Coming a little late to the party? You can catch up from the beginning by clicking here: Chapter One
There didn’t seem much point going back to bed so we found an all-night café and pretended to eat breakfast. Angie had taken the cash-filled bag (and Cassie’s pass) and would keep it safe in her flat until everything was resolved. There seemed little prospect of that in our immediate future.
At six-thirty we decided it was late enough and by seven we entered the building. It was deathly quiet until we got to the admin area when we both jumped and exclaimed in surprise.
“Adam!” I gasped. “What on earth are you doing here?”
He was still in his outdoor clothes, a messenger bag hung over one shoulder. But then I saw. He was standing by the Secret Santa box. I put a warning hand on Cassie’s arm. We needed to play this carefully.
“Gosh, you made me jump,” he said. “I guess you’ve caught me at it though, so I might as well confess.”
My heart skipped a beat. Cassie gripped my arm and then squeezed painfully.
“This one’s mine,” he said, taking a rather untidily wrapped gift from the box. “I’m a bit rubbish at wrapping. And at buying, it seems.”
“What?” asked Cassie, a little weakly.
“I’m the last,” he said. Then he looked sheepish. “I counted them before I put mine in.”
Cassie and I exchanged a glance, then she went to the box and peered in. She moved a present or two aside as she swiftly totted up.
“Ten,” she said. “They’re all here.” Then her face broke into the broadest, sunniest smile I’d seen in days. “They’re all here.”
“What am I missing?” asked Adam. “The lunch is tomorrow, even I don’t cut things that fine.”
“Oh, Cassie was worried someone would forget or something,” I said. “It’s her first time organising.”
“Yes, of course. Felicity’s newbie obsession. Well, nothing to worry about now.” He smiled at Cassie, patted her arm and left.
Once he’d gone, I checked the box of presents for myself. There were nine beautifully wrapped gifts and one slightly scruffier one.
“See,” said Cassie. “All present and correct.” The she laughed. “Geddit? All present and correct.”
“I was ignoring that,” I said with a smile.
She plonked herself down into her chair and gave a great sigh of relief.
“I know I’m still in loads of trouble, but that’s one less thing to worry about and I feel so much better.”
“What trouble are you in?” asked Felicity as she walked in. I couldn’t help it; my eyes immediately flew to her feet. To my disbelief, she was wearing elf shoes. Bright orange slippers which curled up at the front. Of course they weren’t exactly elf shoes as there were no bells on the toes.
There was an uncomfortable silence as I realised Cassie was also staring at Felicity’s feet.
She laughed, seemingly a little unsure of herself. “I thought it would be nice as it’s nearly Christmas,” she said.
“Oh yes,” I reassured her. “They’re fabulous. Aren’t they Cass?”
“Absolutely.”
Felicity smiled broadly. “And they’re sooo comfy,” she said. “Brian likes me in heels, but I think I can get away with it once a year.”
I nodded enthusiastically, hoping this new topic was enough to make her forget Cassie’s earlier comment.
“Plus, he’s in such a good mood at the moment.”
“Really, why’s that,” asked Cassie, her face a picture of innocent interest.
“Well, I shouldn’t really say,”
“Oh, go on,” I encouraged. “It’s just us girls here.” I cringed inwardly at my words, but Felicity didn’t bat an eyelid.
“True,” she said, and moved a little further in towards us. “Nick’s going to win the Best in Bank award. It’s not quite final yet but there’s only one day to go, and he’s way out in front.”
“That’s great news,” I said, though I couldn’t think why we should be pleased about it.
“Yes. Brian says it makes the whole department look good. But Mum’s the word. I shouldn’t have told you really, so make sure you look surprised when it’s announced tomorrow.”
Cassie and I nodded enthusiastically as she smiled and left. We stood and waited a few minutes, but she didn’t reappear.
“She’ll remember what she came in for eventually,” I finally said.
“And we have plenty of work to do in the meantime,” said Cassie resignedly.
“Not so fast,” I countered. “Did you see into Adam’s bag?”
“Not really, I was too preoccupied with the presents.”
“Well, I did. It was full of computer printouts. He must take them home at night and bring them back each morning.”
“Oh, no Jet. I can’t set off the fire alarm again!”
“That’s ok. I have a better idea.”
Continue reading by clicking here: Chapter Twenty