“Oh, by the way,” she called after me, “the guy you’re delivering to can be a bit prickly, just be aware.”
“What do you mean, prickly? Is he a cactus or something?”
“You know the type, all money, no manners. Thinks that because he’s hot, he can get away with being an arrogant twat.”
“He’s hot, is he?”
“Trust you to focus on that part. Yes, he’s hot. No, you haven’t got a chance. I doubt he sleeps with anyone with an income lower than six figures, or a waist above six inches.”
“Way to crush my dreams before they start.”
“You wouldn’t want him, Evangeline. Trust me. He’s rude as hell. I’ve yet to have a thank you from him when I’ve dropped anything off. Half the time, he just snatches it out of my hand without a word. Now, go on, get out of here. You’ve only got an hour.”
I didn’t feel too resentful about delivering her parcel even if her description of the recipient made me a little bit nervous. It was a nice enough evening and it gave me the perfect excuse for a bike ride. There was an off-road path that weaved along the old railway line right into the heart of the city and it would bring me out just a couple of minutes away from Riverside. I could hardly miss it anyway, a gleaming tower of glass that seemed to have sprung up almost overnight. I had no idea which one was Skyview Apartment but a place like that would no doubt have a doorman who’d tell me where I needed to go. If he’d let me inside of course. There was always the chance he’d take the parcel from me, save me the trouble.
I pushed my bike out of the front door whilst shouting bye and being rewarded with two loud sneezes in response. With the parcel in my basket, I set off, heading along the road towards the traffic lights at the end of our street. There was a light breeze which was just enough to keep the heat of the summer evening from being oppressive. The sun was starting to sink.
Another couple of weeks of summer and it would be back to university for my final year. I wasn’t even sure I was doing the right course anymore. Philosophy was an interesting enough subject but it wasn’t where my heart was. I wasn’t an academic by nature, I was a baker. I was already regretting not studying catering. I pushed the thought away. Why ruin such a nice evening with thoughts of the stresses to come. Better to enjoy it while it lasted.
It normally took half an hour to get into the city but this time I was less than ten minutes in before the bike started to slow down. Glancing at my wheel, I immediately saw why. The back tyre was going down. By the time I stopped and hopped off to have a look, it was completely flat. I went to take my rucksack off to dig out the puncture kit before realising I’d left my bag at home.
“Just great,” I said out loud before looking at the time on my phone. “That’s just perfect.”
I tried to decide whether to walk home and fix the puncture or walk on. I chose to walk. It didn’t really matter to me that I was walking. I was sure I’d still get there in plenty of time. Which shows how stupid I am.
The Riverside building loomed just ahead of me and it looked as if I’d reach it in just a couple of minutes. But it didn’t seem to get any closer as I walked and by the time five to six rolled around, I was still a couple of streets away. “Sorry, Clare,” I said out loud, breaking into a half jog, the bike rolling along with a wobble next to me as the tyre struggled to stay on the wheel.
I got to the front door of the building at five past six. There was a doorman but he was on the other side of the glass. I waved at him and held up the parcel. He nodded imperiously, swiping a keycard to let me inside. “Can I help you?” he asked, glancing from me to the bike.
“I’ve a parcel for Skyview Apartment. Can you tell me where I need to go?”
“Top floor, the penthouse,” he replied. “You may leave your bicycle with me if you wish.”
“As long as you don’t ride off on it,” I said, hoping for a smile. Fat chance.
Leaving him holding the bike, I climbed into the lift and punched the button for the top floor. The lift smelt of roses. Did they pump the smell in? Was this how the other half lived? Floral scent and a lift bigger than my kitchen?
When the doors slid open on the top floor, I stepped out into a square room filled with tall plants in terracotta pots. The carpet was so thick my feet didn’t make a sound as I walked towards the only door which was directly opposite the lift. I pressed the button next to the door and waited.
Nothing happened. I pressed the button again. Still nothing. I gave it thirty seconds before digging out my phone. Clare hadn’t told me what I was supposed to do if no one answered. The phone hadn’t even started ringing when the door opened and a man appeared, making me almost drop the phone to the floor at the sight of him.