Sins of the Father Read Free Page A

I’m here…for the both of you. It’s in my job description.” He
winked at Alicia. “The shock of it all will wear off soon enough
and she’ll be taking control.”
    “ Oh, that’s
nice. Can you say Diva anyone?” Alicia said, enjoying how it felt
to laugh now they had reason to. “Seriously though, Stu, if you
need to get back I’ll call you as soon as we have news.”
    He raised his eyebrows.
“See what I mean?”
    “ I’m just
trying to...”
    “ Relax, Al.
You’re right. I’m needed elsewhere. I’ve already started damage
control but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
    Rebecca sighed. “How long
before the vultures descend?”
    “ It was bound
to happen. We’ll protect you as much as we can.” Alicia squeezed
her hand in sympathy.
    “ Anything you
need, Becky, anything at all.” Stuart stood and they followed suit.
“You too, Al. Call me if you need me.” He hugged them both. “And
tell Jack I said hi, okay?”
    “ Done.
Thanks, Stu-pot, I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Alicia
smiled when he waved the comment away.
    “ Job
description, remember.”
    Rebecca’s sigh was
wistful as she dropped down into her seat. “Steady, focused and
dynamic, with the heart of a lion,” she mumbled.
    “ That’s one
of his better descriptions. What brought it on?” Alicia was looking
after him down the hall.
    “ Just feeling
sentimental, I guess. You have to appreciate what you have,
especially when you come so close to losing...well, you know...”
She shrugged self-consciously.
    “ I do, on
both counts.”
    She felt a rush of
emotion when she spotted Sarah round the corner; even the sound of
her approaching footsteps was soothing. It was a sound Alicia
recognised. Her best friend had a unique personality - every part
of her was distinctive, right down to the walk.
    Sarah held her gaze. The
emotion flickering in them conveyed more than her words ever
could.
    “ I came as
soon as I heard.” She pulled Alicia close for a hug, leaving one
arm slung over her shoulders when she turned to Rebecca. “Becky, my
sweet, I’m so sorry about the accident.” Sarah pulled her into
their embrace; squeezing them both hard. “Is there any
news?”
    “ He’s out of
surgery. We’re just waiting to see him.” Rebecca’s voice was
muffled, probably because she was tangled up in all of Sarah’s
hair. The mass of curls flowed past her shoulders and seemed as
alive as the woman herself. The colour, a deep auburn, added to the
fiery effect.
    “ That’s
fantastic news. I was worried there for a while.”
    Alicia
laughed. “ You were worried.”
    “ Yeah, but
I’ll be okay.” Sarah threw her a wink, her green eyes flashing with
mischief. “You two, on the other hand, don’t look so good. I’ll go
round up some coffee.” She looked from one to the other, shaking
her head.
    “ I’ll come
with you. I need to make a quick call.” Alicia brushed a finger
down Rebecca’s nose. “Hang in there. We’ll be back
soon.”
    She linked her arm
through Sarah’s so they walked down the corridor arm in arm. The
steady tap-tap of Sarah’s heels reminded Alicia of ancient
typewriter keys. It brought a smile to her face.
    Sarah nudged her hip as
they ambled along. “How are you, hon?”
    “ Better now I
know he’s okay.”
    “ I spoke to
Dad on my way here. He’s worried about you, but that’s nothing
new.”
    Greg Munroe, Sarah’s
father, was one of Gray’s closest friends. “He’s my first phone
call. I’m betting Stu’s contacted him by now. I think I scared him
earlier.”
    “ They’re both
worry warts, especially Dad. You know how he gets when one of his
girls is in trouble.” She nudged her again, this time with an
elbow. “But you’ve gotta love them.”
    “ Indeed you
do.”Alicia shoved back, smiling when they began a playful game of
to and fro to the rhythm of Sarah’s clicking heels.
    “ I’m sure
this won’t surprise you, but the press are camped
outside.”
    Alicia