Page 66 of All Yours

‘But you still prefer coming in here?’ She threw a hopeful look in his direction.

‘I guess I work better when I can bounce ideas off people,’ he said.

‘Me too,’ Erin agreed. ‘It inspires me. I love working things out with you.’ She sipped her coffee. ‘But sometimes we need to talk about things other than work . . .’

Fox felt a jolt of something. Excitement? Nerves? He raised an eyebrow, very conscious of the fact that he had already jumped to conclusions over the message she mistakenly sent him. He bit his tongue and nodded at her to continue.

‘We need to talk about the Christmas party, for one thing,’ Erin said. ‘We were wondering what the plan was?’

Fox almost laughed at himself, after holding his breath for something else. Had he been hoping for her to say something personal, or dreading it? He really didn’t know. Though he breathed a sigh of relief to be on a safer topic of conversation, he found himself strangely disappointed.

‘Everyone has the date blocked out in their diaries,’ Erin said. ‘But we didn’t know what you were thinking? Karaoke, or dinner? Cabaret? Comedy?’

‘Hmmm.’ Fox pondered, to buy himself time. He’d thought more like a beer at the local pub and a curry in Brick Lane like the good old days, when the team was tiny. But that was before the game went global, the team trebled in size and they’d moved offices to a fancy converted warehouse. Times had changed. So, he acknowledged, the Christmas party should too. He wanted the team to have a great time, they were doing such a great job. But he hadn’t had a chance to think through the where, when or what of the event.

‘It’s just that if we don’t get booked soon, we won’t get a reservation,’ Erin said. ‘And, of course, everyone wants to plan outfits . . .’

Plan outfits? It sounded like he really needed to up his game or people would be disappointed.

‘So, the team suggested I bring it up with you,’ she said. ‘They know we talk, so thought I could raise it.’ She blushed slightly and flashed a smile, looking suddenly shy and adorable. Wait, what? Adorable?

Fox cleared his throat.

‘I haven’t honestly had the chance to do any research yet,’ Fox said. ‘This deadline is a killer.’

Erin nodded.

‘I’d be happy to take it on,’ she said with an easy-going shrug. ‘If it would help.’

Fox knew he’d be a fool to turn down the offer of assistance. There were only a limited number of hours in the day and he needed to use them all to get the job done.

‘Well, if you wouldn’t mind. That would actually be great. Canvass the team and see what the favourite option is and then get something booked in.’

‘I’ve already done a bit of research actually, and there is a new escape room challenge which is all based on a computer game – I think it could be fitting and fun, if you agree?’

Fox nodded in surprise. It was exactly what he would have booked himself. She really was on his wavelength.

‘That sounds perfect.’

Erin beamed and he found himself smiling back.

‘I’ll sort it all out,’ she said as she stood. ‘Right, better get back to it. I’m on a cracking level of the game and can’t stay away too long.’

‘Thanks, Erin,’ he said, meaning it.

‘It’s my pleasure,’ she said with a wave from the doorway on her way out. He watched her go.

His mobile rang and he blinked himself back into the office. ‘Hello? Fox speaking.’

‘It’s Fiona Mitchell here,’ a clipped voice said. ‘I do hope you remember me. Your children’s nanny.’

‘Fiona!’ Fox said. ‘No, I haven’t forgotten you. How’s your mother getting on?’

‘Better than we expected to tell the truth. She’s made a good recovery. That’s why I’m ringing. I can start with your boys on Monday.’

‘Monday?’ Fox repeated, stunned.

‘That’s right,’ she agreed. ‘Isn’t it lucky? Sooner than I thought.’