Read Online The Black Path by Paul Burston - Free Book Online

one.’
    ***
    Fridays at the office are always busy. Today is busier than most. With the monthly reports due and Natalie being even more demanding than usual, Helen doesn’t even have time for lunch. Before she knows it, she’s filing the last of the week’s spreadsheets and shutting down her computer for the weekend.
    If only she could shut her brain down as easily. She wishes she was going straight home. Maybe there’ll be a letter from Owen waiting for her on the doormat. She pulls out her iPhone and checks her emails. Nothing.
    Looking up, she sees Simon striding towards her, a serious look on his face. ‘Everything okay, Helen?’ he asks.
    She slides her phone into her pocket. ‘Yes, Mr Greenwood.’
    ‘Good.’ He hovers at her desk. ‘And please, call me Simon.’ He pauses. ‘Natalie not around?’
    ‘She left half an hour ago. Dentist.’
    ‘Oh yes, of course. Right. Well, I wonder if we could have a quick word in my office?’
    ‘Is there a problem?’ Helen asks.
    ‘She can’t work late tonight, Simon,’ Angela chips in. ‘We’ve got a train to catch.’
    ‘No, of course not,’ he replies hastily. ‘Monday morning, then?’
    Helen nods meekly, quietly wondering what the boss could possibly want with her and fearing the worst.
    He turns to Angela. ‘So where are you ladies heading off to? Anywhere nice?’
    ‘Cardiff’, Angela replies. ‘You can tag along with us if you like.’ She grins mischievously.
    ‘That’s very kind of you. But the wife and I have plans. You know, Friday night and all that.’
    ‘Does she keep you on a short leash, then?’ Angela winks.
    ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that!’ He blushes and clears his throat. ‘Well, you girls go ahead and get ready. I still have a few things to attend to.’
    ‘Whatever you say, boss,’ Angela replies. She turns to Helen and Kath. ‘C’mon, girls! You heard the man. Let’s get our warpaint on!’
    They troop off to the ladies, where they change out of their work clothes and Angela helps Helen to touch up her make-up.
    ‘You’ve got lovely skin,’ she says, smoothing on a little blusher. ‘I’d kill for a complexion like yours.’
    ‘Do you think Mr Greenwood’s going to fire me?’ Helen asks.
    ‘What?’ Angela snorts. ‘Is he hell! What gives you that idea?’
    ‘Natalie caught me crying in here the other day. Maybe she told him.’
    Angela raises an eyebrow. ‘I wouldn’t put it past her. But so what? You’re a good worker and she’s a lazy cow who barely lifts a finger. I swear she passes off half of your work as her own. Simon’s not stupid. If anyone should watch their back around here, it’s Natalie. So stop fretting.’ She smiles. ‘There. You’re done! Now, how about a little something to get us in the mood?’
    Reaching into her handbag, she produces a hip flask.
    ‘You’re terrible, Ange!’ Kath giggles, grabbing the flask and taking a swig. ‘I thought your body was a temple?’
    Earlier, Angela had been extolling the virtues of her latest detox diet, which seemed to consist of juice, smoothies, raw vegetables and not a lot else.
    ‘My body is a temple during the week,’ Angela grins. ‘At the weekend, it’s a distillery on legs.’ She snatches the flask from Kath and offers it to Helen.
    ‘No, thanks.’
    ‘C’mon,’ Angela says. ‘You won’t catch anything.’ She holds the flask up to Helen’s nose. ‘Go on. Try some.’
    Cautiously, Helen sniffs the liquid inside. ‘What is it?’
    Angela laughs. ‘It’s a delicate blend of port and Blue WKD – otherwise known as Cheeky Vimto. It tastes like Vimto, but it gives you a nice buzz.’
    Helen hesitates.
    ‘Live a little,’ Angela says. ‘It’s Friday night. Time to unwind. Take your mind off things.’
    Helen feels a sudden flutter in her stomach.
    Pull yourself together ! she thinks. You’re going out with the girls. You’re doing what normal people do. Where’s the harm in that ?
    She raises the flask to her