“Bye, guys,” Holly called out as she emerged from the building behind me. I turned to see her legging it down the street away from me, clearly worried I’d try to countermand Marley’s orders. “Have a great Christmas!” she called as she disappeared round the corner. Brian was already gone, having been first out the door after carrying out Marley’s instructions. I turned to my last remaining colleague. Rob stood beside me on the wet pavement, looking far too good in his navy peacoat. As always, he glowed with good health and vitality, the chestnut strands in his hair glinting in the pale winter sun. Right now he looked happy, a small smile curving his wide, mobile mouth as he gazed ahead, unaware of my scrutiny. I wondered what he was thinking about—probably what he was going to do with the rest of his day. “Well,” I said. “I guess you got what you wanted after all.” He glanced at me, his smile fading. “What do you mean?” I shrugged. “You wanted to leave early, didn’t you?
