Not at all concerned, Kelly dried her hands on a towel and shook her head. “I don’t work Mondays, so I hardly think she’ll give me a Don’t Come Monday—you’re fired—slip.”

Jacinta jutted out her bottom lip. “Spoilsport, you’re no fun.”

Although Kelly put on a brave face, her mind raced as she bounded up the stairs. Perhaps there was some truth in what Jacinta said. Kelly couldn’t imagine what. She’d arrived at work on time every day, and hadn’t had any customer complaints, at least not that she was aware of.

Jennifer hadn’t shown her face all day yesterday, and Kelly had kept the ship afloat. The knot in her stomach tightened. Had something happened to Jennifer’s mum? God, Kelly didn’t want to deal with that last thing on a Friday, but if Jennifer needed a shoulder she would offer her one.

She knew first-hand the pain of being avoided by people who didn’t know what to say during a time of grief. She also knew often a shoulder meant more than any words.

Taking a deep breath, Kelly tapped on the door.

“It’s open.” The tone of her boss’s voice, all business, gave away nothing.

The flowery scent of Jennifer’s perfume was the first thing that hit Kelly as she stepped into the small room.

The second thing that hit her was an image of Lucy on her hands and knees. Kelly bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a grin.

Using her pen like a pointer, Jennifer indicated to the chair in front of her desk. “Sit.”

The old wooden seat groaned as Kelly sat making her feel like she’d gained ten pounds. She really needed to stop eating takeaways, but Nicole was rarely home these days and cooking for one sucked.

The impulse to tap her fingers when the silence stretched out made Kelly antsy. To avoid doing so, she hitched her thighs up and tucked her hands underneath.

Finally, Jennifer stopped shuffling papers around and locked eyes with Kelly. “You know I drive down your street on my way home some nights, don’t you?”

More confused than ever, Kelly frowned. Surely her boss hadn’t called her into her office to discuss her driving habits. Many motorists used Knowles Street as a bypass to avoid heavy traffic.

“No, I didn’t.” Kelly shrugged, unsure what the big deal was.

“I went that way on Wednesday.” Jennifer gave Kelly a pointed look that as good as said, “you know where I’m going with this?”

Having no clue, Kelly flicked her mind back to Wednesday night. The memory made her heart flutter. She’d been home, Lucy had spent the night. Kelly shook her head before a silly grin overtook her face.

When the reality of what Jennifer was implying hit home, Kelly’s mouth fell open, hanging slack as if it had come unhinged.