Convenience

Part 61

He was setting a great track record with Beatrice. David began to panic. Obviously he had blown it! Dating an independent, and sensitive woman, you had to watch every move, every word! However he said firmly, "Beatrice we need to talk." He waited for her to respond. So he repeated his statement, but he had softened his tone, and feigned intense contemplation, "Beatrice we need to talk." The placatory tone was lost on her.

He studied her body language and knew she was seething. But he knew he needed to speak with Beatrice. Because he wanted to get this relationship on a personal footing. 

Maybe with some plain speaking they could sort things out, eventually. She was too autonomous. Too obstinate. Non-conventional. Maddening! But that was part of the reason he liked her. He hesitated for a brief second. He needed logic. Actually, this was harder than he expected: dealing with Beatrice. It was difficult predicting just how Beatrice would react.

David was coming to know that closed off look in her face. He was still learning to read her body language. The problem was, he didn't know just how angry she was. Was she simmering? Or at detonation stage? Her expression was closed.

Beatrice was still coming to know his body language. However, Beatrice thought he seemed determined. He was the most exasperating, frustrating, arrogant man that she knew!

They glared at each other. Apprehension and anger took over. She corrected, "No we don't!" She jabbed at his jacket-clad shoulder with her index finger to accompany each word. Then she shook her head at him and dropped her hand from his body. She told him, "We managed not to communicate for five years." She kept her gaze on him. Her eyes narrowed. "I am sure we can manage a few more years." She pushed, seeing that she was irritating him, so she said calmly. "Perhaps a century!"

David declared in sombre tones and his eyes narrowed. "That's ridiculous." Beatrice was not at all surprised to see his reaction.  David ran his fingers through his hair. He was tempted to growl. What he really wanted to do was to bellow at the scenario that was developing. But their relationship was far from over.

He could see, that she was back to her normally temperament. Her calm disposition, gave the wrong impression. David maintained eye contact with Beatrice.

Beatrice said tranquilly, "I'm glad you think so." She looked pointedly at David. "In the future, if you want to talk to me, as a child," She reminded him that he said earlier she was behaving like a child. He ignored that jibe. Beatrice carried on, "I suggest you contact Mr Hartnell."

He watched her face carefully. Ok, time to change his tack. "No." He replied. He blocked her path. He couldn't help the fact his eyes tracked across her face, taking careful inventory.

She scowled at him. She snapped belligerently, "Move!" Without adding anything and tried to leave.

David refused. His hands clamped down on her shoulders and once again he halted her progress. "We need to talk."

She looked at him, lifted her arms and flicked his arms away from her. She questioned him flatly, "You want to talk?" And before he could answer that question, Beatrice said coolly with another question, "Especially if it was about our divorce?" The words were measured, "Talk to Mr Hartnell!" Beatrice marched off. Her pace at odds with her voice. She kept marching away.

David watched Beatrice stalk off. He ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a long slow breath. Well that had gone well, he whispered. A bit like being on a roller coaster ride. Again he ran his fingers through his hair and watched with growing concern as Beatrice walked away, or all but ran, toward the high street.

Maybe he should have told her about this 'rescheduled' meeting when they were at the restaurant, because at the restaurant they established  a good rapport, he thought. She might have accepted his reasons for this 'rescheduled': Being upfront about that meeting and apologising for his actions, could've worked. She might forgive him. Eventually. Now, not sure about that.

He huffed out a sigh. He took five years of complications in his business to sort out, and he hasn't added any more to that. But he has five years of complications in his personal life, and a convenience marriage teething troubles, to sort out. And today, he has added to that.