‘Sleeping together? Actually, no. Well, not that either of us remember. You’d think I’d know, right?’
‘You’d hope so,’ I laugh. ‘Are you still going to Lara’s party?’
‘Oh, for sure, wouldn’t miss it, but I think we’re going as friends.’
‘Friends? Right, okay.’ I shake my head. ‘So are we still on for shopping one night this week?’
‘Yes, definitely. Oh my gosh, how full-on was Lara yesterday?’
I shrug. ‘I guess she was. She was different after that Camilla woman left, though and what she’s doing for Sandy is really nice. I probably didn’t show it enough but I’ve been wondering what would happen to Sandy after… my dad, and Lara’s fixed that.’
‘I assume Gregory had something to do with it?’
When I nod, Amanda smiles and moves to perch on the end of my desk. ‘You know, I do think he’s really quite miserable and up his own arse but?—’
‘Oh, there is a but!’
‘But, he’s kind of growing on me, slowly. Everyone can see he absolutely adores you. So as long as he doesn’t royally fuck it up, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.’
A grin spreads the width of my face, like a child in her first school play who’s just located her parents in the audience. ‘Well, I’m glad you approve.’
I nudge aside my doubt that he’s in this or any relationship for the long haul.
‘Of sorts. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him,’ she adds. ‘So, have you googled this party Lara’s having? It’s crazy, full of celebs; apparently, it’s a huge event.’
I have actually googled the event and whilst the prospect of celebrities and the press thrill Amanda, I feel an inordinate amount of pressure not to embarrass Gregory and Lara. There’s frankly no way that will be possible when the press compare me to last year’s guest, Clarissa Fontaine, another Victoria’s Secret model. I wasn’t snooping exactly; the picture just flashed up on Google images. Naturally, I looked. And I wish I hadn’t. They looked stunning together.
‘There’s only one thing for it,’ Amanda says.
‘Harrods!’ we sing in unison.
‘Tomorrow evening?’ I suggest.
‘Yes, that’s fab!’
‘Perfect! Now get out of here so I can do some work.’
Turning on her heels and flicking her long hair over her shoulder, Amanda leaves.
I jot down the names of Eclectic Technologies and Shangzen Tek on a Post-it note which I take to Margaret and ask her to run conflict-of-interest checks to make sure there’s no reason the firm can’t act in any potential deal between Gregory and his Chinese acquaintances.
At eleven-twenty, I head to the ladies’ to check that my hair, make-up and dress are in order, as if Gregory hasn’t seen me without each of them out of place. I turn in the floor-length mirror to check there are no clicks in my stockings then rub a damp paper towel across the toes of my black, patent, leather shoes. There’s a sickly excitement building in my stomach. I’m desperate to see him, even if I’ll have to share him with Williams and Lawrence.
A walk will be good for me. It will calm my irrational nerves before I see him. I have to remember to keep things professional.
The rain has stopped when I step onto the street. My excitement immediately dissipates and is replaced by irritation when I see Jackson standing in front of me, holding open the door to the Mercedes. Standing still on the spot, it occurs to me that I could ignore him. What would he really do about it? I take one step right and for a second, I’ve convinced myself I’ll actually walk away but I know it’s not Jackson who’s trying to strip me of my independence.
‘Thank you,’ I mumble as I sit into the back seat of the Mercedes.
Jackson inclines his head but I suspect he knows better than to strike up conversation with a woman sporting a scowl like mine. He sits into the driver seat and does not roll down the partition as he pulls out into the continuous stream of traffic.
When we arrive at Gregory’s glass tower, I’m out of the car and storming through the glass doors to the building before Jackson has a chance to step out of the driver seat. My toe taps the ground as the lift rises. Irritation has now crystalised into rage.
‘I’m here to see Mr Ryans; it’s Scarlett Heath,’ I unintentionally snap at the blonde on the reception desk. There’s no love lost there, in any event. I’ve seen the way she silently hates on me.
‘We’re expecting you. I’ll take you to his office; follow me.’
‘His office?’
