Page 97 of The In-Laws

‘We want the agency to make money,’ Ross replied.

‘I know that, and we are making money, but we can do that by signing actual authors as opposed to flighty TikTok celebrities.’

‘We have to move with the times,’ Ross said, as if his was the final word on the matter.

He was beginning to irritate her. In the week following his big reveal, he’d been quieter and a lot less bullish. He had apologized to all of them. He would make sure that Ruby never bothered them again, he’d said, and that his mistake would not affect the agency’s reputation. But his loud opinions and pushy personality seemed to be coming back now.

‘As we all know, following trends is a short-term strategy,’ Melanie reminded him.

‘Look, Melanie, I had to pull a lot of strings to get this meeting, can you just go with it? She asked for a female agent, which is why you’re here. Otherwise I would have done it on my own.’

‘Chill out, Ross. Melanie knows how to handle authors,’ Jamie said.

‘Is she an author, though?’ Melanie mused. ‘Her manager said the book will contain a lot of photos, product placement and short paragraphs of her opinions.’

‘It could be like a TikTok version of a graphic novel.’ Jamie laughed.

Ross’s phone buzzed. He looked down. ‘Yes, finally!’

‘What?’ Jamie asked.

‘Ruby has signed the custody and child maintenance agreement.’

‘That’s good news, it must be a relief,’ Jamie said.

Ross’s face visibly relaxed, he sat down beside Melanie. ‘It’s a huge relief. I can’t wait to tell Amanda. She’ll be so happy it’s all sorted. She’s been a rock.’

Melanie felt there were no words for how strong Amanda had been. The Instagram announcement that had been drafted by Ruby, with considerable input from Ross and Nancy, had finally been agreed on by both sides, then posted. There followed a few days of intense gossip with nosy industry people trying to winkle out more information, but the agency had stonewalled them. The news soon died down and everyone moved on to the next book-world drama. For Amanda, though, it had meant constant messages from ‘concerned friends’ in London. She’d had to field all their prying questions and comments, which had been really hard on her. She didn’t complain, but Melanie could see the toll it was taking on her.

‘Amanda really has been a rock. You’ve put her through the mill.’ Melanie wanted him to know how lucky he was to have such a supportive wife.

Ross winced. ‘I know. I’ve been such an idiot. She’s incredible.’

‘She’s a diamond. I’m not sure Katie would have stayed with me,’ Jamie said.

‘I’d have been long gone,’ Melanie admitted.

‘I have a lot of making up to do,’ Ross said.

‘We all make mistakes,’ Jamie said. ‘Look at Katie calling Mum a poisonous bitch.’

‘How are things between them now?’ Melanie asked.

‘Non-existent. She drops Lucy up to the house and collects her. I’m not sure Mum will ever forgive her. White wine and Katie are not a good combination.’

Ross leant over. ‘Well, I’m in the doghouse with Mum now, so Katie’s probably in the clear.’

‘She should be. She’s been a very good daughter-in-law except for that one blip,’ Melanie said.

‘Is Mum still giving you the ice treatment?’ Jamie asked his brother.

‘Yes, she keeps saying how disappointed she is and how foolish I’ve been, that she never had the opportunities I had, the privilege to work in a family business …’

‘Oh, I hate when she does that. It makes you feel like you’re five years old and a really crap son. She’s used that line on me and Frank, too.’

‘It’s effective, I felt very small.’

‘Like a tiny speck,’ Jamie said, and the two brothers laughed.

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