Page 25 of Another Lucky Number

‘Thanks.’ I narrow my eyes at her. ‘Good thing I don’t have any deep-rooted appearance issues.’

Cat places a concerned hand on my forearm. ‘You look stressed, honey. You haven’t been up all night worrying about your interview, have you? It’s a great opportunity but it’s not worth making yourself ill over.’

‘It’s fine, Cat. I know I don’t have to do it. Iwantto. At least I think I do. I actually slept really well. James and I were messaging until quite late so I was exhausted by the time I went to bed.’

‘Ooh, that’s exciting. Tell me—’

‘No.Don’t.’ Amber cuts Cat off. ‘Tell us why you’re sweating like you’ve swallowed a Carolina Reaper.’

‘A what?’ says Cat.

‘World’s hottest chilli – or used to be anyway.’

‘Ah. Yeah, you kind of do.’ She turns to me with a grimace. ‘Sorry, honey.’

I give a loaded sigh, and pour myself a cup of tea, taking a good slug before I fill them in.

‘OK, this “sack of shit” is what happens when you combine hot humid weather with the news that, in a few days, I have to do a twenty-minute presentation. Not just to Sébastien, but also…wait for it… to an audience of resort staff and highly valued guests.’

‘Oh, my goodness.’ Cat’s hand goes to her mouth. ‘That’s probably the worst thing they could have asked you to do.’

‘Tell me about it.’

Even Amber seems thrown by this. ‘Crap. Seems we’ve got our work cut out for us. You’d have thought, after hearing you caterwauling at the karaoke that Sébastien wouldhave more sense than to let you loose on his precious clientele.’

‘Thanks, Amber. I was hoping for some words of support, perhaps even reassurance.’

‘What? You want me to lie?’

I look to Cat, desperate for some sign that I’m worrying about nothing. She gently takes the envelope from me and scans the contents.

‘OK, honey, let’s think about this for a minute. You’ve done well in interviews in the past, haven’t you?’

‘Yeah. I get nervous, but I always seem to do a lot better than I think I’ve done. I’m not so worried about that bit. The presentation content shouldn’t be a problem either. I do know my stuff.’

‘Great.’ She offers me an encouraging smile. ‘And I’d say these company values are a good match to your own.’

‘They are.’ I nod. ‘I was happy about that.’

‘OK, that’s also good… and Amber can help you prepare for the behavioural-based side of things. Although right now, I’m wondering if she’s the best role model.’

Amber extends her middle finger at Cat and turns her attention to her heavily laden breakfast plate.

‘Case and point.’ Cat chuckles. ‘So… that just leaves the delivery of the presentation and the Q&A. There are two things you need for that: the ability to confidently and coherently present to your audience in an engaging way; and the skills to manage some tough questions.’

My growing optimism suddenly deflates. ‘Both of which I lack. What have I got myself into, Cat? I desperately want a shot at this, but right now, I can’t see how I’ll manage that.’

‘You’re panicking, that’s all, and I get why. I also think our surroundings are making things worse for you. It’s hard to think about something this serious and intimidating being where we are.’ She takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. ‘Amber and I willfactor some presentation skills coaching into your plan. How about, for the next few hours, all you do is the prep you’re confident with and after you can join us for lunch?’

‘OK, sure.’ I take a faltering breath, wiping a trickle of sweat from the side of my face. Then, on getting up to go to the breakfast buffet, a thought lightens my mood. ‘Hey, Amber, I thought you were taking the lead on this. So far, Cat’s doing a much better job than you.’

Amber’s head jolts up from her food. ‘Eh, no way, bitches. I’m still in charge. And I’m top dog at this stuff, you’ll see.’

Cat and I share a knowing look as I walk away. There’s no surer way to get Amber to become useful, than to indicate that she’s not.

Chapter Twelve

After breakfast, I return to my suite, while Cat and Amber head to the resort café to do some planning. Closing the door behind me, the bang seems louder and more echoing than I’ve noticed before, triggering a stark feeling of being alone. It’s just me and a scary amount of interview preparation. As the feeling of overwhelm sets in, my first instinct is to FaceTime Lottie, which would serve the double purpose of procrastinating from the ominous task at hand, while providing me with the boost my self-belief badly needs right now.

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