Free Buttoned-Up Secretary, British Boss by Susanne James Page A

said as she drew water into the sink to wash up their things, privately making up her mind that with Alexander safely out of the way she would find time to clean up the study a bit. Working amongst dust and disorder put her teeth on edge. She’d already spotted where Maria kept all the dusters and polish.
    As Alexander was about to leave the room, his mobile rang and he glanced over at Sabrina as he clicked it on. ‘I knew this morning had been just too peaceful,’ he said. ‘Hi, Bruno!’
    It suddenly struck Sabrina as weird that she was finding herself caught up in the lives of the famous McDonald brothers. As she glanced briefly over at Alexander, she saw him make a face.
    ‘I’m honestly too caught up here with my own stuff to offer you any time, Bruno,’ he began, then stoppedas Bruno interrupted. After a couple of minutes he said, ‘Oh, OK, then. Look, why don’t you send the script over for me to have a look at first, then perhaps we could have a bite out somewhere on Sunday at lunch time.’ He paused. ‘We haven’t got together for a long time, Bruno. It’ll be a chance to put that right.’ Even as he spoke, Alexander was surprised at his own suggestion, but knew that Sabrina’s influence had something to do with it. Perhaps he and Bruno should make time to see each other now and then. Neither of them made any effort in that direction, he thought, but it was never too late to change things.
    There was another pause as he listened to his brother again. ‘OK, fine. And if I’m not here my secretary will be, and you can give it to her. What? No, no, it’s not Janet. She’s retired and I’ve got a new PA now. Sabrina. Yes, Sabrina! And yes, yes…’ Sabrina saw Alexander make another face. ‘Yes, Bruno, have no fear of that…And she’s competent as well,’ he said flatly.
    The call ended and Alexander glanced back at Sabrina as he went towards the door. ‘Someone will be calling by to drop an envelope in at some point—could be this week, it could be next,’ he said. ‘Anyway, see you later,’ he added briefly as he left the room.
    That was the trouble with Bruno, Alexander thought irritably as he went up the stairs. He only ever thought of women in terms of their sex appeal. His brother had immediately wanted to know what Sabrina looked like, whether she had a good figure…Alexander had far too much respect, especially since Sabrina had been listening!
    As he went into his bathroom for a quick wash and brush-up, he looked thoughtfully at himself in the mirror for a second. How would he describe Sabrina to someonewho’d never met her? he thought. Well, there was no difficulty there. She was small, with small hands and feet and a heart-shaped face, a slightly tip-tilted nose and desirable, full lips; she had long, fair hair almost down to her waist but always immaculately groomed. But the colour of those eyes, those magical eyes…They were a translucent green, like the deepest part of a placid ocean.
    But …She wore no make-up, no nail varnish, no heady, sickening perfume; no pretence of any kind.
    Not Bruno’s type at all, Alexander thought with some satisfaction.
    Later, armed with a floor cloth, disinfectant, polish and some dusters, Sabrina went upstairs to the study. Through the partly open door of a large cupboard along the landing, she’d seen a vacuum cleaner and brushes. Good; that should all be quite sufficient to sort out Alexander McDonald’s mess, she thought.
    The first thing she did was to open all the windows in the study and let in some fresh air. Then, turning, she went across to the chaise longue , filled her arms with all the cushions and went over to bang them furiously together out through the window. The dust flew out in clouds, causing her to sneeze three times in quick succession. That hadn’t been done in a long time, she thought—but no blame could be attached to Maria, who wasn’t even allowed in this room.
    A sudden thought struck Sabrina for a moment and