Page 9 of Wild About You

She laughed. ‘Week One, and he’s already made you a hot chocolate? You are honoured. I’m sorry I’ve been in and out so much. I’ve got the new merch to sort out and we’re doing budget projections next week. Is Tally giving you a hard time? Callum messaged me to ask if you were okay.’

‘Did he?’ I felt touched at the idea of him looking out for me. ‘It’s fine,’ I said. ‘She’s just a bit spiky.’

‘She’ll warm up,’ said Fi. ‘And Jamie, too – I know hecan be a bit forbidding, but he’s a great boss once you get to know him.’

‘Hmm,’ I said, trying to smile.

‘Anna?’

I gave a half-laugh, trying to keep things light. ‘I guess – I just wasn’t prepared for him, and her, to be so…’ I screwed my face up. ‘Posh, andfrosty. I don’t react well to it. I just automatically go into – poor person mode, like they’re looking down on me. I start doubting myself.’

‘Seriously?’ Fi frowned. ‘Hand me one of those good biscuits.’

I pushed the packet towards her.

‘I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation,’ she munched a chocolate-covered cookie. ‘You’re amazing at your job and Jamie knows how lucky he is to get you. And as for Tally, where do you think all of that iciness comes from? She’s insecure, that’s all.’

‘I just don’t react well when people look down on me,’ I said. ‘I remember when I first started at Mackenzie’s, a well-off client asked me what school I’d attended, what university. When I told him – the expression on his face… It was like he was automatically deducting twenty points from my IQ. I just froze.’

‘What an idiot.’ Fi sipped her tea. ‘Sounds totally deliberate to me. People do things like that to get you on the back foot. Jamie’s not like that, and neither is Tally, not really.’

I nodded, but her words weren’t hitting home.

She finished her tea. ‘Look, you ever start feeling like this again, just message me Snookered and I’ll be over here in two ticks to give you a pep talk.’ When we were teenagers, Fi had gone out with a bloke who was mad for snooker to the point he dumped her because he wasn’t getting enough playing time, leaving her sobbing in my arms on a Saturday night. Since that day, the word Snookered was our bat signal.

‘Will do,’ I said. ‘Do you want to take some biscuits for Richard?’

‘We’re good for biscuits,’ she said. ‘Now, my love, eatallof the casserole. See you tomorrow.’

An hour later, I was aglow with warmth. Casserole eaten, garden plan dry and beautiful before me with its rainbow shades, wind dying down outside and the room toasty warm from the woodburner. I sipped my cup of tea and opened up the work email on my phone. If I sent Jamie an email now, he would see it at whatever ungodly hour he chose to start work.

FROM: Anna Whitlock

TO: Jamie Mulholland

Hi Jamie, I’ve put together a plan for Belheddonbrae. May I take you through it at your earliest convenience? It’s probably best if I show it to you in person. Best, Anna.

Job done, I snuggled under the crocheted blanket on the sofa and fell into a light doze, which was broken by a notification. I looked at the clock on the mantelpiece and saw that only five minutes had passed.

FROM: Jamie Mulholland

TO: Anna Whitlock

Hi Anna, I’d like to see the plan. Tomorrow at 9? Please come to the flat – Fi will show you the way.

Best, Jamie.

P.S. I assume you’re not allergic to dust, animal hair or woodworm. Mentioning that just in case. Living in a manor house isn’t as glamorous as it sounds.

Surprisingly cheery! I just about managed to piece together: Hi Jamie, that’s great, see you then – and no, not allergic to anything. Best, Anna.

I was wide awake now.

Plink.

Looking forward to hammering out the details of Belheddonbrae. And so is Hugo, who you haven’t met yet. J.

I decided not to send a cheery response in case we were messaging all night, in one of those cringey, too-politecircles of correspondence where no one can bring themselves not to reply. When my phone pinged again I felt slightly nervous.

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