Somewhere in Sevenoakes by Sorell Oates Read Free Book Online

spirit,” encouraged Helen. ”Do you want to tell me all about him?”
     
    ”No thank you. I am glad we spoke though,” said Maddy sincerely.
     
    ”Best to make a move. Tongues will wag if we spend too long in here.”
     
    The girls walked out together and returned to their respective desks. Talking to Helen had helped with her nervousness regarding the situation with James, but it took an enormous amount of effort to plough through the remainder of her work. Once the office had emptied for the evening, Maddy's head had cleared. She seized the quiet time to catch up on her neglected output of the day. Satisfied with what she'd cleared from her in-box tray, she went to the bathroom to groom herself for the evening ahead.
     
    James hadn't said what he had planned, only that it would be different, which covered a multiple of activities given Maddy's life tended to revolve around the office. She applied light make up in the mirror; a little blusher to highlight her high cheekbones, mascara with eyeliner to bring out her oval-shaped eyes and a dash of colour on her already pink lips. Satisfied she was passable to be seen in public with a devastatingly handsome man, she left the building.
     
    Typical of London weather, the skies were overcast with rain drops threatening to become heavier and plentiful. She walked as briskly as she could to the station. Frowning as she got on the train, she had a sneaky suspicion the rain had frizzed her hair. If it had, Maddy knew that when James saw her he'd probably think she'd arrived by broomstick rather than rail. She remained by the doors, rather than take a seat, in order to get off without being trampled by people frantically trying to make their way home.
     
    James spotted her luscious legs stepping out of the door. His white teeth flashed at her when their eyes met. Nervous, he ran a hand over his head. The buzz-cut meant he didn't have the length in his hair for the action to be of any practical use. He always used to run his hands through his dirty blonde hair when he'd had shoulder-length hair in his misspent youth masquerading as a surfer. At the time, it was a good excuse to move his messy fringe from his eyes. Nowadays when he did it, he was all too aware an observant person would correctly guess it was a habit born out of anxiety. Part of him was thrilled to see Maddy, but another part of him felt as though he was betraying someone who didn't deserve it.
     
    ”I can't believe it's raining,” greeted Maddy. ”How I love the English summers!”
     
    ”How long have you lived in London for?” he asked.
     
    ”Born and bred. I remain the eternal optimist though. One day we'll have a summer that lasts more than three days.”
     
    ”When hell freezes over,” remarked James glibly.
     
    ”It was sunny on Monday and Tuesday. I thought it was you bringing the sunshine in my life; that's why I was happy to accessorize and have you hanging on my arm. Now it's pouring rain, I might have to trade you back in for the umbrella I lost on Monday when my bag split.”
     
    Affectionately, James swung an arm over her shoulders. The more he spoke to Maddy the more attractive she became to him. He liked her sense of humour. It was no secret that accountants had a reputation as being boring, but Maddy completely contradicted that stereotype. He fancied her like crazy. She ticked all of his boxes in terms of personality – she was funny, determined, intelligent, self-reliant with the nicest touch of vulnerability and insecurity. That she had him eager to find out more about her was something he hadn't felt in a long time with any woman – if ever.
     
    ”I thought I could introduce you to the sights of the City of London.”
     
    Maddy wrinkled her nose, pretending to be dubious.
     
    ”Can it really compete with the theatrical buzz and excessive shopping the West End boasts of?”
     
    Stepping out of the station, James waved his hand towards The Shard. The seventy-two storey,