‘Please sit down,’ Mike says, indicating the other more comfortable chair.
‘You’re lucky I’m not reporting the assault to the police,’ she says. ‘I would have, you know. But Mr Ashford-Wells does not want the publicity.’
‘Let’s not exaggerate. I didn’t assault you,’ I say. She makes a face, as if that were debatable. Still, I can’t believe I didn’t think that my little outburst might lead to Diana reporting me to the police. I try not to think about the possibility that both Holly and I could have been facing that situation. I really am losing my mind. Thank God Scarlett was there to stop me.
‘Just so you know, I’ve resigned,’ I say.
‘Really?’
‘Yes. Although I was about to get fired.’
She doesn’t say anything, which surprises me. I thought she’d be cheering.
‘And I know it’s no excuse,’ I continue, ‘but I was very angry that you brought Holly into the conversation.’
She scoffs. ‘Then why did you tell me about Holly and her behavioural problems?’
‘I didn’t. Also, it’s all lies. The email didn’t come from me. Like I said, it was some kind of hoax.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes.’
‘You called my son spoilt! A brat!’
‘It was some kind of prank, Mrs Ashford-Wells. Someone is pretending to be me. And for the record, I adore Gregory.’
She looks at me doubtfully.
‘Can I see the email address it came from?’ I ask.
She pulls out her phone and swipes the screen. ‘Kate dot Price four five six at Hotmail dot com.’
‘That’s not my email,’ I say. ‘I’ve never had that email address. Someone created it and then sent this to you pretending to be me.’
Diana turns to me. ‘Who?’
‘I don’t know,’ I lie. ‘Teenagers maybe? But I am so sorry that anything was said about Gregory. Please believe that I am not holding Gregory back. Gregory won’t be happy if we put him one year ahead. It will be too challenging for him right now. It’s not fair to him. Let him develop at his own pace. He’s a gorgeous, wonderful, happy child. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s delightful. He’s a joy to be around. But he’s not ready for what you’re trying to do.’
She blinks and the corner of her mouth turns down. I wish she would take off those sunglasses.
‘Just give him a bit more time,’ I say. ‘And does Gregory really play chess?’
‘Well, I mean, sometimes his father encourages him to,’ she says. ‘All the men play chess in my husband’s family.’
‘He’s six years old.’
‘I know that. Thank you. You’re talking aboutmychild.’
‘I’m sorry. You’re right. You know him better than I do, and I shouldn’t have been arguing so hard.’
She sighs. ‘I understand your perspective. You spend a lot of time with him in this setting.’
Mike and I exchange a look. I know exactly what he’s thinking.Have we heard that correctly?
‘I will have to talk to my husband about it,’ she says. ‘Maybe ask him to wait another year.’
I think I’ve gone through a portal and stepped into a different dimension.
