“Great, that’s what I was thinking as well. How about we shoot out to the US and get that underway?”
“Sure, when?” I asked and then smiled at Carolyn as two coffees were placed on the desk.
“I don’t know, tomorrow?”
I stared at him. “I can’t just hop on a plane tomorrow,” I said.
“Why?”
“I don’t knowwhy, other than us Brits just don’t work that way. We ponder, research the best method of travel and then book the first one we looked at. We…we deliberate, procrastinate, and other ‘…ates’ I’m sure I’m missing,” I said, stroppily, and then laughed. “Gabriella thinks I should have counselling to get the stick out of myass. Maybe I do need to hop on a plane to America tomorrow to prove I don’t have one up there!”
Mackenzie raised his hands in mock surrender. “I don’t want to get into the middle of a domestic here.”
“No, you’re not. You’ve just given me an opportunity to show my spontaneous side. You want Mary to book the flights?”
He reached over to my desk phone and called upstairs. “Hello, my wonderful PA and all-round lovely Mary. How are you this fine morning?” he said. I chuckled.
I heard her shout her reply. “Feck off, eejit. What do you want?” I covered my mouth and laughed.
Mackenzie explained he’d like two first class seats on a mid-morning flight. He’d also like her to secure a pool car for the journey.
“Anything else? Iron your underpants, maybe?” she enquired.
“Mary, if you caught sight of myunderpantsyou wouldn’t be able to contain yourself next time you saw me,” he said, to which she cut off the call.
“That is so childish, so juvenile,” I said, laughing with him.
“Listen, she loves me, I know it.”
I quietened then and my smile slipped. I blinked a couple of times.
“Oh, the fight wasn’t over the L word, was it?” he asked, leaning forwards a little.
“Sort of. I’m not talking about it here. We’ll talk tomorrow. Now please go away because I do have a business to run here, believe it or not,” I said, waving him out of my office. He laughed as he left. I shook my head, not for one minute regretting taking up the offer to work with him.
I hope your morning has been good. I’m off to America tomorrow with Mackenzie. I’m sure he’ll tell you. Well, I wanted to tell you. I’ll call later. Alex
I cursed myself after I’d sent the text message. Even my texts were anal!
Oh, yes, I need the stick removed. I’m not sure on the counselling element of it, though. Alex xx
I added two kisses, two!
Hello, my darling. Little steps, I know. I love you and you’ll have a blast. Please, please meet up with my mother, otherwise she’ll never forgive me, you, or Mackenzie. XXX Three kisses, Gabriella
She inserted a winky face too.
I had no intention of meeting her mother without her. That would be extremely rude as far as I was concerned.
Come with us?I texted back.
Not sure I can. How long will you be gone?
I called her. “I’m sorry, I can’t have a conversation by text, it takes me forever to type. I think we’ll only be there a few days. I’ve advised Mackenzie to sell a couple of businesses as part of his consolidation plan.”
“You go with him. You’ll have fun. Don’t worry about meeting Mom unless you have a spare minute. I won’t mention that you’re out there. And we’ll make a plan to return in a couple of weeks or so. How’s that?” she asked.
“Perfect. I don’t deserve you, Gabriella, I know that,” I whispered.
