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“I’d love some, thanks Josh” I stand in front of the coffee machine wondering how to switch it on. Damien has always had the most fanciest of gadgets for everything. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the finer things in life and have been blessed with good fortune, but I’m a simple kind of guy. Give me a kettle and jar of Douwe Egberts instant gold any day. “Move out of the way I’ll do it.” Chloe nudges me out of the way with her hip. She tuts and shakes her head with a giggle. I sit at the island and watch her use the machine with ease. Chloe chatters on like nothing has happened, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. I’d love to rub them and give her some release. I wouldn’t touch her though, I’d get a punch in the nose if I did. I wish she would let me in. I could definitely make her feel better. “How are feeling Clo?” She gives me a look. Chloe doesn’t like being called Clo. I called it her once and she went mental, I call it her more now, just to annoy her. “I’m ok, I just can’t stop thinking about those kids. And Tyler. My heart hurts thinking about him.” Chloe puts her head in her hands and I automatically go to her to comfort her, I put my hand on her back and gentle rub circles. She doesn’t shrug me off which surprises me. “I’m sorry I shouted at you earlier. I was freaked out by my dream and then shocked to find you holding me. I know you were just trying to help me.” I nod, not saying anything just yet. Still rubbing her back, I’m surprised by her apology if I’m honest.
“The police want to speak to you tomorrow. I told them to come to the office, is that ok with you?” “Yes that’s fine. Do you think they have caught him?”
“I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Hopefully, they will have some leads and have made some progress. Damien will bring you in as I’ve some meetings this morning.” As she looks at me I notice her eyes are glazed over. The sparkle in them has disappeared. Chloe is so beautiful. More than she knows. Her fresh face is dotted with little freckles across her nose and cheeks, she looks younger than her years. Olive skin, dark hair, and a body that looks as if it has been sculpted by the finest of sculptors.
We talk for an hour and drink two cups of strong coffee. I then get ready and leave for work, I have meetings this morning and then the police are coming to speak to Chloe.
Sitting at my desk my mind goes to Chloe. I could have easily lost her yesterday. I need to find this gunman. I have just organised a team of the company’s best men to work with the police and help find him.
“Josh, Mr Graves is here, shall I send him in?”
“Yeah, send him in.” The guy is late, and I hate lateness. If it were someone else, I would have told him I couldn’t see him. But Mr Graves is over from New York and I want to know why. “Mr Graves, please take a seat.” He takes a seat and his two ‘bodyguards’ follow in behind him. I use the term ‘bodyguard’ loosely, they may be big, but they are idiots. In fact, the only way they would be less productive would be if they were the walls they are currently leaning against. “So? To what do I owe the pleasure? Are you on holiday, or is this a business trip?” Mr Graves has a debt-collecting business which we currently work with. He lives and works in New York, this is where our team supports him. His visit to the UK was not scheduled and I don’t like not being kept in the loop. “It’s a family matter actually. My son needs some help. I need your expertise in tracking someone down.”
I get all the information I need and put Mr Graves in touch with the relevant team. I wrap up the meeting as time is ticking and Chloe and the police will be arriving soon.
Chloe
I am waiting outside Josh’s office as his door opens and a man in his 50s walks out with two very large men who look like Lurch from the Addam’s family. The very well-dressed, normal looking man does a double-take as he sees me and comes over. “I don’t believe we’ve met, my name is David Graves, and you are?” He puts his hand out to shake mine. Before I do Josh appears by my side, standing in between me and Mr Graves. “This is Chloe, a very good friend of mine.” Josh’s eyes bore into the side of the mans head. Not that he noticed, his attention was all on me. “A very beautiful name for a very beautiful lady.” The man has a strong American accent.
“You think so? I never really liked it. Although it’s better than my middle name ‘Karen’.” The man looks at me with wide eyes and a strange expression. “I have to disagree Chloe, I also think ‘Karen’ is beautiful.” His eyes haven’t left mine. Wow you’re too old for me mate. This is getting awkward. I can hear Josh’s breathing change. He’s getting angry. I do like angry Josh though, so I decide to humour Mr Graves a little longer. “It was my mother’s name actually. She was very beautiful.” Mr Graves doesn’t have chance to respond to this, Josh taps him on the shoulder and steers him out.
When Josh returns, he’s in a very grumpy mood. I love it when he turns all alpha male.
The police haven’t caught the gun man yet. It has only been 24 hours, but I was hoping they would catch him straight away. The more time goes on the further away he could be. They have got some good images from my video, so they are going to release those today. Hopefully someone will recognise him and know where he is. Annoyingly all the kids have said they can’t give a description of the gunman and don’t want to give evidence. I can’t blame them I suppose, they are all scared. I’m meeting Bella for lunch and some retail therapy. Josh insists on giving me a lift. There’s something on his mind. His face wears a frown and he’s deep in thought. “Have you ever met Mr Graves before Clo?” I roll my eyes. Josh is the only person who calls me Clo. I hate that abbreviation usually, but when Josh says it, I don’t mind. It makes me feel like I’m special to him. Weird I know. “No, not that I know of. Why?” Josh nods thinking. “He seemed very interested in you that’s all. The company may work with him, but I don’t trust him Clo. Just be on your guard if you see him again.”
“Ok, no worries.”
We are outside the restaurant that I’m meeting Bella in. As I get out Josh calls to me. “I’ll come back and pick you up. Just call me when you’re ready.” laughing to myself I give him a wave. He’s not going anywhere. He will be following me and Bella around all day, I know it. He’ll keep his distance though, thinking we don’t know he’s there. Normally I’d confront him about it, but I’m still feeling a little jumpy after yesterday and the police didn’t exactly put me at ease this morning.
Bella’s stood outside the restaurant, Damien stood beside her. I can hear Bella speaking to Damien, her voice is raised. “Honestly, Damien, I’m fine. See look, Chloe’s here now.” These men are so protective, but I am glad it’s over Bella. She deserves to be looked after. I give Bella a big hug. “You can get lost now big guy. She’s safe with me.” I give Damien a playful slap to the chest, and we head into the restaurant.
Bella’s happily talking to me about the salon, but there’s something not right. Bella looks different. Her skin is paler and glowing, her face looks rounder. “Bella?” I interrupt, mid conversation about the new apprentice they’ve just taken on. “You’re pregnant?!”
“What? How did you?” Bella’s shocked expression quickly turns into a big smile, she puts her hands on her cheeks and her eyes fill with tears. I jump out of my seat, pick her up and spin her around kissing her all over her face. “This is amazing news!”
“How did you know?” Bella splutters. “You’re my bestie, I can just tell. I’ve known you my whole life Bella, I have seen you almost every day. I would notice an extra hair on your head.” Bella giggles and lets out a relieved sigh. “I haven’t even told Damien yet. I had planned to tell him last night after his birthday meal.”
“Oh Bella, I’m so sorry I spoiled that for you.”
“You did no such thing Chloe Karen, and don’t you ever think that. Do you think he will happy?”
“Of course he will. He absolutely adores you Bella. And if he isn’t, then we will bring the baby up just you and me.” Bella smiles and squeezes my hand.
“Thanks, love you Chloe.” The waiter comes over to take our order.
“We will have a bottle of champagne please. We are celebrating!”
“Chloe, I can’t drink alcohol.”
“Oh yeah, more for me then. And a jug of water for the pregnant one.”
“SSSHHHH Chloe! I need to tell Damien before anyone else finds out. Damien will be so upset if he finds out he’s not the first to know.”
I am so happy for Bella and what the future holds for us all. I’m going to be Aunty Chloe.
I’m an only child and so is Bella, we have always been very close, she’s the sister I never had, and the closest thing to family I have left now. I was brought up by my grandma, my mum passed away when I was a baby.
We have a lovely afternoon, eating and drinking, well I am the only one doing the drinking. “Tell me Chloe, what is going on with you and Josh?”
