‘Don’t worry, Mamma,’ Luke said, his arm about her shoulders. ‘He’ll be back in no time.’
‘It’s not that. People say how lucky I am that Primo never gives me cause for worry. But I do worry, because he’s too reliable. He’s so sensible, he never does anything stupid.’
‘I promise you, if he’s a Rinucci, he’s stupid,’ Luke said fervently.
‘Indeed? And what does that make you, since you’ve always refused to take our name?’
He hugged her. ‘I don’t need it. I’m stupid enough anyway.’
CHAPTER ONE
IN THE London headquarters of Curtis Electronics tensions simmered. Employees hurried in, anxious not to be late, wondering who would be promoted and who pensioned off.
‘They’re not getting rid of me,’ Olympia Lincoln said firmly. ‘Not after all the work I’ve put into this firm, and the plans I’ve made.’
‘It is rotten luck, this happening now,’ Sara, her secretary, said sympathetically. ‘Mr Tandy was bound to retire soon, and then you’d have had his job.’
‘Grr!’ Olympia said with feeling.
‘The worst thing is not knowing when the new people will be here.’ Sara sighed.
‘Right. Even Mr Tandy doesn’t know. “Some time soon” is all he can say. Maybe today, maybe next week.’
‘Surely not today,’ Sara objected. ‘It’s Friday. What sort of person makes his first day a Friday?’
‘Someone who’s trying to catch us out,’ Olympia said at once. ‘I’m blowed if I’m going to let anyone take me by surprise.’
‘But today isn’t just Friday,’ Sara objected. ‘It’s Friday the thirteenth.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re superstitious.’ Olympia chuckled. ‘That’s nonsense. People should make their own fate.’
‘But Friday the thirteenth is bad luck.’
‘It’ll be bad luck for Primo Rinucci if he crosses me. Now let’s have some tea. I’ll make it. You’re looking queasy.’