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I used to love it here, but this time around, having been in a family home and seeing Evie’s apartment at the docklands, it’s made me look at how I’m living. How empty the rooms feel. How bland it all is. Whilst it has an advantageous location, it’s not what you would call a home. Then there’s the added insult to injury, as I walk into the master bedroom. She’s here, it’s all I can see. And Christ, it isn’t even just the sex. It’s fucking her.
No time to dwell on it too much, though. I give myself a mental shake, I have a plan to execute.
Kenny already knows I’m here. To be honest, the selfish dick I am, I’m blackmailing him into ringing Evie and asking if I make it to London, am I able to join the tour of the buildings.
He’s understandably annoyed about it. “Marcus, I really don’t think that’s a good idea. She doesn’t want to sell to us. I’ve only pushed it because you’ve been harassing me to. It’ll seem like a fait accompli if you turn up. And I don’t see why we would rent. There are hundreds of buildings in London we can buy, mate. Is she even actually talking to you after that fucking party? I don’t feel comfortable about this.”
“Look Kenny, I spoke to her briefly the other night and she’s fine with me.” Well that’s a stretch, but at this point I don’t give a fuck. “See how she reacts to your request. If it’s really bad, I won’t come.”
He sighs, “You really are a first class dick, Marcus.”
“Yeah, and what’s your point? Just sort it Kenny, will you.”
He’s still grumbling at me, “I’ll ring her now and text you the address. IF she says yes, It’s a 12:30 appointment. If it’s a no, you better not turn up and make me look like a twat. I’m dating her friend, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever Kenny, get on with it.” I end the call and sit back on the settee in the hotel, smirking to myself. Mick looks at me with raised eyebrows. “What?” I shrug at him.
“What are you doing, Marcus? Can you not just wait ‘til she rings you? She’s obviously starting to get sorted out with her family. I spoke to Tommy and he says she’s really good. Her brothers were there over the weekend. He thinks they’ll try to move back in with her by stealth. They can’t keep away. You’re as bad. Let the woman breathe.”
Grinning at him, I concede, “I’ll take your advice if she says no.”
Shaking his head at me, he leaves me in the room to sit and wait for Kenny. I hate that it’s not in my own hands, but I daren’t break cover. She’ll blow me out before I get anywhere.
I do wonder if it’s because she’s made it clear she’s not interested in me that I’m bothered. If she’d have been all over me for the past four months, I’d probably be bored by now. It’s not my fault she’s a pain in the arse.
My phone pings with an address and a single word from Kenny: wanker. She’s even got my team turning against me. I’m sure Levi and Becky like her more than me. Kenny certainly does. And as for that git, Will. Tim just smiles every time her name comes up. I’ve not got the bottom of why. In fact, all around me, I seem to have turned into the bad guy. What a set of traitors.
“Mick,” I yell as I forward him the address, “we have a meeting at 12:30.”
“You are one charmed bastard,” he tells me and I shrug. If only that were true. I go to get ready, I need to be ready. This could set the tone of our relationship going forward. I pray that the animatronic person I saw a few weeks ago has truly and permanently gone. I definitely did not get that vibe the other night. What an enigma she is.
The wind is whipping off the Thames as we pull up outside an area that is obviously under construction. It’s really bleak overall, with warm pockets of greenery dotted around—a work in progress. The building she lives in is a really old docklands factory with brick and stone lintels and wrought iron windows. Advertising signs painted on in the olden days still adorn the sides. Intricate iron works, once rusting but now gleaming and freshly spruced up, look out proudly on the façade. It’s a huge building, at least five storeys high. Walking inside, the main thought on my mind is that I’m a bit worried she lives here alone when the boys are in Devon.
Voices filter through as we head towards the heart of the building, passing workmen going in and out. I look up as it gets lighter and lighter in front of us. The ceiling opens up into a vaulted glass retractable roof, open today as it's sunny.
I stare up at the blue sky and clouds moving overhead then take in the courtyard. It’s a bit more than just a simple courtyard. It’s a living garden inside a building with a walkway running around the perimeter. Wrought iron work supports the roof and floors above, some of it painted, other bits left in its peeling splendour. I see statues similar to some from The Marchand Gardens in France. She obviously used some of the contacts. Beyond the walkway is a bank of glass offices, all looking out onto this amazing space.
Filtering through the surface noise, I hear Evie laugh and Kenny talking excitedly. Maybe he’s changed his mind.
“Evie, Kenny…” My voice is so low, she looks up at me, startled, as I approach. She smiles, but Kenny looks a bit nervous.
I move towards her and, when she doesn’t step back, I kiss her on each cheek, inhaling as I do. My eyes close as I smell roses and summer rain, and Evie.
“Did you just smell me, Kellen?” She steps back laughing, raising one eyebrow in question.
“I may have.” I grin at her unabashedly. “Don’t worry, Kenny, not doing that to you.” I shake his hand. “Good to see you. How’s things going? Have you had a look around yet?”
“No,” says Kenny confidently but loudly, looking away, his eyes roving around the garden. “We were waiting to see if you got here or not.”
I smile at him. At least he’s sticking to the plan, even if he obviously doesn’t like it.
“I’ve done a bit of lunch. You're welcome to join,” Evie adds.
I’m practically skipping. She’s calling me Kellen, and I’m getting no fuck off vibes. Things may be looking up.
“When I sit here, I always think a bit of France. So, inspired with that in mind, I’ve copied the lunch we had there. Hope that’s okay?” she says to me.
“I don’t mind at all. It’ll be lovely.”
