LITMIR.BIZ

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He held up a hand as Nick started to speak. ‘I’m not saying that in a bad way, Nick. I really like your work so far, and I think you have a long and promising career ahead of you. It’s just that if you want to get on in this world, you need to learn how to fit in. And become a team player.’ He smiled at Nick brightly. ‘Now. Is there anything else?’

       Nick shook his head, feeling his shoulders slump. ‘No. I understand.’

      Nick’s stomach growled, bringing him back to the present. It was after the presentation fiasco that things had really turned toxic in the office. The subtle bullying. The not-so-subtle comments. It had got to the point where he felt physically sick every time he walked through the office door. That’s why he had started applying for new jobs. And had been so elated when he thought he was finally getting away, only to have his dreams dumped in the bin.

      He checked his watch. Way past dinner time. At least he felt hungry. That was an improvement, although he still didn’t feel like cooking. He jumped up, almost banging his head on the cupboard in his haste. Screw the cooking. He would go and get sushi from that new Japanese place that had just opened around the corner. A reward for completing task two of the happy list. He couldn’t wait to find out what was number three.

      After dinner he went to sleep and dreamed that Jade smashed her way into his office and punched both Andy and his boss in the face, while Archie ran amok in his wheelchair singing army songs at the top of his voice and running over everyone’s toes.

      When Nick woke the next day, he realised it was the first time he had slept well in as long as he could remember. He could walk up to the Necropolis again, he thought. Start the happy list over again. And then he would call his mum, he hadn’t spoken to her for ages.

      Jade eased herself slowly down into the weird half-standing position that the teacher called ‘chair pose’. It was a few weeks since she had bothered to come to the yoga class, and she could already feel her thighs complaining at the unaccustomed treatment. She mentally promised them a hot bath when she got home and sneaked a quick look backwards to where Nick was. He caught her looking and gave her a wink. Jade smiled inwardly, glad to know that he wasn’t taking it too seriously. She couldn’t believe how cool and collected he looked, while her legs were complaining about her five-week break. She sneaked a look at him again, making sure he didn’t catch her. Yes, she had to admit that those navy-blue shorts showed off his assets pretty well.

      Still, this class was probably the best one she had found so far. A mix of yoga and meditation for beginners, with a teacher who was both incredibly practical and didn’t do any of the mystical crap. He was about the furthest thing from a hippie guru that she had ever seen. Short-haired and clad in lycra shorts that she had admired from behind on numerous occasions, he bounced about in front of the class with enthusiasm, and freely admitted his own difficulties in clearing his mind during the meditation exercises. Yes, thought Jade as she twisted herself into another position, hand reaching towards the ceiling, this was about as close to exercise as she was ever going to get. She really should come more often though. She hated to admit it, but she did feel better when she was coming regularly.

      Nick sat with his legs crossed and eyes closed as they went into the meditation sequence. He had to admit the yoga had felt really good, but he was a bit sceptical about the meditation. Weren’t you supposed to empty your mind? And how on earth were you supposed to do that?

      ‘Right,’ the instructor said, ‘you’re probably all wondering now, what the hell do you do next?’

      There were laughs around the room, and Nick couldn’t help joining in.

      ‘I want you to focus on your breathing. Just count to yourself as it goes in and out. You’re bound to start thinking about something, but just look at those thoughts and say to them “Yeah, whatever.”’

      There was another round of laughter.

      Nick sat up straight and tried to concentrate on the in and out of his breath. He fully expected some stressful thoughts to bubble to the surface, but to his surprise the first thing that came into his mind was his mother, cooking the breakfasts for the guests at the big range like she always did every morning. He couldn’t bring himself to greet her in such an offhand way as instructed, so instead sent her a quick hello, and in his mind’s eye she lifted one hand to give him a wave in greeting. She had been over the moon when he had called her last Sunday. He sometimes wondered if she was truly happy where she was. Could that be why she had urged him to get out and do something else with his life?

      In … Out … In … Out … With each breath he could feel himself getting more relaxed, and he rolled his shoulders a little, trying to release some of the ever-present tension in them. He could faintly hear the music from the gym next door, and the smell of plastic from the yoga mat that had thankfully looked fairly new and clean when he pulled it from the box in the corner of the room. If he really listened carefully then he could just about make out the sounds of people breathing in and out all around him.

      Strangely enough, the next thing that popped into his head was Jade. It was the first time he had seen her with clothes that fit her closely, and he wondered how someone as skinny as her still managed to have such an amazing bum. He’d had plenty of time to admire it from his position just slightly behind her.

      He realised he had completely lost his focus on his breathing and started counting again. He was kind of relieved when the instructor called time and they switched back to yoga again.

      When the class was finally wrapped up, Jade lay on her mat for a second, feeling happiness and tired muscles in equal measure. Time for a shower, she thought. And then she would take Nick somewhere for lunch. Her stomach agreed with the last thought, and she smiled again.

      A shadow fell over her. ‘Having happy thoughts?’ It was Nick.

      She opened her eyes, twisting her head up at him. ‘Having thoughts about food.’

      He gave her a grin, extending a hand downwards to help her up. ‘Great idea. My thoughts exactly.’

      They were just rolling up their mats when one of the women from the class came over to them. Stunningly gorgeous was the only way to describe her. She was one of those people whose chestnut-brown hair looked amazing even when it was tied up in a messy ponytail, and her skin was lightly bronzed as if she had never spent a day in Scotland in her life. Jade didn’t even want to think about her figure, rounded in all the right places and flat in all of the others.

      ‘Hi. Can I just ask, are you two together?’ Her soft, sexy American accent just completed the picture of perfection.

      ‘Yes,’ Nick said, at the same time as Jade answered, ‘No.’

      At the woman’s puzzled look, Jade rushed to clarify. ‘Oh, we came together, but we’re not together, together. We’re just friends.’

      Were she and Nick really friends? She supposed they were, after a fashion. It would have to do. It was less complicated than the real story.

      ‘Oh, great.’ said the woman. She draped an arm round Nick’s shoulders. ‘Because I think you’re stunning. I just wanted to tell you.’ She gave Jade a wink. ‘How would you feel about going for lunch?’

      Nick seemed speechless, and Jade suddenly felt an irrational burst of anger at this person, coming in and interfering in her life and her friendship. As Nick opened his mouth to reply, Jade spoke before she could find out what his answer would be. ‘Sorry, but not today. We’ve got somewhere to be.’

      ‘Oh.’ The beauty unwound her arm from Nick’s neck, clearly disappointed, and held a card out to Jade. ‘Well, honey, if you change your mind, just call me.’

      Jade took the card, frowning slightly, as the woman turned away. She looked at Nick. ‘Did she …?’

      Nick nodded, obviously struggling not to laugh. ‘Just hit on you, yes.’

      Jade was still trying to comprehend what had happened. ‘So why did she put her arm around you? I thought it was you that she liked.’ She

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