Читать книгу Screaming Yellow - Rachel Green - Страница 10

Chapter 5

Robert Markhew leaned back in his chair and watched the girl in front of him with lidded eyes. She stood stock-still, her gaze lowered and fixed upon the paperclip he twirled from finger to finger. As the minutes ticked by she began to fidget, first rubbing her fingers together, then scratching her arm and jigging her leg. Finally, her eyes strayed to the window.

“What am I to do with you?” he said at last, his soft voice crashing against her eardrums after the silence of his study.

She mumbled something and his hands stopped moving, the glint of reflection from the twisted steel pausing in its endless rotation.

“What?” he asked. “Speak up girl.”

She brought her eyes up to meet his for just a moment. “I said ‘anything you like, sir.’” The ghost of a smile flickered across her mouth.

“Anything I like?” Robert smiled and dropped the paperclip into a shallow tray on his desk where it became lost among its brothers. “Ah. The opportunities you offer with such a simple statement.” He paused, one finger pressing his pursed lips as he considered the merits of this action or that. He stood and walked around his desk until he was standing behind her. She tensed, as if expecting a slap at the very least but still jumped when he spoke.

“I think I’ll have you stand in the naughty corner for the rest of the day.” His voice was sibilant in her ear and he had to fight to prevent the warble betraying the smile.

“What?” She looked up, defiant, her head turning to the side to catch a glimpse of his expression. “I’m twenty-seven years old. I’m not a child.”

“Are you not?” He grasped her shoulders lightly and turned her to face the mirror. In the dim light her slim figure looked years younger compared to his. His white beard served to accentuate their differences in age. He reached to open the door with one hand. “Then leave.”

She hesitated. “I’ve work to do.”

“You have your choices.” Robert returned to his seat and took a pair of bunny ears and a camera from the top drawer. He reached forward and tucked the ears into her hands. “Put these on while you decide.”