Page 24 of Thrill

Tyler grinned as he listened to Scott prattling on. Optimism was almost radiating from him. This new life of his was turning out to be more exciting than a ride on Brighton Pier.

“How can you be moving so quickly? You’ve only been there a week. Has something happened at the place you’re at now?”

“Mum, I’ve made some friends and they asked me to join them. Is that so difficult to imagine?” Tyler replied. “They have a gorgeous flat just off the sea front. The guy who’s moving out is an interior designer so it’s going to be beautiful.”

“Are they…gay?”

Tyler sighed. “Yes, Mum. They are.”

“I thought so. Well, do send us your new address when you can,” she replied. “I can’t talk for long. I’m going with your sister for her final wedding dress fitting.”

“How are the plans going?”

“Very well. It’s costing me and your father a fortune. Good job we only had one daughter.”

“I’m sure it’ll be perfect,” Tyler replied.

“Oh, it will. Deborah will be the most beautiful bride in Llandudno. Your brother’s coming home a week before. When are you planning on arriving?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only started this week. I can’t ask for time off yet. I thought I’d just drive up on the Friday night.”

His mother sighed. “Deborah’s going to move in here the week before. We thought it might be nice to spend some time together as a family. Of course, you must do whatever you want. As usual.”

The last time they’d been in each other’s company longer than the three days of Christmas holidays had been a rainy week in astatic caravan in the Highlands. Tyler shuddered at the memories of the endless backbiting. That was just between his parents.

No thanks.

“I’ll try,” he said, as sweetly as possible.

“Like I said, do whatever you want. I’ll have to go. Daddy is decorating Deborah’s room for her. We thought it might be nice to do it in the colours of her bouquet.”

“Okay, I’ll send you my details when I get them.”

“Very good.”

“Bye, Mum.”

“Bye.”

She terminated the call. Tyler sat at his desk. It had gone six and there were only a few stragglers dotted around the vast space. There was nothing lonelier than an office after everyone had gone home. Tyler had intended on spending a couple of hours going through the supplier database. After shadowing lots of different departments, he was chomping at the bit. But his mother’s tone had made it impossible to concentrate.

He shut his laptop decisively. She had a point though. Things had happened quite quickly. Scott and Eddie had managed to persuade him to bring his stuff that weekend.

“Are you moving then?”

“I didn’t realise you were still here, Amanda. Yes, Scott from HR and Eddie in sales have offered me their spare room.”

Amanda considered it for a second. “I suppose that would be fun. Scott is a wild one. You be careful.”

“It’s better than where I’m at. I’ve logged off now. Could you email me this week’s spend report? I want to get a head start on who we work with the most.”

“I’ll do it now,” Amanda replied. “If you like, I can talk you through things next week.”

She blushed at the offer.

“That would be wonderful. How about putting an hour in our calendars for Monday morning?”

Amanda nodded.