Page 118 of (Not) The One
‘We’ll see.’ He’ll be there. I’ll be there. But we won’t be there together. ‘Oh, before I forget,’ I add, cutting off her next enquiry, ‘did I show you the metallic additions on the mood board?’
Olivia’s like a magpie for shiny wedding things. I was going to rescue Heather from more wedding talk, but now I think I’ll make her suffer.
Because payback, like a cousin, can be a bitch.
30
James
‘I’ve been sacked.’Miranda drops heavily onto the Gio Ponti sofa, discarding her purse to the floor.
‘You’ve been what?’
‘Sacked. Fired. Given the big E. Dismissed!’
‘Whatever for?’ I’d never win an Oscar but I’m certain my reaction is convincing enough for my current audience. Particularly as she isn’t looking at me.
‘The flat with the rabbits? They had a nanny cam.’ Elbows on her knees, she drops her head to her hands. ‘Who the hell uses a nanny cam to spy on the pet sitter!’ she cries, raising her head again. ‘Who?’
‘Overly cautious people?’ I suggest mildly.
‘Or bloody idiots,’ she retorts.
‘Or people who enjoy watching their pets play while they’re on holiday?’ At least, that’s what they’d told me when I called around to their flat yesterday.
‘Don’t stick up for them. They got me fired!’
‘I’m sorry. This is clearly my fault for being there.’ Even if it was at her behest. Her behest and my pleasure. But that’s not the issue here.
‘You’re not the one who “signed a legally binding agreement” to say they wouldn’t have “friends over” to the places I was “paid to stay,” apparently.’ Who knew finger quotes could be so vicious? ‘And the agency is “doing me a favour” paying me for this month because I broke the “sacred contract.” ’
You bet they’re paying her, the trouble I went to and the amountIpaid to have this happen—for the bunny owners to lodge a complaint. I’d have gone direct to the agency if I thought it would’ve helped. But a pair of teachers were easier to deal with than a company, no matter how small. Easier to manipulate, you might say.
‘They were so condescending, James. And this from a couple who work out of their garage. I mean, their office is in their garage! Urgh!’
‘It’s over now.’ Thankfully, for both of us.
‘Do you know, she said I’m only getting paid for the month because the rabbit’s owners said they could see I was very sweet to their pets and obviously an animal lover.’
‘Hmm.’ Nothing to do with the fact that I offered them money to say so—because it’s true—while they lodged their complaint. Of course, I also explained my predicament. Somewhat. I’d said hat my girlfriend was pregnant and that I was afraid she was overtaxing herself working two jobs. That I couldn’t get her to listen to sense because she because she didn’t want to let the agency down as their most experienced pet sitter... Always putting people first, my lovely girl.
So I may have laid it on a little thick. But I could hardly tell them Miranda wasn’t actually my girlfriend but the woman carrying my child who I was trying to get to commit to me in one way or another. Anyway, I get the impression the pair would’ve provided her with an alibi for murder for the amount of money I’d offered them.
So, onto stage two of my not-so nefarious plan.
More despicable-lite.
‘I’m so sorry,’ I say taking a seat next to her on the high-backed sofa, which was bought more as an investment than for comfort. I take her hands in mine and rub my thumbs over her knuckles. ‘Your hands are so cold.’
She sniffs as though reminded of the temperature outside. She’s not...crying, is she? I duck my head. Her lashes are lowered demurely. And wet.
‘Oh, Miranda.’ Her name almost bleeds from my chest as a knot of something unfamiliar tightens in the pit of my gut. I didn’t think for one minute she’d be this kind of upset—disappointed and dejected. I’d expected her to be incensed, raging mad!
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘You keep saying that.’ Her words have a watery quality to them as I pull her to my chest, pressing my lips to her head. ‘But it’s not your fault.’
Except it is. But I can’t say so. I need to stop this remorseful outpouring. Anyone would think I’d picked up a bunch of apologies on special offer from some internet site. Apologies! Apologies for every-fucking-one!
