kind thing - letchy, self-absorbed and armed with slippery tentacles.

“Your eye is wandering already? I thought James had your heart… for now?” I smile, as Colin’s relationships didn’t last longer than a few months usually.
 

“Not at all, James and I are kindred spirits - we both have a love of Rum ha ha but I’m not blind, love - Chris is rather fit - totally straight, but I can have fun trying to corrupt him.”

“You’re bad but I’d love to be a fly on the wall.” I’ve a feeling Chris’ feelings towards gay men borders on homophobic and seeing Colin torment him during our weekend at The Ashton would be a thrill.

“I’ll sort The Ashton don’t worry, madam - it’s in good hands. It’s really taking shape. Elysium Interiors has fast become the worst kept secret on everyone’s lips.” He purses his lips and blows me a camp kiss.

“Yes, all our hard work is finally paying off.”

A feminine voice hollers across the room. “And on that note we deserve a cuppa to celebrate but will you flick the kettle on Col, as I’ve a delivery here for Ms. Myers.” Her voice takes on a mock snooty tone and I watch as Jackie heads over to my desk her hand gripped around a silver envelope.

“You can open this
after you’ve read your email from Sebastian.”

“I haven’t got an email from Sebastian?”

“You will have soon.”
   
My mac dings seconds after her words.

   
“Told you.”

I click open the Mail programme. The second my eyes fall upon his name, my heart begins to hammer within my chest. That’s all it takes. His bloody alliterative name in bold and I’m as weak as a kitten. Clicking the message open I read his words, then confused and needing a better understanding, I re-read them, growing warmer by the second.

To:
Lucia Myers

Subject:
Invitation

From:
Sebastian Silver

Morning, lady Lu,

I have to go away on business to Dubai in about 10 days but I can’t seem to tear myself away from you. I want you at my side for the hotel launch party and we’ll mix business with pleasure when I introduce the best Interior Designer in the UK to all the rich Middle East.

I’ll forward you the info.
 

Check your calendar and get back to me, I understand it may be hard sorting out work and Finn but I’m not taking no for an answer and when we return we’ll make it up to the little guy.

Always,

S x

P.s We fly Saturday - away for one whole week! Jackie will hand you the tickets.

Sebastian Silver

CEO Silver Construction

I open the envelope and as promised, first class tickets to Dubai fall out on to my desk. A week! I can’t leave Finn and Elysium for a week - it is out of the question. It was impossible - wasn’t it? How could I up and leave my son at the drop of a hat - brilliant parenting, and besides, I had several irons in the fire work-wise which needed twiddling persistently to ensure we were on target for their completion dates. No, it was out of the question. No matter how much the thought of Sebastian in swim shorts, dripping with water as he exits the sea, was making me drool…

“What’s out of the question?” Colin mimics, dropping a cup of tea on my desk and perching a cheek on it.
    
Did I say that out loud?
    
“Sebastian has emailed me requesting my presence in Dubai for the launch of his new
hotel - apparently he thinks I can work the room and do some serious networking but it’s for a week and we leave in ten days time!”

“And?”

I sigh at his screwed up expression, “…
and
… what about Finn?”

“I’m sure your mum and dad will help you out, boss - you won’t know if you don’t ask and your sis too. I can always pick up from Crèche and drop at theirs - might be nice to play gay daddy for a day or two?”

I ponder his suggestions, all the while chewing on my bottom lip - everything apart from his last comment makes sense (he would not be playing gay daddy anytime soon - he found it hard enough to care for himself let alone a child - my child).
 

“And work? Who’s going to sort The Ashton in my absence?”

“What, pray tell, am I - chopped liver? Jacks and I will work through your totally virgin-tight schedule and I’m sure we’ll be fine - besides you’ll be reachable by phone and email, Facebook, skype, FaceTime, internet, text….”

“I get it, I get it - you’ll manage and I appreciate it but is it really the right time to be jetting off to Dubai when I’m just beginning to feel in control of things here?”
 

“Aha! We get to the root it – control, or lack of it. Babe, you need a break and to let loose. You work your curvaceous butt off as a mum and designer and have done for the past few years - maybe its time to have some fun in the sun?” his soothing voice is extremely cathartic and I nod my agreement of his comments.

“Well - I’ll leave you to mull this over but just think of massaging sun-cream into Seb’s sexy body and that should be enough to sway you. Yum yum. I wonder if James and I should go away - I’ve some new D&G yellow speedo’s reminiscent of Ray Winstone’s in Sexy beast to parade around it - My Jamesy would be like a houndess on heat.”

    
Recognising I’ve lost his focus from me to his lascivious mind I wink at him and return to my computer - a holiday was sounding more and more favourable by the minute.

“Right back to work, boss - I bid you adieu. Oh and for God’s sake, throw the Minnie Mouse numbers in the bloody bin, you’re over 10 years of age now!” I watch as he wiggles his way back to his own work area. The man was as refreshing as his bright lime cravat.

*****

“I’m down here!” I holler to the person who’s just entered my front door.
 

“Only me - I need a pee but here, shove that in the fridge and I’ll be back in min.” The bottle of Chardonnay hits my chest with an oomph and I smirk at my mate’s candidness - only Abs would make an entrance like that.

“Do you want me to order the veggie combo now?”

“Yeah - with chips. Ooh and that garlic mayo they make in-house that would kill vampires within a ten mile radius - I’m not seeing Nathan until Sunday so I can go all out - unfortunately R Pat won’t be flying through our windows tonight.”

Shaking my head on a grin, at her unique humour I dial Aldo’s and order our usual, throw in a chocolate fudge cake to share for after’s and set about getting our trays, plates and cutlery for teas on knees. I still find it hard to eat pizza without a knife and fork and enjoy it and amongst our friends I’m definitely in the minority.

I can hear Abby’s arrival as she heads back downstairs chattering with each step. “That’s better - I’d been busting since I set off. Did you ring the order in?”

“All done and will be with us in 20 minutes. Come – let’s go veg out on the sofa and I want to hear all about Nathan and you.”
 

“Do you want me to carry anything, love? Trays, glasses, pillow to assist with the weight of your humongous nosey nose?”

My giggles are instinctive and we both chuckle at her silliness. “No, no and no! I haven’t got a humongous nose! I’ve everything upstairs already… including nosiness in abundance.” I add with a grin over my shoulder and head off up the short flight of stairs to the cosy entry-level lounge, throw out with a dramatic toss of my hair, “I’ve also got news.”

“Ooh sounds juicy. Me too.” She heads immediately over the mirrored console table that houses the vase with the roses I’ve received to date. I can see her mentally counting. “You got another one - when?”

I nod. “The sixth. Came yesterday with some message about us
‘needing to communicate and meet up’
.”

“Well, I’ll agree with that. They’re beautiful though aren’t they - even when dried?”

“I know, I can’t bring myself to throw them away. Too bloody sentimental for my own good.”

“Something vintage about dried roses isn’t there and I love the diamante - bit of bling; very stylish! No matter what we say about these Silver men, they have taste in bucket-loads - spose we have Bitzi to thanks for that?”

Abs refers to Nathan and Sebastian’s twinkly-eyed mother, Elizabeth Silver, known to her friends as Bitzi. She was a force to be reckoned with when crossed and a blessing when you were in her favour - the latter was something I had truly received firsthand experience at Seb’s house-warming party when Toni had showed her talons. “Bitzi is one of a kind and her sons adore her.”

“She scares me shitless!”

“Don’t be daft, once you get to know her she’s wonderful. I promise.”

“I’m meeting them properly next weekend for Sunday lunch - Nathan insists her gravy is better than the gravy at The Babes in Arms.”

“No! Really? Wow, you must go then.”

“Are you teasing me, you mare?”

“Of course not, I’m deadly serious. The Babes in Arms pub gravy is to-die-for.” I wink back at her sulky face, still pretty despite the downturn to her mouth. “Honestly, Abs, this is brilliant news. You and Nathan are taking the next step forward and meeting the parents.”

“Well, we’ll see. Let’s hope there’s no surprises in store.”

“What like they’re Fred and Rose West in disguise, desperate to bury you in the back garden? I can assure you they are lovely and not serial killers.”