Page 27 of The Holiday Cottage

Five minutes, and then she’d head over and give Sophie some support.

She must have fallen asleep because she was woken by the sound of the door opening.

By the time the person entered the room, Imogen had her shoes back on and was poring over her emails. Her head was muzzy and she could feel the beginnings of a headache. She was beginning to wish she’d eaten something other than chocolate.

“Hi, Imogen. I didn’t know you were still here. I love your suit. That shade of green looks good on you. You look like a very sexy elf.” It was Janie, looking professional in a tailored black dress, her hair twisted into a knot on the back of her head. “I just came up to grab my stain remover. Client dropped raspberry juice on his shirt. Next time I’m suggesting a cheese plate for dessert.” She rummaged in one of the bags. “Agh, where is it? I know I had one.”

Imogen reached into the oversize bag she carried everywhere and handed her a stain remover. “Raspberry isn’t easy to shift. You might be better off providing him with a fresh shirt.”

“That’s my backup. Problem—solution, right? Thanks, Imogen.” Janie pocketed the stain remover. “I’m all over the place because Mum just rang, and guess what? She’s getting married again.”

Imogen wasn’t sure how to react. Was that good or bad? “Wow. And how do you feel about that?”

“Excited! I like Ray, and she’s been on her own since Dad died. All I want is for her to be happy. Sometimes I think we’re more like best friends than mother-daughter, you know?”

No, she didn’t know. She had no experience of that sort of relationship.

On a good day her relationship with her mother was distant and chilly. On a bad day—she didn’t know how to describe it.

“I’m pleased for you.”

“I’m going to be bridesmaid. We’re picking out dresses next week. I love a good mother-and-daughter shopping trip, don’t you?”

“Doesn’t everyone? I’m holding you up,” Imogen said, “I know you need to get back to the client so you can sort out that shirt.”

“Yes, you’re right. I should.” Janie patted the stain remover in her pocket. “I’ll see you back in the office tomorrow. Let’s grab lunch together if there’s time. Are you all ready for Friday?”

Friday? What was happening on Friday? “I—”

“You haven’t really forgotten?” Janie laughed. “‘Bring your dog to work day.’ The day we get to meet Midas. We’re all more excited than you are!”

Midas.

Enough. She had to put an end to this, she really did. “I can’t do that, Janie.”

“Why not?” Janie’s expression shifted from anticipation to alarm. “Midas isn’t ill again?”

“No, not ill.” She floundered. One small lie led to another and then another. She wished she’d never started it, but she had, and now she didn’t know how to end it. “I didn’t really want to talk about it. It’s too awful.”

“What?” Alarmed, Janie sat down next to her. “You’re scaring me. Of course you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but you know you can, don’t you? You can tell me anything. We’re friends.”

Imogen felt her throat thicken. “Are we?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Ofcoursewe are.” Janie took Imogen’s hand, and Imogen was suddenly choked by the gesture of friendship.

She had a sudden urge to tell her everything. Would that be so bad? Janie was a kind person. She’d understand.

She tried to figure out where to start, but Janie was still speaking.

“I knew from the moment you put that photo of Midas on your desk that we’d be good friends. We’re both dog people for a start!”

She wasn’t a dog person. At least, not a real dog person. She was a fake dog person. She was a fake generally. An imposter. A real dog would have sniffed her out in a moment.

“And we’re similar in other ways too.” Janie was in full flow. “We’re both home-loving people. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy a good night out as much as the next girl, but I also love an evening in snuggled on the sofa watching a movie with my family. I know you’re the same.”

She wasn’t the same, although she would have liked to be. When Imogen watched a movie on the sofa she was always alone.

She pulled her hand away from Janie’s. “You’re a wonderful person, Janie. I’m lucky to work with you.”

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