Page 99 of The Invitation

“Has he tried to prove himself to you?”

She huffs. “He’s a boy. I think I intimidate him.”

I laugh to myself. “I know the feeling.”

“Oh?”

I wave her interest off. “He just needs putting in his place every now and then.” I stand. “Another drink?” I shouldnotget into a slagging match with a senior partner, no matter how tipsy she is.

Sue flings her arm in the air with her empty. “Fill me up.”

“I’ll order, then pop to the ladies’.” I head off, smiling, happy with how the evening has panned out, and very grateful for the insight and inside information.

I leave my order with the barman and use the loo before washing my hands, reapplying my lipstick, and checking my phone. “Fucking hell,” I whisper, scrolling through the endless texts and missed calls.

You’re out, apparently. Where?

Answer me, Amelia.

We’re not done.

For fuck’s sake, we need to talk.

Delete.

Delete, delete, delete.

I head back out, willing my heart to calm. It’s making me shake. I take a few controlled breaths at the bar as the barman loads the glasses onto a tray, digging deep. It’s been a great evening. I need to keep it together a little while longer. I take the tray and head back to the partners, laughing when I see Bob and Sue on the dance floor swaying to Jan Blomqvist’s “More,” their eyes closed.

“Old ravers,” Gary says, chuckling.

“I fear some very dodgy shots on the golf course tomorrow.” I lower to the chair next to him.

“Oh, the hangovers will be rotten. Always are. I don’t think we’ve played a game of golf sober in our entire working relationships.”

“Does Sue play?”

“She’s the best.”

“Oh, I love it.”

“Perhaps you should get yourself some lessons, Amelia,” he says, giving me a telling look.

“You think?” His words remind me that I still need to get my father sorted. I put it on my mental list of things to do, along with calling some agents to see if there’s anything new on the rental market.

“Oh, I definitely think. And I know Sue would love a bit of backup on the course.” His eyebrows waggle.

Is that code for backup in the boardroom too? “Maybe I will.” I smile around the rim of my glass, settling back in my chair, watching Sue and Bob on the dance floor.

“Can I offer some inside information?” Gary asks, sitting forward. I definitely detect a little slur. Not too much, but enough to tell me the drink is about to talk.

“Sure.”

“When ...ifyou make partner, there’s a whole new world of rumours waiting for you.”

“Okay,” I say, trying not to get ahead of myself. The decision onifI make partner isn’t entirely Gary’s.

“There’s whispers,” he goes on, “of a merge between two of the big investment banks.”

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