Page 135 of Tell No One
She glared at him. “Sit down. He’s busy.”
Tag almost smiled. Someone else who glared at Delaney. He liked her.
“You stay here,” Delaney told him. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Tag woofed.
Delaney sighed. “Please.” The door slammed closed as he left and the woman scowled.
“Wow, you need to watch your fingers in that door,” Tag said.
“Everyone slams it.”
Tag got up and looked at the door closer mechanism. “Do you have a metal nail file?”
She took one out of her handbag and handed it to him. “I hope you don’t intend to do your nails.”
Tag laughed. “No.”
He twisted the file inside one of the screws to loosen it, then opened the door and let it go. It closed gently. When he handed back the file, her eyes were wide.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome. I like your hair. It’s a really cool colour, like shimmering steel.”
She smiled. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Yes, please. That would be lovely. Black, please. Would you like me to make it? I could do one for you too.”
“No need, but thank you.”
She brought over a black coffee in a mug decorated with the silhouette of a tree, along with a plate holding a piece of millionaire’s shortbread.
“Ooh. My favourite. Thank you.” Tag beamed at her. “Shortbread, caramel and chocolate. Perfect trio.” He took a bite and hummed with pleasure. “Did you make this? It’s delicious.”
She nodded. “The chief likes them.”
“I’m not surprised. I’ve never really had the chance to do much cooking. I didn’t get the opportunity to learn. I know there’s more to it than following the recipe because I’ve tried that a few times and the result was not pretty.”
“What did you try to make?”
“Choux pastry and macarons.”
“Macarons are notoriously tricky. I had a few false starts with those.”
“I tried to make them for my flatmates and when they spread over the tin, I ate them anyway, but with a spoon. Still really tasty.”
She laughed just as Delaney came back and as Barker came out of Henry’s office. Delaney and Barker stared at them both.
“Have you tasted Ms Morgrave’s millionaire’s shortbread?” Tag asked. “It’s the best thing ever.”
“No.” Delaney had a smile on his face. “I’ve never been found worthy.”
She huffed.
“Mr King-Smith will see you now,” Barker said and walked out.
Tag finished his coffee. “Can I wash up for you?”
