‘It should be.’
‘What aren’t you telling me?’
‘I want to be exonerated – of course I do – but I don’t believe I can work there after this.’
Dulcie’s mouth fell open. ‘But you love your job.’ She scooted her chair closer, the wheels squeaking on the polished floorboards. ‘Don’t let this spoil things. You’ll be back at your desk in no time and in an hour it’ll be as though you’d never been away.’
‘That’s what worries me.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘I’m not sure I do, either.’
‘What’s going on, Carla? Has something happened?’
Carla got to her feet. ‘Ignore me, I’m being silly. I’ll feel better after I take a goat for a walk.’
‘You don’t have to. I think they’re lead-trained by now. Why don’t you have a quiet day? Read a book or something.’
Carla shook her head. ‘I’d prefer to go for a walk.’ She wanted a final look around before she left.
‘Somethinghashappened. Tell me. Is it Ashton?’
‘Real life has happened. I had a letter from HR. The meeting is almost three weeks away. I can’t stay here until then.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I can’t.’
‘Youcan,’ Dulcie insisted. ‘I love having you here.’
‘And I love being here.’
‘What will you do in Birmingham? Mope, that’s what.’
Dulcie was probably right, Carla thought. Then she brightened; at least she would have her newfound love of photography to keep her occupied.
‘Have you spoken to your mum about this?’ Dulcie demanded.
‘Not yet.’
‘Give her a call, see what she says.’
It was a good idea. Taking the folder with her, Carla went to her room. Dropping wearily onto the bed and narrowly missing Magic who was napping there, she messaged her mum.Call me? I’ve got news.It was still early in St Lucia, so hopefully she’d catch her mum before she began work.
Her phone rang a second later, and Carla felt some of the tension drain away when she heard her mother’s voice.
‘How are you, sweetheart? How was your trip to Leeds?’
Carla had been keeping her mum informed via messaging, but it wasn’t the same as speaking to her in person. She relaxed into the pillows, the cat curling into her and Carla absently stroked its silky head.
‘Interesting,’ she replied and filled her mum in on everything that had happened.Nearlyeverything. Although she’d told Mum about Ashton and that he’d helped her with the camera purchase, she hadn’t mentioned kissing him. Or that her feelings for him had gone beyond casual friendship. Actually, she wasn’t entirely surewhather feelings were.
‘It was weird being back home yesterday,’ she said at the end of the explanation. ‘It didn’t feel like home anymore.’
‘Good.’
‘Excuse me?’
