Chapter 14

 

April was coming out of the toilets and walking past Dylan’s office when he spotted her. “Ah, Gemma, have you got a minute please?”

Here goes.

He held the door, “Please, come in a moment.”

She entered the office and stood in front of him. She was tall for a female, but he must have been six-two as her nose was level with his tie knot. His invigorating, fresh vanilla aftershave, gave a kick reminding her sex had been such a long time ago.

“I wonder if you could help me out?” he asked. “The girl that cleans my house has injured her wrist and I asked Ingrid if she could get me a temporary cleaner. She contacted the agency, but they can’t place anyone at short notice for a few days. My housekeeper, Mrs Lile, is doing as much as she can, but she has arthritis and needs some help with the bigger jobs. I suggested to Ingrid that we might ask you.”

“Me?”

Christ, she had more than enough cleaning the bloody gallery.

“Yes. Apparently Rachel has another job in the daytime so can’t help, but I wondered if you could. It would only be for a couple of days. And I’d pay you, of course.”

Don’t say yes straight away. He likes a challenge.

“I’ll have to check with my parole officer.”

“Of course. I thought if you could come in the morning for a couple of hours, then it wouldn’t interfere with your cleaning job in the evening here.”

“Can I let you know when I’ve made a phone call?”

“That’s fine. Here,” he opened his wallet and handed her a business card, “If you could ring me as soon as you know, then I can give you directions and let Mrs Lile know you’re coming.”

She looked at the glossy embossed card.

Slick, just like him.

“Okay,” she agreed, “I’ll ring you tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll make sure you’re paid with your gallery money. Unless . . .”  he hesitated, “unless you’d prefer cash? It is only for a day or two. Would that be acceptable?”

Snap his hand off, you’re poor.

“It would, yes. Thank you.”

“No, thank you,” he smiled, “you haven’t seen what you’re letting yourself in for yet. My son’s bedroom will be a significant challenge, I can assure you.”

Their eyes met but they both remained silent, staring at each other.

The office door opened, and together they turned their heads to look at the tall dark male entering. April knew exactly who he was.

“Sorry, am I interrupting?”

“Not at all, Vic, come in,” Dylan said. “This is Victor, my brother,” he introduced proudly, his tone full of respect, “and this is Gemma, one of the new gallery cleaners.”

“Hello,” she nodded politely at Victor, and watched his lips as they formed a courteous smile. It didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Hopefully Gemma will be helping me out at home as my cleaner’s sick,” Dylan told Victor.

Victor attempted to look interested.

Time to go.

“I better get on then . . . if there’s nothing else?” she questioned Dylan.

“No that’s all,” he replied warmly, “I’ll wait to hear from you, tomorrow.”

“Yes,” she smiled, and nodded to Victor, “nice to meet you.”

“You too,” he replied.

She walked towards the door and closed it behind her.

Bingo!

What a surprise.

She certainly hadn’t expected to have access to his house quite so quickly.