“Yes.” I grit my teeth. “That’s why I’m off to speak to her.”
“I know you don’t get much time at junkets, but do try to build a rapport,” he instructs pompously. “Then we can get her lined up for a feature in the future, once she’s back from maternity.”
“Yes,” I repeat. “I’m aware that building a rapport is always a good idea. I’ve actually met her briefly before, so I’ll—”
“Oh, and word of advice: don’t be late,” he says, turning back to his screen. “People lose respect for journalists when they don’t show up on time.”
It takes every bit of willpower not to shout “WHY DO YOU THINK I WAS RUSHING OUT OF HERE?!” and instead say, “Gotcha,” before scuttling off as though he’s only just given me the idea.
After a few stops on the tube, I’m back to where I was this morning, rushing out of Oxford Circus, and reaching for my phone in my bag as I head toward the junket.
I decide to call Liam, and he answers on the third ring.
“Hey, how are you?” he says, and as soon as I’ve heard hisvoice, I forgive him for the snoring, because he sounds so pleased to hear from me.
“Busy, but good! I wanted to say sorry for coming in so late last night and then dashing out this morning.”
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t expecting you to be around. I knew you had a work thing.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t see your messages about coming until it was too late.”
“I was worried you were ignoring me and I’d made a fool out of myself.” He laughs nervously.
“No, of course not!” I assure him. “You know what I’m like with my phone.”
“Yeah,” he says, and I hear a bit of irritation in his voice. “Did it go well? Did you meet lots of interesting people? Get some good gossip?”
I flinch. Most people assume that my job is all about showbiz rumors, breaking scandalous stories, and dishing dirt. But that’s not what I do.
I interview some of the most interesting and talented people in the arts, discussing their careers but also trying to understand them as individuals, so that I can craft a well-written, engaging interview that’s going to captivate readers.
I don’t do gossip. I don’t shame anyone or speculate on the ups and downs of their love lives. Mimi’s right that I have a habit of becoming too invested. My job is to immediately establish rapport with someone who is inclined to be wary around me, and while some journalists might be able to fake their warmth or interest, I can’t. I genuinely care about the joys of their work, their heartbreaking moments, how they found the strength to go through difficult periods, and what they’re hoping for the future.
I told Liam before that I don’t like being seen as a gossipmonger, but it was after we’d had at least three espresso martinis on our second date, so I shouldn’t expect him to remember.
“I spoke to a lot of people,” I reply instead. “How was your night?”
“Very productive actually. I sent a lot of emails to potential clients. Some of them were probably at that party last night with you.”
“Really?”
“I reckon so. Makes you think, it would be easier for me to come along with you next time.”
“Oh,” I say, a bit taken aback.
“So, next event—you can show me off to everyone?” he presses, going from a business voice to a cute one.
I laugh. “I’ll see if I can wrangle a plus-one.”
“You’re the best, Harper. And hey, I can cook for you tonight, if you don’t have plans. You like Thai green curry, right? I make a mean one.”
“Sounds great, thank you. I’m just at Claridge’s, so I’d better go. It’s a press junket.”
“Cool! If you see any hot new actors there looking for representation, put in a good word for me, yeah? I should give you a stack of my cards.”
Liam is a talent agent, namely for musicians and actors. He worked at an agency, but he didn’t like the management style (aka, he didn’t like being managed) and didn’t feel like he was going to move up any time soon. They didn’t value his potential. So, about a month ago, he broke out to set up his own agency, taking two clients with him: a singer-songwriter, who has recently done some jingles for commercials, and a musical-theater actor.
Personally, I thought it was a bit soon for Liam to branch out on his own. Most talent agents wait until they’ve made a name for themselves and have huge clients to poach. But Liam has an incredible confidence and self-belief—just shy of cocky—and when he talks about his career, it’s with the utmost certainty.
