Did I worry Claude with the truth or add to the half-truths (and outright lies) I’d already told her?
‘Just some matters to work out with Julian – about the partnership,’ I said vaguely.
‘Wait, shouldn’t I be involved in those discussions?’ she asked, suddenly serious.
Bugger – she was right. Any discussions about the terms of the partnershipwouldinvolve Claude.Gah!Going into this conversation without a plan was stupid. I needed to be upfront.
‘Actually, there’s more…’
I explained, attributing Tommy’s suspicions about Julian to me.
‘God, Ally, that’s—’ I could picture her exact expression, her brows knitted as she worried her lower lip between her teeth. ‘Should I come? Do you want me to come?’
‘You mean now?’ I blurted. ‘Er, no… I can handle things here. Just… I think we should delay the launch of the PR campaign.’
‘Top of my list,’ she replied, all business. ‘I’ll set up a meeting with Maya and Niki for tomorrow morning.’
‘What will you tell Niki?’ I asked.
‘Potential conflict of interest – with Elysium.’
‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.Isit?’
‘No, you’re allowed to endorse other spas if they’re outside of London. I checked that before we signed the agreement with Julian.’
God, I loved my sister – whip-smart and exactly who I needed in my corner.
‘Thank you, Claude –really.’
‘It’s my job, Ally,’ she replied simply.
‘And you’re brilliant at it.’ Would she take the compliment or fob it off like usual?
‘Thanks.’ It may not seem like it, but acknowledging her own brilliance was a leap forward for Claude.
She said Ruby would check with me about travel plans, then we chatted a bit longer, mostly about Mum’s ongoing fixation withThe Traitors. Last night, poor Claude had endured a blow-by-blow recap that was longer than the episode.
After we hung up, I was typing a message to Julian about having dinner when a knock sounded at my door.
It was too early for turndown service. That left two possibilities – and I’d been married to both of them. Maybe it was Julian, coming to me for help. I got up from the sofa and went to the door.
Not Julian – Tommy.
‘Why, hello, Tom.’
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Again? Something you forgot to mention when you dragged me into the bushes?’ I teased.
‘I didn’t forget; it’s new information.’
‘Okay. Well, come on in.’
I stepped aside, sweeping my arm theatrically, as if I were ready for what he had to say. Spoiler: I wasn’t.
16
Thought of the day…
