Page 14 of Emergency Engagement

‘That’s just awful, Rafael, but I honestly don’t know where you’re going with this.’

‘The woman hanging on Clement’s arm? As luck would have it, I actually know her.’

‘Which is a good thing?’

‘Which is very muchnota good thing.’

‘But surely catching up...?’

‘Clement is a decent, honourable guy in his seventies. I’ve met him over the years at social events. He’s well known in financialcircles as a mover and shaker, who’s also honest, fair and extremely generous when it comes to giving to charity.’

‘That’s really good to hear...but I’m really not sure where you’re going with this.’

‘Victoria,’ Rafael expanded, ‘is a twenty-nine-year-old ex-catwalk model.’

There was a moment of puzzlement, then Sammy relaxed and grinned. Then she burst out laughing, her green eyes lighting up with genuine mirth.

‘I get it.’

‘Tell me.’

‘She’s an ex-girlfriend of yours.’

‘From four years ago.’ Rafael shifted uncomfortably. ‘A brief liaison.’

‘No need for details.’ She was still grinning. ‘That’s not the end of the world, though, is it? Haven’t you been out with lots of catwalk models in the past?’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘I’ve caught the occasional article.’

‘You mean you’ve been stalking me?’

‘Don’t flatter yourself,’ she said drily. ‘I read the occasional tabloid and I’ve seen the occasional picture. Not my fault there are reporters around who can’t think of anything better to do with their time than take photos of you and whatever woman you happen to be going out with.’

‘Ouch.’

‘What I’m saying is,’ she said loftily, ‘is it’s hardly a crime for an ex to go out with someone else and for you to bump into them later on as a couple—although the age differenceisa little concerning.’

‘If only it was that easy,’ Rafael said, the grin fading, his voice quiet and deadly serious. ‘The first day was okay, but last night there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find her standingoutside in a bathrobe with nothing on underneath. I managed to get rid of her, but this could prove to be a very worrying situation. It’s not just the nightmare of having to be on the alert twenty-four-seven, and it’s not even the inconvenience of a situation arising that might be seen as compromising through no fault of my own...’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning,’ Rafael said wryly, ‘she’s caught flinging herself at me and whoever happens to be around leaps to an incorrect conclusion. I can’t say I care what people think of me but, like I said, this is a very big deal and a lot is riding on it. I’d rather not risk Victoria getting it into her head to scupper it if she can through sheer malice. Clement is in a fragile place at the moment, recovering from the death of his wife a year ago, and old men in fragile places can sometimes be foolish. From the looks of it, he’s in the foolish phase, besotted with the damn woman. He’ll come to his senses, but this couldn’t be a worse time for this to be happening. What I’m saying is, if Victoria gets it into her head to use her influence to spite me because I’ve rejected her, well, let’s just say there will be some very desperate casualties looking for jobs they probably won’t easily find.’

‘Why don’t you just tell her that you’re not interested? Why would she be spiteful? Surely if you explain...?’

‘It was something of a messy break up.’

‘Are you saying that she wanted to hang on in there after you’d given her her marching orders?’

‘That’s quite a colourful way of putting it, but essentially, yes.’

‘So she’s still got feelings for you.’

‘So it would appear.’

‘I get your point. People do crazy things when they’re vulnerable and your friend...well, you say he’s vulnerable, but still, I’m not sure why you’re telling me this when it doesn’t involve me. Unless you want me to take her under my wing inthe kitchen and teach her how to make puff pastry to take her mind off vengeful thoughts? Puff pastry will do that to a person.’

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