“No problem, I’ll sweet talk her until you come out, your brother is also here but didn’t ask for you.”
Pete left Elijah alone, and once Pete was out of earshot, Elijah picked up his mobile and dialled Doug’s number. Doug used to be in the fire service and would be able to provide the answer Elijah needed. It was Elijah’s chance to thank him for making him put in the sprinkler system.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Finishing up the call with Doug, Elijah got the answer he hoped for. He left his office and entered the bar. This time of day was quiet, the lunchtime crowd had gone back to work and just a few stragglers were talking in groups. Looking around to find Elaine, Elijah couldn’t see her anywhere. He gestured to Pete who nodded to the restrooms. Elijah sat on the stool nearest to him and waited for her to return.
He spied Jack coming over to see him. His brother had left a group of men at the bar drinking pints and laughing at something they were all looking at on the TV. He loved his brother, and it didn’t make any difference that they weren’t blood-related. They couldn’t be any different in temperament, possibly why they got on so well and had each other’s backs.
“Good to see you brother,” Jack said to Elijah as he gave him a hug in greeting and squeezed his cheek for good measure.
“Good to see you too, what brings you here in themiddle of the day?” Elijah said rubbing his cheek to remove the pinch he felt.
“I thought I’d entertain these young sales lads as a reward for reaching their quarterly targets,” Jack said.
“Right now I wish I were one of your sales reps, I’m about to have an uncomfortable conversation with Elaine,” Elijah said and grimaced.
“Well she’s on her way over. Does she still like to be choked?” Jack asked.
“How the hell do you know that? Please tell me you haven’t fucked her?” Elijah said and sighed.
“Don’t be ridiculous, of course I haven’t. She can’t resist telling me every time we bump into each other here. She makes my skin crawl,” Jack said.
“Seriously, why is it I’m last to know these things? Plus, I’m not dating her, so you can say anything you like,” Elijah said gleefully.
“That’s because you don’t listen to gossip and you don’t fuck around either,” Jack stated proudly. “I’m going to leave you to it, I don’t want to get caught talking to her. See you at dinner tonight with your date. Just so you know Olivia is beyond excited that you are bringing Lilly.”
“Oh hell, really? You gotta go easy, she’s the one.”
“I know. It’s why we’re excited.”
Jack walked away as Elaine walked towards Elijah as soon as Jack had passed her he turned on his heel and made a choking mime behind her back. Elijah burst out laughing just as Elaine approached.
“What’s so funny Elijah, we have things to discuss, and I need you to be serious.”
“Oh lighten up Elaine, I was laughing at Jack.”
“Oh him? He doesn’t like me, I have no idea why, it’s not like I’ve turned him down.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow at Elaine in question “What do you mean?”
“It’s well-known that your brother is the biggest tart in Edinburgh but he’s never made a move on me.”
“I think that’s more to do with the fact that you were trying to date me or that he has a fiancé.”
“When did that ever stop Jack? Can we stop talking about your brother please and talk about the wall,” Elaine asked.
“Hold on a second, are you angry that he didn’t make a move on you?”
“No, of course not, and don’t be so paranoid,” Elaine said and patted his arm.
“Why would I be paranoid?”
Elaine shifted on the spot and looked decidedly uncomfortable. She looked over to where Jack was but couldn’t get his attention.
“Who knows, can we move this along?”
“No, we can’t, why would I be paranoid Elaine? Tell me. Jack has been with Olivia for quite some time, so your tart remark is uncalled for.”
