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“I don’t know, ask yoursolicitor.”
“I’ve emailed her. I just want it all over and done with, to be honest. I’m going to call an estate agent tomorrow and get it valued, then see where to go from there. Maybe it is time for achange.”
“That offer of joining me on a holiday is still open,” hesaid.
“I’d love to, but you know I can’t. I have to get down and see Mum at some point soon. And my boss isn’t overly generous with holiday leave,” I said with awink.
“Since I’m not about to be the boss anymore, you never know what the terms of the new one willbe.”
“Are you happy about sellingout?”
“I was, now I’m not so sure, but I signed the contract so I don’t think there’s any backing out. I can’t turn down the money, it would be a risk to continue for another ten years, so I have to make myselfhappy.”
“I think you did the rightthing.”
“I guess it’s time for changes all round,” hesaid.
I smiled and sipped on my coffee. “I told Mackenzie part of the deal was that he had to keep you employed,” Jerrysaid.
“I wish you hadn’t donethat.”
I wanted to fucking thank Jerry, in a not so nice way. Did that mean I was only offered the position of CEO so a deal could be struck? That thought just about topped off myday.
“There were a few people I said I was concerned about, I wanted to make sure you all had jobs after I left. Anyway, I’ll be off. You know where I’ll be if you needme.”
I walked him to the apartment door. “Oh, how did you get through the main door?” Iasked.
“Key code thingy is broken, the door’s open. Although, last time I came here, I just pressed a button, thinking it was your number, said, ‘it’s me’ and they opened thedoor.”
“Great. I’ll get on to someone tomorrow. So much forsecurity.”
Jerry left and I washed up the two cups. I made myself a snack, not having much appetite and fired up my laptop. I opened my emails to check on what I’d missed. My fingers hovered over one from Mackenzie sent the previousday.
You know what infuriates me? You ignoring me. I’ve tried calling. I’ve texted. Your phone is switched off. I gave you an opportunity to experience something you said you wanted. And I fucking hate having to explain myself in an email. I do face-to-face, Lauren. If we have a problem, we sit and talk about it. I can’t begin to understand what’s going on because you’re not talking. I’m not going to apologise for that night, it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The ball is in your court now. You know where Iam.
Mackenzie
The first emotion I experienced was anger. I bristled at his words. But then I reread. I hadn’t explained why I’d run because I wasn’t sure how. He’d left it open for me to contact him, but I guessed he’d also made it clear he wasn’t chasing after me. I didn’t want him to either. He was a man ten years older than me, a very worldly man, I imagined. I thought I was mature enough, but maybe my life had been more sheltered than I believed. I scrolled through the internal email contact list, hoping I’d see the addition of Gabriella. When I did I sent her amessage.
Sorry for the message, but I wondered if you could let me know when Mackenzie isback?
She replied from herphone.
He arrived home this afternoon; I’ve just left him. He took an earlier flight, cancelled his last meeting. Are youokay?
I replied just letting her know I thought I’d caught a bug but everything was okayotherwise.
I rushed from the room and dragged a brush through my hair. I grabbed a jacket and my handbag then left the apartment. I flagged down a taxi and then froze when I was asked where I wanted togo.
“Oh, fuck, address! It’s a gated community on HampsteadHeath.”
“You want tocheck?”
“No, I can call when we getcloser.”
I checked my watch, although only six o’clock I wondered if he’d be busy with dinner. Nearly an hour later the taxi crawled along the boundary road to theheath.
“There,” Isaid.
