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‘What makes you think that?’ Charlie bounced a rubber ball against the wall as he lounged back in his chair. It hit the floor, hit the wall and returned to him in a perfect arc.
He’d learnt a long time ago to tune out during one of his father’s phone calls. Don’t react, don’t supply him with any ammunition—just say yes and no and give noncommittal grunts in the right places and get the hell off the line as fast as possible.
‘You missed Sunday lunch. Your mother was most upset.’
Charlie smiled. Playing hookey was the only thing that had improved his mood over the weekend. It had given him a brief respite from thoughts of Carrie. ‘Sorry.’
Carrie dropped her hand and leaned closer. No, she thought, there was too much of an echo. Charlie must have him on speakerphone.
‘You know she has an illegitimate child? That’s not really something we encourage in the Wentworth family.’
Carrie blinked. Illegitimate? Did anyone seriously use that word any more? Did anyone seriously care any more? She was beginning to see why Charlie and his father didn’t get on.
Charlie grimaced. Pompous ass. He was doing exactly what Charlie had known he’d do. Stick his nose into Carrie’s background to check out her pedigree. ‘She’s a friend, Dad, that’s all.’ Bounce. Bounce.
Carrie sucked in a breath. She was surprised how much Charlie’s dismissal of their relationship hurt. It shouldn’t, that’s what they’d agreed, after all. She should be happy that he was trying to stick to their deal. But the deal had come before her revelation. She knew now she could never just be friends with Charlie Wentworth.
‘You know Veronica was asking after you the other day?’
Carrie swallowed. She should stop. This was a private conversation and none of her business. But, try as she may, she couldn’t drag herself away.
‘Oh, yes?’ Charlie stifled a yawn. Bounce. Bounce.
Carrie felt her breath catch in her throat. He was interested?
‘Said she missed you.’
Bounce. Bounce. Charlie rolled his eyes. Hell—kill me now. ‘Really?’ He’d rather go without sex for another year.
Carrie swallowed. He was interested. There was a pain in her chest. He wanted his ex back?
‘Play your cards right and I’m sure she’d take you back.’
‘Really?’ Charlie said distractedly. Thoughts of sex had reminded him of how he had peeled Carrie’s clothes off with his teeth last weekend. Bounce. Bounce.
Carrie ordered herself to breathe. Which she did. She ordered herself to move. Which she did not. The conversation was horribly fascinating—like a motorway smash, gruesome but compelling.
‘What is that infernal noise, Charles?’
Charlie had had just about enough of the conversation. ‘Someone knocking at my door.’ I do work, Daddy, Dearest. ‘My first appointment for the day. I’d better go.’ Bounce. Bounce.
‘So you’ll apply for that surgical position, then?’
‘No.’ Charlie ended the call, pleased to have it over and done with. He checked his watch as he rose from his desk. Carrie was late. Maybe if he lurked by his doorway he could lure her inside.
He opened his door and jumped as he came face to face with her. The look on her face told him she had heard everything.
‘Hi,’ he said.
‘Hi.’
‘You heard that, didn’t you?’
Carrie nodded.
Charlie couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Her gaze seemed blank. She looked kind of frozen. That wasn’t good. ‘It probably didn’t sound too good from your side of the door.’
He reached out to touch her, to tell her it wasn’t what she’d thought, but she drew back.
Carrie felt her brain power up. ‘No…it’s fine. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been listening. It was none of my business.’
It was good that she’d overheard. To know that he hadn’t really got over his ex-wife. It made the conversation they had to have easier. It made their parting easier. And it didn’t matter that her heart was breaking. It was better to know now where she really stood in his life. Before she had too long to get used to loving him. Better to know before Dana got involved, too.
‘Let me explain,’ he said, taking another step towards her.
‘Charlie, really,’ Carrie said briskly. ‘This is unimportant. There’s something much more pressing I need to discuss with you.’ She turned on her heel and headed straight for the staffroom, placing her laptop on the table.
She paced while she waited for him. She hummed a nursery rhyme in her head, determined not to think about the conversation she’d just overheard. About her fledgling love being well and truly flattened. She had to get through this. Afterwards she could fall apart. She could cry and rail against the fates. Right now she had work to do.
