Geoff regarded the stack of files on his desk with no small amount of contempt.
Why ever I decided to become a doctor, he thought,
it certainly wasn’t for the paperwork. 
As if she’d read his thoughts, Morgana knocked on the door.
“Dr Jolina mentioned you’d built up a mountain of papers to sort out. Need a hand?”
“If you’ve nothing else to do, I sure would appreciate it.”
“No problem.” She pulled a chair up to his desk and picked up the first folder. “Not much going on right now, frankly. Also, I’ve a feeling Jamie was trying to get rid of me.”
“Yes, about that. What’s the problem between you and her?”
Morgana opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by the sound of Geoff’s text alert. Frowning, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and read the message:
What would you think of us going to France next week? I’m sure Malcolm would love it. –Nancy xxGeoff had to reread the message several times to allow it to sink in. France? Next week? Right before the vote? By most people’s standards that was spontaneous, and by Nancy’s... a bit weird. Morgana gave him a quizzical look.
Next week? Bit sudden, isn’t it?, he texted back.
I need a break. Anyway, we’ll be away for Mal’s birthday and you know how much that would mean to him.Well, we didn’t go away in the summer this year. I’d have to get some time off though, I’m really not sure it‘s feasible.
Just take unpaid leave. It’ll be great. We could stay at the family chateau and everything.
What about your job and everything?
Oh, do stop worrying. It’ll all work out. And just think of how happy Malcolm will be when we tell him. A holiday and a week off school!
Alright then. Let’s do it!
Knew you’d agree in the end xxx“What was that about?” Morgana asked.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Geoff said, certain that something wasn’t right but unable to work out what it was.
***
“Everything sorted?”
Vita smirked. “Completely. Too easy, if you ask me.”
“Brilliant. With any luck they won’t work it out until they’re long gone. I’ll see you later, Vi. How about dinner to celebrate?”
“That sounds divine. I'll meet you at the bistro at six?”
“Perfect. See you then.” Nick hung up and Vita sighed in satisfaction. The sun was shining, it was a warm October day and she’d just found the solution to all their problems. Everything was going exactly according to plan. She sat down on the bench and smiled. It was almost flawless.
Everyone misses you. They won’t admit it but they do.
Almost. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t stop thinking about Rosie’s message. Bits of it kept playing over and over in her head, and it was driving her mad.
That was your old life, she reasoned,
and you’ve moved on. There’s no point dwelling on the past. You’ve never even met Rosie, not really. She only called out of curiosity. So forget about it.
But why wasn’t it that simple?
***
Nancy swept into the kitchen, humming the tune to a song Geoff didn’t recognise. She seemed in remarkably high spirits. She grinned and shook her head.
“I haven’t a clue how you managed to talk me into this one, Geoff.”
“How I talked you...” Geoff narrowed his eyes, and then decided that it wasn’t worth pursuing the subject. “Never mind. Should be fun, at any rate. For Malcolm.”
“Yes. And relaxing, as you kept pointing out to me.” She raised an eyebrow, and then kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go book the plane tickets. Let me know if you need help cooking dinner.”
“I didn’t say anything about it being relaxing,” Geoff started, but Nancy was already gone.
And so it was that the Landgraabs found themselves on a plane bound for France that Saturday morning.
