On the run

Chapter 15

Rose was quiet all the way to work the next morning, having dropped Tony at school because again, Rose didn't want to go on her own and she was in no hurry to get there.

"Just answer her questions Rose," Pete advised her.

"Who do you think the board will appoint as advocate?"

"I've no idea, they must have someone in mind. Let me know what time the interview is."

"Yeah, as soon as I get to know. I'm letting Mickey take over."

"Just as well, I doubt you'll be able to concentrate once you get back. Just clear your desk and your calendar before you go then come to my office, I'll have Jake arrange for someone to take you home."

"Thanks. Well, best go prepare for it then, get it over with. Where you're taking me, I hope it's nowhere remote?"

"No," Pete smiled, "It's not remote. Worried you won't be able to use your phone?"

"Well I don't want anywhere that's famous for loss of signal do I?"

"Trust you but try to keep your calls to a minimum, just in case. The person who's looking after you will keep in touch with me."

"I wish you'd tell me where I was going? Who's looking after me?"

"You'll find out tomorrow. Someone will have to take Tony to school."

"He wanted Jake or Mickey," Rose smiled as they arrived in the underground car park.

She was dressed more conservatively today, a white blouse and black trousers with her ankle boots. Jake greeted them in reception.

"I found out who's sitting in during your interview," he told Rose.

"Anyone I know?"

"Rose, you know everyone," Jake smiled.

"Not personally," Rose managed to smile back. "So, who is it?"

"Oh, only Owen Harper. Seems he was all they could find who won't take sides in all this. The board are aware of the struggle for power."

"They saw enough of it yesterday," Pete told him as they waited for the lift. "Jake, see Rose to her office and have a car ready to take her home when I call."

"Sure. Ready for this Rose?" Jake asked as he dropped her off at her office. "I have to get back to work, sorry. Pete's given me a few things to do."

"Yeah, sorry. Don't let me hold you up. I'm just gonna cancel a few appointments and tidy my desk, Mickey's picking up any applications that come through when the assessment team have finished."

"That'll keep him from complaining he's got nothing to do," Jake laughed. "He had a date with Martha last night."

"I wonder how they got on?"

"Better than you and Steve? He looked miserable yesterday when you left the canteen."

"I have to think about it Jake, after what happened. How are you gonna go about this training?"

"I'll be making arrangements as though we're going ahead, just let Yvonne try and stick her nose in. I wonder how Pete's team's getting on appraising the cannon project?"

"Slowly if he has anything to do with it," Rose tried to joke.

"He'll delay the results as much as he can. Has he said how he's covering being off tomorrow?"

"He's the director, he only answers to my mum."

Jake smiled. "Good thing she knows about it then?"