Free Boss by Ashley John

I never expected you to call. The last I heard, you were in France.”
    “I was for a couple of months, years ago, but I’ve been in India for the last six months.”
    “India,” he seemed impressed, “I’ve always wanted to go there, but it all seems a little dirty.”
    “It’s not so bad,” he suddenly felt defensive about the country that had been his temporary home, “the weather is better than here.”
    “I don’t think I could cope with the heat,” he chuckled.
    Itching to change the subject toward more important matters, Joshua fidgeted and edged closer to the desk.
    “Why hadn’t you expected me to call?”
    Carefully, Tobias reached out, ignoring the paperwork in front of him. He pulled a leather-bound folder towards him. W hy didn’t I notice that before? It looked unusually thin. With delicate ease like it could crumble at any moment, he opened the folder and pulled out a tiny envelope. Joshua’s name was written on it and he recognised his dad’s handwriting.
    “When I didn’t hear from you after the funeral, I thought you must have found out some other way. I did wait for your call but eventually, I just accepted that you must not have wanted it.”
    Wanted his inheritance? He thought Tobias knew him better than that.
    “Tobias, I’m here now. Let’s just get down to business,” Joshua wanted to reach out for the letter but he stopped himself, “have you got the paperwork?”
    “Paperwork?” he scrunched up his face, “What paperwork?”
    Had he lost his touch in his old age?
    “You did take care of my father’s will, didn’t you?”
    “Of course,” he seemed offended at the question, “but I don’t think we’re on the same page.”
    Joshua couldn’t help but think they were on different pages of different books in separate libraries. His eyes wandered down to the letter again, his fingers trembling. It is his handwriting.
    Leaning back, Tobias tugged at the buttons on the suit jacket, letting his stomach pop forwards, the chair creaking under his weight.
    “Have you got the will?”
    “Somewhere,” he glanced over to the filing cabinet, “is it important?”
    “Why do you think I’m here, Tobias?” the impatience was loud and clear in his voice, “I didn’t come for a social visit.”
    “I wasn’t quite sure,” he leaned forwards suddenly, pushing the letter across the desk, “I assumed somebody must have told you about the letter and you’d come to collect it?”
    “What letter?” he cried, “I’m here for my damn inheritance, Tobias. Let’s cut to the chase and talk figures and time frames. I’m only in London for a couple of weeks and I need the money. I don’t have time to be playing your lawyer games. Cut the bullshit and get to the point.”
    His cheeks burned red as he waited for Tobias to speak. The look in his stern eyes unsettled him.
    “Joshua,” Tobias breathed in and out deeply, “I assumed you knew.”
    “Why is everybody assuming things?” he locked his fingers behind his head, “I just want to know about my inheritance.”
    Tobias pinched between his brows and Joshua noticed tiny droplets of sweat forming on top of his scalp, dancing and glittering in the light as they slowly made their way in and out of the grooves on Tobias’ face.
    “Joshua,” he said, “ this , this is your inheritance.”
    He tapped a chunky finger on the envelope.
    “A letter?” Joshua laughed, “What’s in it? A treasure map? This isn’t funny.”
    He was laughing but it was more from nerves than amusement. Tobias produced a silk handkerchief from inside his jacket to dab at the sweat.
    “I really didn’t want to be the one to tell you this,” he sighed heavily, “I thought your father would have told you when he did it. I thought he was doing it when he was alive so you could give your blessing. He didn’t tell me much, so I didn’t know what was -,”
    “Tobias!” he couldn’t hold back, “What are you talking about?”
    Not only were his