‘Her speech was three until four o’clock. You said you went to the caves before that, while they were both speaking; why so long?’
‘I got mixed up.’
‘You should watch what you drink,’ Kelly said. She tapped his water bottle. ‘Which was it? Morning or afternoon?’
‘I can’t remember.’
‘How long were you at the caves?’
He scratched his head.
‘Did you have your boots then?’
He looked genuinely perplexed. ‘I think I did.’
‘Tell me, Paul, you are, or were, Jamie Robbins’ partner, and this product is going to get you those share options you need to retire before forty, so why would you miss his presentation?’
‘I’ve seen it a thousand times; we wrote it together.’
‘Doesn’t that look bad though? You’re both the face ofYouthBlastaren’t you?’
He didn’t answer.
‘It’s an odd time to go sightseeing when your partner is trying to impress influencers who will make it go viral. It’s a pivotal moment of the conference.’
‘We had a few issues with the product I was trying to iron out.’
‘Such as?’
‘The chemical profile is delicate. There is some evidence that the balance of the diuretic and testosterone can lead to side effects.’
She eyed his water bottle. ‘Like what?’
‘We don’t know.’
He wiped his brow.
It was bewildering trying to make sense of Paul’s erratic behaviour.
She suspected he did know, and it wasn’t good.
‘Sweating? Irritability? Lack of concentration?’ she asked. He didn’t answer. ‘So, on the back, where it lists fruit and vitamins and compounds which sound natural and healthy, actually there’s some alchemy going on which doesn’t have to be declared.’
‘Not quite, we abide by all laws dictating the supplement industry.’
‘Do you suffer any side effects? You seem jumpy.’
He paused. She waited.
‘There’s a compound called Neurohydroxy-14. It’s new. It changes mood regulation. I actually love the way it makes me feel.’
She studied his face. More sweat droplets had appeared on his forehead and he looked stressed. More so than one might expect in a casual interview. She recognised the name of the chemical; it was the one that was hidden in the small print, denoted by an asterisk. She didn’t even attempt to pronounce it.
‘How does it change mood regulation? Does it behave well with – what did you say – testosterone and a diuretic? How do they behave together?’
‘We’re not sure.’
‘But in your experience?’
