She didn’t want to worry him, but there was no easy way to say this. “I, uh, got dropped a few doors down from my place,” she said carefully. “I didn’t want Neil to know where I lived.”
“Good. There’s something about that man I didn’t trust.”
With good reason, it turned out.
“Are you sure you’re safe?” he persisted.
“One hundred percent.” She nodded to Carlos, the Mexican Australian who lived across the street, out as he usually was at this time of night, walking his bull mastiff, Bruno.
“So, things didn’t go so well?” Jordan asked as she turned into the path leading to her block of flats.
“Look, I think it is fair to say, there were some misunderstandings. On his part, anyway.”
He chuckled.
“What?”
“Let me guess. You soon put him right, and he didn’t appreciate it.”
“That’s pretty accurate.” She hooked her handbag under her arm and withdrew her key, inserting it into the front door. “Can I call you back in a minute? I’m just juggling keys and a phone, and I don’t want to drop anything.”
“One minute, okay.”
“Thanks.” She ended the call, then went inside the tiled entryway. The art deco stylings were one of the reasons Aunty Marion had always loved living here. And while having an artistic sister meant EJ now knew the difference between art nouveau and art deco, she still appreciated the flat more for its sleek lines and the room positioning that made the most of the views.
She walked up to her floor and unlocked her door, thankful for the lamp’s timer that meant she came home to a flat that looked cosy and aglow with light. After dropping her bag, she retrieved her phone and snagged a throw from the couch, then wandered to the kitchen, toed off her shoes, and finally sank at the dining table, blanket around her shoulders as the harbour reflections bounced in the dark. Charlie leaped onto her lap, and she was grateful for his calming presence. As she stroked him, her nerves slowly steadied until she could press RETURNCALL.
Jordan answered immediately. “I was about to call you.”
“Look, it’s been a day.”
“You’re all safe now?”
She heaved out a breath. Today had felt insane. She propped her elbow on the table then her head in one hand, and briefly told him about the incident with the thief. “I’m fine now, apart from a sore knee. But thanks for checking in on me.”
“Of course. I’m just glad Neil was there and you’re okay.”
Neil. A shudder rippled through her. She closed her eyes as she realised just how huge a day this had been for Jordan too. He’d come to the city at her request, after his mother’s special day. And not once had she asked about him.
“How was your day?” she finally asked. “Did your mum have a good birthday?”
“I think she had fun.”
“High tea, huh?”
“Your sisters were there too.”
Regret kneaded that she hadn’t been there too. Once upon a time, she liked nothing more than having high tea with her mum and sisters. And while she’d visited many high tea venues across the city, few possessed the charm of The Silver Teapot Café. Maybe because she could always feel the love there.
Oh, it would’ve been so much nicer to be there than at the sleek city bistro that felt pretentious and impersonal.
“So, how do you think tonight went?”
She winced. “I think we can count Neil out as a potential investor,” she said, before admitting what had happened, to Jordan’s shock and anger.
“Are you serious? How dare he? Want me to yell at him?”
“I think I did an okay job at telling him what I thought.”
