‘That’s strange. Have you got a landline number for him?’
‘He did give me his office number.’
‘Well, try it then,’ Cassie said, almost in exasperation. She reached over the counter and picked up the phone behind the bar. ‘Use this, try it now,’ she urged, putting it in Adira’s hand. ‘Go on!’
‘OK.’ Adira reluctantly looked up Jasper’s office number on her mobile and tapped it into the phone. After a few crackles, it rang. Adira’s chest was pounding. She looked at Cassie for moral support, who winked and left her to it.
‘Good afternoon. Jasper Hendricks’ office,’ said an efficient female voice.
‘Hello… could I speak to Jasper please?’
‘May I ask who’s calling please?’
‘Adira. Adira Summers.’
‘I’m sorry, Mr Hendricks isn’t in the office at the moment.’
‘Oh… could you tell him I’ve rung please?’
‘Certainly. He’s taken his girlfriend out for lunch and won’t be returning for the day, but I’ll tell him tomorrow when he’s next in,’ the proficient voice told her. Adira felt like she’d been punched in the stomach.
‘Thank you,’ she choked and put the phone down. Her head felt dizzy, and she gripped the bar to steady herself.
Zara smiled spitefully. One last parting shot before leaving his office. Served him right – and her, the common hussy. After being summonsed into Abbas’s office and told of her imminent move, she was past caring. Zara knew she couldn’t possibly be dismissed, just moved on, which is what she wanted in any event. If Jasper couldn’t see what a fantastic catch she was, more fool him.
Then another malicious thought crept into her mind, one which made her smirk with glee. Little did Jasper know, but she still had access to his apartment. She’d had another key cut to his front door, and she knew when the cleaners came. As before, she’d pretend to live there and simply wait to follow another resident through the corridor. As long as she acted confident and self-assured, they wouldn’t question her. She had managed it last time without a problem, so why not again? Jasper was in a meeting and would be for some time. If she was going to do it, she had to do it now. Well, what had she to lose?
Chapter 37
Fletcher was restless. It bothered him to hear Jasper downhearted. Reading between the lines, he knew all wasn’t well with the lad, despite trying to sound upbeat about his job. Whilst he was glad to hear all was on track professionally and he’d be back in a fortnight, Fletcher knew that Jasper’s personal life wasn’t quite so rosy. Once again, he felt the compulsion to intervene. What was it with these youngsters? He shook his head in despair. Just then, he heard the door slam, and Lilly called out.
‘Fletcher, are you ready?’
‘Yes!’ he called back. He was due another physiotherapy session.
Lilly came into the drawing room.
‘What time is Tin-Tin coming?’ Fletcher asked.
‘You know perfectly well his name is Tarquin,’ chided Lilly, ‘and he’ll be here any minute.’
Fletcher smiled to himself. He rather enjoyed his time with Tarquin. The banter between the two had grown and often Lilly could hear either Tarquin’s high-pitched shrieks, or Fletcher’s low, rumbling laughter coming from the room. She was pleased he’d taken to the treatment so well and had noticed a change in his mood. No longer was he moping about the place, pining for Jasper, but he seemed more upbeat. He obviously wasn’t in as much pain now either, which could only help. Plus, having Adira back had also brightened him up.
Lilly was also pleased Adira had returned; she was glad of the female company. She was expecting to see her at some point that day, after she’d asked to use the washing machine.
The front doorbell rang.
‘That’ll be Tin-Tin,’ Fletcher grinned, rubbing his hands together. ‘I wonder what he’ll have in store for me today.’
‘Stop calling him that,’ Lilly scolded lightly and went to answer the door.
As predicted, the rest of the morning was filled with good humour as Fletcher, who was making steady progress, managed to complete all the exercises Tarquin set him.
Adira’s morning had been busy too. She was tired and the last thing she had wanted to hear was her alarm. Sighing, she’d pulled back the bedcovers to turn it off when she saw it.
One missed call.
From Jasper.
