Page 67 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
Gillian flung her arms round him and Jessica joined their group hug, too. ‘It’s been fun, Struan. Thanks for letting me help out.’
He shrugged and adopted his grumpy face again. ‘That’s fine, doll. Enjoy your time off and we’ll see you again on the thirtieth?’
Jessica nodded. ‘And you enjoy time with your sister in Stirling.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Aye, can’t say I’m looking forward to it but at least she’ll be doing the cooking.’
‘We will really miss you when you go, Jess,’ said Gillian.
Jessica nodded, a lump forming in her throat. ‘Come on, let’s not get teary yet. By the time I go back to London, you’ll be ready to see the back of me.’ She gave Gillian a hug and a couple of small packages for her and Millie.
Gillian looked genuinely touched. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘It’s been just pure brilliant having you around.’
They pulled on their coats and hats and Jessica turned on her phone to see a message from Freda, thanking her for the present she’d sent. There were also several missed calls from Ivan.Oh shit. With all the drama of her mum’s broken arm yesterday, she had completely forgotten that she should havecalled him. She was quite sure that Zander would’ve already been in touch and tried to throw her under the bus. She said a final goodbye to Gillian and then, with a clammy shiver, she dialled Ivan’s number.
Chapter Forty-Five
It didn’t take long for Ivan to answer. ‘Hi, Jessica,’ he said briskly.
‘Ivan.’ She steeled herself for the barrage that she was expecting to hear. But as she walked up the high street towards home, she realised she didn’t actually care that much what he said to her. She knew she hadn’t done anything wrong. She waved at Moira, who was standing in the window of The Bay,and then smiled at Emmet, from the sauna, as he cycled past with a cheery wave and grin.
Ivan cleared his throat. ‘I’ve had Zander on the phone and, well, I owe you an apology. I didn’t fully appreciate just how much of an arse he was. I’m sorry that I didn’t take on board what you said previously to me about his behaviour.’
Jessica was taken aback. That wasn’t what she had been expecting Ivan to say at all. ‘What did he say?’
‘He called me like a bleating lamb to tell me he had bumped into you in Glasgow and you had insisted he join you for a drink. As soon as he said that I knew he was lying. You’re on leave for God’s sake and he’s probably the last person on the planet you would choose to have a drink with.’
‘I see,’ said Jessica, wondering if he was going to expand. She crossed the road and could smell the comforting scent of a wood burning stove in the air.
‘He said you’d acted very inappropriately and had crossed the client line with the things you said to him.’
‘Is that right?’ said Jessica, now intrigued to hear more about the story Zander had spun.
Ivan sighed. ‘I will spare you all the grizzly details. But suffice to say I am sorry I didn’t do something earlier and I’m also very sorry for any additional stress this has caused you.Especially when you’re supposed to be having a proper break from work.’
‘Thanks, Ivan. I suspected he’d call you and make out it was all my fault. But he pretty much accosted me at the café I was in and then wouldn’t leave me alone. Fortunately, a friend turned up at the right moment. He was totally out of order. I can safely say I won’t ever be working with that man again.’
‘I know, and you won’t need to.’
Jessica snorted, wondering which one of her poor colleagues was going to have to deal with him next. Freda would be sure to give him short shrift too.
‘I’ve told him to take his business elsewhere.’
‘Really?’ said Jessica, stunned. This wasunheardof.
‘Yes. His behaviour has been totally unacceptable and I know you can handle yourself but not everyone in this firm can. I can’t have him behaving like this around you or any of the younger associates. We’re supposed to be employment law experts. He makes a complete mockery of that. In fact, he’s lucky that we’re not taking any action against him.’
Jessica’s shoulders sagged in relief. She was so glad she didn’t have to try and fight her corner again and that Ivan had actually defended her. ‘Thank you, Ivan.’
‘Don’t mention it. Okay, I’d better go and leave you to your Christmas preparations. And I had better go and start my shopping otherwise Martha will quite probably kill me.’
Jessica laughed. It wasn’t often that he mentioned anything to do with his personal life. It was only rare slips like this that gave her a glimpse into his private life and his long-term girlfriend, Martha. ‘I hope you have a good Christmas, Ivan, and thanks for phoning to tell me.’
‘Bye, Jessica. See you in the new year.’ He ended the call.
The new year was in just over a week. She pushed the thought aside for now. In the meantime, she would focus on Christmas.
Chapter Forty-Six
