“Can’t a mother come and take her daughter out for lunch?”
I look at the time. It’s ten thirty.
When she sees where my eyes have gone, she shrugs.
“There wasn’t as much traffic as Freddie anticipated,” she says.
Freddie being her long-term driver and, I suspect, confidante. He and his wife have lived on the estate for years. He drove my father around before my mother. He has never forgiven himself for being on holiday the night my father was killed in a road traffic accident, and I suspect it is why he insists on driving my mother everywhere she needs to go.
My laptop pings with yet another message.
Sadie.
I grimace.
Remember, Kat, never show your true feelings or insecurities, or they can be used against you.
Never have the words been more prevalent.
“You need a break,” Mum says, coming around my desk and taking my arm. “There’s nothing here that won’t still be here when you get back.”
I let her navigate me from behind my desk. We’ve all learned over the years that arguing with our mother is futile. She’ll always get her own way.Small, yet feisty, is how my father described her.
My chest clenches as it always does when I think of him, especially when I feel like I’m losing control.
I may have accepted that I have feelings for Jax, that I want to be with him. I enjoy spending time with him. He lights a fire inside me, one that I thought was out forever.
But now, it’s almost like the world is holding its breath. We have neither confirmed nor denied our relationship, and I have no intention of doing so. My private life is exactly that, private.
“You’re right,” I say, squaring my shoulders and facing Mum. “Let’s get out of here.”
Mum smiles, her eyes shining with pride.
Michael is sitting at his desk when I open my office door.
“I’m heading out. Please take any messages, I’ll reply when I get back.”
Michael staggers to his feet when he sees my mother.
“Mrs Frazer,” he says.
“Lovely to see you, Michael. I’m taking Kathryn out to lunch. Hold the fort while she’s gone.”
He almost bows, and I want to laugh. Mum always has that effect on people.
Together, we make our way down in the elevator. Every time I go to open my mouth, she places a hand on my arm and smiles, making me close it again.
We enter the lobby.
Douglas Chapman approaches.
“Francesca, it’s been too long.”
“Douggie,” Mum says, plastering on her society smile.
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
“Can’t a mother, and majority shareholder come and visit the CEO, who also happens to be her daughter?”
