“Yeah,” said Nile, nodding. “Yeah, I need to do something about that. He’s stuck in Dublin right now with his family. He went to see them in November and now he can’t come back until things get better here. I need to reach out to him, though, to see how he is. See if there’s anything worth salvaging.”
“Your call.”
“It is, yeah,” said Nile. “Thanks for being honest.”
“It’s a specialty of mine.”
“Listen. You’re in Morden. I’m stuck in Tooting for the foreseeable future. We’re only four stops from each other on the Northern Line. How about we catch up sometimes? For drinks or a meal, once things open up? I could do with someone other than Prince for conversation, who only ever talks about computers and Beverley. Neither of which interest me. And I promise never to ask you to kiss me again.”
Spencer laughed. In truth, he could do with more friends. He enjoyed Nile’s frankness and welcomed the idea of having someone fun to see outside of work, someone to entice him out from the sanctuary of his flat at the weekend.
“I’d love that.”
Spencer noticed Bev and Prince approaching, leaving a safe platonic distance between each other. Prince waved the red plastic tag in front of them.
“We’ve just had our fifteen-minute call. We need to get going soon,” said Prince.
“Are you getting your thang on with Nile?” asked Bev, grinning wickedly and winking at Spencer.
“No, we’re not,” said Spencer, raising an eyebrow at Bev. “Unlike you and Prince, we’re just friends.”
Bev’s grin melted from her face, while Prince grinned and looked away.
“I told him,” said Nile. “Sorry, cuz. I didn’t realise you two were still under cover.”
“Not much of a cover,” said Spencer. “Dancing and kissing at the boss’ son’s engagement party for all to see. Why didn’t you say anything, Bev?”
“Because she was worried about you,” said Prince, chipping in. “Worried about the relationship crap you’ve been through lately. She’s happy—we both are—and she didn’t want to rub that in your face.”
“It’s true,” said Bev, looking sheepish. “I was going to say something when I came to your place on the day you were sick, but you had company. And then, when we had coffee yesterday and you told me about Marshall, and then about your brother, I decided to put off telling you until later. Are you mad at me?”
How could he be mad at her? She was one of the few people who cared about him. Instead of answering, he pulled her into a tight hug.
“Of course not. I’m really happy for you both. You make a fantastic couple.”
“We do, don’t we?” said Prince. “Now get your arses in gear, before they throw us out.”
Leaving through the main doors with the party still going strong, Spencer and his group emerged into darkness. Frost had begun to pepper the ground. As they ambled back to the car, Spencer looked around and listened, but could only hear the sounds of the night.
He had to hand it to Blake and his deviousness. Nobody passing would ever be able to tell that an illegal party was in full swing inside the darkened barn.
Chapter Fifteen
On Monday morning, when Spencer stepped out of the farthest of four lifts, the first thing that hit him was the appearance over the weekend of a giant artificial Christmas tree in hot-pink twinkling with snowy white lights and silver baubles, and a huge matching pink garland hung up behind the reception desk. He stopped in his tracks at the sight and chuckled, already feeling better about his day. As he moved forward unnoticed, he spotted Bev standing behind the reception desk, looming over Kim, talking loudly and clearly.
On the ride home from the party he had sat in the back with her while she talked about her and Prince being a couple. Prince had chipped in occasionally. They had spoken again more privately on Sunday over the phone when Spencer had popped down to the local café for a coffee. Listening to her enthuse happily about her relationship with Prince had been infectious, and he had even ended up feeling better about himself.
Today she appeared to be dishing out instructions to Kim, but the moment she looked up and saw him, her face transformed with a mischievous excitement he knew only too well.
“Squirrel!” she said, her voice a high-pitched squeal. “Did you hear what happened? After we left the party?”
“Happened where?” asked Kim, looking up from her screen.
“Nothing,” said Bev. “Spencer and I went to the same party on Saturday.”
“Blake’s engagement party?” said Kim, rolling her eyes. “World’s worst-kept secret. I had calls from his friends all dayFriday, asking to confirm directions. And if you’re talking about the newspaper article, then I imagine the whole office knows about the secret party by now.”
“Newspaper article?” asked Spencer, before wondering how many ‘worst-kept secrets’ the office was cultivating.
