The Reunion, page 7
“Huh. It really is premium stock.” Just then her phone buzzed from the depths of her bag and, dropping the card in, she reached for the phone, her lips curving when she saw who it was.
“Hey babe.” Henry’s voice was husky and deep, sending a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. “How’s the party?”
“Lame. Your offer still on?” she asked.
“You bet,” he replied throatily, and anticipation made her heart trip.
“See you soon.” Posy hung up with a satisfied smile. Screw Arundel, and screw Lucas O’Rourke. She didn’t need to be told how to live her life. Posy Edwins would be just fine.
Chapter Six
Monday morning gifted Lucas with a serious funk that even a punishing dawn session in the gym couldn’t vanquish. As he rifled through his bedroom drawer for the perfect tie, he couldn’t help ruing that he’d had not a single bite from that evening at Arundel and the subsequent spat with Posy had done nothing to amend the feeling of failure. The universe had gifted him the chance to speak to her alone, but she’d started whining about her bad luck and he’d not been able to stand it. How could someone be so oblivious? The whole train journey back to London, he’d kept trying to work out how he would inform Fred of his failure to get any business leads but each time his mind slipped back to Posy blithely whinging about her mega-rich father’s failure to fund her whimsy. How could someone be so oblivious? What must it be like to charge through life without any thought or strategy, to do whatever you fancied because you knew Daddy would foot the bill?
After a quick shower, he was just slipping into his suit when the phone rang; one glance told him it was Jackie, their PA. It wasn’t even 7am yet and she was on the blower? Couldn’t be a good sign. Steeling himself, he answered.
“Lucas?” Jackie was sobbing.
“What’s wrong?” he answered.
“It’s Fred. He… he…” Her words dissolved into snot and sobs. Lucas felt something tilt inside him. Staring out of his bedroom window across the rooftops of East London, he had a harrowing sense that there was about to be some very unwelcome change in his life. He swallowed, steeling himself.
“Jac, what happened?”
“He’s in A&E at St Thomas’,” she gulped. “I’m here… I’m waiting for Suzi but I’m all alone and I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m on my way now.” Lucas hung up and swiftly ordered an Uber, knowing that the hospital was a short twenty-minute cab journey from his flat but easily double that on public transport.
Soon, he was at the impressive and enormous institution that was St Thomas’ Hospital, a sprawling mass of buildings situated right by the Thames. He charged into the Emergency Department and found Jackie huddled on one of the seats in the waiting area, which appeared mercifully quiet at that time of the morning. As soon as she clocked Lucas, her eyes screwed up tight and fresh tears slid down her cheeks.
“Jac, what happened?” Lucas enfolded his assistant in a supportive hug and she collapsed against him, her shoulders trembling.
“I got in about six to set up for the day,” Jackie sobbed into Lucas’s chest. “Because of Dorfman coming in at eight. And Fred was on the floor in his office – his lips were purple! Paramedics think it was a heart attack.”
“Oh no,” Lucas groaned, clinging to her tighter. Fred frequently liked to arrive super early; for him to be in the office around six to prepare for an 8am meeting was very typical. He remembered the tablet he’d seen Fred take in the kitchen the other day. Was that connected? It occurred to Lucas that Fred may have been secretly battling something for some time now and Lucas being the oblivious idiot he was hadn’t noticed! He cursed himself for the neglect. He could have forced Fred to take a holiday, review his medical care, anything that could have avoided this living nightmare. He closed his eyes against the glare of the overhead lights, shut out the constant slap of feet on the tiled floor and let Jackie shudder out her anguish.
“Excuse me?”
Lucas opened his eyes. A petite, red-haired doctor in scrubs had arrived, her tired face arranged in a polite smile. She said, “Are you the family of Mr Fred Jones?”
“We’re his colleagues and friends. His wife isn’t here yet.” Jackie lifted her phone. “She has to get in from West London and there’s the kids to sort. She might be a while yet.”
“I can only speak to next of kin, I’m afraid,” the doctor said, chewing her lip. Her name badge read Dr Kim Lee.
“I’m his best friend and business partner.” Lucas hated how clinical and exclusionary ‘next of kin’ sounded. Fred was a brother in all but blood, not that it would matter to Dr Lee. “Please, can you tell me anything?”
“Your friend is stable,” Dr Lee replied. “That much I can say. And we will be admitting him to Cardiology. May I get his wife’s details so I can call her with all the information?” She handed a notepad over to Jackie, who began scribbling down the details.
“Cardiology?” Lucas breathed. “You should know there’s family history there. His dad was about Fred’s age when he died from a heart attack. At least, I think that’s what it was.”
“That’s useful,” Dr Lee allowed Lucas a grim nod of thanks. “Look, if his wife gives permission, I don’t see why we can’t let you say hello to him, if he’s up for that. I’ll be right back.” After another kindly smile she headed to the nurses’ station, her rubber shoes squeaking on the lino floor.
“Coffee?” Jackie said hoarsely, thumbing down the corridor. “Saw a Costa down there.”
“I can get you one,” Lucas said, jamming his hand into his pocket for his wallet. “What would you like?”
“Oh, let me go,” Jackie said. “I want to stretch my legs.” She accepted the tenner Lucas proffered with an assurance she’d treat herself to whatever she liked.
As she trudged off, Lucas slumped back in his seat. It was all too much. A world without Fred wasn’t one Lucas wanted to envisage. And Suzi! Fred had met her at university and had never looked at another woman since. Lucas couldn’t imagine how frantic she must be.
Moments later, the doctor came back, saying she’d spoken to Suzi and they could pop in to see Fred but only one visitor at a time was permitted. He dropped Jackie a text to let her know where he’d gone and followed Dr Lee onto the ward.
“Oh, mate.” Lucas’s legs buckled at the sight of Fred, wan against the hospital regulation bedding. He had a nasal cannula fastened to his face, a drip in one arm, and a host of wires connecting him to a rather terrifying-looking monitor with all manner of lights and beeps.
“Hi,” Fred rasped.
“I haven’t got long,” Lucas told him, taking a seat at Fred’s side. “What happened?”
“My heart pulled a dick move and I passed out,” Fred rasped.
“Or what we in the medical profession call arrhythmia,” Dr Lee corrected, glancing at his monitor.
“Yes, mein Herr,” Fred wheezed.
“Two minutes.” The doctor pointed at Lucas and slipped out through the privacy curtain.
“Shit.” Lucas took a deep breath. “Can they treat this thing?” Silently he vowed to research the condition and all associated illnesses as soon as he got home. There was no way he could live with himself if he didn’t examine all the possibilities for Fred’s wellbeing. And there had to be steps they could take at Align: in-office therapies, relaxing candles, heart-healthy snacks on hand. The cost didn’t matter. Anything to keep his friend in one piece.
“Yeah,” Fred said. “It’s common. But getting back to full health might take time and… oh boy.”
“What?” Lucas half rose, ready to buzz for help but then he saw Fred wave his hand.
“Chill.” Fred coughed. “I can already see your mind going at a mile a minute. It’s going to mean I need to take a step back from everything for a little while.”
“Right. Of course. Whatever you need.” Lucas was certain Align could cope without Fred there for a few weeks.
“It’s just… they think part of the problem came from stress,” Fred said. “And I know when Suzi gets here, she’s gonna stick the boot in about me working too hard.”
“We’ll manage, mate,” Lucas assured him with a fervour he didn’t feel. “You take some time. I can handle everything.” He fought the urge to chew his thumbnail as he mentally reviewed each critical business decision he’d made of late. Was this his fault? He didn’t want to think about a world where he wasn’t working side by side with his best friend.
“Oi.” Fred poked him with all the strength of a tired kitten. “This shit is mainly genetic. Don’t start blaming yourself.”
“I’m not,” Lucas lied and forced a laugh. “Just thinking about what I can do to help.”
“What would really help me is hearing how you got on at that school reunion.” Fred’s eyes glimmered with hope and Lucas’s heart sank.
“Oh.” Lucas managed a stiff nod. No point in worrying the man. Best that he believe the business was in safe hands for now. “Early days but should have some good news in the next week or so.”
“That’s fantastic,” Fred gushed, a slow smile spreading his features. “And, whilst you’re here, you should know I had a call from Lim Management last night.”
“Lim?” Lucas’s mind boggled. Lim was an Asian outfit – globally successful, with various offshoots of investment funds and wealth management.
“Yeah, you know I used to work with Evie Wong? She’s one of their top M&A officers. She called me.”
“What did she want?” There were few things a company like Lim could be after, in Lucas’s opinion, but a buyout was the likely goal.
“Not sure,” Fred admitted. “Seemed merely exploratory but—”
“Hey!” Dr Lee had yanked back the curtain and was eyeballing her patient with amused sternness. “What did I say about relaxing?”
“Okay, I think time’s up,” Lucas said. “Suzi’s on her way here anyway.”
“We’re moving you to Cardiology,” the doctor said firmly. “I’ll make sure your wife finds you there.”
After Lucas instructed a still shaken Jackie to take the day off, he headed into the office, booting up his computer with a whirling mind. After calling Dorfman to apologise for the last-minute cancellation, he spent some time splitting up Fred’s responsibilities between himself and his team. Then he took a moment to breathe. Ticking off this necessary task should have given him comfort, but the gnawing in his stomach didn’t let up. He’d nearly lost his dearest friend and now Lucas had to keep their struggling company afloat whilst he recovered, without anyone to turn to. Although keeping stress from Fred was important, Lucas knew he couldn’t hide any problems from him for too long. He’d wise up to it sooner rather than later and who knew what effect that would have on Fred’s wellbeing? God, if only Lucas been able to drum up some business from the reunion! But not only had he failed to spark any interest, he’d managed to upset the daughter of the key target Fred had begged him to win! Lucas straightened his notebook and brushed a loose bit of thread off his desk. He checked the angle of his desk and the recline of his chair. Still optimum. He opened up several programmes on his computer and swallowed his vitamin cocktail, mind racing all the while. As his email application opened up he saw a note from Steven Lazslo at Maine Jewels pop in, high-priority. A nauseating wave engulfed him as he saw the ebullient jeweller had peppered the email subject line with a number of emojis and not happy ones at that.
“Oh, Fred.” With a groan, Lucas dropped his head to the desk.
Chapter Seven
Posy stretched her body along the bed in languorous pleasure at the sight of Henry padding back into his bedroom with two mugs of aromatic coffee. He looked so delicious at this time of morning – his dirty blond hair rumpled fetchingly, chiselled torso just visible through his unzipped sweater and matching sweatpants. His pink lips curved into a lascivious smile as he passed a mug over to her.
“Oh, lovely.” Posy pulled herself to a sitting position, leaning against the silken headboard and took the drink.
“Fresh from the press,” Henry purred, brushing her cheek with a gentle kiss. Posy grinned, inhaling the coffee he’d imported from overseas at great expense. Crashing at his after the reunion had been a total balm, soothing her jangled nerves from the party. There hadn’t been much talking; Henry had been mentally taxed from whatever he’d been up to whilst away and Posy had only been interested in banging the stress away. And the latter activity was something Henry was exceptional at. So exceptional, in fact, that she’d spent the entirety of Sunday in his bed and Monday morning had snuck up on them almost unexpectedly.
“Thanks darling,” she said, licking her lips in appreciation. “You always know exactly what I need.”
“I thought you’d need the energy after yesterday.” Henry raised his neat eyebrows suggestively. Posy could only agree. She really had needed a distraction from the fact that she had quite spectacularly failed the task her father had set her. And now, as Henry nuzzled her neck, she had trouble remembering what that had even been.
“Well, you know, your flat is just a short hop from Arundel,” she said casually. “Convenience, and all that.”
“Is that all it is?” He smirked. “More like you missed me whilst I was away.” He paused his devouring of her neck to gulp coffee.
“If you say so.” Posy smiled indulgently. Yes, Henry was the whole package – in every way – and the trouble was he knew it. But so long as he continued to deliver the fun, Posy was prepared to overlook the self-satisfied comments.
“So, how was it, seeing the old gang again?” he asked, settling back onto the bed next to her.
“It was an experience,” Posy replied carefully. “You know the saying ‘peaked at school’? Definitely applies to like, ninety per cent of my year.” She was still reeling from how alien it had felt to be with Dee and Honor again. As teens they’d shared everything – secrets and emotions and trials and victories. When Posy had lost her virginity to Archie Tremayne-Webb, Dee had been the first person she’d told after Tara. And Honor had practically lived in the Edwins’s summerhouse for a month after an epic falling out with her parents over an illegal tattoo. But yesterday, they’d been so apart from her that it had been impossible to imagine those days. And then there was Lucas, who’d arguably had a rough time of it at Arundel yet had seemingly emerged as the most together alumnus of them all.
“Yikes,” Henry said. “That must have been quite the situation.”
“It really was.” Posy nestled against his solid bicep, drinking in the scent of coffee and detergent from his Under Armour hoodie. “Henners, do you think I’m…?” As she mulled over the accusations Lucas had thrown at her, her eyes stung. “Never mind.”
“No, go on.” He nudged her.
She lifted her head and looked at his chiselled features. “Do you think I have daddy issues?”
“What?” Henry frowned.
“Well… an old schoolfriend of mine said I’ve been, like, wasting my life. And that instead of taking responsibility for that I’m just blaming my dad.” She bit her lip, almost afraid to meet her boyfriend’s eye.
“That friend sounds like a dick,” Henry snorted. “Was it Tara? I know she hates me.”
“No, not Tara,” Posy snapped. “And she’s definitely not a dick, thank you very much.” Although, now Henry mentioned it, Tara generally didn’t speak of Henry all that much, which was odd considering that Posy and Tara discussed everything. “Tara doesn’t hate you. What makes you think that?”
“Just her general tone and demeanour.” Henry shrugged. “That night in Leeds she barely looked at me.”
“She’s kind of reserved,” Posy said. “Besides, she didn’t even go to Arundel so she wasn’t at the reunion. Anyway, can we get back to this—”
“I try my best to get on with people, you know?” Henry pouted. “And don’t I treat you well?”
“Of course you do!” Posy stroked his shoulder. “But I—”
“I’d hate for any of your friends to think so little of me,” he went on, his lips curving even further south.
Posy sighed. As much as she wanted his opinion on her argument on Lucas, Henry was clearly troubled by the thought of just one friend not liking him. He wanted to get on well with the people who mattered to his girlfriend, she thought with a rush of affection. “I’ll talk to Tara,” she said, pushing the Lucas matter to one side. “But I think you’re being paranoid.”
“You’re the best.” He leaned over and kissed her, briefly sending all thoughts of Lucas O’Rourke out of Posy’s mind. As they pulled apart, he gazed deep into her eyes. “Beautiful, darling Posy,” he said. “I am the luckiest guy in the world.”
Posy preened in the glow of his admiration. “Well, if you have some time this morning, let me show you just how lucky you are…” Hungrily, she reached for him.
Henry’s eyes flicked to the clock by his bed and he jolted back. “Oh Jesus, is that the time?”
Posy glanced back to the clock. It was just 8am. A dull foreboding ached through her. “What’s wrong?”
“Crumbs, I have to shoot off back to Norfolk,” Henry replied glumly. “I’m flying to Belgium tomorrow night so I said I’d spend some time with Mother first.”
“You’re going back already?” Posy tried to hide her disappointment. He’d been gone for well over a week and they’d had just two precious nights together. Was that all she was getting this month?
“Work is insane!” Henry drawled regretfully. “I’m so sorry. But it’s just until Thursday.”
Posy forced herself to smile. How could she understand the pressures of being a jet-set broker for the rich and powerful? “I get it.” Then she had an idea. “Belgium, huh? Want any company?” She was so desperate to put off facing her father that she’d contemplate meeting her boyfriend’s parents for the first time.
A look of horror flitted across Henry’s face. “What?”
