Page 7 of Lie For Me

Lucy’s heart sank.

Thank you, Dot, for not even giving me time to prepare what to say.

‘Hi, Dick.’

She smiled brightly at the kindly-faced man. From across the room, she caught a slight whiff as he stepped into the office. Dot did have a point.

‘Why don’t you take a seat in the staff kitchen, and I’ll be with you in a moment?’

‘Certainly, thanks, Lucy.’

He shuffled out.

Cassie swung back around in her chair. ‘So? What are you going to do?’

Lucy sighed.

‘I suppose I’ll have to be direct.’ She scratched her head. ‘Maybe there are some issues he’s having. Perhaps he needs more support at home.’

‘Not about Dick. About that.’ Cassie nodded at the envelope in Lucy’s hand. ‘The wedding.’

‘Well, I am going to do it,’ Lucy said. ‘Find myself a good old-fashioned fake boyfriend.’

Cassie grinned.

‘Fair enough. On your head be it if Mother Carmell finds you out! So, who are you going to ask?’

‘There’s a shortlist,’ Lucy said.

‘Really? How many names?’

Lucy smiled.

‘Just one.’

3

Jack had just ended a video client meeting when Tim stuck his head in the door, waving a large manila folder.

‘Boss, want to go through these draft designs over a cuppa?’

Jack leaned back in his chair. The thought of looking over new client designs when he had an email backlog that would take a week to clear didn’t fill him with glee, but he smiled and nodded.

‘Sure. I’ll put the kettle on.’

‘No need.’ Tim grinned. ‘Already done. I’ll be back in a jiffy.’

Jack rubbed his hands over his face and felt the stubble on his chin. It had been an exceptionally busy week, and he knew it showed in his face. He stood and opened the window in the hope that fresh air would revive him. The sound of traffic and occasional voices drifted up from the street below.

Tim was back, holding open the door for Kathy.

‘She beat me to it, boss.’ he grinned.

‘I told him,’ Kathy said as she sidled past Tim balancing a tray, ‘that you’ve been stuck in here on that video call for hours, and you need more than just coffee to see you through.’

Kathy, Jack’s devoted assistant, had been due to retire last year but instead had asked to just cut her hours.

‘You’d never manage without me,’ she had said, winking at him.

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