There was also the dirty weekend away I’d booked for us in Brighton next week, though I feel a bit of a tit for passing that off as a birthday present ’cause it’s as much a gift for me as it is for Chastity.
Good times ahead.
‘Who does the car belong to?’ Chastity asks.
The morning is grey, the sky full of the kind of clouds you know promise a drenching. I click the fob and open the passenger door for her, ignoring the wanker, I mean,caterer, Tate, watching from the other side of the road.Hands off, mate.
‘The car? It’s mine, babe.’A Jaguar XJ.‘I had the F-Type before this one. When Rafferty, my brother, visited London last year, he refused to get in it. That was a pretty good incentive to keep it, but I got tired of only having two seats.’ I kiss her, just one brush of my lips against hers. Maybe it’s an arsehole move, like a dog pissing on his favourite tree, but I reckon that’s okay as I really want to kiss her, too.
She slides in to the car, knees together like the lady she is, still looking a little confused as I close the door behind her. Not confused about the kiss—thatmade her smile. It’s probably the fact that I own both a high-end car and bike.European manufactured and expensive.But there’s time enough to explain these things. It’s not like I’m a total rev head or a wastrel. I just like nice things, including quality vehicles. But at the end of the day, they’re just a means of getting from A to B, and with London traffic, you usually stay between those two points for far too long. So the way I look at it, I may as well be hanging around in style and comfort.
‘Go on, belt up.’
‘I thought you had a motorbike.’
‘I do. You’ve seen it.’ As I start the engine, I turn to look at her.My girlfriend.The mother of my future offspring. My future wife, if I’ve got anything to do with it.I can’t believe I get to see this woman naked whenever I want. Within reason, of course.‘You know I don’t catch the bus carrying that helmet, don’t you?’
When she smiles, I smile. When she giggles, it feels like a contact high or something. I pull out into the road feeling like a fucking king.
We go to Camilla’s London bolt-hole, aka her apartment and escape from the bucolic boredom of her country house. Charity ducks in and picks up clean clothes before we head over to the hospital.
‘Cam, it’s overcast out there. It’s going to rain.’ Chastity sighs with an air of long suffering. ‘There really is no need for sunglasses.’
In answer, Camilla swirls her Burberry poncho thing over her shoulder, catching me in the face with the fringe.
‘Don’t worry, darling, it’s cashmere,’ she says by way of apology. ‘Now, lead on, Charlie, get me out of this godforsaken place.’
Chastity smiles apologetically at the ward sister, taking the notes for the GP and further appointment cards that Camilla appears to have no intention of taking. She begins jogging along behind her aunt.
‘Must be the trauma,’ I say as I pick up her abandoned bag.
‘Hmm. I expect so,’ replies the ward sister with barely a smile herself.
Once restored to her rightful place, Chastity fusses over her aunt. I’m beginning to wonder why Camilla is her favourite, to be honest. She seems a bit of pain in the arse.
‘I’m sure you must have other things to attend,’ Cam insists. ‘I’ve called Doctor Randolph and he’ll be here this afternoon to discuss this hellish experience.’
‘It could’ve been much worse,’ Chastity replies sternly.
‘Yes, the ambulance could’ve taken me to that awful place. You know; what’s the name of that hospital again?’
‘You know fine well that’s not what I mean. You gave me an awful fright, Cam. You have to take better care of yourself. For youandfor me!’
For the first time today, Camilla looks chastened as she takes her niece in her arms. ‘There now. There’s no need to be upset. You aren’t getting rid of me quite yet. I have the last of your uncle’s wine cellar to deplete before I pop off this mortal coil.’
‘Cam!’
‘It was a joke. You know I’m living until at least one hundred and fifteen. I’ve too many things to do. Off you go now,’ she says, turning Chastity in the direction of the door. ‘I’m sure you have lots of naughty things to get caught up on at work. And thank you, Flynn, for taking care of my favourite niece.’
‘Your only niece,’ Chastity grumbles.
‘Semantics,’ she replies with a vague wave of her hand. ‘Can we expect to see you around more?’
‘Absolutely,’ I say with a grin. ‘I’m almost part of the furniture now.’
~*~
‘I didn’t think you were coming in today.’ Keir barely looks up from his laptop as I throw myself onto the leather sofa in his office. ‘I tried to ring you earlier.’
