Page 83 of Winter’s Fire

“Thank you, sir, I’d appreciate that. To be honest, when I woke up in the middle of the night, I did wonder if I’d be facing a disciplinary at best, or you’d just fire me for gross insubordination.” Not the best way to watch the clock move from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.

“Young lady, if I took either course of action, I’d have to question my sanity. That’s not to say there won’t be questions from on high, but that’s for me to deal with.

“So, your future. Simmonds has already submitted his report, including his assessment of how you acquitted yourself. Based on what you’ve both told me, I can give you my view of possible options for the future to add to your own thoughts on the matter, if that would help to inform your decision?”

“Thank you, sir.” Butterflies started a mad tarantella in her stomach. Even though her boss had already eliminated her twin fears from the discussion, she was still nervous about what he’d say.

“In my opinion, were you to return to your former position, it would be an abominable waste of your potential. How do you feel about making the most of it, instead?”

Was he saying what she thought he was saying? “That almost sounds like… Actually, I’m not sure what that sounds like.”

“It sounds like what it is.” Sir Guy set his cup and saucer down on the coffee table, so he could settle back in the armchair, with his elbows resting on the arms and his hands clasped over his stomach. “You have a fire in your belly for this job, but as you pointed out yourself, you don’t have military experience. I don’t have the patience to wait while you get it, even if you were willing to sign up. What we can do is take the skills and experience you already have, and train you up—take what’s already good and make it better, and fill in any gaps.”

“Then you’re offering me a role as a field officer?”

“Trainee to begin with, but based on what you and Simmonds accomplished together, I’d be a fool not to. I have no doubt you’d make a highly effective member of the team once we bring you up to speed.”

Even though she’d hoped for this outcome, Lucy was still stunned. “I don’t know what to say, sir.”

“For now, don’t say anything. It’s a lot to take in, I know. You’ll need time to make your decision. I know you’re about to take a couple of weeks off—might I suggest you extend it to at least three? Take a month if you like, you’ve earned it. Give the matter plenty of thought, don’t rush your decision, and when you’re ready, I’ll be waiting. The offer’s there, to join us, and if you do decide to take it up, you’d be very welcome.”

“And if I don’t?” She needed to know what the options were.

“Your old job will be waiting for you, and should you decide you’d rather not come back to the unit in any capacity, I will—with great reluctance—provide any assistance you need to secure another role in the civil service. Or outside, if I can.”

Lucy was almost speechless. First she got the cake, then the icing, and now Sir Guy had presented her with the cherry to crown it all.

“Thank you very much, Sir Guy. I’m fairly sure I already know what my answer’s going to be, but I appreciate the time. I’m going to visit my family, as you know, and if it’s all right with you, I was planning to head north pretty much right after this meeting.”

“That’s fine, Lucy. And if you have any questions while you’re away, don’t hesitate to call me.”

There was one question she had already. “Sir? Logan… I haven’t… Is he all right?”

“He’s fine. A little the worse for wear, but he’s taking a couple of days off to recuperate. Supposed to be, anyway. Frankly, though, I shouldn’t be surprised if he’s back on duty tomorrow. Bloody indestructible, Royal Marines. Anything else?”

“I don’t think so, sir, unless you have any more questions about the assignment?”

Sir Guy shook his head. “You covered everything in your report. As I mentioned, Simmonds has already submitted his, so we now have as full a picture as we’re going to get. So, if that’s all, I suggest you get on your way.”

“I will—and thank you for everything, sir.”

Lucy left Sir Guy’s office with two sets of vastly different emotions vying for superiority. Overjoyed though she was about the offer to join the unit as a trainee, there was also the prospect of being around Logan every day. Working with him was one thing, but Lucy wasn't sure she could do it with the constant thought at the back of her mind that she’d been nothing more than an inconsequential diversion until he could get back with the woman he truly wanted.

Chapter 22

With his plans blown to shit, Logan returned to his apartment to work out what the hell he was going to do next.

The temp occupying Lucy’s desk had greeted him with the news that he’d missed her. Yes, Miss Winter had been in for a medical exam and an early meeting with Sir Guy, but not only was she no longer on the premises, she was taking some time off, and wasn’t expected back for up to a month.

That left him with only on way to contact her, and she wasn’t answering. Every call he tried went to voicemail. He hadn’t left any messages, because there was no reality in which leaving a fucking voicemail was going to improve the situation. This had to be done in person.

Logan was still assessing his options when the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of an unexpected visitor. For a wild moment, he wondered if it might be Lucy, only for his hopes to be dashed by the apparition that was his commanding officer, the last person he expected to see on his doorstep.

He followed Guy back to the main room. “Please, sit down. Can I get you a drink?”

“No, thank you—another time, perhaps. Sheila told me you came to the office asking about Lucy.”

That was Sir Guy all right, straight to the point. “I want to talk to her, but she’s gone away somewhere. I was just about to try and figure out where.”