Page 22 of Someone Like You

‘I recall a case in 2005,’ she begins, ‘in which the client engaged me for their friend and wanted the match to seem natural… random…happenstance, if you will. So, I designed a series of meet cutes, and each potential was given a time and location, as well as a photograph of the client and a script outlining how they could “meet by accident”.’

‘Oh, that soundsperfect,’ Freya says prematurely.

‘And it was successful?’ asks George, voicing my exact concern.

‘Oh, yes, absolutely,’ replies Ursula. ‘She met her match on her Sunday morning run. He literally bumped into her as she rounded a corner on the woodlands trail, and that was that – a successful match.’

‘Does your boy run, Freya?’ asks Nasrin, a teasing edge to her voice.

‘No, he’s not a runner. But maybe?—’

‘Freya,’ I say, cutting her off, ‘Nas was only teasing. We don’t have to set up a running-around-the-park meet cute.’

‘Oh, of course.’

‘So, we appear to have a strategy,’ says Paloma, who likes to keep our staff meetings moving along. ‘Ursula, will you be Poppy’s second on this one?’

‘I’d be happy to.’

‘What?’ says Freya, talking over Ursula. ‘But I thought I would…’ She trails off as she often does, but her meaning is clear. She wanted to be my lieutenant on this case, something I was worried about.

‘You’re a little too close to this one, Freya,’ Saskia chimes in diplomatically.

‘And Ursula has experience with the strategy,’ Paloma adds.

‘Idesignedthe strategy,’ says Ursula, her lips quivering almost imperceptibly. This is the Ursula equivalent of peevish lip-pursing.

‘Apologies, Ursula,’ Paloma says contritely. ‘You’re absolutely right.’

Ursula’s longstanding reputation as one of the top matchmakersin the UK has earned her a status that belies the agency’s official hierarchy. Paloma may be a co-founder of the Ever After Agency, but Ursula is the undisputed Queen of Matchmaking, and she benevolently nods her acceptance of the apology.

‘That’s all, everyone,’ says Paloma, closing the meeting.

I get up from the table, but Freya remains seated, her face contorted with disappointment. I sit back down and wait for the others to file out.

‘Are you okay?’ I ask.

‘Hardly,’ she replies gloomily. ‘Why didn’t you speak up? You know I’m far better positioned to be your second on this case than Ursula is.’

Idon’tknow that. Actually, I’m positive she isn’t, but I need to tread lightly here. Freya is my closest colleague at the agency – and a friend. I would never want to hurt her feelings or make her feel like I’m usurping her in any way. I know what this case means to her.

‘Look, we’d need Ursula to approve the list of potentials anyway. With her helping toassemblethat list, we’ll be one step ahead. That means we can start matching Raff sooner. Right?’

I totally pulled that out of my bum – what a load of hooey! This will shave off half a day –max. From the way her frown deepens, Freya is also unconvinced, so I try another tactic.

‘Frey,’ I say as gently as possible, ‘you had to know that you wouldn’t be assigned to this case, even as my second.’

I regard her closely, witnessing the thoughts playing behind her eyes and the moment she concedes.

‘You’re right,’ she says, and I couldn’t be more relieved. I reach over and give her forearm a squeeze. ‘But, Poppy, how are you going to pull off these “chance encounters” if I’m not part of the case – not even peripherally?’

How did I miss that key factor when Ursula’s strategy seemed like a perfect solution only minutes ago?

‘I know,’ says Freya, answering her own question. ‘Gaby can help.’

‘That’s a great idea but will she be up for it?’ I ask.

Gaby may have got Raff to agree to theNouveau Lifeinterview, but what if she’s still hesitant about finding him a match?

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