‘Oh, I do, do I?’ I said, tilting my chin up defiantly to meet his eyes.
‘Yes. And I’d appreciate it if you’d stop. I know what I want and it’s not Bella. You stirring things is doing more harm than good.’
His gaze was steely, his voice harsher than I’d ever heard it. The little metal box fairly hummed with tension, our eyes locked, breathing heavy.
‘Elizabeth…’ He moved closer and my breathing hitched as it sped up. ‘Elizabeth?’ His expression softened and his hands dropped from my wrists and cupped my face as tears began to flow. ‘What is it? Tell me?’
‘I… I can’t breathe! I can’t…’ The panic swelled and I pulled at the collar of my shirt. ‘I need to get out of here. Get me out of here!’
His hand shot out and pressed a button and the lift shuddered into life. I felt the sweat running down my spine and under my arms, my face burning with a mixture of fear, anger and relief. Right now I wasn’t sure which one was uppermost and I didn’t care. All I cared about was getting out of that lift. The floor number shone in the digital window, the movement stopped and the doors opened. I pushed myself out of them and headed towards the women’s bathroom, ignoring Finn calling my name.
When I returned to my office, Finn was nowhere to be seen. I noticed his rucksack had gone and I had no idea where to start with regards to the emotions that were flowing through my body. So I did what I always did when life threw unexpected balls at me, I got to work. Something I should have done the night that I found out I’d lost the dig to Friedrich instead of going out and getting plastered. And that, I decided, was the plan I needed to stick to.
I woke up my screen and checked my phone. Several emails about the exhibition to deal with. Good. That would keep me occupied. There was also a message from Finn.
Elizabeth. I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were claustrophobic. I was acting on instinct because I needed to talk to you and I didn’t stop to think. I was hoping to apologise in person but I’ve been called to a meeting on the other side of town and won’t be done until later. Again, I’m sorry. I never meant to frighten you. Hurting you is the last thing in the world I’d ever want to do.
See? Just as I steeled myself to ensure all our interactions were devoid of emotion, he steps in with his size thirteens and ruins it all by sending a sensitive, caring message. But no matter. This was it. I didn’t need complications in my life. I’d made a mistake with Finn once before but I’d moved on and what or who he did was up to him. I had a goal to achieve. Friedrich had snatched it out of my hands this time but I was going to find a new project and it was going to be my team and my name on the papers. I’d worked for this as long as I could remember and I wasn’t about to be distracted by a six foot five solid block of muscle with a face and body modelled by angels. Been there, done that. Moving on.
It was nights like this I loved being tucked inside my house. Outside the rain was streaking the windows, blown almost horizontal by the wind that was howling down the mews. I jumped as the doorbell sounded, looked down at my dinosaur pyjamas and sighed. Perhaps if I ignored it, they’d go away. Thebell sounded again. I put down my book, pushed myself up from the comfy chair and plodded towards the door. Unlocking the bolts, I turned the key and pulled the door open to reveal Finn standing there, thoroughly soaked, raindrops running off his nose and chin. The lusciously thick eyelashes he’d been blessed with were plastered together and served only to highlight intense blue eyes which were serious beneath dark, frowning brows.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘My meeting just finished and I wanted to make sure you were OK.’
‘I’m fine, Finn. You didn’t need to come and check on me.’
‘I wanted to.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I scared you and I’ve felt awful about it all day.’
I drew myself up and attempted to make myself look as tough as it was possible to look dressed in fleecy pyjamas and dressing gown. ‘You didn’t scare me, Finn. You weren’t to know I don’t like enclosed spaces and I got your message apologising. It’s done. Just forget about it.’
‘Right. Yes, I know. I wasn’t thinking and stupidly, I’d assumed from the movies I’d watched about archaeologists that you were all up for crawling through small spaces to unearth treasure.’ He gave an irritated shake of his head, sending raindrops in every direction. ‘I really am sorry though. Again. I’ll see you at work.’
‘You’re right. It’s not an ideal phobia for someone in my line of work. Look, Finn, you’re soaked. Why don’t you come in?’
‘No, I’m OK, but thanks. ’night, Elizabeth.’ With that, he turned and strode across the cobbles of the mews, their shiny surfaces reflecting the soft yellow porch lights of my neighbours. I watched him go before closing the door and returning to my book. Half an hour later, I’d read the same page twelve times,my mind instead drifting back to Finn standing at my door and the almost uncontrollable urge I’d had to drag him inside and kiss away that serious expression, to bring back that smile and hear the deep rumble of his laughter. I’d noticed at the bar he had a protective streak and today’s visit was merely that showing itself again. Either that or he was worried I’d report him for – I don’t know – stopping a lift against the wishes of another occupant. Who knew? Today’s world was crazy and the museum construction job was a prestigious one. The last thing he’d want was a black mark against his name. I tossed the book on the sofa, gave up and went to bed.
7
‘Hi.’
I looked up from the email I was reading on my phone as I walked to my office a few days later to see Finn heading the same way from the direction of the work site. He looked particularly gorgeous this morning with a fresh shave, a pale blue shirt and light tan chinos, topped off with work boots. He took off the hard hat he was wearing and tucked it under his arm.
‘Oh. Hi.’
‘I, erm, I picked this up for you. I thought it might be of help.’
I took the leaflet he proffered and scanned my eyes over it.
‘My brother went there for a fear of flying. It really seemed to do the trick.’
‘Hypnosis?’
‘Worth a shot.’
