Liv’s body went rigid.
‘Hmm, perhaps,’ Katrina said, thinking. ‘We need new equipment to increase output, too.’ She spewed forth with more scattergun ideas.
The more Liv listened, the more her head ached. Perhaps Jake was trying to protect her from hearing this stuff after all. Her sister-in-law seemed to think Paperpress would soon be printingVogue.
‘Why not build up relationships with small independent publishers, to print their books?’ Liv said. ‘It’s less risky and grows the business more gradually. If you fancy doing something creative,you could hold bookbinding workshops. I bet lots of people would love to try it.’
The room fell eerily quiet apart from the sound of whale music.
‘Nice ideas,’ Marcie piped up.
‘Pardon me, Liv. What do you know about business?’ Katrina snapped. ‘Or creativity?’
Liv blinked hard against the cotton wool pads covering her eyes. ‘Probably more than you think,’ she said.
‘It’s like me telling you how to mop floors, or clean a sink.’
‘I’m only trying to help…’
‘Perhaps leave Paperpress to the people who know it best.’
‘I’d love to bind a book,’ Marcie said. ‘That’s so cute.’
Katrina let out a huff. ‘Oh, shut up, Marcie.’
The music went off and the lights came on in the room.
‘All done now, ladies,’ the therapist said, her arms hanging by her sides. ‘I hope you’re all nice and relaxed.’
Liv, Katrina and Marcie briskly got dressed and headed towards the changing area for the swimming pool. They stood in individual cubicles where they squeezed into their swimsuits and didn’t talk. Liv scolded herself for even bothering to try and talk sense into Katrina.
When she was ready, she stood on the side of the pool on her own. At least wearing her expensive new swimwear gave her mood a small boost.
Katrina approached her. She ran her eyes over Liv’s swimsuit. ‘That’s a very nice costume,’ she said sweetly.
Liv wondered if she regretted her hostility. ‘Thanks.’
‘Join me in the sauna?’
It sounded like a command rather than a question and, as it was Katrina’s birthday,Liv felt she had to obey. She followed her towards a structure that looked like a garden shed in the corner of the room. Heat blasted her face when she opened the door.
They sat together on a wooden slatted bench without speaking. The steam around them puffed like fog machines at a rock concert.
‘Celeb biographies could be a real money spinner,’ Katrina said. ‘Essie could be a useful asset…’
Liv couldn’t believe her ears. ‘She wouldn’t do that kind of thing. Why don’t you build on what you’ve got?’
Katrina stared at her through the steam. ‘Haven’t you discussed the contract with Jake yet?’ she said.
Liv frowned. ‘What contract?’ Her mind flicked back to the paperwork she’d found under Jake’s pillow and the figures she didn’t understand. What had he been discussing with Katrina on the night of the Paperpress staff awards?
‘For our new glam logo and branding, of course,’ Katrina said. ‘Jake’s offered to pay for it. He’s so generous.’
Liv wiped droplets from her forehead. ‘I don’t think so. We can’t even afford to—’
Katrina barked a laugh. ‘Says the lady in the designer dress, swimsuit and Dior sunglasses, who hobnobs with celebs and bought me a Machiavelli beach bag.’
Liv shivered in the heat. ‘What will a new logo cost?’
