Page 36 of The Grand Duel
I push into the building and wait at the reception desk.
“Oh, Lissie,” Edna sings, stepping from her office. “Thank you so much for coming in today. It’s finally warming up out there, isn’t it?”
“Edna, hi!” I reach into my bag for the trainers. “It’s getting there?—”
She catches my arm, halting me, and pulls me forward. “Come on into my office.”
If she offers me champagne, I will say no.
“Can I get you a drink at all?”
“No…” I blink. “Sorry. No, I’m fine, thank you.”
“Great…”
I reach back into my bag and pull out the shoes. “I wore them home that day, and that’s all. I’m so grateful for your kindness, Ed. It was really lovely of you to help me.”
“Nonsense.”
I smile. Although it’s not nonsense. Not to me, anyway.
“I actually lied to you about the shoes.”
I frown. “What?”
“Well, when you left here that day, you seemed a tad bit annoyed at Mr Aldridge—completely warranted, of course, but I knew if I invited you back here with the truth, you’d likely not come.”
“Okay…” I watch her warily. “And the truth…”
She rolls her lips. “Should I get the puppies first? They sweetened you up the last time?—”
“Just tell me,” I say to her as I chuckle. I sit down in the chair opposite her desk. “What is it?”
“I want to offer you the job. For theassistantrole.”
My eyes widen.
“I understand you’ve been thoroughly messed around with by us, and I won’t blame you if you turn it down. I also understand you have now found a job which likely pays very well.”
My cheeks heat.
“But I’ve considered all of this and would still like to offer you the opportunity before anyone else.”
Crap. It’s a good job in a field I want to be in. Obscene pay for the role. Secure, with great holiday and bonuses. “Ed, I just started at the club.”
“I know. And if you choose to keep that job, I’ll understand. I’d likely choose that over this place in your position, especially after the way we’ve treated you. But think about the long run. The later nights and long mornings trying to drag yourself out of bed.”
She’s right, the club is unsociable hours. “You’re good at this, you know.”
“I know.”
But what she doesn’t know is that for the past week, I’ve been so tired after working at the club that I’ve slept soundly for over seven hours straight after every shift. I’ve not slept for more than four since I was a child. I like the club. I like that it keeps me and my mind busy at night instead of worrying about Jovie or thinking about things that should’ve been but never were in life. My old job never gave me that freedom.
“I’m sorry, Ed, I love it there. I love what it can offer me.”
God, what am I saying?
She nods. “I understand.”