Mr Spencer(26)

I smirk. “Deal.”





*



“Hello, this is Charlotte Prescott speaking,” I say into the phone. It’s Monday afternoon, and I’m at my dreary job.

“Okay, you got it. You start next week!” Beth squeals excitedly through the phone.

“What?” I frown.

“I got you a job, and you start on Monday.”

My eyes widen. I glance around guiltily at all the normal, sensible people sitting at their desks. “Back in a minute,” I mouth to Alison before I scurry towards the door.

“Sure, take your time,” Alison says without looking up.

I push through the large glass doors and step into the outside garden area. “What do you mean you got me a job?” I whisper.

“Look, it’s nothing flash. You’re going to be in the admin and mailroom. But it will be easy to do, and the shit jobs are where the fun is normally at, anyway. It’s in the Belconnen Building, so your guards will have no idea you’re not important. That building already has security, so it’s a perfect scenario.”

“You’re serious?” I gasp.

“Completely. I’m coming to get you on Saturday to move you down to London.”

My mouth falls open. “Elizabeth,” I whisper angrily. “I thought you were joking.”

“And I thought you were sick of getting no action,” she hisses right back. “It’s six fucking weeks, Charlotte. Loosen the hell up.”

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “What if I get caught?”

“Then you turn around and come back straight home—no big deal. Your family is not going to disown you for having a working holiday in London.”

“No, I… I mean the new job,” I stammer. “What if I mess it up?”

“Oh, please, you’re probably more qualified than most people in that shitty building. You could be the fucking CEO if you wanted.”

Poor, deluded Elizabeth has such a distorted view of me. She thinks I could rule the damn world. “Beth,” I sigh.

“Don’t Beth me. I’m coming to get you on Saturday, and we’re going out clubbing on that same night. I’m buying you a huge box of condoms, too, because you’re going to fucking need them.”

I put my hand over my eyes. “Oh God.” Nerves swirl deep inside my stomach.

“You want to have fun, Charlotte, and daring to do something different is the first step. You need to call your father and Edward tonight and tell them that you’re working in London for a few days. They need to organise security, and then we’ll just keep extending it so that it doesn’t seem suss.”

“This whole damn thing is suss,” I whisper.

“Oh, and I called the Four Seasons to confirm they have a penthouse that takes up the entire top floor. I booked it out for six weeks. You’ll have to pay on arrival, though.”

I blow air into my cheeks, then blow it back out. “I can’t believe you actually think this is going to work.”

“Do you want to have a holiday from being Charlotte Prescott or not?” she snaps.

I stay silent for a moment before answering. “You know I do.”

“Then stop being such a baby. See you on Saturday.” She hangs up the phone and the line is dead.

I drop into a chair and stare at a tree in the garden for a moment. What the hell did I just agree to?

Edward is going to flip his lid.

The line rings, and my heart is thumping hard. It doesn’t feel right to be lying to my father.

“Hello, my dear Charlotte,” he answers.

I smile at the sound of his voice. I hadn’t realised until now just how much I miss him. “Hi, Dad.”

“How are you? What’s been going on at home? You’re up late, dear. It’s after eleven here.”

“Ah, yes.” I hesitate. Lying to him is going to be harder than I thought. “I just wanted to speak to you and tell you something. I have to go work in London for a few weeks.”

“Why?”

I wince. “There are some things that need to be taken care of in London, and I thought…” I twist the edge of my shirt between my fingers. “I thought now was a good time to go, while you’re away, so I can spend some time with Elizabeth. It’s just for a week or two.”

“Can’t it wait until we get home? I worry about you being in London on your own.”

“I know, Dad.” I bounce my leg as guilt fills me.

“I could come and stay in London with you when I get home, if that’s what you want? I don’t mind.”

“Ah.” Why does he have to be so damn nice all the time? “No. If I go alone then I’ll be home when you get home and we can spend some time together where I don’t have to work.”

He remains silent, and I know I haven’t convinced him yet.

“I’ll take the guards, of course.”

“Have you spoken to them?” he asks cautiously. “It may not suit them to go to London.”

“I have, and they’re both fine to come along. I’ll book them into the room next to mine.”

“I’ll speak to Edward,” he says sharply.

“Dad.” I sigh. “You know Edward won’t want me to go.”