Page 96 of Somewhere Only We Know

‘To be honest, I miss you too. There’s a Maggie-shaped hole at Ruby Creek, so if you get fed up with beach life in Bali, I’d love to have you back. Anyway, something to think about. Enjoy the rest of your trip and don’t forget us.’

Listening to his voice made me smile again. His suggestion to come to Uluwatu was a good one. I had booked a driver for the day who’d brought me here and was waiting outside the temple to take me back afterwards. I’d arrived early and had had the place almost to myself, wandering along quiet paths dressed in the sarong I’d been given, planning my next move. Jono was a good man and I’d enjoyed our fling, but Australia was a long way from home. Besides, there was still unfinished business with his ex-wife. So, I wouldn’t be going back, but it felt good to be wanted.

Right on cue, my phone screen kicked into action and my boss started the meeting.

‘Hi, Anna. How’s things?’ I took my sunglasses off so I could see the screen better.

She was sitting in the boardroom, a coffee mug in her hand. She looked pale and there was something about her posture which hinted at weariness and set my alarm bells ringing. Something wasn’t right.

‘Look at you, all tanned and relaxed. Australia suits you,’ she said. ‘I’m very envious. We were skiing a couple of weeks ago and I don’t think the temperature rose above zero the entire time.’

No mention of bumping into Lee Masters and his family, I noticed. I didn’t let on that I knew about it, in case it caused problems for George, but it did strike me as odd that she hadn’t told me. Perhaps I was reading too much into it, but it was unsettling. For the first time since being away from the office, I felt nervous about my standing within the company. This call, whatever it was about, was a chance for me to demonstrate to Anna that she’d be right to recommend me for a place on the board when I returned.

‘Thanks. I’m in Bali now. Australia was so last week.’ I gave an exaggerated flutter of my eyelashes, making her smile. ‘Although I’m not relaxed. I’ve been worried ever since I got your message. Is everything okay?’

Before Anna had time to answer, her dad took a seat beside her.

‘Maggie, hi,’ Ron Swift said with a faint smile. ‘Nice to see you taking some time for yourself after the year you’ve had. I’m sure it’s given you a new perspective on life. Good decision.’

‘It was Anna who suggested I take a sabbatical,’ I said, realising too late that I’d probably just reminded them about the keys in the canal incident. ‘But travel certainly broadens the mind.’

Ron nodded. ‘Wendy and I are planning on doing the same; we’re going on a cruise. Got to make the most of what time she’s got left.’

His voice cracked and he looked at his daughter for support. I frowned. The last time I’d seen Wendy Swift was when she’d popped into the office with mince pies in December. She’d been fine then as far as I’d known, and we’d had a quiet chat about Brontë.

‘Mum’s had some bad news.’ Anna pressed a tissue to her eyes. ‘Health-wise.’

‘Oh no, I’m so sorry.’ My heart sank. This was so unfair. ‘Please give her my love.’

Anna’s mum was the antithesis of mine: a stay-at-home wife who had been the heart of the home, always on hand with a cuddle or a kiss for a grazed knee. Endless ideas for rainy-day activities. And since Anna’s son was born, a willing babysitter.

‘No need to go into details,’ said Ron, rubbing his daughter’s shoulder. ‘Suffice to say that my priorities have changed, and I’ve brought forward my retirement date to be with Wendy. Wanted to tell you myself.’

‘Of course,’ I nodded. ‘Family comes first, always.’

‘It does. Right, best get on. I’ll leave the rest with Anna.’

We said our goodbyes and Ron got up and disappeared from view.

‘Oh Anna,’ I said heavily once we were alone.

‘I know. It’s awful.’ She stared down at the tissue in her hands. ‘Look, can we stick to work stuff or I’ll be more of a mess than I already am?’

‘Sure.’ I understood the need to remain professional even when your heart was breaking.

‘I’m stepping up to the role of chairperson with immediate effect,’ she told me.

Poor Anna. She’d worked so hard to prove herself at ShopSwift so that no one would resent her eventual elevation to the top job. It had been a role she’d long been looking forward to: the chance to take her father’s company to even greater heights. Now her promotion would be tinged with regret that it had come at a price. Poor Ron too. He had been talking for years about his impending retirement and how Wendy was looking forward to having him at home. This would be a big blow to all the family.

‘You can count on me to support you as much as I can,’ I said. ‘Under the circumstances, you’ll want me to cancel my sabbatical and return to the office as soon as possible.’

‘There’s no need for that.’ Anna held her hands up. ‘You’ve given a lot to this company over the years. I have been going back over the personnel files. Your record is incredible, Maggie. No sickness, never more than five consecutive days’ annual leave and only a short stint of compassionate leave when Brontë passed away. No, you deserve this break, I won’t hear of you cutting it short.’

Her comment worried me. Why would she have been checking my file? ‘But a decision will have to be made about your replacement?’

‘Dad and I have been thinking about restructuring,’ said Anna with a tight smile, skirting past my question.

‘Oh?’ That was a word which struck fear into a senior manager’s heart. It was normally accompanied by the word redundancy.