Chapter 9
…
James poked his head in M's bedroom the next morning to find her bed all made up. He walked down the stairs, assuming that she'd be in the kitchen but when he walked in there she was nowhere to be seen. He quickly checked the rest of the house to find it empty, suddenly he began to get slightly concerned. He started looking around to see if she had left a note or something but he found nothing. He was just about to rush out the door when he realised that her briefcase was missing from the bottom of her coat stand, leaving him in no doubt to where she had gone. He quickly got in his car and began to drive to the office, his head was thumping and his throat was killing him. He was almost certain he'd only drank a few glasses of alcohol the previous night.
…
M was in her office with Bill going over everything that needed seeing too during her absence when Eve knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Ma'am, Mr Mallory wishes to see you at 2pm this afternoon."
"Does he now, well tell him he'll have to come here rather than me going to him will you, I am after all still recovering."
"Yes Ma'am, I'll let him know."
"Thank you Eve." She smiled, as Eve closed the door.
Just before Eve left, M noticed the quick exchange Bill and Eve gave one another.
"What was that?" M asked.
"Sorry Ma'am."
"You and Eve,what was that look for?"
"Look Ma'am."
"Don't play coy, you know very well what I'm referring too."
"Alright Ma'am, I'll come straight to the point. Eve and I are sort of seeing one another."
"Sort of, either you are or you aren't."
"Okay, we are."
"Oh Bill, I'm very happy for you both." She smiled.
"You are."
"You needn't sound so surprised Tanner, did you think I wouldn't approve?"
"Well I…"
"Bill, if you and Eve are happy then I'm happy for you both…really."
"Thank you Ma'am."
…
James came rushing into the outer office, causing Eve to jump at the sudden interruption.
"James, everything okay?"
"Is M here."
"Yes she is, she arrived about an hour ago…why?"
"Oh nothing, she erm just didn't tell me she was coming back to work is all."
Eve got up from her desk and walked around to join James, noticing the worried expression on his face and how flushed he looked.
"James, are you alright?"
"Fine, why?"
"You look awful."
"Well you know how to make someone feel good, don't you."
"Sorry, but you look ill."
"I'm fine, can I see her."
"Well I'll check."
Before Eve had time to phone through, James was already walking in. M and Bill stopped mid sentence when James appeared before them.
"Bond, didn't anyone ever teach you to knock." M said, a hint of anger in her voice.
"Can we talk please."
She heard the frustration in his voice as she watched him and nodded to Bill to leave them alone.
"I'll go and get these files finished."
"Thanks Bill."
They waited until Bill had left before M let rip at James.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing, just waltzing in here?"
"Really, you're having a go at me. Why didn't you tell me you were planning on coming back to work today."
"Well you'd already gone to bed last night when I'd decided."
"You only decided last night, why last night."
"What does it matter, I was coming back eventually anyway and I'm perfectly well enough."
"Anything to avoid a conversation with me right?"
"Oh for god sake James, grow up."
"Me, you're the one avoiding me."
"I AM NOT AVOIDING YOU."
…
James began pacing back and forth, trying to control his temper. He could feel the heat radiating though his entire body, suddenly making him feel slightly dizzy. M watched as he swayed a little before quickly sitting down, she walked over and sat on the table in front of him.
"James, are you alright." She asked, placing her hand on his knee. Concern in her eyes.
"I'm fine, just a little hot."
She quickly placed her hand on his forehead to feel his temperature.
"Oh my god James, you're burning up."
"I'm alright."
"You are not alright."
"It's just a cold or man flu as you women like to call it. I probably caught it at that bloody Doctor's surgery."
"Oh James, we should get you home."
"I said I'm fine."
He got up from her sofa and made a bee line for the door.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"Well if you're back at work then I see no point in me staying a home is there. Seeing as you're well enough now I'll make sure my belongings are gone before you get home."
She was about to respond when he quickly slammed the door behind him, leaving her speechless.
To Be Continued…