Adulation / h.s

65

Harry couldn't believe it.

"Jade.. I haven't seen you in years." He laughed standing up, opening his arms for a hug.

She quickly walked into them, hugging him back. "It's been a while."

"Sorry, I didn't know it was you. Your surname isn't Morris any more?"

She shook her head as they both sat down, she showed him her ring finger. "I got married two years ago,"

"Wow, a delayed congrats."

She smiled. "Thanks,"

Jade Morris was the apple of Harry's eye at school. She was what he thought at the time; his true love. He was totally in awe of her. He thought that they'd end up together and get married. He thought he'd spend his whole life with her.

But people change, situations change. Jade called the entire thing off and Harry was left heartbroken because of it.

"So what are you doing here? You applied?"

She nods. "Yeah, well, you weren't here during the first interview."

He nods, that must of been when he was at the hospital with Rosie. "Right,"

"To tell you the truth, my husband has been earning all the money and I've just been living the life of leisure and I'm bored. I planned to get pregnant but it didn't work out, so now I'm ready to work; earn my own money."

Harry nodded. "I think that's brilliant."

He thought of Rosie, Rosie could live off Harry's money but he knew suggesting that to her would end up with her screaming and him sleeping in the spare room for a few nights. "My partner is the same, she wouldn't be able to let me earn and live off it,"

Jade shrugs. "It's boring. It's fun for a week or two. But two years later I have nothing to show."

"I understand completely," Harry smiled. "Good for you,"

"So I was doing interviews today and guess who was there, an applicant,"

Rosie shrugs. "Who?" They were both laying in bed, Rosie reading a pregnancy book, Harry on his laptop.

"Jade,"

"Jade.."

"Jade Morris,"

Rosie looked at him. "I feel like I've heard the name before but I can't put a face to the name."

"From school, I was with her at secondary school, remember? I've told you stories about her."

"Oh, she came in to interview with you?"

He nods. "I couldn't believe it, haven't seen her since prom."

"How did the interviews go?"

"Really well, there's two I need to decide between. Jade is one of them."

Rosie frowned. "You're not just hiring her because you know her, are you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm a professional through and through Rosie."

"I know that," She said softly. "I was just saying-"

"Well, she's one of two candidates up for it."

"And what qualifications does she have?"

"Well, she's worked as a secretary for two major corporations. She's worked abroad and volunteered in South Africa. It's quite impressive really, but she got married two years ago and stopped working completely and lived off her husbands money but now she's bored of not having her own money."

Rosie rolled her eyes. She hated women like that.

"Don't do that,"

Rosie looked at Harry. "What?"

"Judge someone you don't know,"

"I wasn't judging."

"I saw you roll your eyes."

"I'm saying nothing."

"Good,"

"Yeah," Rosie shut her book, turned on her side to turn her light off and lay down to get comfortable. They were both tired from their lack of sleep the night before and she had gone through every emotion today; the last thing she wanted was to go to bed angry at him.

"Rosie," He sighed.

"I'm saying nothing because that's what you want."

"I don't,"

"Whatever, go speak to Jade. She probably won't be judgemental." She knew it was an immature comment but she was done with the day and had nothing left in her to talk any more. She just wanted the conversation to be done with.

Harry was silent. He knew anything he said would be argued with so he left her to it. He knew they were both exhausted and she was overly emotional at the minute. It was just about choosing his battles with her.

"I'm going downstairs to get some water, want some?"

Rosie was silent for a moment. "Yes please,"

When he came back he purposely made the effort to walk round to her side of the bed and place her water down.

"Thank you," She said quietly.

"I don't want you mad at me," Harry sighed getting into bed.

Rosie turned over to face him. "I'm sorry,"

"You don't need to apologise, I was insensitive. I didn't even ask about your day."

Rosie placed her hand in his. "We're just exhausted and taking it out on each other,"

"I know," He kisses her knuckles. "But we shouldn't, we're in this together."

She smiles. "Together,"

They kiss before Harry turns out his light and they both fall to sleep peacefully. Both content that they'd not gone to bed angry at one another.