One
Steph was just pulling into her parking space having spent another half an hour in the bathroom at work, then another half an hour parked round the corner where she had succumb to more tears, and then had driven to the park near her childhood home and sat on the bench she’d so often shared with her mum for at least an hour. Remembering that her phone was still on silent she fished it from her bag to see she had messages queueing. The first one was from Rosie.
Hope u r feeling a bit better about things. These things do have a way of sorting themselves out. Chin up. X
Steph quickly replied.
Thank you for messaging and today. X
Then she saw five messages from Jon, seven missed calls and three voicemails.
The first text was timed just after she had left his office before Lucy appeared. She smiled when she realised he had regretted how things had turned out between them as much as she had.
We need to talk. I think we both reacted badly to each other. Jon x
The second and third were while she was still in the ladies, but presumably after Lucy had left.
Darling I get that you are probably still mad with me, maybe madder now. But I need to speak to you. Call me. Jon x
Please call me. I can’t find you. Jon x
Then the fourth and fifth.
This is becoming silly, I have tried calling you several times now and you appear to be ignoring me. So how are we supposed to sort this out? Jon x
Call me now, assuming you want to resolve things. Jon x
She listened to the voice mails that reinforced his text messages except the fourth one.
“Steph will you please contact me? This is childish . . . unless you can’t respond. Shit!” Then the message ended.
She smiled that he sounded really worried about her when he possibly thought she may have been involved in an accident or had some kind of mishap. That seemed slightly warped that she was pleased that he sounded so concerned for her safety. He was right, although the situation wasn’t silly, their current dealing of it was. She hit the reply button and composed her message thoughtfully.
Sorry phone was on silent still. I am able to respond. I am very tired so think I may just have a bath and an early night. I am sorry how things turned out this afternoon. It is not how I anticipated the day ending. I hate rowing with you, proper rowing. Maybe we can talk tomorrow or Friday as I am likely to cry like a big girl if we talk tonight, sorry. Lucy seems lovely, although I would rather I hadn’t met her properly. Now she is real and I am unsure how that makes me feel beyond insecure. Steph x
I don’t think this was the end to the day either of us had anticipated, but early night may be a good idea. I do want to talk to you, but don’t want to make you cry, even if I already have, sorry. I hate proper rowing too. We will talk tomorrow then, after work. I have prior commitments tonight and have been forced to attend some charity dinner but will have my phone with me if you want/need to contact me. Forget about Lucy for now, she is not as real as you think and there is no reason for you to feel insecure. Jon x
She reread his message and was unclear what half of it meant but assumed that he would be attending the charity dinner with his wife. That word alone was enough to make her feel like crying again, that and theprior commitment, but she didn’t, she replied to his message.
I have just remembered that I am going to see Lindsay tomorrow night to find our girly holiday destination. Steph x
Of course. I have agreed to meet with Charlie but you could come back here afterwards, if you want to. I really would like that. Jon x
With a small smile that he wasn’t insisting or just assuming that she’d see him the following night she sent a final text and hoped it came across without any inferences or barbed edges.
Ok. C u tomorrow, have a good night. Steph x
Ok. Night will be boring and long without you. But darling, you are going to have to hear what I need to say eventually Jon x
Gazing down at his final message and rereading it for the third or fourth time she was in no doubt that she was being served notice on her refusal to talk or listen about his wife.
After a restless night’ssleep she woke with a fuzzy head, but as she waited for the kettle to boil after she’d showered she grinned down at her phone as she saw a message from Jon.
Morning darling, hope you slept well. I can’t wait to see you later. Jon x
Good morning, I am looking forward to seeing you too. Steph x
She arrived for work early and as she entered legal was glad she had gone for a more sombre look of a plain black trousersuit with a soft grey blouse and matching heels of just two inches. If nothing else it matched her mood, but it was more than that. This type of outfit made her feel safe, as though the plain simplicity of it allowed her to blend into the background and right now, the background, out of sight seemed like the best place in the world. She headed towards Steve’s office and was met by his P.A. Hannah.
