Page 43 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
Still waiting. You just nearly gave me a heart attack!
Closing the case, Claudia dropped the phone back into her lap. This was exactly why she’d decided to come to the beach rather than wait for news back in George’s cottage. She’d have gone completely spare otherwise. She’d left a note for George, just in case he finished his round early.
Claudia felt the phone vibrate again in her lap, and she grinned and rolled her eyes. That would be another reply from Connie.
‘Breathe,’ she chanted. ‘Just breathe…’
‘It’s always recommended!’
The deep, laughing voice from behind the deckchair had Claudia scrambling to her feet.
‘Aw, no uniform?!’ she said with a big, fake pout as she pounced on George, wrapping her arms around him. ‘You found me!’
‘Thanks for the note,’ he said, kissing her neck and hugging her tight. ‘Did you have lunch already?’
Claudia shook her head. The idea of eating anything right now was ridiculous. She was too excited… too nervous.
‘Hey… are you okay?’ he laughed, taking a step back. ‘You’re all… I don’t know… twitchy?’
‘Charming!’ laughed Claudia, though the description was just about spot on.
‘It’s not your mother again, is it?’ he said, raising an eyebrow.
Claudia shook her head. ‘Nah. I’ve got a feeling Freya has that situation handled.’
‘So, what is it?’ said George, looking mildly concerned.
‘Well… I guess I’d better come clean,’ she said, taking his hand and tugging him over to sit in the deckchair next to hers. ‘I’ve been going behind your back a bit this morning.’
‘Huh?’
Mmm, he really did look adorable when he was confused!
‘Well, I got inspired by my box of art stuff…’
‘You’ve been out painting?’ said George.
‘Better,’ said Claudia. She was practically vibrating with excitement now. She’d promised herself that she wasn’t going to say anything to George until she knew for sure… but it looked like she was going to have to break that promise. Otherwise, she was going to burst. ‘I’ve been for an interview. At Graphika!’
‘No way?!’ said George, his eyes going wide. ‘You mean… for that project they’re stuck on?’
Claudia nodded. ‘I emailed them a link to my portfolio yesterday… and then I got a message from Greg last night.’
‘Last night?’ said George. ‘And you didn’t tell me?’
‘It was just after I’d spoken to Freya… and I guess I just wanted to see how it went before I told you.’
Claudia paused and swallowed.Argh, she was going to burst!
‘You’re telling me now… does that mean it went well?’ said George.
‘I think so,’ said Claudia, rummaging around for her phone again. ‘Greg said he’d be in touch before lunchtime.’
George raked his fingers through his hair. ‘This is amazing. You’re amazing!’
‘Breathe, George,’ chuckled Claudia. ‘Like you said… it’s always recommended.’
She flipped open her phone case and stared at the screen. The message waiting for her wasn’t from Connie.
