Page 51 of Duplicity

‘I’ll definitely take a drink,’ I tell Sophia now, because she strikes me as the kind of person to relent a little if you throw her a strategic bone.

‘Of course you will. Fuck knows, you’ve earned it this week. Come here, come here. Ladies—I give you our newest seraph, Marlowe.’

I allow her to clamp an arm around me and pull me into the circle, Athena bringing up the rear. There’s a chorus of effusive greetings and a generous smattering of smiles so full-wattage I’d swear there were paps around.

‘I feel exactly like the new girl at school,’ I whisper to Sophia with a shaky smile, but it’s true. I remember showing up at Cheltenham Ladies’ College on a full scholarship, one of the only girls whose father wasn’t rich and either famous or titled. In this moment, I’m right back there.

She doesn’t smile back but instead cocks her head and studies me with compassion. ‘That may be a younger part being triggered, but that’s understandable. We’re going to show her that this is your tribe. You’re wanted here, and you belong here. Got it?’

Okay then. I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I nod. Even if I couldn’t feel less like I belong, I appreciate the sentiment, and I know Sophia and Athena have my back. ‘Got it.’

‘Marlowe,’ Camille says, coming forward with a warm smile. ‘You survived! How are you feeling?’

I lean in as she greets me with a kiss on each cheek. ‘I’m good. I’m—yeah. It’s all good. He’s really sweet, he’s taken good care of me. The office is lovely. So yeah.’ I nod. ‘All good, really.’So articulate, Marlowe.

She smiles kindly. ‘Oh dear. You’re a bit dazed still. It’s absolutely to be expected. The first few weeks are alot.Aren’t they, Bree?’

This is directed at a tall, slender Black woman who’s drifted up next to us. She looks like a supermodel. She’s in a coral pink halter-neck dress that showcases skin so glossy it doesn’t seem real. It’s actually shimmering. She’s so beautiful it’s ridiculous.

‘Hi, sweetie,’ she says, holding out her hand. ‘I’m Bree. We need to get you a drink. And yes, the first week or two can range from the surreal to the downright bonkers. These guys get so overexcited when they get their new toys. It’s ridiculous, if you ask me. So if you’re still standing and you can still walk, you should take that as a win.’

I laugh at that, because she’s nailed the situation perfectly. ‘I couldn’t really sit down on day two,’ I confess, which is probably all the dirt I’m going to dish on Brendan. Bree throws back her head and laughs, and I admire the huge diamonds flashing in her ears, the delicate column of her neck.

‘I have a feeling I’m going to regret knowing so many sordid details about my future brother-in-law,’ Athena says with a groan, shoving a goldfish-bowl-sized glass of rosé into my hands. ‘Relax, darling, I put some Pellegrino in it.’

‘Thanks,’ I tell her. Bree gives her a hug that’s clearly genuine and supremely elegant at the same time.

‘Did you get engaged?’ Bree asks, and Athena gives her trademark dismissive face.

‘Nah. But we both know it’s going to happen.’

‘Ahhh,’ everyone choruses.

‘Come over to the window,’ Sophia urges me. ‘This view is spectacular.’

‘When did you get in?’ I ask her as we approach the edge of the seating area. From what she’s told me, she’s based in Athens with her boss, but he also spends a lot of time treating the Medas his personal playground. She definitely didn’t get that tan in London, that’s for sure.

‘A couple of hours ago. Thad lent me his jet. The flight was fine, the traffic from Luton was a disaster.’ She shudders, and I marvel at the insouciance that comes with a lifestyle where hopping around Europe by jet is as normal as jumping on the Tube.

‘He loves you,’ Athena coos, and Sophia laughs.

‘He loves my body. It really is a fab gig.’ She stretches. She’s like a cat, so comfortable in her own skin and so sensual. They all are, actually. ‘Think it might be coming to a close, though. Oh, hey Tal.’

She breaks off as another gorgeous woman joins us. Like Sophia, she has Mediterranean looks, with dark brown hair and olive skin, but it’s her eyes that are striking. They’re a pale green-grey, and they’re startlingly beautiful against her skin.

‘Sorry to interrupt. I had to come say hi. Aren’t you gorgeous?! Look at that dress. I’m Talia, by the way.’

‘Marlowe,’ I say. I startle as she pulls me into a giant hug. Wow, she smells incredible. Athena swipes my wineglass from me just in time. She’s staring at Sophia.

‘What do you mean, Soph?’

Sophia sighs, and Athena hands me back my glass. ‘He’s retiring, and his wife wants him to stop jetting around and settle on the estate. Their eldest son is expecting his first kid—it’s a big deal.’

‘Wow,’ Athena says. ‘How do you feel about that?’

Sophia shrugs. ‘I mean, it always had an expiration date. Either he was going to keel over and die from Viagra overload, or his wife was going to put her foot down. It’s not a huge surprise.’

I stifle a giggle. Apparently, Sophia’s boss treats her more like a full-on mistress than an assistant, and she seems fine with it. To be fair, her lifestyle is insane, from what I know.

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