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

voice is also

out for the new retail

got to

tilts, lips pressed together. “Charlotte is, as you know, a trainee. She’s going to be spending time with the surveyors over the next few days

“No,

on our way,

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

you know. He

the hell do I say

for a change of subject. “I’ve got to get some work done now, Ben. See you at

He looks thoughtful. “Yeah, I’ll see you then.” And

*****

moody and doesn’t speak. I try to start a conversation, but he’s

phone call. It’s my sister, Erin, sobbing

“Hey, Sis, what’s wrong?”

was going to propose, but he dumped

Who’s dumped you?

me out for a meal and said he wanted to talk to me. I thought he was going to ask me to

sorry. You really liked him

and now Rob. I always think it’s going somewhere and then they all just vanish over

*****

jogs up to me smiling, his mood obviously much improved, but his face falls as he draws close. “Something

by a phone call I got from my sister. Her