14 - Stay of Execution

by Quintin Jardine

  ‘Me too. He’s a good foundation.’

  ‘To build what? What will you do now? About your other crisis, I mean.’

  He peered into his glass. ‘I have lots of thinking to do,’ he said. ‘The food for some of it was provided last night, by Father Gibb. About my marriage . . . When I checked my e-mails after we got here, there was one from Sarah. She says that our problems are going to take more than a night in Gleneagles to solve. She’s booked a flight to Florida, and a hotel. She’s gone out there this evening; left the kids and a ticket for me with the nanny. She says that if I’m interested in a serious rescue mission, I should join her there.’

  ‘And will you?’

  ‘That’s my first big decision.’

  She lifted up his hand and kissed it. ‘Do you have to make it tonight?’

  In spite of all the worries bearing down on him, Bob Skinner smiled. ‘No,’ he murmured. ‘That’s for tomorrow.’