*****

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.

cool expression. “Hello, Ben. Charlotte and I just going

voice is also

getting the ground-works set out for the new retail

got to

“Charlotte is, as you know, a trainee. She’s going to be spending time with the surveyors over the next few days to learn what their

flushes. “No, of course

be on our

follow the pair to the door, James walks behind Charlotte, his hand resting in

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

hell do I say to

of subject. “I’ve got to get

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

*****

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

improve. Mid-afternoon I get a phone call. It’s my sister, Erin, sobbing into the phone

“Hey, Sis, what’s wrong?”

dumped me, Kirstie. I thought he was

Who’s

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

I’m sorry. You really

was Dominic, then Ashley, and now Rob. I always think it’s going

*****

beach, he jogs up to me smiling, his

upset by a phone call I got from my sister. Her fuckwit

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