Losing Control

I have left John with you. Please use him. He is excellent at what he does, and you can trust him to share the load. Please let him help.

I am sorry.

Yours,

Cain

I stare and stare until my eyes sting and water. He’s run away. Just like he did seven years ago. My gut sinks and I don’t want to believe it.

He says he’s sorry, though. He says he’s coming back.

A couple of weeks...

He will come back, won’t he?

I want to believe him. I want to believe he’ll return. But the past taints everything.

He might not love me back, but the idea of never seeing him again...

No, just no.

I click to reply and my fingers hover over the keyboard, the blank email glaring back at me. What do I say?

A rap on the door makes me jump.

‘Yes?’

My voice cracks a little and I clear my throat as the door opens. It’s John.

I force a smile. ‘Hi.’

‘Morning.’

He returns my smile, although his shows none of the strain I’m sure to be showing.

‘I thought we could schedule some time to work out a plan of attack for the next few weeks?’

I nod. He’s clearly up to speed on Cain’s disappearance but his polite expression gives nothing away.

‘Sounds great.’ I’m relieved it comes out normal. ‘Just give me ten minutes.’

‘Sure. Coffee?’

‘Please.’

He heads off and I look back to the screen and type my reply.

Safe trip. Thank you for John. And the apology. I’m sorry too. More than you can know.

See you in two weeks.

Lexi

I stop myself adding Don’t run, although I type it and delete it several times over before I hit ‘send’ and pull myself away to focus on the only part of this I can control: the business.

* * *

Two weeks since Cain left and not a word. I know he’s talking to John, though, and that he’s keeping abreast of company matters. Maybe even me too.