Time for a Change Read Free Page A

sorry. I kissed you and I shouldn’t have. I took advantage of you in your moment of weakness.”
    “Apology accepted,” she smiled at him. They really were beautiful flowers. She reached under the counter for a vase and filled it with water. “And?” There was still the matter of the food items littering her previously uncluttered counter.
    “I figured you wouldn’t be up to getting off to the shops or cooking. Obviously I don’t know whether you have or need any of this, but I brought it just in case.”
    There was everything from milk and croissants to tissues and sticking plasters.
    “A little bit over the top, but thank you. I wouldn’t have gone to the shop and now I can make you coffee. Let me know how much I owe you please.”
    Ignoring that, he ushered her back to the couch and lowered her onto it. “I’ll make the coffee, just tell me where the cups are.”
    Sitting next to her with his mug in his hand, Tony turned to face her, putting one arm along the back of her suede couch. She’d never be able to sit on this couch again without thinking of him. “I want to tell you something Tony.” He nodded for her to continue. “Today isn’t the first time I’ve encountered an… accident. Let’s call it an accident. It’s not the first time I’ve needed to get to a doctor. I appreciate your concern, and as much as it irks me, I won’t be suing the company, or you, for any kind of compensation. I have insurance, and it’s all covered.”
    Tony was nodding thoughtfully. “You aren’t on the company insurance?”
    “No.” She laughed. “Too expensive for the peasants. Most of us have our own. There are a couple of staff in the center that have opted to go without coverage. Besides, with the salaries we get paid, we need every cent with no deductions.” She sat up straighter. “You know all this right?”
    “I do know,” he smiled at her. “Now I’ll tell you something, and please keep it to yourself. I was there today to let Andrea know we’re doing a full audit of that department. She wasn’t happy. In my experience, the only time people aren’t happy with an audit, is when they are scared of what my team will find. In the couple of years she’s been running it, that department has gone from making money, to losing it hand over fist.” He stared at her foot thoughtfully. “Let’s eat”
    Over reheated Thai food they spoke. He voiced his concerns about the department and Sally gave him the general opinion from the staff, after asking him to make sure it was all kept confidential. She didn’t want any of them turning on her for speaking out of turn.
    Andrea seemed to be skimming money for her own gain, pocketing money that had been allocated for training, staff welfare, and refurbishing various items in the call center. All Tony needed was some more proof and his team would easily find it in the coming week.
    “Now, about this morning and that injury of yours.” His voice was firm. “I didn’t take care of you out of concern for the company. I did it because I was worried about you . There was no first aid kit on site, another violation, and I wanted to be sure that it got cleaned properly so that you don’t get an infection.” He was cradling her foot in his big hand. “The scar will be so tiny you won’t notice it,” he assured her. “This morning you looked like death warmed up. You look much, much better now.”
    “I’m not worried about a scar on my foot,” she replied. “I have so many that one more won’t make any difference.”
    “You have lovely feet,” he said, grinning at her. “The cutest toes I’ve ever seen.” His hand was caressing her calf.
    “Hang on a minute. You kissed me!” Sally sounded indignant.
    “That I just couldn’t help. I’m sorry if it offended you. You looked up at me with those big eyes full of tears and I needed to kiss it all better.”
    “So, you wanted to kiss me. Is that right?”
    “Yes, like now. The way you look, your