Page 144 of The Seven Rings
She’d held the first meeting before Cleo came down the hall.
Cleo stopped, yawned.
“Once I wake up, I’m going to take advantage of the day. I’m getting in a sail. I’ll either paint at the cove or find another spot. Then I’ll run some errands, buy the groceries—including the pork chops I’m planning to grill for dinner.”
“That sounds like a full day.”
“It is, so I’m leaving Pye here.”
Sonya nodded, waited a beat. “You want to know if I’m okay without asking if I’m okay.”
“I figure you’re sick of the question, because I would be.”
“I’m moving in that direction, so I’ll just say situation normal.”
“Isn’t the rest of that:all fucked up?”
Sonya laughed. “Well, it’s the manor, so some fuckery is expected. I’m good, promise. I’m going to FaceTime Mom after work, and tellher about seeing Dad. I wanted to settle in with it all the way before I did that. We’ll both cry, and that’ll finish the job.”
“All right. I’m going down to wake up with coffee.”
“Bring me a Coke when you come back? I’m about ready.”
“Can do.”
Yoda went down with her and the cat, another part of the morning routine. He’d have his romp outside, Sonya thought as she resumed her work.
He returned when Cleo dropped off the Coke. Sonya smiled her thanks as she continued her conference call with her first clients, the sisters of Baby Mine.
By the time Cleo came out, ready to go, she’d moved on to the final testing of another client’s website.
“Have fun!”
“No doubt about it. Make sure to get outside for a while. It’s one of those perfect days.”
“On the schedule.”
Clover used Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” to wish Cleo bon voyage.
“Good one.”
With music playing, and Yoda settled under her desk, Sonya sank into the work.
When her alarm went off, she got up. She paused at the top of the stairs as the ball bounced below.
“You can take him and Pye outside if you want. I’m going to be at least another hour.”
She took a quick bathroom break, refreshed her lipstick.
When she came out, the manor held silent. Happy someone was enjoying Cleo’s perfect day, she went back to her desk, reviewed her notes for the meeting.
“No music till we’re done, Clover.”
Forty-three minutes later, she sat back with a sigh.
“All done, and I’m ready for a snack and a walk outside. Which means I need shoes.”
As she pushed up from her desk, stretched out several hours of sitting, she heard voices.
