The two publishers walked over and shook hands with Meg, who spoke to them in fluent French. The trio laughed and took their seats. Brigitte had the glossiest long brown hair Liv had ever seen, and Stéphane’s magnificent curls looked like a lion’s mane.
Liv remained standing. She had a pulsing sound in her ears. Somewhere across the hall she saw Ted Mason, and sat down quickly on a stool. ‘Um,bonjour,’ she said.
Meg reverted to talking in English and held up a couple of Essie’s books. Liv was so anxious she didn’t take in any of her words. She felt like she was watching the meeting from a soundproof glass booth. She smiled until her jaw ached and became aware that Meg, Brigitte and Stéphane were looking at her.
‘Isaid, don’t you thinkThe River After Midnightwould be a good choice for La Plume.’ Meg nodded at her.
Stéphane and Brigitte looked at her expectantly, too.
The book wasn’t one of Liv’s favourites. It featured a condescending hero and fewer action sequences than usual. ‘What are you looking for?’ she asked.
Brigitte thought for a moment. ‘Something with depth and heart. Our readers want to feel every emotion.’
Liv ran through all nineteen novels in her head. One stood out for her, but it wasn’t one of Essie’s biggest bestsellers. ‘I’d suggestThe Daylight Streaminstead,’ she said.
Meg flashed her a stare. ‘Really?’
Liv nodded. ‘It’s Essie’s eighth book and makes me cry the most. Georgia uncovers lots of secrets and reconnects with the daughter of someone she thought was dead. It’s incredibly moving.’
Stéphane’s eyes met Brigitte’s. ‘Très intéressant,’ he said. ‘I have not read this one.’
Liv scanned the shelves and picked up two copies of the book. She opened the covers and adhered a signed bookplate into each.
Stéphane nodded as he read the blurb on the back.
‘Merci.’ Brigitte smiled and shook Liv’s hand. ‘This sounds perfect. We shall discuss, and you may expect our offer soon.’
Meg stared after them, her face etched with surprise. ‘Well done, Livvy,’ she said from the corner of her mouth. ‘Do you fancy meeting the Italians next?’
Throughout the course of the day, Liv joined Meg for several more meetings. At first, her shoulders were rounded, and her blood pressure shot up if anyone spoke to her. But by mid-afternoon she felt more confident in displaying her vast knowledge of Essie’s work. Perhaps she was the best person to tackle the author’s manuscript after all.
People treated her very differently from the Platinum office staff, who had pretended she wasn’t there as she cleaned, or Hannah Cardinal, who had made her run errands. Liv wondered if it was all their fault, or if she’d allowed them to treat her that way. What might have happened if she’d stood up for herself more? She was going to do things differently from now on.
Editors sat opposite her with their pens poised, nodding and hanging on to her words. Liv sat at the high table, smiling and speaking with ease and authority. At first, she thought people held her in higher regard because she was Essie’s assistant, and they were interested in the author’s work. Slowly, Liv realizedshewas the one holding their attention, and pride warmed her chest.
When the festival came to an end for the day, Meg took a call as she and Liv left the exhibition space together. An offer had come in from the Italian publishing house.
‘This is super. Well done, Livvy,’ Meg said, after hanging up.
Liv hutched her tote bag up her shoulder and found a spring in her step despite the weight of the two manuscripts. She wondered if everyone could see her cheeks blooming with colour. When they reached the hotel foyer, she kissed Meg on both cheeks and arranged to meet her later for the big dinner.
As she made her way back up to her suite, Liv wrapped the striped tie around her hand and held it tightly. ‘Thanks, Georgia,’ she whispered.
Chapter 18
Animal Heads
Liv put on one of Essie’s long black silk dresses for the dinner. Her whole body felt like it was shaking, but when she looked in the mirror she appeared still. And she also felt beautiful. Not in a film star way, with flawless skin and perfect make-up, but for a forty-two-year-old cleaner who’d stepped into a different universe, she felt as if she was glowing. She unpacked things from her tote bag and transferred a few bits into one of Essie’s sequined clutch bags. There was just enough room to squeeze in the striped tie, too.
When Liv got engaged to Jake, Carol insisted she wanted to buy the wedding dress. The two women had gone shopping for it together.
Liv gazed at rows of gorgeous gowns in several boutiques before her eyes were drawn to a silk dress with tiny glass beads and lace on the bodice. As soon as she held it up to her chin, it felt likeherdress and her excitement blossomed. But then she saw its price tag of seven hundred pounds.
‘Oh, love. It’s absolutely stunning,’ Carol said.
‘It costs a fortune,’ Liv whispered.
‘Don’t worry about that.’ Carol ushered her into a changing room. ‘Try it on and give me a twirl.’
