Page 111 of Shout Out To My Ex

Oh god, it really is easy to get on Paloma’s offside.

‘Oh no, of course not,’ I reply, ‘and I will present this to my client as soon we wrap up the morning staff meeting.’ Nasrin clears her throat beside me. ‘Sorry,we’llpresent it toourclient.’

‘Excellent,’ says Saskia as she stands. She closes her planner, sliding the slimline pen into its holder on the side.

‘Wait,’ says Marie, ‘I have a question.’ Saskia remains standing but indicates for Marie to proceed. ‘Where is Lorenzo’s publicist in this plan?’

Paloma appears a little ruffled, but regains her composure almost instantly. ‘I’ve determined that it’s best to proceed without her input.’

Marie sucks in a long breath through her cigarette, nodding slowly. She lowers the cigarette. ‘I am not convinced.’

‘Well, I don’t need for you to be convinced,’ Paloma replies coolly.

‘But her fingerprints are all over this mess,’ says Marie.

‘I’m actually inclined to agree, which is why I’d like to keep her out of it.’

Interesting. This is a one-eighty from yesterday when Paloma wanted to read Ser in on the case. Maybe something else came to light overnight. If it did, she’s playing it close to her chest.

She and Marie eye each other warily, a stand-off between the head of client relations and the agency’s investigator. Nasrin and I glance at each other, our expressions silently conveying, ‘Oh my god!’

‘Marie,’ says Saskia, breaking the tension, ‘was there something specific that’s troubling you?’

‘Oui, but it is just a hunch for now.’

‘Care to share?’ Paloma asks, her tone laden with annoyance.

Marie leans forward, propping both elbows on the table. ‘A connection between the publicist and Franzia. Something is there, I wonder?’

There’s a beat of silence and I glance at the others, who seem as intrigued as I am – even Paloma.

‘Go on,’ Saskia prompts.

Marie shrugs. ‘As I say, it is just a hunch, but I will look into it.’

‘Please do – and quickly,’ says Paloma, with a (teeny) trace of conciliation. ‘Poppy, you and Nasrin meet with the client after the staff meeting and report back. I’ll leave this here for now,’ she says, indicating the whiteboard.

The meeting disbands, but Nasrin tugs on my arm and I stay.

‘What do you think? Will Elle go for it?’ she asks.

‘I really don’t know. It’s a lot to ask of her.’

‘Not if she loves him,’ says Nas, revealing her rarely seen romantic side.

‘True, but there’s no guarantee this plan won’t make things worse. It’s all about tone and timing…’

‘Mmm.’

‘And there’s the other issue – what Marie said. I’d hate to think that Leo’s publicist is working at cross-purposes with us but?—’

‘She might just be an evil mastermind.’

I smirk at that, enjoying the momentary reprieve the levity brings.

Elle

I’ve slept so soundly that for the first few seconds after I wake, I forget where I am.

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