‘After being in your house, I have to wonder exactly what you’re acquiring.’
‘Any ideas?’ I ask, folding my arms against the tabletop, intrigued more than suspicious. When a woman wonders what your net worth is, she’s rarely blunt about it. But I don’t think that’s what this is.
‘I’ve narrowed it down to drugs or illegal weapons.’
Ah, this makes more sense. Less self-serving and more self-protecting.
‘Art,’ I answer with a smile. ‘I buy and sell art. I have a gallery in Belgravia. I could show you sometime.’
‘Sounds like a ploy to get me to come and look at your etchings.’
‘Ah, the original Netflix and chill.’ I stroke my chin in an exaggerated fashion. ‘I think we’re a little beyond that.’ She almost chokes on a giggle before waving me on. ‘I’m a mere appreciator of art, but my talent lies in making money from it. I have no etchings to speak of. But I’m happy to show you a few other things.’
‘Things?’ That one word holds such enticement. Such encouragement.
‘Just say the word.’
She sighs softly, essentially pouring cold water on the moment. But that’s okay. In my business, I’m used to playing the long game. There are very few fast returns.
‘I asked because I think our paths might cross from time to time. In the future, I mean.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Even if she is being rather cryptic.
‘And if we’re going to spend time together, I think we should get to know each other better.’
‘I’d like that.’
‘Though I’m sure once you’ve heard all I have to tell, I won’t see you for dust.’
‘I’m made of sterner stuff.’
‘You’re sure you want this from the beginning?’
I pick up the whisky refill and indicate she should go on.
And so she does. She tells me about her arse of a fiancé, her worthless engagement ring, her parents living arrangements and their acrimonious split, and the reasons behind the pet-sitting gigs. For a moment, it’s hard to believe that she’s kept all this to herself. But on the other hand, the moments we’ve spent together have been mostly those of the naked sort. She could’ve told me her life story, and I probably wouldn’t have heard.
Men, eh? What can you do? We don’t have the most sophisticated of software.
‘If you don’t mind me saying so, this ex of yours sounds like a colossal prick.’
‘Agreed. No arguments here.’
‘When someone treats you so despicably, so carelessly, that’s not love. That’s them trying to fix their broken pieces with yours.’
‘For a while, I’d liked to have stabbed him with his broken pieces, but I’m over it.’
‘Over it or over him?’
‘Oh, I’ve been over him for a while. I’m now over the whole experience and moving on. Mainly because I have bigger problems. Issues. Things? Honestly? I don’t know how to categorise any of it.’
‘Perhaps I could help?’
‘And now we get to the pointy end of the stick,’ she mutters, glancing down and straightening the front of her dress with her hand. ‘Because you see, James. I’m pregnant.’
21
James
