The Girl I Used to Be(11)

In an instant I decided to escape to my room. I turned quickly and bumped into a man standing in a group of other people behind me. He put his hand out to steady me.

“Careful!” he said.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said. “I didn’t see you.”

I looked at his glass, which had spilled red wine onto the floor, then looked up at him.

“It’s Gemma, isn’t it?” he said. “Gemma Brogan? David Sanderson. You showed me around some properties in Chester the other day.”

“Oh, of course! I didn’t recognize you out of context,” I said, moving back from the spilled wine. “I’m really sorry I knocked your drink. Let me get you another.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m on a training course,” I said. “It’s about new money-laundering regulations. It’s easier to come to a course and get all the literature than try to figure it out myself.”

“Nice to get away for the weekend, too, I bet?”

I laughed. “Yes, sometimes it’s good to have a break. It’s pretty hectic with work and a young child.”

“Is your family down here with you?”

I shook my head. “No. My son’s only three. I didn’t dare tell him I was going on a train. He’d have been harassing me for ages to come with me.”

He laughed. “I was like that when I was a kid. The best part of any holiday was always the journey.”

I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I flinched. I knew who that would be.

“Hi, Liam.” I tried to dodge his wet kiss on my cheek but didn’t quite manage it. I felt David’s arm brush against mine for just a second, and I knew he’d noticed my reaction. “How are you?”

“Great, thanks, Gem,” he said. “We’re going in to dinner soon. Come and join us?”

I looked at him, at his red face with its slight glaze of sweat. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do less.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said David. “Gemma’s having dinner with me.”

I looked at him. I am? I kept my face straight.

Liam looked at David, then at me. “You want to join us, too?”

David shook his head. “Sorry, it’s business. I need to ask her advice. I’m afraid she’ll be busy for the next couple of hours.”

Liam nodded reluctantly. “All right. Maybe a drink later?”

I smiled. “Maybe.”

David and I watched as he made his way back to his friends. He leaned toward me and whispered in my ear, “You owe me.”

I laughed. “You have saved my life.”

He smiled. “You’re lucky I was here.”

“No kidding. But what are you doing here?”

“Oh, I’ve been in London for business.”

“With Barford’s?”

“You’ve got a good memory! Yes, I’m meeting some suppliers. I’ve been staying here all week and need to see someone again in the morning. I’ll go back north tomorrow.”

“Still looking for a house?” I smiled at him, hoping I didn’t sound too cheeky.

He laughed. “Yeah, sorry I haven’t been in touch. There was a hitch on my mortgage because I was waiting for the money from my house sale in Boston, but it’s all through now and the bank’s ready to go ahead.”

“Well, get in touch whenever you’re ready,” I said. “I’ll find you a good deal.” I could feel that my face was hot now and didn’t know whether it was the drink. I put my empty glass down on a side table and turned to go. “Thanks for getting me off the hook with Liam.”

“I don’t suppose you would have dinner with me, would you?” He saw me hesitate and said quickly, “You’d be doing me a huge favor. I’ve been sitting here on my own night after night.” He grinned. “And I’d hate that guy to think you’d stood me up.”

I paused. I’d been about to go up to my room. I thought of my earlier plans to order room service and have a long bath in peace. I was so tired after this week at work.

And then I thought of the potential sale. Okay, he was a good-looking guy and he did make me laugh, but my business brain was the one I used when I said, “Okay, but I’ll pay.” He started to object, but I said, “It’s a business expense. You’re a client.” It wasn’t an expense I could afford, but if it led to a sale it would be well worth the money. An investment.

He laughed. “Well, that would be very nice. Thank you.”

I saw Liam looking over at me. “Shall we go now?” I gave Liam a little wave, and David and I walked through the bar to the restaurant.





SEVEN


THAT NIGHT SEEMED to fly by in a flash. It had been a long time since I’d been to dinner with a man on my own, and I was surprised at how comfortable I felt. The waiter came over and asked us about drinks.

I looked at the wine menu. “You were drinking red wine, weren’t you?” I asked David. “Shall I get a bottle?”

“That would be great, thanks.”

I ordered a bottle of Barolo and David poured us a glass each while he talked me through the menu, telling me which meals he’d had while he was down there. He told me about the places he’d lived abroad: Boston, Dallas, and Hong Kong.