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.

Ben’s voice is also cool. “What’s happening

getting the ground-works set out

Charlotte got to

as you know, a trainee. She’s going to be spending time with the surveyors over the

“No,

on our

behind Charlotte, his hand resting in the small

you know. He behaves as though

the hell do

for a change of subject. “I’ve got to get some work

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

*****

a conversation, but he’s not interested. Bolting down

call. It’s my sister, Erin, sobbing

“Hey, Sis, what’s wrong?”

thought he was going to propose,

down. Who’s dumped you?

to talk to me. I thought he was going to ask me to marry him, but instead, he said he

Erin, I’m sorry. You really liked him didn’t

take? First, it was Dominic, then Ashley, and now Rob. I always think

*****

evening, meeting Ben on the beach, he jogs up to me smiling, his mood obviously much improved, but his face falls as he draws close. “Something

phone call I got