Page 51 of Famous Last

Spencer had a feeling Blake wanted to address their short affair, or whatever the hell it had been. God forbid anyone should cast any doubt on Blake’s perfect heterosexual record. Anger bubbled inside Spencer, something he pulled quickly under control. Having survived intact, he no longer wanted any feelings for Blake. And, over time, that had begun to happen. Without waiting for Blake to speak, Spencer asked a question.

“Did you hear I’ve taken over from Clarissa?”

“My mother told me. Although I think she used the expression ‘caretaking the role’.”

“Did she?”

“I believe she’s looking at the opportunity to bring new blood into the organisation.”

Out of the mouths of babes spills the truth. Spencer should have guessed as much. Muriel had never had any intention of offering him the job.

“So, what did you want, Blake?”

Blake fell quiet for a moment and appeared to be considering his words.

“What did you think of Ambika? You only met her briefly at the Halloween party.”

The question took Spencer by surprise. He thought back to the smart, attractive and genuine woman he had met and how she had made him laugh.

“I like her. She’s sexy and smart. And I love her sense of humour.”

“Her humour?” said Blake, his eyes not meeting Spencer’s. “Yes, she has your kind of humour. She liked you.”

“There you go, then. She’s a good judge of character, too. What’s the problem?”

Blake’s eyes swung back to Spencer’s, his face as unsmiling as ever.

“Look, I know we had that—thing—some months back. But I hope everything between us is still cordial—”

“You don’t need to worry, Blake,” he said calmly. “I promise you I’m not about to make a scene in front of your fiancée or her family. Or anyone else, come to that. What happened between us, happened. Past tense. And what’s past is past, dead and buried. Agreed?”

“It’s not that I didn’t—that we didn’t—have fun, but—”

“We’ve both moved on. Yes, I understand completely. You don’t need to worry, Blake. That water is so far under the bridge it’s pretty much reached the ocean by now.”

And with those parting words, Spencer walked out of the conference room. When he looked back, Blake still leant against the conference room table, staring at him, an unfathomable look on his face.

Chapter Fourteen

As agreed, Spencer met Prince at Tooting Broadway Tube station around Saturday lunchtime. Sitting shotgun in Prince’s black Mini Cooper Countryman, he had been tasked with navigating using his mobile phone routefinder app and the hand-drawn map Blake had provided to get them to the remote venue. Bev already sat in the back with Prince’s good-looking cousin Nile, who had his earbuds in and nodded a sullen welcome to Spencer without removing them. Bev shook her head slightly, a silent communication to leave him be.

“Who has a playlist?” asked Spencer, trying to lighten the mood. “For the journey. To get us in the mood?”

“I made one dedicated to Blake and this whole day,” said Prince, grinning in the rear-view mirror. “It’s gotAnywhere But Hereby Easton.Road to Nowhereby Talking Heads.Creepby Radiohead and sung by Brian Justin Crum. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper singingShallow, and Billie Eilish withBad Guy—”

“How about Katy Perry singingUr So Gay?” asked Bev.

Prince leant forward and barked out a laugh, his breath misting the windscreen.

“Bev!” said Spencer sternly, turning in his seat. He felt bad admonishing them about him and Blake, but they had been sworn to secrecy. He’d always assumed nobody he worked with knew about them. Prince’s comment had been a shock revelation and he hadn’t had a chance to talk to him since Friday about how many other people knew or suspected.

“Relax, Squirrel,” said Bev from behind. “We’ll both behave. And if you’re worried about Nile, he’s not even listening.”

“She’s right,” said Prince, grinning. “Mind you, Spencer, don’t you think Blake comes across as a bit gay at times? I’m sure he was hitting on me at one of our staff drinks.”

“Well, he’s getting engaged to a girl now,” said Spencer. “Case closed.”

“Closet case, you mean,” said Prince, roaring with laughter and setting Bev off.

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