Page 74 of The One That I Want

‘Oh, Anji, now you’re just sucking up,’ says Saskia with a laugh, which shocks the hell out of me. Saskianeversays anything like that.

‘Right, well, I’d better let you get back to your day,’ says Anjali, standing.

While Saskia walks Anjali out, Paloma joins me and George.

‘You handled that very well, Poppy,’ she says.

‘Thanks.’

There was a time when I steered clear of Paloma, as I found her quite intimidating, but we worked closely on a case about six months ago and formed a solid professional bond. I gained a new appreciation for the talents she brings to the table, and she affords me the freedom to ‘go off piste’ – her words – when needed.

‘I need a cappuccino,’ blurts George as he beelines for the door.

‘What?’ I ask him, bemused.

He pauses in the doorway. ‘Icouldgo for a stiff drink – that was far too intense for an AM meeting – but as it’s nowhere close to noon, I’ll settle for a frothy coffee with extra chocolate,’ he explains.

‘Oh, if you’re popping downstairs…’ says Paloma with a cock of her head.

‘Yes, yes, I know: a skinny flat white. Poppy? Cappuccino?’

‘Yes, please, George – that’d be great.’

He leaves and Paloma skirts around her desk and sits in her high-backed chair, then logs onto her laptop. I linger, wondering if I need to explain anything further. Paloma is head of client relations and maybe I should fill her in about Greta and what she knows.

‘Was there something else, Poppy?’ asks Paloma without lifting her gaze.

‘No, all good,’ I reply, then I slip out of her office and head to my desk. I need to update Greta on Anjali’s visit –immediately.

20

GRETA

I arrive at The Port House a little early, as the booking is in my name –andit’s just good manners – but Ewan is already waiting by the door.

‘Hello, you,’ I say, taking in his freshly pressed dress shirt and jeans. He looks smart and not at all like he spent the day behind the counter at The Daily Grind.

He leans down and kisses my cheek. ‘You look lovely,’ he says, his eyes scanning my fitted wrap dress in periwinkle jersey. I grew up being told to shy away from pinks and purples – they clash with red hair, apparently – but that’s just bollocks.

‘You too. I mean, handso— nice. You look nice.’

He grins at me. ‘Shall we?’ he asks. Without waiting for a reply, he opens the door for me.

‘Thank you,’ I say.

We’re greeted and seated and in less than a minute, have menus in our hands. ‘I haven’t been here before,’ says Ewan, looking about. ‘It feels quite authentic,’ he says. ‘Like they snatched it right out of Porto or even Barcelona.’

‘You’ve ticked off so many destinations I still haven’t been to,’ I reply wistfully.

‘Still plenty of time for exploring,’ he says, his eyes twinkling at me, then lowering to the menu.

It’s a nice sentiment, but where do travel and adventure fit in with continuing to advance my career and finding love and having a baby? Though a school friend of mine and Tiggy’s – Rana – said something that has stuck with me ever since. She’d just had her first child and joined me and Tiggy for drinks after work, newborn in tow. When Tiggy and I made a big to-do about her being able to come out with us as a new mum, she’d replied matter-of-factly, ‘Babies are portable.’ And she and her husband travel avidly –withtheir three children – so maybe it is doable to meld travel and a young family.

‘So,’ I say, abandoning my rambling thoughts and shifting my attention to the menu. ‘How about we choose one dish from each section?’

‘Sounds like a good approach – and we may even have room for dessert,’ he replies, with a double raise of his eyebrows. Ilovethat Ewan’s ‘all-in’ on ordering. ‘And what about wine?’ he asks, picking up the menu and scanning it.

‘Can I defer to you?’ I ask. ‘You’ve actually been to Spain and Portugal, so definitely you’ve got a leg up on me.’

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