Page 71 of Where She Is
While I’ve been away from my desk, Daniel has left two voice messages. I wonder if he’s seen the article. If he hasn’t, he is in for a shock.
I immerse myself in work for the rest of the day and monitor each call. Daniel leaves a grand total of seven voicemails. He’s seen it.
When it gets to six o’clock, I’m out of there. I’ve kept a lid on it all day, but now I’m at boiling point. Thankfully, I was meeting Maddie for a drink so I could let off some steam. I won’t be pouring my heart out this time. I can imagine the huge ‘I told you so’ I’ll get. She knows him of old and I don’t want to encourage her. But what if her first instinct was right, after all?
Before I leave the office, I print off a copy of the article. I want to make sure I have the evidence in my hand when I confront Daniel later.
As I take my first sip of wine, my phone vibrates on the table in front of me and Daniel’s handsome features appear. I wonder if the same smile and soulful eyes appear on Tabitha’s phone. Iglance towards Maddie and smile, ignoring the call. She looks at the screen so she knows who it is.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
I physically can’t stomach a conversation with him at the moment and I don’t want her to know there is a problem. “I’ve just sat down with my drink, Maddie. He probably wants to know what time I’m home, that’s all.”
She looks at me for a second as if to make sure. “If you say so.” Then she says in between sips, “Now tell me, what’s been happening since Monday?”
Now there’s a question. She is obviously referring to our night out. The first thought that comes into my mind is Daniel’s Monday night with Tabitha. I’m about to open my mouth to speak when my phone vibrates again and, of course, it’s Daniel. I divert the call to my voicemail for the second time in five minutes. As I’ve still not answered the messages he left earlier, I can imagine him losing his cool by now.Let him. Let him feel just an ounce of the anger I feel.
Maddie looks concerned and places her hand over mine. “Why didn’t you pick it up? I don’t mind.”
“No, it’s fine.” My false smile is a giveaway. My phone whistles a text alert.
I guess you’ve seen the article.Please don’t ignore me. I need to explain. Come home x
Maddie looks over the table and directly at the screen. She can’t read the content, although she has already guessed who it’s from.
“Hannah, just answer him, please? I don’t know what’s happened between the two of you, but I’m beginning to feel sorry for the poor guy.”
I choose to ignore his text and Maddie’s advice. “All I want is to have a drink in peace. Is that too much to ask?” I shouldn’thave snapped at her and I didn’t mean to. I take a deep breath and hope it holds my tears, but it’s no use. The floodgates open.
“Oh God, what’s happened? What has he done to you?”
“Maddie… it’s nothing… just me. I must have PMS or something. Ignore me and I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
I pick up my wine and neck it in one. I stand up from the table and walk towards the bar in a watery-eyed daze before I turn to Maddie, who is staring back with such concern. “Want another?” I ask, raising my glass.
“No, I’ve still got a full one thanks.”
I nod my head and turn back in the direction of the bar. When I get there, I order an extra-large Pinot Grigio. Before I have a chance to pick up my drink, a hand reaches out for mine.
“Can I help you with that, Miss May?”
Oh my God. What is he doing here? “Has his Lordship sent you, Jack?” I’m pretty sarcastic, but he doesn’t flinch.
“Mr Grant has asked me to drive you home now. The car is outside.”
Good job I put my big girl pants on today because I’ve got to stand firm. However, it’s not Jack’s fault. I won’t take it out on him. “Thank you, Jack. As you can see, I’m having a nice time with my friend here, and I don’t want to go yet.” Rubbing his arm, I say, “When I do,” my pointing finger now rudely in his face, “if I do,” pausing only to turn away and smile to myself. “I’ll make my own way. Although it is kind of you to offer.” My nod in his direction is confident as I pay and head back to Maddie.
“That showed him. I will not be walked over or ordered around by any man again, especially a man I can’t trust,” My muttered mumbles are all very brave because only I can hear them.
I have to give Jack his due, his resolve is impressive. He waits patiently at the bar, drinking his iced water. I spend the entire night in continuous, mindless chatter with Maddie whilethrowing back far too much wine. Each time I go to the bar and order, I give Jack a sympathetic smile. I can imagine the ear bashing he’ll get if he doesn’t return me home.
After a couple of hours and five enormous glasses of wine, Jack decides he can’t watch anymore. He walks over to our table and once I’ve clocked him, the volume of my over-excessive laughter turns up a notch. I want to make it clear I’m enjoying myself, although Maddie isn’t finding our conversation quite so hilarious. She can see what I’m up to.
“Excuse me, Miss May. It’s time to leave.”
“I’m not ready.”
“Miss May, Mr Grant would like you to come home.”
