Page 70 of Tainted Love

‘Can I ask how it went with Neil?’

I move the flowers in their water-filled box to the ledge of my window then adjust my purple chiffon blouse, tucking it into my black pencil skirt.

‘It was awful. He wasn’t even angry; he was just really disappointed. He thinks I should take some time, mull it over some more.’

‘Do you want to?’

I look down at the card in my hand and smile.If I work with him, I get to see him every day.‘No.’

‘Then you have your answer.’ She drops a hand to my shoulder. ‘Neil Wallace will just have to accept that you’re leaving. He’s just panicking about who’ll fill your shoes when you’re gone. We’ll miss you around here.’

I don’t tell her that even those few words are making me feel worse about my decision to leave Saunders. She makes a discreet exit when Amanda charges into my office with two lattes and a large bar of chocolate.

‘Are you blowing your week’s caffeine allowance?’ I ask.

‘First day back is a bitch; the doctors can go screw themselves. I know my baby and I know my baby needs coffee and chocolate. Here.’

I chuckle as I accept the latte and Amanda slumps into the seat opposite my desk, unravelling the foil from the sweat treat.

‘You know, last time we did this, you threw up in my bin and we realised you were pregnant.’

‘Don’t worry, I have no intention of repeating the trick. This bad boy is staying firmly in my stomach.’ She wraps her mouth around two large squares of chocolate. ‘That’s sooooo good.’

I snap off a square and let it melt in my mouth. ‘I don’t think even chocolate is going to help me today. I have major post-travel blues.’

‘Mm, speaking of blues, is Neil spewing about you leaving?’

‘He’s far from thrilled.’

‘Is he making you work your notice?’

‘No. As soon as he realised I was going to GJR, he changed his tune. He wants me to hand over Mr Ghurair’s deal and I won’t pick back up the stuff I handed to others before we went away but the rest of my work was Gregory’s anyway, so I’ll take it with me.’

‘Who are you handing over the Dubai deal to?’

‘You. If you want it? I think it would be good for you. A big deal before you go off.’

‘Sure, I’m in.’

‘Well, in that case, I might be out of here next week, maybe even Friday.’

‘Holy shit,’ she mumbles around another slab of chocolate. ‘It’ll be the end of an era.’

‘And the start of a new one.’ I glance at my sparkling diamonds.

‘Cheers to that.’ She nudges her cardboard coffee cup against mine.

* * *

My phone rings as I’m typing handover notes for Mr Ghurair’s final transaction. Gregory’s name dances across the screen.

‘Hey, you.’

‘How’s the first day back?’ he asks.

‘I’ve had better.’

‘Have you handed in your notice?’