The Empty Room Page 3

  “Well, if you get tired, let us know man,” Greg said.

  “Yeah, no worries bro. I’ll probably grab a cab after a couple more drinks,” I remarked yawning. Then, we went back to eating and laughing till’ Linda asked Paul about Kylie.

  “Oh yeah, she’s up in Edinburgh for work, so she should be back in a few weeks,” Paul replied.

  “Taking a break from you, bro?” I asked.

  “Nah, just for work.”

  Linda shrugged when I looked at her.

  As we were all pretty much finished, I helped Linda and Greg clean up while Paul was watching Iva.

  “Hey bro, I’ll quickly ring a cab. Cool if I use your phone, aye?” I asked.

  “Yeah man, go ahead.”

  “Thanks for coming over Phil. I’m sure Iva will be talking about it for days,” Linda said.

  “Yeah, no worries,” I replied, as the cab company finally picked up and told me they’d send someone over now.

  “Hey Paul, do you need a ride back to Putney?” I asked.

  “Nah man, I’m gonna hang out for a while.”

  “Yeah bro, no worries.”

  A few moments later I heard a horn.

  All four of us were looking at each other,

  “Far out that was quick,” I commented.

  “Ha, was thinking the same thing,” Linda said.

  “Yeah man, but thanks for coming over,” Greg said.

  I said my goodbyes to everyone and then headed out to the cab.

  “Hey man, that was quick,” I remarked to the driver.

  “Yeah, was sitting around waiting for a job,” the cab driver said.

  “Nah, all good. Just heading back to Putney – main street,” I said.

  I got dropped off close to Tesco. Finally, I had a chance to get some shopping done. Then, I headed home where after putting everything away I still managed to make the mistake of laying my head down on my pillow again. This time, I woke up the next morning.

  3

  Last Night’s Big Mistake

  “Hey bro, I heard what happened, pop down later and we’ll head out tonight. Got some friends from back home up for a big one,” Mike remarked from the end of his cellphone.

  “Yeah bro, that sounds really good after the last few days,” I replied.

  “I’ll flick Hannah a text and see if she’s keen,” I added.

  “Yeah man, be good to catch up with her too,” Mike remarked.

  “Cool, bro. I’ll see you later on. I’ve got to go and see Audrey.”

  “Cool, man. Have a good day. See you round five-ish at The Dukes’ Head,” Mike said, before hanging up.

  Oh man, I thought as I got up and headed out to the kitchen, this feels weird after catching up with Devin back in NZ. I found out Hannah didn’t go and see him, but we hadn’t spoken about it yet. I was just happy being back. The past few days with Margaret at Cam and Susan’s was tough, but we were sending stuff back this afternoon after I’d been to see Audrey. Still, I had enough time to make myself a coffee and take a quick shower. I really had to apologise for being back and not contacting her since she rang me and we caught up for coffee. She didn’t seem stoked, but she was sort of understanding when I told her what I was doing. It wasn’t long until I was making my way to East Putney tube station. It also didn’t take me long to walk up to Audrey’s office. I hadn’t met her new secretary yet, but she looked familiar.

  “Hi, I’m Phil, I’ve got an appointment with Audrey,” I said.

  “Oh right, she’s expecting you, go straight in,” Karen said.

  “Thanks Karen,” I said, spotting the name on the desk as I walked past.

  I also noticed the pink heart-shaped ring on her pinkie-finger, but thought, ‘it couldn’t be!’.

  “Hi Audrey,” I said, as I walked into her office.

  She pointed to the two seats, in front of her desk and mouthed to me to take one.

  “So, how’s everything going?” Audrey asked, hanging up the phone.

  “As good as anything could be that ends in a disaster,” I said.

  “Yeah, I heard about Anna and Cam finally,” Audrey remarked, looking over her glasses straight through me.

  “Wow, do you talk to Hannah quite a bit without me knowing about it?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I do. I keep an eye on you.”

  “Oh okay,” I shrugged as we stared at each other.

  “I need you to know that,” Audrey explained.

  “I don’t understand, explain this to me?”

  “Well, we’ve been keeping an eye on you since you’ve been back,” Audrey said.

  “Who has?”

  “Everyone. Ever since they heard about the emails and Anna and Cam,” Audrey said, taking off her glasses and staring even harder at me.

  “I’m okay. I think I’ve had more trouble helping Margaret, but someone has to do it. So why am I here?” I asked

  “Your book. We have a publishing date, so we’re all good. And I’ve sold your idea for the next manuscript, so you’re going to be busy. So, what have you got planned tonight?” Audrey asked

  “Heading to The Dukes Head with Mike and a couple of his mates and possibly Hannah,” I said.

  Audrey smiled and shook her head at me.

  “Yeah, well I’m coming as well,” Audrey told me, in no uncertain terms.

  “Sure thing, I was getting to inviting you and maybe your P.A.,” I added smiling.

  “Well, she’s the second one I’ve had in the last month so maybe not,” Audrey replied, shaking her head at me. (Audrey had no idea I thought I’d known her P.A. most of my life. If it was the same Karen, I’d chicken out of asking her when I went back out. I’d find out if it was by emailing her instead, once I got the courage to.)

  “But, I’ll ask,” Audrey added.

  “So, we’re all good for a little bit longer then Audrey?” I asked.

  “Yeah, just take that and deposit into your bank account, and I’ll see you tonight,” Audrey said, handing me a big fat cheque.

  I immediately headed up to Cam and Susan’s and walked straight into the bank just down the road. It wasn’t long until I saw Margaret having a coffee, and so I walked in and joined her.

  “Hey, how’s it all going?” I asked Margaret

  “Oh, you caught me! Really good,” she insisted.

  “So, how did you go yesterday?” I asked

  “Um, the movers are coming to get the furniture. They should be there now, all Cams clothes have been packed, I put his computer in his bag. You can take it home. Everything else has been given away, so we’re pretty much done,” Margaret said.

  “Wow, that didn’t take us that long at all,” I remarked hiding a smile.

  “When do the cleaners arrive?” I asked.

  “Monday around nine in the morning or Tuesday. I should be back down Sunday night so I can take care of that,” Margaret insisted.

  “Cool, though you’ll have to let me and Hannah take you out for dinner on Monday then.”

  “Yeah, absolutely.”

  “Cool, so let’s take these coffees and get back up there,” I commented.

  “Yeah after you,” Margaret said, pointing the way.

  “Well you have the key,” I replied.

  “Smart ass!” Margaret sneered, laughing at me.

  “So, what have you found out about the computer?” Margaret asked.

  “Well, nothing yet,” I lied.

  “So, will Anna be joining us at dinner?” Margaret asked, smiling at me.

  “Um, I’m not too sure,” I replied, just out-right lying to Margaret.

  For the moment we weren’t talking. I was still a little confused by it all, and she was kind of pissed I found the emails while snooping around with Cams’ passwords and email addresses back in New Zealand, and that I’d sent them to Hannah, who had asked her point-blank to get out. She was now hanging round, being there for Hannah if she needed anything. It was all a little confusing and highly annoying. Still, I wasn’t goi
ng to open up the laptop and check it out in front of Margaret. She deserved a better memory of the guy her daughter had said yes to marrying. With me, well I was finding it all confronting, but he was still one of my oldest friends. I was, however, going to tell Drew, if he had a problem with it. Well, that would be up to him. I was probably looking for an excuse to do something stupid, but I was still looking forward to going out for a few drinks.

  “So, what have you guys got planned tonight?” Margaret asked

  “Ah not much. Mike’s got some friends in town so we’re heading to The Dukes Head for a couple, but I’ve got a lot of writing to do.”

  “You’ll have to send me a copy of your new book, so I can then buy all my friends copies for Christmas presents and birthdays,” Margaret insisted

  “Ha, yeah absolutely.”

  We didn’t hang around the apartment for too long. The movers had just finished packing most of the furniture and Margaret had to be back down south pretty soon. I kissed her on the cheek and grabbed Cams’ laptop bag and got ready to leave. All the rest of his stuff had been addressed and Margaret was going send it back on Monday.

  “I’ll see you and Ian on Monday. We can organise dinner when we’re back here,” I explained.

  “Yeah, done. Now, get out of here and go see that girl of yours,” Margaret insisted.

  “Yeah, will do, I’ll ask her about Monday,” I said, lying again.

  I waved as I left and headed back towards the tube station at Swiss Cottage, then headed home. I’d check Cams’ computer later in the weekend. I was looking forward to changing and heading to The Dukes Head.

  Once I got past Fulham Broadway, I quickly texted Hannah about what we were doing and she was keen for a few drinks after work as well.

  It took absolutely ages to get home. The train stopped just before Putney Tube Station and we just sat there for twenty minutes, finally off again we did the same just before East Putney Station. Luckily, I wasn’t sneezed on, and the carriage wasn’t packed like the last time this happened. Still, it felt so good finally walking that slow walk up the road and across the bridge to home. I put Cams’ computer in my room and headed back out to the kitchen to make something to eat. Then I got another phone call from Mike.

  “Hey man, you at home?” Mike asked.

  “Yeah bro, just got in and having something to eat. What’s up?” I asked.

  “Well, I think these two are struggling a bit and need to get a few beers in them before they crash out. So, we’re going to head over now, get something to eat there,” Mike said.

  “Um, yeah all right. Just let me have a shower and I’ll meet you guys there,” I commented.

  “Oh, and Emily has, well, how should I put this?” Mike asked. “She’s got a big nose, don’t stare,” he added.

  “Ha, I’ll try not to, bro, but you know what they say about girls with big noses.”

  “Yeah, but we don’t have that much coke or any for that matter,” Mike retorted.

  “Ha! She must be wrapped to have you as a mate,” I joked. “See you guys soon,” I added hanging up.

  Before heading off to have a shower, I checked to see if I could find the envelope with the passwords to Cams’ computer, before deciding to worry about it tomorrow. Time now to have a shower and to go and enjoy a few beers.

  Just before leaving I sent a text to Audrey and Hannah to fill them in, letting them know I’d see them there. It wasn’t until half way down that I quickly sent a text to both Mike and Hannah telling them not to bring up what had happened. I hadn’t told Audrey about all the emails, just about their relationship. It probably was a mistake going out tonight. Still, when I turned the corner and ran into the bouncer at Thai Square, I knew it was going to be a huge night.

  “Hey man, are you working tonight?” I asked.

  “Yeah, haven’t seen you around for a while, what’s been happening?” the bouncer asked.

  “Uh, just went back to New Zealand for a bit.”

  “Well, I’ll probably see you back here later tonight,” the bouncer replied with a knowing smile.

  “No doubt, man. Catch you later,” I said, as I headed off a little bit further up the road to The Dukes Head.

  It didn’t take me long to find Mike and, surprisingly, Louise.

  “Hey guys what’s been happening? What’s everyone drinking?” I asked

  “Hey man, just grab a glass, we’ve got a few jugs on the way,” Mike replied.

  “Just before you do, though, these are Emily and Andy. Louise you already know.”

  “Hey guys! I’ll be back in a second,” I said.

  I went up to the bar and got a glass for myself and turned around just as the jugs arrived at the table.

  “Nice, who’s idea was this?” I asked with a smile, as I strolled back to the table and handed Mike my glass.

  “Ha, been a while between drinks mate,” Mike commented.

  “So, how do you two know this guy?” I asked Emily and Andy.

  “Emily used to work with him back in Auckland and then again for a few months last year here in London. I went to University with him,” Andy replied.

  “Nice, so what’s the plan tonight bro?” I asked Mike.

  “Why are you asking me? You usually do the honours mate,” Mike replied.

  “Ha cool, I spoke to the bouncer next door, so we could go there later.”

  Finally getting around to finishing the first glass, I see that everyone at the table is up for a big one.

  “Hey, so is Audrey coming out tonight?” Mike asked.

  “Yeah mate, so we’ll be smashing a few bottles of champagne later, so pace yourself.”

  “Oh yeah, Andy and Emily, Phil here is a writer,” Mike commented.

  “Oh! What kind of stuff do you write?” Emily asked.

  Which made both Louise and Mike laugh.

  “Oh, Emily – its bad luck to ask,” Louise said.

  “Stupidest rule ever, but understandable,” Mike remarked.

  “Hey, do you guys want something to eat?” I asked.

  “Yeah, let’s get some finger food and some chips,” Mike suggested.

  Agreeing, I got up and ordered a few plates then sat back down with my number and enjoyed another glass of beer.

  “So, Phil, how do you know Mike?” Emily asked.

  “Well, I was on holiday on a sailing ship in Croatia, with the Sail Croatia tour company, and Mike and a few others joined the trip,” I said. “I heard he lived around here, and we’ve been keeping the party going ever since,” I added.

  “Oh okay,” Emily said, looking at me strangely.

  Just then, Audrey and Hannah walked in and spotted us sitting around the table together. I quickly got up and introduced everyone to each other.

  Mike and Hannah went over to the bar and ordered a few more rounds of drinks as Audrey walked over to me.

  “Hey Phil, congrats. Hope you’re having a big night tonight,” Audrey commented.

  Smiling I replied, “Yeah, keen to get a bit carried away.”

  “Good to hear. How’s everything at the apartment going?” Audrey asked.

  “Ah, just got to catch up with Margaret. Hannah and I are gonna go out and have dinner with her and Ian,” I said.

  “Oh nice. Anywhere in particular?” Audrey asked.

  “Um, I’m not sure. Any suggestions?” I replied knowing Audrey might take care of the reservation – and it’d be somewhere awesome as well.

  “Well, let me take care of that and I’ll let you know tomorrow night,” Audrey remarked.

  “Ha, cool, thanks Audrey. Should we do some shots just quickly?” I suggested.

  “Yeah, but not the ones I’ve been hearing about,” Audrey joked.

  I just smiled and thought ‘What the hell! It hadn’t taken long until it was just us up at the bar by ourselves with the bartender bringing over a few shots for us both!’

  “So, you’ve heard about this before then.”

  “Yeah but I’m not snorting te
quila, I’ve got to take Rupert to football training tomorrow,” Audrey replied.

  “Yeah, deal. I don’t want to do that either. So, here’s the first one, lets thank everyone for coming out tonight for a huge one,” I suggested.

  “Ha, good one,” Audrey laughed.

  “Alright then, you get to come up with the second one,” I said.

  “Well, here’s to the London weather,” Audrey laughed.

  “Actually, that’s a good one to.”

  Drinking the next shot, I started to feel a little weird.

  The third one I thought should be to friends, which Audrey thought was a great idea.

  “To friends!” we both laughed – a little too loudly. We got a few funny looks from our actual friends. We laughed it off and finished the last one laughing our heads off before ordering a few more jugs for the table. Luckily, we also now had the finger food I had ordered earlier.

  “So, good luck looking after Rupert and a bunch of screaming little kids tomorrow,” I joked with Audrey as we took our seats next to everyone else.

  Hannah and Mike were back from whatever they were talking about and Andy and Emily were enjoying the drinks and the food.

  “So, where are we off to tonight Phil?” Andy asked.

  “Well, we will be here for a little while longer, then Thai Square and then a few other bars either on the other side of the bridge or just up the road.”

  “Ah, cool. A local one then?” Andy asked.

  “Yeah, for sure. And there’s a Walk-about, just around the corner as well, after The Boat House,” I replied seeing Hannah and Mike give me a funny look.

  “What?”

  “The Walkie,” they both chimed back together.

  After we’d all had something to eat, and hung out drinking for a while, I suggested heading over to Thai Square for a few more beers or The Boat House. I was having trouble making a decision.

  Hannah finally said, “Let’s go to The Boat House, it’s still pretty early for Thai Square.”

  “Yeah, sounds good,” Mike and the others agreed.

  On our way there, I finally got to have a quiet word with Hannah and told her about dinner on Monday night. She was more than happy to go but wanted to go out drinking straight after. I found it hard not to agree as it was going to be a pretty rough night. Audrey reminded me she was going take care of the restaurant.