Chapter 23

Scott lay on his bed, staring at the clouds through the skylight. Tears were rolling down his face. They seemed to have been a permanent feature for the last two days. In the end, he'd rung Debbie. She was the only one to calm him in a situation like this.

"I can't believe it," he said. "One minute everything is perfect. The next my big mouth strikes and I've fucked it all up. Why do I always do this?"

"Darling, listen," she replied. "My mouth has got me into more trouble than I can remember. You get it from me. Is there no way Prin will listen to reason?"

Scott had played this over in his mind all weekend. As Sunday was coming to a close, the fear of going to work merged with the certainty that he was single once again.

"That might be a bit difficult," Scott replied. "He's going to Bangkok. He's thrown the towel in and I don't blame him. Who wants to be with me?"

"Enough of that talk. You are a wonderful and kind boy. Scott, you need to try with Prin."

Fatigue overwhelmed Scott. Everything had become so fucked up. He wished he could just go to sleep.

"What's the point?"

"Because I liked the Scott he brought out. You were the person I know you to be. Deep down."

Scott sighed. "When do you fly?"

"Tomorrow, otherwise I'd tell you to come home. Will you be all right, Scotty?"

Scott forced a smile on his face. He had always been a proponent of fake it until you make it. "I'll be fine. You two have a great time."

"I'm only a phone call away."

He terminated the call and lay still for a second. The television was blaring out downstairs. The volume was ridiculously loud. Scott welled up when he heard what they were watching.

Putting his dressing gown on, he padded down the stairs. As he went into the lounge, the opening bars to Spice World The Movie were playing.

"I told you it would draw him out," Eddie said.

Scott sank down on the sofa next to him. Tyler sat curled up in the chair. Scott was grateful Billy and Danny were nowhere to be seen. He must look like absolute shit. Most of the weekend had been spent crying on his bed and refusing entry to anyone who dared try to make him feel better.

"Can I get you anything?" Tyler asked, his face full of concern.

Scott shook his head. He'd barely eaten anything since Friday. His stomach rumbled as if on cue.

"I'm dreading work tomorrow," Scott said. "Everyone will be taking the piss."

"No one is laughing because no one will have any clue what is going on," Eddie said. "Richard isn't likely to broadcast that his son is a filthy thief. As for Prin, a handful of people know and they're all your friends."

Scott rubbed his temples. "Richard is going to be a total twat to me. That piece of shit won't give this up easily."

"For a while maybe," Tyler replied. "He can't keep it up or you'll have grounds to take him down. You should know that."

Scott snuggled into Eddie's side, who wrapped his arm around him. It was a comfort but nothing compared to when Prin held him.

Something I'll never have again.

"I'm too tired," Scott said. "I can't face Brammin day in day out. Maybe Prin has the right idea."

"What do you mean?" Tyler asked. "Leave Pleasure Seekers?"

Scott laughed sadly to himself. "And go where?"

"Call him, Scott. Prin, I mean," Eddie said.

Scott shook his head. "He made it clear how he wants to deal with this. On his own, it appears. I'll have to respect his wishes. It's over and I can't blame anyone but myself."

When he walked into the office the following morning, it was business as usual. Eddie had been right. The majority of people had no idea what had gone on. Those that did wanted nothing to do with it.

Carla had made a point of sitting across from him. At least he'd been able to avoid questions from the rest of the team. Sheila looked like she would gladly interrogate him. Even Charlotte hadn't asked him anything when he'd walked through reception. She'd settled for a kind smile and a wink.

Of course, Richard gave him evils at every opportunity.

I suppose I'll get that forever now.

He didn't have the energy to even care. Richard could shove it up his arse.

Trying to take his mind off things, Scott had set about a mundane task of updating the HR system with all the new starter information. It wasn't usually a job he relished. Today, it was a godsend.

"How you doing?" Eddie asked, pulling a chair up.

"Surviving," Scott replied. "Although if Richard follows me into the bathroom, come and check on me. I can't decide if he'd rather stick my head down the toilet or strangle me."

Eddie stared across. "I don't know why he's taking it out on you. This is your bloody job."

Scott shrugged. "The absence of Prin, I guess."

Carla glanced at Eddie before leaning forward. "Listen to me, Scott. You have two days of wallowing," she whispered. "Then I'm done. Consider yourself pre-warned."

She was trying to boost him. At that moment, Scott didn't think he would ever get himself out of the hole he'd dug for himself. Maybe he deserved it.

"Did you need me?" Scott said to Eddie. "Or did you come to pick over the person who used to be Scott Fitzgerald?"

"Kind of," Eddie replied. "Did you see the email I sent you? I'm after volunteers. Tyler has signed up."

Scott shook his head. "I'm sorry, Eddie. I have bigger things on my mind than if someone can say a safe word with a ball gag in. You're going to have to find someone else."

Eddie held his hands up. "Okay. I thought it might perk you up a bit. That's all."

"Come on, Scott," Tyler said, approaching them. "It'll be fun and you can have a break from that knobhead throwing his glares around."

He stared pointedly toward Richard.

"You noticed then?" Scott asked.

Tyler nodded. "Hard not to. It's like heartbreak central round here. Amanda is biting everyone's head off too."

"Have they not made up yet either?" Scott asked.

Tyler shook his head. "They didn't speak all weekend apparently. She told me he wasn't the man she thought he was."

"After all these years of working with him?" Eddie asked. "What did she expect? Tom Cruise?"

"Mission Improbable," Scott said.

Eddie squeezed his shoulder. "Well done you. A pun. A weak one but a pun nonetheless."

Suddenly the main door burst open, making quite a clatter. Barry came through like a man with purpose in his stride.

"Hang on," Scott said, scrambling to his feet. "What's going on here?"

Barry marched toward Amanda's desk. With each step he took, more eyes were on him. Poor Amanda looked terrified when he reached her.

"Amanda," he said. "These last few weeks I've spent with you have been the best in my life. I am beyond sorry that I let you down."

Amanda was crimson. She glanced this way and that.

"Okay, Barry," she said. "I think perhaps we should discuss this in private."

She went to take his hand but he leapt back out of her reach. "I won't be silenced, Amanda," Barry said. "I want the world to know how much I love you and that I will do anything to make you happy."

"Fucking hell," Scott whispered. "Is this going where I think it's going?"

He looked at Tyler who had gone sheet white.

"Barry," Amanda said.

Barry swallowed hard. "Amanda, I love you. Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to New Zealand?"

Everyone in the office gasped as one.

"What?" Amanda asked.

"New Zealand?" Tyler whispered.

They both turned to Eddie who was dabbing his eyes. "This is the most romantic thing I've ever seen."

Scott turned back to the couple in the spotlight. Now Barry had taken hold of Amanda's hands. "Let us spend two weeks discovering all the locations of Lord of the Rings. Together."

All eyes were on Amanda.

"Oh, Barry, are you serious?" she cried.

Barry swallowed hard. "I am. There is no one in the world I would rather do that with than you. What do you say?"

"I say yes. A thousand times yes."

The office cheered as she got to her feet and fell into his arms. The joy on Barry's face made everyone cheer again but louder.

Scott turned to Tyler and Eddie. "Reckon you can get out of here for an hour?"

Tyler and Eddie nodded.

"I'm not giving up," Scott said. "Let's go."

He turned to his team. Carla was mid blow of her nose.

"Carla…"

Carla grabbed his hand. "Just go and do whatever it takes."

"Thanks."

He went to grab his bag. Sheila was standing by his chair.

"Good luck, love," she said, clasping his hand. "Dazzle him with the Scott we all know and love. He'll be putty in your hands."

Scott thought he might burst into tears. Instead, he smiled even if he didn't truly believe her words.

"Thank you, Sheila," he said. "After watching Barry put himself on the line for his love, I've got to try."

Scott was banging on Prin's door. He got no answer. Tyler and Eddie were waiting in the car downstairs, ready to bestow sympathy or celebration. Whichever was needed.

"Prin. Please let me in. I need to talk to you," Scott shouted. He didn't care who heard him.

Unsurprisingly, the door behind him opened and revealed Prin's pervy neighbour. He made Scott's skin crawl.

"How did you get in here?" Jeremy asked, his haughty expression in full effect.

"None of your business," Scott replied.

He wasn't about to admit to tailgating the old guy who lived downstairs. It was probably on CCTV but he'd plead he was blinded by passion or something. Determined to ignore Jeremy, he turned back to banging on Prin's door.

"Prin. Please."

"You're wasting your time. He's gone."

Scott stopped banging. "He can't have. Not already."

Jeremy shrugged. "Sorry about that."

"Where has he gone?" Scott asked, walking up Jeremy.

"To Bangkok," Jeremy replied. "You should know seeing as you've driven him away."

"I meant Gatwick or Heathrow?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because I love that man and I haven't told him. Jeremy. He deserves it and so do I. Things have got completely fucked up, I will accept that. If you want me to get down on my knees and beg, I will. I need him. I believe he needs me."

Jeremy appeared lost for words for a second. Scott was about to give up and slope off to the car when Jeremy straightened up.

"Gatwick," he said. "He set off an hour ago."