in a daze.
It wasn't until
I got out of the cab that I realized, I'd left everything behind.
My jacket, my purse, my case.
He had more
than a small reminder of me on his fingers, I was spread across his
hallway like a blanket of debris after the storm.
Entering my
building, I passed the doorman who raised his head with a good
evening and a cheery smile. I managed a hello and tried to smile
but my face wouldn't respond. I stepped inside the elevator and
pressed the button for the sixth floor. I composed myself,
arranging my hair and blouse neatly. I arrived at our penthouse and
pressed the buzzer next to our door. A few seconds later Ruth
answered it. I hoped she didn't notice my lack of jacket and purse.
It was rather unusual for me to arrive home completely empty
handed.
“ Sorry
I'm late,” I gushed. “Client dinner, it overran.”
“ No
problem Mandy, your dad already explained. And I got Abi ready for
bed. So there's nothing to do.”
“ Thanks
Ruth,” I was so grateful for that. It took quite a lot of effort to
wash and dress Abigail and my strength was fading fast.
Ruth put on her
sweater, and briefly kissed my cheek.
“ See you
Monday.”
“ Yes,
have a lovely weekend.”
“ And
you.”
She shut the
door behind her as I watched her leave.
I couldn't
imagine my weekend was going to be lovely, they never were.
I could see my
father's bedroom light was on. I needed a quick word of subtle
reprove before I resumed my usual position at my sister's side.
I knocked at
his door.
“ Come
in.”
I opened it and
went in. He was lying on his bed reading a book.
“ How did
it go?”
“ The
will's finished, and we're arranging...”
“ No, not
the will...you and Mr Shaw... your meal together,” he interrupted
impatiently.
“ It was
okay. He's coming round tomorrow, bringing my car home. We had a
few drinks this evening.” I forced myself to sound normal and
matter of fact.
“ Really?
Well done, Amanda...I'm so proud of you.” My heart soared for a
second, to hear my father say he was proud of me, but then I
realized he wasn't really proud of me at all. He was proud of my
possible association with Sebastian. Hardly the same
thing.
“ We've
only had dinner together.”
“ Yes, but
he invited you, that's a good start and he's quite a
catch.”
“ I
haven't caught him.” Catching Sebastian would be the end of me. I
was sure of it. He was a slippery path to heavenly hell.
“ Keep
trying. Invite him over for dinner. I'll invite Lucy.”
“ No! And
why are you pushing us together? You don't know what he's like.
You've said yourself, you don't know him, you've only just met
him.”
“ I know
his type... stubborn, successful, wealthy, intriguing, well spoken,
a brilliant golf player, an overdose of a real man and the perfect
one for you...right up your street, darling. Pull out the stops and
go for it.”
“ Oh for
God's sake. That's enough, Dad. I'll find my own man, thanks.” Not
that I intended to.
“ You
spend every moment in here or at work. When exactly are you going
to meet anyone? And opportunities like Sebastian Shaw don't come
along every day. It was necessary to intervene.”
“ Maybe I
don't want opportunities like him.”
I slammed the
door on him, my anger rising like a bubble about to burst, but not
before his final “Oh, grow up, will you,” rolled around the room
and into my ears. I'm sure if my dad knew what kind of grown up
behavior I'd been indulging in tonight, he'd be more than shocked.
He'd be horrified. Much like I am.
But then again,
would he be?
He might even
pat me on the back, and say, “Good girl... I knew you could do it,
now go have some more sex...make sure you bed him well and good.
Exhaust him. Make him remember you. Put on a real good show, now.
Remember who's daughter you are. We Prestons don't do anything by
halves.”
Was I going
crazy? Why was I even thinking this?
I entered
Abigail's room and her eyes lit up. They always did when I
It wasn't until
I got out of the cab that I realized, I'd left everything behind.
My jacket, my purse, my case.
He had more
than a small reminder of me on his fingers, I was spread across his
hallway like a blanket of debris after the storm.
Entering my
building, I passed the doorman who raised his head with a good
evening and a cheery smile. I managed a hello and tried to smile
but my face wouldn't respond. I stepped inside the elevator and
pressed the button for the sixth floor. I composed myself,
arranging my hair and blouse neatly. I arrived at our penthouse and
pressed the buzzer next to our door. A few seconds later Ruth
answered it. I hoped she didn't notice my lack of jacket and purse.
It was rather unusual for me to arrive home completely empty
handed.
“ Sorry
I'm late,” I gushed. “Client dinner, it overran.”
“ No
problem Mandy, your dad already explained. And I got Abi ready for
bed. So there's nothing to do.”
“ Thanks
Ruth,” I was so grateful for that. It took quite a lot of effort to
wash and dress Abigail and my strength was fading fast.
Ruth put on her
sweater, and briefly kissed my cheek.
“ See you
Monday.”
“ Yes,
have a lovely weekend.”
“ And
you.”
She shut the
door behind her as I watched her leave.
I couldn't
imagine my weekend was going to be lovely, they never were.
I could see my
father's bedroom light was on. I needed a quick word of subtle
reprove before I resumed my usual position at my sister's side.
I knocked at
his door.
“ Come
in.”
I opened it and
went in. He was lying on his bed reading a book.
“ How did
it go?”
“ The
will's finished, and we're arranging...”
“ No, not
the will...you and Mr Shaw... your meal together,” he interrupted
impatiently.
“ It was
okay. He's coming round tomorrow, bringing my car home. We had a
few drinks this evening.” I forced myself to sound normal and
matter of fact.
“ Really?
Well done, Amanda...I'm so proud of you.” My heart soared for a
second, to hear my father say he was proud of me, but then I
realized he wasn't really proud of me at all. He was proud of my
possible association with Sebastian. Hardly the same
thing.
“ We've
only had dinner together.”
“ Yes, but
he invited you, that's a good start and he's quite a
catch.”
“ I
haven't caught him.” Catching Sebastian would be the end of me. I
was sure of it. He was a slippery path to heavenly hell.
“ Keep
trying. Invite him over for dinner. I'll invite Lucy.”
“ No! And
why are you pushing us together? You don't know what he's like.
You've said yourself, you don't know him, you've only just met
him.”
“ I know
his type... stubborn, successful, wealthy, intriguing, well spoken,
a brilliant golf player, an overdose of a real man and the perfect
one for you...right up your street, darling. Pull out the stops and
go for it.”
“ Oh for
God's sake. That's enough, Dad. I'll find my own man, thanks.” Not
that I intended to.
“ You
spend every moment in here or at work. When exactly are you going
to meet anyone? And opportunities like Sebastian Shaw don't come
along every day. It was necessary to intervene.”
“ Maybe I
don't want opportunities like him.”
I slammed the
door on him, my anger rising like a bubble about to burst, but not
before his final “Oh, grow up, will you,” rolled around the room
and into my ears. I'm sure if my dad knew what kind of grown up
behavior I'd been indulging in tonight, he'd be more than shocked.
He'd be horrified. Much like I am.
But then again,
would he be?
He might even
pat me on the back, and say, “Good girl... I knew you could do it,
now go have some more sex...make sure you bed him well and good.
Exhaust him. Make him remember you. Put on a real good show, now.
Remember who's daughter you are. We Prestons don't do anything by
halves.”
Was I going
crazy? Why was I even thinking this?
I entered
Abigail's room and her eyes lit up. They always did when I
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