Chapter 21: Distracted

6 November 2025

The drive back to Fulham that evening was short, but for Bob it may as well have been an eternity.

Catching up on work was simple enough. Ginny had emailed him a full report on the day, as well as updating his diary for Friday morning. He also had a text message from Marcus, which was a combination of playful get-well and obsequious bragging about how well the meeting with Lord Haddington had gone.

Home was another story. Bob had missed the usual midday texts from Mary. Since he hadn’t replied, a cheeky comment followed about how busy he must have been. After that, the tone got progressively more agitated, before finally settling on concerned.

He saw that there were three missed calls from home also. But no voicemail messages. Mary wouldn’t let him hear the tone of her voice, and prepare him for what he would walk into.

He knew that he could call. He knew even more that he should call.

But he did not.

Instead, he just silently navigated the dark London streets until reaching his neighbourhood.

After he parked his Subaru, he sat quietly for a moment and replayed the day. Then he braced himself for what was surely awaiting him inside the dark townhouse.

***

Mary was at the island in the kitchen, her iPad propped up as she cross-referenced a spreadsheet for the charity auction with a grocery delivery app. The rhythmic tap-tap-tap of her manicured nail against the screen sounded like a metronome. Meanwhile, Olivia sat at the breakfast bar, hunched over a bowl of soup, her presence so tentative she seemed to be apologising to the air for displacing it.

"You’re late," Mary said, not looking up. It was the closest thing to a greeting he was going to get.

“I had a meeting off-site. It sprang up at the last minute.”

“Bob, this was supposed to be a family dinner, since Olivia is going back to halls tomorrow morning. But that was ruined. The salmon is overdone from waiting so long. I finally let Olivia eat something.”

Bob considered offering a practised apology to slow the grinding gears of Mary’s irritation. He didn’t bother tonight. This wasn’t a situation he could avoid with anything so mundane.

He stood and watched his wife. He was waiting for her to acknowledge his presence. That turned into a wasted effort. She was far too stubborn and disciplined to blow up at him in the company of their daughter.

"A new investment opportunity came up," Bob said.

The tapping stopped. Mary looked up, her eyes narrowing as she scanned him. "What kind of opportunity? Tech? Logistics? I didn't see anything on the shared diary."

"Ginny must have entered it as private," Bob replied. He walked to the fridge, poured himself a glass of water, and didn't offer any further data. "It’s substantial. I’m planning to authorise the initial facility. It will require a lot of my time in the coming weeks."

Mary pivoted, her shoulders tightening. The project manager in her was not happy with such a tight-lipped answer. "Private? I’m your wife, Bob. Is it so private that you can’t explain it to me?”

Bob took a slow sip of water. "It’s a long-term infrastructure project, Mary. It’s about stability. That’s all you need to know for now."

"That’s all I — ?" Mary started, her voice rising in pitch. The sharp frequency grated against his nerves. This isn’t over, he knew. Mary had stopped herself, her eyes darting to Olivia, who was staring into her soup as if she hoped she could hide away in it.

Mary took a breath, set down the tablet, and smoothed her hands down her thighs. "Fine. We’ll discuss this later."

Bob nodded, accepting the little respite. Then he turned his attention to Livy.

“What time do you want to head back tomorrow?”

She flashed him a slight smile. “I can be ready anytime you like. I know you like to get out early, Dad.”

He responded in kind with a smile. It warmed him to see her looking happy. Even if it was tied to her leaving home again.

“Let’s plan for 06:00. We can beat traffic, and I’ll still be at the bank on time.”

“Sure, Dad. I can do that.” She gathered up her dishes, and cleared them to the sink.

“Hey, Livy?”

“Yeah, Dad?”

“It’s been really nice having you home. I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Dad. This has been nice.”

***

“Bob, what the devil were you doing today?”

He gritted his teeth while he dressed for bed. There was no evading Mary this time.

“I told you, I had to visit a potential investment.”

“Cut the crap, Bob. You were out of the office for hours without a word. I texted you, and you didn’t even read them. I called, and you didn’t answer. I called Ginny, and she gave some codswallop that she couldn’t interrupt you but she would make sure you got the message.”

“What do you want me to say, Mary? I couldn’t use my mobile in the afternoon.”

“So tell me what was so bloody important that you disappeared all day?”

He wanted so badly to just go to bed and avoid this interrogation, but he knew her. She wasn’t going to back down.

“It’s a pharmaceutical group, being run by a young female scientist. She has research into a virus which can influence behaviours. Maybe it can be an anxiety breakthrough, or treat ADHD.”

Mary looked at him in the vanity mirror as she paused brushing her teeth. “Maybe? You’re doing a site visit to a drug manufacturer for a maybe?”

He made his way to the bed and got in without waiting. “Yes, dear. This has the potential to be a massive breakthrough, with the returns to match.”

Bob watched for the expected result from that disclosure. Mary did not disappoint.

“How massive?”

There it is.

“Enough to make Merck and GlaxoSmithKline come begging. And with me as the originator.”

A few minutes later, Mary came to the room and slipped into the bedsheets. She cosied up next to Bob.

She’s wearing satin.

“I think that sounds smashing,” she said. “Do you think you can share some of the results with me? I’d love to know more.”

Bob gave a knowing smile. “Give me a little time, Mary. I promise that I’ll get you included soon.”