Page 53 of How To Plot a Payback

I was walking in over my head, but there came a moment around 10:35 when I made a comment and another person started to do something magical. She started nodding.

Then a second person started to nod.

Then a third.

People began agreeing with me. People started listening to and, more importantly, liking my ideas.

And then around 11:45 something significant happened.

A PA offered to get me a cup of coffee.

And then I knew I was in.

And

Then

Here

We

Are

One

Day

Later

And

I

Get

This

Note.

I frown as I look at the little heart beside her signature: THE OTHER PUCK AND AUNTIE OF MILES’S NEW BEST FRIEND.

As if my Weimaraner would ever join forces with her dog.

There’s a noise and my head jerks up, fully expecting Lavender’s big cheery grin to be swinging my way, a terrible surprise in hand. But what would it be?

Indian curry?

A bouquet of sharpened pencils she trips over and conveniently stabs me with?

It’s not her at the door, however.

Someone’s just ordered pizza.

But the question lingers. Taunts.

What is it?

What’s this horrible surprise?