Page 25 of Faking It (and falling in love)

Sienna laughed. “Fair point, Philippa.” Sienna’s cheeks went slightly pink. “So, you wanted to go through the new cases before you meet them this week?”

“Yes,” said Philippa, opening the file on her laptop that Sienna had shared with her earlier that morning. “And I also want to talk to you about a new opportunity we’ve got coming up.”

“Sounds intriguing,” said the paralegal. Was it Philippa, or did she seem slightly breathless? Philippa had continued to be impressed with her work and could see her progressing well through her legal career with the right opportunities and support. She resolved to make sure Sienna got them. Sienna might not have been part of the golf-playing old boys’ club, but Philippa was determined that wouldn’t stand in her way. She’d had to fight to get where she was, and if she could make it easier for Sienna, she would.

“We’re pitching for a big contract at Marshall, Singh and Parker, the financial consultancy in Brindley Place. Gerry Marshall is keen for us to bid, and I think we have a good chance. I’ve done the initial paperwork, and we’ve been invited to present next week. I’d like you to come and present with me.” Philippa looked up from her screen.

“Me?” said Sienna. “Don’t you want Roderick, or one of the others?”

“Well, I’m sure they could do it,” said Philippa, placing her hands on the desk in front of her. “But I think you could, too. And I want to show that as a firm, we prioritise developing talent. I think you’d do a really excellent job.”

“Really?” The flush spread down Sienna’s cheeks to her neck.

“Really,” said Philippa. “Can I count you in?”

“Er, well, yes,” said Sienna. And then, more confidently, “Yes you can. What do you need from me between now and then?”

“I’ve started to make a plan for the pitch, but I’d like to go through it with you and see what you think. The other partners are already aware and on board. So maybe we could look at it tomorrow afternoon?” said Philippa.

“Count me in,” said Sienna, her smile now confident. “Thank you,” she added. “I really appreciate it.”

“It’s no more than you deserve,” said Philippa. “Right, can you run me through the new clients we’ve got on the books this week?”

Over lunch, Philippa picked up her phone and opened the message from Alex. “I see it was a life-or-death emergency you contacted me with, then?” she wrote.

“Ha ha! I thought you’d appreciate that. Ok, I’ve been invited out for a few drinks with some friends I haven’t seen for a while on Friday night, and it would be super helpful to me if I had a date xx” replied Alex.

Philippa wondered what was so special about this Friday night in particular that Alex needed a date for it, but she knew she’d agreed to help Alex out when they’d originally hatched their plan. And a deal was a deal. Alex had been her plus one with Gerry and Alison, and she needed to return the favour at least once.

The problem was that she enjoyed the idea of being Alex’s date rather too much for her own liking. She knew it wasn’t real. She kept telling herself that. But nothing was telling theadolescent hormones that were swirling around her body. She rolled her eyes at herself and checked her diary. Dottie would be at Paul’s, so she would be able to go.

“You have a deal,” wrote Philippa. “Just tell me when and where x”

A heart emoji immediately appeared on the message before Alex sent through the details. Philippa thought about her own heart, and how quickly it appeared to have attached itself to the infuriating but irresistible Alex Fletcher.

Philippa allowed herself a moment to enjoy the fantasy of Alex turning up alone at the venue, holding a cocktail for them each, confessing that in fact the whole thing was an elaborate ploy to profess her undying love. She then allowed another moment to berate herself for behaving like a teenage girl filled with hormones and longing. Was this what being a lesbian was all about?

She thought back to the moment when Alex had held her stare while holding her cheek in that restaurant. She remembered the tingling sensation she’d experienced. Part of her had loved it: it made her feel alive, reminded her what she’d missed all these years. The control freak in her hated it. She was used to knowing what to do, how she felt, what she thought and why. Meeting Alex seemed to have turned all that on its head. But was that such a bad thing? The point of coming out was to be able to change her life, live as her true self, fall in love. Perhaps it was about making mistakes, too. And she knew, deep down, that Alex was likely to be a mistake. She didn’t want to be one more broken heart in the trail Alex had already left behind her. Apart from anything else, Philippa didn’t like to think of herself as someone who followed the herd.

Although perhaps it was unfair to think of Alex’s exes as a herd. What preciselywasthe collective noun for a group of heartbroken sapphic women?

Chapter Nineteen

The planning for the contract bidding presentation was going well. As Philippa had hoped, Sienna had some creative ideas as to how to change things up. She was confident her bid would at least be competitive, if not successful.

She sat at her desk flicking through the slides. It was almost there, but there was something missing.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She’d used the corporate template for consistency, and incorporated Sienna’s ideas, but it still seemed a bit flat. It was, however, Friday afternoon. Her mind really wasn’t on the presentation or the bid, it was on the evening ahead.

Philippa closed her laptop, switched off the office lights and put her coat on. She was done for the week. “Come on, Sienna,” she said, standing in the open plan area, “I think it’s time for a Friday night drink.”

It was pay day, and traditionally, Philippa and the partners would take those who wanted out for a drink, alcoholic or otherwise, to celebrate the end of the week. Sienna smiled, finished the sentence she was typing and looked up. “Great. Ithink Roderick and the guys at the other end of the office are coming, too.”

Philippa resisted an eye roll, but knew she had to get on with her new colleague, even if he was a bit of an idiot.

“Ah,” came Roderick’s familiar voice, almost drowned out by the pinstripes on his suit. “Time for drinkypoos then? Marvellous. Come on, guys,” he said, his voice booming around the office. “And of course, girls, too,” he added, seemingly pleased with himself for recalling that he worked with female staff as well.

“Or even, women,” said Philippa dryly.

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