Page 81 of Be More Capybara

62

NIGEL

It felt strange looking out over nighttime New York from a bland hotel room window rather than from his comfortable house on East 74th Street. And navigating through the hustle and bustle had been too much after barely setting foot outside Devon for the last few months. If he’d had any doubts about whether New York was his home, it was clear now. Dashford was where his heart lay even if the person who mattered most there was still ignoring him.

He tried texting Helen again just in case she’d unblocked him.

No response. Not that he was surprised. When Helen made her mind up about something, she rarely changed it. More’s the pity in this case.

Sloane and Avery were being elusive too. ‘Exams, Daddy - sorry!’

Another evening on his own then. He could do with a drink to help him settle the thoughts that were filling his head before he went to bed.

He headed down to the hotel bar.

‘What can I get you, sir?’

‘Um.’ He was out of practice at this already. ‘An Old Fashioned, please.’

‘And your room number?’

‘858’

‘Coming up.’

A minute later the bartender pushed a lowball glass towards him, along with a receipt and pen.

He signed the receipt and pushed it back.

‘Thank you, sir.’

Nigel made himself comfortable on a bar stool and swirled the drink around in his glass.

‘Difficult day?’

A woman’s voice. He turned to see who she was. Brunette, late 20s, appealing smile, fitted business dress cut to show off her curves. Once upon a time, he would have found her attractive.

‘A difficult week,’ he said.

‘I know the feeling.’ She sighed.

He noticed her English accent.

‘Have you stayed here before?’ she asked.

‘The hotel? Or New York?’

‘Either.’

‘I used to live here. In New York.’

‘So what brought you back?’

‘Business.’

‘That’s why I’m here too. I’ve been offered a job at a big legal firm on Park Avenue.’ She began tapping her fingers against her glass nervously.

‘Are you going to take it?’