Page 2 of Forgive Not Forget
Anna inhaled the scent of the freshly cut grass as they strolled around the outside of the barn. The gardeners had been on-site early that morning to carry out the first trim of the year. Her gaze was drawn to the flower beds where yellow daffodils and multicoloured tulips were in full bloom against a backdrop of low shrubs. The shrubs, once grown, would afford a certain amount of privacy inside the barn.
They reached the end of the barn and turned, following it around the side until they stopped beside two reclaimed wooden stable doors. Anna unlocked the right-hand one and entered her office. It was a compact yet modern space with built-in shelving and storage. Abutting a wall in the centre of the room was a desk which faced the internal door.
There would have been a time when her office was messy, but living with Katherine had taught her not to leave anything where it shouldn’t be. If she dared to do so at Abbey House, Katherine would roll out her usual line ofa place for everything and everything in its place. Anna refrained from telling Katherine that she knew the saying well because her grandmother used to say it. She didn’t think Katherine would appreciate the comparison.
Carrie was the messy one in the office, and Anna was now grateful not to be sharing a workspace with her. She had been due to take the office next door to Anna’s in the barn until Katherine suggested it may be more convenient for them to be closer together in the visitor centre. Anna wasn’t particularly looking forward to being in the barn alone until someone else filled the other office.
Katherine rearranged a vase of daffodils that stood on the windowsill. “These have lasted well.”
“Beautiful, aren’t they? My fiancée bought me those,” Anna replied, squeezing herself between her chair and Katherine.
“You have a very kind fiancée.” Katherine turned and found herself face to face with Anna.
“I do. Sexy too.” Anna slipped her arms around Katherine’s waist. “I really must get a blind for the window — and the door.”
“Why?”
“So I can do this.” Anna leaned forward and kissed Katherine lips. “And this.” She gently pressed Katherine back against the wall with her body. Her hands worked their way up from her waist and gently caressed her breasts.
“Oh, yes, maybe a blind would look good in here. It would block the low afternoon sun in the winter.”
“Mm-hmm, that too,” Anna mumbled, her lips brushing Katherine’s neck.
Katherine gently eased Anna away from her. “Down, girl. We have an audience awaiting us, and I don’t think they want to see me dishevelled.”
Anna pulled her best sulky expression as Katherine extracted herself from behind the desk, almost knocking a box from it.
“Okay, this office is too small, but you’re a very resourceful woman; I’m sure you’ll make it work. What’s in the box?” she asked, opening it before Anna could answer. “Chocolate eggs. Have you got enough?” Katherine smirked.
“Attendance at a new event is always difficult to judge,” Anna remarked as she took a seat. “Do you want to be the one to explain to the youngsters that we have run out of eggs?”
Katherine pulled her lips to one side. “Good point. They won’t miss one, though, will they?” Katherine’s hand dove into the box to extract one. She tapped it on the desk and then tore off the foil wrapper, stuffing it into her mouth. “Mmm, these are good.”
Anna shut the lid and placed the box under her desk. “That is exactly why they are in here; I can’t trust the staff not to eat them all before the event.”
“Miss Walker, are you expecting me to believe you haven’t tasted the goods?”
“I may have taste-tested them, as part of my job.”
Katherine’s eyebrows shot up. “Them?”
“One,” Anna quickly corrected herself.
Katherine smirked and, reclaiming her glass, perched on the space the box had left on the desk. “Cheers.” She held her glass out to Anna.
“Cheers.” Anna took a sip and tilted her head. “I think we may have the hard work ahead of us. At least you do.”
“We’ll get there. I just hope we get the all-clear on Monday so we can get building again.”
Anna’s eye caught Harry’s in the photo that sat in pride of place on her desk. “It’s a shame Dad’s not here to see this.”
Katherine squeezed her arm. “I know, he would have been so proud to see you today.”
“Us,” Anna corrected her.
Katherine nodded. “Us.”
“Maybe next time. He’s best left in his armchair until his cold improves.”
