Page 13 of Festive Flings

“What happened Jim-Jam, why aren’t you at work?” Jamie covers her head with her quilt and groans. I wish she’d put on the Christmas bedding I bought her.

“Aww, don’t make me tell you. I’m so embarrassed, Billie. I think I will have to resign from my job,” she explains in a wail of pain.

“You’ve got to be kidding me; you’ve just watched a cat attack me. Come on, tell me what happened, and we’ll sort it out.”

She tells me her sorry tale, and I am ready to go and choke this Harry. My sister is still a bit green when it comes to the matters of the world. She is sweet and naïve, and some people will take advantage of that. I am ten years older than her and have always been overprotective.

“So what does this have to do with you leaving your job?” She groans again, her cheeks turning pink.

“They followed me. And they saw and heard everything, and I shouted at them for following me. Now, I feel too embarrassed to face them.” Tears form in her eyes again.

“Who saw?”

“Tim and Mr. Matthews… I mean Owen did. He asked me out, and I said I would think about it. He’s not going to want to go out with me now, is he?”

“Who asked you out? Jamie, I have no idea what is going on.”

She tuts at me. “Mr. Matthews… Owen, he asked me out just before my date with the fake guy. But now he’ll think I’m crazy as well as an idiot for believing that a sexy guy could really want to date me in the first place.”

This is great news. I have long thought that Mr. Matthews would be a good match for my sister. He seems to have his shit together and he is hot. Put it this way: I wouldn't say no to him joining us. I mean I would have to now, if he and Jamie hook up, because that would be weird, but Mr. Matthews has got it going on.

“Well, he’s going to start thinking you’re a lazy bitch if you don’t turn up for work. Jamie, look, things happen and yes, it’s embarrassing, but you get back up, dust yourself off and try again.” I open her wardrobe and pick out a killer suit for her to wear. “This seriously isn’t worth staying in bed over or giving up your job for. And if you don’t go out on a date with that boss of yours because of this, I think you need your head examined!”

I leave her and go back to work where thoughts of Jamie and her misdemeanour are quickly replaced by thoughts of my weekend with Jonty.

I can’t wait to make more dirty memories.

~ Tim ~

Overwhelming guilt fills me as Jamie runs away from us. It didn't even cross my mind that my actions may embarrass her. I didn’t mean to undermine her ability to think for herself or defend herself. Mr. Matthews seemed really concerned, and I guess, I got carried away. On reflection, it's evident that I crossed a line by tracking her through her social media account when I couldn’t reach her by phone. In the moment, it seemed the most logical thing to do. It is only I realise how condescending that is.

Mr. Matthews loses his shit when Jamie runs away and gets into the taxi. I have never seen him lose his composure before.

“I’ve messed that up now, haven’t I eh?” he asks me as he rubs his hands over his face and into his hair.

“Do you fancy Jamie?” I ask him, my voice dripping with shock. I had no idea; I just presume everyone sees Jamie as I do; like she is my kid sister.

He doesn’t answer me and I don’t want to push because he looks distraught. How have I managed to get myself caught up in the middle of this?

We walk in silence back to our office; I don’t know what to suggest. The woman on the front desk shouts over to us.

“Where did you two run off to? We were just saying you looked like Batman and Robin.” There is no prize for guessing which one I am.

We step into the elevator and my boss looks desperately sad. I am overcome with a need to at least try and comfort him. “Don’t worry, Mr. Matthews, we will speak to Jamie in the morning and apologise. I will explain that we got the wrong end of the stick. Once she calms down, she will be okay.” He gives me a small nod but I don’t know what good it has done, if any.

I check my phone as soon as I get back to my desk and I am disappointed when there is no reply from Lauren to the text I sent about an hour ago. Maybe she is at work or maybe she isn’t interested. I don’t know, but I know I’ll be checking my phone all night, hoping she replies to me.

The next morning, I arrive at work and Jamie isn’t in. She is always earlier than me. I sent her an apology last night, but she hasn't replied. When 8 a.m. comes and goes and she is still a no-show, I go into Mr. Matthews' office to discuss it.

“She is probably taking her flexi day, Tim. She is owed quite a few for all the ones she’s missed.” Mr. Matthews avoids eye contact with me, deeply engrossed in his spreadsheet. He is back to being all business and proper and so I don’t mention anything about him being heartbroken the night before.

Unable to concentrate on my work as thoughts of Lauren and her nonexistent reply continue to taunt me. And Jamie and her absence is starting to weigh on my conscience.

At 11:30 Jamie walks into the office. She looks fierce in a power suit with her lips painted red and her hair dramatically twisted on top of her head. A shiver of anxiety runs through me.

“Is Mr. Matthews free?” she asks me and I can’t answer her verbally, the words are stuck in my throat, so I nod my head. “Good. I want a word with both of you. Now.”

As she marches towards Mr. Matthews' office, the man himself opens the door. “Jamie! I… I.”

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