Chapter 15: An Illusion Of Happiness, Part 7, James

His mouth twitches. "Ah yes, Kirstie. Of course. I'll remember that. Are you new here? I don't recall seeing you on the desk before."

"Yes, I just started. I'm still learning the ropes... Er... Are you waiting for someone, um... Sir? Can I get you a coffee while you wait?"

"No, I have an appointment. But thank you for asking. Are you enjoying the job?"

"Oh, yes. It's great. Much better than what I was doing before."

"I'm pleased to hear it. Well, good luck with it."

He lapses into silence, and we share one of those awkward pauses of near-strangers who don't really have anything to say to each other.

I try, surreptitiously, to decide the status of this previously encountered Dom. He's wearing a ring on his left hand.

You didn't have that either when last we met.

"I've um... I've not seen you and your friend... out and about... recently. The blond guy; is he alright?" I say.

Now, he's definitely hiding a smile. "Yes, he's fine. He got married recently."

"Ah... Shame..