‘The best-laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley. And leave us naught but grief and pain, For promised joy!’ (To A Mouse) by Robert Burns.

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AMANDA

The grim expression on Robert's face when I walked into his office was unsurprising.

He was standing in front of his desk, one hand on it, and the other against the edge, drumming impatiently.

I could tell he wasn't thrilled about my visit by the tenseness in his muscles and the way his jaw ticked. But I didn't mind. ...