A Family Affair - First Born Read Online Free PDF Page A

performance.”
    “Agreed. The other regions are also meeting or exceeding their projections. The accountants are predicting a very profitable year for the company. Hayden, this is partly due to your work, you know. Your vision last year of how to streamline the distribution channels is still producing dividends. Our cost base has come in at least five per cent lower every month since that change policy was implemented. Everyone in the company is benefiting from your contribution.”
    “That’s what I’m here for.”
    “You have done more than that. I’d be lost without you, especially since my head has been out of the game recently. Unfortunately for the business, I see now that there is much more in life to enjoy.”
    “You can rely on me, Tom.”
     
     

Chapter 6
    Ellen had been looking forward to her second fitting all week. The wedding dress was going to be stunningly beautiful once finished. Tom had managed to secure one of Melbourne’s best custom designers to create her gown at short notice. She had no idea how, but guessed that he had offered an insanely high fee.
    The design team had made sketches based on Ellen’s descriptions of her ideal gown, but tonight she was going to wear it for the first time.
    Unfortunately, Ellen received a text message at six o’clock to cancel the appointment. The fitting needed to be postponed, as Ellen’s dressmaker was ill. Ellen was disappointed, but not concerned - after all, the wedding was still two months away. She did a U-turn in the car, and headed back to Satinol.
    After quickly calling Tom to see if he was free for dinner, Ellen was disappointed to find his mobile switched off. So she called his office number, confident that Elizabeth would know his movements.
    “Tom Bradley’s office,” Elizabeth said politely.
    “Hi Elizabeth, it’s Ellen. How are you?”
    “Good thanks, Elle. Are you on the way to your fitting?” Elizabeth was very good. She even knew Ellen’s planned movements.
    “It got postponed. I’m on the way back now.”
    “Oh no. I can’t wait to see the dress.”
    “You and me both.” It was nice that Tom had invited Elizabeth and her boyfriend to the wedding. After all, she spent just as much time with Tom as Ellen did.
    “Are you looking for Tom?”
    “Yes, I just tried his mobile, but it’s switched off. I forgot to ask what he was doing tonight. I was so preoccupied with the fitting.”
    “He has an early dinner reservation at Etards.”
    That was one of their favourite restaurants. “Is it a business thing?”
    “You know,” admitted Elizabeth. “I’m actually not sure. He got me to make a booking for two but he organised the meeting himself, so I’m not sure whom he’s meeting. Would you like me to page him? I’m sure he won’t mind.”
    Ellen remembered that Etards was one of Margaret’s favourite restaurants too. Recently, he had mentioned wanting to catch up with his parents as well. “No, it’s okay. I might just drop in and say hi - unless it looks like a serious business thing.” Ellen concluded. “He’s probably just meeting his mum.”
    After parking her car in the Satinol car park, Ellen walked two blocks to reach the restaurant while keeping an eye on her phone. Tom normally returned calls quickly, so she knew with confidence that his phone must still be off. She opened the door to the restaurant and explained to the waiter that she just wanted to say a quick hello to someone, but wasn’t sure if she would be staying.” The conversation felt quite awkward.
    “Certainly, Ellen.” He stepped aside with a friendly smile. “Mr Bradley is at the back of the restaurant on the right hand side.”
    He must recognise her. Ellen smiled back. “Thanks.” They had obviously been eating here more often than she realised.
    The sound of laughter caught her attention, and Ellen’s eyes swung in the general direction. To her surprise, she saw Tom seated at the back of the restaurant with an attractive woman