Mr Spencer(32)

Thank God. I smile and turn towards the lift.

“We only have an hour until home time. You did great today.” She smiles.

“Thanks.” I sigh.

“Monday is our easy day.”

“This is the easy day?” I frown. “You can’t be serious?”

She giggles. “Yeah, I remember when I first started, I felt like I’d never done a day’s hard labour in my entire life.”

“I can relate,” I mutter as we get into the lift and I push the button.

As we go down, I stare at the doors, thinking about the day I’ve had.

More people talked to me today than ever before. I was normal; one of the crew. People swore in front of me, hassled me, teased me, and asked me out. Veronica told me off three times, but apparently that’s good for her.

I look down at my hands in front of me. They’re dirty and grim. I drop my head and smile. I’m tired, exhausted, and utterly ecstatic with Lottie Preston’s first day of work.

I did the right thing.





*



“Hi, Dad,” I answer the phone.

“Hello, darling. How is my sweet daughter tonight?”

I smile broadly. “Good now that she’s talking to you. What’s happening?”

“Oh, not much, just meetings and whatnot. We’re still in New York. We had a dinner on tonight and I came home early. Edward was talking to a woman, so I snuck out. What’s new with you?”

My heart drops. I wish I could tell him about my exciting first day at work…but I know that I can’t. “Just working at this end, too,” I lie. “William called me today. He’s coming to meet me for lunch tomorrow.” I smile.

“That’s nice. What’s he doing in London?”

“I’m not sure. He said he was here overnight for an appointment.”

“Hmm.” Dad thinks for a moment. “Let’s hope it’s with a good divorce lawyer, shall we?” He chuckles.

“We can dream. One day.” I think for a moment. “Who was Edward talking to?”

“I don’t know. I can’t keep up with him. He dates a different woman every day. She was beautiful, I can tell you that much.”

“Dad, have you ever heard Edward speak of Lara?”

“Why do you ask?” I can tell by his reaction that he must have.

“I just have a hunch that those two may be more than friends.”

“I don’t think so, darling. Edward wouldn’t be interested in her.”

“Hmm.” I sigh, unconvinced.

“Anyway, I’ll let you get to bed. Have fun with William, and I’ll call you tomorrow night.”

“Okay, I love you.”

“I love you, too, dear. Goodnight.”





*



I have to stop myself from running to him when I see William in the restaurant.

Oh, I miss my brother.

I laugh as I hug him. “This is such a pleasant surprise.”

We hug a little bit harder, and I know he has something on his mind. I can feel it.

I fall into my seat. “What are you doing in London?” I smile.

“I could ask you the same thing.” He smirks. “What the hell are you doing here? As soon as they leave the country you have urgent business? It sounds suspicious to me.”

I laugh. “I don’t have urgent business at all. I’m just busting to do something different.”

“Good.” He smirks and glances outside. “Oh.” His eyes widen. “How come Anthony is here?”

“Edward left him to watch me. He hasn’t been too bad, to be honest. I think I had the wrong impression of him.”

The waitress arrives with our drinks. I asked William to order before I got here, seeing how I only have an hour’s break.

“So, what’s new? What have you been doing?” He smirks.

“Working, spying on good looking men, stuff like that.” I roll my eyes.

He laughs. “I miss you.”

I grab his hand over the table. “When are you coming home?”

He sips his drink. “I’m not.” And then he shrugs. “Not to Nottingham anyway.”

“God, Edward is driving me completely mad, Will. He’s completely out of control.”

“My point exactly. Sorry about the other night—leaving without saying goodbye. He just makes me so furious that I can’t even be around him.”

“He’s only worried about you. How are things going with Penelope?” I ask carefully.

“Up and down.” He sighs. “I don’t know, we have good weeks and bad weeks. The thing is, what I choose to do with my marriage is my business. Imagine if you met someone and Edward stuck his nose in where it wasn’t wanted.”

“I can’t think of anything worse, to be honest.”

“Exactly. And Penelope’s not perfect, God knows that. But I have a child with her, and I want him to grow up in the same house as me. What choice do I have?”

“It will be okay, and you know, you really are being amazing by staying with her and trying to repair your marriage for Harrison’s sake. Not many men would do that.”

“I don’t feel so amazing some days.” He smiles. “Anyway, tell me about you.”