To the Moon and Back

Chapter 14




It was almost the end of her first day. With all the new information she was absorbing, Ellie felt as if her head was ready to explode. Zack had been in and out of the house, receiving visits from clients and disappearing to meet with others. His working life was chaotic and his phone never seemed to stop ringing. She was typing up reports, fielding calls, making travel arrangements for upcoming trips to Zurich and Madrid, and familiarizing herself with the all-important business diary, as well as the general workings of the office.

Zack was upstairs taking a conference call when the doorbell went at ten past five. Opening the front door, Ellie found herself face to face with a polished, sheeny-looking redhead in a sage green, fitted linen dress.

‘Well, hello. So you’re the new girl.’ Her mascaraed lashes batted as she carried out a comprehensive up-and-down. ‘Alice?’

‘Ellie.’

‘Right. Bit of a change from Barbara. I’m Louisa, I expect Zack’s mentioned me.’

He hadn’t, but Ellie diplomatically didn’t say so. She recognized Louisa from the newsagents the other week and wasn’t at all surprised that Louisa hadn’t, in turn, recognized her. She didn’t seem like the kind of person who would. And presumably she was Zack’s girlfriend. Bad luck for Roo then, who had been keen to find out if he was single.

Then they heard footsteps on the staircase and, conference call evidently over, Zack appeared.

‘Darling, hi.’ Louisa moved forward to greet him with a kiss that announced, loud and clear, that he belonged to her. Or she would have done if Zack hadn’t leaned back and turned his head slightly, preventing the public display of affection. Or ownership. Ellie wondered if it would save all sorts of hassle if she just said, ‘Look, it’s OK, you don’t have to worry about me, I’m really not after him.’

But no, it was hardly the kind of thing you could announce. Instead she said, ‘I’ve booked the flights and the hotels, and the letters are all ready for signing.’

‘Great, thanks. Come on through.’ Leading the way into the kitchen, Zack said, ‘It’s time for you to meet someone you’re going to get to know pretty well.’

‘Who?’

He grinned. ‘The love of my life.’

Ellie guessed who it was by the way Louisa rolled her eyes. During her interview Zack had asked how she felt about dogs. He’d then gone on to explain about Elmo, but she hadn’t seen him yet. Now she was about to.

‘Geraldine’s back from visiting friends in Brighton. She just called to say he’s coming over.’ Somewhere outside they heard a rhythmic clattering noise. Zack paused then said, ‘Five… four… three…’

‘He’d better not be muddy,’ warned Louisa.

‘Two… one…’

Another clatter, this time closer to hand, then the dog flap in the back door swung open and Louisa backed into a corner as a disheveled-looking dog burst through into the kitchen. Yelping with joy, he danced around Zack for a few ecstatic seconds before launching himself into his arms.

‘I’m not scared,’ said Louisa. ‘It’s just these stockings are eight denier. They cost a fortune.’

So this was Elmo, Zack’s true love. A three-year-old wild-haired terrier cross with attitude, Elmo resembled nothing so much as a teenager after a hard week of partying in the mud at Glastonbury. He had button-bright eyes, lopsided ears, and a jaunty manner. Not to mention bushy eyebrows and a straggly beard. As he squirmed in Zack’s arms, he did exaggerated double takes of delight.

Hmm, no wonder Louisa was looking put out.

‘I’ll wait upstairs,’ she announced. ‘Don’t be long, OK? We’re meeting the Drewetts at six fifteen.’

‘I’ll be up soon.’ Was it her imagination or did Zack visibly relax the moment Louisa was out of the room? Turning round, he pointed and said, ‘Elmo, say hello to Ellie.’

It would have been extra impressive if Elmo had actually said hello back. But she was still charmed by the way he snuffled and wagged his tail and gave every sign of being thrilled to meet her. Zack lowered him to the ground and Ellie knelt to greet the little dog properly.

‘He’s gorgeous! Hello, baby, I’m going to be friends with you! You are fab.’ She blew kisses as Elmo rested his front paws in her hands and excitedly licked her neck. Looking up, she said, ‘And he doesn’t get confused, living in two houses?’

Because Elmo was a timeshare property. Two years ago, Zack’s neighbor Geraldine had said how much she’d love to have a dog, but her bad leg made it impractical. Zack, in turn, had told her that he’d always wanted a dog but the hours he worked and his frequent trips abroad meant it would be unfair on any animal. The next day, in true entrepreneurial fashion, he had come up with the solution and a week after that Elmo had entered their lives.

‘It works fine. He has the best of both worlds. Geraldine’s at home most of the time. We have matching dog flaps into our kitchens.’ Nodding out of the window, Zack indicated the specially lowered section of wall separating their gardens. ‘Elmo just hops over when he fancies a change of scenery. If I’m working too hard, he’ll go and see Geraldine for a bit of company. If he wants a walk, he comes back here. We share vet’s fees and make sure we keep track of who’s feeding him, otherwise he’d end up the size of a barrel.’ His gaze softened like a proud father’s as he watched her scratch the dog’s comical ears. ‘He likes you.’

‘Well, good. I like you too.’ Ellie kissed Elmo’s whiskery eyebrows and got her chin licked in return. ‘You’re so… huggy!’

‘Zack?’ Louisa’s voice drifted down the stairs. ‘Come on, you need to get changed before we leave. We mustn’t be late.’

***

‘So, first day at work. How did it go?’

‘Pretty good. Busy.’ Ellie was in bed; she put down her book and looked at Jamie, lying on his side across the end of the bed with his head supported on one elbow. ‘I think I’m going to enjoy it.’

‘You’re moving on.’ Jamie’s gaze was intent.

‘Your dad said that. But I don’t feel as if I am.’ It was hard to explain, but part of her didn’t want to move on; the prospect made her feel guilty. ‘I still love you. I’m never going to stop. It’s a new job, that’s all. With people who aren’t going to treat me differently because of what happened.’

Jamie said easily, ‘Zack sounds all right.’

‘He is all right.’

‘What’s the girlfriend like?’

‘Louisa? Confident on the surface, insecure underneath. Wishes I was thirty years older. It’s funny, she doesn’t trust me. If only she knew.’

Jamie grinned and flicked back his streaky blond hair. ‘If only she knew what a sex maniac you are?’

‘I meant what a eunuch I am. Zack couldn’t be safer with a lesbian nun.’

‘I used to know a joke about a lesbian nun.’

Ellie pulled a face. ‘I know you did.’

‘I can’t remember how it went. You’ll have to ask Todd.’

‘But then he might tell me.’

‘Don’t be like that. My jokes are hilarious.’ Jamie pretended to make a grab for her feet beneath the duvet, because in the old days he would have tickled them mercilessly by way of punishment. But since that couldn’t happen now, all he could do was pretend.

‘Todd’s coming over at the weekend.’

‘Good. I’m glad you two are talking again.’

Ellie felt warm and comforted; of course he was glad. Wasn’t that why she’d done it, safe in the knowledge that it was what Jamie would have wanted?

‘It was your dad. He was the one who set it up.’

‘But you did your bit. You made the effort. I’m proud of you.’

‘Don’t make me cry.’

‘Oh, baby. I love you.’

‘Me too.’ She wiped away the tear that was sliding out of the corner of her eye.

‘You’re doing OK. Get some sleep now. Night, baby.’

Ellie closed her eyes and felt the aching loneliness well up inside her chest. ‘Night.’