Page 6 of Love or Your Money Back

‘What in God’s name are you doing here?’ I hiss. ‘This is a family wedding, not business mingling.’

‘I was invited,’ says Freddy.

‘How? Why? This is a wedding of fairies and flower people. No one wants a Rolex watch model –’

‘I came to see you, actually,’ says Freddy. ‘Since you won’t talk to me at work, I thought a social occasion would be better. It turns out I’ve done some business with the bride’s father. All it took was a LinkedIn message and a small donation to the happy couple.’

Sylvia throws herself over me to shake Freddy’s hand. ‘Hello, young man. I’m Katerina’s aunt. Are you single?’

‘Of course he is,’ I say. ‘He’s far too disloyal to settle down with anyone. His main occupation is stripping company assets and putting people out of work so he can make millions.’

Sylvia turns to me. ‘Do you know this tall, dark, handsome millionaire, Katerina?’

‘Yes.’ My teeth feel like they’re glued together. ‘This is Freddy Stark. The man who’s trying to ruin Little Voice Publishing.’

CHAPTER3

Two Weeks Earlier …

Freddy acknowledges that his first visit to Little Voice was not especially successful. He hopes his second visit to the dour, 1970s offices in the scrag-end of London will be better.

In the spirit of positive change, Freddy brings with him a taste of the future: a top-of-the-range barista espresso machine with a milk-frothing arm. He has decorated the machine with a jaunty, red bow and walks into the Little Voice offices whistling like a proud parent.

As Freddy enters the drab, open-plan space, he hears Kat shouting down the phone:

‘No, you listen to me. You HAVE to stock this book. What are you talking about, no room? You are Book Haven. You have hundreds of stores all over the country. You have shelf-loads of space, pun intended. This is the best book I have read in years. YEARS –’

Freddy watches with quiet admiration as Kat screeches at one of Europe’s biggest book retailers. Totally the wrong approach, of course, but he admires her passion, if not her outfit. The lumpy, woollen monstrosity hiding Kat’s figure is only eclipsed in hideousness by her shoes: comfortable lace-ups, usually worn by nurses and waiting staff. Her hair, as usual, looks like she’s done nothing more to it than go to bed and wake up.

Freddy sets the espresso machine down on a nearby shelf that holds instant coffee, powdered milk, a travel kettle and nine ‘European Diverse Publisher of the Year’ trophies.

The shelf breaks, throwing various powders all over the floor with an almighty crash. Luckily, the espresso machine is boxed and protected by polystyrene. The awards don’t fare so well, though. One of them breaks.

Kat’s head snaps up. Her thick, dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail so tight it is almost facelift territory, but this does nothing to tame the halo of frizz waving its way up towards the fluorescent lights.

‘I’ll call you back,’ Kat slams the phone down. Then she glares at the pile of sugar, instant coffee and glass on the floor. ‘You broke one of our trophies.’

‘Yeah, it’s amazing you can win all those awards and still not turn a stable profit,’ says Freddy.

‘Well, awards don’t always equal cash,’ says Kat. ‘I hope you’re going to clear that mess up. You just destroyed our kitchenette.’

Freddy looks around. ‘What kitchenette?’

‘Our kitchenette.’ Kat points to the wall space where the shelf used to be.

‘That’s not a kitchenette,’ says Freddy. ‘It’s a shelf. Was a shelf.’ He retrieves the espresso maker and holds it aloft. ‘I bought you a present. You’ll love it. I’ve got one at my apartment. It’s the best coffee maker on the market.’

Katerina’s focus returns to her computer. ‘What do you want, Freddy? Please tell me, then leave.’

Freddy perches on Kat’s desk, placing the espresso maker next to her keyboard. He admits he’s crossing his arms in such a way that it plumps out his biceps. But Kat doesn’t even incline her head in his direction. Feeling awkward, he reaches for a framed photo of a wild-haired woman and a little girl, holding hands in a field of poppies.

‘Is this you, my darling?’

‘What?’ Kat’s gaze stays firmly on her computer screen.

‘The little girl in this photo looks like you. She’s smiling. I’mveryconfused.’

‘I smile. Just never when you’re around.’

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