‘I’ve got quotes about Essie that have been used before. I get titbits from someone at Peregrine, and a disgruntled ex-assistant. I’ve written a lot of my piece but need something bigger and fresher.’ Chloe pursed her lips self-assuredly. ‘And I’m pretty sure I’ve found it.’
Liv saw ambition glinting in her eyes. It was something she’d started to feel for herself, too. She circled her glass so the ice cubes rattled. ‘What is it?’ she said.
‘Well, hon.’ Chloe met her eyes. She made the silence that followed feel like forever. ‘Iknowyou’ve been ghostwriting for Essie. I have evidence. Now I’d like to hear it from you. What’s the full story?’
Liv’s mind spun like a toy windmill. If Chloe thought she was writing for Essie, perhaps that wasn’t too bad. If she denied anything, Chloe would dig even deeper. She had to play things tactically. ‘Oh,’ she said, pretending to look ashamed. ‘That.’
‘Sorry. Game over. What will Essie’s readers make of it?’ Chloe sang. ‘I’ve got my story.’
Liv paused for a moment, letting Chloe think she’d won. She repositioned the knot in her tie. Georgia Rory wouldn’t give in to pressure, and neither would she. ‘I look after Essie’s place while she works away. After three decades of writing, she needs a bit of help now and again with her editing. She has the ideas, and does most of the work. I help out a little, and that’s it. I don’t think you have anything at all.’
Chloe sat up straighter. ‘I saw two manuscripts. Two sets of handwriting. You virtually live in her flat. Why was there a man’s tie on Essie’s desk?’
‘I’m sorry. You have nothing.’ Liv knew she’d have to dangle a carrot to get the journalist off her back. She couldn’t risk her accessing the flat again, or sniffing anything else out. Thinking quickly, she said, ‘We could do a trade.’
Chloe narrowed her eyes. ‘Whattrade? An interview with Essie?’
Liv didn’t want to answer questions on behalf of the author. She refused to divulge anything Ted, Sven or Anthony had shared with her. Hank Milligan’s PR people had never got back in touch with her about her email.
The opening of Hank’s new UK bar was in a couple of days’ time, and she wondered if Chloe knew about it. A plan dropped in her head she wasn’t sure she could deliver.
‘Essie won’t do an interview, but what if I can get you fresh material?’ she said enticingly. ‘Quotes from someone close to Essie. Someone important…’
Chloe leaned closer. Her breath quickened. ‘You mean Hank Milligan? He’s never spoken about Essie publicly before. There are rumours he paid off a journalist. Do you know why?’
Liv shrugged enigmatically. She didn’t know anything about this.If she did get anything from Hank, she’d be discreet about what she passed on to Chloe.
‘A confirmed quote?’ Chloe said. ‘What’s the deal in return?’
Liv finished her drink and set her glass firmly down on the table. ‘You don’t publishanythinguntil November the first.’
Chloe thought about this. ‘Why then?’
‘Essie’s new book will be finished.’
Chloe stroked a thumb across her tattoo. ‘Can you get me an excerpt? I’ll make sure it gets great exposure. And I’d love to read it, too, of course.’
Liv relaxed a little, glad she’d fallen for the bait, though she still didn’t trust Chloe entirely. If Liv could access Hank, she might be able to keep the journalist away long enough to finish the novel. Perhaps she could share her own writing with her, rather than Essie’s. ‘One step at a time,’ she said. ‘What’s more important to you? Pulling strands together and not knowing if they’re true, or fresh information and an exclusive excerpt? You might also want to think about a new angle for the article, too.’
‘Why?’
‘Instead of writing something that Essie will hate, why not focus on Georgia Rory?’
Chloe arched an eyebrow. ‘And why would I do that?’
‘Essie saw herself in her heroine,’ Liv said. ‘That’s how she reached out and touched her readers. The fandom for Georgia is huge. If you write about Essie you’ll be using old material, trying to weave snippets together into something threadbare, even if I get quotes from Hank. Why don’t you write about what Georgia means to readers, and why people love her? Talk to her fans and publish their stories. You’ll find more passion and adventure there than anything in Essie’s life over the past ten years.Combined with Hank’s quote and a small excerpt, you’ve got your scoop.’
Chloe eyed her. ‘Readers still want to know why Essie disappeared from the public eye, hon.’
‘But isn’t that part of Essie’s allure and mystery? You really want to spoil that? Sometimes you don’t want a story to end.’
Chloe looked out of the window. The sunlight made her irises look translucent. Liv wasn’t sure what she was thinking.
Eventually, the journalist stuck out a slim hand. ‘You’ve got a deal.’
Liv stared at it. ‘How can I trust you?’
‘Sometimes, you’ve got to take a chance in life, hon. What’s your alternative?’
