‘Wake up sleepy head!’ Kate’s shrill voice stabs at my eardrums. I roll over and look at my clock.
In a blind panic, I clamber out of bed and try to gain a bit of composure. It’s eight O fucking clock! I’ve slept for thirteen hours. Christ, I must have needed that.
‘Why didn’t you wake me?’ I yell as I hot foot it across the landing to the shower. I’ve got to be at The Life Building in an hour to meet Mikael’s PA.
‘I was asleep myself.’ Kate replies, all happy and fresh. Why is she so bright eyed and bushy tailed? I soon find out when I collide with Sam’s half naked body coming out of the bathroom.
‘Easy chick!’ he laughs, steadying me with his hands.
I rip my eyes away from his fine physic. ‘Sorry!’ I blurt, highly embarrassed. Does the man always wander around women’s apartments semi clothed?
His infectious grin reveals his cute dimple as he steps to the side and bows. ‘It’s all yours.’
I dart in and slam the door to hide my red face, but I don’t have time to dwell on my embarrassment. I jump in the shower and wash my damp hair, peg it across the landing in my towel to the safety of my room and fly around in a frenzy getting ready. It’s now that I’m glad I had such a good sort out, finding everything I need at first look. I throw on my blush dress, nude heels and rough dry my hair before piling it up. A quick sweep of powder, blusher and mascara, and I’m all set. I’ve never got ready so quickly.
I take my phone off charge and clear the forty two missed calls from Jesse before throwing it in my bag. Flying into the kitchen, I find Sam and Kate sat at the table. Has no one else got work today?
Sam looks up from his bowl of cornflakes and grins. ‘Seen Jesse?’ he asks.
I halt, mid-frenzy, and look at him. He’s still grinning at me. ‘No, why are you asking me?’
‘Have you been in your pit all night?’ Kate asks, completely confused.
‘Yes, I got in from work about six thirty and collapsed into bed. And you can’t call it a pit anymore.’ I correct her proudly. ‘Why?’
I watch as Kate looks at Sam, and Sam looks at Kate, then they both look at me. They both look confused and slightly worried.
‘You’ve not seen or spoken to him?’ Sam asks, his spoon hovering in mid-air on its way to his mouth.
‘No!’ My tone is impatient. What’s the matter with them? I don’t plan on seeing or speaking to him ever again. ‘I’m not stitched to his hip.’ I spit harshly.
‘He rang me five times last night, looking for you,’ Kate explains.
‘Me ten!’ Sam interrupts.
Kate looks truly concerned. ‘We got in about eight and assumed you were still at work. He was frantic, Ava. We tried calling you.’
Oh, I’ve not got time for this. What does he think’s happened to me? The man is neurotic, and I’m certainly not his concern. ‘My phone was on silent. Anyway, as you can see, I’m alive and well so if he rings again you can tell him so.’ I huff shortly. ‘I’m going, I’m late.’ I turn to leave the kitchen.
‘When he stopped calling, I assumed you were with him.’ Kate calls to my back as I leave.
‘Well, I wasn’t.’ I shout on my way down the stairs.
I arrive at The Life Building bang of time, in a bit of a fluster, to meet a petite, blonde lady in the lobby. She’s middle aged and very pixie looking, with sharp features and cropped hair. Her plain black business suit does nothing for her pale complexion.
‘You must be Miss O’Shea,’ She holds her pasty hand out to me. ‘I’m Ingrid. Mikael advised you that I would be here, yes?’ Her Danish accent is very strong.
‘Ingrid, call me Ava, please.’ I take her hand, shaking it lightly. She looks so fragile.
She smiles and nods. ‘Ava, of course,’
‘Mikael called me yesterday to tell me he’s held up in Denmark.’