‘Perfect. Excellent. Yes. Wonderful.’ She turns to leave the office, her skirt swishing as she moves.
‘Step number one is to convince her to drink less coffee,’ I tell Williams once Sue is firmly out of earshot. ‘Before you go, I’m going to throw Amanda a baby shower. Not yet but I want to get a date in diaries. Could you send me a list of any people from your side who I should invite? I’m thinking afternoon tea at the Savoy.’
‘You know her well. Expensive indulgence and an afternoon that revolves around Amanda. She’ll love it.’ There’s no malice in his words, just good humour. ‘I’ll think about it and drop you a message.’
‘Thanks, Williams, and thanks for this morning.’
* * *
My mind wanders far too often to Gregory, as if being in his glass tower somehow makes him ever-present. The jury is definitely out on whether this move is a good idea. What’s harder is knowing that he’s willing to have me in his office.
Concentrate.
I focus on the latest draft of the joint venture agreement with Shangzen Tek, which Shangzen’s lawyer emailed during the night. Between that, first-day IT hiccups, a stream of questions from Amanda in relation to Mr Ghurair, and a two-hour lunch with Sue, I already have a backlog of emails.
I’m sifting through confirmations from external counsel about the progress made in the challenges against Nick Henshaw when there’s a tap on my office door.
‘Come in.’
Sue appears. ‘I’m heading off now. Well, unless you need anything. Then I’m happy to stay.’
I turn to the two walls of windows forming an L-shape around me and realise the winter darkness is already set in and raindrops decorate the glass panes. In the reflection, I see Stuart, now standing in the doorway behind Sue.
‘No, I’m good, you head off.’
‘Thank you. Oh, and Mr Culliton has come to see you. Is it okay?’ I have to suppress my laugh as Stuart points to himself then the office floor as if to say,I’m already here.
‘Yes, fine, thank you, Sue. Have a lovely evening and I’ll see you tomorrow. Come in, Stuart. Take a seat.’
He sits into one of the chairs opposite mine with his coat and tie in his hand. The top button of his shirt is undone and his hair is ruffled like it’s been a long day. ‘I just wanted to return the favour,’ he says. ‘You came to see how I was settling in and it was nice of you.’ He shrugs. ‘You were one of the few people who made me feel welcome, so I wanted to make sure I did the same for you.’ He smiles but his eyes remain a mystery.
‘Thank you. That’s sweet of you. It’s been a long day and I dare say I’ll be here for a while yet but I’m getting there. I think I’ve cracked the systems now.’
He nods and turns his head around the room, his eyes fixing momentarily on the bunch of roses then turning back to me. ‘Are they from Gregory?’
‘Ah, yes, they are.’
‘Do you think he’s a good man?’ he asks bizarrely.
I feel my brows furrow and there’s a wash of realisation on his face.
‘He is a good man. The best. He can seem a little uptight at work but give him a chance.’
Stuart nods again, seemingly contemplative. ‘Are you working on my game?’ He inclines his head to the open file of papers in front of me.
‘Er, yes, I am.’
‘So did you stop Nick using the game?’
My head snaps up to meet his.
‘Gregory told me,’ he adds quickly.
He did?
‘Yes. We did,’ I say, wondering when that conversation took place and hoping Gregory hasn’t taken out his temper over the whole thing on Stuart again. He swore on his mother’s life he knows nothing about the trouble.
Stuart takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for longer than a blink. ‘I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, Scarlett.’
