I stop what I’m doing. ‘Did you agree to Monday?’
She gives a small nod. ‘10am, Soho House on Greek Street.’
I’m about to congratulate her but her expression falls short of triumphant. More like dread. ‘How d’you feel?’ I ask.
She bites the pad of her thumb. ‘I have to confront him sometime, don’t I. It can’t hang over my head forever.’
‘Do you feel ready?’
She flashes her let’s-be-realistic look. ‘I’ll never be ready.’
‘Are you going to tell your mum?’
‘Absolutely not. She’d go wild.’
I can tell she hates how much she’s keeping from her mum. They used to be thick as thieves, and yesterday I heard Minnie on the phone explaining how work wanted her to stay close to the track – from my flat in London.
I feel a pang of guilt that lying comes so hard to her and she’s been so open with me, but I haven’t been fully open with her. I’m hiding a huge part of myself. But it’s not just me I have to think about. There are people I have to protect. Or, rather, one very important person. And it’s not like I think she’s going to hurt him or ring upThe Sun, I just can’t bear the thought of someone judging him.
‘How come you’re ready so early? I thought we were going to head over together at seven,’ I say. ‘I was going to drop you off at that side entrance I was telling you about.’ Her hesitation has me planting both hands on the counter. ‘Roberts?’
She seems to battle with herself and shakes her head. ‘I don’t know why I’m fussing; it’s not a big deal. I’m interviewing Micah this morning.’
I purse my lips and lean closer. ‘Say what?’
‘He approached me in the Pagari Hub and asked me to interview him. Said he wants to reinvent his image and I’m the best person to do it.’ She looks like a chuffed penguin. I hate that I’m the one who has to ruin it.
‘Why did you keep this from me?’
‘It wasn’t intentional. We don’t talk about work, and it has nothing to do with you,’ she says, sounding a little sharp for my liking.
‘It haseverythingto do with me. He’s playing you, Minnie.’
‘Don’t overreact. He doesn’t even know we’re connected.’
‘The man’s a manipulation machine. I could bet my car collection he knows something.’
‘You’re being selfish; this is a huge deal for me. Things aren’t great at work?—’
‘You never told me that.’
‘I don’t need to tell you that,’ she snaps.
‘This doesn’t count as talking about the minutiae of work. How your job’s going is part of your life. We’re friends. I obviously care if it’s tough.’
‘I’m not arguing with you about where the work line is,’ she bites back. ‘All you need to know is this is my chance to give my career a boost and force the network to take me more seriously.’
The idea that someone at Channel 3 doesn’t treat her with grave seriousness sets my teeth on edge. How could you not? The woman’s notes are the size of Texas! I bet it’s that old fart Brian O’Connell. He wasn’t even that good of a driver. Having a stellar car and one of the best defenders in history as your second doesn’t make you a worthy World Champion.
‘Micah’s not your guy, Minnie. I know him better than most people. He’s got an agenda and it won’t help you.’
She folds her arms across her chest and I try my best to ignore the way it squeezes her boobs higher. ‘You don’t think I can handle him,’ she challenges.
I’m creeping into dangerous territory; I can feel it. ‘I never said that. Look, Sunday’s the anniversary of the team orders disaster. He’s not going to let it pass without a fight. He’s planning something to get back at me, I just know it.’
‘Not everything’s about you, Jack!’
‘No, but?—’
