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His mouth twitched. “Just to see how you’re settling in and to make sure we’re not overworking you.”
“Oh, um. Everything’s good. It’s hard with the Todmorden side of it, because I don’t have day-to-day contact, but I’m getting there.”
He nodded. “I can see that. You’ve put in a lot of hours.”
Kendra caught Sarah in her eyeline. “It’s a busy time, leading into the election. I had no idea how intense it would get.”
“It’s an important time, and it’s critical that nothing derails the train.”
“They’re not even running today, Jeremy. I had to take a bus.”
“Funny. Sarah’s under a lot of pressure, I’m sure you’re aware, and we need to stay sharp. Andclean.”
She was beginning to sense there was something not quite as sincere about him as she’d first thought. Maybe it was the stress he was under, or maybe he didn’t like that she was close to Sarah. Either way, his cryptic bullshit speak was dull and boring, and she had the urge to wind him up. She was pretty sure they wouldn’t fire her because she’d delivered everything they’d asked for and more, and there was no way Sarah would want to try to find someone else to see them through the election campaign. She sniffed under her armpit. “I’m clean, Jeremy. What about you?”
He stiffened, and his eye twitched. A thin-lipped smile formed slowly and died quickly. “I have two hundred draft letters that need personalising and sending out on Monday. I’m sure you’ll find the time.”
Kendra ignored his sarcasm. “Sure. Anything you need.” She lifted her bottle to him and took a drink. He couldn’t intimidate her no matter how hard he tried. He was too short and balding, and when he became intense or irritated, he looked like he might pop. It was too amusing for her to take him seriously.
“Excellent. I’m glad you’re enjoying the job.”
She took a deep breath and stared out in front of her. If she didn’t temper her responses, he could make life difficult. Damn, it was frustrating not being able to spend time alone with Sarah. Just to hold her for a few minutes and to kiss her. She looked around the garden where pockets of people, old buddies, friends, and family talked animatedly together. These weren’t her people, and she didn’t fit in here. She and Sarah might as well be from different universes, and maybe Kendra was delusional to think that anything more permanent would come of their relationship. Her heart ached as truth duelled with her desire and won. She started towards the house. It was time to go home.
“Hi,” Mark said as Kendra passed through the living room heading towards the front door. “You’re leaving already?”
Kendra froze. “Um, yeah. I just came by to drop off the presents and say hi to Abi and Reece.” She hadn’t spoken to Reece and had no idea why she was justifying herself to Mark. He had kind eyes, and his demeanour was warm and welcoming.
“Sarah will be very upset if you don’t let her know you’re going. We haven’t even had cake yet.”
Kendra smiled and nodded. She glanced around the garden, reinforcing her lack of fit with the other party guests. “It’s not really my thing,” she said.
“She’s in her office,” he said. “I can’t keep her from fiddling with something work-related even at her children’s birthday party, especially since they’ve both disappeared to their various corners of the house too.” He chuckled.
Kendra hesitated and looked towards the front door.
“Can you do me a favour and take her this, please?”
Kendra took the half-empty bottle of wine.
“Do you want a glass?”
Kendra frowned and had a clean glass thrust into her hand before she could refuse.
“I’m sure she’ll enjoy the company for a bit. I’ll go and talk politics with Jeremy. Can you let her know we’ll be cutting the cake in about fifteen minutes?”
Kendra nodded. Her heart raced as she climbed the stairs. That was definitely a set-up to get her to spend time with his wife. By the time she reached the door to Sarah’s office, she was trembling inside. She knocked softly.
“Yes.”
She opened the door, and Sarah’s expression shocked her. She stepped inside, clicked the door shut, and put the wine bottle on the desk. Sarah’s eyes were puffy as if she’d been crying.
Sarah turned her back to Kendra and wiped her eyes. “Sorry, I just needed a few minutes alone.”
Kendra felt as though she’d had the rug pulled from beneath her. “Shall I go?”
Sarah shook her head. “It’s fine. Sorry, I didn’t expect you to see me like this.”
Kendra swallowed down the sadness. It had been inevitable that Sarah would break up with her at some point. What else could this be about? Sarah turned to face Kendra, and a tight smile formed slowly. She moved away from the window and sat on the couch, ran her hand through her hair, and held her forehead. Kendra didn’t know whether she should join her or leave. She wanted to hold her, but the signals were so hard to read.Fuck it. She poured herself a glass of wine, filled Sarah’s glass, and sat next to her. “It must be tough seeing your kids growing up,” she said without thinking.
