CHARLOTTE

Daniel seats himself close to me, too close, and I lean away from him. “Hey, c’mon. You enjoyed my company. I know you did. We could get together some time, couldn’t we?” He touches my arm, stroking it slightly.

“You’ll have to ask James.”

“I don’t need to ask him surely? You can decide for yourself.”

“I have decided for myself and I said, ‘No.’ I mean it. Now leave me alone.”

“You were happy enough to have me bang you before. Don’t you think you’re giving me mixed signals? Playing hard-to-get?”

“No. I don’t give mixed signals. And I don’t play hard to get either. I play, or you don’t get me.”

Daniel, with his back to the window, has not seen that Richard, glancing up, has noticed what is happening, and is muttering something to my Master, who twists around to look. As he sees Daniel, he scowls and stands.

Stepping out into Reception, he does not look happy. “Hello, Daniel. Something I can do for you?”

“Just chatting to Charlotte here.”

“Yes, I can see that.” Lips pressed hard together, his eyes skim over me……

Jeez…I’m going to get it off him later…

“Leave her alone, Daniel. Was there anything else? No? Then, Goodnight.” His expression is severe, the message clear.

Daniel shrugs and leaves, trying to catch my eyes as he goes. I look away.

“Has he been bothering you?” demands my Master.

“Not much, no.”

“Not much? This has happened before?”

“Er… yes, a few days ago.”

“Were you planning on telling me about it?”

“If I told you about it, every time some guy comes on strong, we’d never talk about anything else.”

His eyes narrow.

Oh, shit.

“Is that right?” He turns on his heel and returns to the office.

*****

Later, driving home. “Master. Are you angry with me? About earlier today, with Daniel?”

“No. It wasn’t your fault. I could see that you were not encouraging him….”

*Relief*

“…. however, I have dispensed with Daniel’s services.”

“You’ve sacked him?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t have to do that. He wasn’t bothering me. I’m quite capable of saying ‘No’.”

“He was bothering me. You shouldn’t have to keep saying ‘No’.”

I stare down. “You are angry with me.copy right hot novel pub