Three Way by Daniel Grant Page B

you got home okay and if you’re up for it, maybe we could meet up again sometime soon. I’m around on Friday if that works, or I guess Saturday or Sunday if that’s better. Seem to remember you said you might be busy but basically if you’re around anytime in the next month then I’m sure I can work around it. Hopefully see you soon,
    Love always, Ollie.’
     
    There, I think that should do it. Okay, it’s not perfect but hey, it’s a first draft. My mind suddenly flashes an image of Svetla and my gut drops to the floor. I close my eyes. Come on Ollie. First stage of moving on. What harm can it do? Just an email, right? Julie has been glancing at me as I write and edit. Her face conveys a certain degree of concern but I’m sure her mind will be put at ease when she reads this. I send the draft to her.
    ‘I’ve sent you something, let me know what you think,’ I say, looking over to Julie.
    ‘Haven’t got anything,’ she says. I stand and walk around the desk, looking over her shoulder to Outlook. She’s telling the truth, no email has appeared. Hmm.
    ‘Patience. Probably just TBN’s shit servers,’ I say, concern apparent in my voice.
    ‘Still nothing,’ she says. ‘You sure you sent it to my work email?’
    ‘Of course I’m sure,’ I reply. That’s a lie. A worried feeling is now permeating through me. I go back to my computer and click ‘Sent Items.’ The email at the top has the correct Heading but my heart skips a beat when I realise I’ve sent it straight to Lauren. How? Oh God no.
    ‘Oh God no,’ I say out loud. Julie is standing behind me in a second.
    ‘What? You didn’t send it to her, did you?’
    ‘I might have,’ I reply. Julie bursts out laughing.
    ‘What did you write?’ she asks. I double click the email and she reads it. I hear a giggle, then a snort. ‘Oh Ollie.’
    ‘What? Is it bad?’
    ‘No, it’s not bad. It’s probably the most terrifying email I’ve ever read.’
    ‘No. Stop fucking with me.’
    ‘I’m serious. If a boy sent me that, I’d be on to technical support to retain it for evidence.’
    ‘Are you serious?’
    ‘…basically if you’re around any time this month. And you’ve even signed off with ‘love always’…Ollie,’ she can’t stop laughing.
    ‘This is not making me feel better.’
    ‘What are you two doing?’ Paul asks from behind his paper.
    ‘Ollie’s just sent a girl a stalker email,’ Julie says.
    ‘Great, let’s have a read,’ Paul says, standing up and walking around. I click back to the news program to cover it up.
    ‘No. Come on,’ I say.
    ‘Seriously, I want to read it,’ Paul says.
    ‘No,’ I reply, frowning. Paul stares at me and somehow I find myself saying, ‘alright fine.’ I click back to the email. Paul reads, then ever so slowly, a smile forms on his face.
    ‘Oh dear. Do you find the stalker thing works?’ he says. Julie laughs again.
    ‘Brilliant. Just brilliant.’

 
     
     
     
     

     
    Thursday. Day off. I have no plans and it feels great. I’m going to lie in, have a late breakfast and spend the rest of the day doing nothing but watching TV. Except, of course, none of that is anything remotely like what actually happens.
    From somewhere deep in my subconscious I hear the toilet door bang shut. I’m awake, staring at the inside of my eyelids. I hear someone straining and obviously having difficulty, judging by the huffing and puffing now emanating around the flat. Parker. I hear him whisper the word ‘Christ’ followed by more huffing. I pull the pillow over my head, not wishing to be any more involved than I already am. Definitely quieter under the pillow. Then a noise that sounds suspiciously like my door opening. I wait, my heart suddenly pumping hard. Nothing. I push the pillow to one side and look over to the door. The silhouette of Ashley fills the doorframe, her hand on her hip.
    ‘What?’ I say.
    ‘Do I seriously have to listen to that?’ she says.
    ‘Urgh, what do you want