Page 31 of Toy Boy
Not really. That shit about paperwork, it was a lie. Yes, I’ve got paperwork to do, but nothing that can’t wait until after lunch.
“I’ll see you on Saturday, then? Around seven-thirty?”
She smiles and nods. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I’m not. I hate parties, but I feel this one is necessary, if only to let people know that I’m back, and that I really am the changed man I’m trying so hard to be.
“Have a good day, Scott. And when I say welcome back, I mean that.”
I know she does. “Thank you.”
I watch as she struts down the corridor, her high heels click-clacking on the tiled floor. And all of a sudden I’m not all that hungry anymore, so I forget the trip to the harbour and head back to my office. I’ll pop into the canteen on the way and grab a sandwich and a coffee before I write up the paperwork for this morning’s operation. Then it’s ward rounds, a staff meeting, life goes on, as it always has done, it’s just, for a little while, I wasn’t sure mine was going to be allowed to do that…
7
Megan
“Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me!”
“They’ve just arrived.” Iona stands back and admires the bunch of deep red roses, her arms crossed over her chest. “They’re pretty stunning, don’t you think?”
I pick the card out from amongst the flowers and read it, rolling my eyes as I slide it into my back pocket. “Yep. They’re from Scott,” I sigh, going behind the counter to fetch myself a bottle of juice. It’s hot outside, but thankfully air-conditioned inside the café.
“What are you going to do with them?” Iona asks, a little tentatively, because she knows how I feel about Scott. Most people do, it’s no secret.
I shrug. “Leave them here. They’ll brighten up the break room.”
“Want me to take them in there?”
“Please. There’s a vase in the cupboard under the sink.”
She picks up the bouquet and takes it out back, and I lean against the counter and look out at the empty café. The last of our customers are gone now, we’ve just got to stack the chairs and wipe down the tables and we’re done.
“Hey, Hanna.”
I smile at her as she comes out of the kitchen, and then I remember where I’m going when I’ve finished here, and guilt swamps me. What the hell am I doing? Am I not just being swayed by a younger man and his quite obvious skill at charming the older woman? Is this something I feel I need to do in order to show Scott I’ve moved on…?
Really? He’s got that far under your skin already…?
No. That isn’t how it is.
Isn’t it…?
“Hey.”
She hasn’t been all that talkative this afternoon, I think her encounter with Xander affected her more than she wanted it to. And there goes another wave of guilt. Because, not five minutes after he told her all he wanted was friendship, I go and make a date with him… Except, it isn’t really a date, is it? We’re just going to sit and talk and get to know each other.
And that makes everything alright, then, does it?
“Have you got any plans for tonight?” I ask, taking a sip of juice.
“Not really. I was actually wondering if I could stay back here and play around with a few recipes. Just for a couple of hours. There isn’t a lot of room in my kitchen at home, and if Iona and Graham are there too there isn’t the space.”
“Of course you can stay back. Just make sure everything’s turned off and locked up and the alarm set before you go.”
She manages a small smile. “Thanks, Megan.”
“Have you got some new recipe ideas?”