“They need ATC personnel. And you are certified,” Mum said.
It was decided.
“I’m sorry but… you want me to go and be ATC again? I’d rather light myself on fire in a carpark.”
I never wanted to be an air traffic controller, and I wasn’t about to start again.
“Would you rather your mother’s name continue to be tarnished?” Dad asked. “Would you ever like to be in people’s good graces again?”
I sat back. “Go on Miss Mills. What next?”
The younger fixer glared at me, setting her jaw. I wondered if she knew just how badly I’d like to kiss the scowl off her face. The worse things got and the more she loathed me, the more I wanted her. I only thirsted after things I could not have before getting them. It was all about the chase since Ness. Ness had been different—until she wasn’t.
“You will stay there for the next few months. We have a film crew?—”
“No,” I cut her off. “Apologies, Miss Mills. No, mother. I amnotdoing anything with a bloody film crew. Jesus! It is bad enough to have to make a public statement today about something I don’t regret?—”
“We have been over this, and I am not discussing it. You said you would doanythingto redeem yourself. That you were desperate to do so. Well, here is a surefire way,” Mum said. “Unless you honestly don’t care how hard I have fought this fight for you?”
Her lip quivered and she fought tears.
“Excuse me,” she whimpered, getting up and leaving.
Dad glared and hopped up after her. I couldn’t have felt worse if I tried. We sat there in silence, awkwardly drinking our tea and coffee. I didn’t admire Miss Mills anymore. I couldn’t think about that. Thankfully, Mum returned after a moment and sat as if nothing happened.
“I will consider it,” I said. “But having to go back to that job—having it be so stressful—I don’t know if it helps. Doesn’t it make your job harder to risk cameras following me? Maybe I will be able to win them over enough with my charm alone?”
Mum shrugged. “I don’t want a film crew, either. But we will find the right presenter. It’s not forever.”
“I am not sure I want to do it, but I will keep an open mind. Can I at least get settled first?”
“Yes,” Mum answered. “You can stay at our house there—as per usual.”
Ms. Forrest suddenly let out a growl and bent over. Miss Mills was quick to whisper if she were alright. There was a back-and-forth sidebar.
“I am calling Mark,” Miss Mills hopped up. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t stand but, she’s in labor?—”
“I’m so sorry,” Ms. Forrest apologized.
“No, go, go darling,” Mum said. “Abi, what can we do to help?”
“I don’t know. She’s going to call her husband. The baby isn’t due for a few more weeks.”
“It happens sometimes—when you least expect it,” Lady Ferguson said. “If you need to walk, just go.”
“That sounds best.”
I hopped up. “Let me help you.”
She took my hand, nearly squeezing it to death and was on her feet.
“I don’t think I will be here for the speech,” she apologized.
“I think you will have happier things to think about,” I chuckled.
At least someone would.
6
