I’m dumbfounded.
‘Is that it?’ she nods at my computer, the Word document open on the screen.
‘Yes,’ I reply. I have no idea how to deal with this. Obviously Kate is still devastated by her sister’s death, and I really don’t want to upset or insult her, but she has no business coming in here like this and making demands. I’m being paid by Nicki’s publisher – they have agreed on the synopsis I’ve sent them – and I’m more than happy to answer to Charlie. But I won’t bow down to Kate.
I need to tread carefully, though. This might be one for Sara or Fay to handle.
Or Charlie.
‘I’ve only just started writing, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it to anyone to rea—’
‘How have you only just started writing?’ she interrupts with astonishment. ‘You’ve been here for weeks!’
‘I’ve been researching,’ I tell her evenly, standing up. ‘I’m going to make myself a cup of tea. Perhaps we can talk about it downstairs.’
When Charlie’s in earshot, I think to myself.
She moves aside grudgingly and follows me down the stairs. My heart is going ten to the dozen.
‘There she is,’ Charlie says as I walk into the kitchen, trying to mask my unease. ‘Valerie, watch this.’ He places April on her feet in front of him.
‘Hello!’ I say to April, my mood immediately improving at the sight of her. I tense as Kate comes to a stop beside me and folds her arms.
‘Go to Bridget,’ Charlie says, giving April a gentle nudge.
April beams straight at me as she toddles towards me with her arms stretched out.
One, two, three, four, five,sixsteps!
‘Clevergirl!’ I cry with delight, catching her and lifting her up into my arms. ‘That’s the most she’s done, isn’t it?’ I ask Charlie.
‘Yeah!’ he exclaims, coming over to join us. He glances over his shoulder at Valerie, who’s sitting on the sofa in the kitchen extension, taking all of this in with an expression I can’t decipher, but it’s sure as hell not happiness.
I daren’t look at Kate.
Charlie returns his gaze to me, and I feel a pang when I realise that he’s lost some of his enthusiasm.
My intestines tie themselves into knots. It’s not fair that they’re making me – or him – feel like this. I’m incredibly sorry for their loss. But I’m just doing my job. I’m certainly not trying to replace their daughter.
The idea is almost laughable.
‘I was saying to Bridget that I’d like to read what she’s written,’ Kate says casually, coming to take April from me. I feel bereft when she’s no longer in my arms.
‘Sure,’ Charlie replies, nonplussed.
I glance at him sharply.
‘If that’s cool with you,’ he adds quickly, noticing the change in my demeanour.
Kate, beside him, looks smug.
‘I’d like to read it, too,’ Valerie interjects importantly from her still-seated position.
‘You canallread it, once it’s finished,’ I say with forced cheer, trying not to look as hurt as I feel. ‘I’ll have a fair bit of editing to do first, though.’
I grab a glass of juice from the fridge because the kettle takes too long to boil, and make myself scarce.
Kate’s husband and sons arrive soon afterwards, and the noise that travels up the stairs is unbelievable. I hate wearing headphones, but I put them on anyway, counting down the minutes until five o’clock, when I’ll be able to leave without anyone commenting on my work ethic.
