‘Is he too busy?’ Angel asked.
‘He says he is, but I know it isn’t that.’
‘What is it then?’ Angel asked again.
It was no good. She could hear everything. She shot Angel a warning look.
Cynthia sighed. ‘As much as Oliver supports the foundation, I know he hates it in equal measure. He didn’t deal with the death of his brother or his father very well and he hates to be reminded of it.’
‘My nanny hates to be reminded how old she is,’ Angel said. ‘She also hates being reminded that she started using Oil of Olay when it was called Oil of Ulay.’
‘How do youknowthat?’ Hayley asked.
‘You were the one that told me!’
‘I didn’t expect you to remember.’
‘Do you know me at all?’
Cynthia burst out laughing. ‘You two are hysterical. If I don’t find another speaker, I think you should do a comedic double act. Right, shall we meet the chef? See what suggestions he has for the catering?’
‘Yes, let’s talk cuisine instead of complexion,’ Hayley agreed, glaring at Angel.
36
DRUMMOND GLOBAL OFFICES, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
Clara held up a photograph. ‘This one?’
‘Argh! Don’t tell me! I know this one.’
Despite the climate control making it a comfortable twenty degrees in the office, Oliver was sweating. All day, he’d been trying to memorise the flash cards Clara had organised for him. His father had known every single member of his workforce. He wanted to do the same.Familiaritybred loyalty, not a larger-than-most pay cheque. He wanted to show his employees that they were important to him. Because they were and he should have realised that before.
‘Shall I give you a clue?’ Clara offered.
He snapped his fingers. ‘Gemma Polvanoski. She works in accounts.’
‘Very good,’ Clara said, putting the photo to the back of her pile.
‘Give me another one,’ Oliver demanded, loosening his tie and pacing the carpet.
‘Oliver, you’ve named fifty-five employees already.’
‘I didn’t get them all right.’
‘You got forty-nine of them right.’
‘How many people do I employee?’
‘Almost four hundred.’
‘Then we have a long way to go. Give me another one.’
‘I don’t think you should be exerting yourself.’
He closed his eyes as what felt like a clenched fist took hold of his heart and squeezed. He swallowed before continuing. ‘I’m still here.’
‘The doctor told you to take things easy.’
