Read Online Dreams to Sell by Anne Douglas - Free Book Online Page B

looking remarkably cheerful when they came into the office, with even the usually gloomy Mr Wray seeming animated and Mr Newman, not one who normally troubled to pay compliments, actually telling Mr MacKenna he would be much missed.
    â€˜Yes, indeed, Ronnie,’ he said solemnly, ‘Aberdeen’s gain is definitely our loss, as you might say.’
    â€˜I certainly do say,’ chimed Mr Banks, the senior partner, now in his fifties and a little overweight, his once-dark hair grey and receding, but his formidable manner unchanged, even though his smile was affable. ‘You’ve been a tower of strength to Tarrel and Thom’s.’
    â€˜Please,’ groaned Mr MacKenna, bowing his head, ‘I’ve had enough kind words for today. Don’t forget you have Mr Shield here and he’ll do a splendid job – as long as we finish our handover!’
    â€˜Too right,’ agreed the newcomer, who had been standing modestly by. ‘I still have plenty to learn.’
    â€˜Well, you have until four o’clock to learn it,’ Mr Banks told him. ‘Then, I’d like us all to meet in my office.’
    â€˜Very nice,’ said Mr MacKenna, very deadpan. ‘We’ll look forward to it.’
    Back in the property department, while the two lawyers continued with their work, all there was for Roz to do was to wait on edge in her own office until it was time to join Norma and Miss Calder in Reception, where they were already greeting Mrs MacKenna, who’d just walked in through the door.
    So like her husband, Roz thought, smiling and shaking her hand. So easy-going, so pleasant – what lucky lives their children must lead! No anxiety, no stress. Did they know how well they’d done in life’s lottery? Today, Mrs MacKenna, who was not normally interested in clothes, had made a special effort to look smart in a neat blue suit and matching hat, with a touch of make-up on her broad, good-natured face.
    â€˜All set?’ she whispered at the reception desk. ‘Ronnie doesn’t know a thing about this, you know.’
    â€˜I’m sure he’ll have an idea,’ said Miss Calder. ‘We don’t usually have a cup of tea in Mr Banks’s office.’ She leaned forward. ‘Actually, we’re not even having tea. Mr Banks is providing wine or sherry – must have managed to find some somewhere. It’s a little early, but why not?’
    â€˜Why not indeed?’ cried Mrs MacKenna. ‘Oh, we’re going to miss you all so much! What are we doing, going up to Aberdeen?’
    â€˜Come along to see Mr Banks,’ Miss Calder told her. ‘Girls, you too – to help with the drinks.’
    â€˜As long as we get a drink ourselves,’ Norma muttered to Roz, who knocked her in the ribs, for the lawyers were joining them and their little celebration was about to begin.
    First, Mr Banks with great panache opened his wines, which were then served by Roz and Norma to everyone except Miss Calder, who chose sherry. Crisps were handed, more wine was accepted, and as the noise level rose, it seemed amazing that such a small crowd could appear to be so many.
    â€˜I feel I’m at a proper party, don’t you?’ Norma whispered to Roz. ‘Who’d have thought old Banks could put on such a do, then?’
    â€˜One of these days someone’s going to hear you, Norma, and then there’ll be trouble,’ Roz whispered back, but she was feeling wonderfully mellow after the one glass of wine she’d allowed herself, not being used to it and not wanting to feel tipsy when it came to saying goodbye to Mr MacKenna. Or even to look flushed in the face, as Joan MacKenna was looking now, or strangely bright-eyed like Miss Calder after her small sherry.
    â€˜Who cares what I say?’ asked Norma, who was looking rather bright-eyed herself. ‘Listen, I’m going to have another glass of wine. Are