Chapter 17

"Happy Friday," Amanda said, helping herself to a cashew nut. "Got much planned for the weekend?"

"Only worrying endlessly about Monday's big announcement," Eddie replied.

The pair of them were sitting in the lounge waiting for Scott and Tyler to appear. They were busy in the kitchen, which either meant Tyler had some culinary treats or Scott planned to fell them with a cocktail of some description. Secretly, Eddie had hopes for both.

"What's the panic?" Amanda asked. "Aren't you beating him?"

James had told him and Brad there was a lead but a very slim one. He'd stared pointedly at Eddie.

"I could be the one lagging."

"No way. He'd give you the heads-up."

"You reckon? Wouldn't that make this whole thing a bit pointless?"

Scott came in clutching a bottle of prosecco and four glasses. "I think he's watched too much Succession. Who knows?"

"Prosecco, Scott? Very tame," Amanda said.

"This is the finale of our Lord of the Rings marathon," Scott replied. "It deserves fizz to begin with."

Eddie was suspicious. "Which means you have something else up your sleeve."

"Fasten your seatbelts," Scott added with a malevolent glint in his eye. "It's going to be a bumpy night."

Tyler entered with a tray of delicious-smelling treats.

"What have we got?" Eddie asked. This was far more exciting than Scott's dastardly plan.

"Some chicken wings, corn, mini crab cakes, chips and dips," Tyler said proudly.

"Wow," Amanda said. "That's quite a spread."

"I thought we'd have dessert at the halfway toilet break," Tyler added.

Scott had been pouring the drinks when he stopped. He stared at Eddie, who plumped his cushions with maybe a shade too much aggression.

"What's up?"

Eddie shifted in his seat. "I can't settle. I'm dreading Monday."

"Babe, worrying about it won't change the outcome. You've done everything possible to make sure you beat Brad."

"It's not just sales," Eddie replied. "We're being interviewed as well."

"Hah!" Amanda said. "If it does come down to personality, nobody would put their money on Brad. Do you know, no one has a good word to say about him. Normally, I'd feel sorry for him. I know what that feels like."

Eddie caught Tyler's eye. When Tyler had arrived, he had single-handedly transformed Amanda from being the odd woman in the office to a much-loved member of staff. All he had done was make an effort and out she'd come.

"It's different with him," Amanda said. "He's vile."

Eddie didn't disagree with that. Brad was universally disliked across all departments thanks to the disgusting way he spoke to people. Usually women.

"Do you think he knows how unpopular he is?" Tyler asked.

"I reckon he thrives on it," Eddie replied. "Otherwise, he'd be a nicer person."

Scott handed the drinks out. "It isn't the job that's bothering you," he said. "It's what you've had to do to get it."

Once again, Scott read him like a book. Although it didn't take a clairvoyant. Eddie had been banging on about this for weeks now. Even he would be glad when things moved on.

"You mean Billy and the twenty percent?" Amanda asked.

How did she know?

Eddie glared at Tyler, who had reddened a little.

"Sorry," he said, holding a plate up. "Mini crab cake?"

"Was I not supposed to know?" Amanda asked.

Eddie rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I don't want it getting out. If Brad loses, I wouldn't put it past him calling Billy."

"You can trust me," Amanda said.

Eddie tried to relax. "I know I can. I'm sorry, Amanda. It's all a bit stressful at the moment."

She squeezed his leg. "I understand. I had a workplace romance once. Things got very complicated."

Scott sat up straight.

"Amanda," Scott said. "You dark horse."

She reddened. "Yes well, enough about that. All I'm saying is that I think honesty is the best policy. If you tell Billy you got carried away and at the time you didn't even know him, I don't think he'd blame you."

Scott watched Amanda like a hawk does a field mouse.

"Are you ever going to give us all the details on your ex-lover?"

"Honestly?" Amanda replied. "No, I'm not. I have no intention of opening it all up."

"But…"

"Scott," Tyler warned. "She said no."

Amanda settled against the couch. "It was my own fault. Anyone could see from the induction that he was married to work. I stupidly believed I'd change him."

Eddie sensed Scott making mental notes at the clues falling from Amanda's mouth.

"Shall we roll the film?" Eddie asked.

"For the final time," Scott added.

Eddie grabbed the remote control. "Get comfortable, gang."

"Before we begin," Tyler said, glancing at Amanda, "anyone up for a Star Wars marathon next month?"

"Yes, "they all said in unison.

Tyler came into the room from seeing Amanda out. Scott immediately muted the television and sat up.

"She's hammered," Tyler said, laughing. "You are worse than Danny's mother for lethal cocktails."

"Don't be so soft," Scott replied. "They were weak. I'm not drunk."

Eddie chuckled. "She's great. I like her."

Tyler beamed. He had introduced Amanda into the fold and it had been a total success.

"Anyway, we got some vital pieces of evidence tonight," Scott said, rubbing his hands together. "Amanda's ex-lover worked and possibly still does work at Pleasure Seekers. Also, he started at the same time as her because they were on the same induction."

"Bloody hell," Eddie exclaimed. "Calm down, Miss Marple."

"Leave it alone," Tyler warned. "If she wanted you to know, she'd tell you."

Scott sipped his drink, seemingly deep in thought. That usually meant trouble.

"I'm going to check the system," Scott said.

"You'll get sacked doing shit like that," Tyler replied.

"I'm in charge of sorting out the long-service gifts," Scott said. "Yes, after ten years, you get a pen. I'm always running those kinds of reports."

Tyler shook his head. "You are a nosy twat."

"Yes, you're right. I probably shouldn't share my findings then. No matter how juicy."

Tyler grinned. "I didn't say that."

Eddie enjoyed watching the two of them bantering. Ever since Tyler had moved in, the flat had felt complete. If everything else turned to shit, he knew he would always have these two.

"What are you looking at?" Scott asked, noticing Eddie staring.

"You two weirdos," Eddie replied. "What are you kids doing this weekend?"

"I've offered to help in the shop," Tyler said. "Danny has a massive project on out back so I'm manning the front. I'm quite excited."

"I'm on a date," Scott announced.

Eddie and Tyler stared at him. Ever since his experience with the scavenger hunt idiot, Scott's love life had been firmly on pause.

"Really?" Eddie asked.

"Yep. I joined a dating app thing. A proper one," Scott replied. "We've been chatting for a week. He's a lawyer in London."

"Nice," Tyler said.

Scott nodded. "A grown-up."

"What about you, Eddie?" Tyler asked.

Eddie sighed. "I'm meeting Billy and Crystal for lunch in town."

"You could sound a bit happier about it," Scott said.

"I know. It's hard."

"Not long now, babe. Then you can put it all behind you."

Will it be as easy as that?