Page 17 of The In-Laws

Katie knew something important had happened toMelanie, that there was some big news. What was it? Her brain was fried from the bloody wine. What had Jamie told her? She gasped. ‘OMG, I should have said it earlier, HUGE congratulations on the Goldstine Award nomination!’

Melanie’s face lit up. ‘Goldstone, and thank you. I’m so happy for Sloane and it’s really good for the agency’s profile.’

‘And you, her amazing agent.’

Melanie grinned. ‘I know. I’m trying to be nonchalant and cool about it, but inside I’m jumping up and down.’

Katie laughed. ‘You’re hiding it well. I’d be running around telling everyone. I’d probably have T-shirts made up and all.’

Melanie burst out laughing.

‘How are things in the office, though? Jamie said Ross is all over things and trying to take over a bit.’

Melanie frowned. ‘A bit? He’s a nightmare. He’s all up in everyone’s business and telling us what we need to do better. He came into my office demanding to talk to Sloane about the award. I think he wants to own her, to be able to say she’s his author. Well, he can back the hell away. She ismyauthor. I found her and nurtured her.’

‘Too right you did, and Jamie says she adores you. He says you’re the only one in the agency she truly trusts. Don’t worry, Ross has no chance.’

Melanie’s phone beeped and buzzed. She typed into it as Katie continued to cut her hair.

When Melanie finally looked up, Katie asked, ‘If they’d really planned to move home and Nancy’s fall just made it happen a little earlier, why does Amanda seem so unhappy?’

‘Because she’s living with Nancy,’ Melanie stated bluntly.

‘I know she’s a grumpy old cow and you’d be miserableliving with her but, like, why would you take Theo out of school at the beginning of his final year and not wait until he’d finished his exams? They didn’t have to come back to look after Nancy. We could have got a nurse in. A big, strong, scary nurse who’d slap her into shape, like that mad one inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Katie giggled.

‘Oh, I wish we had.’ Melanie smiled. ‘But you’re right, it does seem strange. There has to be more to it than we know. I thought there was a lot of tension between Amanda and Ross at the lunch.’

‘Me too. Even Lucy noticed and said she thought Amanda was going to cry.’

‘Maybe they’re breaking up,’ Melanie said.

‘Maybe he was sticking it where it shouldn’t have been stuck.’

‘Maybe she’s the one who had the affair, with that duke she used to go on about.’

‘Oh, God, yes! She was obsessed with the Duke and Duchess of Blah-di-blah. Mind you, if she did have an affair, minding Nancy is the worst punishment she could have got. You wouldn’t stray again, that’s for sure.’

They chuckled. Then Melanie’s phone beeped once more. Katie continued cutting her hair. She was used to Melanie’s work obsession. She was devoted, and kind of addicted, to her authors. They could contact her any time, day and night, and she would respond straight away. Katie thought Melanie needed to put in some boundaries on her personal time. But she wasn’t going to say that to her sister-in-law. Funnily enough, Melanie was very good at boundaries with everyone except her authors.

Melanie finished typing an email and sat up again.

‘Is Frank looking forward to the Isla Overtone gig next week?’ Katie asked.

Melanie raised her right eyebrow. ‘Does Frank ever not look forward to a gig?’

‘I know, but this one is special. Isla Overtone is a legend.’

Melanie smiled. ‘Sorry, but I don’t even know who she is.’

Katie faked horror. ‘Melanie! She’s the queen of seventies rock.’

‘Okay, okay, sorry.’ She raised her hand in submission. ‘I’m rubbish about music.’

‘So is Jamie. He thinks Coldplay are edgy.’

‘Are they not?’

‘No! Thank God I have Frank to go with. He appreciates the genius of Isla.’

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