to hear that. Really.’
‘It was fun but you know?’
She didn’t and she didn’t want to know either. ‘You’ll be delivering your verdict soon then,’ she said. Liam merely glanced up. ‘When are you presenting it?’
Liam put his pen down. ‘No date as yet.’
‘Big changes then, I guess.’ She maintained eye contact.
‘You’ll be looking to move jobs soon, won’t you?’ he asked.
Anna didn’t like the way he said it. Was he trying to imply she’d need to move soon? ‘Nope. I love working here. I’m planning on staying.’
Liam’s eyebrows twitched up a fraction. Bugger, she thought. She doubted she’d be featuring on any structure charts he was drawing up.
Liam picked up his pen and twirled it nonchalantly as if he was considering something. ‘I could give you the inside track if you like?’
This is easy, thought Anna. ‘That’d be great.’ She leaned forward in her seat, keen to grasp every snippet.
Liam chewed the side of his mouth, gave a slow blink. ‘Though I’d need something in return, obviously …’
Okay, not so easy after all, thought Anna. She could feel her neck prickle with sweat. Was this a trap to see if she’d reveal something she shouldn’t? But then Roberta had said to give every cooperation to Liam and she wasn’t aware anything was off limits. Too many thoughts overloaded her brain at once. She snatched up her coffee and took a swig but the lid wasn’t on properly and she tipped a slug of it all down herself.
‘Bugger!’ Anna hurriedly pulled tissues from her pocket and tried to mop up the worst of it. ‘How I missed my mouth, I’ll never know,’ she said, trying to hide her fluster levels.
‘You okay?’ he asked.
‘No, I’m not really comfortable with the whole “I’ll need something in return” scenario.’ She was feeling brave and she liked Liam’s surprised expression.
‘Oh, I meant … the coffee.’ They both swallowed and looked uncomfortable. ‘It’s nothing prohibited. I just wondered what your thoughts are on … us?’
Anna’s hand wobbled and she returned her cup to the safety of the table for fear of a second dousing. She narrowed her eyes as she stared at him for a moment. Was he joking?
‘Umm, I don’t know what you mean, Liam.’
Liam stretched his legs out, dug his heels into the carpet tiles near to Anna and pulled himself and his wheelie chair up close to her. ‘I’ve tried hard to ignore it. But being around you … I think we acted too hastily when we said it was over.’ He gave a practised smile and Anna almost laughed.
‘Now you’re joking. Aren’t you?’ She still wasn’t sure.
‘No.’ His forehead puckered. ‘I spoke to Hudson and I didn’t get the feeling he saw you as anything more than a fling.’ Anna was momentarily offended and then she remembered and gave herself a shake. ‘Anna, you and I were great together. I’m willing to give our relationship another go if you are.’ There was that smile again.
‘Bugger me,’ said Anna. Liam gave a lascivious look and opened his mouth. ‘Don’t even go there,’ she said, her tone harsh.
He leaned a fraction closer and went to take her hand. ‘What do you think?’
Derision slid across Anna’s face. ‘Liam, I think you are a supercilious shit, beyond deluded, and so far up your own bottom you’re inside out. And not only is my mind thinking “no”, it’s screaming it.’
For once Anna had said what she thought and it felt great. Liam’s face was a picture but Anna feared she may have just sealed her redundancy. She raised an eyebrow, stood up and left.
Anna was sitting in the communal lounge with Bert. It was good to see him being a bit more sociable rather than shutting himself away in his room. They both had large takeaway cups of coffee and sipped them in unison.
‘What’s new?’ asked Anna.
‘These bloomin’ chairs for starters,’ said Bert, wriggling himself about in the large armchair. Anna realised the room was filled with them. All in dark green, very uniform and inoffensive.
‘Are they uncomfortable?’
‘Hmm, it’s not like the old chair I used to sit in. I liked that one better.’ He gave an uncharacteristic pout.
‘Us humans aren’t good with change. I’m sure you’ll get used to it.’
He nodded but was still pouting. ‘How’s Maurice? Has he brought you any presents?’ he asked.
‘He’s excellent, thanks. He’s brought me a few mice.’
Bert brightened. ‘Oh, that’s just the start.’ He chuckled to himself.
‘I’ve bought him some sponge balls to play with instead,’ said Anna hopefully.
Anna hadn’t been to visit for a while so she had lots to update Bert on. It was like bringing someone up to speed on a long-running soap opera when they’d missed a few episodes.
When she’d finished Bert nodded sagely. ‘On my reckoning that makes three.’
‘Three what?’
‘Young men who are after courting you.’
Anna shook her head. ‘No, just Connor and Liam. And seeing as Liam has already let me down and I am very much over him, it leaves Connor.’ She’d only met Connor once, and they’d spoken on the phone a couple of times since. They were taking things very slowly at her request, but so far, so good.
Bert was frowning hard. ‘But what about the American?’
‘Hudson. He never was in the running.’
Bert relaxed back into his chair and breathed out slowly. ‘At first you hated Hudson because he was doing your job.’
‘Hate’s a little harsh …’
Bert gave a slow nod. ‘You disliked Hudson at first. Then the two of you clubbed together against Liam. You seemed to be close through the summer until you found out he wasn’t in a homosexual relationship …’ Anna noticed a few heads turn in their direction but Bert was unaware so he continued. ‘So how has finding out he’s not gay put you off him?’
Anna opened her mouth. ‘I was never on him!’ Realising what she’d said and the sound of hearing aids being turned up she decided a more carefully considered reply might be better. Bert did have a good point. ‘The thing with Hudson is I liked him as a friend. As a gay friend, I guess. And now he’s not
