Page 66 of The Upper Crush

‘Bullshit.’

‘He showed me his selection last week. I chucked them out and told him to re-advertise. That’s the last straw. I’m sacking him immediately.’

Estelle forced herself to stay put between James and the door. ‘You can’t do that. He’s the only one of us who’s ever done this before.’

‘I don’t give a fuck. He’s a backstabbing, underhand little shit and—’

‘Oh, that’s rich coming from you!’

‘Meaning?’

‘Stealing Henry’s clients at Conqueror, letting me sign the contract with your company not knowing you were behind it, horn-dogging your way across the county and breaking people’s hearts—’

‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘I’ve never met anyone as soulless as you in my entire life.’

James crossed his arms. ‘And you’re so perfect? With your complete lack of professionalism and childish pranks? I’ve had arseholes beeping me all week before I realised you’d slapped a sticker that says “overcompensating” on the back of my car.’

Estelle paused, her mind whirling. She’d completely forgotten she’d done that.

‘It’s ruined the paintwork. Do you know how much it’s going to cost to get fixed? No, of course you don’t, because Lady Estelle Foxbrooke has never had to worry about money before—’

‘You don’t know the first thing about me.’

‘And you’ve got me all figured out.’

‘Based on your words and your actions. You don’t even want to do the festival and can’t wait to leave once it’s over.’

‘Well, for once you’ve got something right. The last thing I ever wanted was to have anything to do with your family. And I’d rather spend six months in a salt mine in Siberia than holed up in Somerset trying to pull this shit together. The only reason I’m still here is because I’ve got no fucking choice.’

‘And you think I do?’ she yelled.

A movement in the doorway caught her eye. She whipped around to see a couple in their sixties, dressed in dark suits, standing just inside the room. Max was behind them, a smirk plastered on his face.

No!

‘Max, you’re sacked,’ James snarled. ‘Get the fuck off the property.’

Max’s grin faltered for a second, then he flipped James the bird and left.

‘Can I help you?’ James asked the couple, his tone still harsh.

The man drew himself up. ‘I’m Councillor Mark Pensford, from the district council licensing committee, and this is Councillor Sarah Hughes. We were invited to discuss your plans for a music and arts festival at Foxbrooke Manor.’

James turned to Estelle. ‘Did you know about this?’

She shook her head, reaching for the side of her desk as her knees buckled. It’s over. Everything’s over.

‘Please excuse us,’ James said to the councillors, his mouth forced into a smile. ‘It’s been a bit of a morning and tempers have become a little frayed.’ He moved forward, his hand extended. ‘James Hunter-Savage.’

Mark and Sarah stepped back.

‘Shall we go to the conference room?’ he continued. ‘Estelle, why don’t you see the councillors through and I’ll fire up the coffee machine?’

‘No, thank you,’ Mark said. He turned to Sarah. ‘I think we’ve seen and heard enough?’

The woman nodded. ‘Despite my previous experiences dealing with your family,’ she said to Estelle, ‘I came to this meeting with an open mind. However, the unpleasant scene my colleague and I have just witnessed reinforces my opinion that your event should not go ahead.’

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