Page 27 of The One That I Want

But Bex… well, ever since I briefed the team earlier in the week, she’s made it clear she’s not on board. This baffles me –she’s worked with Poppy before, and the advice column concept is a strong fit for our vertical.

Maybe Bex senses how I’m feeling aboutmyassignment, even though she doesn’t know I’m the contributor – a decision Anjali made to help ensure my anonymity. We debated this aspect of the assignment – I don’t like keeping things from my team – but Anjali believes this will give me the freedom to write candidly.

Regardless, I need to address this matter immediately. As Poppy’s primary contact and the editor of the column, I need Bex to be fully invested or it won’t succeed. I just hope Poppy hasn’t picked up on Bex’s reticence.

After the team meeting, Poppy and I head back to my office, and the roaring inside my head starts up again, increasing in volume the closer we get. When I close the door behind us, Poppy takes a seat in the chair across from mine, while a hurricane rages inside my head.

I take a seatanda steadying breath, then meet Poppy’s eyes.

‘Um…’ she starts, ‘have I done something to upset Bex?’

Part of me is relieved at not having to dive into the matchmaking discussion right away, but this topic is hardly any better.

‘That’s an astute question,’ I reply, deflecting.

‘It was pretty obvious,’ she says with a wry smile. ‘Do you think it’s because of the Elle Bliss/Lorenzo article? Bex essentially had to re-write the entire thing, but I still shared the byline, remember? To sell my persona as a fashion journalist?’

The penny drops. ‘Oh, of course. And was Bex looped in? That you’renotactually a fashion journalist?’ She reported to Anjali at the time, so I’m not sure how the assignment was handled. It suddenly occurs to me that Bex may know Poppy’s true profession.No, no, no.

‘I don’t think so. Apparently, she was told it was a trial – thatNouveauwas considering taking me on as a freelance contributor.’

I heave out a sigh.

‘Are you okay? You’re not, are you?’ she asks, her understanding tone setting me at ease.

‘No. It’s just… this assignment and keeping it from my team… then the way Bex was with you just now…’

‘You’re also wondering if she knows I’m a matchmaker,’ Poppy says, picking up on my additional concern. I don’t even question how she determined that – just another example of my face broadcasting every thought and emotion.

‘Yep, that too.Allof it,’ I reply.

‘Look, I know we’re supposed to get started on your assignment today, but if you want to leave it till next week, I can go smooth things out with Bex and start working on the column. Taj said you’ve already received quite a few reader queries.’

Poppy’s right – there is work she can do on the column. We’ve opted for a soft launch, adding a thumbnail to the main page that invites readers to send us their romantic problems – just to see if there was any interest. We’ve had an excellent response so far, with dozens of queries pouring in.

But as tempting as Poppy’s offer is, that would just be kicking this can (of worms) down the road.

‘No, let’s just get on with it.’

‘That’s the spirit,’ she says, making me laugh. ‘I really do want to make this as painless as possible for you,’ she says. ‘And, who knows, you might even have fun.’

I give her my we-both-know-that’s-a-lie face, which makesherlaugh.

‘Okay, okay, maybe not rip-roaring fun, but aren’t you at least curious?’

I sit back against my chair and take in her encouraging expression. ‘You know, I haven’t really thought about it like that. But now you’ve mentioned it… I suppose matchmaking is a rather interesting endeavour.’

‘It is – from both sides.’

‘Do you really think I could have fun with this?’

‘Well, the alternative doesn’t seem very appealing,’ she says, the corners of her mouth twitching.

‘Going on dates and having a miserable time?’ I ask and we both chuckle.

‘Exactly. But what if you go into this with an open mind? Think of it as a chance to meet nice, interesting people, explore some of London’s hotspots… If you take that approach, then, yes, it could be quite fun. You also get to write anonymously, which gives you a lot of freedom.’ There’s that word again. ‘Surely, that’ll be enjoyable in its own way?’ she concludes.

‘How do you know the men are going to be nice and interesting?’

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