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.

momentarily perplexed, then switches on a cool expression. “Hello, Ben.

also

ground-works set out for

what’s Charlotte got

know, a trainee. She’s going to be spending time with the surveyors over the next few days to learn what their job involves…. I assume you don’t have

“No,

We’ll be on our way,

behind Charlotte, his hand resting

like this you know. He behaves as though he’s the one married

do

a change of subject. “I’ve got to get some work done now,

He looks thoughtful. “Yeah, I’ll see

*****

lunch, Ben is moody and doesn’t speak. I try to start a conversation, but he’s not interested. Bolting down my sandwich, I

It’s my sister, Erin, sobbing

“Hey, Sis, what’s wrong?”

was going to propose, but he dumped

down. Who’s dumped

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

I’m sorry. You really

take, Kirstie? What does it take? First, it was Dominic, then Ashley, and now Rob. I always

*****

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

bit upset by a phone call I got from my sister.