Page 103 of The One That I Want

Bex is frowning now, the frightened girl giving way to something harder, angrier. ‘It was a stupid decision to bring back that hack. She can’t write and it madesomuch extra work for me. Stupid advice column.’

My jaw drops open, but I quickly recover. ‘You should have said something,’ I say.

‘Ididsay something and you didn’t care,’ she retorts, lobbing the accusation with enough venom to fell an ox.

‘That’s… that’s…’ I splutter, but Amelia Windsor lifts her dainty hand in my direction, signalling that I should be silent. I close my mouth, looking at Bex through fresh – and very hurt – eyes.

‘Rebecca, you are terminated, effective immediately,’ Amelia Windsor says.

‘I’ll just get my things then,’ she replies, standing.

‘You will do no such thing. Your systems access has been revoked and your belongings removed and packed up. They will be sent to your residence.’ She lifts her gaze and signals for two security guards – who I’ve only just noticed standing outside the door – to enter. ‘These gentlemen will escort you out.’

Bex looks to me – clearly flabbergasted – and her bluster instantly evaporates. Tears gloss her eyes, but I steel myself against them. She is no longer my right-hand woman and she’s no longer my protégé. She’s just a young woman who made an egregious professional error, one she didn’t own up to until she was confronted with it, and one she may never recover from.

She drops her gaze and slowly crosses to where the security guards are waiting, and they march her out ofNouveau.

‘Is it too early for a dram of whisky?’ asks Amelia Windsor. ‘You look like you could use one – you both do.’

‘Thank you for handling that, Amelia.’

‘I’d say it’s my pleasure, but I hate this part of the job.’ This staggers me considering what I’ve just witnessed, which must be apparent, because her mouth quirks when she glances in my direction. Then she puts her sunglasses on and stands. ‘Good luck with your second issue, Greta. I have no doubt it will be as well-received as the first.’

And then she’s gone.

‘God,’ says Anjali. ‘Icouldactually go for a whisky.’ She checks her watch. ‘I can’t believe it’s only just gone nine.’

‘Mmm,’ I murmur, still not having recovered.

‘You going to be all right?’ she asks, eyeing me intently.

I nod. ‘I think so. Part of me was worried I’d get the sack too.’

‘What?Hardly. I don’t know what we’d do without you. Besides, no matter what Bex said, none of this was your fault. This was all her.’

‘Thanks.’

Anjali sends me a tight-lipped smile. ‘Right, back to work, I suppose.’

She leads us out of the boardroom, and we take the lift, then head to our respective offices. When I arrive at mine, there’s a takeaway coffee cup and a paper bag on the desk, and on the bag is written:

I hope your morning improves. See you soon. Exx

‘It already has,’ I say, inhaling the delicious aroma of the cronut. I take a sip of the still-warm coffee, sit in my chair, and mentally prepare myself to break the news to Taj and Lisa.

27

POPPY

‘It sounds brutal,’ I say to Anjali after she finishes recounting what happened to Bex.

‘I can’t remember a worse situation – at work, I mean. I do have a wayward sister who’s caused havoc in my family for years,’ she responds wryly.

‘We can meet another time if you like – about the case?’

‘No, now is fine. It’s not like this day can get any worse.’

‘Actually, I’ve got good news,’ I say.

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