All that we have

One

Six months earlier
May

Skye

I tapped my phone screen again, even though I knew very well that there were no new notifications. My watch hadn't buzzed and despite not being allowed to use our personal phones whilst we were on the phones in the call centre, I had been keeping an eye on my screen. Michael hadn't text me back since the morning.

It wasn't entirely unusual to not hear from him till lunch time. But I didn't like it. He would always send me a quick good morning text when he leaves for work so I know he is actually awake.

We fought again the night before. There was always something to argue about. Getting married versus not spending the money on a wedding because we want to buy a house. Wanting to have a baby, but he didn't seem interested in sex and wouldn't see a doctor. Or the way he never helped me around the house.

That night was because I cooked a meal he didn't like and apparently I should have known he would hate it. I was trying my damn best to work full time and manage our house, while saving money and planning a future, but he just couldn't see that, or took it for granted.

Don't get me wrong, we had good times too, and I know he loved me, he just didn't seem to put the same effort into our future as I did. We didn't go to bed angry, just tense and he still sent me the usual good morning text. I was sure he was just busy that day.

My desk was near the lift lobby and the door to enter our floor. All day I would distract myself watching groups of people coming and going. I never know what half of them actually did for a job, because they always seemed to be leaving rather than actually working. Meanwhile I was trapped at my desk all day on the phones.

When the lift doors opened later that morning and two uniformed police officers stepped into the lift lobby, escorted by Danny, the security guy from concierge, I never could have imagined they were there for me.

I tried to pay attention to my customer who was complaining about the latest price increase on her car insurance policy instead of watching the small entourage make their way across the floor to the managers desks.

"Mmhmm Mary-Anne, I totally hear you, I could increase your excess which would save you a little bit of money on your premium. How does that sound?" I explained to my customer through my headset while I clicked away on her accounts to see just how much money I could save her.

Mary-Anne didn't love that solution and complained a little more before she told me should would take her business elsewhere and hung up on me.

I wasn't really listening though, because at some point during Mary-Anne's rant, Tony, my boss, came and stood by my desk. Standing behind Tony was one of the officers.

"Uh, hi?" I questioned, suddenly feeling really, really small. The look on Tony's face was pained and Tony didn't usually look like that. He was happy go lucky, always made you feel good with just a smile and a hello. Even when he was stressed he was smiling. If you needed a pep talk, or a boost up, Tony was there to give it.

"Hey Skye, is that call finished? Can you just go into meeting on your phone and come with me please." Tony's voice was somber and much quieter than usual. I knew something was very wrong, not only due to the very obvious police presence, but the way he addressed me. By this stage, everyone else was also watching curiously. I tried not to look at anyone, not even Ben or Alice, my closest work friends.

I followed them, despite the way my heart was beating and my head was telling me to run. I tapped my phone once more before locking my computer and following them.

I still had no notifications.

Tony let me into his office. The two officers followed me, but Tony stayed outside.