I can feel a lump forming in my throat. Confusion. Hurt. I’ve no idea any more. I just can’t read him unless he’sshowingme what he thinks, physically. Then his words contradict everything I feel in those moments. I need more. I can feel my eyes beginning to sting as I swallow down the lump.
He takes my hand from my lap and lifts it to his lips, then stares as he bends and strokes my fingertips; everything about the move is sombre.
Please,Gregory,let me in.
After lunch, we move to take coffee in the lounge and my phone rings again.
‘Sorry, it’s Neil, I need to take this.’
As I lift the phone to my ear and press to receive the call, Gregory reaches for the phone. ‘Scarlett?—’
I place my hand over the receiver. ‘I won’t be long, I promise. Neil, hi.’
‘Scarlett. Got your email. Fantastic news.’
Making my way along the corridor of Lara’s mansion to find a quiet spot, I cast my eyes back over my shoulder and shake my head in frustration when I find Gregory’s scrunched forehead and unreadable expression still on me.
‘Sorry, Neil, my email?’
I dip into a smaller, but equally stunning sitting room with teal, textured wall paint, elaborate cream-and-gold floor-to-ceiling curtains and a collection of mismatched but perfectly complementary fabric chairs and sofas surrounding a sheepskin rug.
‘Yes, this morning. I’m thrilled you’re accepting the secondment, although I confess, I hadn’t realised it was still in question. Mr Ghurair is quite insistent that you’re the right person for the job.’
‘I… erm…’ I try to focus. I’m lost.
‘Oh, don’t be modest, Scarlett. This will go a long way for your prospects at the firm.’
‘I accepted the secondment.’ It’s clear he thinks that much.What email?‘Neil, forgive me, I’m just a little confused.’
‘Did you have a big Saturday night, Scarlett?’ He laughs. ‘Well, I don’t want to keep you on a Sunday; I just want to check you’re okay to fly out this week so I can confirm with Abdulla?’
‘This week… Sorry, Neil, can I call you back in one minute?’
‘Yes, of course.’
Hanging up, I pull up the sent items in my email folder.
To: Wallace, Neil
From: Heath, Scarlett
Sent: Sunday 29 Nov 2025 8.44
Subject: Dubai Secondment
Good morning Neil,
I just wanted to let you know that I have put a lot of thought into the Dubai secondment opportunity and I would like to accept.
Please let me know the arrangements.
Regards,
Scarlett Heath
Director
Saunders, Taylor and Chamberlain LLP
