Natale

Richard

Richard

“… so with the works completed on B Site, we’ll be in a position to open the riverside park by July as originally planned. Excellent! I think that rounds off a good morning’s work. We can tell the mayor this afternoon at the meeting. Good work, James. I think it was one of my better decisions bringing you into my company.”

Some men might beam at that. My sombre fellow director merely gives a small smile. “Thank you, Richard.”

My intercom buzzes.

“Yes, Francis?”

“Mr Haswell, this is for James, I have Georgie on the line…” A small pause, then, “She sounds quite upset. She says she’s called several times but you didn’t answer.”

Alarm crosses James’ face. “No, I’d barred calls while Richard and I were talking. Pass her straight through, please.”

A click and then a voice bawls out. “Dad! I’ve been ringing and ringing and…”

“Calm down, Georgie. What’s wrong? What’s the matter?”

Her voice blurts out over the conference room. “Dad, I went to the stables. And she was there. With Michael and they were… They were…”

James raises his face and lets out air, his mouth moving in a muttered curse. Then, “Georgie, calm down. It’s alright.”

“Dad, don’t you get it? I’m telling you. Your so-called bestie and your wife are having an affair.”

James rolls eyes at me. “Georgie, it’s not what you think it is.”

“I saw them, Dad. It’s exactly what I think it is…”

“Georgie…”

“Dad. They were having s*x. I saw them. Michael and Charlotte.”

James’ daughter…

She knows I’m here with him…

And she blurts this out over the intercom?

Must get her brains from her mother…

“Alright, you saw them. Now, calm down. You and I need to talk. Where are you?”

“In the hotel, in my room.”

“Stay there. I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”

“But Dad…” He taps off the connection, clicks his tongue and stares into space. After a moment, “f**k!”

“It was bound to happen sooner or later, James. What are you going to tell her?”

“I’d better tell her the truth.” He palms the back of his neck. “It’s my own fault. I’ve been brushing by it for months. Now I have to deal with it under the very worst of circumstances. If you’ll excuse me after the meeting, I’d better get back.”

“If you leave it too long, she’ll be half-hysterical. I can handle the mayor, James. You go talk with your daughter.”

He breathes in, let’s it out slowly. “Yes, I’d better do that. I’ll call you later.” He heads for the door, but with his hand on the handle, turns to me. “You know, it’s something you might think about too. You could have a problem yourself if anyone ever decides the CEO’s wife is fooling around with her fitness instructor.”

As the door clicks closed behind him, I’m left chewing over his parting words.

*****