I’m pulled towards the sunlight outside. ‘For what f**king use it’s done.’ Jesse mutters. ‘John’s taking you to work.’ he tells me as we emerge.

‘When do I get my Mini back?’ I ask, spotting the big guy across the car park, leaning up against the driver’s door.

‘You’re not. It’s a write off.’

‘Oh,’ I say quietly. I love my Mini. ‘Well when do I get to drive myself to work, then?’

Jesse opens the passenger door of John’s Range Rover and lifts me in. ‘When I find out who stole my car.’

‘Why aren’t you taking me to work?’

He pulls my seatbelt across and secures me before dropping a kiss on my forehead. ‘I have a few meetings at The Manor.’

‘Then why did you make me wait for you?’ I ask on a scowl.

‘So I could put you in John’s car and remind you to speak with Patrick.’

I know I audibly groan. ‘You’re impossible.’

‘You’re beautiful. Have a good day.’ He kisses me once more and shuts me in, giving John a brief nod before making his way to the DBS. I’m suspicious of that nod and when John climbs in next to me, I make sure I direct my suspiciousness at him.

‘What’s up, Girl?’

‘Him.’

‘Nothing’s changed then,’ he laughs that deep, rumbling laugh.

‘No, nothing has changed.’ I grumble.

Chapter 31

I’m a whole hour late for work, but I’m not going to get away with it today. Patrick is here, and he’s standing over my desk when I finally burst through the door.

‘Flower?’ His round face is questioning, and the last thing I need today. I’m late, and now I’m going to shock him into a heart attack with my announcement. He looks up at the office clock. ‘What time do you call this?’

It’s one of the only times I’ve seen a displeased look on my boss’s face. I’ve always been so dedicated to my career, but personal stuff is getting in the way and my job has been side lined. I’m really pushing my luck, and I have been since Jesse trampled into my life. ‘I’m sorry, Patrick.’ I can’t lie and feed him any rubbish on a client appointment, so I leave it at just an apology.

‘Ava, I know your life has been moving pretty quickly lately—congratulations, by the way, but I need dedication.’ He takes his comb from his inside pocket and sweeps it through his silver mop.

I’m a little shocked. Congratulations, by the way? That was hardly sincere. ‘I’m sorry.’ I repeat because I’m stumped for anything else to say. By the way? I’m a little insulted, but my slighted state isn’t drawing any further inspiration to voice it, and Patrick doesn’t give me the chance to, anyway. He goes back to his office, shutting the door behind him. I turn my confusion onto my three colleagues, who are all sitting quietly with their heads down. Has he had a pop at them, too? I collapse in my chair and decide, wisely or not, given my boss’s annoyance, to call Kate. A friendly voice. That’s what I need to hear right now.

She grunts down the phone in greeting.

‘Are you still in bed?’ I ask, firing up my computer.

‘Yep.’ is the one word, swift reply that shoots down the phone.

I smile. ‘Is a certain cute, messy haired, dimpled faced man with you?’ I pray for a yes, then hear shuffles and definitely a giggle, making my smile widen. I might have wanted to hear a friendly voice, but this will do the trick, too.

‘He is.’ She answers on a little shriek, not bothering to evade or brush off my question. ‘Sam!’

‘Okay, I’ll go.’ I have things to share, but I’m more than happy to hold off.

‘No, Ava!’

‘What?’

‘Wait!’ she demands. I hear more shuffling, definitely a few slaps and then a door close. ‘I just wanted to know how you got on with Dan.’ She’s whispering, for obvious reasons.

That wipes the smile clean from my face. Kate doesn’t need to know the gory details, and I’m just as ashamed of my brother as he is of himself. ‘Fine. It’s fine. He’s gone back to Australia, and Jesse convinced him to keep quiet.’

‘I feel responsible.’

‘Kate, he’d already worked it out, before you made the entrance of the year.’ I can joke about it now. ‘Did you talk?’ I ask tentatively, taping my pen furiously on the table and wondering if there’s still scope for a bit of head bashing.

‘Yes, we talked. He knew about Dan.’ She pauses, and I know she’s waiting for a shocked gasp from me, but too much time has passed for me to fake one now.

I try, anyway. ‘Really?’ I practically shriek, receiving three sets of wide, startled eyes shoot straight to me from every corner of the office.

‘Whatever, Ava.’ she mumbles. ‘I felt like such an idiot. He’s not as daft as I thought.’

‘I know,’ I agree. ‘So, everything is okay?’

‘Yes, everything is fine. Perfect, in fact.’

I’m smiling again. ‘No more Manor?’

‘No more Manor.’ she confirms. ‘How are you? Throwing up? Achy legs? Any stretch marks?’

‘Not yet,’ I look down and notice my hand resting on my stomach. ‘I might not be the only one getting all of those things, though.’ I prick her curiosity. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever keep this one to myself.

‘Ooohhhh, who’s preggers?’ she asks, obviously intrigued. ‘Not boring Sal?’