A few minutes later, Tom appeared, greeting Margaret with a vigorous nod. There was no kiss on the cheek, no discussion of their plans for the day.
“Did you sleep well?” she asks.
“Yes,” Tom responds quickly. “I have an urgent meeting today. I have to eat quickly and leave. Girls, take the bus, okay?”
“Is it with Mr. Dickens?” Margaret asked.
“Sort of,” he replied, avoiding her gaze. “It is complicated.”
He thanks her for breakfast and prepares to leave, but he realizes that his phone is missing.
“Let me help you look for it,” Margaret offered as she headed towards her office.
“No, no, concentrate on your business,” Tom insisted, but Margaret went to her home office and heard a phone vibrating in a drawer.
“Tom, I think it’s here!” she called, but he had already found it and left abruptly, the front door slamming behind him.
continued on next page
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