Miss Management

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

In the morning Caroline bustled around making sure Harry had everything he needed, and since Lizzy would be alone in the house all day, running through how everything worked with her.

“Joe will be home around six. I’ll be a bit later than that. I’ve got a few calls with the people in the United States,” she announced. “Harry what time will you get back?”

Harry looked confused for a moment and then realised his journey would be somewhat different today. “The office is about an hour away, but I’ll probably knock off early and go to the flat so I can pick up a few more things. I guess maybe seven?”

Caroline put a comforting arm around his shoulder and stroked her hand over his close cropped blonde hair, just as Joe stumbled into the kitchen in search of coffee.

Despite his smart suit Joe looked slightly dishevelled. He waved a vague good morning and fetched a cup. “I can meet you there and help, if you like.” he called over.

“No, no,” said Harry quickly. “I’m just going to nip in and out. Don’t worry.”

Caroline sensed something unusual in the conversation, although she couldn’t say what. “I’ll aim to do dinner around eight then, OK?”

Joe shrugged and opened the freezer to find bread. There was a period of silence while he waited for the toaster to pop.

Finally Harry said, “We really appreciate you putting us up like this, don’t we Elizabeth?”

Lizzy gave a vague nod. She was watching Joe closely. “Yes,” she said slowly. “Everything’s so lovely here.” She slid off the stool letting her thin dressing gown fall open just as Joe turned towards the breakfast bar with his toast. Underneath she was wearing a pyjama set of camisole and shorts, in lemon yellow. She yawned and stretched, arching her back right in front of him. The movement pulled the satin material tight on her firm body.

“I think I’ll go back to bed. I didn’t sleep much last night. You always notice odd noises when you’re not in your own bed don’t you?” She was staring directly at Joe as she said this. He bit into his toast to avoid giving an answer.

Caroline tried hard to convince herself she was imagining things. Despite this, little alarm bells were beginning to ring inside her head. Trying to shift Lizzy’s attention away from Joe, she said, “I’ll call you later to check everything’s OK.”

Not taking her eyes off of Joe, Lizzy replied softly, “Make it after two. I’m going to relax for a while and then take a nice long, hot bath.”

“All right, off we go then.” Caroline began shepherding everyone out the door so hurriedly that Joe found himself on the driveway with his toast still in his hand.