Page 9 of Merry & Bright

“No,” she interrupted. “It’s not. So, give me your phone.”

I stared at her puzzled. “What?”

“Give me your phone,” she repeated more firmly.

Puzzled, I drew it out of my pocket and placed in her outstretched hand. She immediately opened up the bag she had over her shoulder and dropped it inside.

“Wait, what are you doing?” I said, alarmed.

She ignored me, turning her attention to Holly. “Go and close up reception, then you can log off and head home if you like.” She glanced at Rob. “You too, Rob.”

“Okay,” he said carefully. “If you’re sure?”

“Marley, listen—” I began, stepping forward.

She didn’t even look at me, her attention still on Rob. “I’m sure,” she said. She was all business now, back to her old self, rapping out instructions. She turned to Brian.

“Brian, get on the phone to Ed’s PA in London. Tell them we’ve got nothing critical going on and I’ve sent everyone home for Christmas early. Then do a follow-up email in my name to the partners on the board confirming the details. Phones can go on divert to the London PAs. Once you’re done, you can head off too.”

Brian nodded and headed for his desk.

“Okay, listen,” I said, moving to stand right in front of her. I held my hands up in a gesture of surrender. “We’ll close up the office like you want. I won’t even call Phil. But I’ll still need to log on at home today or tomorrow in case anything urgent comes up, so I’m going to need my phone back. I can’t even work remotely without the password app.”

“Nice try, but no way. It’s for your own good.”

“But—”

“Suck it up, kid.”

I recognised that tone. It was the one she used when she’d made up her mind—there was no changing her mind on this.

“I’m sure you can find something other than work to do, for a day or two,” she added as she headed for the door. “You might even try having some fun.”

Chapter Four

Half an hour later, I found myself standing outside the front door of the office, watching as Marley peeled away from the kerbside in her Porsche.