Authors note - This one came into my head whilst i should have been 'working from home', so I've thrown it together pretty quickly. Hope you like it, would love to hear some feedback.
Chapter 1 – The Invitation
'So I'll see you tomorrow night then?" asked Strike as he put on his big coat ready to leave the office.
"Yep, I'll be there" replied Robin with a smile. "It's been ages since I've properly dressed up to the nines, I'm looking forward to it"
"yeh me to, it'll be a good night, seeing everyone again. Best be off, the sooner I get there the sooner I'm back, and I'm going to need my beauty sleep for tomorrow" he winked at his business partner and shut the office door behind him. He realized as he was heading down the rattling, metal stairs that he'd never winked at Robin before. It felt like another brick had fallen from the wall that had once been so tall between them. He was wondering how long the wall would stand and then chastised himself for wishing it completely gone. That would not be good for business.
He was looking forward to the following evening where He and Robin had both been invited (separately, of course) to Nick's 40th Birthday Party. He couldn't deny that seeing Robin 'dressed up to the nines' was one of the reasons he was particularly looking forward it. The image of Robin in that Green dress from Vashti flashed across his mind and he had to give himself a little shake to bring his focus back on to the meeting he was heading out to.
Ilsa had called Robin last week inviting her to the Casino Royal party they were holding for Nick, who was a big James Bond fan and who had been known to enjoy a flutter every now and then. Robin was looking forward to it, despite the fact she wouldn't know many people there. In fact she'd only know Nick, Ilsa, Cormoran and her housemate James. Ilsa had introduced her to James whilst Robin was staying with them last year. They got on very well and Robin enjoyed having someone as fun and lively as him around the place. He didn't enquire about her work but he, along with everyone else she knew, was intrigued by Strike.
On the phone Ilsa seemed to think that Robin needed more convincing to accept the invite so she continued "if you're worried about not knowing how to play then I havn't got a clue either, we'll just pick it up as we go, and it won't be real money! Plus when do you ever get an excuse to dress up all fancy? And if you need another reason there will be free food and booze. I dare you to say no to me now" she laughed.
"Well how could I refuse that" responded Robin with a laugh. "you've convinced me"
"Excellent! He will be pleased. 8pm, next Saturday, no need to bring anything, I'll see you there" and before Robin could say anything else Ilsa had hung up the phone.
"He will be pleased?" Robin repeated Ilsa's comment to herself. Nick maybe? They do get on well. Maybe Cormoran? Robin couldn't help hoping it was Cormoran. She could no longer deny, to herself at least, that she was most probably in love with her boss. Over the last few weeks, since she had decided to accept this fact, she had basically turned into a teenage girl with a crush again. She had butterflies almost permanently whilst in the office and she was reading into everything he was saying and doing. So the party was going to be a good test, she was going to look amazing, she was going to befriend all his mates and if he still didn't make himself clear then he wasn't interested and she was going to get over him. Simple as that.
And she knew exactly what dress she was going to wear.