The Lost Souls Dating Agency by Suneeti Rekhari Page A

Birrarung Marr Park and sat on the grass along the Yarra river. Will had brought some take-away sushi with him.
    â€˜I hope you don’t mind me taking liberties with the roll selection.’ He smiled as he offered me some.
    I didn’t. Chicken teriyaki, salmon and avocado, crispy prawns. He had picked most of my favourites anyway.
    We had been chatting for about ten minutes when I heard his phone ring.
    â€˜Ignore it,’ he said as he winked. ‘I’m just so popular you see.’
    I giggled and shook my head. A second later his phone rang again. He frowned.
    â€˜You can answer it if you like,’ I said.
    â€˜Why should I when I have a beautiful lady to talk to?’ he smiled charmingly.
    I felt my ears grow warmer.
    When his phone rang a third time, he shook his head in frustration and took it out of his pocket to see who it was. His expression darkened.
    â€˜I’m sorry, I’ll have to answer this.’ He looked apologetic.
    â€˜Go ahead.’ I smiled.
    He answered his phone with a cranky hello. I heard a male voice on the other end say a few quick words.
    â€˜What, right now?’ Will said angrily. He paused as he listened. He looked into the distance, past some afternoon joggers. ‘Can’t I come by later? I’m in the middle of something, plus I have to be back at work in an hour.’ He looked at me quickly. I tried to smile serenely.
    â€˜Really? Bloody hell. Okay, I’ll be there in a bit. And by the way you owe me big time.’ He hung up.
    He turned to look at me with imploring eyes. ‘I’m going to have to cut our lunch date short. A friend needs my help…’ He didn’t elaborate any more.
    â€˜Nothing serious I hope.’ I was concerned.
    â€˜Serious enough to take me away from your fine company.’ He smiled with a slight grimace. Despite his making light of it, from his sombre expression I knew it was something concerning.
    â€˜That’s okay, you can make it up to me some other time,’ I said congenially.
    â€˜Oh I intend to!’ He sprung to his feet and held out his hand for me. I clambered up and hit my head against his chest. We both laughed and he gave me a quick hug. I felt myself melt, but almost in an instant we drew apart.
    He looked me straight in the eyes. ‘I’ll call you soon.’ He walked away hurriedly.
    I considered his mysterious phone call. What could it have been?

Chapter 22
    I arrived at the warehouse on Monday morning, found it already open and heavy with the aromas of brewing tea and blueberry and white chocolate muffins. I had forgotten that I had asked Roxanne to start from today. I congratulated myself on my choice of receptionist.
    â€˜Morning, Rox, those muffins smell good.’ I sniffed the air hungrily.
    â€˜Help yourself to one! I could lie and say I baked them this morning, but I just stopped by Verb on my way here.’ I wondered if the librarian ate anywhere other than that cafe. It might be the books — words — verb connection.
    â€˜Grrfhanks.’ My mouth was already full of muffin. I smiled at Roxanne’s ability to thwart the magical non-detector spell for muffin procurement. I was glad to share her need for delicious food.
    â€˜By the way, I took a message this morning from a gentleman who called about his daughter. I’ve left details on a note at your desk.’
    I gulped. ‘What? I didn’t get any calls on my phone.’ I looked at my mobile phone to make sure and immediately felt silly. Roxanne could not have answered the phone in my pocket.
    â€˜Oh I answered the telephone in your office. I hope you don’t mind, but there is no line out here for me to answer.’ Roxanne looked around the smaller office room.
    â€˜We have a telephone?’ I walked quickly into my office and saw an old 1950s style push button phone, made completely out of bright red melamine.
    â€˜Where the hell did that come