Page 65 of Electric Kiss

“Maybe,” Imelda said with a watery smile.

“I’ll let you go. See you in a few days,” Daisy said, grinning.

“I’ll be the one in the ridiculously over-the-top hat.”

“Awesome,” Daisy said and put her palm on the screen.

Her mum did the same, and they said their goodbyes.

When the screen went back to the default setting for the video call software, Daisy felt the loss immediately.

Sighing, she drank her lukewarm tea and then shuffled back to the kitchen to make a coffee. There was a three-hour shift ahead of her on the financial helpline, and then she had Edward Hall work to complete. Warren was due to arrive the Monday after the wedding, and she wanted everything perfect so she could walk away with a clean slate.

Chapter Twenty-One

Daisy

The frosty air greeted her the following morning. She needed to be at her desk early, so there was no time to languish in bed next to Nate’s warm body and watch the sun rise over the lawns.

She kissed Nate goodbye in bed and then walked through her house to the back door. Nate had a spare key, so she locked up as she left and trudged down the path in chunky lace-up boots and thick socks. She had her corduroy skirt and roll-neck jumper to keep her warm in her office. The woollen coat was an added layer until she reached her sanctuary.

When she shouldered her way in, the lights were off, and there was nothing on her desk. Jason was still pissed off with her. Heidi was wrong about when breakfast would resume.

“Fuck this,” Daisy said out loud.

She wanted porridge, and if her brother denied herbreakfast, she would go to Maggie.

Daisy turned on her heel, marched out of Edward Hall, and breathed in deeply to approach Turner Hall kitchens. She was careful to circle the house from the front and not the back to avoid Cynthia’s rooms and the morning room. It would be the first time she had entered Turner Hall without her brothers beside her. They had no idea why she wouldn’t step foot in the place, and she wasn’t about to enlighten them now they had shown their true colours.

When she approached the outside white wooden stable-style door to the kitchens, she peered through the window to see if Maggie was in there and to make sure her brothers weren’t. When she only saw Maggie and Bailey with a cup and saucer in their hands standing by the stove, she turned the handle and walked in.

Maggie turned to see who had come in and beamed at Daisy. Daisy felt the smile warm her all over. Maggie was the next best thing if she couldn’t have her mum.

“Come here, child and give me a cuddle,” Maggie said after putting her cup and saucer down. She opened her arms, and Daisy flew into them.

“Hi, Maggie.”

“Hello, child. What brings you here this early?”

“Jason won’t feed me, and I really miss my morning porridge.”

“Sit yourself down. There is some warming on the stove. I’d made a batch for Bailey and me, but there’s plenty. Any leftover is for anyone who wants it.”

“Are you sure I’m not taking your breakfast?”

“No, we’ve eaten. Sit down, and I’ll bring it over. Do you want tea or coffee?”

“Tea if there is any in the pot.”

“There is always tea in the pot, Daisy,” Bailey replied like she had wounded his pride.

Daisy grinned at him and shrugged off her coat.

“Why is Jason withholding food?” Maggie asked.

“I broke the news to them about Mum.”

Maggie looked to Bailey, and they exchanged a glance.

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