Page 113 of The In-Laws

‘Why are you defending her? Melanie has just walked out on us taking our two biggest authors, among others.’

‘Melanie found and nurtured Sloane, and Xina wants to be represented by her.’

‘Mum sees it as a total betrayal.’

Amanda stopped walking and turned to Ross. ‘Ross, it was not a decision she took lightly. Melanie loved the agency and worked bloody hard for it. I think she’s right toset up on her own. If she doesn’t do it now, she never will. Besides, Nancy has made it clear that her succession plan is for Lucy to take over as soon as she’s able to. Melanie was never going to be handed the agency because she isn’t a blood relative, just like me and Katie. Nancy made it clear at that awful lunch when she banned Katie and treated Melanie and me like outsiders. We will always be just the in-laws.’

‘I still think Melanie could have waited to leave until I had a year under my belt.’

Amanda sighed. ‘It’s not always about you, Ross. God, can you take yourself out of the centre for once? Why would Melanie factor your needs into her life decisions, for God’s sake?’

‘Okay, no need to snap my head off.’

‘Seriously, though, why should she wait? Now is the time to go. She’s broken up with Frank. It’s the perfect time to cut ties with the agency.’

Ross pulled his hat down over his ears. ‘We’ll have to start looking for agents immediately. We need to keep the company name high on people’s radar.’

‘Melanie said she’d help you with that. Get a list from her and start there.’

‘I will, if Jamie hasn’t already. He was very bullish in the meeting, way more than before. He seems pretty keen to run the agency now Melanie is going.’

‘Well, if Lucy is the heir apparent, maybe it makes more sense that her dad is the one minding the seat for her.’

‘Where does that leave me? I’ve already been bossed about by my mother. Am I now going to have my brother ordering me about, and then my bloody niece?’

‘Maybe you need to think outside the box. Look at new avenues. You don’t have to stay in the agency either, ifyou feel it’s not right for you and that your career will be stunted.’

‘But I moved home to work there.’

‘No. You moved home to get away from your affair and because our son was expelled. Theo will be in England next year, and so will your baby. Maybe you should consider going back and working in London.’

Ross scuffed some leaves with the toe of his shoe. ‘Do you want me to go?’ he asked quietly.

‘I don’t know. Maybe. It might be a good idea. Your two children will be there.’

‘Would you come with me?’

‘No. I don’t want to be around the baby, not yet anyway.’

‘Please don’t leave me,’ he whispered. ‘I need you, Amanda. I know I’ve put you through hell, but I love you. You’re the rock of our little family.’

Amanda watched her husband fight back tears. Did she want to stay married to him? Like Melanie, was it time for her to make changes too? Was this what she wanted now?

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do,’ she said honestly. ‘At the moment I’m taking it day by day. I don’t know how I’ll feel when the baby is born. It may be the final straw, it may not. We’ll have to wait and see.’

Ross wiped his nose. ‘I understand. I just need you to know that I really love you and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you and to Theo.’

Amanda patted his arm. A month ago she’d have felt nothing, but she actually almost felt sorry for him. He had made a balls of things and he was really feeling the repercussions now.

‘One more thing,’ she said. ‘I’m going to work for Melanie.’

‘What?’

That had got his attention.

‘I need a job. I need to earn money and find myself again. I offered to help her out in any way I can as a kind of office manager and she accepted.’

‘But you can’t … I mean … She’ll be a direct competitor.’

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