The Time Bubble Box Set 2, стр. 17

“Let’s hope it stays that way,” said Alice.

As the car continued down the road under perfect clearskies, Josh and Vanessa were deep in conversation back at the lab.

“How much longer is this going to take?” asked Vanessa, asJosh continued to pore over the ever-changing flow of numbers on the screen infront of him.

“No more than a few minutes, I hope,” replied Josh. “Thenwe’ll have our answer.”

“I must say you are most trusting of your wife, allowing herto go off with Henry like that,” said Vanessa.

“What makes you say that?” asked Josh.

“Come on, you and Henry must have talked about it: I knowwhat you men are like when you get together. Henry’s got an eye for the ladies.He’s slept with other women behind my back over the years, I know that forsure. And not just humans either. Do you remember Dani, the robot? He’s beenshagging that ever since he built it. It even lives in our house. In fact, I’msurprised he didn’t bring it over here.”

“No offence, Vanessa, but you two are hardly a match made inHeaven, are you? You already told us you’ve got separate bedrooms.”

“Quite right,” she said. “Henry and I haven’t had sex foryears. Whatever we once had, which wasn’t a lot to begin with, died a long timeago.”

“Why don’t you just divorce him if you’re that unhappy?”asked Josh.

“Believe me, as soon as all this is over, I will,” saidVanessa. “You don’t know what it’s like being married to him. You see thefriendly, party guy image he likes to portray with those ridiculous outfits hewears, but you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. You couldn’t evenbegin to imagine the mental and even physical abuse I’ve endured over theyears.”

Josh tore his eyes away from the screen to look directly ather, weighing up what she was saying. Was she telling the truth? He had spent alot of time with Henry over the past few months and found it hard to believewhat she was saying.

“From what I’ve seen it looks like it’s the other wayaround,” said Josh. “You’re constantly making little digs at him all day long,and he just puts up with it.”

“He’s clever like that,” replied Vanessa. “He’s manipulativeto make it look like it’s all down to me. That’s what abusive men do. Still, Isuppose I’ve only myself to blame for marrying him in the first place. I shouldhave chosen someone like you.”

She was looking at him imploringly, with puppy dog eyes,which made Josh feel extremely uncomfortable. Was she coming on to him? Hetried to backtrack a little.

“To answer your earlier question, I’ve got no worries abouther taking a cab with Henry. Whether or not he’s got a roving eye, Alicecertainly would put him straight if he tried anything on.”

“What about you? Are you happy with her?”

“Yes, of course,” said Josh. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Oh, I don’t know – don’t you find her a bit boring? Youknow you could have a lot more fun with me.”

She gave him her best alluring look.

“Are you flirting with me?” asked Josh, alarmed at what shewas clearly suggesting.

“What if I was?” she asked. “Wouldn’t you be tempted? It’snot just business I’m good at. I’m a girl of many talents. I could show youright here, right now, on the desk and no one would ever know.”

“I’d know!” protested Josh. “Look, I’m sorry if I’ve givenyou any indication I might be interested in you, but as far as I’m concernedour relationship is strictly professional and that’s the way it’s going tostay.”

“You don’t get off that easily,” replied Vanessa. “Look,it’s cards on the table time. I think you’re amazing and you could be muchhappier with me than you are with Alice. I’ve fancied you since the day wefirst met in Canberra, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you eversince.”

She leaned in towards him, going for the kiss but heabruptly pulled back and angrily rounded on her.

“OK, you need to stop this right now,” said Josh. “We’rehere to do a job, nothing more. I’m perfectly happy with Alice and nothing isgoing to happen between me and you – not now, not ever – is that clear?”

“Crystal,” replied Vanessa before adding cheekily, “but likeI said, you don’t get off that easily. One way or another, I always get myman.”

Before Josh could reply again the screen pinged in front ofthem and the soft, feminine voice of the computer announced: “Simulationcomplete. Probability of success estimated at 99.8%.”

“We’ve done it!” exclaimed Josh, triumphantly, all thoughtof Vanessa’s attempted seduction temporarily forgotten in his euphoria.

“That’s fantastic!” replied Vanessa, “We must phone Henryand let him know.”

“And then it’s off to Charlie’s place to celebrate!” saidJosh.

“Before the hard work really begins tomorrow,” she added.“Shall we go?”

She smiled, in a friendly way, with no hint of her earlierbehaviour, reassuring Josh that perhaps the embarrassing little moment that hadjust passed would be swept under the carpet and not mentioned again. Hopefullyshe had got the message.

Vanessa had got the message but had no intention of beingdeterred. Vanessa was used to getting what she wanted and was smart enough torealise that she needed to bide her time and play the long game.

As far as she was concerned, his rejection was merely atemporary setback which just made her even more determined to steal him awayfrom Alice.

She was going to have Josh to herself and nothing in thisuniverse or any other was going to stand in her way.