Trilemma by Jennifer Mortimer Page B

thing.
    When Robert asked me to help him set up a new company in the Channel Islands I was happy to agree. Ben had refused to join me, and it looked like I was on my way to another split. Was it because I wanted to get in first and avoid that loss of face that came with rejection that made me sleep with Robert?
    Who am I fooling. It was just another of those stupid decisions you make without thinking, fueled by too much wine.
    The fireworks finish with one last crescendo of sound and light. I sit staring down at the nightscape punctured by the scattered windows of the city buildings and the golden trails of streetlights, then I turn back to the documents lying on the table and force myself to scan each page, but my brain is not taking in the words.
    Whenever I close my eyes, I can see Ben’s face before he turned and walked away. I can’t get that image out of my head.
    It is hot tonight, humid and sticky. Not enough wind. I rub the back of my neck and write a note in the margin of the report.
    I am the chief executive of Hera. I don’t need a man to complete me.

Chapter 16
    When I open the door the property agent is there, carrying a bag of tools and a section of wrought iron railing. I had put off calling him week after week, and then he rang to ask if everything was to my satisfaction. No, I’d said, not at all.
    â€œI’m about to leave for work.”
    â€œNo problem, I’ve got all the keys,” he says.
    Nicholas struts in as if he owns the place and pauses in the middle of the room. “Coffee would be nice.”
    â€œI’m out of milk.”
    â€œI’ll take a short black for a change.” He smirks. “Bit of variety is always nice.”
    His eyes hold mine and it is me who looks away. I turn to the kitchen and make his coffee very short.
    On the terrace, he is banging the new section of railing in place.
    â€œCoffee.”
    â€œThanks!” He slurps the dark stuff down and smiles, his thin face creasing into lines and his eyes sinking into their sockets. His pupils are tiny.
    â€œI’ve been wanting to congratulate you,” he says. “Big, important job, huh?”
    â€œYes,” I reply.
    â€œI know Tom Heke well. He’s a good man.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œHe was pretty pissed off when you got the job. He thought it was his, eh? Didn’t think some sheila would pounce and take it from under his nose.”
    â€œReally? I’m surprised he told you that.”
    Nicholas’s eyes flick sideways. “That’s what I heard, anyway.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œI used to be a boss, too, you know.” Nicholas’s eyes stare through me, before focusing on my face again. “I ran a property development company. We were worth millions.”
    I say nothing. Am I supposed to be impressed? I’ve met rich men before. Most of them are mean, like Robert.
    â€œYep,” he says. “I was rich then, and guess what, I’m going to be rich again. Those bastards will be sorry they cut me down.”
    â€œGood for you.”
    Nicholas shoots a glance at me. Then he sidles closer and puts his hand on my leg. “I could do something good for you too,” he says.
    I flick his hand away. “Just fix the railing, Nicholas.”
    â€œI was wondering if you’d like to have a meal at the local Thai,” he says. “And maybe take in a movie?”
    â€œI’m not interested in going out with you.”
    â€œI’d be happy to just spend the night again.”
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œA quick fuck?”
    â€œFuck off, Nicholas.”
    â€œCome on, you know you liked it.”
    â€œWhich part of fuck off do you not understand? Just fix the fucking railing.”
    His eyes narrow and his mouth tightens in anger. I grab my handbag and hurry down the stairs to the garage.
    When I glance back at the house, I can see his silhouette etched against the sky, standing at the edge of