Barely Yours Read Online Free PDF Page A

concentrate. You’ve got a job to do.
    And your first job is shutting down all these crazy thoughts, right now.
    I walk into the room and crouch down to join him and Tabby on the floor. But he quickly gets to his feet.
    “Right,” he says, no longer the doting father, suddenly the ruthless businessman instead. “I’m going to the office. I’ve got a lot to catch up on, so I may be home late tonight.”
    “Oh actually,” I offer gently. “I kind had plans to go to the cinema ...”
    “ Actually Chrissie,” he cuts in, “you’re being very handsomely rewarded for this job, therefore I expect you to stay as late as needed, tonight and any other night. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
    I nod.
    Sure. Crystal.
    “Good,” he says, decisively. “I will call at lunchtime to check that everything’s okay, otherwise I expect to see you when I return this evening.”
    And with that, he’s gone.
    Wow , I think. What made him turn so cold? One minute he seemed so relaxed, and then the next he was like a different person. What’s going on here?
    I don’t think he’s going to be the easiest person in the world to work for, and on top of everything, I’ve got an obvious crush on him, haven’t I? He must be able to sense it.
    What am I gonna do?
    Just then a small voice pipes up. “Can we go to the park?” Tabby pleads.
    And then I remember. This is the person I’m here for. After all, she’s the one I’m going to be spending all day with; she’s the one I should be worried about.
    “Of course we can!” I reply, brightly. “Now let’s get your coat on and why don’t you show me where your wardrobe is?”
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     

    “Mr Cavendish?”
    As I hear my name, I suddenly snap back to attention. “Yes, I’m sorry,” I say. “What was that again?”
    A whole boardroom of faces is staring at me, and it’s clear that my mind has been wandering. I’ve not been paying attention.
    “I said ,” repeats my secretary Hannah, “if that’s all then we can adjourn the meeting for today?”
    “Yes, of course, thank you, Hannah,” I say. “I think we’ve covered everything. That will be all for now. Thank you everyone.”
    The assembled group get up and shuffle silently from the room. I walk slowly back to my desk, picking up some paperwork on the way. But it’s the same problem as before. When I try to focus on it, all I can see is a dancing jumble of letters, swimming before my eyes.
    “Hannah?” I call.
    “Yes, Mr Cavendish?” says Hannah as she walks gingerly into my office. She’s fumbling nervously with her fingers. I can tell she’s worried that I’m angry or something; frightened that I’m going to explode. She probably thinks she’s done something wrong.
    “I can feel a migraine coming on,” I say. “So I think it’s best if you cancel my meetings for the rest of this afternoon. I’m going to work from home.”
    “Yes, Mr Cavendish,” she nods, “I’ll reschedule everything. I hope you feel better soon.”
    I gather my briefcase and jacket, then head out of my corner office, away from the exposed glass and shiny mahogany surfaces, into the lift, and out into the downstairs lobby.
    But I don’t go home. Because of course, I don’t have a migraine, do I? Instead, I take out my mobile and make a call.
    “Bruce?” I say. “It’s been too long. What do you say we hit the squash courts this afternoon? Catch up on things while I thrash you again ...”
     
    §
     
    Less than an hour later, Bruce and I are both drenched in sweat, going at it full throttle on the squash court. That’s one of the many things I like about Bruce. He doesn’t cut me any slack. Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean that right here, right now, we’re not competitors, too. Deadly enemies. And although yes, it’s true, my mind is elsewhere, my game is on form. Just like I said, I’m thrashing him.
    “Whoa! Steady there, old chap!” Bruce laughs. “What exactly has gotten