Page 34 of All Yours

‘Quite the opposite,’ he said, a small frown appearing between his eyebrows. ‘But I feel like I’m missing out.’

He sank into a kitchen chair and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his photos.

‘This is Reggie’s latest school drawing of how he spends his time at home.’ He passed her the phone and Isabella heard him sigh as she looked at it.

‘I don’t want him to think all I do is work,’ he said. His worry was obvious. She stopped what she was doing, pulled out a chair and sat opposite to give him her full attention.

‘Kids are so short term,’ Robyn said reassuringly. ‘They just live in the moment. Reggie literally just drew a picture about what he did yesterday. It doesn’t mean he thinks you never play with him.’

He didn’t look reassured. She tried again.

‘It’s so lovely you always want to spend time with them. I seem to remember my mum always had something else she’d rather do. Hey, why don’t you come trick or treating with us?’ Robyn said, forgetting all about her plans to avoid him like the plague.

‘See what I mean?’ Fox replied, sounding exasperated with himself. ‘I would normally have known it was Halloween this week, but the date has just passed me by . . .’

‘So come. The whole town is going out after school on Friday, as soon as it gets dark. It’ll be fun.’

Fox looked doubtful and she bet he was thinking about his last meeting of the week and what time it might finish. But he could do with it. He obviously was missing them.

Robyn went on: ‘The boys are so excited. They’d love it if you were there too.’

He tapped his finger on the table and then quickly consulted his calendar on his phone, nodding.

‘I’ll let everyone know we’re finishing early. They’ll be delighted,’ he said. ‘Then at least the boys will see I can have fun with them at least one day a week after school.’

‘And seeing as you haven’t got much time, I’ll get you a costume.’ Robyn couldn’t help but smile, thinking of all the things she’d like to see him not wearing.

‘Costume?’ Fox stammered, looking dubious.

‘We’re all wearing one, don’t worry.’

He met her eyes, held her gaze, and then nodded again.

‘You’re on,’ he said.

Damn, she thought. That resolution didn’t last long.

Chapter Eighteen

Fox

All of Friday he found himself clock watching, something he never normally did. Once he was in the zone, he was in the zone, but today his focus proved elusive. After telling everyone to go home early and expecting a mass exodus, he was surprised to find the new games designer, Erin or Ellen – he still couldn’t remember – still at her desk at 4.01 p.m. It didn’t feel right being the boss and leaving before the team, so he paused by her chair.

‘Sorry we haven’t had the chance to meet properly yet,’ he said, avoiding using her name that he didn’t know and not wanting to sound rude. ‘I’m Fox.’

Her eyes as she turned towards him were warm brown, her smile friendly as she extended her hand.

‘I’m Erin.’ Her grip was firm, although her skin was soft. ‘So happy to be here. Sorry, I hadn’t realised the time, it’s such an interesting project.’ The softest Irish accent made her voice a song.

‘Glad you’re enjoying it.’ Fox grinned. ‘But the weekend starts now, Erin.’

She turned off her terminal and picked up her coat from the back of the chair, shrugging it on while he waited at the door. The lift doors opened for them and they were alone as the door swished shut.

‘Pleased with progress this week?’ Erin asked, as the lift started to descend.

‘We’ve hit every milestone so far. Now we just need to keep it up,’ Fox said.

‘I’ve never been on a project from day one. I feel like I’m really part of something,’ Erin said.