I chuckle. “Impossible.” The doors open and I lead her in and we turn and face the front. She puts her head on my shoulder and closes her eyes. I catch sight of us in the reflection on the doors: now that’s something I never thought I’d see.
Kathryn Landon, sleepy and calm, under my arm.
The doors open into the lobby and I slowly walk her out; she’s so docile.
“Is everything alright, sir?” The security guard comes running.
“She’s groggy, had a reaction to some medication.”
“Can I do anything?” he splutters as he looks between us.
“No, thank you, I’ll see that she gets home safely.”
He practically runs for the door and he holds it open for us.
My Bentley is parked in the bay outside, and Andrew gets out and frowns as he sees me nearly carrying Kate. “What’s wrong with her?” he asks.
“Just groggy, a reaction to medication, we’ll get her home.”
He opens the back door in a rush.
“In the car,” I say to Kate.
She closes her eyes as her head leans against my chest. “I’m just going to . . . walk.”
Fuck’s sake.
I put my hand on the top of her head and push her down, maneuver her into the right position, and then with one almighty shove she falls into the backseat.
“Ow.” She grimaces.
I shuffle in beside her and close the door. “Where do you live?” I ask as we pull out into the traffic.
She points out of the window. “Over there.”
“Over where?”
“Out. There,” she snaps as if exasperated.
I roll my eyes; even when drugged this woman is annoying. “Tell me your address or I’m looking through your luggage again.”
“It’s twenty-four . . .” She frowns and holds her finger up. “No wait, that’s my old address . . . ummmm.”
“Christ almighty.” I drag my hand down my face in frustration.
“I know it,” she continues.
“And?”
“It’s . . . forty-four/a Kent Road.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sshh, stop talking,” she whispers as she holds her finger up to her lips in an overexaggerated way. “You’re hurting my ears.” She points with both hands to her ears.
I smirk at her acting out every word.
“Forty-four Kent Road,” I say to Andrew.
“Sure thing, boss.” He turns right at the next junction.
Kate’s head falls and I pull her back under my arm and hold her close. She closes her eyes and rests against my chest.
We drive for ten minutes in the traffic and then she falls deeper into sleep and puts her hand up on my chest and nestles in tight.
I frown down at her as a weird feeling comes over me.
Hmm . . . interesting.
After a while, Andrew pulls the car into a parking space, then he turns and looks at us. “This is it.”
I frown as I peer at the old terraced building. “This is it?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Kate,” I whisper; she stays asleep and I give her a little shake. “Kate,” I whisper again.