“Felicity,” a deep voice comes from behind me.
I jump, spinning, as my calm composure evaporates like water thrown over a volcano. “You!But you missed the flight.”
James is dressed in another tweed suit jacket, beige chinos and a white shirt, a few buttons undone at the top, a whisper of dark hair on show. Although it’s still a smart look, it’s more casual than usual. Wait… Is that the same outfit he had on yesterday? Just without the tie?
He shrugs, unbothered. His face is one of bored confidence, as he says, “I shared the jet with Michael.”
I try not to let it irk me that James got one-on-one time with Michael. I bet he used the time to chew his ear off.
Another thought occurs to me. Is he considering James for the director role too? No, he can’t possibly be. James is an idiot. He’s only interested in money. He doesn’t see the bigger picture at all. Directors need to be able to see the bigger picture… Don’t they?
I feel a sudden urge to stamp my foot. I was already tired. Now I’m irritable too. And still hungry.
“Yes, it was the perfect opportunity to discuss business ideas and my potential promotion,” he says, giving me a knowing look, his eyebrows lifting. Well, damn. Why hadn’t I even considered James would be in the running for director too?
But, of course he would. He’s always trying to find ways to slither into Michael’s schedule. And his ideas! His stupid bloody ideas! They’ve been more frequent recently. I should’ve seen this coming.
Michael never said there were two of us in the running… This changes everything.
There’s a tingling in one side of my brain and if I don’t turn away from James soon, he’ll catch an eye twitch.
“Where’s Michael and the others anyway?” I demand, peering around the car park, trying not to make eye contact with Gloatman.
But as if saying his name somehow conjured the man, Michael appears to our left. I have to physically catch myself from gasping and stepping backwards.
He softly places his hand on my shoulder and does his magnificent, if slightly creepy, pearly white smile. “My team!”
I give James a look. Wasn’t he with Michael all morning? Surely this isn’t a surprise to either of them.
“Follow me,” Michael says, whooshing past us both towards a beat-up minivan.
Chapter Three
I’d be more concerned if James seemed to know what was going on, but since he’s frowning too, I assume he’s also in the dark. A thankful sign. Not much chatter can have occurred between the two on their way here. Michael, for once, has dressed differently from how he is in the office, in his black jeans and tight-fitting turtleneck.
Michael spins to face us. He claps excitedly, a little bounce in his knees. “We’re going on a secret adventure.” He nods towards the dented white minivan. “I’m borrowing this from the hotel. On you hop.”
“Where are the others?” I ask. “And why aren’t we staying here? This castle looks lovely.”
Michael’s excitable expression doesn’t shift. “No others. Just you two. Don’t worry about the castle. I have better plans. Let’s go!” And with that he practically skips round to the back of the van, motioning for us to follow with our bags.
James peers down at me. He’s at least a foot taller than I am, at my measly five foot three, but he’s relatively lean. Not one of those hulking great big rugby types. I imagine he takes great pride in his image. I’ve heard he does a lot of running alongside weight training. Some of my marketing team go all bashful whenever he’s nearby. It irritates me no end. And anyway, he’s not exactly boyfriend material. After all, there are rumours he sometimes sleeps with customers to get their business.
It wouldn’t surprise me.
“Do you know what’s going on?” he asks in a low voice.
“I thoughtyouwould, consideringyoushared a jet with Michael this morning,” I hiss back. I’m not hiding my annoyance anymore. I’m going to get to the bottom of it at some point. It’s not fair he had one-on-one time, and I was forced to travel alone without even being offered a refreshment.
James holds my stare for a moment as if trying to decide whether I’m being honest or whether to jeer back at me. Instead, he rubs his face, groaning as he strides forwards, handing his large rucksack to Michael, who places it carefully in the boot. Once we’re all in, we’re off again.
Michael drives carefully, calmly. But I can’t enjoy the scenery or the gentle driving as I’m too busy racking my brain for clues. Where the hell is he taking us? I’m a fun person when I want to be. I think… But I don’t like surprises. They play with my emotions. Tease me. And a teased Fliss is a tearful one. God, do I hate and distrust her. Especially around James.
He doesn’t EVER get to see me cry!
The main road we follow initially is long and winding, taking us through small villages and rugged countryside.
After a good hour, I chew on my bottom lip as we turn left onto a narrower road that could be mistaken for a farm track. It’s gravelly and full of potholes, and the weeds are clawing over it as if they’re trying to claim it back to nature. Beyond the sheep wire fencing lining the road, is an incredible backdrop of mountainous Scotland that goes on forever. Below the clear morning sky, lakes, rocky inclines and patches of forest dot the landscape. My jaw drops in awe, my eyes taking it all in.
