Friday May 14th Week Minus 5
TGIF thought Harry, it had been a long week. He'd felt off balance all week as if the see saw of his life was rocking too high, and too fast. Last Friday he had been running round the lab, with his best friend, playing the silliest game and laughing from the depths of his stomach, really enjoying himself and having fun for the first time in ages. And then suddenly a remark from his mother causes his side of the see saw to come crashing down.
He hadn't been able to find out much more specific information about Henry, the company website did list his title as European Marketing Director. They did have their head office in Switzerland, but it wasn't going to post his weekly whereabouts. He knew Nikki had been to stay with him at a flat in the Barbican, but he wasn't listed on any electoral roll in that area. So he could have another house somewhere, but without a location he couldn't check.
Nikki was a ball of excitement all week as Henry had arranged to spend the whole weekend with her. She was a bit disappointed when her suggestion of going away, was knocked back by him, but he claimed he was constantly travelling and all he wanted to do was to be with her. Harry had to pinch himself to stop the waves of nausea coursing through his veins as he'd listened to Nikki share this information and managed to curb his initial sarcastic remark to something at least neutral. But it wouldn't have mattered Nikki was too wrapped up in her own world to notice.
He had not spoken to his mother. This was not unusual. He just wished he knew what her motive was for giving him the ring. And why now? It seemed rather cruel to present your son with what could only be described as an engagement ring, just hours after he had confided that the girl he was interested in was in a serious relationship with somebody else. He had concluded a while back that he would never really understand his mother and this just cemented that thought.
"Everything all right Harry?" Leo's voice called out from his office.
"Er yes, just getting ready to go home." Harry called back.
"Looks like you need to!" Leo replied and he could hear the smile in the man's words.
It was then that Harry realised that during this whole internal conversation he had been stood up and staring at Nikki's empty chair. Leo must think he had lost his mind.