“If he made you an offer you would give us the opportunity to offer a comparable deal I hope.” Jack smiled, although it looked slightly unnatural. “Your input really did secure the Brooker deal.”
Steph nodded. “Of course. I would come and speak to you if an offer was made to me from any other company, not just Brookers, but Mr Brooker has made no indication of any offer. I am just liaising between them and us and I am based in their legal department rather than their accounting department.”
“Good. We really do value you, Steph, and you could go far here, especially if you keep bringing in clients like Brooker. Has he indicated how long he’d like to keep you over there, Mr Brooker?”
“Not really, but ongoing which is why it’s stipulated in the contract.” She had a horrible feeling that made her feel uncomfortable that somehow she was going to be stuck between her employer, her boss at least and her boyfriend and she was unsure who she was more concerned about getting on the wrong side of.
“Okay. Just between us, I am wondering whether I can substitute you with another accountant from your team, maybe Martin,” mused Jack now.
“I don’t know that Brookers would be too happy with another new face, but you’d need to check the contract and discuss it with Brookers, I suppose,” she acknowledged with what she hoped was a flat, even tone.
“Leave it with me, but this is just between us.” He tapped the side of his nose, confirming this was a secret.
“Of course,” she agreed and meant it because if Baker, Ross and Riley withdrew her support from Brookers and replaced her with Martin then that was between the two companies, not her and Jon. Although she suspected Jon would be less than happy and she had been named in the contract as Brookers liaison.
She had just leftthe tube station and was walking towards Jon’s flat when she received a message from Simon.
Where are you? I am outside your flat again and you are not here, again. I am fed up of running around after you and you know what happens when you mess me around and annoy me. We need to talk
What the hellwas his problem and why couldn’t he just piss off and leave her alone like he had before? She made her way into the building and was relieved to find the lift doors shutting with her inside when a hand appeared making her jump. The door opened to reveal Ade, the blonde guy from the tenth floor.
“Sorry,” he said, then grinned as he realised it was her. “No boyfriend tonight?”
“No,” said Steph unsure whether she should correct his ‘boyfriend’ reference but didn’t. What should she correct it to anyway? “He should already be home.”
“I see. Do you live here with him?”
“No, just a visitor.” She smiled.
“I don’t think he liked us reminiscing the other night.” Ade laughed.
“No, he was fine about it really,” she insisted as the lift stopped at the tenth floor for him.
“This is me, apartment sixty if you ever fancy a cup of tea.” He grinned as he left her alone again while Steph shook her head, relieved when the doors shut.
Knocking on Jon’s door, Steph stood for a few seconds before it was opened.
“Hi, darling, how was your day?” he asked as he kissed her on the lips and hugged her tightly.
Following him inside she saw that his laptop was open on the table. With her hand safely wrapped inside his, he led her to the laptop.
“You didn’t answer my question, how was your day?” he repeated.
“Odd; Jack was in a weird mood and I have just had another text off Simon.” She threw her phone across the table to him.
He looked down at it and shook his head. “What a prat, but not for much longer. Now take a look at these,” he said as he clicked the mouse on his laptop.
“They’re flats,” she said.
“Luxury apartments actually,” he corrected.
“Ooh, sorry. Are you moving?” She was surprised that he hadn’t mentioned moving, especially as he seemed very settled in his current home.
“No, I’m not looking for me.”
“Oh.” The cryptic responses were beginning to confuse her. “Who are you looking for then?”
“You.” He stared at her, his expression as perplexed as she felt as he wondered who else he would be looking for.
