Waterfall by David Graham

Author:David Graham [Graham, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781527207769
Publisher: Andromeda Publishing
Published: 2017-03-29T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

The taxi stopped at his apartment just long enough for him to run up and throw his suitcases in the hall before taking him on to ENABLE’s offices. He had arranged to take Charlotte out for dinner when she finished work and a slight delay in his flight home didn’t leave much time to spare. When he arrived she was at a colleague’s desk looking at a spreadsheet on his PC. She caught sight of him and smiled broadly. Excusing herself for a minute she walked over to him.

“Welcome back.” She surprised him with a kiss to his cheek that drew a few glances and one or two smiles from the people seated close-by.

“That’s—” he began.

“Do you mind if I just finish up with Roger, we’re nearly done,” she interrupted him. “We can leave immediately after, shouldn’t be more than ten minutes or so.”

“No problem,” he said, a little nonplussed.

“Great, you can wait in my office if you want.”

Luke grabbed a cup of coffee and a newspaper from the canteen then took a seat in her office. He had called her the day after Jason’s wedding. The conversation had been a little strained at first and neither of them had brought up their argument. Then he had called yesterday and it had been better but still neither of them brought up their last night together. He wasn’t sure whether it was best left like that or if avoidance was unhealthy.

“How was Marseilles?”

Luke looked up from the Guardian’s editorial to see Alex in the office doorway. Luke stood up as he came in.

“Yeah, yeah… good. Things been busy here?”

“Always. So, South of France, huh? Fabulous part of the world, I know it pretty well. What did you think?”

“Didn’t really get to do much sightseeing?”

“What?” Alex asked incredulously. “You were gone the best part of a week, man. You must have spent the time doing something?”

Luke’s composure deserted him and he felt himself getting flustered at the question. He hadn’t anticipated feeling so uncomfortable being face-to-face with Alex.

“Eh… well…” he struggled, trying to get his thoughts together.

There was no possible way Alex could know but the way he was eyeing Luke made him wonder.

“Hey, don’t even try to come up with an excuse. I know,” Alex said, grinning and holding eye-contact.

Luke’s stomach lurched and a wave of nausea washed over him.

“You know….!?” he managed.

“Of course. A stag party, a bunch of old pals meeting up abroad for one of their friend’s wedding. Christ, I bet the little time you weren’t propping up a bar or in a disreputable haunt somewhere, you were unconscious under the duvet.”

The relief actually made his knees go weak and he tried to appear casual as he leaned back against the desk.

“Yeah, you got me. I’m afraid that’s a fair summation of the trip.”

Alex slapped him on the arm and laughed, “There’s no need to look so guilty, Luke.”

Charlotte came into the office just then. “Guilty about what?”

“Just pulling Luke’s leg.”

“Sorry, I was delayed ,” she stood beside Luke and placed a hand gently on his arm.

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