Page 59 of Shout Out To My Ex

The polite murmurs from a moment ago swell until the conference room fills with voices. Saskia’s eyes swing to meet mine, her expression inscrutable.

The Ever After Agency is not in the business of breaking up engagements, even ones we strongly suspect are fake. Doing such a thing could severely damage the agency’s reputation and, as the agency relies on absolute professionalism as much as it does discretion, that could be a death knell.

‘There’s more,’ I say loudly, hoping to quell the rising surge of alarm. The conversations around the table cease and alleyes return to me. Nasrin inhales deeply. ‘There’s this,’ I say, advancing to the video Marie sent.

It’s not the best quality and, as it’s shot in portrait, it only fills a vertical strip in the middle of the screen, but I play it in its entirety. I want – perhaps evenneed– its fullest impact. When it concludes, I set the remote on the table and wait for my colleagues to settle once again.

‘This video was shot by someone at Franzia’s modelling agency – herownagency. It’s unlikely to get out – this or any video like it – because of the damage it could do. Not just to Franzia but to all the labels or brands she’s associated with, as well as her agency.’

‘So, the industry is protecting her,’ states Paloma. ‘That makes sense from a fiscal perspective but what about…’ She appears to struggle to find the right word.

‘Everything else?’ supplies Ursula. ‘Accountability, reputation…’

‘Exactly,’ says Paloma.

‘All salient points,’ I say, but we’re getting off track. We haven’t been hired to put Franzia on the naughty step. ‘But what Nasrin and I are considering’ – this is where I bring in Nas; I need the backing of my lieutenant – ‘is how Franzia’s behaviour impacts this case.’

Thisis the plan. Ahead of the meeting, Nas and I agreed that at this point, we would drop the grenade, seed the idea that the revelation could lead to our client’s HEA, then step back and let silence do its work.

As we hoped, the room stills. Everyone isthinkingand if this goes the way Nas and I want it to,wewon’t have to advocate for pursuing the case despite the engagement, because at least one of our colleagues will do it for us.

Nas pokes me firmly under the table and I dip my head in a surreptitious nod. Who will be the first to speak up, I wonder?Probably not George – he doesn’t like to rock the boat. Freya is definitely onside, but I’m not sure if she’ll have the confidence to speak first. And Mia, as our tech expert, doesn’t really have any skin in this game. I look over at Ursula. Although her face is immobile, I can tell that behind her eyes, her mind is working away.

‘We need to consider the greater good,’ Ursula says after some time. Nasrin pokes me again and I expel the breath I’ve been holding as slowly as possible, so I don’t give myself away.

‘How so?’ Saskia asks.

‘If we assume that Leo hasnotbeen exposed to Franzia’s behaviour,’ Ursula replies, ‘would we not be doing him a disservice by abandoning the case and not allowing him the opportunity to reunite with the woman who may be his true love?’

Not just a double negative but a triple! Still, Ursula’s meaning is clear enough.

‘Playing devil’s advocate for a moment,’ says Paloma. She plays devil’s advocate so often, I’d swear she’s on his payroll. ‘Let’s say that Leoisprivy to Franzia’s outbursts – would that not indicate he loves her and doesn’t care how she behaves, thus negating the need to pursue the case?’

‘Just to step in here,’ I say. ‘It may be that Leoisin love with Franzia’ – I’d bet my parents’ farm that he isn’t – ‘but from what I’ve witnessed in his exchanges with Elle, there’s still a spark between them.’

Paloma eyes me curiously. I’m walking a tenuous line here, essentially contradicting a senior staff member. I canfeelmy fellow agents holding their breath.

‘Poppy,’ says Saskia, breaking through the tension in the room. ‘Asking to pursue a lost-love case in which one of the parties is engaged, it’s…’ She pauses far too long for me tobelieve she’ll land on a yes and I steel myself for the no as the tension rises again. ‘…problematic,’ she concludes.

Well, bugger.

‘As you know – as you all know – we have very strict and explicit guidelines that we need to adhere to.’

So, it is ‘cased closed’ but not in the way I’d hoped. I glance at Nasrin and her mouth tugs into a taut line of commiseration.

‘That said…’ Saskia continues, and I instantly perk up. ‘What you’ve presented here today is compelling and warrants keeping the case open.’

‘Yes!’ Nasrin exclaims in a stage whisper.

‘Under the proviso,’ says Saskia pointedly, ‘that you tread carefully and give me and Paloma daily updates. At even theslightestindication that we’ve overstepped or that this case won’t go our way, I’m calling it. Understood?’

‘Yes, Saskia,’ Nas and I chorus together.

I’m pleased with the outcome, but this discussion has emphasised how high the stakes are in this caseandhow critical it is that I get this right.

‘Thank you, everyone,’ Saskia says, her bright countenance restored, and everyone leaves the conference room except for me and Nasrin.

‘What do you think?’ I ask, standing and gathering my belongings.

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