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around with the title, Duke Duttine at the mo, I think it has more a regal ring to it, don’t ya think?   I’m considering getting a crest made-up for Jamesy and I, that we can have adapted onto matching pinky rings. Anyway, James has allowed me to have free rein re-designing our suites and I’m having fun spending his money. I do need your advice though, now your not being such a, drama queen - I mean anyone would think you’d been in a major car accident the way you’ve been milking things lately.”      I roll my lips on a lop-sided grin. He was just the tonic I needed today. His droll sense of humour was perfect - no pussy footing around me and always straight to the point - the focus always on him - brilliant as long as it isn’t on me.  
    “You know, Col, truly you’ve been my life saver - you always keep it real. Of course I’ll help, once I’m back on track with work and I have a..lot of people to thank for their help during this past month or so.”      Colin moves to hug me and I squeeze him harder than both of us anticipate. “Easy tigress, don’t wrinkle the Armani. Gosh you feel thin, love - every cloud has a silver lining hey?”      “I hardly think what I went through was worth it to lose a few pounds, Colin.” I admonish, knowing that he is only joking.      “Nooo, of course not, my lovely girl but it was maybe a teensy-weeny bit worth the Sebastian Silver lining, yes? That man is fucking dreamy and he cooks, cleans and is the perfect father to Finn.”      My smile immediately falters at his last words and he realises his mistake. “Oh I’m sorry, Lu. Bloody blabbermouth. I was doing so well, too”      “It’s fine, seriously. You are right, he is a great father-figure and what happened with the baby, makes me sad but I am at the acceptance stage and I’m a great believer in ‘things are meant to be’ and this time it just… well…wasn’t.”      “You are one strong lady. I’m so proud of you. Jamesy sends his love too.”      “I know, I received his amazing flowers.”      “I chose them of course - the man hasn’t got a fucking clue about floral arrangements. What gay man doesn’t know about about flowers?”      I assess his navy and white striped boating trousers and magenta shirt combo and attempt to stop my snort. “Not all men have your superb fashionista skills.”      “That is true of course.”      His words tug a smile from my lips and we’re immediately back on comedy Colin track. “I’ve missed you Col, you are a refreshing voice in the fog I’ve been wandering around in of late.”      “Always here to wave my magic wand, babe, in a purely non-sexual way. Now you’ve had the all clear from your doc, I agree, you need to be back at work and focusing on design and not the pattern of your duvet cover - besides I’m tired of you slacking!”      I catch his cheeky wink and playfully whack him on the arm, with my most recent copy of Homes and Gardens magazine. “Right, well lunch is on me today, so get Jacks to order up from The Slug and Lettuce and then you can get me up-to-date on all these new clients.”      “Sounds like a plan. I knew there was a reason we still kept you around.” His skinny legs run as fast as he can to avoid being hit with the full blunt force of the glossy mag, its weight landing with an oomph just past him and I laugh as his, “Darling, you nearly chipped my brand new shellac manicure.”
    It was good to be back.
    *****
         I focus upon my emails, catching up with clients and checking in with suppliers for The Gilded Fox to see where we were at with deliveries for work to begin in a the next few days. The bathrooms had already been completed, designed using my drawings, and briefed by Colin and a freelancer we used in times of need. I’d seen the videos via FaceTime and Ipad imagery and they were looking superb, now all we needed to do was finish the decor of