Entering the building, Steph dropped Jon a quick message.
Am at work. We could meet in my office if you want. Steph x
I look forward to it. Give me an hour or so. It’s good to have you back. Jon x
Rosie greeted her warmly as she entered the office and insisted on getting her something to drink.
Sitting behind her desk Steph looked around at the identical floral arrangements around her as Rosie appeared with her coffee and biscuits.
“You’ve lost weight,” her assistant told her with concern as Steph frowned at the biscuits.
“Maybe. What’s with the flowers?” Steph already knew the answer.
“Mr Brooker, in case you came in,” explained Rosie with a blush. “The cards are on them all still.”
Steph got up and collected the cards that when she opened them revealed the same message.
Steph,
I am so, so sorry.
Forgive me. I love you.
Jon x
Steph wasunsure why the simplicity of the message and sentiment affected her so deeply. Where were the witty comments, the references between the flowers and the message and why hadn’t he mentioned them the day before? They were all identical, simple arrangements of white flowers, mainly lilies and a small amount of green foliage.
“Why so many?” asked Steph curiously.
“One each day, even last Saturday and Sunday,” explained Rosie before adding, “Steph, he’s in a mess, nobody can get anywhere near him, except Andrea and even she gets shouted at no matter what she says or does. He is lost without you.”
“Rosie, please, I know, I saw him yesterday. Let’s get on with some work, shall we?”
Rosie shrugged with a sympathetic smile as she left Steph alone to consider her words because she could see that they were both in agony, in pieces and only the other could make them whole again and she did want to be one with him.
She got to her feet and could hear her assistant’s voice but couldn’t quite make out the words until she reached the door where she could clearly hear the voices of Rosie and Jon. With a deep breath of anticipation at what the day was going to bring, Steph opened the door and found Jon facing her and Rosie close behind him.
“Steph, I . . .” started Rosie nervously.
“It’s fine,” Steph told her. “Can you just take messages if anyone calls and can you pull the Richards file please. Oh, and there is a card on your desk for a SuLyn Wright, can you call her and make an appointment for her to come and see me, best make it a full morning or afternoon, whenever is convenient for us both.” Steph was hoping to maintain her professional persona and avoid crying again if only to prevent her face getting any redder and tear stained further, especially in front of Jon in case he interpreted her tears for him as being pitiful, although she wasn’t sure what they were for.
Jon was carrying another arrangement of white flowers, just like the others that filled her office.
“More flowers,” she whispered as she fought the urge to reach up and stroke away the frown and worry lines that now occupied his face that was studying hers.
“Mmm,” was his only response before Steph stepped aside.
She followed him silently, unsure who should speak first and even less sure about what needed to be said.
“Is it cheaper to bring those up yourself?” She regretted it immediately as his face revealed the confusion that her seemingly flippant comment had caused him.
His eyes searched her expression, but still he said nothing, he just placed the floral arrangement down, but on her desk this time.
“I was joking about the flowers being cheaper,” she said feeling obliged to say something to an expressionless Jon.
“I know, darling. Look, Steph, I know yesterday was a lot to take in and I have no clue what we do now, what you want to do.”
“What do you want to do?” She wondered why the truth of the previous day and the ease they’d so freely fallen back into in the playground was missing today.
