Free From Humble Beginnings (Joe Steel) by Ian Harwood Page A

me; I don’t like it but I can understand. I’d do it myself, but she wouldn’t listen. The resentment is too deep. She’s too far gone to listen to me.”
    “You make her sound like a hopeless case!”
    “Where this is concerned she is. She might be an adult, but where her father is concerned, she’s still a little girl.”
    “I didn’t realize you were an amateur psychologist, Cass!” My retort is sharp and is paired with the sound of my chair squeaking as I push away from my desk and stand up. Turning my back to her, I stare out the window and look down on to London. Grey, bleak London. With its grey roads and black clouds, the concrete jungle isn’t the most picturesque of sights.
    “I’m not,” she says, obviously annoyed at my sarcasm. “I’m just using my common sense. Bernard has asked you to do this for him; to help him. After all he’s done for you; I don’t think he’s asking much.”
    Before I could batten down my exasperation enough to form a pair of words to string a sentence together, I hear her heels clicking against the floor and by the time I swing around, she’d left and was in the outer office.
    Not wanting to call her back, I retreat to my desk chair and try to come to terms with the emotional blackmail. I hate getting involved with shit of this nature. Emotions are convoluted and irrational; I prefer statistics and facts to something ephemeral. That the responsibility for breaking Juliet’s beliefs about her obviously beloved mother falls on my shoulders truly infuriates me.
    With my mood at rock bottom, I stab the standby button and get to work.
    Maybe after a few hours hard graft, I’ll feel better.
    It was doubtful, but a man could hope.
    ***
    “It was nice of you to invite me out for lunch, Joe.”
    Dressed to impress as she is in a silk sheath that clings to every curve, my body is regretting the innocence of last night. My damn fool arousal isn’t hampered by the real reason for my inviting her to eat with me today. I’d intended to all along, but Cass’ reason for visiting me this morning has put a shadow over what I’d hoped to be a relaxing meal.
    Do I tell her now? Get it out of the way? Or do I leave it until I get back?
    The latter seems like an excuse, but who could blame me?
    It’s not the best dinner conversation in the world. But at the same time, she’s truly affected by all of this. Was Cass correct, when she said that it would affect our relationship?
    Feeling like Damocles with the sword hanging over my head, I smile at her and reach for her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”
    I’ve never been touchy feely; it’s not in my nature. Yet another manifestation that has appeared out of nowhere.
    Within the month, I’ll probably be wearing pink shirts and striped cotton candy ties. Inwardly snorting at the idea, I let my fingers curl into hers. “I enjoyed last night.”
    Her left eyebrow quirks up in surprise. “Really? You enjoyed getting news about your divorce?”
    I shrug. “It was inevitable; Brook just beat me to it. I enjoyed being with you, is what I mean.”
    “I find that hard to believe,” she says with a smile. A touch of mischief playing about her lips, almost as though she can believe how difficult it was for me to be in the same bed as her and to curb my instincts.
    “Well, there were better things we could have been doing,” I admit, honesty in every word. “I won’t lie. But still, if that’s a way for us to meet and for us to relate, then I’m your willing victim.”
    “Do you really see us going somewhere, Joe?”
    Her earnestness touches me. “Yes. It terrifies me, but I do. I think, when it boils down to it, we’re one of a kind.” 
    Her fingers tighten about mine. “I’m glad. Now, what’s the real reason you invited me for lunch? You’ve never done it before.”
    “Am I really that obvious?”
    “No. But you’re incredibly tense. What’s going on?”
    “It was always my intention to invite you out today. But it’s