Sebastian just grinned and raised an eyebrow. A trick that irked Daniel but only because he used it himself to the same effect and recognised in it the genetic ability they shared with their father.
‘She’s seeing a married man,’ his words came spitting out with a terseness he’d meant to keep hidden. ‘And no, I don’t approve, however Victorian that makes me sound.’
Silence greeted his words. Daniel turned to see Sebastian’s sceptical, disbelieving face.
‘Seriously? Olivia? I can’t believe that but even if she is, what’s it got to do with you?’ He paused before flashing Daniel a wicked, childish grin, ‘Unless you’re in luurve with her?’
Daniel slapped the steering wheel. ‘I know she’s a big girl... I know she can do what the hell she likes... it just pisses me off. Thought I knew her better. Thought she would be the last person to... you know.’ He scowled. ‘She knew what it was like for us.’
Sebastian groaned. ‘Please tell me you didn’t.’
‘Didn’t what?’ snapped Daniel, wondering why Seb always had to be so damn obtuse.
‘You didn’t go bleating to her about runaway Ma, did you? Christ, I’m surprised she’s ever been friends with you. No wonder you never got to first base with her.’
Daniel stamped his foot on the accelerator and swerved into the fast lane, his jaw tight with concentration. Sometimes his brother didn’t deserve a response. He took everything back. The little shit was shallower than a puddle in the Sahara.
Fifteen minutes passed before Sebastian piped up again. Daniel had tuned out his presence focusing on the drive-time show on Radio 5.
‘So, what’s the deal tonight? Who’s the boss? Emily or Olivia?’
Daniel’s mouth turned down. Good question. Whenever he had spoken to Emily this week he’d had an earful of her woes. He sympathised to an extent, he could understand that Emily felt disappointed that she hadn’t got the promotion and felt she’d been a victim of office politics, but, he sighed out loud, after a while you just had to get on with it.
‘Whatever you do, don’t make a big deal of it. Emily’s still a bit sore that Olivia got promoted instead of her. Officially Olivia is the boss... and God knows she’s good at the organisation stuff, I saw the brief she sent over for you, talk about detailed! Just don’t let either of them down or I’ll never hear the end of it.Emily’s desperate to make a good impression with this Miranda woman.’
‘Shouldn’t be a problem. Miranda’s hot... high maintenance, but I can handle that.’
‘So’s Olivia these days.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, sounds like the promotion... has gone to her head a bit.’ Daniel shrugged. ‘Been giving Emily a really hard time at work. Undermining her, giving orders. And then at home, she’s been a bit of a cow, borrowing Emily’s stuff without asking. Emily says the promotion has completely gone to her head.’
Sebastian shrugged. ‘And again... it’s not your problem. You’ve got too much of a damsel-in-distress complex. Want to rescue them all. You want to look after Emily. Rescue Olivia from herself. You need to ease back, mate.’
Daniel glared at him, knowing he was probably right.
Sebastian gave him a rueful smile. ‘But... I know you. Why don’t you just talk to Olivia? Say something to her. Com-muuun-iiicate. Talk to her.’ He held up his hands in speech marks. ‘Tell her you think she’s bang out of order.’
‘I want to. Feel I ought to, except I’m not supposed to know.’ Even as he said it, Daniel felt like kicking himself. He sounded pathetic.
With a curl of his lips, Sebastian said, ‘Tough shit. You do know. You either say something or stop whingeing.’
‘Put up or shut up,’ said Daniel with a wry smile.
‘That’s about the size of it.’
‘You know, for a total idiot, you occasionally talk sense.’
He would talk to Olivia. The first chance he got. Have a chat with her. Hell, he had nothing to lose.
* * *
‘Emily. Stop it,’ I said, giggling.
‘Can’t help it. It’s so exciting. Everyone thinks we’re famous. Shall I wind down the window and wave?’
‘Don’t you dare,’ I said. Even though I was trying to be blasé about driving through the West End in a chauffeur-driven car, Emily’s mood was infectious. We were like a pair of overexcited five-year-olds on our way to our first party. Frank, our driver, politely ignored the giggles that erupted every time we caught sight of someone trying to peer in the tinted windows.
