Page 48 of Strictly Business

‘Well... I’m pleased,’ she said, glad Liam couldn’t see how broadly she was grinning.

Liam was grinning at his desk too, but his expression sobered when Dennis Ericson marched pompously through his doorway.

‘Right, Conway, I want to have a word with you.’

Leaning back in his chair, Liam met his employee with a level gaze. ‘I’m pleased to see you’ve taken advantage of my open door policy, Dennis.’

‘Well, I suspect you’re planning to sack me anyhow, so I can risk speaking my mind.’

‘You’d better take a seat.

Dennis looked a little taken aback, but he sat and squared his shoulders. ‘I hope you understand what a stupid, lousy thing you’ve done.’

Liam’s right eyebrow rose. ‘I’m all ears.’

‘In case you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about Alice. I’ve just heard that she’s left us.’

‘Alice has elected to work from home.’

‘Yeah, whatever. The first phase of downsizing the staff, more likely. Look, Conway, you’ve just lost your best employee. Alice was the finest worker we’ve ever had here. She’s a wonderful woman.’

Liam acknowledged this with a silent nod of his head. ‘Is that the only thing upsetting you?’

‘You must know it’s been the talk of the office – you and her.’

‘You don’t approve of us?’

Dennis squared his jaw. ‘Alice’s husband was a bastard. And, unfortunately, some women just keep making the same mistake, over and over.’

‘Is that all?’

‘Not quite. Alice should never have been put in a position where she felt she had to leave us.’

Liam smiled slowly. ‘That’s the spirit, Dennis,’ he said quietly.

The other man’s jaw dropped. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘What you’ve just said is exactly what I’d expect to hear from one of Alice’s loyal friends. I’ll take your comments on board.’

‘B-but w - what’s going to happen?’

‘About?’

‘Alice’s position. And – and our jobs.’

‘I’ll get back to you. You’ll be fully briefed at our staff meeting this afternoon.’

Dennis opened his mouth, but he didn’t speak and he forgot to shut it again.

‘Good morning,’ said Liam, looking rather deliberately at his watch.

Dennis left with his mouth still hanging open.

‘You’re what?’ Mary-Ann’s voice was close to a squeal.

‘Pregnant,’ Alice repeated as she handed her friend a mug of coffee, having made a peppermint tea for herself.

‘But I thought you were supposed to be infertile.’

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