Page 84 of Glow

Scott stifled a giggle. Of course that would be Amanda, the film buff’s, idea of a perfect weekend away. Maybe she got frisky after meeting an Ewok like Carla’s husband.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I wouldn’t dress up as Gandalf. Now she’s not speaking to me. I’m not sure if we’re even on anymore.”

Barry’s eyes welled with tears. Scott nudged him with his shoulder. “We’re both battered from the battlefield of love.”

Except Barry had every chance of making it up to Amanda. As the initial shock of what he’d done subsided, Scott knew he’d ruined everything with Prin.

TWENTY-TWO

PRIN

“Hi, Prin,” Charlotte from reception called out.

“Hey.”

“Changed your mind on eating outside?”

Prin shook his head. “Stupid me left my phone in my bag.”

“Waiting for a call, are we?” Charlotte teased. “I detect a love interest and I’m never wrong.”

For a second Prin feared Scott had opened his big mouth. Everyone in Pleasure Seekers knew that Charlotte was a notorious gossip. It had never been an issue for Prin before.

Then he thought about how sexy Scott had looked in that shirt.

A wry smile crept on his face. “Perhaps,” he said.

She clapped her hands together. “I love it. Feel free to come and tell me all about it.”

“I’ll try to do that.”

Prin went through the main doors into the office proper. He scanned the floor for Scott. There was no sign of him.

He supposed at some point they would have to go public. Then they would have the scrutiny of everyone on them. Prin knew exactly what they would all be thinking. That he was punching above his weight and it would only end in tears.

I am so not ready for that.

When he got to his desk, Richard leapt to his feet. Prin panicked at the speed in which he approached.

“Richard? Is everything all right?”

“Don’t you play the innocent with me. Did you think it would make you look good in my eyes if Elliott was out of the picture?”

The volume at which he delivered this attack made most people in the surrounding area snap to attention.

Prin opened his mouth but no words would form.

“Got nothing to say for yourself?” Richard asked, taking another step closer. “I might not be able to sack you for a while but mark my words, I can make your life a living hell. You’ve made a stupid bloody mistake.”

Anxiety lodged in Prin’s chest like an unexploded bomb.

“I wasn’t thinking about myself at all,” he stammered.

“Of course not,” Richard replied through gritted teeth. “You’re Mr fucking Perfect, aren’t you? Watch yourself. I mean it. Give me one reason. That’s all it will take.”

Richard stalked away and directly for the gents’ toilets. Prin exhaled and sank down in his seat.