‘Poor Essie. Don’t let it spoil your fun,’ Meg said. ‘You did tremendously well today. We won’t need you or Essie on the stand tomorrow, so you can have a little rest.’
Waiters began to glide into the room, carrying plates at shoulder level. The maître d’ announced each course as if he was an esteemed Lord Mayor making a decree.
An entrée looked like a small egg set on a spoon, but passionfruit exploded on Liv’s tongue when she bit into it.Wow,she thought. She chased a tiny pink ball around her plate with a fork. A culinary meal with Jake and the boys was a Five Guys hot dog and fries. She stared at her rows of knives and forks and had no idea which ones to use.
‘I’msoexcited for Book Twenty,’ Meg said, as she poured Liv a glass of champagne. ‘I’m intrigued to know your thoughts about it, darling, as a beta reader.’
Liv remembered that her honesty about Essie’s book review hadn’t gone down well. She hoped Meg wouldn’t react the same way. She placed her clutch bag on her knee and glimpsed the striped tie through a gap.
When she started to speak, it was like a small crack appeared in a dam and her passion took over. She had lived and breathed Essie’s manuscript for three months and hadn’t been able to share it properly with anyone until today. Her words trickled out at first, before turning into a gush.
‘The story’s taking shape,’ she said. ‘Personally, I think Georgia’s grown too staid over the last few books. She’s lost her spirit of adventure. Sure, she still travels around and falls in love, but she acts like it’s a weight on her shoulders. Readers want to feel her excitement and energy, not think she’s resentful, or miserable. She needs to change and I think that’s happening in this book.’
Meg nodded for a while. ‘You’ve hit the nail on the head, Livvy. I’ve said similar things to Essie. I worked with her on edits, but…’ She let her words drift. ‘I don’t wish to be indiscreet. It sounds like you’re getting both Essie and Georgia back on the right track. Well done.’
Liv sipped her champagne gratefully. ‘Essie’s struggling with the love of Georgia’s life. She hasn’t decided who it is yet, and I’m trying to help her. The end of the story is proving evasive.’
‘Love of her life?’ Meg mused. ‘I always had a soft spot for architect Dean Andrews inThe River After Midnight. He’s very dashing and spontaneous. Essie should choose wisely. Her readers need someone memorable and to feel Georgia’s longing for him.’
Liv’s plate was whisked away and replaced with something tiny and cut into thin slices. The maître d’ announced it astruffle supreme, and it was so delicate she wanted to sigh after each bite.
‘Now, when am I going to read this book, darling?’ Meg said. ‘It’s vastly overdue.’
‘Essie says the first of November.’
Meg chortled as if Liv had told her a joke, until her face eventually straightened. ‘Oh, darling. I told Marlon Imusthave the manuscript before then.’
‘That’s not possible.’
‘But we’re already working on strategy. We’re planning our marketing campaign.’
‘There’s still heaps to do.’
Meg wet her lips. She lowered her voice. ‘I must tell you, we have interest from a major film studio in this book, Livvy. They love Georgia, but have been waiting for therightstory. The last few books haven’t been it, and I think Essie knows that, too. She’s always refused adaptations of her work, not wanting anyone to mess with her characters, and we’re all hoping she’ll change her mind.’
‘Films shouldn’t be a marker of success for books,’ Liv said. ‘Books allow you to tap into your imagination and conjure up your own pictures, not lay everything out on screen.’
‘Well, I see your point, darling.’ Meg shifted in her chair. ‘We still need conflict and romance, a battle against the odds, and heaps of emotion. Do you think this novel will deliver it?’
Liv closed her eyes briefly. She pushed a hand into her bag and touched the tie. The old version of her would simply agree, putting everyone else’s needs above her own. Trying to complete the book more quickly would compromise its quality. ‘Yes, it will deliver,’ she said firmly. ‘But only if Essie has enough time to finish it properly. She’s insistent on a November the first deadline and Marlon knows that, too…’
At the mention of his name, Marlon appeared and gave a small cough. ‘May I steal Liv? I’d like to introduce her to Milo and Giuseppe from Antelope.’
‘Fabulous idea. Then do come back and keep me company.’ Meg air-kissed Liv and twinkled a wave. ‘You do drive a hard bargain, darling.’
Liv staggered a little as she followed Marlon around to the other side of the table. ‘Meg asked for the manuscript earlier, but I said no,’ she said, still surprised by her own boldness.
Marlon’s cheeks coloured. ‘I’ve been waiting to warn Essie about it in person.’
‘Well, it’s all settled now. Essie will be taking three more months. And even that will be tight.’
When Liv thought about everything she had to deliver, it felt like the sword of Damocles hanging over her head. One false move and it might fall and slice her jugular. She had to find Georgia’s man, edit the complete book, and write the eight missing chapters in thirteen weeks. A ticking clock sounded loudly in her head.
She hoped speaking to Sven tomorrow would help bring much-needed answers.
When Marlon introduced her to the Antelope team Liv couldn’t concentrate properly. When she returned to her original seat,tiny unidentifiable things continued to arrive on plates. Next to her, Marlon and Meg soon fell deep into conversation. Their foreheads almost touched as they nodded and made notes. She wondered if they were talking about her and Essie, and the weight on her shoulders felt even heavier.
After eating dessert, Marlon spoke to Liv. ‘Slip away and see how Essie is,’ he said. ‘The dinner will go on for at least another hour.’
