“I’m so proud of you.”
“Me too.” She laughed. “See you tonight.”
And then she rushed off, and Rosa watched as she spoke quickly, her friends intensely listening, then the eruption as all three jumped and bounced with her excitement.
“You girls are going places,” she said to herself, then noticed the time. “And so am I—to work.” She laughed.
Rosa pressed the buttons on her phone for Billy’s number and hit call. It rang and rang, with no answer. Rosa disconnected. Billy likely at work already, probably in a meeting, she thought. She’d get the missed call.
Chapter sixty-eight
At the midway point of the morning, Rosa was feeling smug. She was up to date with everything Roger had asked her to do this week. Files were all organised, the audio files had been listened through, checked, and resent for amendments. Research was neatly gathered and indexed, and he’d happily accepted the cup of tea she’d made and taken in.
All she had to do was make sure he had dinners in the freezer for the weekend and she’d be free to go. Those were the Fridays she loved most—the opportunity to enjoy a couple of hours by herself before Imogen needed picking up.
So when her phone rang and she saw Billy’s name flash across the screen, she grinned.
“Hello,” she said as seductively as she could. “How can I help you?”
The sound of sniffing filled the silent response.
“Billy?”
“Hey,” Billy said, her voice sounding distraught. “Sorry, I…I need to go to Austria. I just wanted to tell you, so you knew I wasn’t blowing you out tomorrow.”
“You sound upset. Is everything alright?”
Rosa pressed her hand to her chest as she heard Billy exhale.
“I’m hoping so, but I won’t know till I get there. Schultz is in hospital—he’s had a heart attack. Mum’s there with him.”
“Oh, Billy, my goodness, that’s terrible. Is there anything I can do?”
“Send me a hug?” Billy gave a sad chuckle, her voice wavering. “I’m at the airport now, I’ve got a last-minute flight out. Once I find out more, I’ll call. Can you let Imogen know? I know he’s not my real dad, but he’s the best option I had, and I know for Imogen, he’s the only grandpa she knows.”
“Yes, of course I will.”
“Okay. I’ve got to go, flight’s loading now.”
“Alright, take care—and call me, anytime.”
“I will, tonight,” Billy promised, and then the call ended. Rosa placed the phone down slowly.
“Everything alright?” The rough voice came from behind her. She spun around and found Roger in the doorway. “Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“You weren’t, but thank you. I’m not sure if everything’s alright, to be honest. My ex…my father-in-law has had a heart attack in Austria. Billy is heading there now.”
“Billy, your ex-wife?”
Rosa nodded. “My ex-wife who I’m currently trying to work things out with, yes.”
“Oh.” Roger’s face lit up. “And that explains the glow.” His face turned serious as he stepped forward and squeezed Rosa’s shoulder, a gesture of quiet support. “If you need to go—”
“I don’t think they would need me there, and there’s Imogen to consider.”
Roger nodded. “Still, if it’s serious and you need to go, I’ll manage. Family comes first, Rosa. Always.” He gave her shoulder another gentle squeeze. “Let me make you a cup of tea.”
“Thank you.” Rosa offered a brief smile. “I don’t know how Imogen is going to take it. She loves Schultz. He’s the only grandfather she’s ever known, really.”
