Page 1 of Just Like That

Chapter 1

‘Jess, there you are,’ a voice bellows from several feet away. ‘I’ve been looking all over. Should have known I’d find you here.’

Excusing myself from the conversation I’m engaged in, I turn to see my manager, Craig, striding across the VIP tent towards me, his crisp dark tailored suit looking smooth but out of place in the laid-back surroundings.

‘Is something wrong?’ I ask him. ‘Whatever it is, I’m on it.’

‘Nothing’s wrong,’ he reassures me, perching his expensive gangster sunglasses on the top of his head, while being careful not to mess up his somewhat over-styled and thinning blond hair. ‘Quite the opposite. Remember I told you we had someone important coming to check out the event today?’

I nod expectantly.

‘Well, they came, they saw and they just verbally agreed a contract with us to run a similar event in Glasgow next year.’

‘WHAT? That’s amazing news!’ I whoop. ‘Was that the guy and the woman you introduced me to earlier?’

‘That was them.’ Craig puffs himself up smugly, the laughter lines around his eyes deepening as he smiles.

‘You should have given me a signal or something so I could have been on my best behaviour. The way they were acting, I assumed they were old friends of yours.’

‘Not as such. I’ve known Izzy a long time – a couple of decades it must be by now – but they’re generally easy-going people, and I wanted them to meet Jess, not “Jessica”.’

‘Hey…’ I cock my head quizzically. ‘There’s no “Jessica”, what are you talking about?’

‘I’m just kidding.’ He nudges my shoulder with his own. ‘All I mean is I wanted them to meet you in a more relaxed capacity. Izzy’s full on but she also appreciates a bit of humour. Call it setting the backdrop.’

‘Fair enough. Your plan clearly paid off if you got a verbal that quickly.’

‘It wasn’t that hard, really. I mean, look at this place. It’s stowed out. A blazing triumph, and in the main, thanks to you.’

We wander out of the VIP tent together into the May sunshine, our senses immediately engulfed by buzzy laughter and excitement, delicious aromas and the sight of people milling around the scores of stalls, pop-up restaurants and outdoor bars – complete foodie heaven.

Gazing around the Meadows-based event, I sigh with satisfaction. ‘I do love seeing a plan come together. We’ve been lucky with the weather – that’s something I definitely didn’t organise.’

‘True, but it would have taken a complete washout to put a sizeable dent in today. This is by far the biggest and most impressively organised event of this kind the capital has seen. I’m thinking I’ll have to give you a pay rise so I don’t lose you to the competition.’ He gives me a pointed look.

‘Well, if you insist.’ I try to hide my surprise that Craig is wise to Bree from the Cramond Event Company – our biggest competitor – sniffing around, making approaches on LinkedIn.

‘I do. You’re going nowhere, Jess. Let’s talk on Monday, yeah? Now, I’d better get back to Izzy and Jon and show them a good time before they change their minds.’

Craig praises me with another ‘well done’, then sets off across the grass, weaving his way through the sea of people who are gathering for the on-stage entertainment we’ve organised with some of Scotland’s hottest up-and-coming music acts. Food, drink and amazing live music – a winning combination without a doubt. I’m just thinking I should probably head back to the VIP tent to ensure all is still running smoothly when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Quickly checking if it’s an SOS from one of my project team, I’m pleased to see that it’s actually a WhatsApp voice message from my best friend, Amelia. Hitting play, I hold my phone up to my ear so I can hear it.

‘Jess, milady. Hope you’re killing it today. I ordered the sun for you, some unicorns too – let me know if they don’t arrive. You’re welcome. Hit me up soon or I’ll have to come up there and dial for you. Laters!’

I chuckle, shaking my head at my friend’s weird and wacky dialogue. On the face of it, you’d call us an unlikely pair. Me, the focused, rising professional – even in my part-time jobs while at university. Amelia, relaxed and alternative in every way. But all it took was our paths crossing during freshers’ week, plus a sticky laminated cocktail menu, and we were smitten. Instant BFFs.

I record a very quick – and less off-the-wall – reply, promising I’ll call her in the next few days, and as I turn to head back to the VIP tent, I almost collide with someone.

‘Oh, sorry.’ I look up at the tall, broad-shouldered male figure and my face breaks into a smile. ‘Seth.’

‘All right, Jess.’ My brother grins at me, bright blue eyes shining as he runs a casual hand through his thick light brown hair. ‘This is quite the party you’ve cooked up.’

‘It sure is. I’m delighted. Didn’t know you were coming today. If you’d said, I could have got you some VIP passes. Perks of the job and all.’ I waggle my staff lanyard at him.

‘I’m good roughing it, but thanks.’

‘Are you here with your friends?’

‘Just Thomas and Zain. I left them doing the craft beer tasting session while I came to find you.’ Seth makes the universal ‘boozing’ gesture with his hand and I laugh. ‘Wondered if you might be able to join us for a bite at some point? I know you’re working, but surely you’ve got to eat?’

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