Page 76 of Be More Capybara

HELEN

‘How long will you be away?’ Helen asked as she put the finishing touches to the cottage pie she was making for lunch.

Nigel put down his mug on the kitchen table. ‘Just over a week. I’m flying into JFK on Monday.’

‘I thought the deposition wasn’t until Thursday?’

‘Thursday morning. But I want to make sure I’m not jet lagged and hopefully I can persuade Sloane and Avery to let me take them for a meal at some point.’

Helen walked over to the table and put her arms around him. ‘I’m going to miss you.’

‘Not as much as I’m going to miss you.’ He pulled her into a hug and kissed her. ‘Why don’t you fly out on Thursday? We could drive to the lakes and watch the eclipse together then.’

‘I can’t - sorry.’

‘If it’s the cost that’s bothering you, I’ll pay.’

‘It’s not that. I’ve got to put the finishing touches to the treehouses. It’s the official opening on Thursday.’

‘Mark’s organised it for when everyone’s away?’

‘He forgot. Lucy’s not impressed, but it’s too late to change it now. He’s got several dignitaries and the press turning up. We’re having a family celebration when you all get back, apparently.’

Nigel’s phone rang. He glanced at it and frowned. ‘I’ll take this outside.’

She watched him head out into the garden.

Perhaps she could surprise him in New York. She might be able to fly out on Friday if everything went well with the launch, but she didn’t want to jinx things by saying she would. She’d have to work out how to get to Nancy’s holiday house on her own, though, and she hadn’t got a clue where it was.

Nigel had left his laptop on the table with his diary open on the screen. She could see from a distance that Friday was blocked out. He might have the address on the appointment.

She looked out of the kitchen window. He was still deep in conversation outside.

Helen walked over to the table and looked more closely at the laptop screen. Yes, the address was under “Family holiday”. She took a quick photo so she could research how to get there later.

She was about to turn away when her eyes were drawn to an appointment for Tuesday: 11 am to 1 pm B&CB investigation follow-up.

B&CB? That must be Barton & Co Brokers. But he’d finished with them months ago. Why hadn’t he mentioned it? And why did it say investigation?

She could hear his footsteps on the path.

Helen hurried back to the counter. As he walked back inside, she was putting the cottage pie in the oven, wondering how to get the conversation around to Tuesday.

Helen finished loading the cooking utensils into the dishwasher. ‘Nige?’

He looked up from his laptop. ‘Yeah?’

‘Do you have to go on Monday? Rocky needs to go to the vets for his annual checkup, and it would be easier if there were two of us.’

‘Can’t you reschedule that? I’ll be back by Wednesday 10th.’

‘Is it that important you fly on Monday?’

‘Are you ok?’

‘Yes, I just … Well, I’ll miss you.’

He walked over and hugged her. ‘I’ll be back before you know it.’