|
|
|
Margaret, where�s Leo?� If one more person asks me that, I�m going to scream. His last words to me were: �Margaret, I�m gonna be gone most of the afternoon. Call my cell if you need me, okay?� �Margaret...� That�s it. I shout: �I don�t know where Leo�� I feel my face flush as I see the President in the doorway to my office. He looks shocked at my uncharacteristic outburst. �Er, okay. I was just�never mind.� Oh God. I just shouted at the President. Damn you, Leo, where the Hell are you? �Drink boys? On the house?� I enjoy Josh and Sam�s looks of shock. Susanna and I are circling the room, making sure everyone has a free drink to celebrate the club�s continuation. �Er, yeah. What�s going on Leo?� Josh would have to be the suspicious one. Sam just looks bemused. �I�m the new landlord. And Susanna�s lease was just extended indefinitely.� Suddenly, both boys� faces light up. I�m pleased at their reaction. �You own this place?� Sam�s wide-eyed shock makes me laugh. �Yeah.� �Wow. Great way to get in with Susanna, Leo.� Trust Josh to think my motives were anything other than�well, they were, but I�m not gonna tell him that. It�s after two and we�re just about ready to drop where we stand. It�s been a long day. Leo is beginning to give up any pretence at helping Mickey clean up, and eventually decides to sit on the sofa between the bar and the stage. I walk up behind him, my hand resting lightly on his shoulder. He reaches back and takes my hand. �Ready for the guided tour now?� His voice is gravelly, tired. �Make it quick, I�m not sure I can stand up for much longer.� �Okay.� I pull him to his feet and call across: �Mickey, you okay to..?� He looks over. �Sure. See you tomorrow.� Leo blinks as his eyes adjust to> the dimmer light after the brightness of the club lighting. �You live above the club?� �Well, no-one else would stand it. And it means I�m here if there�s an emergency.� 'There had better not be one tonight.� I think Leo�s joking, but I�m not sure.�There are two rooms Leo. If you�d rather�� I hope he�s awake enough to work out what I�m trying not to say. �I don�t think you should be alone tonight. I mean, you might suffer delayed shock or something. It�s probably safer if I stay with you.� Apparently he is. And even awake enough to make a joke. I haven�t done it in a while. For no other reasons than I haven�t found anyone I liked enough to ask them to stay the night. But it was worth the wait. For a man who warned me as he kissed me that he hadn�t done it for a while either, he must have a good memory. But as I lay next to him, watching him sleep, I realise two things. One, I�m in love with Leo McGarry. And two, last night he was in bed with his wife. I get out of bed gently, reaching into his jacket where I feel in his pockets until I find his mobile �phone. He�s stirring now, and I stroke his cheek until he wakes a little more. �What�s her number, Leo?� �One.� Even after a year, Leo�s ex-wife is still on his speed-dial. I press the button, wait for the screen to light up, press the two buttons, hear the dial tone, and pass him the �phone as I walk into the other room. |