Girl on the Run (9 page)

When it came to it, Marsh's hands were not unsteady. Not one little bit.

An alarm beeped and someone turned it off. Jane sank back into sleep.

Sometime later she woke up again. She wasn't in her own bed.

Barely a second later, she remembered whose bed she was in. A thrill ran through her. Eyes still shut, she savoured the morning. She heard a shower running. She was wearing one of Marsh's T-shirts, with a faded logo for a university running event. It was clearly a well-loved T-shirt. Somehow, that seemed endearing.

She hauled herself upright and looked around. The curtains were drawn, but the bedside lamp shed enough light to see pale blue walls holding a couple of framed photomontages. A large wardrobe and chest of drawers made the room feel cramped. On the other side of the room were a wicker basket with a shirt hanging out and a plastic basket holding loosely folded clothes. A sock that had missed its mark lay between them, as though unsure which pile it belonged to.

She remembered Polly's definition of heterosexual men when she saw the line of clothes lying where they'd dropped them on their way to the bed.

The sound of the shower stopped. Jane leapt out of bed and scrabbled around to find her underwear. When she heard the bathroom door open, she jumped back into the bed and hurriedly finger-combed her hair.

Marsh came in, buttoning his shirt. ‘Morning,’ he said with a smile.

He looked so delicious with his hair wet and his feet still bare. Jane felt herself melt all over again.

‘Hi,’ she said, and knew she'd gone bright red.

He picked a pair of clean socks out of the basket on his way to the bed.
‘Did you sleep Ok?’

Jane thought of the night's activities.
‘Well …’

Marsh laughed.
‘I meant after that.’ He leaned forward and kissed her, very gently. ‘I'll go get you a cup of coffee.’

Jane wondered exactly what one said the morning after the first night. It had been much easier with Ashby. They'd just fallen into bed together and stayed there for three days. Today she'd have to go back to work.

She closed her eyes and groaned. ‘Work. I'd forgotten about that. Can I use your shower?’

‘
Sure. There's some of Stevie's stuff in the cupboard, just use whatever you want.’ He went to the door. ‘I'll go put the kettle on.’

The top shelf of the bathroom cupboard was full of shaving foam and other male toiletries
. The bottom shelf had a few half used bottles from The Body Shop, and, rather incongruously, a very expensive perfume. Jane lifted the lid and breathed in. Marshall's sister certainly had sophisticated taste in fragrance. Why had Stevie chosen to leave her posh perfume behind? She carefully put the bottle back and looked through the various scrubs and lotions for shower gel.

Feeling much more awake after the shower, she dressed in the only clothes she had. Fortunately her shirt wasn't too wrinkled. Once she'd pulled her hair into a ponytail, she checked her appearance in the mirror outside the bathroom. There was a glow about her and her eyes sparkled.

Marsh was tapping away at his laptop in the kitchen. ‘I've made toast.’

He closed the computer and ushered her towards the breakfast bar where a pile of toast and an assortment of jams was waiting.
‘I wasn't sure what you liked on your toast.’ He put a mug of coffee in front of her.

‘
Jam's fine,’ said Jane as she began to butter toast.

After several minutes of silence, Marsh
ventured to speak.

‘
Well, this is awkward.’

Jane looked up.
‘But, not in a bad way.’

‘
No, not in a bad way.’

They both munched their toast for a moment without making eye contact. Finally Marsh cleared his throat.
‘Jane.’

She looked up.

‘I … really like you.’ He didn't quite meet her eyes. ‘And I'd love to see you again … you know … outside of work.’

‘
But?’

‘
Well, there's work. Like I said before, the whole intra-office relationship thing. I've already been cautioned about it once and …’

Was he going to say he didn't want to see her again, now that he'd slept with her? She chided herself for thinking that the night before had been anything more than a
one night stand. How could she have been so stupid?

She looked at her plate to hide the tears that threatened.
‘I understand that. I don't want to get you into trouble. So, if you don't want to meet like this again …’

‘
No, no,’ he said, eyes wide. ‘That's not what I meant. I meant … can we keep things discreet at work? You know, pretend nothing's going on?’

‘
Of course, I can do that.’ She knew her relief showed in her voice. ‘For a moment there, I thought … Never mind.’

Marsh reached across and took her hand.
‘I really, really like you.’ He looked into her eyes. ‘I have from the moment I ran into you in the street. And each time I get to know a bit more about you, I like you more. I wasn't going to suggest we treat last night as a one-off.’ His dimple appeared. ‘I don't think I could bear that.’

‘
That's good. I kind of enjoyed myself last night too.’ She felt another blush creep up her cheeks.

Marsh brought her hand up and placed a gentle kiss on her palm.

Later, as Marsh packed up his bag, he said, ‘Jane, what happened to that paper you found last night? Is it still on my desk?’

Jane thought back to the highly charged moments of the night before.
‘I think Keith has it.’ In her haste, she hadn't even thought to ask for it back.

Marsh grimaced.

‘It's no big deal. I can always print another copy.’

‘
It's not that. It's Keith. I bet he takes the credit for it.’

Jane gaped. She knew he and Keith didn't get on particularly well, but she didn't think either of them would lower
themselves to such a level. ‘He wouldn't do that, would he? It's not exactly professional.’

Marsh gave her an unreadable look.
‘I wouldn't be so sure.’

‘
I'm sure it'll be Ok.’

Marsh said nothing and went back to cramming papers into his bag.

The walk to the train station was very different from the one the night before. They walked briskly, but without urgency. It was still quite early, but the sky was turning soft pastel pink and birds were singing. Jane felt as if she was walking on air.

As they neared the station Marsh said,
‘Perhaps it would be better if we catch different trains. You catch the first one that comes. I'll catch the one after that. That way we'll arrive a few minutes apart.’

‘
It wouldn't do to turn up together.’ She started to smile, but then remembered she was still wearing yesterday's clothes. Her smile faded.

‘
What's wrong?’

‘
I'm just wondering if it's obvious that I'm wearing the same clothes as yesterday.’

‘
I hadn't thought of that.’ He touched her hand. ‘Don't worry. I doubt anyone will notice.’

* * *

From: Sally Thomas , To: Valerie Fenwick

Did you see what Jane had on this morning? Was that the same top she was wearing yesterday
?
　Sally.

##

From: Valerie, To: Sally

I can't say I noticed her clothes, but I did think she was in a good mood this morning. I'll ask Ruth if there's any gossip.
Better go. Marsh has left a whole load of tapes for me to do. I guess he was working late last night again. I hope he gets this promotion. I could do with a bit more cash. Besides, he generates so much work for me,I may as well be a partner's secretary
!
　Val.

##

From: Keith Durridge , To Susan Jameson

Hi Susan
. I've found a paper that discusses using the two relevant classes of drugs together. Which means, by default, it mentions the overall classes of drugs, which we can use against the patent I'm dealing with too
.
　I am booking a meeting to discuss
.
　Keith.

##

From: Eric, To: Keith

My secretary tells me that the lovely Jane is wearing the same clothes as yesterday. As I haven't had a boastful email from you, do I take it that someone else has beaten you to it
?
　Eric.

##

From: Keith, To: Eric

Yes, the gossip has reached me too. I should have guessed after she ran off last night
.
　I think a change of tactic is called for. The K-man is nothing if not resourceful. Keith.

##

From: Keith, To: Susan

Hi Susan
.
　I have moved the meeting so that Jane can attend. I should mention that she was the one who actually found the paper, using a search done under my guidance
.
　Keith.

From: Mike Taylor, To: Ashby 


How are things going with Jane? My research suggests that having her around does wonders for your popularity. People saw her as an icon of sincerity. A girl next door who stood by her man etc
.
　Anything you can do to get back in her good books and maybe get her to come to a launch party or two would be helpful. Mike.

##

From: Ashby, To: Mike

We split up
months ago. I don't even know where she is. Can't we just do a charity gig or something instead?

##

From: Mike, To: Ashby

Doing the regular stuff is important, but the way to the mega popularity is to get you talked about. You don't have to get back together with Jane, just be seen together so that the speculation can start. That way, you
're guaranteed to be covered by the gossip press and the mainstream stuff will follow. You said you'd do anything for the band. Well, now's your chance. Get in touch with her. And make it convincing.

##

From: Ashby, To: Jane

Babes. I miss you. Come back.
Pleeeeeease
.
　The band's doing really well and stuff, but things aren't the same without you. I tried calling you, but your mum won't tell me where you are
!
　Missing you loads
.
　Love you
.
　Ashby.

##

From: Jane, To: Ashby

Leave me alone. I'm trying to get back on track after wasting
four years of my life with you. Have you sorted out the flat yet? I could really do with my share of the deposit right now
.
　Jane.

##

From: Ashby, To: Jane

I haven't done anything about the flat. I keep hoping you'll come back and everything will be like it was. I guess I'm hoping all this is just a bad dream and I'll wake up to find my beautiful Janie asleep next to me
.
　A.

##

From: Jane, To: Ashby

You make me sick.

##

From: Ashby
, To: Mike

Dude, she's not going for it. I still have no idea where she is.

##

From: Mike
, To: Ashby

There isn't much time left. Launch is next week. I think we'll go to plan B
.
　Mike.

* * *

Jane printed out two more copies of the paper. As she walked back from the print room, she noticed one of the secretaries looking at her. She turned away, telling herself she was just being paranoid. Ever since the debacle with the tabloid photographers, she tended to think she was under scrutiny wherever she went. It had been a while since she'd split up with Ashby and the magazines had moved on to different stories. She really needed to get a grip.

She had to take a copy of the paper to Marsh. She reminded herself to act casually. Not easy to do when the thought of him made her heart skip.

She stopped at the door to his office, surprised to see Keith standing at the desk, but no Marsh.

‘
Hello.’ Keith closed the book he had been looking at. It was Marsh's desk diary.

‘
I was just checking when Marsh was available,’ he said. ‘I was going to book a meeting for all three of us with Susan to discuss this paper you found.’

Jane was about to ask why he hadn't used the usual method of booking meetings when Marsh returned.

He ignored Jane. ‘What can I do for you?’

‘
I was just telling Jane, I think we should arrange a meeting to talk to Susan about the paper we found.’

‘
Good idea,’ said Marsh. ‘Do you want to book it, or shall I?’

‘
I'll do it,’ Keith smiled at Jane. ‘I haven't forgotten that I promised to buy you a drink. What happened last night? I waited in the lobby, but you didn't show.’

Jane raised a weak smile.
‘I … got delayed. I must have just missed you.’

‘
Drink after work tonight?’

‘
I can't tonight, sorry.’

‘
Perhaps next week then. Better get back to the grind, I suppose.’ He aimed a finger at Marsh. ‘I'll send you a meeting request.’

‘
You do that,’ said Marsh, equally amiably.

‘
See you later Jane.’ Keith left.

Both she and Marsh stared after him.
‘He's up to something,’ Marsh said.

‘
He didn't take the credit for finding the paper, did he?’

Marsh frowned thoughtfully at the space Keith had vacated.

Jane felt a little skip of happiness. He really was lovely, and she was going to see him again.

Suddenly, Marsh snapped out of his frown and looked at Jane. For a moment, they stared into each other's eyes, and the rest of the world receded. Sharp footsteps in the hallway outside broke the mood and they both looked away.

‘Um … was that everything, Jane?’ He sat down and shuffled papers on his desk. ‘Did you need anything else?’

‘
I just wanted to give you a copy of this.’ She held out the paper.

He took it, careful not to touch her hand.
‘Thank you very much,’ he said, and gave her a little smile.

‘
You're welcome.’ She left before the temptation to kiss him became unbearable.

* * *

Text from: Polly, To: Jane

Ok
, miss dirty stop out. Tell me EVERYTHING.

##

Text from: Jane, To: Polly

What do you expect me to say? We were both working late. I found an interesting paper and took it round to show him. Things sort of happened from there.
And he is DEFINITELY not gay ;-)

##

Text from: Polly, To: Jane

That's not an explanation. I want details.

##

Text
from: Jane, To: Polly

You'll have to wait until I see you
.
　I have tons of work to do. Especially if I want to have any time off at the weekend.