Page 63 of The Last to Know

Dani looked at her as though she could see right to her core. “Must be serious…”

Caz rubbed her hand over her face and sighed deeply. “Can we change the subject?”

“Sure…just…never seen you like this before. I didn’t think you two ever argued—”

The wrench landed on the floor.

“For fuck’s sake, Dani, please…just drop it, alright?”

Dani’s hands raised instantly as she stepped back and away from poking the bear any further.

“I’ll get us a cuppa, okay?”

Caz nodded, bent down and grabbed the tool.

“Okay, thanks. And sorry…I didn’t mean to shout.”

“It’s alright.”

She’d composed herself by the time Dani reappeared carrying two cups of steaming tea. She handed one to Caz andplaced her own down on top of the toolbox, producing a packet of chocolate Hobnobs from her overalls’ pocket.

“Figured a few of these wouldn’t hurt,” she said, with a smile that said she was unsure of anything she might say right now.

Caz took one and bit into it.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, mostly to herself than to Dani. “All couples argue.”Except we’re not a couple and this is bigger than any argument ever could be,she thought to herself.

“Yeah, they do…but…” Dani scrunched up her mouth as she contemplated whether to say it or not. “You don’t cry about it, and you look like…well, you looked like you did, and I hate seeing you upset, because I ain’t used to it, and I don’t even know what to do or say to—”

Caz pressed her thumb and forefinger into her eyes and relieved the pressure.

“Just make tea…and bring biscuits.” Caz smiled sadly.

They stood in silence and drank their tea, nibbling on the odd biscuit here and there, until Caz’s phone broke through with a buzzing noise from her pocket.

Putting her cup down, she pulled it free and noticed it was Grace’s office number, and a small thrill ran through her. If Grace was calling, then it had to be a good sign, right?

“Grace, hi,” she said, answering the call instantly and then turning away and walking towards the other side of the car for privacy. Because if Grace had called to give her an earful, she didn’t need everyone listening in.

“Hi, Caz, it’s Pete, listen…Grace is…well, she’s told us about what’s happened.”

“Right.”

“We’re obviously very sorry for your loss and we’re insisting she goes home, but to be honest, I don’t think she’s in any fit state to drive.”

Caz was already heading up the stairs to Ron’s office. “I’m on my way. I don’t have my car, though, so I’ll have to cadge a lift or get a cab, but I’m coming.”

“Okay, we can deal with things this end.”

“Right, so you won’t let her leave or do anything—” What was she even suggesting? Things were not that bad, where they?

“Don’t worry and don’t rush.” Pete lowered his voice and said, “She’s safe, she’s just upset and she needs you.”

“I’m not sure how true that is, but…I’ll be there asap.” She closed the call and rapped her knuckles on Ron’s door, opening it without answer. “I need to go.”

He sat back in his chair and stared at her. “Why?”

“Because…” She swallowed, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth as she considered what to tell him. “Grace isn’t feeling well and her manager just called to ask me to come and pick her up.”

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