Tilly's eyes filled with tears. "So what happened?" she gently prodded.

Alexis took a deep breath and told her story.

Alexis hurried into the grand lobby from outside. Bright sunshine burst through the glass doors and windows. She'd just finished presenting to a huge, prospective client and the meeting had gone well. Now all she needed to do was grab her bag from her office and head to the airport where Mark was waiting, probably cursing her under his breath for being late yet again.

As she passed by the front desk, the receptionist gave a polite wave to get her attention. "Mrs. Steamer, you have an urgent message from your secretary."

Alexis wrinkled her nose. "I'm heading up there now."

The receptionist lowered her voice. "They've left several voicemails on your mobile as well."

Alexis fished through her bag for her cell phone. She always kept it turned off during presentations and client meetings.

"Thank you," she said blankly. What was so urgent? She did a mental check of all her current matters and couldn't conjure up any potential disasters. She was only eight weeks pregnant and had recently had her first doctor's appointment, but there was no reason for them to call. They were going to monitor her pregnancy closely because of her previous miscarriage, that was all.

She took the elevator up to her office to listen to her messages in private. Magda, her secretary, wasn't at her desk so Alexis went straight into her office and closed the door. When she heard the sound of her mother-in-law's fractured voice, a shiver ran down her spine.

"It's Mark, Alexis. Please ring me when you get this."

Alexis felt her stomach turn inside out. How could it be Mark? He was sitting in the airport lounge. She dialed Moira's number and waited anxiously. Thankfully, Moira picked up on the first ring.

"What happened?" Alexis asked without saying hello.

"There was an accident on the motorway," Moira began, then stopped, unable to

continue.

"But that doesn't make sense. He's already at the airport," Alexis said.

Donald's voice came on next. "He left the airport to come back for you. A lorry overturned on the motorway." He sucked in a deep breath. "They said it was quick."

"But it's our anniversary," she said, as though bad things didn't happen to people on their anniversary.

"I know," said Donald as she heard Moira's sobs break out in the background.

Alexis didn't know what to say, so she hung up the phone without saying anything. She stared at her reflection in the glass pane of her oversized window. The moment didn't seem real.




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