Modern Interiors. Andrea Goldsmith

it had been a mistake to take leave so soon after George’s death. The boys had used her absence to go through every single document, scrutinize every account, not together, each had left his own separate traces in the form of small changes that were well in place on her return. And yet mistake or not, the time spent with Philippa in Japan had been her greatest pleasure since George’s death.

      She wondered if the boys had told Philippa about her sacking. Probably not. She rang directory information for Philippa’s new number, poured herself a glass of an excellent semillon – she’d have the rest with the fish that evening – and dialled Philippa’s number. Suddenly Philippa seemed exactly the right person to speak to.