A Famous Affair Read online

  Matthew enthusiastically moves around in his seat. “That is fantastic Mrs. Mason; we look forward to that very much.”

  “Please, it’s Miss Mason, but I prefer to be called Lydia,” she replies.

  “In that case, I prefer to be called Matt.” His mature face relaxes with his big smile. “So, will you ladies also be attending the convention in the Grand Hall later?”

  “We certainly are, it’s the highlight of our year, isn’t it Jess?” Lydia playfully claps her hands together with unrestrained girlish excitement.

  “Then, I shall buy both you ladies a celebratory drink, if my brother doesn’t beat me to it,” Matthew laughs. He stands up, carefully pushing his chair back under the table.

  When Joseph stands, I move around the table so I can shake both brothers’ hands. First to shake is Matthew, firm and quick. Then, Joseph steps forward, his handshake is warm, loose and longer.

  “Mine is a martini, and hers is a large white wine.” I wink teasingly at Joseph.

  “I won’t forget. It has been a pleasure. I look forward to seeing you both later. Thank you for your time, we appreciate it.” Joseph confidently turns to his brother.

  “No, thank you, we appreciate you seeing us.” Lydia is now holding the door open for the brothers. She is pleased with the meeting; it shows in her face and her body language. She is animated, yet relaxed, as she stands beside the now open door. As soon as the door closes, she waits a few seconds, then in a quiet voice Lydia talks to me. “So, what do you think then, Jess?”

  Genuinely impressed, I respond. “They are lovely guys, but most importantly, their products are fab. Really gorgeous things I have not seen before, very competitive too,” I say.

  “When we get back to the office, we can have a more in depth look at the catalogue and the price list, but I agree. I am liking their goods, too. However, we now need to get ready for the next meeting.” Lydia busily tidies away the table, placing The Merrett Brothers’ details in her briefcase before digging out another file. She quickly scans it then hands it to me.

  “Here is the file on Ecosively For You, a very new company. I have spoken to the owner already. I like his working ethos and the products are fabulously unique.”

  “So, why the meet today then?” I ask.

  “Because, darling, he sounds gorgeous and I want to meet him,” Lydia says with a daring side-glance at me.

  “I see, a business meeting with the hope to seduce?”

  “Maybe, Jess, maybe. I have yet to meet him and he may be a bitter disappointment to my eyes. For sometimes, someone who can sound so fabulous on the phone, is often a very real disappointment in the flesh.” Lydia is almost pouting at the prospect that the new client may not be who she hopes him to be. A knock on the door interrupts us.

  I walk across the floor, opening the door. I knowingly smile to myself, as I know Lydia shall definitely not be disappointed, distracted, maybe but definitely not disappointed.

  “Hi there. My name is Jake Carter, owner of the company Ecosively For You . . . great to meet you,” he warmly introduces himself.

  “Hi, I am Jessica Neel and this is Lydia Mason, owner of Magical Toys of Mason, please come and sit down,” I say.

  There is no denying that Jake Carter is attractive. He is well dressed, yet casual, with a flattering light green linen jacket over a white T-shirt, finished off in dark denim jeans. His long blond hair is tied neatly back in a low ponytail. His green eyes are naughtily warm. There is a subtle wickedness about him; very confident, but a dash of hang loose attitude. Lydia looks once at him and her thickly lashed eyes instantly weaken.

  “Hello, Jake, wonderful to meet you,” Lydia almost purrs at him.

  “You too, so are you going to the convention later?” Jake Carter asks.

  “I am . . . we both are, in fact.” There is an awkward pause; Lydia is losing her composure. Time to quickly step in.

  “So. . . . I know Lydia has spoken with you and I have briefly seen some of your products, but tell me, what is your vision for your company?” I ask. Hopefully giving Lydia enough time to get her shit together.

  “I believe people are keen to buy home-grown products. They are much more aware of environmental issues and the ethical treatment of those who produce products from overseas. I want to supply the UK with toys and gifts made right here in the UK,” Jake says confidently.

  “So, where do you source your products?” I ask with interest.

  “I go to craft fairs, search the local Internet; I even go to local school fetes. They can be a gold mine for people who make wonderful, unusual toys and gifts. Sustainable trade really is the way forward.”

  Lydia listens intently, her brow raised acutely high, and her eyes are firmly fixed upon Jake Carter. She is enthusiastically nodding. They are actually mirroring each other’s buoyant mannerisms.

  “Jake will be able to supply us with exclusive products, all of them at, hopefully, a very competitive price.” Lydia gestures toward Jake, looking at me and then back at him, willing him to answer her with a demure smile.

  Jake warmly smiles at her. “I certainly can.” His confidence is almost boyish as Lydia holds his gaze. The sexual chemistry between the two of them makes me feel like a voyeur without an invite. I am in the midst of a pheromone feast; Lydia and Jake’s starters are to be each other.

  “Okay then, myself and Lydia are back in the office next week, I look forward to checking out the products when we get back.” I look over at a smitten Lydia.

  “I have the catalogue in my in-tray; we can go over it together to decide which ones we want and go from there, okay, Jess?” Lydia manages to peel her eyes away from Jake Carter long enough to look back at me.

  “Sounds good to me.” I enthusiastically nod.

  “Jake, I will call you at the beginning of next week so that you know what we want and then we can talk prices,” Lydia says.

  “I look forward to it, Lydia.” His eyes are bright and accommodating to Lydia’s voice. We all stand up and together walk towards the door.

  “So nice to meet you, Mr. Carter. I expect we shall see you later?” I ask.

  “Indeed you shall, Mrs. Neel.”

  “Please call me Jessica, there’s no need for such formality any longer.”

  “I’d like that, Jessica.” He smiles at me, his eyes crinkle up at the corners with warmth.

  Lydia holds out her hand gently. She and Jake Carter shake hands slowly, all the while talking to one another.

  “Until later then, Lydia,” Jake whispers.

  “Later, Jake. Thank you kindly for meeting us,” Lydia replies with a coy lowering of her dark lashes.

  Jake is equally as taken with Lydia. He dips his chin, his eyes narrowing. “I am glad I have finally got to meet you after all our chats on the phone over the past few weeks.”

  A slight blush flushes to Lydia’s cheeks. She reacts by gently pulling her hand out of his and opening the door for him. Together they walk out of the room, as the door closes I put the papers and catalogues into my briefcase and lock it.

  When Lydia walks back into the room she has this silly girly smile on her face. I stand there with my hand on my hip and a look on my face that is saying, “do tell!”

  “Not one bloody word.” Lydia now has an embarrassed smirk on her face and is holding up a warning finger at me.

  “Spill the beans then? . . . so glad to meet you Lydia after all the chats on the phone over the past few weeks, Lydia,” I am laughing as I mimic Jake Carter’s parting words.

  “Oh, do shut up, darling. Sarcasm causes wrinkles, you know,” jokes Lydia.

  “Well, that explains all these fine lines around here then,” I point at my eyes in jest. “You really like him don’t you?” My expression is far more serious now.

  “Maybe.” Again, Lydia’s cheeks shyly redden.

  “Well I never, Lydia Mason has a crush, wonders never cease.”

  “Stop being such a tease and let’s get schmoozing, darling. We h
ave enough time to freshen up before the convention starts.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll stop teasing. Better get our skates on as we don’t want you looking less than divine for Mr. Carter, now do we?” I can’t help but tease her one last time.

  Lydia’s brow raises as her delicious black lashes flutter back at me. She is so loving all the teasing.

  As I step into The Grand Hall, its opulence is mesmerising. I feel like I have walked onto the set of Titanic. Everything everywhere is gold with decadently deep crushed, red velvet furnishings, which enhance the grandeur golden hues within this wonderful room. The ceiling is beautifully ornate with intricately carved plaster. Large cream pillars stand boldly and proudly within their lavish setting.

  I am still in my beloved 50’s red dress. With a scoop neckline, it effortlessly skims my bust and waistline along with my siren red, sassy heels. I am feeling confident as I walk in amongst the hundreds of well-dressed people gathered in the hall.

  I walk up to the bar; just as I am about to order a drink, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

  “I thought I was going to be buying your first drink?” I am greeted by Joseph Merrett’s dazzling smile.

  “Oh. . . . hello, Joseph . . . are you sure?” I ask feeling slightly embarrassed.

  “It would be a pleasure to buy you a drink, Jessica.” He tells me with a charming smirk.

  “Well, in that case, you’d better get one for Lydia, too, as she will be down in a mo.”

  Joseph Merrett looks relaxed as he orders the drinks. I scan the room, seeing a few contacts that I recognize, but there are a lot of people I don’t know. I begin to feel a little awkward, like a small fish in a very big pond.

  I can see Matthew Merrett chatting to a group of people, as I turn my head, I see Jake Carter. He is chatting within a small group; he looks preoccupied. Although smiling with polite intention, he clearly is not interested in the conversation the group is currently engaged in. I really can’t blame him. These things do tend to drag on. Of course, if a certain Mr. Riley just so happened to be in this room right now, well that would certainly get a lot of people’s very full attention, mine included. Whoa! Where the fuck did that idea come from? Jessica Neel behave yourself! Get any smutty notions about Jonny Riley out of your head, right now!

  Snapping my thoughts out of it, I see Jake’s body language completely change. He is looking in the direction of the main door. He has quickly gone from looking bored to attentive and enthusiastic. My eyes follow in the same direction as his. There in the doorway, I see Lydia. Looking fabulous, as always. She stands coolly, eyeing the room with eager anticipation.

  “There you go, one martini and a large white wine.” Joseph smiles.

  “Thank you so much, and great timing too, as Lydia has just come down.”

  I look over towards Jake Carter. Lydia has joined him and the group; she is laughing and relishing in Jake’s attentiveness towards her. I smile to myself.

  “What’s so funny?” Joseph Merrett is looking at me with amused curiosity.

  “Oh, just people watching,” I ruefully reply.

  “So Jessica, have you been to many of these conventions?”

  “A few, they seem to become bigger and better each year, though. I take it you’ve never been to one before then?” I ask, taking a sip from my martini.

  “A few, but not as big as this one. It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

  I look out to the vast space filled with many people while I continue our conversation. “They can be, but the way I see it, we are all here for the same thing really, to make contacts and network. It is a great way to meet those who are in the same line of business.” I glance sideways and notice Joseph is smiling at me, he holds his stare until I feel the need to look away. Is it my imagination or is that a lingering kind of look?

  He shifts his feet slightly, standing tall, before addressing me again. “So, have you and Lydia worked together long?”

  “We have worked together for nearly five years, but I have known Lydia for much longer.”

  “Well, you both have certainly made a success of Mason’s Toys. That is why Matthew and I wanted to meet you both.”

  “Thanks, Joseph. Your company is great, too. Let’s toast to new beginnings in business.” I raise my glass to Joseph’s red wine and we gently clink glasses. Yup . . . that is most definitely a lingering look!

  “Darling, please tell me one of those drinks is mine.” Lydia kisses my cheek and smiles at Joseph Merrett. Impeccably timed! She always, unknowingly, makes an entrance. It is definitely part of her enigmatic charm, one that I welcome today.

  Handing her the chilled glass, I smile. “Of course, Lydia. This white wine, kindly bought by Joseph, has been patiently waiting for you.”

  “I am sorry, Jess. I got chatting. I didn’t mean to leave you on your own, but I can see that you have been kept in very good company. Thanks for the drink, Joseph.” Lydia has a wicked smirk all over her face; her brow is naughtily high and arched. I know full well what she is implying. I am used to this devilish side of her, but feel embarrassed, as I know Joseph isn’t. The looks he keeps throwing my way certainly don’t need any encouragement at the moment. Right. Okay, Lydia Mason. Two can play at that bloody game.

  “That’s okay, Lydia. Joseph here, kindly kept me company. You obviously had a far more urgent business matter to attend to over there.” I gesture with my eyes towards where Jake Carter is standing. Lydia looks over her shoulder and smirks. Touché!

  “So, Jess, are we going to go out later? Take London by storm?” Lydia casually changes the subject. Nicely done, I thought.

  I smile. “That would be great. Where shall we go?”

  “There’s a wonderful sushi place nearby, and then maybe, we could check out a show in the West End, if you fancy?”

  “That sounds like a damn good idea,” I agree.

  “So, what are your plans for the evening, Joseph?” Lydia politely brings Joseph Merrett back into our conversation.

  “I’m not sure yet, Lydia, maybe some dinner? I don’t know whether Matthew has anything in mind yet, but if he has, I am sure he will let me know . . . talk of the devil,” Joseph smiles, looking at his approaching brother.

  Matthew is striding towards us, confident and purposeful. “Hello, ladies, has my brother bought you that drink as promised?”

  “He certainly has,” I tell him, holding my glass up. Matthew nods with pleasing approval.

  “Having fun, Joe?” Matthew grins at his brother. You can tell he is relishing in being here. He is almost arrogant when he speaks, but without offending intentionally.

  Joseph grips his brotherly hand onto Matthew’s shoulder. “I was just wondering, brother of mine, what are we going to be doing after we have wrapped up here?”

  “Well, Joe, I have booked us in for a spot of indoor golf. We can have dinner and drinks there, too,” Matthew replies with a pleased smile.

  “Really? That’s great. You said we should try that when we are next in London. I didn’t think we would have time.” Seeing Joseph so excited, almost childlike, is quite endearing.

  “So, how exactly does indoor golf work then? Don’t they whack the ball with a club or something?” I ask the brothers. I am not interested in golf by any means, but indoor golf does sound boringly intriguing, I suppose. I am genuinely curious as to how it actually works.

  Matthew is more than happy to explain. “Indoor golf is played in various venues. They have state of the art golf simulators. A big plus, of course, is that there is no need to wear God-awful shoes and clothes, and without the need of an obligatory whopping bank balance that most golf clubs prefer you to have,” he explains.

  “Sounds fun, Matthew.” Lydia teasingly rolls her eyes. Both brothers start laughing at Lydia’s lighthearted sarcasm.

  “Now, I don’t mean to be rude guys but Jessica and myself need to do a little bit of networking. I thank you for the kind drink. Hope to catch you later.” Lydia slips her arm through mine.r />
  “Thanks, Joseph, for the martini. I hope both of you enjoy your indoor golf,” I say.

  “Oh, we will, Jessica . . . we will. Have a wonderful evening, ladies.” Joseph waves.

  “Lydia, if we don’t see each other, I will be in touch next week, okay?” Matthew says in a raised voice.

  “Super, Matthew, speak soon . . . have fun!” Lydia gently tugs on my arm as we head in the opposite direction. Then she whispers to me, “It would seem Jonny Riley isn’t the only one interested in you.”

  Wide-eyed, I try to keep my surprised voice down, “Who? Joseph?”

  “Don’t look so surprised, Jessica.” Lydia grins.

  Worry spreads across my face. “Maybe I was a tad over-friendly with him?”

  “In that dress darling, you only needed to be breathing to get his attention!”

  I am laughing, but quietly worried I have given Joseph a very wrong and unprofessional impression.

  The afternoon passes quickly as we talk to new people, old friends, and some rather annoying, but nevertheless, important individuals; it’s all about business at the end of the day. I politely avoid any conversations alone with Joseph Merrett. I quickly realise, the coy smiles he keeps throwing my way, definitely means, Lydia was right. God, I hate that!

  As the afternoon goes on, I begin to look more forward to my evening ahead. I love sushi and catching a show in the West End is always such a treat.

  I see Lydia talking cozily with Jake Carter by one of the beautiful pillars. They are close without looking overly familiar. She shyly smiles and he never takes his enamoured eyes off her. The room begins to dwindle in numbers; I can see Joseph thinking about his next move and I am getting hungry. Although I feel like I am intruding, I approach the two of them.

  “Hey Lydia, quite a few people have left and I am starving, do you think we could head off to that sushi bar soon?” I feel embarrassed to have to ask, but when I am hungry, I am bloody hungry.