Page 82 of Chasing Storm

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She peers over the top of her specs at me. “For whom?”

“Cheryl Jackson. She worked with me at Robb & Robb.”

Mum blinks and takes her glasses off. She leans back in her chair and sticks the tip of her glasses arm into her mouth as she searches my gaze intently.

“Anyone who wants to get away from that viper is more than welcome here. Can she file?”

I nod. “Like it’s a military operation. She’ll overhaul the system in less than a week, and you’ll wonder how you survived without it.”

“Perfect. We actually need someone to start making all the archived files digital on the new system. Can she do that?”

“Yup.”

“Hired. Thanks. You saved me the job of asking Miriam to find someone.”

“Thank you. I’m eternally grateful, and so is she. Uhm, but fair warning, she is newly pregnant, so expect a request for Mat Leave in a few months.”

She snickers. “Noted. But you know we don’t discriminate here.”

“I know. Did you know about the Robbs?”

“Being in debt? Yes.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“Not my place.” She shrugs.

“Suppose not. Just glad I got out of there before the practice got overrun.”

“Hmm.” Mum squints at me, and then with a slightly upward turn of her mouth, she puts her glasses back on and goes back to work.

No?

Did she?

No…

She wouldn’t.

Would she?

“Wasn’t me,” Mum says as I back out. “But I do know who it was, and no, I’m not telling you.”

“Was it…”

“Wasn’t Dad. Go now.” She makes a shooing motion.

I smile and leave her in peace, going back outside to tell Cheryl the good news.

“Oh, my GOD!” she bellows in my face. “Thank you so much, Storm! I owe you big.”

“Thank my mum, not me,” I reply, laughing at her sudden tears. “Don’t be silly,” I add, pulling her to me for a hug.

“Hormones!” she cries, laughing through her tears. “Fuck, I’m a mess.”

“You’re gorgeous. Now come inside, wash your face and go meet Miriam. She’s ace.”

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