Page 120 of Playing for Keeps

“No,” Daisy said, stepping inside. “I need to speak to you now.”

Registering Daisy’s red, puffy eyes, Allie nodded, then tipped her head towards the chair.

Instead of sitting, Daisy paced the room while Allie remained standing near the door.

“Grandad can’t lose his job,” Daisy blurted. “It’s not fair. He’s worked here for so long and he really is great at his job. Maybe he’s not as physically fit as he used to be, but even if you replace him, no one person can manage the golf course alone. No offence, but you’re clueless to think that.”

She paused, whipping her eyes to Allie. “Anyway, my point is that if you want to fire me, go ahead, but please let Grandad keep his job. Because if he loses his job, he loses his house, which I realise is probably what you want, but it’s not fair. He’s lived there for fifteen years. It’s his home. He doesn’t have anywhere else to live, and he doesn’t have savings because he spent all his money looking after me. So I’m begging you not to take his house away.”

“Wait …” Allie pushed her fingers into her temples. “I only just woke up and you’re talking really fast.”

“Sorry, but I just can’t stand the thought of you kicking Grandad out of his house.”

“Does Ron know about the embezzling? Was he involved?”

“The what?”

“The money you stole.”

Daisy looked blank for a moment, then her eyes bulged. “You’re not serious … you’re accusing me of stealing?”

“Technically, it’s embezzlement,” Allie said, trying to get her brain to wake up and function properly.

“Like sneaking money out of the business?” Daisy stared at Allie, then her face cracked into a smile. “Two small points,” she said mockingly. “When the heck would I have time to do that? And don’t you think if I was stealing money, I might actually have some money?”

Since Daisy clearly wasn’t going to sit, Allie sank onto the chair. “I’m confused. Last night you said …” She racked her brain. “What did you think we were talking about last night?”

“About me helping Grandad with the greenkeeping.”

“Why would I be bothered by that? I mean, you shouldn’t have to do it, but there’s no reason you’d be in trouble for it.”

Daisy stood dead still, pinning Allie with her gaze. “Because when the other greenkeepers were let go, Grandad was told he should be able to manage the work himself and if he couldn’t he was out of a job. Same for me on reception.”

“Who said that?” Allie asked. Presumably it would be the same person who was funnelling money out for phantom employees.

“The owners said so.” Daisy glared at her. “You.”

“I would never say that. It’s ridiculous to think that one person could do those jobs.”

“Maybe it wasn’t you directly, but your dad. He said the business wasn’t doing well and they needed to make cuts.” Her eyes darted wildly around the room. “I felt terrible when Cynthia got fired. She was so good at the job, and she’d trained me up and was lovely to work with.”

Allie looked at her sadly. “As far as my dad’s concerned, the staff quit and were then replaced. We’ve been paying salaries for those positions. The top salaries after Kevin,” she said pointedly.

“I don’t understand,” Daisy said, worrying at her bottom lip.

“Me neither.” Allie squeezed the bridge of her nose. “It must have been Kevin,” she mumbled. “It can’t have been though. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe we just never stopped paying the old members of staff.” It didn’t explain the confusion over whether they’d quit or were fired, but it seemed more likely than Kevin stealing from them.

“What was the name of the receptionist who left?” she asked, before realising that Daisy had already mentioned her. “Cynthia?”

“Yes,” Daisy said, then moved closer when Allie slid her laptop along the desk. “I have the names of the people we’ve been paying, but I don’t think it was Cynthia …” She brought up the file. “Stephanie Michaels and Jacob Mills. Do those names ring any bells with you?”

“No.” Daisy’s brow wrinkled. “Except … No that can’t be right … it must be a coincidence.”

“What?” Allie asked, swivelling in her seat.

“Kevin wouldn’t steal from the business,” Daisy said with a faraway look. “He’s so nice. He’s lovely to me and Grandad so there’s no way—”

“Daisy!” Allie snapped. “Do you know the names?”

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