Read Online False Report by Veronica Heley - Free Book Online

whatever shade took her fancy that week. Bea was concerned to see the girl was all in black today, and that her hair approximated to its original mid-brown. But so what if the girl was down in the mouth? Was that any concern of Bea’s?
    Well, yes. It was. ‘What’s the matter, Maggie?’
    â€˜Oh, nothing.’ The girl looked around her as if she’d never seen the room before. ‘This overhead lighting’s all wrong, don’t you think?’ She threw down her large tote bag. ‘It’s quite all right, you don’t have to say anything. I know it’s time I moved on. I’ve been to look at a place today, but . . .’ She moved her shoulders. ‘It wasn’t very nice. I’ve got my name down for a rented flat at the estate agency in Church Street.’
    Bea’s tongue tied itself into knots. It wanted to say, ‘Do you really have to go?’ and, ‘Why are you deserting me?’ Instead, she managed, ‘How about a cuppa?’
    Maggie made as if to move to the kitchen area, and stopped. ‘I don’t think I’ve got any fresh milk up here.’
    â€˜Come downstairs where it’s cosy, and then you can tell me all about it.’ Now why had she said that? Maggie’s defection had wounded her. She felt raw. And here she was, offering to listen to the girl’s troubles. Well, the offer had been extended, and Maggie followed her down the stairs, switching on the lights as they went.
    The kitchen was warm, and their huge black furry cat Winston was lying on the central work surface, waiting for them. Maggie picked him up and buried her face in his fur. Bea filled the kettle and switched it on. She busied herself getting out mugs, fresh milk, tea bags and biscuits.
    â€˜Tell me all about it.’
    â€˜Oh, it’s nothing, really. I didn’t get the Thomason job, and I’m in a muddle with my paperwork as usual.’
    â€˜What a shame. Did they say why not?’ Bea had been consulted when Maggie had been preparing the estimates and thought Maggie’s scheme had been sound and her quote well within the client’s budget.
    â€˜It was all my fault. I should have checked, and it’s no good saying that I’d never needed to check before when Celia typed quotes up for me, and I know I ought to do my own typing, but . . . there’s always been so much to do, and Celia was brilliant at fielding messages for me, and she always managed somehow to fit my work in with hers, and I know you were worried that I was taking up so much of her time, but you never mentioned it to me.
    â€˜No, I ought to have realized. I feel so stupid. Ianthe said she’d have to find someone else to do my work for me after Celia left, and she did get one of the girls to type up the estimate for me, but it was all such a rush at the last minute that I didn’t check, and the girl put it in the post for me. I’ve no one but myself to blame.’ She shrugged. ‘The total was five thousand over budget. A simple typing error, and I didn’t spot it.’
    Bea poured boiling water on to the tea bags. ‘Ianthe said I thought you were taking up too much of Celia’s time?’
    Another shrug. A dip into the biscuit tin. ‘They’re so busy down there. I ought to have realized they haven’t time for my bits and pieces any more. You should have said something, though I can see why you didn’t, not wanting to hurt my feelings and all that. As if ! Maggie the Thicko, what? Anyway, I’ve got the message now.’
    â€˜I’m not sure that I have. Maggie, have you seen my little address book recently?’
    No blush, no embarrassment. No sigh of shame. ‘The one Oliver gave you at Christmas? Have you lost it? Do you want me to have a good hunt round for it? Where did you see it last?’
    â€˜In your office downstairs.’
    A frown. ‘What? But . . . why should . . .? I don’t