The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone Read Free Page B

I didn’t hesitate in accepting, even though my boss gave me the creeps, but hey! I needed the money badly.
    Matthew came sauntering into the kitchen and flopped into a chair. He was the most laid back eleven year old I’d ever known, and given the hugely terrifying circumstances he was put on this world, I was damn proud of him. He was mature and had a wicked sense of humour.
    “Morning,” he yawned. “Nervous, are we?” He grinned at me.
    “Just a bit,” I grimaced.
    “You’ll be great mum, you look very professional by the way,” he declared glancing at my outfit.
    I had a passion for clothes, along with Haribos and wine. I was constantly hammering my credit card and updating my wardrobe. It was my way of hiding the devastating truth to my life, hiding all the untold secrets and disappointments.
    Today I had chosen to wear a tight pin-striped pencil skirt that skimmed my knees and a white fitted shirt, accentuating my curvy figure; very professional.
    Gulping my coffee and whirling round the kitchen trying to clean around Matt, he took the cloth out of my hand and started wiping the worktop. “Sit and drink your cuppa in peace Mum before you have to go.”
    “Thanks, sweetheart.” I smiled widely at him. “Oh, and don’t forget your key when you go cos’ I won’t be back till about six.”
    “Yup,” he replied. “I’ll get a sarnie after school. You getting takeaway tonight?” he asked hopefully, looking at me. I laughed and told him I would pick Chinese up on the way home. “Will Erin be home when I get in?” he asked as he bent to pick up his bag off the floor and grabbed the toast off his plate.
    “I think she’s home about four but I think she’s seeing Brad tonight, so can you ask her to text me if she’s in for tea, please?”
    Nodding and smiling he bent to kiss me on the cheek. “Good luck, mom,” He gave me a wink. “Love you.”
    “Love you too,” I shouted to him as he pulled the front door closed behind him.
    Taking a deep breath, I picked up my bag, coat and keys and after checking my hair and make-up in the mirror, I also headed out the door and climbed into my beloved fifteen year old Mini. I had christened her Betty, although Matt always called her ‘Sweaty Betty’ because he claimed it was too small inside and there was no air conditioning, so everybody overheated in it.
    Heading into London’s centre and trying to manoeuvre around numerous bikes and busses, I quickly got worked up. The only trouble with working in the city was this reason. I couldn’t abide the tube with all the leering men as they tried to cop a feel when you boarded the damn train.
    As I turned into the car park of the huge building that was NSC Industries, my stomach slipped round my ankles and beads of sweat dotted my brow. I pulled into a parking bay then opened my door and stumbled out nervously.
    Wobbling towards the main reception area on my skyscraper heels, I peeled my head back and lifted my eyes all the way up the enormous, imposing building. I had a feeling of impending doom and pulled myself up to my full height, put my shoulders back and my chest out as I stuttered to myself, “This is it Liv, let’s go do it.”
    When I approached the huge building a big, burly bloke in a sharp black suit opened the immense glass doors for me. “Thank you.” I gaped at him in awe of his size. Intimidating was an understatement.
    “No problem, darlin.’” He winked at me as I scanned the entire mass of his enormous frame. With a sweep of his arms he gestured me into the building.
    I could feel his eyes following me through the startling, cool lobby as I advanced towards the large marble reception desk.
    A twenty something sour-faced woman behind the desk looked me up and down as I smiled at her. “Olivia Adams to see Mr Peterson. My first day.” I grinned at her but the smile slid off my face as she glowered at me.
    She picked up the phone mounted on her desk and punched a few numbers in.