Gregory Ryans
CEO Eclectic Technologies
‘Gregory. Gregory Ryans,’ I whisper to myself.
To: Ryans, Gregory
From: Heath, Scarlett
Sent: Tuesday 7 Oct 2025 17.39
Subject: Re: Future Correspondence
Mr Ryans,
I am happy to progress the matter in the manner preferred by you and your board. I will be in touch as soon as possible with a suitable time, once I have collated sufficient information to make a meeting worth your while.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries.
Best regards,
Scarlett Heath
Senior Associate
Saunders, Taylor and Chamberlain LLP
‘Time’s up! Let’s go!’ Amanda yells into my office, swinging by one hand on the side of my doorframe.
I blush as if I’ve been caught red-handed doing something abhorrent but I’ve no idea why. I reluctantly shut down my computer but I could really use a drink. ‘Give me two minutes. I need to make a quick call home.’
Amanda is nestled into a burgundy, leather booth when I return with a mojito for her and a 1930s cosmopolitan for me. She looks at home in the chic surroundings of the wine bar. As ever, her auburn hair is flawless, curled at the edges and resting just below her shoulders. Her cream, silk camisole looks effortlessly sexy as it flows over her curves and into the top of her ruffled skirt.
‘Mojito time! Cheers,’ she says, taking her cocktail from me and flashing her Hollywood smile. ‘Nice!’ she adds after taking her first gulp.
I laugh as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and slide into the booth beside her. ‘Graceful. So, how was The Bod on Saturday?’
‘His name was Joshua.’
I raise a suspicious brow. ‘Was?’
Amanda’s love life – I use the term loosely – is somewhat mercurial. She dates a lot and there’s rarely a keeper. The last one, by Amanda’s standards, was months ago and it never really got out of the blocks to start the race. Tom. A mummy’s and money boy. A trust-fund baby. They made it to six dates and Amanda ate well and for free for five consecutive weekends but ultimately, she drew the line at picnics and polo and he drew the line at a club until the sun comes up.
‘Was,’ she confirms. ‘He bought me a nice dinner and I thought I might actually like him.’
In response to my side-eye, she gives me a shoulder bump. ‘Hey, I did!’
‘So what happened?’
‘Well, he said he’d go my way in a taxi. You know, to make sure I got home safe, but then he came on to me quite heavy in the cab and was a bit of a prick when I said I’d never put out on the first date. Soooo, I got the taxi driver to pull over outside of some amazing house and watched Joshua drive off. I waited until he was out of sight and jumped in another cab to take me to my flat.’
She pauses for a sip of Mojito and reflects on how little she has left in her glass.
‘Can I get you ladies another drink?’ a waitress asks as she passes our table, a tray held high in her hand.
Amanda lifts her empty glass onto the tray. ‘Please.’
I glance at my watch. ‘I really can’t stay, Amanda; this will have to be the last.’
