Part 29 (1/2)

I slip on the safety kit, while considering what I must look like in my lady-like, blush dress and this get up. I panic for a moment, worried that she might make me put on some steel toe cap boots, but she presses the b.u.t.ton for the elevator and my worries disappear.

'We'll start in the penthouse. It's very similar to the layout of Lusso.' The elevator arrives and we step inside. 'You're familiar with Lusso, of course.' She smiles, revealing a mouth full of straight teeth.

I like her. 'Yes, I'm familiar with Lusso.' I return her friendly smile. More familiar than you know! I snap a lid on my drifting thoughts immediately. I must not think about him. I must not think about him. I repeat the mantra all the way to the penthouse, while Ingrid explains the minor differences between Lusso and The Life Building. There are not many.

The elevator opens straight into the penthouse; this is one of the differences. Lusso has a Penthouse foyer. The underground parking is the other.

'Here we are. After you, Ava,'

I take her direction, walking into a vastness I'm familiar with. The size of this Penthouse must be almost exact to Lusso. It looks bigger at the moment, standing an empty sh.e.l.l, but I recall Lusso feeling the same.

'You can see we used oak here. All of the windows and doors are bespoke and made using sustainable wood. I'm sure Mikael has advised you of this part of the specification in the email he sent you.' I glance at her. She must catch my blank expression because she laughs, shaking her head. 'He didn't mention it in his email?'

'No,' I reply, praying that I read it properly, and in full.

'You'll have to forgive him. He's slightly sidetracked with his divorce.'

Divorce? Oh, is that what's held him up in Denmark? I think it slightly inappropriate that she's told me such a private part of Mikael's personal life. Everyone is being so open and honest these days. Or am I just being closed and guarded?

'Consider me advised.' I smile.

Over the next few hours, Ingrid walks me through the entire building. I take photographs of the s.p.a.ces, making notes en-route. The Life Building houses the same luxuries Lusso offers to its residents a a luxury health club, a twenty four hour concierge and the latest security systems. The list goes on. Mikael and his partner certainly know how to deliver on modern, luxury living. The views over Holland Park and the city are incredible.

We find ourselves back in the main foyer. 'Thank you for the tour, Ingrid.' I remove my fetching hat and vest.

'You're welcome, Ava. Do you have everything you need?'

'Yes, I'll wait to hear from Mikael.'

'He said he would call you on Monday.' she says as she shakes my hand.

We say our goodbyes, and I leave Ingrid and The Life Building, heading back to the office. I call my doctors surgery on my way; I need to replace my pills. Where they have gone is a b.l.o.o.d.y mystery. I get an appointment for four o'clock today, which is a relief. Not that I plan on having much s.e.x anytime soon. I've had enough lately to see me through for a while.

'Afternoon,' I sing to Tom and Victoria as I walk into the office.

Tom frowns and glances at the clock. 'Oppsie! I'm late for Mrs Baines. She'll be having kittens!' He jumps up from his desk, straightens his yellow and blue, stripy tie a which wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't sporting an orange s.h.i.+rt a and tweaks his blonde quiff. 'I'll be back after I've pacified the loopy old bird.' he chants, collecting his man-bag and dancing out of the office.

'Bye.' I call, landing at my desk. 'You okay, Victoria?' I ask. She's daydreaming. 'h.e.l.lo?' I call.

'Huh? Oh, sorry. I was miles away. What did you say?'

'Are you okay?' I prompt.

She smiles brightly, flicking her long blonde locks over her shoulder. 'I couldn't be better.'

Of course. I wonder if her good mood has something to do with a certain standoffish, smart suited man called Drew. I haven't seen her since Sat.u.r.day night, but from what I recall a before drunkenness rendered me stupid a she and Drew were looking rather friendly. Is everyone getting it on at the moment?

'And why is that?' I ask on a raised brow.

She giggles like a little girl. 'I have a date with Drew on Friday night.'

I knew it, although I still can't wrap my brain around ditsy Victoria and serious Drew. 'Anywhere nice?' I ask.

She shrugs. 'He didn't say. He just asked if he could take me out.' Her mobile rings and she excuses herself by waving it at me.

I turn my attention to my computer, silencing my phone when it starts blurting Black and Gold. It's becoming automatic to just reach over and press the b.u.t.ton on the side without even looking. After it's shouted at me three times on the bounce, I turn the sound off altogether. The man is a persistent pain in the a.r.s.e.

'I'm off,' Victoria calls, getting up from her desk. 'I'll be back about four.'

'I won't see you. I've a doctor's appointment at four.'

'Oh?' She glances over on her way out.

'I lost my pills.' I offer. She pulls a face that tells me she's been there and done that. It makes me feel slightly better for being so careless.

I start filtering through my emails and take some copies of drawings to send to my contractors.

When it hits three o'clock, I go to make the coffee. Sally always does it, but I'm relieved to ease my eyes from my bright computer screen.

'Ava?' I hear Sally call me. I poke my head around the kitchen door, seeing her waving the office phone. 'A man on the phone for you, he won't say who he is.'

My heart jumps into my throat. I know d.a.m.n well who it is. 'Is he on hold?'

'Yes, shall I put him through?'

'No!' I yell, and poor nervous Sally flinches. 'I'm sorry. Tell him I'm out of the office.'

'Oh, okay.' She looks all wide eyed and confused as she pushes a b.u.t.ton on the phone that will connect her back to Jesse. 'I'm sorry, Sir. Ava is out of the offi...' She jumps a metre into the air, dropping the phone onto her desk with a loud clatter. She scrambles to pick it up again. 'I...I...I'm...I'm...sor...sorry, Sir...' She's stuttering and stammering all over the place, a good indication that Jesse is yelling down the phone at her. I feel riddled with guilt for putting her through this. 'Sir, please...I...I a.s.sure you...she's...she's not here.'

I watch as she freaks out at her desk, looking at me wide eyed and stunned as she's verbally a.s.saulted by Mr Neurotic. I smile apologetically. I'll buy her some flowers.

She drops the phone back into the cradle, looking at me in shock. 'Who was that?' she asks. She's going to cry.

'Sally, I'm so sorry.' I quickly grab the coffees from the kitchen a the only peace offering I can lay my hands on at the moment a and drop Patrick's on his desk, exiting sharply before he can strike up a conversation. I take Sally's coffee to her desk and place it on her coaster. 'I'm so sorry.' I hope I sound as guilty as I feel.

Sally blows out a long exasperated breath. 'Someone needs a cuddle!' She starts giggling.

I'm completely stunned on the spot. I was expecting tears and a nervous breakdown. Instead, dull as dish water Sally has just cracked a joke. I look at the mousey, plain Jane chuckling, and I start laughing too a a proper bend over, tears in my eyes, stomach cramping belly laugh. It feels so good. Sally joins me in my hysteria as we both fall apart all over the office.

'What's going on?' Patrick's voice calls from his desk.

I wave my hand in the air to him and he rolls his eyes, returning to his computer on an exasperated head shake. I couldn't tell him, even if I was in a fit state to talk. I leave Sally crying and head for the toilet to sort myself out. Oh, that feels so good. I've seen Sally in a whole new light. I like sarcastic Sally.

When I've gathered myself together and dabbed my running mascara, I let Patrick know that I'm off for a doctor's appointment. 'I'm sorry, Sally, I can't look at you!' I splutter as I pa.s.s her desk and leave the office, hearing her laughing again. I compose myself and make my way to the tube.

Chapter 23.