Chapter 35

My laptop and accessories are moved to a desk next to June's in the open office with my colleagues. Ace stays close, working on his designs, on the desk opposite mine while builders and painters expand our office to make room for the baby’s set-up.

Everyone flinches at all the banging and construction sounds. It's very distracting. Ace apologises and orders twenty-five coffees from Cafe Charm for everyone. My colleagues perk up when they see Hailey and another lady enter the office, pushing a tea trolley filled with coffees and tea.

Hailey waves, and she hands me a hot chocolate. I smile at the young woman with her.

'This is Sandra. She is new at Cafe Charm. Sandra this is Zurielle, my BFF I was telling you about.' She smiles.

Sandra appears to be nervous and shy.

Knowing Mr Fulton, she has been hired from the women's shelter, and so has most likely suffered some form of trauma. I smile as brightly as I can, and reach my hand out to shake hers.

'Sandra, it's such a pleasure to meet yo