You Had Me at Halo(31)

They were probably just too busy reading all of these notes. What are these things? Vince held up a pile of Holly’s neatly written training notes.

Oh, they’re nothing much. Just a few pointers to help jog my memory when I’m working on a key forecast.

Jog? Vince glanced over at another pile of them. I’m surprised they didn’t bury you.

Holly stared at them. She guessed there were quite a few. She’d never really noticed them before. It’s just because I was new to the team, I wanted to try and learn everything as quickly as possible. There’s nothing wrong with working hard.

Vince held up his hands. I never said there was.

Well, good. She quickly put her The Rich and the Restless mouse pad into the box. Gemma never understood why Holly set her TiVo for it every afternoon, but some reason she found it relaxing. She had a stressful job. It was allowed, okay?

So why did you move? Vince asked as he held up a coffee cup to see what she wanted to do it with it. Holly nodded and he added it to the box.

What?

Why did you take the promotion?

Because I got it. She shrugged before realizing that sounded a bit lame. And it was good for my career.

Vince didn’t answer and they finished clearing the desk in silence. Besides, Holly hardly needed Vince Murphy’s approval of her career path. She wasn’t embarrassed that she was ambitious and wanted to get ahead, and the fact she was dead by twenty-two was a complete co-incidence.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN


I’ve changed my mind, I really don’t think this is a good idea, Holly muttered an hour later as Vince made his way down the corridor in long even strides, clutching at the box of belongings. Perhaps she won’t be at home? Or perhaps we should wait until Gemma can do it, or—

Or perhaps we can just get on with it? Vince suggested in his mild voice. You said the need these things to help convince Todd of who you are, so that’s what we need to do.

Technically she knew Vince was right, but while he had made numerous phone calls and answered a mountain of emails (had Amy Jenkins really sent him four? Honestly, the girl didn’t know when to take no for an answer, did she?), Holly had become less and less keen on the idea of going home. In fact since they had become so good at sneaking around she had even contemplated waiting until her stepmother was out and convincing Vince to help her break-in. Somehow she didn’t think he would go for that one. She was starting to get the feeling he was quite honest and upstanding—qualities that she normally admired, but right now they were proving to be a bit problematic.

Then she narrowed her eyes. Why was he playing devil’s advocate, anyway? Since when do you care about my plans to talk to Todd?

Trust me it’s not something I’m looking forward to, he assured her. But from what you said about Level One, you were having a pretty tough time up there, what with not being able to see your parents or anything. That really sucks. So if doing this stuff helps make it easier for you, well then I’ve got your back.

Holly sniffed. She hadn’t meant to tell Vince what it had been like up in heaven, but somehow it had just slipped out. Of course if she had known he was going to use it against her, she might have taken greater care to not be suckered in by his laid-back I’m-so-understanding-and-easy-to-talk-to attitude.

Besides, the quicker we do it, the less painful it will be. Like pulling off a plaster, Vince added.

I suppose so, Holly reluctantly agreed as they walked up the stairs to the main reception area. It was almost lunchtime and the place was bustling with workers eager to get out into the warm July sunshine. Holly felt an unexplainable urge to join them. Which was stupid since when she was alive, she’d normally stayed at her desk to get through her work. Then she realized it was probably just because she was famished. Having to power six foot of maleness was certainly hungry work.

She wondered what Vince’s thoughts were on sushi. He didn’t really look like a sushi person, but she was starting to realize there was more to Vince Murphy than met the eye. Besides, this might be her last chance to eat it.

She was so caught up in trying to decide between Californian rolls or sashimi that she almost jumped in shock when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hey, Vince. You were miles away.”

Holly groaned as they turned around to see the tall figure of Andrew standing in front of them. You know, all Holly wanted to do was find out how she died, speak to her almost fiancé and get back to heaven and try and bluff her way into Level Three to see her dad. But if the road to hell was paved with good intentions, then it seemed the one to heaven was positively covered with really annoying interruptions.

“Oh, hey.” Vince nodded his head. “What’s up?”

What are you doing? Holly queried. I thought we were going for the plaster approach?

We are. That’s why, if you stop interrupting me, I can tell him that we’re in a hurry.

Sorry, she reluctantly apologized as Andrew grinned at them.

“I just wanted to say thanks for trying to talk some sense into the sales department before.”

“That’s okay,” Vince said. “Sorry I wasn’t much help. The worst thing is that we’ll probably spend the next six months fixing the damn things because they don’t work properly.”

“Yeah, it’s a bitch isn’t it?” Andrew agreed. “Anyway, I didn’t get a chance to tell you before, but it’s Graham’s birthday so we’re all going next door to Bar One for a drink after work. I though with the funeral yesterday, you might want to join us. Also, there was something else that I—”