Page 94 of The One That I Want

I note this is a statement, not a question.

‘Mais, oui. Ça sera facile.’

‘Good. Right,’ says Amelia Windsor, casting her eyes around the table and standing, ‘if that’s all, I’ll get back to my garden party. I’ve kept my guests waiting long enough.’

OH. MY. GOD. She was hosting a garden party! That she hasn’t sacked me on the spot is a bloody miracle.

After four more cheek kisses for Marie, Amelia Windsor leaves the boardroom, her phone pressed to her ear. ‘I’m ready to leave,’ she says, presumably to her driver.

By unspoken agreement, no one says a word until the lift doors close behind her. Then we all – well, except Marie – emit a collective sigh of relief.

‘Howdo you know Amelia Windsor?’ Poppy asks.

‘School,’ Marie replies, giving no additional information.

‘And you didn’t think to mention itbefore? You knew we were meeting with her,’ she chides.

Marie shrugs, sucking on an unlit cigarette as if she hasn’t a care in the world.

‘Marie,’ says Anjali, ‘to get you started on your investigation, I’ve prepared this.’ She slides a manilla folder across the table and Marie opens in, her eyes scanning the first page.

‘What’s that?’ I ask.

‘Just some thoughts on who might want to derailNouveau Life. I’ve included everyone in your team.’

‘Right, of course. Wait – you saidincluded? Is there someone else you’re thinking of?’ I ask, grasping at the hope that it’snota member of my team.

‘A couple of people came to mind – colleagues who might consider you a riva?—’

‘Who is Ivy Jones?’ asks Marie, interrupting, and my head snaps in her direction of its own accord.

‘Ivy?’

‘As I was saying…’ Anjali continues, and I look back at her. ‘Youmayhave a rival or two.’

‘But not Ivy – she and I get along just fine.’

‘But she also wanted to lead her own vertical and got knocked back.’

‘Well, yes, because Ivy’s so-called idea wasn’t even remotelyNouveau. It was essentiallyThe Daily Sunonly more tabloid-y.’

Anjali looks at me as if I’ve just made her point for her.

‘Oh,’ I say, realising I have. And then I recall the strange exchange with Ivy on the day of the launch.

Could she really be the mole? She works in beauty, which is in a completely different division ofNouveau, but she’d be privy to enough information aboutNouveau Lifeto do some serious damage if she wanted to.

‘Alors,’ says Marie, closing the folder and placing her palm on top. ‘I will have something for you in the next day or two.’

‘That soon?’ asks Anjali, which is exactly what I was about to ask.

‘Oui,’ she replies – as if it’s a stupid question.

When I catch Poppy’s eye, she’s smirking knowingly. She must be used to Marie’s quirky and arrogant ways.

‘All right,’ says Anjali, ‘with Marie working on outing the mole and Amelia’s decision about the “Dating Horrors” column, we have a strategy. Greta, you’ll need to sort pulling the column and the reader submission portal this afternoon.’

‘Of course. I’ll do that before I leave.’

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