Oh I know, it's been two weeks since the last update...sorry! Since the last chapter, I've also written a one shot for this month's ZAAngels Write-Off theme. It's called Lost & Found, so if you're interested in reading it please check it out :) The other entries are brilliant and well worth reading, and don't forget you can also have a go at writing something for it yourselves! Anyway, here is chapter fifteen for you at last...

Frank is 100% serious about lending us a hand, it turns out.

After I recovered from the shock of his interruption (i.e. picked my jaw up off the floor), he explained that he'd actually come into Tim's office to have a 'bit of a search party' himself.

He may not need to now, though. Sharpay found this document that basically proves we were right to doubt Tim. Frank and Troy said it's a preliminary legal contract that's been designed to transfer assets from one person to another.

Even I could understand what that meant.

What I can't fathom is why this contract was so easy to locate in that filing cabinet – even if it was locked. You'd think Tim would be smart enough to keep the paperwork with him...

Anyway, Frank told us that he'd begun to wonder about Tim's true intentions a few days before. He didn't say why; but I trusted that he'd used his instincts to look out for my Dad's business.

Troy and I left the contract with him last night; and I have to say I accepted without hesitation when he offered to talk to Dad alone. At least I knew he'd take Frank at his word.

I'm at work now, and starting to get bored. I don't have a booking for another two hours, so I'm just sat behind the desk, answering the phone and hoping someone might walk in and ask for a haircut. Dani's busy colouring an elderly woman's hair.

God, this is so dull. The phone's not even rung for a good twenty minutes. I may have to resort to dusting the shelves...

I'm on the point of walking through to the back to get the polish when the salon door opens (hooray, am saved from a tedious afternoon of cleaning!) and I almost laugh out loud. Because guess who it is?

"Hi there, I'd like to order one haircut please?"

Troy runs a hand through his hair as if to point out the true necessity of his words. I pretend to study the appointment book whilst trying not to grin.

"Hmm, well let me just check...we've been rushed off our feet all morning!"

I look up again and he's watching me with a smile. "Oh, I can tell," he replies with a nod.

"Right, come and sit down then," I tell him, grabbing a gown which I put on him before he can say anything else. He obliges and sits down at the station I direct him to – the area I always work at.

He turns to his left, noticing an intrigued Dani and her client, Mrs Rigby, both looking at him. "Hello," he says kindly.

"Hi! You must be Troy?" she smiles knowingly. I suppose my face must have made it obvious who he was then! She shoots me an impressed look, and I try not to blush.

"Yes – Troy, this is Dani," I introduce, feeling a bit embarrassed at the look on her face.

Mrs Rigby clears her throat purposefully, and we all look at her. She's smiling, but gives me a pointed look with her eyes. She's been coming here for years and says she feels like we're family to her, bless her heart.

"Mrs Rigby, Troy; Troy, this is Mrs Rigby," I add hastily. And now I'm positive I've gone red.

Dani goes back to finishing Mrs R's hair, so I turn back and look at Troy's face through the mirror.

"So," I say quietly. "Why aren't you at work?"

"Long lunch break. Your dad has been in a meeting with Frank all morning – I went in to confirm what I'd seen on that document, but I don't know what's happening besides that. Thought I'd see if I could sample your hairdressing skills and then ask you out for lunch?"

"So Dad's taking this Tim thing seriously?" I'm genuinely interested, but I must admit I'm also teasing the poor man who's just offered to take me on what will officially be our second date.

I just can't refer to that disastrous evening in the pub as a date. Not when my ex-husband appeared out of the blue and I went on to get so hideously drunk.

But anyway...

"He sounded very serious when I spoke to him," Troy answers. "Now, two things: What exactly are you planning on doing to my hair; and are you going to let me take you out for lunch afterwards? The lack of an answer just now didn't do wonders for my confidence."

Not that I'm gullible or anything, but I still have to look up from combing through his hair, just to check his facial expression. And of course, he's trying not to laugh.

"Firstly, I think a Mohawk will suit you very well. And secondly, yes, lunch sounds great thank you." I manage this reply with a straight face, and that's just how his face looks as he stares into the mirror.

"I very much hope you're joking, otherwise I'll be taking you to McDonalds to eat instead of where I originally planned, so..."

We smirk at each other through the mirror, then I remember I'm still supposed to be working, and we finally discuss his haircut so that I can start it.

Eventually I'm trimming his hair while simultaneously thinking about how flirty our conversation was just then. We haven't talked like that since the night of the dinner party. It's as if Troy's got over the nerves that were there last week; and maybe the same thing's happening to me.

This is new, and I quite like the feeling. I didn't even think I knew how to flirt.

.HSM.

"Nice work, by the way," Troy tells me as he smooths a hand over his new haircut. We've just sat down at a table in a little restaurant which I've never had time to visit before. Everything on the menu sounds delicious – I'm tempted to order the whole lot...

But I force my eyes away from the large selection I'm reading about, and survey my handiwork yet again. Not to boast, but it does look great. Or maybe it's just the fact that it's Troy's hair; who knows?

"You're welcome!" I grin back at him. "This place is so lovely – what brought on the idea for this lunch date?"

He smiles back softly. "Well, we've both been preoccupied with all this Tim business for the last few days, so I wanted us to have a real second date. Frank's dealing with the situation at the office for now, so..."

"Time to relax?" I finish for him.

"Exactly," he grins. "Until our lunch breaks are over, anyway..."

.HSM.

I'm still so full from our huge lunch, and it's been a good few hours now. I've just got home after spending the evening at Sharpay's, sharing a bottle of wine.

She's still high with pride over her spy skills from last night, and for some reason thought I'd have hot gossip for her on the situation. She seemed quite disappointed when all I had to say was that my Dad's called a meeting with Frank.

Anyway, there are three new messages on the answer phone. I have only one guess on who they are from.

"Message 1": "Gabriella, it's your mother. Just checking that you and Troy are still coming for dinner on Friday? Ring me back as soon as you get this, please."

Oh damn. I'd actually forgotten about that. What with Dad's company in jeopardy and Matt turning up, something as trivial as Friday night dinner with my parents just went to the back of my mind.

"Message 2": "Darling, you haven't called me back yet. I do hope you're not ignoring me again. Now come on, I need to know what time to have dinner ready for you."

And finally, "Message 3": "Gabi, as I still haven't heard from you I'll just assume that you and Troy will be there on Friday. See you at 7pm – and don't be late, we're having salmon!"

I don't even like salmon.

Someone's at the door now. Please God don't let it be my mother...

"Hey," says Troy as I open the door. I breathe a loud sigh in relief.

"Hi! Come in," I reply eagerly; but he eyes me carefully. How can someone know you for only a week and a half and yet be able to tell when you're stressed without even asking?

Not that I'm complaining.

"What's up, Gabi?" he asks softly while leading me over to sit down.

I can't help but sigh again. "Do you like salmon?" I blurt out unexpectedly.

He laughs. "Erm...yeah?" he answers in a questioning tone which manages to make me laugh back.

"Mum's serving that when we go over for dinner on Friday," I explain, as if this is supposed to make sense of my mood.

"Okay...lovely. Should I go out and come back in again or have I missed something?" he teases me lightly.

"Sorry, I think I stopped making sense when I hit the answer phone button when I got in. Mum's badgering me to make sure we'll be there."

Troy grins at me. "I take it you're wishing you hadn't said yes to the invitation?"

"Mmm, just a bit," I agree. "Sorry, I doubt you came over to listen to me droning on. Am I right?"

"Come here, you," he says in a tone that suggests I'm being daft. He pulls me towards him for a hug, and I relax.

"So," Troy continues. "Are you ready for part two of date number two?"

"What?" I'm so tired now that I've finally sat down. I really don't think I can get back up again. I accidentally make that feeling clear when I let out a yawn.

He chuckles. "Don't worry, we're not going anywhere. I was thinking...a night in front of the telly?"

I turn around and smile up at him. "Hmm...watching telly on my own with no one to talk to; or watching it with you...you've got my vote!"

And then I promptly fall asleep in his arms.

Disclaimer: I do not own McDonalds (lol)

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