Page 70 of The Importance of Being Emma
Except — what if Kate was right and he was desperate for Jane to take Tamara’s place? A chance remark from her about her dream car, maybe as he drove her home on Saturday night,then a few phone calls this morning — and there it was, all sorted.
Lucky Jane, being pursued with such determination.
Of course, it didn’t matter to me at all, because I’d be getting up close and personal with Flynn, very soon. Very soon indeed.
And I couldn’t wait.
Chapter Nine
~~MARK~~
By the time Thursday came, I was in a state of indecision about my meeting with Emma. Should I raise the subject of Friday night — or stay absolutely work focused and give advice on managing Elton? Bloody difficult, when I’d overstepped the same line.
And in that case, should I be mentoring her at all?
I arrived at Highbury Foods just before one o’clock, parked the car and rang her mobile.
‘Hello, Emma Woodhouse speaking.’
Didn’t she recognise my number — or was she just winding me up?
‘I’m outside, I thought we’d go to—’
‘You know, I don’t think we need this meeting any more.’ Her tone was cool and brisk. ‘The matter I wanted to discuss seems to have resolved itself, and anyway I can’t spare the time.’
I frowned. ‘I’m glad the Elton situation’s improved. But your excuse about being too busy won’t wash — because that’s what mentoring’s about, helping you use your time more effectively.’ I paused, then went on, ‘I don’t think Henry would be very pleased if you cancelled. At this short notice, I can’t really waive my fee.’
Silence, followed by the tap of high heels on stone steps.
‘You’re on your way down, then?’ I said, with a complacent smile.
‘No, Mark, I’m just finding somewhere more private to talk. You see,Idon’t think Dad would be very pleased if I told him what you did on Friday night.’
She really should have known better than to go down that route. ‘You mean whatwedid on Friday night, I seem to remember that you gave as good as you got—’
‘Don’t play games with me, you acted unprofessionally and you know it.’ Her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. ‘The mentoring’s over, can’t you see that?’
‘Maybe you’re right.’ I hesitated, then decided to go for it. ‘But I’d still like to take you out for lunch. We need to discuss what happened — properly, where we won’t be disturbed.’
‘Some things are better not discussed.’
‘Believe me, Emma, this isn’t one of them.’
Silence again.
‘It’s not as if we can avoid each other,’ I said softly. ‘There’s the Board meetings, your company Christmas do, then mine. And whenever John and Izzy bring the kids over, they like to see both of us. It’ll look strange if we—’
‘All right, all right,’ she said, sounding flustered. ‘Only not at the moment, I need some space.’
A result, of sorts; I didn’t want to push my luck. ‘Fair enough, just say the word when you’re ready to talk. ’Bye for now.’
She said goodbye and hung up. Instead of returning to the office, I stayed where I was and made a couple of phone calls. Ten minutes later, I was just leaving the car park when I had to swerve to avoid a maniac in a black Alfa Romeo, apparently in a big hurry to get to Highbury Foods. The driver had red hair, rather shorter than when I’d last seen him.
So she needed space, did she? A Churchill-filled one, by the look of it.
My father’s return couldn’t come soon enough. Then I’d go straight back to India, giving Emma Woodhouse more space than she could possibly imagine.
* * *
