Page 164

As Alfie drove, I checked my phone which flashed with texts from Natalie and Keira.Natalie.I still hadn’t told her that I was leaving. I bit my lip, peeking sideways at the mogul beside me.
“Would you cause a fuss if I said I wanted to spend this evening with my sister?”
“No, of course not. I’ll work late and pick you up.” My brows shot up, surprised by how easy that had been. He really was endeavouring to do better. Though it grated on me that I’d felt the need to ask his permission at all. A few weeks ago I never would have done that. I shook that dark thought away as I did with so many Alfie-related thoughts and sent a text to Natalie telling her I’d be home for dinner. I sat back to enjoy the drive, the familiar streets of my little town flashing by through the lenses of my red sunglasses.
“Um, Alfie? You know that Rosie’s is back that way, right?” I pointed behind me. We were going completely the wrong way.
“I know. I want you at Harrington with me today,” he said, his jaw ticking with impatience as he pulled to a stop and waited for an old lady to cross the road.
“Is that right?”
He ignored my attitude and as soon as the old lady was out of the way, he sped off. “Yes, O’Connell. That’s right.”
“And you didn’t feel the need to consult me first?”
“No. I’ve been made aware that you are not exactly comfortable around Mark Tafferty.” My mouth dropped open as I stared at him. How did he…
“Dammit Elliot!” What a snitch! He must have told Alfie about my little duck and dive to avoid Mark yesterday.
“Don’t blame Elliot, part of his job is to care for your safety.”And to get me into trouble apparently.“Is there something you need to tell me about Mark?”
“No. I just didn’t want him to see me getting into your car.” I hoped he’d leave it at that but his silence made it clear he wasn’t satisfied with my explanation. “He’s just been making me nervous, that’s all. He seems to be in a bad mood all the time lately, I’m not really sure why. Probably just worried about his mother.” How could I explain Mark when even I didn’t get what the problem was?
“I don’t want you near him,” he warned and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
“That’s a little hypocritical, don’t you think? You don’t have a problem telling me I need to lump it while you work with someone who is trying very hard to get between us. I told you you were setting a precedent, Alfie.”
“I said no, Lola.” He forced the words through gritted teeth.Patience, Lola.
“Alfie, we work together, and I have too much to do to take time away from the office. I can’t just disappear! We’re just going to have to be professional about this, okay?” I watched as the cogs turned in his head, as he reassessed and recalculated. I waited for his clever argument that would blow mine out of the water and was surprised when, instead, he gave me a brisk nod.
He performed a very illegal U-turn and headed back in the direction of my office. I felt my chest loosen up a little, relieved that I’d successfully avoided another fight. We were getting better at this.
Twenty minutes later, I skipped into the office, faltering when I found Mark behind his desk. I offered him a bright smile but he barely acknowledged me. I faltered further when almost as soon as I sat down, he received a phone call saying he was required at Harrington House and would have to be there for the rest of the week. He left me alone in the office and I scowled and slumped at my desk.
Well played, Mr Tell. Well played.
As pissed as I was about Alfie steam-rolling my life again, I couldn’t deny that it was nice having Mark’s gloomy presence out of the office. I might have to admit to myself that, just this once, I was grateful for his interference.
A fresh bouquet of pink bleeding hearts arrived at lunch and later I had a visit from Elliot who informed me that my van was now parked outside so I could drive home. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him how he’d managed to drive my van considering I had the keys, but then, like so many other things, I decided it was better if I didn’t know.
As soon as 5.30 rolled around I clocked out and hopped into my van to search for those stupid pills. I’d already searched my desk and found nothing. After twenty minutes digging around through old wrappers and coffee cups I eventually gave up and resigned to calling my GP for another appointment. I sat in the back with the doors open to make the embarrassing phone call.
Once I had an appointment for the next afternoon I hung up, scowling at my phone.
“Well, that’s a hellish expression if ever I saw one.” I found Bradley standing in front of me with his hands hidden suspiciously behind his back. His cheeks were ruddy and bright from working in the sun and his hair was a wonderful kind of mess.
“Hey, Bradley.” I smiled, wishing my mood didn’t lighten so much whenever he was around. “Sorry, I was lost in my own thoughts. What’s up?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to give you this.” He pulled from behind his back the largest chocolate milkshake I’d ever seen.
“What’s that for?” I asked and he shrugged.
“I walked by earlier and you looked fed up. My sister always drinks chocolate shakes when she’s down so I figured what works for one woman might work for another. I got it from the cafe.”
I accepted the shake gratefully and took a long sip. It tasted incredible. “Thanks, Bradley.”
“Anytime. You okay?” he asked, coming to sit beside me. As he moved, I noticed the same dark blue car parked in the shade that had been there yesterday, but before I could comment on it, Bradley spoke again. “More drama?”