She had the timing down to a fine art and, as she had learnt, unforeseen delays could mean she missed her connection and got home even later. The unforeseen delay this evening was Rafael’s tall blonde PA stroke mistress. On two occasions since she had started here Libby had caught glimpses of her outside the office. She wasn’t easy to miss; each time she had dodged her. It was not an acquaintance she felt eager to renew! This time she did not have the option of running away. She stumbled into her and knocked the oversized designer bag the blonde was carrying out of her hands. The contents spilled out across the corridor. ‘I’m so sorry,’ Libby mumbled, dropping to her knees to gather them up. ‘No problem,’ Gretchen said, opening her bag to allow Libby to drop the retrieved items back in. ‘No, the lipstick goes in the compartment and the tissues … great.’ The smile, all warmth and teeth, made Libby blink. ‘I’ve been hoping to get a chance to talk to you outside the office,’ the girl continued.
