The Return of Mrs Jones. Jessica Gilmore

Don’t be late—there’s a lot to go through.’

      Lawrie suppressed a shudder. It was suddenly so cold. ‘I’m never late.’

      ‘Good.’

      She stood by the gate, watching as he turned and began to stride down the path, ruthlessly suppressing the part of her that wanted to call after him, run after him. Yet she couldn’t ignore the odd skip her heart gave as he stopped and looked back.

      ‘Oh, and, Lawrie... Happy Birthday.’

      And then he was gone. Swallowed up by the velvety blackness like the ghost of birthdays past.

      Lawrie sagged against the gatepost, an unwelcome mixture of frustrated desire and loneliness pulsing through her. If this was how one night with Jonas could make her feel, how on earth was she going to manage a whole summer?

      She forced herself upright. She was vulnerable right now, that was all. She would just have to toughen up even more—harden herself.

      And stay as far away from Jonas Jones as she possibly could, boss or not.