I didn’t think anything could scare me more than Isla’s operation, but the thought of Dan coming back into my life comes close.
21
2014
It’s mid-September and as the tube rattles to Green Park I think about the past couple of months. Sherwoods was quiet over the summer. The property world always goes to sleep during August. However, in early July we did have the excitement of a bidding war with Sittingbourne Park. Graham, Nadine and I were on tenterhooks as Ward and Lucie reported back after their telephone conversations with each bidder. It was like watching the Grand National, not knowing who was going to fall or cross the line first.
We exchanged on Toad Hall. Mr Callaghan, despite his grumbles, was secretly delighted and sent us a thank-you gnome. ‘You keep it,’ Graham had insisted to Lucie.
‘Oh no, I’d hate to deprive you,’ she’d replied, thrusting it back into his hands. In the end Nadine took it for her garden.
We also exchanged on Mrs Roberts’ house. She sent me a kind thank-you letter, saying how I had made her see sense about letting go of the past. I wish I could be such a wise counsel to my own life.
The atmosphere in our office has definitely improved. It’s a mixture of winning more pitches and settling in with Ward, who has been at Sherwoods for almost six months now. Nadine and Ward get on particularly well, especially since I advised her not to be scared of him. As for Ward and me, after our Thai takeaway that Friday evening we have become friends. He’d listened intently to me talking about Dan, had held his breath when I’d described the escalator moment. ‘He’s lucky you gave him a second chance,’ he said. ‘If someone wrongs me, that’s it.’
I tried to encourage him to stick to his side of the bargain and open up more about his own life and his attitude towards Spencer, but he’d simply reinforced that he and Spencer had had a major falling-out over a work issue. But Jeremy has sown a seed. He’s party to the secret troubling Ward, and I don’t understand why I care so much to find out.
In a way I’m relieved Ward is aware of Isla. Often he asks after her, which is touching. She’s started secondary school in Brook Green, and last week he’d wanted to know how her first day had gone. Her uniform is a black knee-length skirt and a yellow jumper with a yellow-and-red striped tie. We laugh each morning, putting her tie on. Her coordination isn’t the best, her tie always looking tipsy. ‘It’s had a late night out,’ I suggest.
The tube stops at Hyde Park Corner, only one stop to go. My mind drifts back to Ward. Since our Thai, we haven’t had much of a chance to chat again, mainly because of the summer holidays. I took two weeks off and Isla and I visited Lizzie in Greece during August. I met Lizzie’s new boyfriend, Dave, and liked him instantly. He’s kind, fun, loved fooling around with Isla in the sea, but most of all he is besotted with Lizzie, and who can blame him for that? Ward was in Portugal for a fortnight in July. He’d called the office most days, Nadine getting huffy. ‘Stop calling us and spend time with your wife.’
I have also kept my distance. He’s married and I don’t want to blur the lines or become too attached. Who knows how I feel, deep down, for him, but if I’m honest with myself I missed work while I was in Greece, and I wasn’t thinking about brochures. On my last night in Greece, I kissed a Greek god, letting my inhibitions go since I knew I was flying home the next day. I can’t even remember his name; just recall his touch. I enjoyed every single moment dancing with him; I haven’t laughed so much on a holiday in years. Yet I am aware Ward crept into my thoughts. He shouldn’t have done, but he did.
Graham coughs as he takes a seat at the boardroom table. Lucie and I stare at him, waiting.
‘Air pollution,’ he says, finally.
Ward taps some keys on his laptop. ‘Let’s crack on. Looks like we’re on track to sell Broadhurst. Graham?’ Despite Spencer possibly seeing Graham’s letter to the divorcing couple, with his valuation of the property, thankfully they have decided to go with us.
‘Under offer.’
We all wait for a comment about the owner’s scones, but nothing. ‘Great. Keep me posted,’ Ward says. ‘Sutton Park House?’
‘Under offer,’ Graham says again.
‘Survey?’
‘Today.’
We wait, hopefully, for a guess from Graham on what might go wrong in the survey.
Ward scrolls down the list of properties. ‘Uley Manor, Gloucestershire?’
‘Twelve thirty,’ I tell him.
‘And you’re coming with me, January.’
I sit up. ‘What? I am?’
‘About time you came on a pitch.’
‘But I’ve got so much to do.’ I’m sensing Lucie’s surprise too. Not once did Jeremy take me on a pitch.
‘Everyone needs to get out of the office,’ Ward says.
‘Can I come?’ Nadine totters in with a tray of coffee and biscuits. ‘I’ll get me coat.’
‘Yes! Nadine can go,’ I suggest.
