The Sicilian's Unexpected Duty(20)

                The plane began to taxi down the runway. Cara turned to look out of the window, a lump forming in her throat.

                This was utter madness.

                ‘Pepe, please, let me return to Dublin, just for a couple of days to get things in order.’ It was an argument they’d had three times in the past hour.

                ‘Impossible. I have a full day of business tomorrow and a business dinner in the evening.’

                ‘Yes, but I don’t. I’m supposed to be at work!’

                ‘You will attend my meeting with me.’

                She took a deep breath. Her blood pressure really didn’t need any more aggravation.

                ‘As I have made you more than aware, the week ahead is filled with appointments.’

                ‘I have to wait until the weekend to go back home?’ she said, horror-struck.

                ‘I’m afraid a trip back to Dublin is not on the schedule for the foreseeable future.’

                ‘You’re kidding me?’

                ‘You can make any necessary arrangements via other means.’

                ‘So I have to hand in my notice by text or email?’

                He shrugged. ‘It’s entirely up to you how you want to handle it.’

                ‘I’d like to handle it by not giving up my job,’ she stated angrily. ‘But seeing as I do have to quit, I’d prefer to tell my boss in person.’

                He almost looked sympathetic. ‘I appreciate this is an inconvenience but if, as you say, the baby is mine, you will be well recompensed for any aggravation.’

                ‘And my housemates? Will they be recompensed too?’

                His brow furrowed.

                ‘I’m leaving them in the lurch. If you won’t let me go to Dublin, I can’t clear my room out and they can’t find another housemate to take my place.’

                ‘That is not a problem. I can send someone over to clear your room for you.’

                ‘You will not!’ There was no way she wanted some stranger rifling through her knicker drawer. Closing her eyes, she slowly expelled a lungful of air. They had been so busy arguing she’d barely noticed the jet increase in speed. Suddenly her stomach lurched and she was leaning back.

                The jet became airborne.

                She took another deep breath. ‘If I contact my housemates and ask them to get all my stuff together, can you send someone to collect it?’

                ‘Of course.’

                ‘Can they get it to me for tomorrow morning?’

                ‘Why so soon?’

                ‘Because I have nothing on me apart from my handbag and a stick of mascara. I need my stuff.’

                ‘I’ve already made arrangements for new clothing to be delivered to the house first thing for you.’

                Of course he had. For such a languid person Pepe was proving surprisingly efficient.