Page 48 of The Plot Twist

Allie raised her eyebrow at him as Angie gestured for Allie to follow her deeper into their enormous abode. ‘You do,’ she confirmed. ‘You can pay me back in more ideas for my book, OK?’

Martin nodded and looked relieved to have got off the hook this lightly, before leading her into what was probably referred to as the drawing room in a house like this. It was high ceilinged with lamps placed at strategic points around the room, bathing the space in a warm golden light. Large windows at the back were covered with curtains that had yet to be drawn against the encroaching evening, and through them, Allie could see a sizable walled garden with tall trees at the back and a sweet little patio area just beneath the house itself. It reminded her of something out ofNotting Hill, just in a different postcode.

‘Allie, what can we get you to drink? White wine? Red? A gin and tonic?’ Angie was stood framed in the doorway which looked like it led to the kitchen, if all the gleaming white marble behind her was anything to go by.

‘Erm, what are you having?’ Allie asked.

‘Shall we start with a G&T?’ Angie waited for Allie to nod before turning to Martin and saying, ‘Be a dear and make them?’

As Martin left the room to follow his instructions, Angie led Allie to one of the sofas that framed the giant fireplace. ‘Sit,’ she said, pulling Allie down to sit beside her. ‘I’ve been dying to meet you, ever since Martin’s confession.’

‘Yes, about that…’ Allie began, ‘I don’t want you to think?—’

Angie waved her hand, dismissing Allie’s concerns. ‘That I would be concerned that my husband was getting writing advice from one of my favourite authors?! Allie, it’s a dream!’

Allie giggled slightly, she knew from the very first conversation she’d had with Martin about Angie that she would like her and now that she was sitting on Angie’s sofa, in Angie’s beautiful house, under Angie’s gorgeous brown eyes, she was completely smitten. This woman was like catnip to Allie’s senses.

‘Well, that’s lovely of you to say, but I feel quite awkward about the whole thing. I mean, I’m not sure how I would feel if I found out my husband had been keeping secrets from me and that some random writer knew all about it.’

‘Are you married?’ Angie leapt in to ask.

‘Er, no I’m not. I meant, hypothetically speaking.’

‘Well, I don’t mind. I’m actually relieved that Martin has found someone to talk to. It’s been obvious for a long time that something wasn’t sitting right with him. And I wasn’t over the moon when I discovered what it was … although I probably should have guessed it had something to do with Gigi. God I love that girl but she is ALWAYS at the heart of all our troubles. Do you have children?’

‘Er no…’ Allie was beginning to worry that her lack of partner and kids would mean Angie would feel she had very little of interest to add to this conversation, but before she could feel any more awkward Martin reappeared with a silver tray of drinks and put one down, carefully on a coaster, on the coffee table in front of her.

‘Angie darling, don’t quiz Allie about her personal life. It’s hardly polite, she’s only just arrived.’

‘See?’ Angie turned triumphantly to Allie. ‘Martin would never previously have considered whether it was polite or not to ask personal questions. If he was interested he would ask, if he wasn’t he wouldn’t bother. You’ve really had an effect on him, Allie.’ As Angie beamed at her, Allie caught Martin’s eye roll and bit back a snigger.

‘OK, enough with the personal questions about you, Allie. Tell me whether you think my husband can actually write this new book?’

Allie looked between Angie and Martin: Angie’s eager face beaming at her and Martin looking really quite uncomfortable behind. She fixed Martin with a look she hoped conveyed the belief she had developed in him and said, ‘Absolutely. In fact, I think it could turn out to be his best yet.’

Martin sank down into the sofa opposite and smiled gratefully over at her. ‘You’re kind to say that, but we both know that the outcome for most of this rests upon the mercurial mood of our friend Jake Matthews.’

Allie grimaced and looked at Angie, who in turn was looking in concern between her husband and Allie. ‘Allie, what do you make of this Jake character? Is he as bad as Martin makes out?’

‘Honestly? I am dreading sending my new book in. I don’t think it matters whether I, or anyone else, think it’s any good. I’m sure Jake will make me feel about two inches tall when he reads it.’ She exhaled heavily and picked up her drink in which Martin appeared to have forgotten the correct ratio of gin to tonic. Despite the fiery taste she was grateful for the immediate hit of alcohol to her system. Talking about Jake Matthews was just the worst and Allie needed a drink to take the edge off the whole thing.

‘Well whatever Jake Matthews thinks, personally I cannot wait to read your new book. I’ve loved all of them.’

Allie blushed a deep crimson colour. Of course, she was used to fans praising her books, but this wasn’t just any random romance fan, Angie was smart, sophisticated, intelligent. Allie was about to go on before she checked herself and realised she was doing all of her fans, in fact, every fan of romance, a disservice. They were ALL smart, sophisticated and intelligent, and their choice of reading material just proved that, she told her inner patriarch sternly. But she would put money on the fact that not many of her fans held PhDs in an obscure branch of science, could sing jazz AND looked that good in silk jumpsuits. It was that combination that set Angie apart from mere mortals.

‘Thanks, that’s really kind of you to say.’ Allie tried to will the blush from her cheeks. ‘Did Martin tell you that I met up with my editor the other day? My ex-editor,’ Allie corrected herself.

‘He told me some of it.’ Angie looked at Allie with a worried expression. ‘I’m so pleased you got to talk to her, I have to say, I wish Martin could talk to his old editor but he’s long gone now and actually it was always a bit hit and miss how helpful he would be. But this plan you’ve got. Do you think it’s wise? I have to say, I’m worried about you getting caught up in all of this. If Jake is as unpleasant as you and Martin suggest then I’m concerned for you.’

Allie looked into Angie’s eyes. She didn’t really know her, and yet the worry etched across Angie’s face was real; Allie felt a rush of emotion for this kind woman who had invited her into her home, showed her compassion, praised her books. She wasn’t sure that her own mother would have listened for long enough to grasp the issues at stake or to show such genuine concern for Allie’s well-being. Her voice got choked up as she tried to explain.

‘I know. I’m worried too to be honest. I’m already on the wrong side of Jake and if this doesn’t work and he gets wind of the plan or that I’m involved then it’s going to go very, very badly wrong for all of us. But I also can’t just sit back and do nothing. This man might be ruining my career but he’s also ruining a lot of other people’s too. And he’s doing it from a position of power and privilege with absolutely no recourse. I can’t let him do that.’ She looked over at Martin who was nodding too and then back at Angie who was no longer looking at her with concern but with something that looked quite a lot like admiration.

‘I love Verity, my editor,’ Allie explained. ‘She’s the reason I have this job, she has always believed in me, always done everything in her power to make my books successful. I can’t stand to see what Jake has done to her, and I won’t stand by and not do something if there is anything I can do to help. And Tessa, his assistant? I don’t know her at all, and perhaps she’s an awful person and deserves to have Jake as her boss. But perhaps she’s just a young misguided kid who doesn’t realise she is being used, and doesn’t know she has the power and the right to stand up to Jake. And if I can help but I don’t, I don’t think I will ever forgive myself.’

Before she knew what was happening, Allie found herself engulfed in Angie’s arms and Angie was saying over her shoulder to Martin, ‘I KNEW I would like her in person.’ She held Allie away from her and looked her in the eyes. ‘You’re very brave. And if there is anything Martin or I can do to help you must let us know. Isn’t that right, Martin?’

But Martin wasn’t there, Martin seemed to have disappeared off into the kitchen. Angie looked scathingly at Allie. ‘Powerful women showing emotion makes him nervous. Always has done. That’s why Gigi has always been able to walk all over him.’

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