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In the end, Alex wandered downstairs into the café where he’d taken Harriet that fateful day not all that long ago After ordering a bagel and another coffee, he sat down at the sa parade whilst his inner tension escalated to a level he’d never experienced before By the time a pale-faced Harriet showed up for work shortly before eleven, Alex’s te and his shoulder blades ached

At least she didn’t keep hiht into his office, stood in front of his desk and said bluntly, ‘I’nant So you can breathe easier now’

He actually did let out a huge breath, having found that his heartbeat had been temporarily suspended He could not help but notice that she noticed, a small, rueful smile on her lips

‘The doctor said I’m late because I’le word ‘Which leads ht now I can’t work for you any more, Alex I’et a temp till you can fill encies who specialise in excellent te with a temp before you found me, so you’ll knohat to do I’d take Ro Besides, he’d miss this place now It’s his home I’ll ask Audrey to keep an extra eye on him on my way out

‘It’s been a pleasure working for you, Alex,’ she finished up while he just sat there, pole-axed ‘Up till recently, that is Still, what happened was as much my fault as yours You didn’t force ether As for a reference, I’ht be a selfish man, but you’re not a vindictive one Goodbye, Alex No, please don’t say anything I’ve e it’

So saying, she whirled and was gone, Alex staring at the e a muscle till Audrey stored

‘Harriet’s just left,’ she informed him unnecessarily ‘She told uess!’

Alex suppressed a sigh as he snapped forward on his chair and adopted his firned is none of your business, Audrey Please go back to Reception’

‘I always thought you were heartless where women were concerned,’ she spat at hiirl’s fallen in love with you That’s why she’s quit Blind Freddie could see how unhappy she’s been these last couple of weeks It’s you! You seduced her that Friday you took her aith you, didn’t you?’

‘I did not seduce Harriet and she’s not in love withnot to sound as shaken as he felt ‘So please don’t go saying any of that to the others’

‘I wouldn’t be bothered But, just so you know in advance, I’ll be looking around for another job Even if you didn’t do anything wrong with her, I don’t want to work for a irl like Harriet just walk out without fighting to keep her Don’t you care how upset she is?’

‘Of course I care But she can be very stubborn’