Don't Marry Thomas Clark by Celia Hayes Page B

‘why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known Sandy was coming I would have told Mr Hill straight away. We’re lucky he happened to stop by for those documents.’
    â€˜To tell the truth I’m just as surprised as you are,’ answers Thomas immediately. ‘I’d understood she absolutely couldn’t leave New York.’
    Everybody looks at me and the room grows very silent.
    For God’s sake, what is this?! They’re acting like I’m about to tell them who really built Stonehenge!
    â€˜Well…’ I mumble, fiddling nervously with the hem of my beige top. Frank seems to have fallen prey to some kind of neurotic fit which manifests itself in all kinds of strange tics: winking, making funny little gestures, coughing, and so on.
    â€˜Well, actually, I was in New York…’ I say, and see the solicitor nods. I must be saying the right thing. ‘I went to New York to study, but I had to come back’
    Mister Hill raises a perplexed eyebrow.
    â€˜I mean, for health reasons.’
    He looks confused.
    â€˜I mean, family health reasons,’ I try again.
    â€˜I thought you were in the US for work. Doesn’t your family live in Cork?’ he asks, rubbing his chin.
    â€˜Yes. Yes, they do.’
    What now? How do I continue?’
    â€˜They certainly do…’ I say, nodding, as I feel a cold sweat break out on the back of my neck. ‘As I was saying, I was in New York to study, but then I had to come back to Europe for family reasons. My grandmother wasn’t feeling too well, so I wanted to check up on her.’ I blurt out this stew of improbable things, and mentally cross my fingers.
    â€˜Oh, nothing too serious, I hope,’ Cameron says worried, apparently believing my explanation.
    â€˜No, she’s fine again, thank goodness. I was about to head off back to New York, but then I remembered Thomas had been trying to organize to meet up, so I decided upon a quick visit to London. I’d like to get things sorted out as quickly as possible.’
    Everyone seems satisfied with my explanation, and Frank, perhaps feeling reassured, has even stopped winking and is now smiling idiotically at me.
    â€˜Perfect. I think a statement from you will be enough, but I imagine Mister Clark will want to be sure, so I suggest we write a report of our meeting.’
    â€˜Shouldn’t they discuss it in private, first?’ Frank proposes.
    â€˜I don’t see why. They’ve had more than enough time to analyze the situation,’ answers Cameron, trying to catch my eye. ‘Tell me, Miss Price, did they explain the testament to you?’
    â€˜Yes,’ I nod in confirmation. ‘Thomas and Frank explained everything.’
    â€˜Marvellous.’ He smiles, pleased. ‘Now could you tell me what you’re intending to do? Have you already decided whether you’d prefer to go back to the US or move to Canterbury with Mr Clark?’
    Good question! Exile or house arrest? Talk about spoilt for choice…
    â€˜Well, I’ve thought about the pros and cons of both options and in the end… I’ve decided… well…’
    They’re all staring at me. I hate it when people stare at me.
    â€˜Erm, I…’ I mumble in panic. Oh, damn it! What am I getting myself into? This is going to be one of those screw-ups I’ll remember for the rest of my life, I can feel it. But what choice do I have? I’m two months behind with my rent, all my savings are gone thanks to the bistro, a £300 parking fine popped through the letter box this morning, and on top of all that, yesterday I found Kelly crying on my doorstep. Her cheeks were covered in mascara, her eyes were red and she was wearing an awful green T-shirt from the eighties. She’d had an argument with her dad, who apparently hadn’t taken the news of her being fired particularly well. Things had turned nasty, and so she’s ended up moving