2
Kit
One interminable meetingsomehow spilled directly into another, and by the time I had a moment to myself it was nearly noon, I’d consumed two cups of instant coffee for lack of a better alternative, and I was beginning to generally feel sorry for myself.
The temptation to nip down to the IT department on some invented errand warred with the thought that Andy wouldknowif I was just making up excuses to see him. I wasn’t sure I could hold up to an interrogation right now, good-natured as it might be.
My mobile chose that moment to vibrate on my desk, tumbling off the edge and forcing me to catch it, heart pounding at the near-disaster.
“Hello?” A familiar voice called through the speaker.
Damn. I’d accidentally answered it when I’d caught it.
“Hello, Mother,” I said, holding the phone up to my ear, instantly exhausted.
“Darling,” she said, which meant she wanted something. I was only everDarlingwhen there was something I could do for her. “So lovely to hear your voice. I hope I haven’t caught you too early?”
A glance at the clock set to London time I kept on my desk reminded me that it was nearly five o’clock back home.
“You’ve caught me just as I was going for lunch, actually,” I said, standing.
If I went down to the IT department while Mother was still on the phone, then my excuse for being there would be that I was trying to get rid of her and wondering if Andy wanted to escape outside for lunch.
Inadvertently—and uncharacteristically—she’d given me exactly what I wanted.
“Oh, well, I won’t take long, then. I wanted to tell you in plenty of time that we’re doing Christmas in the country this year.”
That was a surprise.
“How nice,” I said, unsure why she was calling specifically to tell me this.
“Isn’t it? I’ve just finished arranging for all the trees to be delivered and I have an appointment tomorrow to handle the menus for days we’ll have guests. So exciting.”
“Very,” I agreed, hitting the elevator button. “I’m glad you’re planning to have a good time.”
And apparently getting along with Father for once, I didn’t add.
“It’s going to be the most magical Christmas,” Mother explained as I stepped into the elevator. “Quite a few of our friends will be doing country Christmases this year, too, so there’ll be plenty going on.”
“Mm,” I agreed. Perhaps she actually missed me.
Perhaps she’d been replaced by a pod person.
Hard to tell with Mother.
“Your father will have emailed you through the details of your flight by now,” she went on.
The sound of a record being scratched played loud and clear in my head.
“My what?” I asked.
“Your flight home,” Mother said, as though this was some sort of explanation. “The Benthams plan to be at home, and young Fitzwilliam has already dropped such a lovely invitation by for you—”
“Hold on,” I said, blood rushing in my ears so I hadn’t heard anything afteryour flight home. “What do you mean, flight home?”
“It’s Christmas, my love! We haven’t seen you at Christmas in so long. I’m determined to have the most wonderful Christmas for you and you have been so sorely missed.”
What was she up to?
