Page 33 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
Chapter Twenty
Reuben had hardly slept a wink. After drinking enough champagne to make sure she wasn’t fit to drive, Belinda’s vision for the evening had come true. Well, at least part of it. She had spent the night at Primrose Cottage in Reuben’s bed. However, she had gone to sleep alone. Despite her best attempts to suggest he join her, he had slept on the sofa bed next door. But he tossed and turned for most of the night, not because it was uncomfortable, but because he couldn’t believe she had put him in this position. Belinda had clearly thought she could waltz back into his life, click her fingers and have everything her own way again. He could still picture the shock on her face when she realised he was turning her down.
Reuben had made Belinda grilled cheese on toast but she had picked at it, instead refilling her glass with champagne as she told him about Dubai and the real reason she was there. The affair had been short and her eyes filled with tears as she told him that the man she had had an affair with had subsequently fired her from her job when he’d lost interest in her.
‘Sounds like a right charmer. I hope he was worth it.’
Her cheeks flushed. ‘I know, I know. I’ve been so stupid. I realise that now and I’m sorry. What can I do though about my job? He’s the boss and it’s his company . . .’
‘It’s against the law, Belinda. He can’t do that.’ Much as she was frustrating the hell out of him, it sounded like this guy had taken full advantage of his position, and her, then pulled the plug when he got bored.
‘He’s a powerful man. Who’s going to side with me?’ She sniffed and blinked, her lashes streaking against her face.
‘Let me make you some coffee,’ he said, standing up and walking over to the stainless-steel machine which he had only used a couple of times. He much preferred getting coffee in thevillage bakery. He hoped he could remember how to use it. He thought about her situation as he frothed some milk, making them both a strong coffee. ‘There you go,’ he said, putting it in front of her.
‘I’ll be up all night,’ she said, but she picked it up and sipped it anyway. ‘Thank you. I know I am a terrible person for what I did to you. It’s a mistake I will always regret.’
Reuben shrugged, realising that, although, yes, it did hurt at the time, he had actually moved on. There was no point in hanging on to anger and a wounded ego — but what he could do was try to help Belinda move on properly too. ‘Are you planning on returning to Dubai?’
She nodded and reached for a tissue from her bag. ‘Yes, my flight is booked for next week. I’ve got some interviews lined up. Which is why I can’t make a big deal of being sacked. You know what it’s like. It’s a small world and news travels fast. It doesn’t matter whether he’s acted badly or not. People don’t care. They will think it’s my fault.’
Reuben couldn’t argue with her. Despite apparent moves to make the workplace fair and eradicate bullying and inappropriate behaviour, it seemed that it was as rampant as ever. His friends were always telling him about the eye-watering things that had happened at their workplaces. He sighed. He was so glad he was self-employed and didn’t have to answer to anyone. Although he realised he was also lucky to be a man.
Belinda had rolled her neck and sighed loudly. ‘I just need to get on with it. I love living in Dubai and I’m sure I will find another job.’ The coffee seemed to be sobering her up. She lifted her head and looked at him. ‘I’m sorry for landing this all on you, Reuben. It’s just that you’re so easy to talk to and I can’t share this with my friends at home.’
Reuben wanted to tell her that they couldn’t be very good friends then, but he forced himself to keep his mouth clampedshut. Belinda seemed determined to go back and she had to make the decisions that were right for her.
Now, as he pulled on his jeans and a sweatshirt, he hoped that she would wake up soon. Padding lightly down the stairs, he decided he would be better making a bit more noise, and he stomped more loudly. It was almost ten o’clock and he could do with getting on with the day. Aside from anything else, he had to pop back to Glasgow to check on his flat and pick up some mail. As he busied himself in the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher and putting things away, he felt very at home, even though it had been years since he’d lived at the property properly. Flicking on the radio, he smiled. He’d created an environment far cosier and more welcoming than his bachelor pad in Glasgow. When they got married, he had rented the flat out, and he and Belinda rented their own place in the Merchant City. But he had never felt at home there, which wasn’t a surprise, and had returned to his own place after they separated.
‘Good morning,’ said Belinda airily, appearing at his side.
‘Hey there.’ He turned to look at her. Her face was pale, she had removed the ridiculous eyelashes and her hair was pulled back from her face, which was quite a contrast to how she had looked when she arrived last night.
‘Um, thanks for everything. And I’m sorry again.’
He smiled kindly. ‘There’s no need to keep apologising, Belinda. I get it. This is a really difficult time for you and I’m glad you told me what’s been going on.’
She glanced at the door. ‘I should really get going.’
‘Have a cup of coffee first, I’ve just made some fresh.’
She sat down gratefully at the table and ran a hand over her face. ‘I’ve made a mess of things.’ She groaned. ‘I am so sorry. I feel really stupid. I shouldn’t have drunk that champagne. I should have gone back into Glasgow last night.’
Reuben sighed. Although what she’d done to him was wrong, she didn’t deserve to lose her job. He watched her as she wiped away a tear. ‘Come on now,’ he said, passing the box of tissues to her along with a mug of coffee.
‘Thanks,’ she said smiling at him.
‘Take a step at a time. It no doubt all feels shit at the moment. You know, I really don’t think you’re a bad person.’
‘Really?’ She blinked at him. ‘I’ve hurt you, had an affair and now don’t have a job because of it.’
He leaned against the kitchen worktop and sipped his coffee, contemplating for a moment. ‘And you’ve apologised. But look, our marriage was my responsibility too. You don’t need to take all the blame. I didn’t want to move to Dubai. Our lives were already moving in different directions.’
She bit her lip nervously. ‘Thanks, Reuben.’
‘You just need to pick yourself up and keep moving, Belinda. Don’t let this creep win.’ His mind was whirring. ‘In fact, I think I might know just the person who may be able to help. Leave it with me.’
She sighed. ‘I don’t deserve your kindness. But thank you.’
