More Smut from the Office Slut
Monday 20th February
Riding the wave of bravery Jaycee sent me off on, I managed to sit down with Derren and have a semi mature conversation about our relationship last week. He told me he is still confused and that he doesn’t know what he wants right now. I thought hearing those words would devastate me but I was surprisingly composed as he voiced his indecision. The more he spoke, the more it sounded like he was trying to keep his options open, have his cake and eat it, if you will. I actually found my attention wandering off as he drifted into repetition. I thought about Jaycee’s advice and imagined I was sitting at a little table outside a cafe, somewhere European looking. I imagined I was sitting alone sipping a creamy latte and watching an unfamiliar world go by. And every time Derren mentioned Tanya’s name, I imagined a smouldering local with a smile that made me melt into my antipasto asking if he could join me. I saw myself accepting and I envisaged a waiter coming over to us with a tiny cup of espresso for my new friend because that’s what they all drink, wherever I was in my imaginary world. I could even feel a light breeze break around my sleeveless arms, giving relief from the warm air.
It seems I have quite an imagination. Thanks to my phantom scenario, I even told Derren I wanted us to take a proper break while he figures out what he wants. He actually said, ‘if I figure out it’s you I want, will you take me back?’ I told him I can’t make any promises – even though the answer was probably yes. But I couldn’t tell him that, I had to keep the risk even on both sides.
If he runs straight to Tanya, I’ll be gutted, of course I will, but I am not going to cling to him like a desperado while he makes up his mind.
Amidst our arduous parley I found out that Ben is still desperate to win Alana over but she is being cautious because she has just come out of a long term relationship and isn’t looking for anything serious. Trust Ben to fall for the one girl who probably only needs a rebound guy.
I can hear Sam talking to Boston on the phone in his office. I know it is them because he is talking in his ‘everything is breezy and I can’t do enough for you’ voice that he reserves solely for them. As he is busy I decide to go and make myself a cup of tea, the Fair Trade tea that I hear I am ridiculed for around the office. I walk into the kitchen and stop in my tracks as though the ground has given way in front of me before walking straight back out again. I just walked in on Jaycee and Steve in some sort of mixed-message embrace. Jaycee was standing there with her arms folded defensively around her waist while looking at the floor to avoid Steve’s intense look of concern. He was standing very much in her personal space and was holding her elbow gently with his hand. He moved away from her the second he set eyes on me.
A few minutes later Steve walks out of the kitchen and straight out of the front door while April’s large blue eyes follow him out. She then clocks me watching her and gives me an icy stare that is only shattered when Jaycee stands in her way.
“Rachael, could I please see you in the empty office?”
The whole office watches as we close the door behind us.
“I haven’t said anything,” I protest prematurely.
“No, no, I know. I just wanted to tell you Steve has asked me to get back together with him!”
Jaycee is being very tactile and familiar with me as though we have known each other for years. I have to tread carefully here. I have to look happy because that is what I would be if I didn’t know what I know.
“Oh!” I say, making all the right facial gestures even if they’re not authentic. “And what did you say?”
“I said I would take the week away in Boston to think about it.”
“Oh, so you are going then?”
“Yeah, my cab will be here in 20 minutes. That’s why Steve was trying talk to me. He is really upset about me going and is trying to make as good a case as he can before I go. You know, as to why I should get back with him.”
Jaycee is excited to the point of sounding hyper as she paces the room and bites her bottom lip to stop herself from smiling.
“Wow, what will the office do without you?” I ask, evading the subject of Steve.
“Oh, April is going to take care of all my interests.”
I don’t doubt it.
“What about India, your parents, your travel plans?”
“I’ll get there, one day, maybe it will even be with Steve! What is it? What? You look worried?”
Before I can provide an explanation, Jaycee frowns in concern.
“Oh, sorry, it’s err, just stuff with Derren, that’s all.”
“I’m so sorry Rachael. I haven’t asked how it went with your boyfriend. Did you talk to him?”
“Yes, yes I did.”
I fill Jaycee in on my split with Derren and she tries to offer sympathy but I really don’t need it. I am so used to splitting up with him now that I really am ok. I tell Jaycee I have decided to go and see my mum and step-dad in Ulverston this weekend coming so I can avoid him and our usual haunts. She tells me it sounds sensible to get away from everything that reminds me of Derren – which is practically everything – and then we walk back into the office. Twenty minutes later Jaycee is gone, Steve looks sick with grief, and April is smirking.
Thursday 23rd February
What started off as a bit of fun has now turned into a mess I wish I had no part in. Jaycee is in Boston, deciding whether she can trust Steve enough to have a relationship with him. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Steve is getting smutty with the office slut.
Last Friday, on the 17th, I was at Maria’s funeral. I went alone despite Derren’s offer to come with me to hold my hand. He was genuinely disappointed when I told him no but letting him come felt an awful lot like letting him have his cake and eat it, so I stuck to my guns – shaky as they were. The emails from this day were so risqué I almost wish I’d been around to see how Steve and April were behaving. At first I thought, Steve, what are you doing? You just asked Jaycee to get back together with you!
It took me a minute to realise I was reading emails from last Friday, before Steve thought he had a chance to get back with Jaycee.
Salesman Steve: Friday 17th February 09.48
I was looking at the pictures you sent me again last night…
Office Slut: 09.51
And…
Salesman Steve: 10.08
And I liked the naughty school girl skirt with the white panties, very sexy, especially as I know what’s hiding underneath.
Office Slut: 10.10
Thanks.
Salesman Steve: 10.17
And… I have never been with a girl who can get her legs behind her head before.
Office Slut: 10.20
Thanks for sharing.
Salesman Steve: 10.41
That’s really quite a talent and it got me thinking, what other talents do you have?
Office Slut: 10.44
Steve, you would actually have to spend time with me to find out things like that. And we both know that’s not going to happen.
Salesman Steve: 10.51
Oh, does that mean the answer is no?
Office Slut: 10.55
What’s the question?
Salesman Steve: 11.01
I wanted to take you out to dinner tomorrow night. Just you and me, somewhere nice, up in town perhaps? Just dinner, no funny business.
Office Slut: 11.04
And what if I have plans already? It’s Friday and you’re asking me out tomorrow.
Salesman Steve: 11.06
Do you have plans?
Office Slut: 11.18
I did. But as it happens my friend has blown me out so, I’d love to accompany you to dinner.
***
Yeah right…
***
Salesman Steve: 11.39
Perfect. I’ll text you later with times. I’m on a half day today so I guess I’ll see you on Saturday.
Office Slut: 11.41
Yeah, cool, text me later and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Office Slut to Sezza: 12.0
Sezza, OMG! OMG!
Guess who has a date on Saturday night???
Sezza: 14.39
You’re not meeting Steve are you?
Office Slut: 14.44
Yep! But don’t worry, we are not having sex, he said no funny business. It’s WKD, I got stroppy and it worked. I am so back in control!
Sezza: 16.59
April, when a guy says ‘no funny business’ it’s because he knows you’ll want to reward him for his act of chivalry by f’ing his brains out. It’s the oldest trick in the book, a bit of reverse psych’. I’m not sure this is such a good idea : o /
Office Slut: 17.06
What the hell is : o / meant to mean? Have you had a stroke?
I won’t sleep with him. I can’t believe it! I need to go home and route through my wardrobe, AAAAHHHH!
Sezza:17.09
It’s a worried face, or puzzled, and quite frankly I am both. Greg is your boyfriend, not this guy and didn’t you learn anything from Gianni? Shi tting on your own doorstep is not a good idea. You felt awkward for weeks after Gianni.
Office Slut: 17.11
This is different Sez, and if you can’t just be happy for me, well, then you’re not a real friend.
Sezza: 17.16
Weren’t you meant to be going out with your old school friend this Saturday?
Office Slut: 17.19
I’ll just tell her I’m ill or something, she won’t care.
Sezza: 17.21
: o /
Office Slut: Monday 20th February 09.15
Oh my God Sez, I’ve been calling and texting you all weekend, I’m worried sick, email me.
Sezza: 09.19
I’m fine Apes, what were you worried about?
Office Slut: 09.20
Well, let me see… You work as a lap dancer in a sleazy club and anything could happen after one of those shifts and I haven’t heard from you allll weekend. Anyway, now I know you’re ok, I have to tell you about Saturday night. Steve paid for us to stay in a hotel so we could stay up drinking and we cuddled but he didn’t try it on with me, not once. He really opened up to me. It was perfect.
Sezza: 09.23
And…
Office Slut: 09.25
And then I kissed him. I know you’ll say he tricked me into it but you weren’t there Sez. He really cares about me, I can tell. And we didn’t sha g, not at first. First it was making love. It was beautiful and he cuddled me all night and even kissed me when we woke. He kissed me as he put me into a taxi – which he paid for all the way home so I wouldn’t have to take the train on my own!
Sezza: 09.34
Jesus April! Why did you get a cab home from London, alone? Where did he go? Has he spoken to you today?
Office Slut: 09.36
Oh, he was staying up in London to meet friends. And he’s been busy this morning, talking in the kitchen with Jaycee. She’s off to Boston in a min, I reckon he’s telling her about me!
Sezza: 09.44
Ok, Apes, reality check. Why would Steve ever want to tell your supe about you? Seriously, think about it, he’s not going to upset his ex just before she goes away, that would be pointless. And if you’re thinking he is telling her he’s moved on, just stop right there. I don’t want you to get hurt.
Office Slut: 09.51
Ah, you’re so sweet Sez but I won’t get hurt. Everything is perfect. I just have to work out how to tell Greg it’s over.
Office Slut to Steve: 10.11
Hey Steve, I just wanted to say thanks for the weekend. I had a really good time.
A
xx
Office Slut: Thursday 23rd January 09.12
Sezza, Steve hasn’t emailed me back since Monday and I think he is avoiding me since we did the deed on Saturday night, well, Sunday morning, technically.
Sezza: 09.31
Apes, I tried to tell you babes. I’m sorry. 
(
Office Slut: 09.40
What am I going to do? I just want to cry. Maybe I should email him again.
Sezza: 09.57
No! Just hang in there, I’ll come over later, or you come here maybe? So we can talk without Greg being around?
Office Slut: 10.14
I promised to have a night in with Greg later but thanks for the offer. I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind. He can’t treat me like this.
Sezza: 10.16
No! Apes, don’t do anything! I’ll call you as soon as I can!
Office Slut to Steve: 11.02
So, you’ve got what you wanted and now you are ignoring me, are you really going to be that much of a cliché Neanderthal? Can’t wait to compare notes with Jaycee. When’s she back by the way?
Salesman Steve: 11.21
April, it’s not like that. I wanted to tell you in person but, Jaycee and I might be getting back together, we spoke before she flew to Boston. I know the timing is bad, I just can’t do anything to jeopardise what I might have with Jaycee. We have history, I’m sorry.
You know how it is.
Office Slut: 11.23
You’re a jerk.
Salesman Steve: 11.26
Hey, don’t be like that. You have a boyfriend.
Office Slut to Sezza: 12.13
He might be getting back with Jaycee. I’m gutted Sezza. I just want to go home and cry but I’ve got this stupid f’ing course to go to.
Sezza: 12.26
April, I’m sorry you are hurt, I really am. Just leave it be now. He loves her, you have a boyfriend. It’s done.
Office Slut: 12.29
Done? Done?
It’s not done.
It’s only just begun.
Next Week…
Week 8. Sezza the confessor
Rachael and April both hear news that’s hard to swallow and Rachael gets left hanging as the emails end half way through the confab.
