Page 53 of Knowing You
‘Yes,’ I reply brusquely. ‘I’ve just been tired and…’
Felicity nods and stares for a moment. ‘Okay. Well, perhaps get some earlier nights.’ She gives a stiff smile. ‘Too much reading into the early hours?’
‘Something like that,’ I say brightly.
‘I hear you and am surprisedI’mso chirpy today. I haven’t had a single minute’s sleep. I readAlien Heartsby Casey Wilde. I received the submission yesterday and couldn’t put it down. Before I knew it, my clock said four am.’
‘I’ve read it too.’
‘Irfan mentioned that as he was leaving last night. That’s why I want to chat.’ She grabs the latte and takes a mouthful. ‘How come you got an early look?’
‘Lenny works for his agent. When we were still together, he was so excited and emailed it to me confidentially.’
‘His?’
‘Casey’s a man.’
‘Wow. This author gets more and more intriguing. My gut tells meAlien Heartsis going to be massive.’ She takes another sip of the drink. ‘We need to do everything we can to sign Wilde. What can you tell me about him?’
‘He grew up in a female-dominated environment. He works as a hairdresser. He’s popular with and loves the opposite sex. He’s got nothing but respect for women and I think you’ll agree that comes across in the manuscript.’
She nods.
‘And, of course, it’s not just a romance – it’s science fiction. Casey’s travelled widely and I think that’s put him in a strong position to create an alien world that is very different to civilised western society.’
‘And that alien world is so deep and intricate – dare I say his thoroughness reminds me of Terry Pratchett.’
‘Are you going to put in an offer?’
‘I need to think about my strategy. You sound as if you know him fairly well.’
‘Our paths have crossed a couple of times and Lenny told me things…’ I try to keep it light. ‘You should know that Beatrix Bingham has approached him.’
Felicity’s face darkens.
‘We need to play clever, then.’ She picks up a biro. ‘Although it’s questionable as to whether Alpaca or Thoth are going to be able to compete with the big advances I’m sure the larger publishers will offer.’
‘Casey’s a man of integrity. If he senses our passion, who knows? Perhaps invite him to next week’s party.’ This could work well. ‘Say no pressure, it’s just to give him a taste of how Thoth works. I could pass on the invitation tonight, as it happens – I think he’s going to a do I’m attending.’ I hope she doesn’t press for details about the house party.
‘Oh? A book launch?’
‘Um… it’s a poetry reading,’ I say, knowing Felicity isn’t a poetry fan. ‘It’s a monthly event I go to in—’
‘Great, well that’s an excellent idea. Otherwise he won’t get it until next week and might have made plans. I’ll slip in a personal note. Pass by my office this afternoon and it’ll be ready.’
She opens her laptop, which is my cue to leave. When I get back to my desk, Irfan is on the phone with an over-anxious author, by the sounds of it, who wants to know what we are doing to improve their disappointing sales. I sift through my paperwork and consult the week’s diary. This afternoon I’ll be doing the structural edits on my favourite author’s latest work-in-progress. Before I know it, lunch time is here. Bella can’t meet me for shopping because the spa is too busy. But she’s texted me a list of the kind of outfit she thinks I should wear.
I’ve come to rely on her opinion so much. Sometimes it feels suffocating, but then I remind myself of how low and directionless I was before I met her.
I buy an off-the-shoulder top for tonight and white jeans from the children’s department, just to get that tight fit. Bella had told me to try the girls’ section and said fitting those clothes proved that I had reached the ultimate size. Succeeding gives me a high like no other, as if I’ve achieved something that would be impossible for your average woman. I text Bella to tell her and she congratulates me with a suitable gif.
I manage to get back to Thoth with five minutes to spare.
‘Out tonight?’ Hugo says. ‘Where’s the old Violet? Won’t Flossie miss you?’ He digs my ribs in jest and I flinch. I wonder if his finger left a bruise. There’s no flesh to protect me.
‘How about you? A date?’
‘Brace yourself. I’ve been seeing the same woman for a few weeks. This might get serious.’ He fills me in on the gossip from yesterday. A reality celebrity turned up to discuss Thoth ghost-writing her life story. ‘The camera really does put on ten pounds. There was nothing to her.’
