I texted Kate and asked her to meet me at the car park opposite the chambers again so we could continue our stakeout later that afternoon.
I opted for a low-cut cami with skinny jeans. Megan had been working my body hard, and I wasn’t at all feeling self-conscious about my bottom or bingo wings, so I thought I’d wear the outfit while things were sitting nicely and I was sure James would appreciate it. I did wear my mac but open so as not to cause a stir in James’s testosterone-filled offices. I once wore it fastened over a dress to York races and at least three drunken punters asked if I was naked underneath. I wanted to ensure there were no illusions of a topless Charlotte under there.
James was on the telephone when I entered his office. The conversation sounded heated so I quietly tiptoed to the desk and set the basket upon it. I arranged for his PA to bring some coffee and water and set out the plates while I waited.
‘Charlotte, what are you doing here?’ he said once he’d put the phone down. My heart sunk in my chest but I plastered on a smile to keep a brave face.
‘I know how hard you’ve been working, and I know I’ve been a little preoccupied with things recently so I wanted to make a bit of an effort to spend time with you.’
He sighed before softening his tone. ‘Sorry, darling, it’s very thoughtful of you. It’s just been a testing morning. This looks great.’ He took a bite out of a large deli-counter olive.
I relaxed a little and put out some cured meats, bread, and cheese. He tucked in silently, giving me a little smile when I caught his eye. He was still so handsome, even as the signs of ageing became apparent: those little crow’s feet that no longer disappeared with his smile, the deepened line along his forehead that no longer required raised eyebrows to be seen, and the sprinkling of grey around his temples all added to his attractiveness. Men seemed to age like fine wine; women (or just me), on the other hand, seem to be stuck with the ageing grace of a prune.
As I took a bite out of a piece of crusty bread there was a knock on the door before it burst open.
‘Excuse me, Mr Emsworth, your two o’clock has arrived. Would you like me to let them know you’re running late?’
James checked his watch and wiped his mouth with a napkin. ‘No, no, I’ll be through shortly.’ He gave me an apologetic look and I smiled back. It wasn’t his fault, and at least I felt better for making an effort at being an actual housewife since it was my only job. I started to clear up the plates. ‘Should I leave you the basket?’
‘No, no,’ he glanced at his phone, ‘actually, yes, would you mind?’
‘Of course not – I made it for you.’ I made my way around the desk and bent over to kiss him, fully aware that my low-cut top would be revealing far more than should be seen at two in the afternoon. He let out a low moan in acknowledgement.
‘Well, come home early,’ I said, planting another kiss on his forehead.
He twisted his mouth. ‘I don’t know if I’ll manage today.’
‘It’s a good job I love you.’ I kissed him once more before leaving.
I passed the time shopping while I waited for Kate to meet me at the car park.
‘Well you’re at least dressed for the occasion today,’ I said as she arrived ten minutes late.
‘I bought new trainers and everything.’ She was dressed head-to-toe in the latest Stella McCartney gym wear.
Before I could say anything else, Samantha emerged from the chambers. She pulled her mac tightly around her waist.
‘I wonder if she’s naked under there,’ whispered Kate.
‘Seriously, can’t a woman wear a mac?’ I scolded. When Samantha was far enough ahead, I nodded at Kate. ‘Let’s go.’ We followed her as she headed in the same direction as the day before.
‘That’s it, that’s exactly where she went yesterday!’ Kate pointed at the familiar office. The one I’d just come from.
‘That’s James’s office,’ I said, a little surprised.
‘No!’ gasped Kate. ‘Maybe he could shed some light on why she’s always popping in.’
‘Maybe,’ I replied. ‘Didn’t you notice “Emsworth, Haiden & Haiden Law” written above the door yesterday? It might’ve saved us some time!’
‘I saw the word “law”, but a really handsome George Clooney lookalike was going in around the same time and he gave me the eye.’ It could have been either one of the Haiden brothers as they both bore the resemblance.
I sighed. ‘I’ll speak to James later and see what he knows. It’s likely to be just work-related. I think we need to investigate her weekend hobbies next.’
***
James ambled in just after eight. I’d made a mushroom risotto, and his portion was sat on the side awaiting a microwave reheat.
‘Hello,’ I said as he traipsed over to his dinner and peered under the plastic cover to see what it was.
‘Hello,’ he replied, turning back around to kiss me on the head.
‘Another late night?’ I asked as he turned back to heat his food.
‘Yes.’ He rubbed his eyes. ‘I’m hoping it won’t be for much longer.’
I was hoping so too. This whole case was taking its toll, and at the risk of sounding like a needy, demanding housewife, I was starting to wonder if we even shared a connection any more. We weren’t even passing ships in the night – he was a submarine and I was the international space station and this was our equinox. I sighed and allowed my shoulders to sag. But he didn’t pick up on it, and I was too proud to say anything. Instead, I silently poured us both some wine and sat at the dining table. It didn’t seem like a good time to quiz him about Samantha,
