The One Addicted(22)

To: Lucia Myers

Subject: Invitation

From: Sebastian Silver


Morning, lady Lu,


I have to go away on business to Dubai in about 10 days but I can’t seem to tear myself away from you. I want you at my side for the hotel launch party and we’ll mix business with pleasure when I introduce the best Interior Designer in the UK to all the rich Middle East.

I’ll forward you the info.


Check your calendar and get back to me, I understand it may be hard sorting out work and Finn but I’m not taking no for an answer and when we return we’ll make it up to the little guy.


Always,

S x

P.s We fly Saturday - away for one whole week! Jackie will hand you the tickets.



Sebastian Silver

CEO Silver Construction


I open the envelope and as promised, first class tickets to Dubai fall out on to my desk. A week! I can’t leave Finn and Elysium for a week - it is out of the question. It was impossible - wasn’t it? How could I up and leave my son at the drop of a hat - brilliant parenting, and besides, I had several irons in the fire work-wise which needed twiddling persistently to ensure we were on target for their completion dates. No, it was out of the question. No matter how much the thought of Sebastian in swim shorts, dripping with water as he exits the sea, was making me drool…

“What’s out of the question?” Colin mimics, dropping a cup of tea on my desk and perching a cheek on it.

Did I say that out loud?

“Sebastian has emailed me requesting my presence in Dubai for the launch of his new hotel - apparently he thinks I can work the room and do some serious networking but it’s for a week and we leave in ten days time!”

“And?”

I sigh at his screwed up expression, “… and… what about Finn?”

“I’m sure your mum and dad will help you out, boss - you won’t know if you don’t ask and your sis too. I can always pick up from Crèche and drop at theirs - might be nice to play gay daddy for a day or two?”

I ponder his suggestions, all the while chewing on my bottom lip - everything apart from his last comment makes sense (he would not be playing gay daddy anytime soon - he found it hard enough to care for himself let alone a child - my child).

“And work? Who’s going to sort The Ashton in my absence?”

“What, pray tell, am I - chopped liver? Jacks and I will work through your totally virgin-tight schedule and I’m sure we’ll be fine - besides you’ll be reachable by phone and email, Facebook, skype, FaceTime, internet, text….”

“I get it, I get it - you’ll manage and I appreciate it but is it really the right time to be jetting off to Dubai when I’m just beginning to feel in control of things here?”

“Aha! We get to the root it – control, or lack of it. Babe, you need a break and to let loose. You work your curvaceous butt off as a mum and designer and have done for the past few years - maybe its time to have some fun in the sun?” his soothing voice is extremely cathartic and I nod my agreement of his comments.

“Well - I’ll leave you to mull this over but just think of massaging sun-cream into Seb’s sexy body and that should be enough to sway you. Yum yum. I wonder if James and I should go away - I’ve some new D&G yellow speedo’s reminiscent of Ray Winstone’s in Sexy beast to parade around it - My Jamesy would be like a houndess on heat.”

Recognising I’ve lost his focus from me to his lascivious mind I wink at him and return to my computer - a holiday was sounding more and more favourable by the minute.

“Right back to work, boss - I bid you adieu. Oh and for God’s sake, throw the Minnie Mouse numbers in the bloody bin, you’re over 10 years of age now!” I watch as he wiggles his way back to his own work area. The man was as refreshing as his bright lime cravat.


“I’m down here!” I holler to the person who’s just entered my front door.

“Only me - I need a pee but here, shove that in the fridge and I’ll be back in min.” The bottle of Chardonnay hits my chest with an oomph and I smirk at my mate’s candidness - only Abs would make an entrance like that.

“Do you want me to order the veggie combo now?”

“Yeah - with chips. Ooh and that garlic mayo they make in-house that would kill vampires within a ten mile radius - I’m not seeing Nathan until Sunday so I can go all out - unfortunately R Pat won’t be flying through our windows tonight.”

Shaking my head on a grin, at her unique humour I dial Aldo’s and order our usual, throw in a chocolate fudge cake to share for after’s and set about getting our trays, plates and cutlery for teas on knees. I still find it hard to eat pizza without a knife and fork and enjoy it and amongst our friends I’m definitely in the minority.