Page 19 of The Writer
“Back home. Got in last night. How are you? I’m sorry I missed your birthday.”
“Oh, don’t worry. Landon was here and that was enough. Neve phoned. And Scott was wonderful.”
“What did you get up to?”
“Well, after we’d had lunch with Landon and …” She goes quiet. “Anyway, Scott had set up this party at the Moulin Rouge. It was both eye-opening and extraordinary. I had the best time ever!”
I need to spend some time with Scott Foxton. Although, I’m not sure I like him that much. That isn’t strictly true. If he makes Seffi happy, then I’m happy, but the years of feuding between our families have taken a toll on my ability to see clearly where the Foxtons are concerned. “Well, as long as you know I was with you in spirit. I’m glad you had a great night.”
“I did. What are you up to now?”
“I’ve got to go and see Landon at the office, and then I thought I might see if Neve’s around for a catch-up tonight. She called me in Kabul, asked for a meetup. Any ideas?”
“None. You know what she’s like. Could be anything.”
I shrug on a lightweight cream top and finally open the curtains, checking out the view. Still glorious sunshine. Still too bloody hot, I should think. “I’ll let you know then. Listen, I’ve got to go now, but how about I try and get out to Paris in the next few weeks? We could have lunch, and you can introduce me to Scott. Might be good to get some time with him.”
“Really? That would be brilliant. I can’t wait.”
I smile and shove my feet into my Converse, grabbing a bag off the back of the door the moment I have. “Great. We’ll get it booked in. If I ever get five minutes to myself or any time off.”
“Ivy, you work for yourself. Taking time off is at your own discretion.”
I open the main door to the apartment and slam it behind me, happy the secure entry system will cover all the locking and alarms, and start down the stairs. “Unlikely, I have a new boss—our brother.”
“What?”
“I know. He’s commandeered me, or I pushed him into it. Either way, I got double the pay, so I’m happy.”
Bright light hits me the moment I step outside, and I drop my sunglasses in place and keep moving through the crowds. “Also, this fucking dead author is pissing me off. I mean, why the hell was she digging around in our family, and then she’s dead? Makes no sense, and you know what I’m like when things don’t make sense.” She’s quiet as I cut past St Bart’s hospitaland head for the criminal courts.“And obviously I’m going to show Landon a thing or two about actually running the company because he’s too busy fucking his secretary. Was she with him in Paris?”
“Erm.”
“See? Not concentrating.”
“I didn’t tell you that.”
“Don’t worry, you didn’t tell me anything.” I slip inside the overly full coffee shop and nod at Jenna in the corner, signalling for my usual order. “Right, I’m going to go now. I need coffee and more food before I get in front of him.”
“Okay. Say hi for me.”
“Will do. Take care.” Ending the call, I tie my hair into a loose bun and bypass the queues to head straight for the main pickup area. Jenna almost instantly hands me over my usual cappuccino and a paper bag with my food inside.
“Still alive then?” she says, smiling.
“Just. Almost got kidnapped this time, but a hunky commando pulled me out of danger. Might have thanked him for the effort by way of a bedroom.”
“Good god, you’re incorrigible.” She laughs and sets about making more drinks for the other people waiting. “Are we going out tonight? There’s that new bar near the Barbicanthat we need to try out. Please? I've missed our nights out, and I need to get shitfaced.”
“Maybe. Give me the day to get back into London mode. I’ve got meetings with my family first. I’ll text later.”
I wave and cut back through the queues until I’m out on the street again and heading across town. It won’t take me long to get to the offices. Never does. Not that I go there all that often, but today I need to get straight what it is that we’re doing about this scandal. Whilst big brother might be a dick on some days, and is definitely not keeping his head focused like he should, he’s also one of the most cunning men I’ve ever known. In fact, annoying as it might be, he could have already beaten me to the task and is already all over this situation.
The sight of the building looms as large as it always does. I take a minute to finish my sandwich and coffee before entering, attempting to push the snide side of me down that is extremely pissed that I’m not at the head of this company. Landon’s not even interested in media, for God’s sake. He’s a barrister. A good one, I’ll give him that, but taking over here must be stifling as fuck for him. If there was anything other than the importance of hierarchy in this family, Father would have named me head the moment he realised I was actually interested in journalism rather than forcing Landon into something he didn’t want. But of course, I’m a woman, so what would I know about business?
I hate him for that. My father, that is, not Landon.
Although, I hate him too some days.
