Choosing Her Lover

*****

The front doors swish open and Ben strides in. “Hi, how’s my favourite girl?”

Calm down….

“Hi, Ben. I’m busy right now. Is it anything particular or just….”

“Just thought I’d drop by to see if you’re free for lunch?”

Should I?

Why not?

“I’m off at one. Is that good for you?”

“Great. I’ll come back then.”

He turns to leave but as he does so, the elevator doors open and Charlotte steps out into the lobby, followed by James. Both are carrying large bags. A fluorescent yellow hard-hat, the kind that might be worn on a building site, peeps from the top of Charlotte’s.

There is something about the way the two move. Although they walk with a distance between them, somehow James’ proprietorial attitude to Charlotte still radiates wide.

Ben’s eyes narrow as he sees them.

“Oh hello, Ben. I didn’t know you were around.” smiles Charlotte. “Are you here to see me for something?”

“No, I just called by to say hello to Kirstie,” he replies. His words are polite, but his eyes are on James and are not friendly.

then switches on a cool expression. “Hello, Ben. Charlotte and

is also

out for the new retail

Charlotte got to do

the surveyors over the next few days to learn what

flushes. “No, of course

We’ll be on

pair to the door, James walks behind Charlotte, his hand resting in the small of her back, in that gesture of

you know. He behaves as

do I

“I’ve got to get some work done now, Ben. See you at

“Yeah, I’ll see you then.” And

*****

start a conversation, but he’s not interested. Bolting down my sandwich, I make my

get a phone call. It’s my sister, Erin, sobbing into

“Hey, Sis, what’s wrong?”

he was going to

Who’s dumped

wanted to talk to me. I thought he was going to ask me to

Erin, I’m sorry. You really

then Ashley, and now Rob. I always think it’s going somewhere and then they

*****

smiling, his mood obviously much improved, but his face

got from my sister. Her fuckwit