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‘It’s not how it looks.’ He grimaced but was obviously relieved it was Tory and no one else. ‘It’s just that Sue’s husband is home on leave and I’ve had no time to make other arrangements.’
Tory held in a sigh but she couldn’t do anything about the disapproving look on her face. Officially Alex was lodging with Sue Baxter, a secretary at Eastwich, while he fixed himself up with more permanent accommodation. Unofficially he was sleeping with her while her Naval Engineer husband was on tour of duty. Tory knew this because indiscretion was Sue Baxter’s middle name.
She was a shallow, slightly vacuous woman, and what attraction Sue held for Alex was hard to fathom, but Tory kept her opinion to herself. Alex seemed intent on pushing his own self-destruct button and Tory felt ill-qualified to prevent him.
‘You won’t say anything, will you?’ He smiled a little boyishly at Tory, already knowing the answer.
She shook her head, her loyalty guaranteed. She didn’t fancy Alex, though many women did. Nor was she sure if she liked him at times. But he had a vulnerable quality that brought out a protective streak in her.
‘You’d better not hang round here, looking like that,’ she said with some frankness.
‘I suppose not.’ Alex made another face. ‘I hear the new chief exec appeared in person yesterday.’
Tory nodded. ‘I said you were out researching a programme.’
‘I was, sort of,’ he claimed. It was as unconvincing as his rider of, ‘Pity I missed him.’
Tory looked at him sceptically, but refrained from pointing out that, had Lucas Ryecart met Alex while he was in this condition, Alex might not still be on the Eastwich payroll.
‘Tory, I was wondering—’ he gave her an appealing look ‘—if I could go to your place. Just to clean up. And maybe get my head down for an hour or two.’
Tory’s heart sank. She told herself to refuse point-blank, but it came out as a less definite, ‘I’m not sure, Alex. You know how tongues wag round here and if anyone saw you—’
‘They won’t,’ he promised. ‘ I’ll be the soul of discretion.’
‘Yes, but—’ Tory didn’t get the chance to finish before Alex smiled in gratitude at her.
‘You’re a great girl.’ He jumped up from his desk with some of his old enthusiasm. ‘A wash and brush-up, that’s all I need, and I’ll be a new man.’
‘All right.’ Tory was already regretting it as she relayed, ‘I have a spare key in my desk.’
Alex picked up the quilt from the couch and stuffed it into a cupboard, before following her back down the corridor to her office.
‘You’ll need the address.’ She wrote it down on her telephone pad. ‘You can use the phone to find a hotel or something.’
‘Kind of you, Tory darling—’ he looked rueful ‘—but I’m afraid hotels are out till pay day. My credit rating is zero and the bank is refusing to increase my overdraft.’
‘What will you do? You can’t keep dossing down in the office,’ Tory warned.
‘No, you’re right. I don’t suppose you could…’ he began hopefully, then answered for himself, ‘No, forget it. I’ll find somewhere.’
Tory realised what he’d been about to ask. She also understood he was still asking, by not asking. His eyes were focused on her like a homeless stray.
She tried to harden her heart. She reminded herself that Alex earned a great deal more than her for doing a great deal less. Was it her problem that he couldn’t manage his money?
‘Never mind.’ He forced a brave smile. ‘I’ll be back on my feet soon. I’m due my annual bonus from Eastwich next month—that’s assuming this American chappie doesn’t cancel it.’
Or cancel him, Tory thought as she looked at Alex through Lucas Ryecart’s eyes. He was a shambolic figure whose past awards would be just history.
‘Look, you can use my couch,’ Tory found herself offering, ‘until pay-day.’
‘Darling Tory, you’re a life-saver.’ A delighted Alex made to give her a hug but she fended him off.
‘And strictly on a keep-your-hands-to-yourself basis,’ she added bluntly.
‘Of course.’ Alex took a step from her and held up his hands in compliance. ‘No problem. I know you’re not interested.’
He should do. Tory had made it clear enough in the beginning and Alex, philanderer though he undoubtedly was, respected the fact. He was also lazy; mostly he ended up with women who chased him. Being handsome in a slightly effete way, he drew a certain type of woman. Tory wasn’t included in their category.
‘Five days.’ Tory calculated when their next salary should appear in the bank.
‘Fine.’ Alex gave her another grateful smile before turning to go.
‘Alex,’ Tory called him back at the door, ‘try and stay sober, please.’
For a moment Alex looked resentful, ready to protest his innocence. Tory’s expression stopped him. It wasn’t critical or superior or contemptuous. It was simply appealing.
He nodded, then, acknowledging his growing problem, said, ‘If I don’t, I’ll crash somewhere else. Okay?’
‘Okay.’ Tory hoped his promise was sincere. He wasn’t a violent drunk but she still didn’t want him round her place in that state.
After Alex had gone, she wondered just how big a mistake she’d made. She knew it was one. She trusted it would turn out to be of the minor variety.
Rather than dwell on it, she returned to her work, but was interrupted minutes later. Her door opened and she looked up, expecting to see Alex again. She stared wordlessly at the man in the doorway.
Overnight she’d decided it was a passing attraction she’d felt towards Lucas Ryecart. Only it hadn’t yet. Passed, that was. Dressed in black jeans, white shirt and dark glasses, he was just as devastating.
‘How’s the tooth?’ he asked.
‘The tooth?’ she repeated stupidly.
‘Gone but not forgotten?’ he suggested.
The tooth. Tory clicked. She’d have to acquire a better memory if she were going to take up lying to this man.
‘It’s fine,’ she assured. ‘Actually, I had forgotten all about it.’
‘Good.’ His eyes ran over her, making her feel her T-shirt outlined her body too clearly. ‘You didn’t have to come in. How do you usually spend your Saturdays?’
The same way, Tory could have admitted, but somehow she didn’t think he’d be impressed, even if he now owned most of Eastwich. More like he’d think she had nothing better to do with her time.
‘It varies.’ She shrugged noncommittally, then glanced down at her work, as if anxious to get on with it.
He noted the gesture, and switched to asking, ‘Has Simpson gone?’
‘Simpson?’ Tory stalled.
‘Alex Simpson.’ He leaned on the doorframe, eyes inscrutable behind the dark glasses. ‘At least I assume it was Simpson and not some passing bum, making himself at home in his office.’
‘Alex was here, yes,’ she confirmed and went on inventively, ‘He came in to catch up on his paperwork.’
‘He was catching up on some sleep when I saw him,’ countered Ryecart.
‘Really?’ Tory faked surprise quite well. ‘He did say he’d been in very early. Perhaps he nodded off without realising.’
‘Slept it off, is my guess,’ the American drawled back, and, pushing away from the door, crossed to sit on the edge of her desk. He removed the glasses and appraised her for a moment or two before adding, ‘Are you two an item? Is that it?’
‘An item?’ Tory was slow on the uptake.
‘You and Simpson, are you romantically involved?’ He spelt out his meaning.
‘No, of course not!’ Tory denied most vehemently.
It had little impact, as the American smiled at her flash of temper. ‘No need to go nuclear. I was only asking. I hear Simpson has something of a reputation with women,’ he remarked, getting Tory’s back up further.
‘And from that you concluded that he and I…that we are…’ She was unwilling to put it into words.
He did it for her. ‘Lovers?’
Tory found herself blushing. He had that effect.
He studied her, as if she were an interesting species, and her blush deepened. ‘I didn’t think women did that any more.’
‘Possibly not the women you know,’ Tory shot back before she could stop herself.
He understood the insult. He could easily have sacked her for it. Instead he laughed.
‘True,’ he conceded. ‘I tend to prefer the more experienced kind. Less hassle. Lower expectations. And fewer recriminations at the end…Still, who knows? I could be reformed.’
And pigs might fly, Tory thought as she wondered if he was flirting with her or just making fun.
‘What about you?’ he said with the same lazy smile.
‘Me?’ she asked. ‘Oh, I prefer the invisible kind. Much less hassle. Zero expectations. And absolutely no recriminations.’
It took the American an instant to interpret. ‘You don’t date?’
‘I don’t date,’ Tory repeated but without his tone of disbelief, ‘and I don’t need reforming, either.’
He looked puzzled rather than annoyed, his eyes doubting her seriousness.
‘Is that a targeted response,’ he finally asked, ‘or a general declaration of intent?’
‘Come again?’ Tory squinted at him.
‘Are you just telling me to take a hike,’ he translated, ‘or are all men off the agenda?’
Tory debated how much she wanted to keep her job. Just enough to show some restraint, she decided, so she said nothing. Her eyes, however, said much more.
‘Me, I guess,’ he concluded with a confidence barely dented. ‘Well, never mind, I can live in hope.’
He was laughing at her. He had to be. He wasn’t really interested in her. It was all a joke to him.
He straightened from the edge of her desk, saying, ‘Would you have some idea how I might contact Simpson? ‘
‘I…I’m not sure.’ Having denied any relationship with Alex, Tory could hardly reveal the fact he was holed up at her place. ‘I might be able to get a message to him.’
‘Fine. I’ve asked all senior department heads to meet me, nine a.m. Monday, for a briefing,’ he explained. ‘It would be advisable for Simpson to attend.’
Tory nodded. ‘I’ll tell him…I mean, if I get hold of him,’ she qualified, anxious to dispel the notion she and Alex had anything other than a business relationship.
‘Well, if you can’t, don’t worry about it,’ he ran on. ‘It’s Simpson’s problem if he can’t give Personnel a current telephone number.’
Tory frowned. ‘But you saw him this morning.’
‘So why didn’t I wake him up?’ he asked the question that was clearly in her mind. ‘Let’s just say I thought the morning after wouldn’t be the best time to meet a new boss. What do you think?’
Tory thought that remarkably fair of the American—to give Alex the chance to redeem himself. Of course, he might simply prefer to sack him when he was stone-cold sober.
‘Alex is a very good programme-maker,’ she declared staunchly. ‘He won a BAFTA three years ago.’
‘Simpson was a very good programme-maker,’ Lucas Ryecart corrected her, ‘and, in this business, you’re only as good as your last show. Simpson should know that.’
Tory said nothing. Speaking up for Alex had cut no ice with this man.
He also suspected her motives. ‘Why so concerned about Simpson? If he goes, it might do your own career some good.’
‘I doubt it.’ Tory wondered who he was trying to fool. ‘Simon is more experienced than me.’
He frowned, making the connection only when she glanced towards the second desk in the room. ‘More willing to promote his cause, too, as I recall. Is he the reason you’re loyal to Simpson?’
‘Sorry?’
‘You don’t want to work for this Simon guy?’
No, Tory certainly didn’t, but she didn’t want to do Simon down either.
‘You’re not homophobic, are you?’ he surmised at her uneasy silence.
‘What?’ Tory was startled by his directness.
‘Homophobic,’ he repeated, ‘Anti-gay, against homo—’
‘I know what it means!’ Tory cut in angrily, and, forgetting—or, at least, no longer caring—who he was, informed him, ‘It might be hard for an American to understand, but reticence isn’t always an indication of stupidity.’
‘Being brash, loud-mouth colonials, you mean.’ He had no problem deciphering the insult. He just wasn’t bothered by it.
Tory wondered what you had to do to dent this man’s confidence. Use a sledgehammer, perhaps.
‘Simon’s sexual preference is a matter of complete disinterest to me,’ she declared in heavy tones.
‘If you say so,’ he responded, as if he didn’t quite believe her.
‘I am not homophobic!’ she insisted angrily. ‘Whether I’d want to work for Simon doesn’t hinge on that.’
‘Okay.’ He conceded the point, then immediately lost interest in it as he looked at his watch, saying, ‘I have to go. I have a meeting in London. I’ll give you my number.’
He picked up her Biro and, tearing out a slip of paper from her notepad, leaned on her desk to write his name and two telephone numbers.
‘The top one is my mobile,’ he informed her. ‘The other’s Abbey Lodge. I’m staying there in the short term.’
Abbey Lodge was the most exclusive hotel locally, favoured by high-powered businessmen and visiting celebrities.
He held out the piece of paper and for a moment Tory just stared at it as if it were contaminated. Why was he giving her his telephone number? Did he imagine she’d want to call him?
‘In case you have a problem tracking down Alex Simpson,’ he explained, patently amused at her wary expression.
‘Of course.’ Now she almost snatched the paper from him.
‘Still, if you want to call me, regardless—’ his mouth slanted ‘—feel free. I’m sure we can find something to talk about…’
‘I…’ On the contrary Tory couldn’t think of a sensible thing to say. She’d been so presumptuous it was embarrassing.
‘Meanwhile—’ his smile became less mocking ‘—it’s a beautiful day. Why not play hooky for once?’
The suggestion sounded genuine but Tory felt even more uncomfortable, recalling the fact she’d played hooky yesterday.
‘I have some stuff to finish,’ she claimed, sober-faced.
‘Well, you know what they say: all work and no play,’ he misquoted dryly, ‘makes for a dull television producer.’
Tory realised he was joking but wondered, nonetheless, if that was how she seemed to him. Dull. What an indictment.
It put her on the defensive. ‘I’m not the one travelling down to London for a business meeting on a Saturday.’
‘Did I say business?’ He raised a dark brow.
Tory frowned up at him. He had, hadn’t he?
He shook his head, adding, ‘No, this one’s strictly personal.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Tory denied any intention to pry.
But he continued, ‘In a way, it involves you. I’m having dinner with the woman I was dating until recently…a farewell dinner,’ he stressed.
Tory met his eyes briefly, then looked away once more. There was nothing subtle about his interest in her.
‘This really is none of my business, Mr Ryecart,’ she replied on an officious note.
‘Not now, maybe—’ he got to his feet ‘—but who knows what the future might hold?’
He afforded her another smile. Perfect white teeth in a tanned face. Too handsome for anyone else’s good.
Tory tried again. ‘I shouldn’t think we’ll meet very often, Mr Ryecart,’ she said repressively, ‘in view of your considerably senior position, but I’m sure I’ll endeavour to be polite when we do.’
This time her message couldn’t be missed. ‘In short, you’d like me to take a hike.’
Tory’s nails curled into her palms. The man had no idea of the conventions that governed normal conversation.
‘I didn’t say that,’ she replied, through gritted teeth. ‘I was just pointing out—’
‘That you’d touch your forelock but nothing else,’ he summed up with breath-taking accuracy.
Tory felt a curious desire to hit him. It took a huge effort to stop herself, to remind herself he was her boss.
He held up a pacifying hand, having clearly read her thoughts. He might be brash, but he wasn’t stupid.
‘Tell you what, let’s agree to dispense with the forelock-tugging, too,’ he suggested and finally walked towards the door.
Tory’s heart sank. What did that mean?
‘Mr Ryecart—’ she called after him.
He turned, his expression now remote. Had he already dispensed with her, altogether?
She didn’t intend waiting to find out. She asked point-blank, ‘Should I be looking for another job?’
‘What?’ Such an idea had obviously been far from his mind. He considered it briefly before answering, ‘If you’re asking me will Eastwich survive, then I don’t know that yet. It’s no secret that it’s operating at a loss, but I wouldn’t have bought it if I didn’t feel turn-around was viable.’
It was a straight, businesslike response that left Tory feeling decidedly silly. She had imagined rejecting Lucas Ryecart might be a sackable offence but obviously he didn’t work that way.
‘That isn’t what you meant, is it?’ He read her changing expression.
‘No,’ Tory admitted reluctantly. ‘I thought…’
‘That I’d fire you for not responding to my advances,’ he concluded for himself, and now displeasure thinned his sensual mouth. ‘God, you have a low opinion of me…or is it all men?’
Tory bit on her lip before muttering, ‘I—I…if I misjudged you—’
‘In spades,’ he confirmed. ‘I may be the loud, overbearing American you’ve already written me off as—’
‘That’s not—’ Tory tried to deny it.
He overrode her. ‘And I may let what’s in my pants overrule good sense occasionally,’ he continued crudely, ‘but desperate I’m not, or vindictive. If you leave Eastwich, it won’t be on my account.’
Tory wanted the ground to swallow her up. She started to say, ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—’ and was left talking to thin air.
Lucas Ryecart might not be vindictive but he had a temper. She experienced its full force as the door slammed hard behind him.
And that’s me told, she thought, feeling wrung out and foolish, and wishing she’d kept her mouth shut.
He’d been flirting with her. Nothing more. Perhaps he flirted with all personable women under the assumption that most would enjoy it. He’d be right, too. Most would.
They’d know how to take Lucas Ryecart, realise that anyone that handsome, and rich, and successful, would scarcely be interested in ordinary mortals. They’d be slightly flattered by his appreciative gaze, a little charmed by his slow, easy smile, but they certainly wouldn’t be crazy enough to take him seriously.
She glanced out of the window in time to see him striding across the car park. She didn’t worry that he’d look up. She was already forgotten.
She watched him get into a dark green four-by-four. It was a surprisingly unflash vehicle. She’d have expected him to drive something fast and conspicuous—a low-slung sports car, perhaps. But what did she really know about Lucas Ryecart? Next to nothing.
She tried to remember what Charlie, her ex-fiancé, had said. He hadn’t talked much of his dead sister but he’d mentioned her husband a few times. He’d obviously admired the older man who’d spent his early career reporting from the trouble spots of the world. Charlie’s mother had also alluded to her American son-in-law with some fondness and Tory had formed various images: faithful husband, dedicated journalist, fine human being.
None fitted the Lucas Ryecart she’d met, but then it had been years since Jessica Wainwright’s death and time changed everybody. It had certainly changed his circumstances if Eastwich was only one of the television companies he owned. He was also no longer the marrying kind, a fact he’d made clear. Arguably, his directness was a virtue, but if he had any other noble character traits Tory had missed them.
Time had changed Tory, too. Or was it her current lifestyle? All work and no play, as he’d said. Making her dull, stupid even, unable to laugh off a man’s interest without sounding like prude of the year.
Tory felt like kicking herself. And Alex. And Lucas Ryecart. She settled for kicking her waste bin and didn’t hang around to tidy up the mess she made.
She took the American’s advice and spent the afternoon at the Anglian Country Club, a favourite haunt for young professionals. For two hours she windsurfed across the man-made lake, a skill she’d acquired on her first foreign holiday. It was her main form of relaxation, strenuous though it could be, and she was now more than competent.
Sometimes she took a lesson with Steve, the resident coach. About her age, he had a law degree but had never practised, preferring to spend his life windsurfing. They had chatted occasionally and once gone for a drink in the club but nothing more. Today he helped her put away her equipment and asked casually if she had plans for the evening. She shook her head and he proposed going for something to eat in town.
Normally Tory would have politely turned him down, but Lucas Ryecart’s image loomed, and she said, ‘Why not?’
Tory drove them in her car and they went to an Italian restaurant. They talked about windsurfing, then music and the colleges they’d attended. Steve was easy enough company.
They went on to a pub and met some of his friends, a mixed crowd of men and women. Tory stuck to orange juice, and, although declining a party invitation, agreed to drive them there.
When the rest had piled out of her car, Steve surprised her with a kiss on the lips. It was quite pleasurable, but hardly earth-moving and another man’s image intruded when she closed her eyes. She broke off the kiss before it turned intimate.
Steve got the message. ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to go home to my place?’ he asked, more in hope than expectation.
‘No, thanks all the same.’ She gave him an amiable smile and her refusal was accepted in the same spirit.
Steve bowed out with a casual, ‘Perhaps we can go out again some time,’ and followed his friends into the house where the party was.
Tory drove home without regrets. She’d enjoyed the evening up to a point, but she had no desire to have competent, athletic sex with a man whose raison d’être was windsurfing. She’d sooner go to bed with a mug of Horlicks and a Jane Austen.
She returned to find her flat empty and felt a measure of relief, assuming Alex had chosen somewhere else to doss down.
No such luck, however, as she was rudely awakened at two in the morning by a constant ringing on her doorbell. Pulling on a dressing gown, she went to the bay window first and wasn’t entirely surprised to see Alex leaning against the wall.
‘Lost my key, sorry,’ he slurred as she opened the outer door and took in his swaying figure.
‘Oh, Alex, you promised.’ She sighed wearily and for a moment contemplated shutting the door on him.
‘Couldn’t help it,’ he mumbled pathetically. ‘Love her, really love her… Know that, Tory?’
‘Yes, Alex. Now, shh!’ Tory hastily propelled him through the hallway before he woke her neighbours.
‘I’m not drunk.’ He breathed whisky fumes on her as he lurched inside her flat. ‘Just had a drink or two. Her fault. The bitch. Phoned her up but she wouldn’t talk to me.’
Tory sighed again as he sprawled his length on her sofa. There would be no moving him now. She should have turned him away.
‘Why won’t she talk to me?’ he appealed with an injured air. ‘She knows she’s the only one I’ve ever loved.’
‘Her husband was probably there,’ Tory pointed out in cynical tones.
‘Husband?’ He turned bleary eyes towards her, then rallied to claim belligerently, ‘I’m her husband. Eyes of God and all that. Better or worse. Richer or poorer. Till death or the mortgage company do us part,’ he finished on a self-pitying sob.
‘Who are we talking about, Alex?’ Tory finally asked.
‘Rita, of course.’ A frown questioned her intelligence, then he began to sing, ‘Lovely Rita, no one can beat her—’
‘Shh!’ Tory hushed him once more. ‘You’re going to wake the woman upstairs.’
‘Don’t care,’ Alex announced, this time like a sulky boy. ‘All women are vile… ’Cept you, darling Tory.’ He smiled winningly at her.
Tory rolled her eyes heavenward. She might have taken Lucas Ryecart too seriously that morning, but she was in no danger of it with Alex. Drunk, Alex would flirt with a lamp-post.