‘No idea what he saw in her,’ said Kitty, again quietly. ‘He deserves so much better than Elisabetta Angelsey.’ She shook her head. ‘Anyway, you’ll be lucky enough not to even know who that is, coming from America.’
Bea laughed. ‘You’re right. I have absolutely no idea. Is she famous or something?’
‘Kind of, but also no. She’s mainly a dumb socialite. Best not to know any more.’ Kitty glanced around the bar. ‘Anyway, I should get on, there’s loads to do. You’re on at four, yeah?’
‘I am,’ said Bea. ‘But I can start earlier if you like. Looks like you could do with some help.’
‘Totally up to you,’ said Kitty. ‘I’ll owe you one if you do.’
Bea grabbed her things from the booth and went through to the staff area to change into her work clothes. On the way, she passed Cal’s office, but the thick walnut door blocked any sounds from inside.Probably just as well,Bea thought. She was keen to find out about Cal Butler but wouldn’t want to do that by eavesdropping on his private conversations.
Chapter 17
Cal
Oh, great, thought Cal. His newest member of staff witnessing the wonder that is Elisabetta, on her second day on the job. Not exactly the way to impress your employees. Although why it mattered what they thought of his personal life, Cal wasn’t sure. He wasn’t especially bothered what Kitty’s or Zack’s opinion was of his relationship with Elisabetta. He’d kept it to himself, never talked about it, and that was it.
But something was bothering him today about Elisabetta turning up like this at the same time as Bea arriving early for her shift. What was it? That she would think he brought relationship baggage to work? That he’d appeared ruffled and out of control? That Bea thought he associated with demanding and vacuous women? Probably all those things. Bea should see him as the consummate professional, her in-control boss, and now it looked like he let his private and personal lives mix, like some sort of curdled cocktail. One that, instead of giving you a good buzz, made you queasy and never want to go near it again.
Elisabetta appearing unexpectedly irked him. He’d called her numerous times and she hadn’t returned any of his calls. But now she chose to pop up at his workplace. If she wanted to air her laundry inherworkplace – the internet – that was her choice, but he liked to keep his personal life out of the bar.
‘What’re you doing here?’ Cal asked after he’d closed his office door and was certain nobody else could hear. Elisabetta was sitting on the chesterfield; he was leaning against his desk facing her.
‘I think you know why,’ Elisabetta said pointedly. ‘I’m sure you’ve seen the messages I’ve tagged you in.’
‘I’ve seen them.’
‘And you didn’t think to reply?’
‘Sorry, I didn’t realise that by tagging me in something that the entire world can read, it counts as a personal message. Were you expecting a response on your timeline or maybe a Tik Tok? I called you, Betta. So many times. I prefer to communicate using this.’ Cal pointed to his mouth.
‘There’s no need to get sarcastic, Cal.’ Elisabetta sounded a little choked; Cal was sure she was faking it. ‘Although it always was one of your strongest points.’
‘Aye, well, I can’t help it when I’m placed in some of the most ridiculous scenarios. So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?’ Cal refused to say the word ‘baby’. Elisabetta would need to be the first to say it. She’d been able to say it to the universe via the internet so far.
‘I’m having a baby,’ Elisabetta finally said.
Cal restrained himself from the impulse to feign surprise. More sarcasm would not help this situation. Playing the game the right way was important for getting straight answers. After all, keeping quiet on social mediahad led to Elisabetta being forced to come here to see him in person for his reaction.
‘I’m aware,’ Cal said cooly.
‘And you might be the father.’
‘Might? Okay.’ This was news. Elisabetta was playing it as if she knew exactly who the father was but didn’t want to reveal it to the public so she could string along all potential dads as long as possible. But could it be that she didn’t know herself?
‘Yes, well, Cal, you need to understand that when we broke up – when you broke it off – I was heartbroken. And I did momentarily turn to someone else to help pick up the pieces.’
‘Right.’ Cal refrained from commenting that being so heartbroken shouldn’t have meant forgetting to ask the guy to wear protection.
‘And the dates…’ Elisabetta continued. ‘Well, I’m 80 per cent sure the baby is yours, but it could also be Tobermory’s and?—’
‘Tobermory! You slept with a guy called Tobermory?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is he named after the whisky or the womble?’
‘After the place, Cal. It’s a family name.’
