Page 211 of Dream On, Liar

I shrugged. “You’ve got what you needed from me. Rihaan’s PR nightmare fixed.”

“Do you want to leave?”

The question caught me off guard.

I looked down. “I wouldn't mind it.”

Silence.

His expression changed. “While you are correct about the board are happy with you. We also like the progress you’ve made with the squad.”

“Okay?”

“So you can’t leave until after the World Test Championship.”

I stared at him. “And the transfer?”

“There won’t be one.”

My stomach tightened. “What if I quit?”

He sighed. “Your notice period is two months.”

I looked at him. “So that would take me around then anyway.”

“Exactly.”

He set the folder down.

“You can think about it.”

I nodded. “I will.”

He studied me. “You're sure this is what you want?”

I didn’t answer.

Not because I didn’t understand the question.

Because I did.

I stood.

“Can I be excused?”

His expression tightened. “Maeve.”

I picked up my bag. “I have work.”

He didn’t stop me.

I walked out.

The door closed behind me.

I made it halfway down the corridor before the pressure in my chest became impossible to ignore.

I stopped beside one of the windows, the Lord’s Cricket ground stretched beneath me.