“Yeah, I kind of figured that one out when she told me,” I say sarcastically.
“It’s no big deal. I didn’t want to go anyway.”
“No big deal?” I screech. “Luke, you told her that I wasn’t coping with looking after our baby.” The sadness that engulfs me as I voice these words is indescribable. “Is that really what you think?” Luke rushes over to me, chucking the baby bottle on the side. He reaches me and places his hands on the tops of my arms.
“No. You are a wonderful mother. You have done nothing wrong.” His eyes hold mine and I can see that he is telling me the truth, which makes this all the more confusing.
“So why tell her different?” I whisper. He sighs and closes his eyes.
“Because it was the only way that I could think of to stop me from having to go to Germany. But I swear, I didn’t say that you were struggling. I told her that I thought you needed more time with me near home.” I feel my body sag with relief at his words. “I’m sorry she ruined your night, and I’m sorry that I never told you. I just figured that you would want me around here rather than flitting off to another country.”
“Of course I want you around, but I don’t want people thinking that I can’t cope.” Surely he can see how bad that looks on me?
“I apologise. I should have been up front and just told her that I didn’t want to go. I never dreamed that she would bump into you and make it sound worse than it was.”
“That’s the other thing. I don’t think that she accidentally ran into me.”
“How do you mean?” he asks, his head tilting to the side slightly.
“Well, I went to use the toilets and she was stood behind me, staring. It was weird. Almost like she had planned to run into me.” I see Luke’s jaw tense again. He is not happy with how this has played out.
“I’ll speak to her on Monday.”
“No, no. Leave it. She’s already pissed at you for not going to Germany, there’s no reason to fuel her annoyance even more.” I wrap my arms around his waist and place my cheek against his firm chest. Luke grips me tightly, and although I feel safe in his arms, I still have that nagging feeling in my mind. Something is wrong with this Andi woman. If she is trying to break Luke and I up, then she will fail miserably. As long as he is honest with me, that’s all that matters.
Chapter Thirty-Two
At ten o’clock on Monday morning, there is a knock at the front door. I have just finished feeding Oliver, so I lay him in his moses basket, and I go to answer the door. As I open the door, I am more than a little surprised to see Deana stood there.
“Oh,” I say in shock, before I can stop myself.
“Morning, Charlie,” Deana says.
“Good morning.”
“I’m sorry to bother you whilst you are on maternity leave, but I need to speak with you about something and I would rather do it in person than over the phone,” Deana informs me.
“Oh… Right… Please, come on in,” I say, finally getting my shit together. I move to one side and allow Deana to come into the hallway. I close the front door and make my way to the kitchen with Deana following behind me. I don’t want to take her into the lounge as I have just put Oliver down, and hopefully, he will be sleeping, so I don’t want to disturb him.
“Can I get you a drink?” I offer as I walk over and switch the kettle on before Deana can answer.
“No thank you, Charlie. This won’t take long.” I gulp loudly at her words. She sounds like she means business. Surely she can’t be here to fire me? She wouldn’t be allowed to do that. I’m on maternity leave. “So, I won’t beat around the bush,” she continues. “I know that it hasn’t been long since you had Oliver, but I need to ask you if you would consider coming back to work early?” At this, my eyes open wide. I was not expecting that. “I realise that this is a bit of a shock, me coming around here and asking you, but I am desperate.”
“Desperate?” I question.
“Yes. I’m afraid the temp that is currently filling your place is, shall we say, unsuitable for the position.”
“Okay. Couldn’t you just get a different temp?” I suggest.
“I could, but they don’t know how I like things done, whereas you do.” The kettle finishes boiling, but I don’t go to make myself a drink like I was intending to. I can’t process anything right now other than what Deana is telling me.
“But Oliver is only four months old. I’m not sure if I want to leave him yet.” I think of the next five months that I should have with my son before I return to work. Five months would be a lot to miss out on. I love being at home with him throughout the day.
“I understand,” Deana says with a nod of her head. “But I am willing to compromise.”
“Compromise?” Deana doesn’t strike me as the type of woman who is used to compromising.
“Yes.” She clears her throat before continuing, and I get the impression that she isn’t one hundred percent comfortable with having to do this. “So, because I am the one asking you to return to work early, there would be a pay increase for you. Not only that, but I would only like you back in the office for three days per week. The other two could be worked from home.”
