Page 3 of No Going Back

Their relationship might be employer and employee, but Heather and her husband were also longstanding family friends. That friendship included acerbic wit, with obligatory regular barbed exchanges. Heather fixed her boss with a mock stony glare. “Better half, is it? Well, they say the devil makes work for idle hands—it sounds like he makes work for the tongue attached to those hands as well.”

Guy shot a quick look at Ros. Her puzzled expression spoke volumes, reminding him he had yet to deliver his own news. “Are you going to Barcelona, or am I going to have to put up with you giving me grief for the next few days after all? You and Rob have a great time, and don’t hurry back.”

Having sent Heather off to join her husband, Guy poured the coffee, and cut slices of the cake for Simon and himself. Ros declined. Guy suspected her refusal of her favourite treat might have something to do with wedding dresses. And so it begins.

“So, how was Norway? Leaving aside the obvious excitement.” He nodded in the direction of Ros’ left hand.

“Incredible—you wouldn’t believe a lodge in the middle of nowhere could be so luxurious,” Ros enthused. “I would love a place like that.”

Her fiancé caught Guy’s eye and winked. Simon was up to something, and Guy would put money on his planning to make that happen—if he hadn’t already. “You found plenty to do, then? In the middle of nowhere?”

“Sometimes, the middle of nowhere is exactly where you want to be, when the company’s perfect.” She reached for Simon’s hand. “It was so peaceful there.”

Guy couldn’t blame her for that. An absence of excitement was exactly what she needed after the trials of her last few months with the unit.

Speaking for himself, peace was something he’d come to value more and more. Although he’d soon be back in harness, the nature of his new role would be poles apart from what he’d left behind. Peace of a less obvious kind, perhaps, but in his book, peace nonetheless. “Do you think you’ll go back sometime?”

Ros turned to her fiancé. “I think so. There were lots of things we didn’t get around to doing.”

“As long as you took care of the important things, there’s always time for the rest.”

Except when you didn’t take care of the important things. Then time ran out, because the woman you loved died, and you hadn’t told her half the things you should have done.

“So what’s the latest gossip from the office?”

The abrupt change of subject zeroed in on the news Guy had yet to impart. “Ah, about that. If you went into the office, you’d probably find the latest gossip was about me.”

“What on earth does that mean?”

Guy gave a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing serious. I resigned. A couple of weeks ago now. Don’t look so shocked. It’s been on the cards for a while, and like you, I had an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Ros’ eyes narrowed. “You resigned, and you say it’s nothing serious? And what offer? Why haven’t you mentioned all this before?”

“A man’s got to have some secrets, even from his favourite niece.”

“I’m your only niece. So come on—spit it out. What’s been going on?”

“Oh, nothing much. Change is as good as a rest, and all that.”

“Which tells me nothing. Guy, I can’t see you sitting back and enjoying retirement in the country, day in, day out. What are you going to do? And who’s taking over the unit?”

“Changes are on the way. Several factors influenced my decision, not least of which is the unit being subsumed under a larger organisation. It’ll lose what made it unique, and what made it unique also made it successful. As for what I’m going to do… I was going to save it for my first day at the new job. On reflection, it might be better to tell you now. Alex Lombard made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’ll be joining you at Spectrum as their government liaison director.”

“Really? You’re not joking?”

Guy couldn’t help but smile. “No, I’m not joking. I start on the first of the month. You don’t mind?”

“Why on earth would I mind? I just wish everyone else from the team could join us. What?” Suspicion narrowed her gaze. “What else don’t I know?”

“You know Spectrum’s expanding—we’re going to need extra manpower to carry out those plans. The people have got to come from somewhere, and you know as well as I do, the unit has the best.”

“You’re bringing everyone with you?”

“Let’s just say, I put an alternative on the table. Something for them to consider, if the new management regime isn’t to their liking. Now, how about if we change the subject to something far more interesting. Are you still planning to stay for the weekend?”

“If that’s okay with you?”

“As if you need to ask. You may have moved out years ago, but Stonehaven will always be your home. Yours too, now, Simon. I know you have that draughty old place in London, but—”