Page 4 of The First Mistake

‘I just wondered if I’d be able to come to the meeting at Belmont House with you tomorrow?’

I consider it for a moment.

‘It’s just that I’ve got loads of ideas, and I really feel I could bring something to the table.’ She looks at me, her mouth agape at the faux pas she thinks she’s made. ‘Not that there’s anything wrong with what’s already on the table,’ she rushes on. ‘It’sallon there,andthensome, and then you’ve wrapped it up in a big gold bow and put the Alice Davies signature on it ...’ She’s rambling, and I wait with raised eyebrows.

‘I can’t see why not,’ I say, when she stops to take a breath. ‘In fact, you can lead it, if you like.’

An involuntary squeal escapes from her mouth that I pretend not to hear, even though it makes me smile.

I can’t help but marvel at how far she’s come in the short time she’s worked here. She was as quiet as a mouse when she first joined AT Designs, barely able to look anyone in the eye. I remember asking at her interview where she saw herself in ten years’ time, and she’d meekly whispered, ‘Sitting in your chair.’ The juxtaposition of her manner and her words had almost made me spit my coffee out. She had got the job on that alone.

She’d been almost mute for a week, just nodding and shaking her head at pertinent times, but I knew she was in there somewhere. I’d seen it, though Nathan refused to believe me.

‘I’m telling you, you picked the wrong candidate,’ he’d said over dinner after her second day. ‘We need someone with something about them – she’s not even going to be able to interact with clients.’

I’d smiled and shaken my head. ‘She’s young and shy, but she’s quietly ambitious and has a real flair for interior design. She reminds me of someone I used to know.’

He’d smiled ruefully. ‘I give her two weeks.’

Six months later and she’s truly come out of her shell. She’s not only able to interact with clients, but is working on one or two small projects by herself.

‘I won’t say, “I told you so”,’ I’d whispered to Nathan under my breath when she presented her ideas on a new restaurant concept we were pitching for last week.

‘Smartarse.’ He’d smiled, his blue eyes not leaving Lottie.

There was no denying that I felt a tiny sense of satisfaction at getting one over on Nathan. Our friendly competitiveness was part of who we were, whether it be in work, a game of tennis, or playing charades with the girls. But the overriding emotion was one of relief; that in Lottie I might have found a protégé who could take the pressure off me. Nathan was,is,brilliant at keeping the business side of the company ticking over. It’s in better shape now than it’s ever been. But, until Lottie joined, I was the only creative, and to have someone to fall back on, to take the heat off, has meant that I’ve slept a little easier at night.

Although he’s not one to admit defeat, Nathan obviously concedes that having Lottie around is making a difference, as just before he left for Japan he’d championed her for a pay rise.

‘She’s worth her weight in gold,’ he’d said, as he stood in the hall with his holdall in his hand. ‘You should have seen her in the meeting with Langley Kitchens. She had them eating out the palm of her hand.’

‘Er, you don’t have to tell me,’ I had said, laughing. ‘I’m the one who toldyou, remember.’

‘If I’d thought of it sooner, I’d have asked her to accompany me to Japan.’

‘Really?’ I was taken aback, even though I couldn’t quite work out why. It had been my choice not to go.

‘It’s not too late if you want to come with me,’ he’d said gently, taking me in his arms.

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ I had pulled away, my heart hammering through my chest. ‘Of course I can’t, I’ve got the children to think about.’

‘Your mum would have them at the drop of a hat, you know she would.’

My mind had frantically run through what I’d have to go through to get on that plane with him. My breath caught in my throat as panic crept through every nerve fibre, tingling the tips of my fingers.

‘We’ve discussed this,’ I’d snapped.

‘I’m just saying that there’s still time,’ he’d said as he pulled away from me. ‘That’s all.’

‘I’ll see you on Wednesday,’ I replied. ‘Enjoy yourself.’

‘How can I if you’re not with me?’ he’d said forlornly.

‘It’s Japan, how can you not?’

‘Be good,’ he’d said with a wink as he walked towards his car on the drive.

‘Call me as soon as you land, won’t you?’

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