Page 114 of The First Mistake

‘David!’ she enthuses, superficially. ‘It’s Alice. How are you?’

‘Oh, Alice,’ he replies. ‘Well, this is a surprise. I thought after—’

‘It was a misunderstanding,’ she says. ‘And not something that should interfere with business.’

‘Well, I’m pleased you feel that way. I have to say, I was somewhat surprised by your overreaction.’

Alice bites her lip, desperately trying to stay calm.

‘Listen, I was wondering if I could take a look at the site after all? Just to get a clearer picture of your vision for the interior. That is, if you’d still like me to ...’

‘Of course,’ he booms. ‘It’s still very much a building site, so we have to be careful, but I’ll gladly show you around. When are you free?’

‘I was thinking in maybe half an hour or so, around six, if that works for you?’

‘I’m afraid the site is closed for the day now,’ he says.

Alice looks to Beth who spins her finger, intimating for her to wrap the conversation up.

‘Ah, that’s a shame as I’m literally coming past it. Never mind, perhaps another time.’

‘Well, if you’re passing, I suppose you could pop in. It’s all supposedly locked up – health and safety and all that.’ He laughs throatily. ‘But if you go around the back, there’s a loose hoarding that you can slide across. Don’t tell anyone I told you though, or they’ll come down on me like a ton of bricks. I’ve already been paid a visit because kids treat it like a playground, and if anything happens to one of them, apparently it’ll be on my head. How ridiculous is that?’

‘Crazy,’ says Alice, desperate to get off the phone as Beth gives her the thumbs-up.

‘Perhaps we could meet for dinner to discuss the way forward. I’d hate for you to miss out on this opportunity, just because—’

Alice cuts him off, unable to listen to this odious little man any longer.

‘Fine, I’ll give you a call tomorrow,’ she says before putting the phone down and turning to Beth. ‘Now what?’

‘Just ask Nathan to meet you there,’ says Beth authoritatively.

‘But what for?’

Beth turns to look at her and they share a momentary understanding. An unspoken agreement that everything will be all right.

‘Where the hell are you?’ barks Nathan through the loudspeaker. ‘What’s going on? We’vegotto complete on Japan.’

Alice feels bizarrely detached – as if she’s landed in a movie of someone else’s life.

‘Did you hear me?’ he goes on. ‘Time’s running out.’

‘Who for, Nathan?’

‘What do you mean, who for? Us. You. AT Designs ...’ He sounds slightly hysterical. ‘If we don’t do it now, we’re going to miss this opportunity. I’ve worked so hard for this,Alice.’

‘You have,’ she agrees, though on the opposing side to her, it seems. ‘Meet me at the Temple Homes development on Bradbury Avenue.’

‘What? Why?’

‘We got the go-ahead on the job I pitched for.’

‘This isn’t the right time Alice – we need to get Japan done first.’

Alice looks at Beth, her eyes wide, her thoughts frantic.

‘Just get him there,’ hisses Beth, under her breath.

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