Lone Wolves

Chapter four

"Anyway, works going really well. Chloe, dad's wife...she's driving me a bit less mad this week. She's still urgh." Jaime grimaced, finishing her glass, clearly more inebriated than Kim. "And we've got that huge Peterson contract coming up and I'm going to do my first solo pitch. I'm so..." Jaime sighed, hearing Kim's phone ring. "Darling I have to take this. You know? But that's all exciting. I'll be back in a minute." Kim swept away from the table. "Right? What are the numbers looking like?" She took a seat away from Jaime.

Mack grinned seeing his opportunity, strolling over to join her. He slid into the space Kim left, helping himself to some of her left over chips. "Hello gorgeous. Told yer I'd see you again. Well...correction, I told Jaime Marchant I'd see her again. Whereas you're Jaime Tate. Been learning a lot." "Have you now?" Jaime smirked, thrilled to see him again and not afraid to show it. "All bad I hope?" "Oh aye. Mostly about your mum and dad though. Daddy in prison? Mummy escaping by helicopter? When's the movie coming out aboot your life?" Jaime sighed, knocking back her glass of champagne. "Ahhh. Okay. Want to know more about my mum. Great." She cooled considerably. "Eh? What's with the face hen?" "That is what people always want to hear about. Kim Tate. All the wicked things she's done." "Norrr. I didn't say that." He looked surprised at her change in tone, a far cry from the soft banter they'd been having together. "I want to know about you. Ma wee mysterious lay-by hen." "Lay-by hen is not a nickname I want to stick." She smirked. "But seriously...if you've come over because of my mum. I'm sure you can get the full scoop from someone else in here?" He nudged her. "Haud yer wheest alright? I know enough about your mum. I want to know about you, honestly. My mate Rob remembers you when you were actually wee." Jaime looked over at Robert and Aaron laughing in the corner. "Oh my god! Is that Robert Sugden?!" Mack nodded, pleased to see her relaxing again next to him. "Aye." "Ohhh he was my first love. Honestly, proper crush. Would demand that any family walk went past their farm. And beg my sister to let me go on her little vet visits. So cringe! Who's that?" She nodded at Aaron, moving slightly closer to Mack, desperate to be near him, hoping they'd pick up where he left off earlier. "Ah that is ma best mate in the village. Although he does nae agree. He's Rob's husband Aaron." Jaime looked surprised. "Robert's gay? And married. Blimey." Mack looked a bit irritated by her surprise. "Aye, is there summat wrong?" "God no! Just surprised. Nice to see the village is a bit more progressive than when my sister was around. So take that sneer off your face." "What sneer?" "The one inferring I might be homophobic. Not my style. All I care about is...if the people I fancy...fancy me back." She stroked his hand slightly with her fingers. He grinned. "Is that right?" "Absolutely. As long as I'm one of the people turning your head, I don't care who else turns your head. Be whatever you want to be." She leaned in and kissed him softly. Surprising him by making the first move in front of everyone, as Kim raised her eyebrows at them whilst still on the phone. "That champagne gone to your head hen?" "Hmm and the vodka. But you're pretty intoxicating yourself." She grinned, kissing him again. "Although I'm going to be in big trouble."  "Hmmm shes no' a fan of mine." "Good. Makes you even more appealing." Jaime grinned wickedly. Mack stroked her hair back behind her ear. "What are you doing after dinner wi' your mum?" He lowered his voice. "Heading back to my lonely little flat probably. Fancy coming to keep me company?" She looped her little finger round his playfully. "Depends if I get a better offer. I'll let you know." He kissed her cheek as Kim strode back to the table, having finished her call with Jai. "Evenin' Kim." He twinkled as he walked back to Rob and Aaron.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kim seethed, sitting next to Jaime again. "Making a show of yourself in front of the whole pub?!" "Oh for gods sake. It was a quick peck in the corner of a pub. It's not like I was straddling him, snogging his face off, however much I might have wanted to. He's just a laugh." "I don't want you getting a reputation as the type of girl who'll go with anything after a few drinks." "Oh give it a rest mum! I met him earlier? Okay? I didn't just grab him without knowing him. Though I would have done. He's gorgeous." She looked over at him with Aaron and Rob, causing Kim to roll her eyes. "Come on mum. You said yourself he's nice to look at. Though I suppose that's different from you. Didn't exactly cover yourself in glory with husband number 4 did you? Grey Ham." Jaime teased. "I'll have you know I have excellent taste in men. Just not silly boys like Mackenzie. And don't be rude about Graham." Kim snipped back. "Look, I'm going to have to go. The presentation at our event tomorrow is looking a shambles. I need someone like you on my team." Jaime went to protest but Kim held up her hand. "I know, I know. You want to work for Steve. I'm just saying...if you fancied a flashy marketing job with your mum...it's there. Anyway, I need to fix it by the morning. You are still coming? It's up at the house." Jaime closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, before saying "Yeah...yeah of course. I know it's a big night for you mum. Honestly you go. I'll sort out my car and get dinner." Kim kissed her forehead. "Love you darling. But don't linger please?" She shot a withering stare in Mack's direction as he stood at the bar, before she swept out of the pub entirely.