Read Heart of Ice for Free Online Page A

9
     
    “Waste of bloody time.” Kathy was perched on Jody's desk. “I don't know why he bothered coming.”
    “I reckon it was a publicity stunt,” Geoff said. “It makes him look like the good guy.”
    “Do you know what pisses me off?” Kathy didn't wait for suggestions. “The way he tries to blame it all on Milners, like it's got nothing to do with him. Excuse me, but I didn't see any redundancy notices before Andrew bloody Cross appeared on the scene.”
    “What do you reckon Sarah?” Jody said.
    Sarah had deliberately tried to avoid being dragged into the discussion, but now she had been put on the spot.
    “I'm not sure. The figures he had on Milners don't make pretty reading. He reckons this would have happened anyway.”
    “And you believe him?” Kathy said.
    “Maybe. I don't know.”
    Kathy leaned against Sarah's desk. Sarah shuffled her papers, looking anywhere except at Kathy. She was sure if she made eye contact that Kathy would know.
    “What are you planning to do Sarah?” Kathy said.
    “Sorry?” The question threw Sarah for a moment. 
    “When they give us the boot. What will you do?”
    “I hadn't really thought about it.”
    “You'll be okay. You went to university didn't you?” Jody said.
    “Will you stay around here?” Kathy asked.
    It was beginning to feel like an interrogation.
    “I don't know. I guess I'll have to go where the work is.”
    “You can't leave Oakhampton,” Jody said. “You're one of us now. Besides, you can't leave Stewart.”
    “Stewart?” Kathy's ears pricked up. “Are you two an item now?”
    “No we're not.”
    “You should have seen the flowers he sent her Kath. They must have cost him a week's wages.”
    “Good for you Sarah.”
    Sarah knew denying there was anything between her and Stewart was futile. Kathy and Jody had made their minds up. At least it saved her having to explain the flowers.
     
*******
     
    Sarah insisted that the car pick her up from a service station on the edge of town. Andrew had called her paranoid, but she hadn't wanted to take the risk of being seen by anyone from Milners. How would she have explained away being seen climbing into a limousine? If the cab driver had thought her request to be taken to the service station strange, he hadn't said so.
     
    The limousine picked her up at ten O' clock on the dot. She had expected Andrew to be in the car, but the driver explained he was already at his estate. She tried to relax and enjoy the journey, but Sarah's mind was working overtime. When David had cheated on her, it had felt like her whole world had ended. At the time, she had thought she might never trust a man again. Who was she to talk of trust? Wasn't she betraying the trust of her friends and work colleagues by meeting Andrew? What did he see in her anyway? She would have been lying if she'd denied she was flattered by his attention, but there was still a niggling doubt somewhere in the back of her mind. Was this all some kind of game to him? He was wealthy, good looking and charming – he could have his pick of women. He said he was attracted to her. Could she believe him? If she did, would she be hurt again?
     
    When he had said 'Estate', he hadn't been joking. She could see the house in the distance. The limousine had just passed through the large, ornate metal gates, and was making its way up a long driveway bordered on either side by immaculate lawns. In front of the house, set in the centre of a huge courtyard was a beautiful fountain. As the limousine came to a halt, Sarah spotted Andrew at the top of the white steps which led to the main entrance. By the time the driver had opened the door for her, Andrew was standing next to the car.
     
    “Welcome to Mayland.”
     
*******
     
    “How long have you lived here?”
    They were taking drinks in what Andrew had referred to as the main hall.
    “Almost five years now. When you've finished your drink, I'll give you the tour. Unless you would prefer to see your room