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‘One, tell them to accept Alice Truman’s resignation.’
Bell’s mouth drops open.
‘And have them send her a request to come to the store for a formal outboarding meeting. Make sure she calls to make an appointment so we know what time she’s coming.’
‘Ahhh.’ Bell nods.
George smiles. ‘And the third?’
‘Have the HR manager call me about removing your formal warning from your file.’
‘Aw, Mr Moore.’ He touches a palm to his chest.
I point to my sister-in-law whose cat has taken a deep-dive into her cleavage. ‘Bell, I'll need your help with the front display.’
She salutes me with one hand, trying to unearth Mike with the other.
Chase helps her, retaking the animal before jumping around like a boxer before the bell.
‘And me?’ The beast’s four legs and nether region dangles as he jumps. ‘What about me?’
I resign myself for the most painful part of my plan. ‘You come with me. But for God’s sakes leave the cat.’
28
ALICE
‘Do you think the prince loved Cinderella?’ Mary grabs a handful of popcorn from the bowl between us.
Watching Mary's favorite movie for the second time today, I glance up from my laptop. ‘Of course, sweetie.’ I've been looking for remote work. Even if it’s just clerical stuff. That way I can homeschool Mary to help catch her up for next year.
‘But he doesn’t talk to her.’
‘He scours her kingdom to find her though.’ An email notification pops up from my work account. ‘Sometimes actions speak louder than words.’
‘What’s sours?’
Noting the email is from Moore’s human resource department, I click on it. ‘Scours – means to search.’
‘Oh.’ She watches Cinderella and the prince dance.
Outboarding. They want me to come in to formally resign and take an accounting of all equipment I was given in my role as lead visual merchandiser.
My savings account takes a mental hit when I realize I’ll need to replace both my phone and my laptop. Then my stress levels take a hit at the thought of going back to Moore’s. I check the soonest meeting time offered. Tomorrow. Better to get it over with.
‘Yeah, but he didn’t look for her himself.’ Mary continues. ‘He sent his soldiers.’
I stare at her, wondering why she’s suddenly so down on her favorite movie. ‘He’s a prince. He can’t be everywhere at once. He has other responsibilities.’ I frown, now wondering why I’m suddenly thinking about Thomas though I’ve been working very hard not to.
‘Hmmm.’ She glares at the TV in a perfect imitation of the man who broke my heart.
I’ve been careful not to let Mary see me cry. But it’s obvious from her questions and expression that mine isn’t the only heart that misses Thomas Moore.
Ding dong.
Sliding my laptop to the side, I pad over to the door. Emily called earlier, wanting to take Mary to the library.
‘Hello, dear.’ Emily bustles in, a large box in her arms. ‘Mary, are you ready?’ Emily walks over to the kitchen table and sets the box down. ‘I thought we’d stop at Serendipity after, if that’s okay with your aunt.’ She shoots me a sly smile, knowing full well I won’t say no to Mary having ice cream if she asks in front of her.
