Page 64 of Tangled Control

“Catriona, good to see you!”

My shoulders hike right back up. One of the sisters running the bakery flashes a big smile between her red cheeks. I’ve never seen her away from the café, so I don’t know if it’s the hot ovens that keep her flushed or if this is the way she always looks.

“Hillary, how are you?” I greet while my own smile feels stiff.

“Ach, you know, the usual aches and pains, nothing new, love. Nothing new.”

She eyes Rian with a bit too much interest, and I hurry to deliver my order before any questions are asked. “Hillary, could I please have two cinnamon scones and two coffees to go – one with a dash of milk?”

“For sure, love. The scones are just out of the oven.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

I tap my foot impatiently, sensing the heat from Rian as he leans into me from behind. He discreetly points to one of the buns in the glass display and whispers as he tucks my hair behind my ear, “Doesn’t that one look like Smyth?”

I snort. “Don’t say that! I’ll never be able to eat it again without—”

“Cat!”

A chill, and not the good kind, makes its way down my spine. That voice is all too familiar. I sense my face drain of colour as I slowly turn. That stiff smile is back on my face.

“Ma. Patrick. Hi!”

Of all people,of all people, I had to run into my mother!

Patrick’s arm is draped over Mum’s shoulder, lovingly and possessively. Mum is dressed in a purple tunic over black tights, her work outfit at the hair salon where she’s the receptionist.Her eyes shine with a mix of surprise, hope and unasked questions as they shift back and forth between Rian and me.

“Are you out for lunch?” I squeak, trying desperately to delay the unavoidable introduction.

“Yes, it’s not often I have the time off to take your mum out for lunch, but I was lucky today,” Patrick replies and tucks Mum closer to him. Lucky indeed…

“Catriona, are you going to introduce us?” Patience isn’t one of my mother’s virtues, and she has obviously already reached her limit.

I quickly glance up at Rian. His eyebrow twitches when I don’t immediately respond. I clear my throat.

“Ma, Patrick, this is my colleague Rian, from KSS.”

I hold my breath, hoping Mum won’t recognise the name. Although it’s a traditional Irish name, it’s not that common. “Rian, this is my mother, Alison, and her partner, Patrick.”

I’ve hardly finished the sentence before my mother says, her words all drawn out, “Rian? As in RianKearney?”

“Uh-huh.”

Rian extends his hand, but Mum shifts her eyes to me. “As in yourboss?”

“Yes, my boss,” I reply weakly.

“Mrs Taylor, it’s nice to meet you.”

Oh-so slowly, Mum turns to Rian. The frostiness in her gaze is sharper than icicles. Reluctantly, she shakes Rian’s offered hand. “It’sMissTaylor.”

“I do apologise.” A frown appears between Rian’s brows. He turns to shake Patrick’s hand and gets a much friendlier response.

“Well, what brings you to this part of town?” Mum snaps.

“A business meeting, inspecting new premises that KSS might take on,” I respond and button my jacket.

“And which premises would that be?”