‘Figured it was payback time,’ I say with a smile that belies how on edge I’m feeling.
‘I gave you three weeks’ notice,’ he says weakly, his lips tilting up with the faintest traces of amusement as he joins me on the top step and presses the intercom with his free left hand.
The crackly voice comes over the speakerphone again. ‘Hello? Sorry, what was your name?’
‘It’s all right, Neal, I’ve got her,’ Alex speaks into the receiver. ‘Can you buzz us in?’ He drops his hand and pulls the door open when it clicks. ‘My partner,’ he explains, holding the door back for me. ‘You coming in?’
‘If I’m allowed.’ I raise an eyebrow.
‘Yeah, I just wish you’d called: I would’ve got another coffee.’
‘I prefer tea, anyway.’
He flashes me a proper smile and presses the button for the lift. ‘We’re on the top floor.’
‘When did you decide to start your own business?’ I ask as the doors close behind us. I decide to try breathing through my mouth.
‘I’ve always wanted to,’ he says. ‘But it’s hard to turn away a decent salary.’
‘How’s it going?’
‘Really well.’ He nods. ‘Better than I could’ve hoped, to be honest.’
His black hair is shorter on top now, but a bit longer all over, curling at the nape of his neck. It’s a little scruffy, but it suits him.
‘What made you decide to leave Tetlan?’ I ask.
‘Nothing bad. I just felt like something needed to change. I’d been a bit stuck in a rut.’
‘I know what you mean,’ I say wryly.
‘You not happy?’
‘My new boss is a bit of a nightmare.’
‘I’ve heard that about her,’ he comments.
‘If her reputation precedes her, why do management promote people who can’t cut it?’ This annoys me immensely.
‘Who knows? Politics of a big company. Can’t say I miss it, even if I did like it while I was there.’
His new office is small but stylish, with big windows and far-reaching views across Camden to central London beyond. A slightly dishevelled-looking Neal jumps up to say hi, giving my hand a firm shake and taking his coffee from Alex with the enthusiasm of a caffeine addict. I find out that their business consists of just the two of them right now, but they’re hoping to employ more staff. They’ve got more work than they can manage, but they know all too well that things could slow down again.
‘How long have you got?’ Alex asks me when Neal takes a call on his mobile.
‘I’ve got to be at Rachel’s at seven,’ I say.
‘In Golders Green?’
‘Yeah.’
I shouldn’t be surprised he remembers where Rachel lives – he always was good at stuff like that.
‘That’s hours away. Do you want to get a drink?’ he asks.
I nod at the coffee he still hasn’t touched. ‘You’ve got one.’
‘No, I mean a proper drink.’
