‘No. I’m good, thanks.’ I don’t look up and busy myself with the papers in front of me. After Tom has gone, I sit back in my chair and let out a sigh.
I know it shouldn’t bother me and technically it’s none of my business, but I’d love to know what Leonard and Alice were discussing. If it was business, I can’t see why they wouldn’t hold the meeting in Leonard’s office. The only reason they’d meet elsewhere would be if they didn’t want anyone to know what they were up to. The thought of those two in cahoots both annoys and unsettles me as once again I feel as if I’m on the outside of something, like I’ve felt from time to time with Mum and Alice.
I glance at the photograph on the windowsill of Luke and the girls, taken on a picnic last summer. Luke is sitting on the ground with Chloe in front of him and Hannah is standing behind, her arms wrapped around his neck, planting a big sloppy kiss on his cheek.
I shake myself from my thoughts. I need to concentrate on work and prepare for this bloody Skype call to McMillan this afternoon. I spend the rest of the day in my office, regularly fending off thoughts of Luke and the girls. The call with McMillan isn’t particularly successful. He’s an arrogant sod and if I wasn’t defending him, I’d relish prosecuting him. How nice would it be to knock him down a peg or two?
I look at my watch and wonder whether Luke and the girls have had a good day at the Sea Life Centre. I’m really missing them today and suddenly, feeling impulsive, I decide to go home early. I just want to be with my family. They can take away my stress. A hug from Luke and a cuddle with the girls can put everything right.
When I pull up in the drive at home forty-five minutes later, I’m pleased to see Luke’s car in the carport. I let myself in and call a ‘hello’ down the hall, but I’m greeted with silence. I poke my head around the living-room door but it’s empty, so I track down to the kitchen. The bi-fold doors are open to the conservatory and I can see Luke sitting at the table with Mum and Alice. Even Alice being there can’t dampen the feeling of relief and happiness that I’m home. The girls are playing on the climbing frame and swing.
‘Hi, everyone!’ I say as I join them and slip my arms around Luke’s shoulders, kissing the side of his face. ‘Hi, you.’
‘Well, hello.’ Luke returns the kiss and, holding my arms, walks me around the side of the chair and pulls me onto his lap. ‘To what do we owe this honour? You’re home early.’
‘Missed you, that’s all,’ I say. ‘Shit day. Just wanted to be home with you guys.’
‘Hello, darling,’ says Mum. ‘There’s tea in the pot; Alice has just made it. You look like you could do with a cuppa.’
I turn around on Luke’s knee. ‘Thanks, Mum.’ Alice is sitting next to Luke and I smile at her. ‘Hiya. You okay?’
For the briefest of moments, I don’t think Alice is going to return the smile. In fact, the look on her face is practically venomous. Before I can say anything, her mouth moves into a smile, although I can’t say the rest of her facial muscles are in on the sentiment. ‘Hi, Clare. I’m fine, thanks. Here, I’ll pour you a tea.’
‘Mummy! Mummy! Chloe comes running in from the garden and I slip off Luke’s lap and scoop her up into my arms.
‘Hello, sweetie.’ I smother her with kisses and blow raspberries under her chin. Chloe giggles and squeezes her arms tightly around my neck. God, this child can lift my mood within seconds. I’m so blessed to have her. ‘Have you had a nice day out with Daddy? Where did you go?’
‘Sea Life Centre. We saw fish. Big ones. Octa-poos.’
‘Octa-poos? Oh, octopus. You saw an octopus? Did he have lots of long wiggly legs?’ I set Chloe down on the ground and take the seat on the other side of the table, next to Mum. ‘Hey, Hannah!’ I wave over at her.
Hannah comes running in and gives me a quick hug and kiss. It wasn’t so long ago that she would greet me with the same enthusiasm as her sister. I guess the more reserved greeting is a sign she’s growing up.
‘Do you want to see my pictures?’ she says, grabbing the camera from the table. She fiddles with buttons and holds it in front of me.
‘Hannah,’ says Luke. ‘Let Mummy have her cup of tea first. She’s literally just got in from work.’
The look of disappointment that crosses my daughter’s face tugs at my heartstrings. ‘Why don’t I have a look at a few now and then tonight, when Chloe’s gone to bed, we can sit down together and go through them all? Just the two of us. You can tell me all about them, then.’