‘I have a bad feeling,’ I say. ‘Not necessarily about Mike, but about Darcy.’
Jared puts the heel of his hand on the car horn. ‘Tosser just tried to cut me up. Watch where you’re going! Dickhead.’
While Jared mutters under his breath at the other driver, I turn to check Joe’s still asleep. ‘I think Darcy might have left Joe’s name off the invitation on purpose.’
‘What?’ Jared shoots a confused glance at me. ‘Why would she do that? Wasn’t it her idea to have the joint party?’
‘Yes, but after the mistake with the invitations, she said she’d email everyone to let them know it was Joe’s party, too. And she didn’t do that either. Plus, she didn’t tell the venue. And did you see all the banners and balloons with Tyler’s name on? And the size of that cake!’
‘Hey, hey, calm down.’
I realise I’m trembling, on the verge of tears. I don’t want to cry. It’s just, I can’t think straight. And listening to myself air my worries to my husband, it all sounds so trivial and pathetic.
‘Why would she do any of that on purpose?’ Jared says. ‘There’d be no point. Anyway, the main thing is that Joe had a fantastic time.’
‘I know. I know you’re right,’ I say. ‘But I feel bad for him that no one bought him a present.’
‘He’s got a couple of presents in the boot,’ Jared says. ‘One huge one from Tyler, so they must like him. How can anyone not love Joe?’ He grins at me. I don’t return the smile.
‘I don’t think it’s Joe she wants to hurt,’ I say. ‘I think it might be me. And I don’t think she cares if Joe gets caught up in it.’
‘Caught up in what?’ Jared’s brow creases. ‘Louisa, I really think you’re making too much out of this. You’re tired, and you’re probably still a bit upset about your job.’
Jared’s been so busy with his business this week, I realise I never told him about Darcy taking over my column. ‘Do you know why I lost my job?’ I say.
‘No. Did you find out? Did Kathryn give you a reason?’
‘Remember Darcy offered to write it when I was ill, and I stupidly accepted?’
‘Yeah, I remember. But it wasn’t stupid to accept her help.’
‘She was helping herself, more like.’
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ he says.
‘Kathryn gave my column to Darcy. And Darcy took it. Her piece is in the paper today. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to ruin Joe’s birthday.’
‘God, are you sure?’
I can’t tell if Jared is worried for me or if he thinks I’m making it up. ‘I’ll show you the paper when we get home. She got a full-page spread in my magazine.’
‘Surely she wouldn’t have done it on purpose, Lou. If she knew she’d done you out of a job, I’m sure she’d be—’
‘Take her side why don’t you,’ I snap. I know I shouldn’t take it out on Jared, but why can’t he support me in this?
‘Easy. I’m only saying that—’
‘That all these things are just coincidence? That she’s really a sweet person who wouldn’t dream of flushing my career down the toilet while she takes it all for herself? Never mind that she’s already a multi-gazillionaire who doesn’t even need a job.’ I realise I’m sounding bitter and horrible now. And I’m probably being unfair to Darcy. I think the events of the past few days must have put a strain on my nerves.
Jared doesn’t reply. I glance across to see his face is stony.
‘Maybe I’m wrong,’ I say. ‘I’m just not sure that she’s the lovely, generous person she appears to be.’ I suddenly remember how she spoke to the stalker guy earlier this week. How she threatened him. How her voice changed. It scared me. But I can’t mention that to Jared – he’ll be cross that I never told him about it. He’ll worry and make me go to the police.
‘So, what?’ Jared says. ‘You want me to throw away this business opportunity because you’ve fallen out with Darcy? You seemed to be getting on okay, today. I saw you laughing and hugging each other before you left.’
He doesn’t understand what’s going on. And I appear to be hopeless at explaining it. I even agree that it does sound like I’m being more than a little paranoid. Perhaps I’m wrong about this. Abouther. I hope so. I try again: ‘I just think things would be simpler if we didn’t get too involved with the Lanes. Maybe if you found a cheaper office somewhere else…’
‘Lou, I’m setting up a new advertising agency, not a telesales business. It’s all about perception. We need those quay-front offices – it’ll make us look premium. And what about Mike’s contacts? I won’t be able to get things moving without clients. I just can’t do it. We can’t afford to piss these people off. You’ll just have to keep being nice to Darcy. I’m really sorry about your column. I truly am. It sucks. But the opportunity I’ve got will make up for it, I promise. I’ll make this work, and then, who knows, maybe you can even set up your own magazine.’
