Page 14 of Amber's Fall

I clamped my mouth shut. “It’s a big move, that’s all.”

He nodded. “Remember, my door is always open. We’re having a bar-b-que at mine at the weekend. Bring him along.”

I nodded, knowing full well he wouldn’t attend. I’d already come up with all sorts of reasons why we were busy, and I knew my boss wasn’t fooled.

I mentioned it to Andrew, anyway.

“Sure, let’s go. I haven’t met your colleagues yet,” Andrew said. I blinked rapidly.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

He stared at me. “Are you ashamed of me, Amber? Do you not want me to meet your colleagues?”

“No, and yes. It’s just you’ve never wanted to before. You’ll love them, real down-to-earth people.” I smiled at him.

“I’m sure they are. Now, let’s get down to more important things.”

He went on to making notes in his diary about up-and-coming events at his company, scheduling in a dinner party in our new apartment when we moved in. I thought it premature but didn’t say anything.

* * *

The second timehe hit me was at my boss’s bar-b-que. Like before, thankfully, not in front of anyone.

I was nervous as the taxi pulled up outside the property. It was a large house with electric gates. Perfect lawns laid either side of the drive. Already there were cars parked and a couple of the builders were lounging against one holding bottles of beer in their hands.

“That’s Tom and George,” I said, as we exited the car.

Tom called out. “Here she is. We had bets on whether or not you’d show.”

“Can’t help having a life, Tom,” I replied. I received a slight nudge to my ribs. “Let me introduce my boyfriend.”

Andrew strode forward, holding out his hand. He wore a dark blue suit, white shirt, and a rugby club tie. Not that he’d ever played rugby.

“Andrew Stowley, Amber’s soon to be husband,” he said.

I came to an abrupt halt. There had been no mention of marriage and he hadn’t proposed. I swallowed hard and attempted a neutral expression.

“I didn’t know you were engaged,” Tom said. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” I replied. Andrew then introduced himself to George.

“Shall we?” Andrew said, indicating to the front door.

We walked into the house and stood in the hallway. “Tacky isn’t it?” Andrew whispered. “New money, I bet.”

I thought it was tastefully done, but I nodded anyway.

“You came,” my boss said, striding over. He leant to kiss my cheek, and I froze. He hadn’t done that before, and I knew it was just a gesture of greeting, but Andrew wouldn’t like it. I didn’t dare look at him.

“And you’re her boyfriend?” he asked, holding out his hand.

“Yes, Andrew Stowly. It’s a pleasure to meet you, finally,” Andrew was the perfect gentleman, but I noticed a tic that had started at the side of his jaw.

“Bill Sanders,” my boss replied. “We’re thrilled to have Amber working with us. She’s sorted the office out a real treat, keeps all the lads in line,” he said, laughing.

“Does she now?” Andrew said, his voice lowering.

“Come outside, meet the rest of the team.”

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